TRENTHAM TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 95, 22 April 1940, Page 9

TRENTHAM TRAINING

OPERATIONS AT NIGHT

CEREMONIAL PARADES

Sound physique, absolute fitness, and smartness of bearing that is by no means confined to the parade ground are characteristics of the Second Echelon troops who have been in training at the Central District Mobilisation Camp, Trentham, since early- in January. All ranks are in splendid spirits and officers speak highly of the keenness of the men and the intense interest they are taking in their training. Work in the camp was interrupted last week by inoculation, but by Friday everyone was on parade again and training was continuing as usual. Although training has not yet progressed beyond the individual stage, it has latterly involved practice in night operations and other more interesting phases. All units haye been out on frequent route ' marches, which are very popular, and have had the experience of taking meals in the field. The 4th and sth Anti-Tank Companies (mechanised) carried out a night bivouac last week at Kahautare in the Wairarapa, and on Thursday night the Divisional Petrol Company spent the night out of doors near Paekaka-. riki practising a niglu attack. The weather was far from favourable, but the men cried down a suggestion that they might prefer to return to camp. Sufficient permanent hutments have been* erected for nearly all officers and men in' camp and a start has been made on dismantling the tented portion of the camp where some of the 22nd (Wellington) Battalion were quartered pending completion of the new block of huts. The new series of distinguishing patches which all ranks will be required to wear on their upper arms just below the shoulder have been issued. Red and blue are the principal colours. SKIRL O' THE PIPES. Band music is to be heard at most hours of the day in the camp. The Second Echelon Band is practising hard both with its instruments and at marching and the Camp Band is also holding regular practices. For the past few weeks'the skirl of bagpipes has been added 'o the familiar sounds of the camp. Thanks to the generosity of several Scottish societies the 22nd Rifle Battalion now has its pipes and drums. This week all units in the camp are preparing for a series of ceremonial parades to be held within the next few days. On the morning of Thursday, Anzac Day, there will be a full parade which will ba addressed by MajorGeneral Sir Andrew Russell, who commanded the Ist N.Z. Division. The Second Echelon units are to parade and-march through the city on Saturday, and on Sunday they will parade again at Trentham for an inspection by. Major-General J. E. Duigan CB D..3.0.,; Chief \of the General Staff. '