INVADERS CHECKED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8361, 22 February 1913, Page 6

INVADERS CHECKED

TERRITORIAL MANtEUVRES GOOD WORK BY ARTILLERY AND INFANTRY. As a finale to the annual period of training, the coast defence forces were inspected by the general officer commanding (Major-General Godley) yes terday. It is important to note that in manoeuvring tne territorial forces the authorities adopt a policy of working the troops on some uxed idea. 1 liter day’s inspection was based on a general idea issued by the coast delence commander (Lieutenant-Colonel G r. C. Campbell), in order that a tactical scheme should be H t by the troops under his command. Owing to the mountain guns having been sent Home recently the D B ate tery was unable to co-operate in the scheme. , It was thererore detached by tho coast defence commander early in the week, and sent on a route march with pack animals aa far as Waikana© and back. Ihe Battery experienced good marching conditions, Md the officers and men derived a creat deal of valuable instruction in transport and tho loading and unloading of mules which they could not have had in camp. D Battery returned from the route inarch yesterday, and in accordance with their orders remained in the vicinity of Hay-. wards railway station until the arrival of the general yesterday afternoon, when it paraded for his inspection. The general idea on which the coast defence manoeuvres were based was as follows: Britain was at war with another country and had lost command of the sea. A Blue (enemy’s) force of all arms had landed in the vicinity ot Paekakariki, and the Wellington field troops were advancing fpom Palmerston North to attack them. Information was to hand by mounted patrol that two Blue cruisers left their anchorage under Mana Island, and had steamed in the direction of Cook Strait. A telegraph message received from Porirua stated that a force of ono battalion of Blue infantry occupied Pahautanui and had marched towards Judgeford. THE GUNS FIRE. Pursuant to that idea orders were issued by the coast defence commander to tbe officer commanding the Gamson Artillery, warning him to expect an attack on the harbour yesterday morning, and to be prepared to resist it. The? officer in command of the sth Regiment was also ordered to attack the enemy’s infantry, which had established itself, after driving in the Red outposts, on the hills overlooking the Hutt railway bridge. At 9 a.m. yesterday the enemy's forces (represented by the Janie Seddon, and a Hongkong target in tow) appeared off Palmer Head, and proceeded to enter Wellington harbour. The guns in Fort Dorset, manned by No. 3 Company Garrison Artillery, immediately opened fire at a rang© of something over 4000 yards. So accurate was the shooting that the tow-lin© of the target was very shortly severed. The vessel entered the harbour towing the remainder of the target, and as she passed Fort Ballance the target was engaged by tho 12in quickfiring guns and the 6-pr. guns at the fort, the shooting being exceptionally good. As the vessel left the vicinity of Fort Ballance and steamed towards Somes Island the guns from Ngahauranga fort fired, and continued to engage the target as long as it was in view. On arrival at the southern end of Somes Island the 6-inch b.l. inins from Fort Ballance “ broke into thunder and flame,” and concluded the practice by doing some excellent shooting at a range over 4000 yards in the direction of Lowry Bay. The handling of the guns and the smartness of the troops were very favourably commented on by the general, and the officers of the Garrison Artillery are well satisfied with the efficiency of the troops they command. “FOOTLES” ATTACK. At the same time that the forts were fighting the cruisers, the sth Regiment of Infantry moved out of camp at Trentham under detailed orders received from the officer commanding the regiment (Major Corrigan). The advance guard was under command of Major Cowles, and the main body followed at a distance of a mile. Crossing the Hutt river by wading, tbe column reassembled during the forenoon on the northern side of the river, and proceeded to climb the steep hills overlooking Haywards railway station. Her© they, unfortunately met with very had weather, and having no shelter from the rain they experienced some real "service” conditions. On the troops reaching the top of the range the usual reconnaissance of the enemy’s position was made and the arrival of tbe General was awaited. There was no delay in attacking the enemy, which was represented by a company of the 6th Regiment sent on in advance to occupy a certain position. It was assumed that the enemy had dispatched a body of infantry for the purpose of destroying the railway, and so preventing reinforcements being sent from the Wairarapa district to Wellington. General Godley, who had left the forts in a motor car, arrived at Haywards station at 2 p.m., ascended the hills, and reached the scene of action at about a quarter to 3. The ground operated over was very rough but was Bimilar_to the class of country which troops would be required to traverse on any of the hills surrounding Wellington. General Godley viewed the manoeuvres for a considerable time, and after the conclusion of tbe attack he gave orders for the regiment to retire to its base, where he addressed the men on the subject of the operations. He expressed his gratification at the intelligence* and methods displayed by tbe young soldiers. Subsequently, the regiment marched back to camp, the general arrangements of which were inspected by the Commandant, also the trench work of the regiment. This inspection is the first which it has been possible to make of the whole of the coast defence troops together, and it is pleasing to know that the spirit displayed by all ranks was of the very best and ‘ promises well for the future success of the coast defence troops of Wellington. AN INCIDENT. It is reported that one slight trouble occurred yesterday morning at the time the regiment was crossing the Hutt river. The bulk of tbe 500 troops bad waded the ford, but about thirty men of one company declined to pass over, the reason being that they were footsore after a strenuous week, and did not contemplate with pleasure the passage over the boulders. These men were, so it is understood, sent back to camp, and to-day they will be asked to explain their conduct at an “orderly room.” Tbe incident is not by any means considered to be one of serious insubordination, it being a

common occurrence at all camps for some alight points of difference te arise. The respective camps break up today, and the troops will return to their homes after having had a very successful and instructive training period. The sth Regiment will arrive in Wellington at about 5 p.m., and will march to the Garrison Hall, where it will be dismissed.