COAST REGIMENT IN CAMP

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 3

COAST REGIMENT IN CAMP

LIVE SHELL PRACTICE AT GODLEY HEAD FORTNIGHT’S EXERCISES For the next three days the 11th Coast Regiment, which is holding its annual camp at Godley Head, will stage live shell shoots. The shoots are the culmination of nearly two weeks’ exercises for the 52 men and noncommissioned officers and 12 officers who are attending the camp. /he first shoot was originally scheduled for yesterday, but only one series (20 rounds) was fired before the naval launch towing the targets had difficulty with the towing gear, and the shoot had to be abandoned. The gunners’ accuracy suggested that their earlier training had • not been wasted. At 4000 yards’ range, with a sub-calibre piece, every shot was put on the target, which consisted of two floats secured to each other by a cable about the same length as a destroyer. The object was to place a shot between the two floats.

While shoots are being held, elaborate safety precautions are taken A safety officer is oa duty at the battery at all times during the shoot to ensure that the firing area is clear of shipping not connected with the exercise, and to keep a close watch on the battery itself to ensure that the bore is clear when firing is not in progress. Nerve centre of the battery is an observation fire post situated at some distance from the pieces. From this post the courses of’ shipping are plotted ' and searchlights brought to bear on targets. The post is in close touch with the individual pieces. During the first week of the camp the members of the regiment underwent a period of sub-unit battery training, and last Friday carried out searchlight exercises from Battery Point in conjunction with the Navy. On Saturday afternoon, a shipping identification exercise was held. Besides the regular members of the regiment, volunteer officers and noncommissioned officers and trainees who have completed their training under the compulsory military training scheme, attendee the camp. The camp will end on Friday.