SOLDIERS IN CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13727, 18 April 1908, Page 6

SOLDIERS IN CAMP.

INTERESTING MANOEUVRES. LAND AND SEA OPERATIONS. A DAY'S WORK. Ik a foreign, fleet ever invades the Dominion, and cruises down the coast as far as Auckland Harbour without molestation, it may be assumed that, for the purpose of a land march on the forts, the in-viting-looking strip of foreshore that fringes Brown's Bay would be chosen by the foreign admiral as the ideal landingplace for the land attacking force. It would probably seem .to him an easy matter for his troops to secure a position dominating the forts and Auckland, what time the fleet, bombarded Auckland's defences from the sea, and kept their big guns engaged, but he would soon discover that it was not so easy as it appeared on paper. For six mjles- from Brown's Bay, the land invasion would have to force its way through very rough country, abounding in forest, scrub, deep fern gullies and rugged hills, and, when, after an exhausting, march, they reached the comparatively open country in the vicinity of Castor Oil Bay, their further advance would be ban-fed by a strong detachment of the local forces.

THE DEFENDERS' CAMP. This, briefly, is the central idea of the military manoeuvres which are being held this Easter at Castor Oil Bay. On the slope of the hill, which rises gently from the" wave-lapped beach, the main camp of the defending force has been pitched, not because of its picturesqueness, but on account of its strategical strength. From the west and north-west an attack would be extremely hazardous for the foreign force. They would have to come over a range of bracken-covered hills, and then storm up a sharp declivity, totally destitute of cover. To the north runs a stretch of pastures, skirted by the beach, and ending abruptly. According to the general plan of this year's manoeuvres, the invading enemy will try ( and effect a night attack, which the defending force will endeavour to prevent, and themselves attack by day, if they can get into touch with the enemy, in order to cut them off. It will foe readily seen that this idea allows for the exercise of tactical intelligence and military skill on the part of the commanding officers, and for soldierlike zeal and ability on the part of the men of both sides. THE "REDS" AND THE "BLUES." The troops employed in the manoeuvres are, for the sake of easy distinction, called respectively "Reds" and "Blues.'" The " Blues" are the attacking foreign force, suddenly landed at Brown's Bay, and the "Reds" are the local defenders mobilised and concentrated at Castor Oil Bay, to deal with the invaders. The "Reds' " field force consists of Second Regiment A.M.R.; two gums "A" Battery; half Auckland Infantry Battalion; half.No. 4 New Zealand Engineers; a section of Field Hospital and Bearer Corps and signallers. Co-operating with them in defence is the Auckland Garrison Artillery Division in the forts. Major. Kenrick is "in charge of the "Red" field force, with Captain Plugge. Captain Tapper is in charge of the signalling force. The invading "Blues" are under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. R. Reed, with Acting-Major Blomfield in charge of the mounted men. The signalling staff is under the direction of Lieutenant Hewson. The rank and file of the "Blues" consist of Seddon Horse M.R., Auckland M.R. (Ist Regiment A.M.R), Te Puke M.R., Matata M.R., (4th Regiment A.M.R.), 'half No. 4 N.Z. Engineers, a section of Field Hospital and Bearer Corps, signallers, and two guns from the "A" Battery. The foreign " cruisers" are represented by the training ship Amokura and several motor launches, which are cruising about to cover their troops and take off the fire of .the forts.

