MECHANISED FORCES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 17

MECHANISED FORCES.

BATTERY MANOEUVRES. IN DANNEVIRIvE DISTRICT. Advancing from Palmerston North, with guns loaded on flat-topped lorries and with motor-cars to transport the battery-staff and officers, the Seventh and Eighth Batteries from Palmerston North subjected Danncvirke to a mock supporting attack on Saturday afternoon. It was the first time these batteries had engaged in a mechanised bivouac, and the event proved very popular with the volunteers, both batteries being at full strength, and numbering in all 100 men. The advance, which was made in support of an imaginary infantry attack, was directed through Woodville. via Pinfold’s Road, to take up a position at the Dannevirke racecourse. The general tactical plan was an advance from Palmerston North on the Saturday and a retirement by the main road on the following day. A bivouac having been made at the racecourse for tlio night, a resumption of manoeuvres was made in the morning. Mr M. Cowper’s property became the base of operations for a time; then the Manawatu River was crossed and an orderly retirement was accomplished by road to Mnharahara. Captain W. Philp was in charge, while Colonel R. \V. Fenton, Brigade Commander, of the Second Artillery Brigade, attended the bivouac. - Probably the most interesting phase of the attack was the use made of radio-telephony, which was the means of communication both on the road and with the guns. Sets were installed in all cars, and thus one unit was able to keep in constant communication with tlio other, during the advance. The effectiveness of this modern method was clearly demonstrated.