VOLUNTEER CAMP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 131, 15 March 1933, Page 3

VOLUNTEER CAMP.

THE CANTERBURY REGIMENT. New features of infantry training, including the use of the latest type of gas masks and modern methods of defence against air attacks, will be part of the syllabus for the First Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, which began a week's camp yesterday. About 350 of all ranks, including thirty officers, left Christchurch for the camp. Field firing with ball ammunition for rifle and machine-gun companies, company tactics and gas training will take place to-day and to-morrow. On Friday the regiment will *work with the Number 4 Army Co-operation Squadron of the New Zealand Air Force. All phases of anti-aircraft defence will be demonstrated, and the troops will use special equipment while the aeroplanes are working overhead. One part of this equipment is the special sighting gear which will be used on light automatic guns and rifles. 'A night march will take place on Friday, ending with the occupation of a position and a dawn attack on an • enemv position. Number 4 Squadron will co-operate in the dawn attack, and form a line of communication between the ground troops and the Air Force. The regiment will return to camp at TO a.m. on Saturday, and in the afternoon a tabloid athletic meeting will be held. The camp will bo open to 'visitors on Sunday afternoon, and a special train will run., leaving Christchurch at 1.30. The last training day will be Monday, when a tactical scheme will he carried out. Infantry close order drill throughout the schedule has been cut to a minimum. ■ Lieutenant-Colonel S. D. Mason will command the camp, with Major E. O. D. Withell as second -in-command, and Captain W. Murphy, M.C., N.Z.S.C., as adjutant.