HOME GUARD STUNT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 23 October 1941, Page 6

HOME GUARD STUNT

FIELD DAY IN THE W'AIMEAS j DEFENCE OF APPLEBY BRIDGE The Waimea Battalion of the Home Guard is to hold its second field day on Sunday 2nd November when tactical exercises will be staged between the Redwood’s Valley Research Orchard and the western end of the Appleby brodge. The story of the operations is that an enemy landing has been made at Mapua, and of this force three companvs are moving along the MapuaNelson road, driving in front of them two sections of the local Home Guard: These sections are attempting to delay the enemy advance and have sent back information to Company Commander J. J. Caskie, whose forces consist of “D” and "E” companies, the petrol platoon, signals and a machine-gun section. This force is despatched to the Appleby bridge. It will debus at the tennis courts at 10 o'clock and proceed to take up defence positions at 10.15. Its task will be to hold the bridgehead until the Reserve Battalion of the Home Guard arrives at 2 p.m. Captain T. H. Robinson, who will command the attacking force, will have under him “A,” B‘,” and “C” companies and the signals platoon. They will debus on the hills overlooking the plain, in the vicinity of the Research Orchard. All personnel of the attacking force will remain at the debussing point until 10.30 when they will proceed to reconnoitre. The attack will commence at 10.45, the starting line being the Eves Valley stream. The boundaries of the attack will be: southwest, the line of the main MotuekaRedwood’s Valley highway to the river inclusive; north-east, the sea coast.