FIELD OPERATIONS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14956, 1 May 1914, Page 5

FIELD OPERATIONS.

A DIVISIONAL ATTACK

The whole of the work of the troops to-day consisted in divisional training, as a practice for the field operations which will be watched to-morrow by General Hamilton. Tho division was divided into two opposing forces. '' The attack was made by a force supposed to be advancing from tho "V\ est Coast, and included the following units :—Bth (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles, B Squadron, 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles, E Battery New Zealand Field Artillery, No. 1 Company New Zealand Engineers, Canterbury Mounted Signal Troop. Divisional Signalling Company, Ist (Canterbury) Regimont. 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment, No. 3 Field Ambulance, and No. 6 Mounted Field Ambulance. The attacking force, which was commanded by Colonel G. -T. Smith, moved out of camp about f).3D a.m., and took up a position-behind Milliken's farm. The defending force, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel R. Heafon Rhodes., ennsisted of the ' Ist Mounted Rifles (C.V.C.). tho 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment, the Coast Defence Troops.'and the Field Toleeraph section of the Divisional Signalling Company. Tho -Mending force left camp at 10.30 a.m.. and took up a position on Cresar's Hill, and the slopes to the southward. The attar-king forces started operations by advanr-ine- from behind Milliken's.* The Bth Mounted Rifles advanced under cover to tho north bloocs of Lizard Hill, and from that position delivered an attack on the ricrht flank of the defenders. The Ist and 2nd Regiments attacked the left flank and centre respectively at the same time. E Battery opened fire on the defenders' trenches from a concealed position behind Milliken's," and effectively covered tho advance. The Engineers wero engaged in cutting passages through the thick manuka scrub to facilitate the passage of tho attacking force. The section, taking a fiyebarrcd gate, bridged a slream winch was too wide for some of the infantry to jump over. B Squadron 10th Mounted Rifles acted as an escort for the guns of the Battery, and worked very well. Good communication between tho firing line and headquarters was maintained by the Mounted Signal Troop,, and the Divisional _ Signalling Company, who worked principally with flags. Tho advance was made over very difficult ground, and the men of the Ist and 2nd Regiments had to wado through the Rubicon river, which was in a swollen state from the lecent rains. Most of tho men' got very wet-footed, and in many cases waded through knee-deep.. The}' also had an unpleasant time in crossing the marshy ground near Caesar's Hill, plunging through the mud and the small streams. They entered fully into the spirit of things, and made light of all difficulties. The ascent of Caesar's Hill was also a tough proposition, tho ground being rocky in places, but the stiff climb was negotiated in good style. The ambulance companies maintained dressing stations in the vicinity of Milliken's homestead.

The work was very heavy while it lasted, but on tho whole was very creditable on the part of both forces. The field telegraph detachment of the Divisional Signalling Company materially assisted the defending force, laying about three and a half miles of cable, and actually getting into communication with Christchurch. COLONEL HEARD'S CRITICISM. Colonel Heard, Director of Military Training, in his criticism of the operations, remarked that tho work done was very good, but the attack was somewhat disjointed, each section being inclined to work too much on its own, giving the defending force the chance of ,-utting it up. On the other hand, tho defending force showed a disposition to close up too rapidly. A MARCH PAST. • At the conclusion of operations, tho men had a haversack lunch, ar.d the division then formed up and proceeded to the large open paddock behind tho belt of fir trees west of tho camp, where the whole of the troops marched past in column and quarter-colunm of platoons, Colonel Heard taking the salute. The march past was very good, considering the hard day's work done in ' the field. Tho massed regimental bands played the music", and the troops moved I past the saluting base ih first-rato order. Tho division made a great show. It returned to camp shortly , after 3.p.m., the columns extending over a length of nearly a mile. PAY DAY. To-night, many of the men are being paid. Tho loth Regiment, the largest in camp, is drawing about £'1100, and the Ist Regiment about £900. The lines are very cheerful to-night, and the men are lookiug forward with keen anticipation to the doings of tomorrow. STEAD MEMORIAL SHIELD. Very keen interest is being shown by the men of tho Infantry Brigade in the competition* for the Stead .Memorial Challenge Shield, which is at present held by tho Ist Canterbury Regiment, the other competitors being the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment and the 13th (North Canterbury and Westlaud Regiment. Marks are Being allotted as follows: —Attendance, 90 per cent, or over, 100; 80 per cent, or over, 90; 75 per cent, or over, 80; 70 per cent, or over. 60, and 65 per cent, or over. 35; detraining and settling down in camp, 100;. march discipline, 150; cleanliness in camp and sanitation, cooking arrangements, and issue of rations, 200: discipline m camp, 200; efficiency of officers and N.C.O.'s, ~ 100 and tactical efficiency ot tho unit, 150. , x , The shield will be presented to the winning regiment to-morrow by General Hamilton. BREAK-UP OF CAMP. The Ist (Canterbury) Regiment will go out of camo to-morrow evening, leaving at 6 o'clock. The men will parade on Saturday afternoon in Christchurch to keep the lines clear for the inspection of the Senior Cadets by General Hamil°The remainder of the troops will strike camp early on Saturday morning.

-• • • INVALIDED MEN. -i• •» • Twentv-fivo invalided Territorials arrived in" Christchurch last night irom the Kowai Camp by the second express. Only one was at all senousiy ill, and he was conveyed to tho Hospital in tho ambulance. The others did not appear to have very much the matter with them, and lookeu fairly well. Ono of them told a reporter that the camp was by far tho worst of the ten he had attended. He was very warm, however, in his praiso of tho officers. "Nothing." ho said, "was too much tronble for them to do for us. They've treated us splendidly, and done everything they could under trying circumstances."