New Methods in Important Military Exercise on Monday

Northern Advocate, 12 May 1939, Page 7

New Methods in Important Military Exercise on Monday

“WORLD EVENTS AND THE NEW POLICY OF MECHANISATION IN THE NEW ZEALAND FORCES ARE HAVING A DEFINITE BEARING ON METHODS ADOPTED IN TERRITORIAL TRAINING.”

This opinion was, expressed yesterday by Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Pieice, of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, officer commanding the annual camp of the First Composite Mounted Rifles at Kensington Park.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce was referring to the forthcoming manoeuvres this week-end in which mounted troops will fight a mimic battle with the A Squadron, Fourth M.R. Motorised, now encamped at Paeroa.

The number of territorials engaged will be the largest concentration of troops in any exercise performed in the Auckland province since compulsory training was abolished.

» Stringent Test. f There will be 450 officers and men taking part from the Mounted Regiment, together with 148 officers and other ranks from the motorised squadron. The scheme will provide a stringent test not only for the mobility of the squadron, but also for the reaction of mounted troops holding a defensive position against a mechanised attack. The motorised squadron will invade the Whangarei district on Monday. This much is already known by Headquarters at Kensington Park, but all other details are being withheld so that operations will be conducted in full keeping with actual service conditions. All-Night March. The full mounted force consisting of 450 men and some 365 horses, is to leave Kensington Park at 10 p.m. on Sunday night, and will march all night to Titoki, 20 miles distant from Whangarei on the Mangakahia Road.

In the meantime the motorised squadron will be approaching the district, and the mounted troops v/ill not receive orders for the plan of campaign until early Monday morning. Bren Guns In Action. Transported in motor-lorries, the motorised troops will be equipped with the most modern means of/ warfare available in New Zealand, including the new Bren guns and mobile carriers, which are capable of traversing not only roads but fairly rough open country. Against this will be the mounted •men, with Vickers and Hotchkiss machine-guns, and signallers. Troops will be equipped with steel helmets and full field gear, and blank ammunitioni will be used. This scheme will be the only tactical exercise in which the full personnel oi‘ the Kensington camp will ,be engaged.

Commanding Officers.

In the defence of Whangarei, the mounted troops will - be under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce, while at the head of the invaders will be Major D. H. C. Wilson, Auckland. Lieutenant-Colonel L. J. Potter, chief staff officer of the Northern Military District, will be in charge of the complete operations. Both mounted and motorised troops will return to Kensington Park on Monday night, and camp will be broken on Tuesday afternoon.

Obituary Mr. William Easterbrook, Wiiareora

The death occurred at the Whangarei District Hospital on Wednesday of Mr William Easterbrook, aged 54. Mr Easterbrook accompanied his parents, the .late Mr and Mrs Alfred Easterbrook, to New Zealand from Great Britain 16 years ago, and since I hat time had resided continuously at Whareora at the home of his cousin, Mrs A. Baker, where he was engaged in farming. He served throughout the Great War in the ambulance corps, but prior to the war was employed by .a wellconnected English family. Mr Easterbrook was unmarried, and the only member of his family in New Zealand is a brother, Mr Harold Easterbrook, Waikato. There are, however, four brothers and two sisters . who survive him in Great Britain.