FORTRESS WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21221, 18 September 1940, Page 9

FORTRESS WORK

SCHOOL OF GUNNERY TRAINING AT FORT DORSET LECTURES AND PRACTICE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Artillery practice is taking place this week at Fort Dorset, where trainees of the school of gunnery are carrying out a course of instruction. New Zealand’s first school of artillery was recently established at the fort, and is providing advanced training for the officers and men of coastal and anti-aircraft batteries. The first courses of such instruction are now nearing completion. The school is commanded by Major C. H. Gallagher, N.Z.A., and the instructional staff consists of Lieutenant J. Bums, N.Z.S.C. (adjutant), Sergeant-Major A. W. Hayward, R.N.Z.A., and Sergeant R. H. Cashore.

A counter-bombardment course and a course in the use of instruments have been in progress at the school during the past three weeks. They are being attended by a total of 50 of all ranks, drawn from serving batteries at Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton. The training of the counter-bombardment class is concerned principally with longrange artillery fire against ships. Technical training is being provided at the school in all branches of heavy artillery and anti-aircraft work. The instrument class has been receiving a course of lectures on range finding, the use of optical instruments, and so on.

| Further branches of fortress operaj tions will be covered in classes still to be held. Engineering, mounting j and dismounting of guns, operation of searchlights, will be among subI jects dealt with. The courses consist : of a series of lectures combined with practical instruction on and firing of guns.

All training of fortress personnel from the whole Dominion will be carried out at the Fort Dorset School.

PRACTICE BLACK-OUT THAMES ORGANISATION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) THAMES, Tuesday Arrangements went smoothly in a try-out by the Emergency Precautions Committee last night on an assumed air raid on the town. Immediately the fire bell sounded the alarm a black-out occurred. Traffic ceased and householders drew blinds. It was assumed that an engineering works and the Central School were hit and a fire started. Firemen, doctors, ambulance and the V.A.D. were promptly at their stations. The all clear was sounded half an hour later.