HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1941, Page 7

HOME GUARD

; r TRAINING IN BATTLE TACTICS SUCCESSFUL PARADE YESTERDAY BASIS OF CAPITATION GRANTS. A highly successful practice in deployment for battle was carried out by “C” Company of the Masterton Home Guard Battalion at the Hood Aerodrome yesterday morning. At the commencement of the manoeuvre a the company began its advance in e ordinary column-of-route. Hostile arf tillery fire was then deemed to be ? encountered and the platoons deploy- - ed into what is known as “artillery . formation,” when the approximate i distances between the platoons were 200 yards. On a signal for further de- ’ ployment the sections of each platoon . deployed into arrowhead formation in r single file with intervals of 25 yards between sections. The next step was i deployment of the individual sections ■ themselves into arrow-head formation, ■ with 5 yard intervals between each : man. At a further signal the whole J body, with the exception of the reserve platoon, formed into extended line for assault, and from this stage onwards the manoeuvre consisted in a series of short assault rushes by individual sections until the objective was attained. The operation was repeated several times and it gave the men an excellent insight into the tactics which would be employed in the : successive stages of an engagement. ' The Battalion Commander later addressed the men and discussed the ! manoeuvre with them. Other companies carried out instruction in the use of the field com- I pass and field tactics generally. Dur- ■> ing the morning a short service was i conducted by the Rev H. S. Kings. Morning tea was provided by a ladies’ r committee. c The Battalion Commander, Lieut. A. ? L. Hibbs, D.C.M., explained to the men the basis on which capitation grants were made. The grant was small, and to obtain the maximum possible grant, it was essential to have regular attendance. If a member of the Home Guard could not attend, the capitation regulations required that he should apply in writing to his Platoon v Commander for leave; otherwise the 1\ capitation grant would be affected. h