FIELD FORTIFICATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8201, 26 July 1915, Page 2

FIELD FORTIFICATION

LECTURE TO MEMBERS OF CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS.

' On Saturday "evening a number of the members of the Ashburton Citizens' Defence Corps assembled at the Victoria Hall to hear a lecture on Field Fortifications. The lecturer (Mr A. W. Turtill) an ex-non-commissioned officer of the old Christchurch Engineer Corps, is a member of the Christchurch Citizens' Defence Corps. He has always taken a very keen interest in engineering work. When it was noticed that the members of the Citizens' Defence Corps were not attending parades, as at the start of the movement, it was decided to give a number of _ lectures on various ■ subjects in connection with military work, and thus endeavour to keep the members keen by this means. Saturday evening's .lecture was the first of the series. In opening, the lecturer briefly touched on the necessity for a knowledge of field entrenchments, especially during thy present war,, pointing out that though it was the engineering branch which was responsible for the laying-out and designing of trenches, it'was the duty of the infantry to execute tho work and hold them when finished. He then showed the value, of organisation and co-operation between all arms, from -airmen to the supply depots at the base, and illustrated the amount of preparation and organisation necessary to feed, supply, transport, and look after the sick and wounded of the arniy of 3,000,000 men which England now had at the front. Ho emphasised the need,of enormous quantities of material, etc., which, were daily required. He said that some idea of what 3,000,000 men meant would be gleaned when it was stated that it would take six 'weeks for the vast army to pass a given point marching night and day, without cessation. Passing on to the subject of fortification,. Mr Turtill outlined the various kinds in uso in the great struggle now going on, illustrating his points by lantern views. He showed trenches in the various stages of construction, followed by photo of trenches in actual uso on both the eastern and western fronts. These were especially interesting, and those showing the Germans attacking in lino after line of massed columns gave an excellent idea of the enormous losses which this form of attack entails.

Obstacles -were then dealt with in the same manner, showing how material obtained on. tlio ground could bo uticloso quarters. Mr Turtill closed a very lised to prevent the enemy coming to interesting two hours talk by exhibiting and explaining'a first-class set of models of. the various trenches, entanglements, etc., that he had been showing by means of the lantern slides.

Mr J. Williams moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer.for his able and interesting address, and complimented MrTurhill on the extremely lucid manner with which he dealt with the subject. , ■ Tbo motion v/ns seconded by Mr It. Tucker and carried.-by acclamation.