CAMPS AND THE MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2766, 9 May 1916, Page 7

CAMPS AND THE MEN

THIRTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS DAY AND/NIGHT OPERATIONS The 13th Reinforcements are now going through the advanced stages of their training under Lieut.-Colonel ■ Maedonald, the Chief Infantry Instructor. Details of their latest manoeuvres include day and night_ operations in the Tauberenikau district, wliich an eye-witness describes as; follows.

Orders for'the 3rd Battalion (E, F, G, and.H Companies) for May 5, 1916, includes information that - 'the enemy (A, B, C, and D Companies) is reported to be at Greytown ana Morrison's Bush. Our main body will billet at the Featherston Camp.,' A squadron, of Mounted Rifles is "holding the crossing of the Tauherenikau River at Fern side." Early on Friday morning, A, B, C, Mid D Companies, who were to comprise the enemy, moved out to Greytown and Morrison's Bush, and were given time to organise.- At' 3 p.m. the. battalion (E, F, G, and H' Companies). loft camp and proceeded to Tauherenikau to take up the outpost position allotted, to it. On arrival there each company commander viewed his portion of the. line and decided how many piquets would be necessary-to hold.the position. A feoreen of scouts having been sent ahead, the piquets, then moved'.up into the line and put out sentry groups still further forward. 'All dispositions were now completed} and everything ready to spend a comfortable night. But it was not to be. Late at ,night orders were issued that tho battalion was ,to bo ready to'move at 3 a.m., tho plan being to make a night marcli so as to be ready to attack tlie enemy at dawn. 'At 2.30 piquets and supports were up, sentry groups drawn in, 'and: soon all were ready to move off. However, just before 3 o'clock counter orders came through that an.attack by tho enemy was expected, and the battalion was to hold the lino of resistance previously allotted. All ranKs were> now on the qui vive, patrols were, sent out', and just before dawn-came back with information that the enemy was' advancing along'converging .roads towards Tauherenikau, and, would attack at dawn. Active preparations for a vigorous resistance. were made, and by the time all was ready the'enemy's first line' of skirmishers'-could bo seen silhouetted against the dim light of approaching day. As; daylight came on the attack developed, and soon tho rattle of musketry rudely disturbed the slumbers of the inhabitants. By. halfpast six the attacking force was within charging distance, and Avith a cheer both forces charged with fixed bayonets; The '-'rally" was then blown, and the Reinforcement moved back td camp for breakfast. Colonel Macdonald was well pleased with the way tho operations were carried out, "and'.as referee gave decision in favour of the attacking force.

Movement of' Troops. The Fifteenth Infantry and Engineers' Reinforcements are engaged in their5 recruits' .course'of musketry at Trentham at present. On Friday these troops will proceed to Feathcrston by special, train, taking the place,. in 'that camp, of the Fdurteenthßeinforcemcnts. The' Fourteenths, in turn, will move into tile fonts to he vacated by the Thirteenths on Wednesday night, preparatory to their march to Trenthamj over the Rimutaka Hill, on Thursday. "Wednesday night will be,spentby the Thirteenth,' in bivouac. i 1

' ■ Settling Down. • The Sixteenth" Infantry• and Engineers' Reinforcements, Which ~ entered camp, last week,;.are settling down in • their new; quarters ,and picking up the routine and ■ ways of soldiering. The first lessons in drill and marching are always a little tiring to the civilian, ajid recruits always find it especially trying to be constantly on their feet. But '.this soon passes, as/the men harden up. " Tlio officers and n.c.o.'s i of the Eighteenth Reinforcements who entered camp last,week-are also settling .down to soldiering. ■