ROUT OF ENEMY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21372, 17 March 1941, Page 2

ROUT OF ENEMY

FIGHT FOR AERODROME DEFEAT OF “PARACHUTISTS” MANOEUVRES AT RUKUHIA In a brisk engagement the B Company (Hamilton) Ist Waikato Regiment “recaptured” the Rukuhia aerodrome from “parachute troops” yesterday morning. This engagement was part of the manoeuvres carried out by the company under active service conditions at Rukuhia during the week-end. Early yesterday morning word was received that the aerodrome had been taken by parachute troops and the company was ordered to recapture it. The “enemy” consisted of Rukuhia members of the Home Guard to which were attached Captain J. C. Lyne, the company sergeant-major and a few men from the company. Promptly the company moved off towards its objective, No. 5 platoon (Lieutenant E. M. Chainey) acting as the advance guard and No. 6 platoon (Second Lieutenant D. S. George) comprising the main body. The advance guard met opposition about half-a-mile from the aerodrome and inflicted some “casualties” in overcoming it. The platoon continued the attack over fields and encountered further “enemy” posts, who by this time were fighting a retiring action. “Enemy” Outflanked No. 6 platoon was brought into the attack in support of No. 5 and was successful in outflanking the retiring “enemy,” an energetic action taking place at the aerodrome between the remaining “parachutists” and No. 5 and No. 6 platoons. The latter used rifle grenades to dislodge the “enemy” from its positions, the aerodrome being recaptured at 11.30 a.m. Before the Home Guard dispersed, a demonstration of the use of rifle grenades was given by N.C.O.’s of the company. The commanding officer expressed appreciation of the cooperation of the Home Guard unit, the Home Guard Commander, Mr K. S. Gorrie expressing in turn the appreciation of the guard.

Valuable criticism of the exercises was given by Major S. E. Senior, M.C., 2nd in Command of the Ist. Batallion, Waikato Regiment, who spent the week-end in bivouac with the company. The company, which was about 60 strong, was commanded by Captain J. C. Hepburn with Captain J. C. Lyne as second in command.