MOCK BATTLE AT HEADS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 12

MOCK BATTLE AT HEADS

Batteries To Be Manned For 24 Hours MINISTERS AND STAFF CHIEFS TO ATTEND Th*e armaments of the forts at Dorset Point and Palmer Head will be manned continuously during the 24 hours from noon today till noon tomorrow for the exercises to be carried out to test the defences of Wellington against the entry into the harbour of an enemy vessel. The exercises this afternoon and tonight will be watched from Fort Dorset by tlie Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones; (lie Chief of tlie General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore 11. E. Horan; and the Chief of the Air Staff, Group Captain 11. W. L. Saunders. The Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, may be present in the afternoon also. 11.M.5. Leith, representing an enemy cruiser, will engage the forts this afternoon in a mock bombardment, aud tonight will attempt to force an entrance to tlie harbour without being discovered. Four Baffin bombers of the Wellington (Territorial) Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F., will carry out reconnaissance work this afternoon, and will keep the shore batteries informed of the position of 11.M.5. Leith. The exercise is timed to start at 2 p.m. The night shoot with the Leith’s attempt to enter the harbour will be the highlight of the exercises. The searchlight batteries will be manned, and will try to pick up the warship as soon as she comes within range of the guns. When she is discovered, tlie guns covering the illuminated area in •which she appears will immediately open fire. The scheme which will be employed by the defenders in the night action is known as a “fighting light” system. Certain guns are allotted to cover the area illuminated by certain lights. When the ship appears only those guns covering that one particular area open fire. Unless specific orders to the contrary are given by the Eire Commander the rest remain constantly on the watch for other vessels which may make an attack. If the wind is favourable tonight H.M.S. Leith may use a smoke screen. This would not enable her to enter the harbour, but would shield her from the shore. The action will be under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D. A. Carty, officer commanding the 2nd Heavy Artillery Group. More than 150 members of the loth Heavy Battery, as well as Royal New Zealand Artillerymen and Territorial Special Reservists, will man the forts. The section of the 15th Heavy Battery which will man the searchlights and engines consists oiNreturned soldiers.