DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 133, 29 February 1936, Page 22

DEFENCE NOTES

News of Rank and File WELLINGTON MEN IN CAMP

(By

Liaison.)

The Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment, together with the 2nd Field Company N.Z. Engineers, completed their annual camp at Waipukurau on February 15. Although the week’s work was a strenuous oue, it was voted a huge success by all ranks. After church parade on Sunday, general leave was granted. A sacred concert was given by the military band in the Municipal Theatre. This was particularly well attended by the citizens of Waipukurau'* and surrounding districts. So popular were the items that a second concert was given the last night in camp, in aid of the Waipukurau Municipal Band. Visits were also paid to the hospital and sanatorium, where the patients greatly enjoyed the items. It was a matter of some pride to see the enthusiasm displayed by every man in the regiment, those selected for guard duties even practis-ng in the lunch hour and after parades, so that these duties could be carried out in the smartest possible manner. At the soldiers’ own request several additional voluntary parades were held during the evenings, when such phases as gas drill, range finding, and bayonet fighting were demonstarted by expert officers and n.c.o.’s. Possibly the hardest-worked unit in the battalion was the regimental drivers, who stood up to their tasks in a praiseworthy manner, and were indeed singled out for special praise by the commanding officer, LtCol. J. L. Saunders, D. 5.0., V.D. A touch of realism, was added to the battalion manoeuvres by the actual firing of the new trench mortars, which have been recently added to the establishment of infantry regiments. In the short time which the mortar platoon had had to learn the features of the guu, their drill and manner of coming into action was indeed a credit. It is therefore pleasing to know that while the camp was an immense benefit from a military train.ng, physical and disciplinary point of view, the general consensus of opinion among the troops was that it the best holiday they had had for years. The regimental medicai officer was Ma. jor W. F. Shirer, N.Z.M.C., Lt. McKenzie, N.Z.D.C., was dental officer, and the Rev. Boyd-Bell administered spiritual welfare to the troops. During the week the camp was honoured by a visit from the general officer commanding, MajorGeneral Sir William Sinclair-Burgess, K.8.E., 0.8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., and senior officers from headquarters staff. Cadet Training. The year’s training commenced with the officera and N.C.O.’s course at Trentham. Practically all secondary schools in the Central Command were represented. First-class weather permitted of a very thorough, training syllabus being carried out under ideal conditions. From February 10 to 14 Petone Technical College held a barracks on the recreational grounds.’ The addition of swimming to the syllabus was very much appreciated. l The headmaster, Mr. McFadgen, expressed himself well pleased with the progress made, particularly as regards steadiness. . ■ Lieutenant. J. -B. Hepworth has been transferred from the, Petone: Technical College to Featherston School., Coast Artillery.

The Fifteenth Heavy Battery, N.Z.A., held its annual camp during February. The officers and N.C.O.’s were present from Febriiary 1 to 15 and the remainder of the unit from February 4 to 15. As usual the weather did not treat the battery kindly and for a period tents had to be vacated and shelter sought in the buildings at Fort Dorset. Even this concession did not altogether appease the elements, and it was feared at one stage that at least one of the wooden buildings would collapse’ under the severe buffeting of a south-easterly gale. However, the •battery turned to and assisted the R.N. Z.A. personnel to brace the tottering structures, until the Public Works Department came gallantly to the rescue and carried out permanent repairs. After that experience’ during the first few days of the camp the weather improved for some time, but there was another stormy period before the end. . Despite the non-co-operation of the weather, training was carried out as per syllabus, allowance having been made for possible wet weather conditions. One of the disappointing features of what was otherwise a highly enjoyable and useful camp was the attendance, or rather lack of attendance. With a nominal strength of - 06, an attendance of 40 officers and other ranks can only be described as discouraging, and under these circumstances, it is difficult to carry on collective training such as "fort manning.” From inquiries made it would appear that many soldiers find it impossible to get leave from their employment. Nevertheless, the camp can. be summarised as having been quite successful and very enjoyable. The Headquarters .Section, under Lieut. J. Redmond, was instructed in signalling and range-finding, the former including morse, semaphore, and international codes. During tue "shoots” communication between the battery and the Janie Seddon was carried out by means of wireless telephony, with the daylight signalling lamp for use in case of emergency. The range-takers were trained to use the depression rangefinder, the ranges found being passed to the guns by means of mechanical and electrical, dials,-and as an. alternative, head' and breast telephones were used. One of the sections which suffered mos’t from lack of numbers was the 6-iueh gun detachments, and in order to carry out practice it was necessary to call on the electricians, and engine-drivers to assist the 6-inch. gunners. The “black squad responded very well, and although obviously in need of more gun-drill, acquitted themselves excellently in what was, for them, a novel role. The training ot this section was carried out by Lieut. 11. G. Thomas. - . For the first time for some years the 1--pounder quick-firing guns were brought into action, and excellent shooting was done by a small but very keen detachment. The gun position is exposed to ail tne winds that blow, but in spite ot the upsetting effect of a strong northerly wind, the detachment of young gunners was not perturbed, and carried out several effective series, the gun being laid by means of the automatic-sight. The section commanders were Dieute. N. A. Stephenson and E. JI. Luxford. , , The electric light section must be congratulated on a really good performance, not only of their own duties, when providing the necessary light for the gunners by night, but, as already mentioneel, as very able emergency gunners themselves when the guns had to be fired by day. Another job which this section did was that of the range party on the Janie Seddon, Captain C. A. Williamson and 2/Lieut. R. P. Kenuedv were in charge of the E.L. and E.D. Section during the camp. In addition to the training already mentioned, tho whole battery underwent, instruction in squad drill, -rille exercises, physical aud auti-gas training, musketry and Lewis gun, and guard-mounting. On the last day of the camp shooting was carried out on the 25-yds. range at Fort Dorset, the weapons being the service rifle and the Lewis gun. The next parades of the 15th Battery will bo held at Fort Dorset on March 11 and 25.