VOLUNTEER DISPLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 266, 10 November 1888, Page 2

VOLUNTEER DISPLAY.

SHAM FIGHT AND REVIEW AT

WANG ERE,

(WiTit Tifß Bkavk Defenders.)

The sham fight yesterday proved a most successful display of military manoeuvres notwithstanding one or two mistakes that were made in a departure from the plan of attack and defence. The signal to commence operations was given from the Mangerc mountain at 3 p.m. by tho firing of three shots. At thi9 time the defending forces under Captain Commandant Leßoy tvero under cover extending from a small bridge crossing a creek on the left, and across country almost to the water on the right. The enemy wore on tho move promptly and appeared to be coming in from beyond Mr Macrae's house, situated close to Orangi (on the right). The enemy formed into three parties, the Mounted Engineers occupying a position on the PuUiiki Road, while the Newton Rifles advanced from a. central field, and a third party of red-coats marched to a point on the extreme left. The defenders had one of the lield pieces placed so as to cover the small bridge beforo referred to, whilst another nine-pounder was hidden on the right of ]\langere mountain with the view ot stopping any attempt to advance on the town by way of the Onehunga Road. The plan of defence was departed from in this way : The attacking party was to have been allowed .to cross the bridge at an early stage, by the withdrawal of the field piece in charge of half the Engineers, and they ware then to be driven back and rejoin their main body. Orders were given for the gun to be withdrawn and placed in another advantageous position, but before it had gono a hundred yards the order was countermanded in error, the Engineers being told to defend the bridge at all hazards. This slightly upset Commandent Leßoy's calculations.

The enemy were expected to cross the bridge on the left, and preparations were being made to give them a warm reception, when a deserter from the enemy was captured. In fact, he gave himself up.

From this man the defenders obtained information that the enemy intended to attack our right, and thus force their way into Onehunga. This deserter stated that he had been illtreated by his troop, and that he had friends resident in Alan^ere against whom ho did not intend to fight. He therefore resolved to give himself up, expecting that he would nob get worse treatment from his enemies than had been obtained at the hands of his troop.

It was at this stage that the nine-pounder was to have been withdrawn from the bridge and aent to strengthen the defenders on the right, but, as before stated, this part of tho programme was not carried out.

The defenders otherwise strengthened their right, and threw out scouts and skirmishers extending to the waterside. They presently saw the mounted infantry coming down the main road leading from Macrae's and opened fire on them,, when tho infantry dismounted and attempted to turn our right. They were supported by the Newton Rifles, and succeeded in driving our nutposts and skirmishers back until they were rather taken aback by a brisk fire from the masked gun worked by the Engineers on our right. The advance of the enemy, was therefore chocked, and the defence forces on the right succeeded in driving back both the infantry and the Newton Company. The ■Franklin Infantry retired to their horses, and then charged down on the Auckland Navals, but were repulsed. After this the South Franklin Mounted Infantry were ruled out of the action through having, it was understood, come into too close quarters with the defenders. From this point forward, the fighting seemed rather unsteady on both sides, and ammunition was expended before the enemy got into quarters close enough to enable them to make a charge. The defenders on the right expended nearly the whole of their ammunition in driving back the Light Infantry, and towards the close of the contest, the Navals, who were out in skirmishing order, appeared as though they had run out of powder and shot, while the skirmishers belonging to the other side were 13 ring upon them. The Navals were lying down, and being, as a matter of fact, short of ammunition, they were reserving their fire until the others gofc near enough to put in effective work. On the left the enemy made a descent on the defending forces and drove the Engineers with their gun back to a mound from which retaliation was doled out, and eventually the enemy forced their way to the defenders' side of the bridge. This was the position of affairs at about 4.45 p.m. when the order was given to cease firing on both skies. The brave defenders maintained that they had gained the day, and they had the verdict of most of the onlookers in their favour. The enemy were repulsed both on : the right and loft, and they had not sufficient ammunition left to make an j attack on the central poini of the defences. After thefightthe troops were formed into column for a march past, and subaequentl into fours to march to the Auckland station town being reached about 7 p.m.