TERRITORIALS IN CAMP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 16

TERRITORIALS IN CAMP

WAIKATO REGIMENT BATTLE MANOEUVRES The First Battalion, Waikato Regiment, regarded as the most efficient territorial unit in the Northern Command, and one of the best in the New Zealand military forces, concluded its annual camp at Hopu Hopu on Saturday. Major-General R. Young, C. 8., C. D. 5.0., A.D.C., general officer commanding', accompanied by ColonelCommandant H. R. Potter, C.M.G., officer commanding the Xorthern Command, and Lieut.-Colonel J. E. Duigan, D. chief staff officer, visited the camp cm Wednesday. “I am exceptionally well pleased, especially with your rifle exercises, and I can hardly credit that such a high standard of efficiency has been attained in three days,” said the general, after taking the salute on a fulldress ceremonial parade. He subsequently inspected the troops, commenting favourably on their personal appearance and physique. After lunch the G.O.C. and his staff viewed an unrehearsed tactical exercise, namely, the battalion in attack. The battalion, which was forming the advance guard to the First Infantry Brigade, had arrived from Auckland, and reached that point at dawn. Scouts stated that an enemy force had landed at Kawhia, and a battalion was moving from Xgaruawahia northwards. The outpost lino was taken by D Company, and the first phase of the attack carried out by A and B Companies. Having traversed a distance of 1,000 yards, supported by covering fire, the forward companies reached their objective, and the second phase commenced. C Company “leapfrogged” through the line held by the first attacking companies, and routed the enemy. For the first time in the history of the Dominion territorial force, smoke screens were utilised to cover the advance of the attacking force, and machine-guns were carried into action on limbers. Other specialists used were signallers operating flags and field telephones, and machine-guns supporting the forward companies. Each platoon had its Lewis gunners, who worked in co-operation with their respective rifle sections. A regimental aid post was established at battalion headquarters, under Captain F. D. Penfold, N.Z.M.C. CAMP STAFF The camp staff was as follows: Commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel S. J. E. Closey, M.C. (Papatoetoe) ; second in command, Major R. D. McFarland, M.C. (.Hamilton); adjutant. Captain G. Dittmer. M.C.. X.Z.S.C. (.Hamilton); assistant adjutant. Lieutenant E. G. Moncrief, M.C., X.Z.S.C. (Pukekohe): medical officer, Captain F. D. Pinfold, X.Z.M.C. (Hamilton); quartermaster, Lieutenant J. G. Bateson (Hamilton); chaplain. Major (Rev.) J. Laird (Auckland - ); regimental sergeant-major, Staff-Sergeant-Major A. Brant (Qtahuhu). Other officers were: Majors U. M. S. Westmacott, 0.8. E. (Otorohanga \ R. F. Ward (Hamilton), Captain R. V. Closey (Otorohanga), A. E. Gibbons (Hamilton); Lieutenants G. U, Whyte (Whatawhata), J. C. Lyne (Pukekohe), W.. R. Daysh (Hamilton), IT. J. Edmonds (Hamilton), E. M. Chains;* (Hamilton); Second-Lieutenants C. L. Brett (Hamilton), J. C. Hepburn

(Rukahia), M. Henry (Hamilton), G. D. Hunter (Otorohanga), M. C. O’Xeill (Papakura) J. W. Solomon (Otahuhu), Challmor (Hamilton), G. G. Brou o - 1 ! (Hamilton), W. Leask (Eureka), H. Searle (Hamilton), E. Simpson (Hamilton), and J. Melville (Matamata). On Friday the commander of the First New Zealand Infantry Brigade Colonel A. B. Charters, C.M.G., D S O of Whangarei, visited the camp. The general efficiency cup was awarded to C Company, the runner-ud being B Company. SPORTS EVENTS Sports held on Friday afternoon resulted as follow: , * 00 _ Yards, open.—Private G. Maxwell < B . Company), 1; Private Gardiner (D> 2; Private DowdaU (Cl, 3. 22 » Yards, open.—Private Tremain (headquarters wing-), 1: Private G. MaiS - Crotty (B), dead-heat. 3. ■t nl- a . rds^-' “Pen.— Private Hadden (C), sion (D) 3 Waters <C>, 2: Private JohnAlarm Race.—Private August (D) 1 • Private McCracken ID). 2; Private Speedy (D), 3. Backward Race.—Private Sweetman (C), 1; Private Vince (B), 2; Private Gifford (A), 3. Relay Race, 100 yards.—C Company, 1: A Company, 2; headquarters wing, 3. SSO Yards, open.—Private Tremain (headquarters wing), 1; Private W\ K Frances (B), 2; Private Faulkner (C), 3. One Mile, open.—Private IV. K. Francis (B Company), 1; Private Churches (C) 2; Private W. McCormick (B), 3. Bandsmen’s Race, 100 yards.—Private Kernot 1, Private Lisk 2, Private Roy Two-legged race.—Corboy and Burke (C), 1; Second-Lieutenants G. G. (B) and C. L. Brett (A), 2. Tug-of-lVar.—C Company i. Officers’ Race, 100 yards.—Lieutenant .T. C. Lyne (B), 1; Captain A. E. Gibbon£s (B), 2; Second-Lieutenant J. C. Hepburn (A), 3. The sports cup was awarded to B Company with 21 points. The runner-up was C Company, with IS points-