IN THE FIELD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3267, 24 May 1943, Page 4

IN THE FIELD

ATTACK ON WHITE ROCK PAEROA HOME GUARDSMEN KARANGAHAKE MANOEUVRES Manoeuvres which included an attack on White Rock, Karangahake, held by an imaginary enemy, were conducted by the Paeroa Home Guard Battalion on Sunday under the command of Major J. H. Bartlett. LieutenanUColone? T. R. Dawe, Area Commander, No. 2- Military Area, acted as observer for the manoeuvres which* were held in . fine weather, some 300-odd men taking part. A loudspeaker outfit was used to control the exercise and in the initial stages the unit was positioned to cover the route of approach and as each unit arrived its movements were oontrolled in this manner. When all were assembled the C.O. explained what they were expected to do and section officers were given their orders. The men then moved on to the next part of the manoeuvre while the loudspeaker unit was transported to its next position. From this position. the actual advance against the “enemy” was controlled and each section moved on in ordei* of command, explanations being given and mistakes pointed out as they occurred. The object in view was White Rock in the Rahu district, Karangahake, and the men were advancing up the hill to a ridge behind which was an imaginary enemy. The ground could not have been better chosen, being hilly, with gullies and with various types of cover for the advancing troops. All Units In Field Every section of the Home Guard had its chance of practice. Signallers were able to “run” their wires and communicate with the various units of field ’ telephones, while carrier pigeons l were released to carry messages. Men of the traffic control and medical units were also on the job. r When the advance was concluded the men assembled and listened to talks by Major Bartlett and Lieut-enant-Colonel Dawe after which the men withdrew to ■'the appointed place for lunch where tea was provided for them. Here, an excellent spirit of comradeship prevailed and it was possible to discuss the manoeuvres with men of the various units and it seemed as though they all had gained some field knowledge. Practice With Mortar After lunch the men were able to witness a practice by the 3-inch Mortar Platoon. This was controlled by Lieutenant Owen. ’The unit used two 3-inch mortars which have a firing range of 1600 yards. The destructive power of the mortars was clearly observed and the men showed a degree of accuracy that could only be given by practice and efficient instructors. Six bombs were fired by each mortar, the last three being fired in rapid, succession.

Comments on the day by the commanding officer proved that while the scheme was an ambitious one it was more in the nature of a drill in ' which men and officers could learn what was expected of them under certain field conditions and the method used was one whereby they could be advised of mistakes and uncertainties collectively and on the spot from, a distant observation post. From this point of view the Home Guard units from the complete area spent a novel and instructive day in . the field.