TERRITORIALS TRAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1939, Page 6

TERRITORIALS TRAIN

MANOEUVRES AT SOLWAY DEMONSTRATION OF MODERN METHODS. GOOD STANDARDS ATTAINED. Two platoons of C Company (Lewis gunners), and one platoon of D Company, First Battalion. Hawke’s Bay Regiment, carried out manoeuvres in the vicinity of the Waingawa road and; railway bridges and the Freezing Works over the weekend. The men were conveyed from the Drill Hall on Saturday to the Solway Showgrounds by the Transport Section, and were accommodated in roomy quarters under the grandstand. The clean straw bedding provided proved exceedingly comfortable. The work carried out in the first period after arrival was company drill in the new "threes” formation (being the first opportunity the company has had to drill in ample working space). Ser-geant-Major C. E. Rogers was the instructor. The machinp-gunneys carried out Vickers gun training for the following day’s operations, and practised taking fire positions. On the following day a defensive position was taken up on the north side of the Waingawa river to defend the transport crossings—road and rail. The exercise was for the purpose of demonstrating to the Territorials the fire plan of supporting artillery, mach-ine-guns, trench mortars and light automatic Bren and Lewis guns. The plan of operations for the tactics was prepared by Lt Colonel J. H. Irving, who inspected the work carried out down to the section leaders. He considered the bivouac the most successful held in Masterton since their inception four years ago. The training received by men and officers was particularly valuable, as the N.C.O.'s had all attended courses at the Army School of Instruction. Trentham. and were able to impart to the men the training they had received, under favourable conditions. Night operations were carried out on Saturday night, the river crossings being defended. On their return from manoeuvres on the following morning, the men were given an aircraft warning. A speedy descent was made from vehicles and in seven seconds all were under the cover of nearby trees and the crew of a Lewis gun with anti-aircraft fittings was ready for action. Speed in taking cover is of particular importance owing to the part played by aircraft in modern warfare. Valuable work was done by the Transport Section under Corporal C. S. Moriss. and training in concealment and cross-country reconnaissance was given. A very fine demonstration of two machine-guns going into action was given by Sergeant A. Green, Major Holmes explaining the various movements. Rain interfered with section post digging by C Company, and after a lecture by Major J. C. Holmes on the composition of a battalion the men cleaned up the rooms, and after tea broke camp. The mess arrangements were of the highest order, the fare being wholesome and.varied. The men spoke very highly of the courtesy extended by the officers in charge. Officers who attended for. instructional purposes were: —Captain R. J. M Fowler (officer in charge): Major J W. Bird. E.D.. Major J. C. Holmes, Captain J. H. Conly, Captain H. P. Glen, Lieutenant H. H. Hollow and Lieutenant R. Martin. The operations were watched by Captain C. J. Williams. Adjutant. Hawke's Bay Regiment. Napier.