Military exercise at Lake Tekapo

Press, 27 March 1980, Page 11

Military exercise at Lake Tekapo

A combined Army and Air Force exercise codenamed “Southern Safari.” involving Imperial and Commonwealth troops and a detachment of No.' 3 Squadron R.N.Z.A.F. Sioux and Iroquois Helicopters diverted from Hobsonville. is in progress at Lake Tekapo.

The manoeuvres, to which more than 1000 Regular Force soldiers and members of the Territorial Force are committed, are directed by Colonel I. H. Burrows. assisted by Headquarters staff from 3 Task Force. Mounted at battalion group level, the exercise was supported by artillery from 3 Field Regiment, armoured personnel carriers from 1 Squadron. The New Zealand Scottish Regiment, troop-carrying vehicles from 3 Transport Regjment. and a 3 Field Ambulance unit. It was reinforced by the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment from Adelaide, and personnel from the Hong Kong-based 6 Gurkha Rifles.

Ordnance, provost, and signal units are also participating.

Troops engaged members of the “People’s Liberation Front,” who had infiltrated across the Southern Alps. The exercise is designed to train the 2nd/lst Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, before it deploys a 250-man replacement to Singapore in May.

Fighter Ground Attack Strikemasters, detached from No. 14 Squadron Ohakea, have carried out daily low-flying sorties to

support ground forces in contact with the enemy, a light infantry company which is waging guerrilla warfare in section- platoon or company strength. The emphasis in the open conventional battle is on the advance.

The battalion support group is moving along the Braemar Track to the north-east corner of Lake Pukaki, down the eastern side and across through Simons Pass, and over the Tekapo River. moving north on the flat country up to the eastern side of Lake Tekapo. then northwards.

The troops are armed with 7.62 mm self-loading rifles. general purpose machine guns. Ml 6 light, semi-automatic weapons, and the 40mm M 203 (a combination of the M 79 40mm grenade launcher, and Ml 6). At the tactical command post Colonel Burrows said that the battalion was progressing down the eastern side of Lake Pukaki. He described ‘he exercise as “free-flowing,” and one giving as much latitude as

possible to th" battalion commander. Colonel Burrows said that past experience with the R.N.Z.A.F. had been influenced by New Zealand’s most recent experience in Asia. The presence of Australian and Gurkha troops added a little “spice” to the exercise — the biggest on the ground with New Zealand

troops this year. At tactical headquarters command post, LieutenantColonel A. L. Birks, commanding the 2nd/lst Battalion, said that his im-

mediate task was tcA clear the “enemy” front; tire area.

He saw the exercise as a good finale to a ye'ijr of practising infantry shills, and a great opportunity to exercise with the

R.N.Z.A.F. At the advanced dressing station at the back ,of the Old Man Range, there was one casualty — Private Peter Clothier, of the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment, who was "airing his feet” after a forced march when he trod on another soldier’s bayonet. He received full medical attention.

The exercise will end on April 1.