MIMIC BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 101, 30 April 1914, Page 10

MIMIC BATTLE

— WATCHED BY SIR IAN HAMILTON. CIT TELEGRAPH.— PRLSS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN. 29th April. The big tactical exercise which forms the climax of the military manoeuvres this year took place this morning on an area east of the Taieri River and under the scrutiny of General Sir lan Hamilton. The general idea was that Westland. of whom troops in camp were part, was at war with Bastland, and the former's troops were advancing through the hilly country south of Middlemarch to attack the whole of the Eastland position. The Otago force formed the left column of the Westland Army, and on the afternoon of 28th April the Eastland _ force was located entrenching a position a | quaiter of a mile west of Mount Ross. Early this morning Colonel Cauchop, commanding the Otago force, made a night march under cover of his outposts, and, at daylight, the Otago force less the mounted rifles brigade were depwyed on the left hand of the Taieri River, ready to advance. The Otago Mounted Rifles Brigade, who bivouacked for the night north-east of Middlemarch, were under orders to move down the left hand of the river, and co-operate with the remainder of the force by moving ftgainst the enemy's right flank. The chief umpire was Colonel A. W. Robin, C.8., C.M.G. The senior umpires for the invaders and invaded respectively were : — Invaders : LieutenantColonel G. N. Johnson. Invaded : Lieu-tenant-Colonel Hon. R. 11. Collins, D.S.O. Fully 700 spectators went from Dunedin, and about 300 from Middlemarch were present to witness the tactical exercise. The attack was developed by the infantry about 11 a.m. It was a frontal "pinning down" attack, and when, by alternate ruches under covering fire, the infaatry had worked to within 300 yards of the trenches, the enemy's mounted brigade appeared on the nght flank, and the day was won amid great cheering. General Hamilton was very congratulatory in his remarks to the' officers after the manoeuvres. After lunch there was a inarch past, and before the General left, a party of Territorials danced a haka, which greatly amused him. General Hamilton returned to town this evening and was accorded a civic reception. He will leave for Oamaru to-morrow.