Regimental Manoeuvres End at Dannevirke

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 68, 22 March 1937, Page 2

Regimental Manoeuvres End at Dannevirke

ANNUAL CAMP OF HAWKE'S BAY UNIT. DANNEVIRKE, March 20. Officers and men of the Hawke’s Bay Regiment returned to their homes after spending a week in camp on tho Dannevirke racecourse to-day. It has been a very good camp, the weather and the site being most favourable. The manoeuvres that began on Wednesday wero continued on Thursday, Flight-Lieut. Kay, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force co-oporating. information from reconnoitring aircraft indicated that the enemy was approaching Dannevirke via Woodville, and the Brigade Command decided to secure the high ground south of Maharahara railway station. Tho 2nd H.B. Regiment, completely mechanised, was to do the job. Within half an hour of receiving orders at tho Dannevirke racecourse, the troops were formed up and in position immediately south of the Maharahara station. Enemy 'planes appeared and attacked, but a well-planned movement put the troops under natural cover and organised rifle and Lewis gun fire forced the aircraft to an altitude of between 2000 and 3000 feet, from which height it was difficult to make accurate observation of the situation developing. The advance tlieq commenced and frequent attacks by the ’planes gave the troops excellent practice in concealment and anti-aircraft action. Following a movement across broken country, the troops eventually reached their objective by 5 p.in., consolidating at once After darkness a well conducted withdrawal movement was accomplished, and within a short time of forming up on the road the troops were returning to camp. Tho wholo exercise was carried out with well-considered co-operation, and provided good training for the men in modern mechanisation. The motor convoy in the movement to and from the camp and the aerial participation by friend and foe gave the men a very practical idea of what modern methods of warefare might be like.