MILITARY AT MATARAE

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 6

MILITARY AT MATARAE

THE BIG TACTICAL EXERCISE. divisional'attack. [From Qub Owji Reported,.] MATARAE"CAME, April 29. The big tactical exercise, which forms the climax of the military manoeuvres this year, took place this morning on the area east of the Taieri River, and under the scrutiny of General Sir lan Hamilton, In-spector-General of Oversea Forces, The general idea was that Westland, of whom the troops in camp are a part, were at war with Eastland, and were advancing through the hilly country south of Middlemarch to attack the whole of the Eastland position. The Otagq force formed the left column of the Westland army, and on the afternoon of April 28 the Eastland force was located entrenching a position a quarter of a mile west of Mount Ross. Early this morning Colonel Bauchop (the O.C. Otago force) made a night march under cover of his outposts, and at daylight the Otago force, less the Mounted Rifles Brigade, were employed 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 against the enemy’s right flank. The special idea under which the Eastland (defenders) worked was that the Westland divisions were advancing through the hilly country south of Middlemarch, and the Eastland troops, consisting of a section of the 15th detachment R.N.Z.A., the Coast Defence detachment, and the 4th (Otago) Regiment (half battalion), were to endeavor to delay the advance by holding an entrenched position west of Mount Ross until reinforcements arrived. Colonel Bauchop, C.M.G., N.Z.5.0., was commander of the attacking force, and Major J. A. P. Frederic of the defending force. The chief umpire was Colonel A. W. Rohm, C.8., C.M.G., and the senior umpires lor the invaders and invaded respectively were; Invaders, Lieutenantcolonel G. N. Johnston, R.S., and invaded, Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. R. H. Collins, D.S.O.

.Fully 700 spectators came from Dunedin, and about 300 from Middlemarch to witness the tactical exercise, the battle erf Mount Ross. The attack was developed by the infantry about 11 a.m. It was a frontal pinning attack, and when, by alternate rushes under fire cover, the infantry had worked within 300 yards of the trenches, the enemy’s mounted brigade appeared on the flank. It was a perfect day. Many excursionists preferred to remain at the camp. General Hamilton and the Hon. J. Allen return in the same train as the excursionists, leaving here at 4.20 p.m.