CAMP AT WAIOURU

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1940, Page 8

CAMP AT WAIOURU

HAWKE’S BAY REGIMENT WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING. EXCELLENT STANDARDS SET. The annual camp of the First Battalion of the Hawke's Bay Regiment was held at Waiouru last week, the attendance being the largest for some years. Over 450 officers and men were present. The work carried out cov 7 cred a wide range of modern military instruction. The camp was inspected by Colonel R. A. Row. D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C.. officer commanding the Central Military, District, on Thursday. Colonel Row commented very favourably on the field work carried out and congratulated officers and N.C.O’s on their knowledge of field work. Each section was visited during the day and questioned on work in hand at the lime. On Sunday the complete organisation of the camp was arranged, followed by a church parade. In the afternoon section formations in attack were practised and a battalion parade was held. On Monday, fieldcraft and the use of ground cover in an advance, field signals and anti-gas training, combined with the use of respirators, fire control and discipline and section stalks were carried out. At night officers and N.C.O’s. were taken on a compass march. On Tuesday platoon exercises in attack, wiring section posts and platoon exercises in defence were held, followed by night manoeuvres. On Wednesday the troops were in the field all day, lunching in the training area. Battle practice was carried out, with ball ammunition, in the field. During the evening, the Vickers machine-gun company gave an exhibition of night firing to the remainder of the battalion. Tracer ammunition was used to illustrate methods of cross firing al a defended position. On. Thursday attack ' practice in the field was again carried out. Friday’s exercise consisted of attack practice and the defence of a position, the troops returning to camp at about 3 o’clock, when pay was issued. There were no absentees.

A demonstration of laying barbed wire entanglements was given by three Masterton N.C.O’s. to the battalion. The camp and instruction were filmed by two local men and it is expected to be shown throughout New Zealand shortly. At the last battalion parade on Friday, the popular commanding officer. Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Irving, E.D., was roundly cheered by the battalion’ In addressing the men LieutenantColonel Irving remarked on the interest shown by all ranks, and added that it was very noticeable that new recruits were smartening up.

The regimental band, from Napier, got special praise for its lively music at reveille and was cheered every morning. The wonderful spirit of comradeship prevailing was noticed by all who had attended previous camps.

C Company. Mastcrlon and Dannevirlto, again distinguished themselves by being the smartest company in the battalion, both in line and field work-.