NORTHERN "WAR"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 73, 28 March 1941, Page 8

NORTHERN "WAR"

FORCES ON MOVE.

LONG MOTOR COLUMNS.

The ' war in the north'' started this morning when most Aucklanders were thinking about their day's work while still in bed. Though the troop* defending thc city from the force which is presumed to have efTcctod la inline in the far north have not actually come into contact with one another, New Zealand's home defence troops have gone out to meet the enemy. and il possible drive him into the sea. To-day's operations comprised a tactical move which was headed by the 4th Mounted Hides Brigade, with tlx- Manawatn Motorised Regiment actins as advanced guard. This unit left its bivouac area in the Henderson dii-trict at 7.H0 a.m. to seize certain tactical features, and as those ta-ks were accomplished other units came into the picture by consolidating thc successes gained. Planes. representing enemy and friendly forces, droned overhead ;ir. the mechanised columns moved along the roads. Some idea of the miml>er of vehicles used can be gained from the fact that on one route there was a continuous stream of traffic from 7.30 this morning until 4 p.m. In this connection the Ist Provost Company, which has the control of traflic, had a huge ta-k to accomplish. Reports as to the progress of operation* arrived at regular intervals to the commander of the force, Colonel D. K. lireniner, M.C., whose headquarters for the time being are at the Northern Military District Headquarters in Quay Street, by radio, telephone, dispatch riders, telegraph and aeroplane. Watching the operations to-dav were the Chief of the General Stall". MajorGeneral Sir John Duigait. the ln*nector(ieneral of the I'orces, Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, and the officer commanding the Northern Militarv District Brigadier P. H. Bell.