DANGER—WAR!

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 890, 6 February 1930, Page 7

DANGER—WAR!

NAVAL RAID ON COAST NEAR AUCKLAND

DEFENCE MANOEUVRES Auckland is in danger. A naval raid v.'ill be made on the coast somewhere between AVhangaparaoa and Auckland next week. Fortunately, nobody will be shot, as the raid is merely a feature of the tactical operations to be carried out by the First Battalion, Auckland Regiment, in conjunction with officers and ratings of H.M.S. Philomel. The idea is that the enemv, Blue, lias defeated the New Zealand Navy, which has retired to Wellington, and tho defence of Auckland rests with the Northern Brigade group, comprising the infantry, mounted rifles, and artillery brigades, with engineers, signallers, Army Service Corps, and ambulances. The first of the troops to be mobilised is the First Battalion, Auckland Regiment, which is encamped at Narrow Neck. On February 12-13, at midnight, word will be received that two enemy cruisers have left the Great Barrier, and the battalion will be ordered to be ready to proceed by motor-buses to any part of the coasts between Whangaparaoa and Auckland. For the purpose of the raid, it will be presumed that the coast is being -watched by motor-boat patrols, and by signal stations at Red Bluff, Toroa Point, and Trig 371, on Whangaparaoi Peninsula. The landing party will consist of marines from H.M.S. Philomel, and a company of the First Battalion of the Auckland Regiment. These will number about 7.0, about the size of ah actual raiding party from a cruiser. Neither side knows the plans of the other. All that the defenders are aware of is that a raid is to be made on one of the beaches, some time in the early hours of the morning, the landing force being aware only of the fact that they may expect resistance ■when they come ashore.

TRAINING OFFICERS CAMP AT NARROW NECK Yesterday a three-days’ refresher course fox' officers and noncommissioned officers was commenced nienced at Narrow Neck, when 32 officers and 240 non-commissioned officers entered camp. There are also a number of university and other students who do not attend night parades. The camp is under the command of Colonel T. H. Daw'son, C.M.S., C.B.E. On Saturday next the annual camp of the battalion win commence, when an additional 250 “non-commissioned officers will enter camp for one week. Physical drill, swimming, sports, and competitions, for which there are many cups and trophies, and which will be held on February 14, will be part of the training, in addition to the drill. Sunday will be visiting day, and in the afternoon the camp will be open to friends of the men.