DEFENCE SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 59, 2 December 1933, Page 24

DEFENCE SERVICES

News of Rank and File ON PARADE AND OFF Annual Territorial Camp (By “Liaison.”) Territorials in the Wellington Regiment are looking forward with enthusiasm to the annual camp to be held at V\ aipukurap from February 10 to 17. Particular interest is displayed this year by all ranks, in view of the fact that the camp is to be a brigade one, and, for the purposes of training, the Wellington Regiment is combining with units from New Plymouth. Wanganui, Manawatu, and Hawke’s Bay. Arrangements are already in train for a most interesting and instructive syllabus. The camp will culminate with a tactical scheme, which will include the attack of a position by a fully equipped war-strength battalion. Riflemen, machine-gunners, signallers, battalion transport, intelligence section, and anti-aircraft gunners will all have their allotted tasks, every endeavour being made to carry out the manoeuvres under war-time conditions, and as near the re alistic as possible. ~ The regiment will be exceptionally well catered for with music, as in addition to the brass band the pipers and drummers will also carry out their training at Wainukurau. The social and sports side has not been overlooked, and adequate arrangements have been made for the entertainment of the troops. ■ It is understood that the neighbouring regiments attending the camp are desirous of showing their prowess, so that the Wellingtonians may exnect many a challenge in the sporting field. There are still vacancies for recruits m the machine-gun company and * A” company. and in certain sections of Headquarters Wing. Those desirous ot attending camp are, therefore, urged-to communicate with headquarters of’ the Wellington Regiment, Buckle Street, without delay. Pay according to irvuk nnd free rations and transport are granted.

Searchlights and Confidence. Among the features of the recently concluded Confidence Carnival were two defence electric searchlights, which did useful work during the week. The searchlights, which form part of the reserve equipment at Fort Dorset were operated by members of the 15th ‘‘Coast Battery, under Captain I. D. Syminton. The electric light and engine-driving section ot the battery has been noted for their keenness and efficiency over a long period or years. On occasions this readiness to assist has been put to good use, notably when the scow “Echo” went ashore near Steeple Rock and it was necessary to run the light to enable'the crew to abandon the ship successfully. ; ' The lights used during the carnival were mounted on lorries, and consisted ot the “Dorman” type of engine and dy™™"and a coast defence projector. Ihela tter being somewhat top-heavy, was m each case bolted to the floor of the lorry. Although not actually mobile this equipment is of a. fairly portable type, provided it is handled by skilled personnel. It was used successfully at Blenheim when the monoplane “Southern Cross left on the return flight to Australia, and again at New Plymouth when Sir Charles Kingsford Smith made his second voyage to New Zealand. On Saturday November 18 one searchlight was transported to a position, at the upper ’end of Hawker Street, overlooking Oriental Bay, and from this situation was able to flood the bay and foreshore with coloured lights. At the Basin Reserve on Thursday, November 23, two searchlights were used to aid the defence, and once again earned favourable comment, from the large body of spectators. For the night bombing at the Rongotai aerodrome one light was used, and although during the evening a slight fault developed, which interfered with the effectiveness of the light to some extent, it was able to carry on successfully. There are still a few vacancies .in the electric light section of the 15th- Battery for suitable recruits. Preference is given to trained electricians and. engineers or motor mechanics. Application should, be made to Headquarters 15th Battery, Fort Dorset.

Howitzers and Confidence. The numerous spectators who witnessed the mimic warfare on Thursday evening must have been struck by the businesslike appearance of the 6-inch howitzers which came into action, in support of the attacking infantry, on a position near the top of Mount Victoria. Drawn by a 5-ton Holt tractor the section of two howitzers took up its position late in the afternoon. Night zero lines were recorded, in order to ensure effective fire/in the darkness, and all preparations rpade for assisting the infantry by providing covering fire. The work of the battery was not only interesting to the spectators, many of whom took up positions close to the guns, but provided members of the 19th Battery with an opportunity carrying out their duties under conditions approximating to those of active service. At the conclusion of the “battle” it was necessary to evacuate the position and return the guns to the Artillery Hall, Buckle Street. This fairly long, and rather difficult move was most successfully carried out and reflects credit on the 19tb Battery tractor drivers. On returning to Buckle Street all hands were kept busy for some time cleaning up, and if, was only in the early hours of the morning that “cease firing” sounded and some very tired soldiers were able to wend their way homeward. During the attack battery commander was Lieut. G. Nelson (in the absence of Major R. W. Fenton) and the duties of gun position officer were performed by Lieut. K. Maxwell. As with other unit Ts of the Central Coast Artillery Group the 19th Battery is rather under strength. Recruits of a good standard of physique and education are required as gunners, tractor drivers, signallers, and instrument men (i.e., rangetakers and director men). _ For those who are fond of horses and wish to qualify in horsemastership there nre positions on the battery staff. Although the battery is tractor drawn the staff are mounted, and instruction in riding is given as part of the regular training, at Fort Dorset. Recruits should apply to Fort Dorset. Field Ambulance.

No modern war would be complete without the medical corps, and the same may be said of even a mock battle. That is why those who were behind the guns in the Basin Reserve at the recent military (nttoo saw a number of khaki-clad men wearing the familiar red cross on their arms. For this occasion, the men of the 2nd Field Ambulance acted as stretcherbearers for the battery and created no small amount, of interest to those spectators who were fortunate enough to obtain a close-up view of the operations. The bearers, while not wasting time, adopted no half measures, but rendered first aid treatment to all casualties before placing them on the stretchers, and removing them to the dressing station where greater medical attention could be given. However, it was not only the mock battle which saw the medical corps in action, for on the following Saturday a number of its members were present at' the bombing display at the Rongotai Airport for the purpose of attending to any casualties that might have arisen. The unit will always be available to render similar service at other assemblies where various branches of the defence forces arc in action.

Cavalry. Coining Back. As is not unusual in the British Army, the pendulum has swung right over, from the belief in ultra-mechanisation, both of transport gjid fighting'vehicles, to the belief that cavalry is once more coming into its own, and that the infantryman can cope with machine guns, if only his load'can be sufficiently lightened and he is made correspondingly mobile, says “The Fighting Forces.” This latter view harmonies quite well with the type of train-

ing which is of value for the purpose of policing the Empire, or even, for very small wars, and the only criticism that can be made is that it seems rather expensive to maintain so many cavalry regiments mainly for Empire police purposes. Can it be, though, that the military authorities really believe that a European war can be won by an increased use of cavalry and an extremely mobile infantry? It certainly looks rather lilie it. “Mobility” is the order of the day. Territorial Camps.

There is no doubt the Territorial camps this year were splendidly successful in England. The seaside and the countryside have never looked more beautiful than during the recent glorious summer, and those who attended camp had a really delightful holiday, says a writer in an English journal. In these hard times of continuous unemployment it is sometimes forgotten that many young fellows, from villages and towns, have never bud a holiday in their lives, have never, in fact, been away from their homos save for a few hours. To such as these a Territorial camp is a real joy. It was delightful to hear the glowing enthusiasm of some youngster recounting that, he was having the time' of his life., Certainly recruiting should be good, from now on. provided the authorities give sensible publicity to the attractions of Territorial camps, which were so self-evident this year. The Territorial Army plays a very big part in (he happiness, the welfare, and the security of England. ‘Realisation of (his is gradually beginning to make headway.

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