ARTILLERY CAMP

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1179, 29 November 1924, Page 3

ARTILLERY CAMP

SEVENTH BATTERY SHOOT, Seventh Battery, N.Z.A., which returned from camp at Foxton yesterday, held its annual shoot on Thursday when pleasing results were obtained. -In tho morning an early start was' made and tho battery went into action at a trot. Fire was opened at a range of approximately 3000 yards. The lirst of the targets, which were situated behind the lakes towards the sea, represented infantry entrenched, and tho position was quickly smothered with shrapnel. An “enemy battery*’ was next engaged and at the height of the encounter, a rapid move was made owing to the position being loented by the enemy. In response to signals, the gun limbers and wagon teams galloped up and, within a few moments tho guns woro again firing from a forward position. All the series were lired by Lieutenant Garner, with Lieutenant Brophy, acting as gun position officer In the afternoon these two officers reversed positions. The battery then took up a fresh position further north and three series in all were tired at different targets, the ranges' being approximately from 3000 to 4000 yards. A natural target some 4200 yards from the guns was the last fired upon. The target, which was a small sand gully, .was assumed to be filled with infantry massing for an attack. The first ranging shot exploded on the crest and some thirty seconds later, shrapnel was bursting over the position. Through a telescope, the gully was seen to be obscured by sand .■thrown up by the shrapnel bullets. In conversation with the director ol artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner \yho was oresent, a “Standard” representative was informed that the shooting, was higluy satisfactory throughout, considering the small amount of time the battery hud been in' training. . , , During the day the battery was inspected by Colonel Commandant C. G. Bowles,, C.M.G. D. 5.0., A.D.C., Commanding the Central’Command. Colonel Powles, Colonel Whyte, Major Sandle and Captains l'arr arid Stevens witnessed the shoot. In conversation with Colonel Powlee the reporter was informed that good work was done by the battery signalling corps lit transmitting orders by field telephone and jflngs from the directing station ro the guns. Colonel Powles said that, considering those men were new at the business, they had made wonderful progress. At Lie guns orders were carried out smoothly and work was decidedly good. Ihe drivers, in bringing up tho guild and changing position twice during the day, were deserving ot great praise, especially taking into consideration the fact, that they had small opportunity' to work with horses and also the number of untrained horses m tne teams. . . The inspecting officers expressed great pleasure at the comfort of the camp and remarked on the generosity of the l'oxton Racing Club committee in placing their buildings and grounds at the disposal ot the battery. „ At the conclusion of the practice the battery was assembled and Lieut.-Colonel Gardner addressed the parade. lie congratulated the men on their very line shooting. He said the battery staff was consituted of new hands and they had made surprising progress. The performance was a very creditable one and he was hopctul of having a very line staff next year, lhe work of the guns was most satisfactory, even if a trifle slow. They did not mind a. little delay, however, provided the shooting was accurate. Speed would come iatei. The laying of the guns was also very satisfactory and accurately clone. The work at tiie guns had been quiet and orderly, winch was very important. The drivers were good and he hoped that next year the battery would have more horses to handle. lie hoped in future the battery commander would have more freedom and that tactical work would be developed. lor this it waa necessary to have good riders. Colonel powles endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks -and said lie was very pleased with the. behaviour of the men while in camp. It was quite possible that next year would again sec the battery under canvass on the racecourse, which was an ideal camping ground.