THE NINTHS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 146, 17 December 1915, Page 7

THE NINTHS

A STIFF ROUTE MARCH

OVER THE RIMUTAKAS

A SEVERE TEST OF ENDURANCE.

"Hard doers, and good soldiers" was the reputation earned by the infantry of the 9th Reinforcements as a result of their march over the Rimutakas yesterday. And there was certainly some justification for it, the Ninths being, indeed, the cheeriest crowd that ever passed over the mountain range, and coming out of the ordeal remarkably fit. Climbing over the Rimutakas-from the Feafcherston side, however, was only portion of their task; they are doing another day's march to-day, engage in an attack at dawn to-morrow, and will then march ito Trentham camp, where they will complete their training.

AN EARLY MORNING STAET.

The summer being well advanced, it , .was decided that yesterday's trek should be conducted in the early morning, thus avoiding the midday heat. An early, start- had to be made accordingly. Wed- i nesday night was spent by tho -whole of ' the infantry of the Ninths, some 1850 men, all told, lying out in the open at Tauherenikau. But there were few of them who got any sleep. Many cf them, were still gazing at the stars when, at 12.30 a.m., "Reveille" was sounded. The troops had breakfast at 1 o'clock, and, aftar cleaning up, adjusted their packs and fell in for the march. Shortly after 2.30 a.m. the first streaks of dawn began to appear, and at 3 a.m. the whole column moved off, headed by the Featherston Camp Band. Settling down into a steady stride, the men were not Ion" before they, broke into singing and whistling, and passed the time merrily on their way to Featherston. The column passed through the town -at 4.15, and cheerfully greeted such residents who were up to see them as they passed by. Not far out of Featherston the banddropped out and returned to camp. The men made up for its absence by increasing the volume of their singing and the more frequent use of the kettle drum.

ASCENT OF THE RANGE. '

The steady ascent commenced at 5 a.m. With little or no wind blowing then, and with the magnificent scenery before them at every turn, the troops became still more lively, and made the climb over the range easily the merriest of those that have yet taken place. Higher up the troops, as they rounded each bluff, got the benefit of a good stiff breeze, and under it the going, notwithstanding the heaviness of the pack, was not uncomfortable. The summit was reached at 7.30 amid cheers. Here the troops found hot tea waiting for them, egg and ham sandwiches: and hardboiled eggs—all of which had been lrindiy provided by the Featherston Branch of the Wairarapa Patriotic Society. A number of Featherston residents were there to assist in the distribution. Breakfast finished, the march was resumed, but not before hearty cheers had been given for the Featherston residents. Going down the mountain road in the fresh mprning air was very pleasant; the troops made it more so by singing and cheering merrily and making jokes at one another's expense. The bivouac, ■ some two miies north of Kaitoke, or just at the foot of the Rimutakas. was readied at 10.50. The troops marched into the paddock in. the highest of spirits, and were all so splendidly fit that they appeared capable of doing a further ten. miles without any great difficulty Later they bathed in the river, had dinner, and then made up for lost sleep by lying down on the green sward. As the "sun. was shining beautifully, the men's afternoon siesta proved most refreshing POINTS OF ROUTE MARCHING.

Generally speaking,- it may be said that the 9ths, in crossing the Rimutakas did particularly well. The march, which was under the control of Lieut -Col Macdonald, Staff Infantry Instructor", was conducted strictly in accordance with regulation procedure. The paces were restricted to 120 per minute on the level and to 104 on the hill, and lengthened going down. On the level, ten minutes" spells were taken at the end of each hour and going up the hill an additional five minutes every thirty minutes after the hour. The six companies also took their turns at leading for one hour. This was strictly in accordance with military procedure, it being easier to walk at the head of a column than at the tail end. The reasons for this are that the leading company makes its own pace (which is easier than to keep up behind), gets fresher air and less dust, and besides enjoying the prestige attached to tiie post of honour, gets the best of the view. Strict attention was likewise paid to keeping the men and companies to the regulation distance. This is of special importance. as when a column .throujjh straggling out occupies

a greater length of road than it is entitled to, it only keeps other units behind, with the result that they may never be able to get into action within the required time. The 9ths, although they had marched a. good deal before, had only done one route j march previously, and in yesterday's) lesson thus gained some very valuable; experience, i Lieut.-Col. Adams, Commandant of Tauherenikau Camp, accompanied the troop to the top of the hill, and they were also met there by Col. C. M. Gibbon, Chief of the General Staff. A WET NIGHT. Tha Ninths, having fared so well with the weather during the day, hoped that it would be a fine night. Their hopes, however, were soon disappointed. Soon after 5 o'clock it commenced to rain heavily, and continued throughout the night. But the Ninths didn't mind; they were not of the fine weather type of soldier, and showed it by the exceptionally cheerful manner in which they made the best of thing 6. They bivouacked under the neighbouring trees' for the night, but with the driving rain, which penetrated through, the men were given what an officer described to-day as "a proper doing." TO-DAY'S OPERATIONS. This morning thft Ninths rose cheerful as usual, and at 6.30 moved off on a march to Upper Hutt, engaging in advance guard work en route. They lunched in Maidstone. Park. The Force was then to have gone out upon" all-night operations, making an attack at dawn, to-morrow, but as the' men were very wet, and it was still raining, it was decided to send them straight into Trentham.' They were marched into Trentham this afternoon accordingly. Noit week, in substitution for the abandoned programme, the. various companies will be taken ont alternately and exercised in night operations.