DIRECTING THE MANOEUVRES.The manoeuvres are under the direction of Colonel Wolfe, who is unipire-in-cfaarge. Colonel Tuson, Adjutant-General of. the New Zealand forces, is an onlooker on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Association. Captain Bosworth is acting as intelligence officer. The medical arrangements are under the control of the P.M.0., Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, and SurgeonMajor Carolan is senior medical officer in charge at Castor Oil Bay. ARRIVAL AT CAMP. Yesterday, the first day of the mancevres, opened auspiciously in beautiful weather, The troops taking part mustered at the Drill Hall, Aucldand, on Thursday night, and marched down to the ferry wharf, headed by the Garrison and Infantry Battalion Bands. At the wharf ferry boats were in waiting to convey the troops to their respective destinations at Brown's Bay and Castor Oil Bay. The Garrison Artillery men went to the forts. CAMP PITCHED. The " Reds," on arriving at the spot selected near Castor Oil Bay, pitched tents and generally got the camp in readiness. Then they turned in for the night, and yesterday morning were early astir. NEWS OF THE ENEMY. Till yesterday evening the only reliable, information of the approach of the enemy. was to the* effect that foreign warships had been seen cruising off various points, and. the specific fact that two cruisers had been sighted off Okura River, with the evident intention of landing a raiding force in that vicinity. The Auckland district, troops, mobilised at Castor Oil Bay to check them, spent the day getting ready for a possible night attack. The camp, in addition to its natural advantages, is protected by the more or less civilised adjunct of a barbed-wire fence which runs round three sides of it. Since the Boer war, barbed wire has apparently taken a permanent place in modern defensive warfare. THE ENEMY LAND. At eight o'clock last night definite news of the landing of the foreigners was received by the officer commanding the defending troops in an older from Fort Takapuna, which stated that the enemy was in the act of disembarking his forces in the vicinity of Brown's Bay, and had. already succeeded in landing a covering party of some 300 men. The defenders of the forts were ordered to take every precaution for their safety last night, and to advance this morning with the intention of cutting off and dividing this advance party. No assistance from the fort can be given till this afternoon. The foreign ' admiral is unable, it, is understood, to continue the disembarkation of his troops till one p.m. to-day, when the battle takes place the forces will be pretty evenly matched. The object of the Blues" will be to effect a surprise night attack, and the " Reds" will be on the qui vive to repulse this attack, which up to a late hour last night had not taken place. LIFE IN CAMP. Meantime, the defenders in camp are passing the time in the ordinary way of men on active service. Life in camp is enjoyable- if it does not last too long, and the men are all in excellent health. Reveille sounds at six o'clock, and breakfast is an hour and a-half later. Dinner and tea are at midday and five o'clock respectively, and at six o'clock the retreat is sounded. First post is at 9.30 p.m., last post- half an hour later, and all lights are out at 10.15. As a precaution against the expected attack last night, the umpire ordered that no bugle should be sounded after five o'clock.

Gamp life may have* its hardship.*, but lack of fowl is not one of theu when a local army is near its base. Each man in the camp receives the following daily rations:—l|lb bread, lJdb fresh meat," 2oz cheese, 3oz coffee, l-320z pepper, £oz salt, 3oz sugar, Joz tea. Jib mixed vegetable?, Jib potatoes, 3oz jam, 3oz batter, half a candle to each 'ent. Horses are given 61b oats and 101b. chaff per day each. TROOPS DEPART FROM NAPIER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier, Friday. Members of the Napier, Wairoa, and Giaborne volunteer companies, to the number of 249, and a squad of the Napier Brigade of the St. John Ambulance Association, left last night to take part in the military manoeuvres near Wellington. BAD WEATHER Vl' WESTLAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Westport, Friday. Bad weather is being experienced for the Easter military manoeuvres, in which the West land, Reef ton, and Greymoutb Rifles are acting as a raiding force landtd by the enemy's cruiser at Capo Foulwind, and the Westport Artillery, Denniston and Millerten Rifles are the defending force. The night attack has been arranged for to-night, but there is some talk of this being cancelled owing to the state of the weather and the swampy nature of the ground separating the two forces. Lieut. -Colonel Morice is in charge of the manoeuvres, and Major Hughes is watching tire proceedings cv behalf of the Defence Department. CHRISTCHURCH OPERATIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Friday. The Easter manoeuvres started at live o'clock this afternoon. The scheme of operations is that the attacking force is making; a descent upon Ripa. Island fort at Lyttelton and on Christchurch, the defending force being sent out to repel the enemy.