MILITARY GAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 58, 10 March 1938, Page 15

MILITARY GAMP

SIGNALLERS' IN TRAINING

LATEST EQUIPMENT

Since February 26 the Dannevirke racecourse has been the scene of much

military activity.

In camp there, at

present are" the 2nd Field , Company ' and the Central Depot, New Zealand Signals, .■;■'■■

Major F. L. Hunt, N.Z.S.C., is directing;the tactical training of the officers in camp, and the general annual training of the depot is under the direction .of the officer commanding the Central Depot Signals, Major W. G. C. Ash'bridge. The camp adjutant is Lieutenant E.-J.' Horwood, N.Z.S.C. The i^amp and training are under review by Major T. O. Lambie, Staff Officer to'the Director of Signals, and Captain G. Hv Heal, N.Z.S.C, Staff Officer Signals. " The Territorial signal officers are Captain M. J. R. Mcßryde, Lieutenant E. L. Marshall, and Second-Lieu-tenants A. G. M. Holms -and W. R. Schrodski;

VARIED TRAINING.

The. first week of the camp comprised training in formation and detailed instruction, in the uses of the various forms of signal equipment operated by the unit. . Of chief interest in this direction is the new wireless equipment made up of six speciallybuilt and fitted fast-moving, ■ closed vehicles. In these is housed the No. 1 set, a compact and efficient telegraph and radio-telephone unit. The cable'wagon, with its horsed team and out-riders, lias given place to the mechanical cable-layer/ Men are still required, however, although in a reduced number, but they are'capable of performing I;wice the amount of work previdusly carried out with the horsed equipment. And, of course, no signal camp would be completely without its flags and signalling lamps. The training has assumed very different aspects from the methods obtaining a few years ago. The mechanisation of the armed forces has resulted in' a mobility of movement which might be likened to the shifting of the battlefield from the acre paddock to the'paddock ■of the square mile. Fighting fronts that in the past were reckoned by the hundreds of yards are now matters of some miles in extent and signallers- have been required to orient themselves: to the tactics of^Gargantua. ■ However, modern transport of thVtype now provided by Army Headquarters has solved the problem and the training is facilitated by the use of the new specially-designed vehicles.

NOT ALL WORK. , A's in all other camps, it is, not a case of all 'work and no- play. The "spirit of ihe troops" is well exemplified by the men in their sports, singing and music in the lines", and at the social events associated with the annual gathering of the trainees. On Monday, the last day of February, a dance run by the troops was generously patronised by the residents of Dannevirke and the.boys are well satisfied with the welcome accorded "them by the residents. Last Sunday the hospitality was returned by entertaining the people of-the district with a sports gathering and a display ;of the various training activities. Although the otherwise -fine day was tempered with a sharp breeze, there "was a very good attendance and visitors a^d men both spent a very" enjoyable afternoon. The! training will culminate during the present-week with a tactical exercise, to be carried out by theco-opera- :- tion of all hands, and for the next two of:ffir;ee~da"ys there -Will" be'much Tnys*-tenons-movement:in,the,lower part .of, the Hawke's Bay Province, This is eagerly anticipated, and on the grounds of enthusiasm1* alone sfiould<-result;'in. a serious reverse for the "enemy"." r The medical officers attending the course are Major R. Welton. Hogg and Lieutenant H.'G'.. Rix, both of Wellington. Spiritual welfare is attended. to by!' Padre J. Dennis, of Levin, and Mare F. O. Ball, of Martinborbugh. Officers, visiting the camp; and cooperating *;with the' training are Lieute'fiant J. D. T. R. Sladen, King's Own S'cottish Borderers, who is visiting the Dominion, and Lieutenant B. Ballantyne, 2nd M.R. Regiment. vCamp will be struck on Saturday, •wjh'en all will return, somewhat regret.fully, to their civil occupations.