HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

SUCCESSFUL FIELD OPERATIONS WORK ON WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS AND WEAPON PITS. ' GOOD ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGES. Yesterday's Home Guard Battalion manoeuvres at the Mahunga Golf Links were occupied chiefly in training in defensive tactics as against the training in attack operations on the previous field day. Platoons of “A” Company worked on the strengthening of a defended position by digging and wiring. In erecting barbed wire entanglements the advantage of practice was shown even in the course of the one morning, as it was found that entanglements which on the first occasion took a platoon approximately 30 minutes to erect were later re-erected after further practice by the same platonn in approximately one-third of the original time. Captain A. W. Don instructed part of “A” Company in the improvement of natural cover by the siting and digging of weapon pits for the light machine gun and also for riflemen. The importance of siting the pits to suit the ground and to leave a clear field of fire was stressed by Captain Don, also the necessity for protection of any vulnerable flank. Those platoons of “C” Company which include the newest recruits staged a repetition of the attack operations and “section stalks” which were included in the previous field day’s work. Platoon commanders expressed themselves as well pleased at the keenness and performance of even some of the newest recruits. Lieut. Williams, who was on leave from Military Camp was on the parade and his helpful criticism and hints on the latest military methods were much appreciated. The Battalion Commander, Mr A. L. Hibbs, wishes to express his thanks to Messrs C. E. Daniell Ltd., for pickets for the wiring operations, to the N.Z.F.C.D.C. Ltd., for supplying twine for the same purpose, and to Mr C. A. Burling for the use of his ground for the construction of weapon pits. During the morning a Church parade was conducted by the Rev. H. S’. Kings. Morning tea was supplied by a ladies’ Carnival Committee. The muster yesterday was over 250 men. The percentages of attendances at February parades have now been worked out and it is found that these averaged over ninety-five per cent of the effective strength of the Battalion. The Battalion Commander states that he considers this is a splendid testimony to -the keenness of the men.