TROOPS IN CAMP

Evening Star, Issue 20118, 7 March 1929, Page 16

TROOPS IN CAMP

ACTIVITIES AT WAIANARABUA VISITORS' DAY PLANNED [From Our Own Reporter,] Without the artillery the infantry is lost—or vice versa—in modern warfare, and iu order to demonstrate to Territorials tho possibilities of a brigade attack, the military authorities decided to hold a brigade camp. The various units have been assembled and placed under canvas at Waianakarua, seventeen miles from Oamaru, and the troops in bamp> include the First Battalions of the Otago and Canterbury Regiments, tho 16th Light Pack Battery, and the Otago University Company (New Zealand Medicap Corps'). Perhaps many will wonder why the old camping ground of Matarae has been turned aside on this occasion. For the change there are three reasons; —(1) Matarae has been used as a camping ground for such a long time, that the ground is not as fresh as it might be, and in order to avoid any trouble a. change was considered wise; (2) the distance to bring the Canterbury Regiment to Matarae for a brigade camp was to® far; and (3) new' ground was desired for tactical manoeuvres. The new district chosen, though not ideal for a camp, is considered to possess more advantages than Matarae. Though the grass is rather long, one thing which impresses the visitor is tho cleanliness of the grounds, while there is a fresh supply of water obtainable from the small Waianakarua Stream. On the banks of this stream, the camps are situated, the Otago Regiment, the 16th Battery, and the Medical Corps being on the southern side and the Canterbury Regiment on the northern bank. '

All the units arrived in camp on Tuesday, and have now settled down to undergo a fairly solid week of training. Altogether there are about 1,500 in camp, there having been made a considerable reduction from former years in order to curtail expenses, the money being required in another military direction. Owing to this curtailment, the number of recruits available for the advance party was limited, and naturally when the Otago Regiments arrived on the ground, the erection of their tents had to be completed. While this was being done, the troops had to bear the attack of a heavy rain from the south. This came on during their partaking of refreshment brought with them from town. The quartermaster generously prepared and supplied hot tea to all hands. Little delay as possible was made in erecting the remainder of the tents, and early in the afternoon the hoys settled down to prepare their bunks for the night. 'The Canterbury Regiment, which arrived about 3 o’clock, was more fortunate, and was able to disembark and march to the ground in line weather, rud with their camp fully prepared. In dealing with the Canterbury troop’s arrival, a word of praise should be given to them for the smart manner in which they left the train, and marched off for their temporary home. Led by a fairly strong brass band, the regiment marched off to the strains of a. stirring march within a very short time. The routine to be carried out is much the same as in former camps, with reveille at 6 o’clock, breakfast at 7, sick parade at 7.30, battalion parade at 8.30, midday break at 12, lunch at 12.30, parade at 1.30, dismiss at 4.30, dinner at 6, retreat at 6.30, and lights out at 10 o’clock. A very interesting programme Of training has been drawji up, and will bo made U{ as follows:—The first two days will be devoted to unit training, the battalions and Battery working independently in their own quarters. On Friday, the Ist Battalions of the Otago and Canterbury Regiments will participate in an operation on a larger scale, on which they will oppose each other. On Saturday, the whole brigade group will cany out the company exe cises in following the advance guard and the advance guard action, and the inspection of a position preparatory to an attack on the next dav of operations. On the Monday this attack will be carried out arcer a bombardment by the artillery and machine guns. There will probably also be a review of the whole brigade by the general officer commanding il.e New Zealand Forces (Major-general R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., JD.S.O.

Colonel J. Hargest, D. 5.6., M.C., A.G C., is the brigade commander, with Major I!roinner, M.C., X.Z.S.C., as assistant commander, while Major MTdngh, M.C., is the staff captain. Lien tenant-colonel L. M. Jnglis, M.C., is in charge of the Canterbury Regiment, while Lieutenant-colonel liarrowclough, D. 5.0., M.C., is in command of the Otago forces. The parade state of (ho various units is as follows: Brigade Headquarters.— 6 officers, n other ..Iks; 16th Light flattery, -VZ.A-. U officers, 53 other ra nk.s; hirst Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, 44 officers, 446 other ranks; First Battalion, Otago Regiment, 46 officers, 537 _ other ranks; Otago University Medical Corps, 5 officers, 105 other ranks; Supply Section, N.Z.A.S.C., 2 officers, IT other ranks. Totals; 109 officers, 1,163 other ranks. . So far, the meals supplied lo the men have given satisfaction, there being no shortage of good, plain food, cooked in a much improved rook house than that of former years. The commissariat arrangements'a re up to a higher standard than in the more recent camps, and the general opinion is that the camp will be an outstanding success. Quite a lot of money JiasT been spent in makim the cool, houses this year, and the department lias secured a, number ot these establishments, which are ot the collapsible type, and consequently easily erected and dismantled, and are always in the possession of the regimen I:. As usual,' tin \.M.C.A. marquee is the chief centre of attraction in the. evenings,_ and one can find in this camp, which is ably run by Mr Wilson, a good supply of games and reading matter. During the week a monster camp fire concert is to he held, and arrangements are now under way for this entertainment. Sunday will be “visitors’ day.” A special train is running from Dunedin, and this will enable intending visitors to reach the camp m time for hmch, and return later the same clay. There will be no work carried out this day by the troops, and they will ha free to show their friends over the eamp. As it will be impossible for the troops to supply rations to visitors, they are asked to bring their, own lunch. ' Hotwater will he provided for the making of tea, and altogether a good day's outing is assured for those who make the trip.