MECHANISED UNIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1938, Page 8

MECHANISED UNIT

MANOEUVRES NEAR WOODVILLE. MOTORISED MOUNTED RIFLES. An exercise carried out on Monday by the Manawatu Mounted Rifles (motorised) between Dannevirke and Woodville was designed to demonstrate the mobility and power of manoeuvre of a mechanised column. For the purpose of the exercise the enemy was represented by the Cadets of the Palmerston North High School under Major Kerr. A position was taken up astride the main road on the south side of the railway crossing, on the Woodville side of Orangi, with the object of preventing any movement along the main highway south of Dannevirke. , The Cadets left Palmerston North at 7.30 a.m. and were in position at half past nine, with a section under Capt. E. J. Werry out to watch the approaches along Gaisford’s Road on the right flank. A road block, covered by another section, was constructed on the railway crossing in front of the main position. While this was going on, the Manawatu Motorised Squadron, consisting of machine-gun. light gun, and rifle troops was assembling at Dannevirke, preparatory to seizing the Manawatu Gorge. At a quarter to ten, the column, preceded by a vanguard of motor cycles and light vans, moved off. At 10.15 a.m. the leading motor cyclists came into contact with the enemy at the road block. They were some 800 yards in front of the vanguard, which halted to ascertain the strength of the enemy. In attempting to advance they soon came under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from the enemy main position, and were held up short of the railway. A message was then transmitted by wireless to the main body situated some two miles back. On receipt of this message the Squad-ron-Leader came forward, and after reconnoitring the position decided to make the fullest use of his mobility by sending one machine-gun troop on a wide detour, round the left flank. This was with the object of penetrating the rear of the enemy position. Another troop was sent round to the right in order to make a flank attack on the main enemy position. At the same time the pressure was maintained from the front by the vanguard. No apparent progress was being made, but as soon as the staccato bark of machine-guns was heard on Capt. Werry’s position on the left flank, things began to develop. Soon after, Major Kerr found his left flank in the air, and he was forced to retire to a position above the railway station. By twelve o’clock it was reported that there was no enemy in sight and the column reformed and proceeded towards the objective. The troops arrived back at Ashhurst on Monday afternoon, after having been on the road for eight days. Tuesday was taken up with rifle exercises and foot drill. The troops proceeded to their respective homes on Wednesday.