FIELD DAY AT ALDERSHOT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 15

FIELD DAY AT ALDERSHOT.

GUESTS OF THE WAR OFFICE,

The members of the conference, together with the foreign officers attending the horse show, journeyed to Aldershot on Friday to witness a military display organised for their benefit by the War Office. There was an amusing incident as the special train was leaving Waterloo. The train was on the move, when Mr John Burns reached the end of the platform; but the President of the Local Government Board is still sound in wind and limb, and a 50yds sharp sprint, which was loudly cheered by Mr Haldane and other spectators, just landed him in the van with the guard !

Arrived at Aldershot, the guests could not complain of the prettinsss of the sham fight that was given for their amusement and instruction. It developed quickly, and a stirring final infantry charge, magnificent but not altogether warlike, was preceded by a brilliant cavalry onslaught, which will live in the memories of* all who witnessed it. Fourteen thousand troops of the Aldershot command were engaged in this realistic sham battle across Pirbright Valley. It was a vivid and stirring spectacle, with an attacking force of 8000 men trying to dislodge 6000 others from their entrenchments- in the Fox Hills, while 90 guns (large and small) pounded away for' nearly two. hours. The- visitors, for whom this field display was given; were grouped on the orow of Tunnel Hilt, with the naaoraraa of the Pirbright Valley- at their feet. Soon after Mr Haldane arrived at the crest of Tunnel Hill a large red balloon ascended, and this signal to begin the attack was promptly acknowledged by the field guns in the valley below. A distinguished assemblage gathered round Mr Haldane. Nearly 40 foreign military officers, all in uniform, motored from Farnborough Station to the rendezvous, while the conference delegates and other guests were conveyed from North Camp and Brookwood to Tunnel Hill. Many officers of the Aldershot command were present as spectators, and there was a brilliant variety of uniforms. Italy was represented by some 15 officers, most of them wrapped in light blue cloaks, while five from the Argentine, eight Belgians, and a dozen representatives of other countries likewise followed the operations with the keenest interest. Three Japanese officers In plain khaki, always in the front row of the spectators, hardly took their eyes off the opposing forces during the engagement.