DEFENCE MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1918, Page 2

DEFENCE MATTERS.

■ REDUCED REINFORCEMENTS. By T elegrajili. —Press Association. 1 Wellington, July 10. It is understood that, owing to the reinforcements for mounted rifle troops having been temporarily reduced, and owing to the irregularity of the transport accommodation available to take men Egypt, tho Defence Department may tind it possible to grant a certain amount of leave without pay to men in this class. The taking of such leave will bo entirely voluntary, as there is more than sufficient work for the troops in camp ' THE ENTRENCHING BATTALION. Wellington, July 10. On June 28 a question was cabled Home with regard to the report stating that 233 men of tho New Zealand Entrenching Battalion had been captured. "Nothing," stated the question, "is known here about the Entrenching Battalion formation." The following reply has now been received by the Defence Minister: —"All ' the New Zealand reinforcements in France were last February, on the ahsorption of the 4th Brigade, organised, but when the surplus numbers are absorbed they form an entrenching group, the strength of .one battalion. On April 12, No 2 Entrenching Battalion, of a strength of 22 officers and 1130 other ranks, was moved hurriedly -lby motor-lorries from Abeele to St. Jans Cappel to fill up a gap near Meteren, and attached to the 19th Division- They rendered excellent service and fought well, but some were captured through being cut off.. The casualties were 251."