TRAINING THE TROOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 8

TRAINING THE TROOPS.

FIELD MANOEUVRES. EXCELLENT TACTICAL WORK. INSPECTION BY GENERAL GODLEY. ADDRESSES TO OFFICERS. Military manoeuvres were yesterday carried out by the Auckland Infantry Battalion and the Auckland Mounted Rifles units of the expeditionary force, at Kohimararaa and Papatoetoe respectively. The manoeuvres were witnessed by General Sir Alexander Godley, officer commanding the New Zealand expeditionary force. The day was ideal for the purpose. The sun shone brightly and the country traversed by tho troops appeared at its best. The onting was much enjoyed by the troops, who entered with zest upon tho work which they were called upon to perform.

Tho tactical exercises arranged for the infantry battalion were successfully carried out in the morning. The scheme was a supposed engagement between an eastern and a western force. The western force ; occupied the high ground and tho main load between the old stono church and tho Orakei Bridge. The members of the eastern force were landed by ferry boat at Orakei and Kohimarama. They held that suburb and the Bastion Fort, and were instructed to dislodge the enemy from the position it held. The scheme lent itself to some excellent tactical work, and tho attacking party, under Colonel A. Plugge, by degrees slowly gained position after position, while the defenders, under Major Harrowell, also did excellent work. The manoeuvres lasted from 10 a.m. till noon.

General Godley and his party—consisting of Captain P. H. Hall Thompson, commander of H.M.S. Philomel; Colonel C. E. R. Mackesy, officer commanding the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment; Colonel C. T. Major, officer commanding the Auckland district; Major G. R. Macdonald, Auckland staff officer; and Captain A. T. G. Rhodes, A.D.C. to General Godley—were conveyed to Kohimarama by Captain H. Horton, Captain A. Cleave, and Mr. T. H. Hirst, of the Auckland J Motor Reserve. General's Helpful Criticism. When the manoeuvres were completed, General Godley addressed the officers and criticised in detail the tactics employed and gave much helpful advice. He thought that Auckland was very fortunate in having such a fine piece of ground as that at Kohimarama for manoeuvres. On the whole the manoeuvres were well carried out and the fire control was good.

Work of the Mounted Men. After partaking of luncheon on the! Kohimarama beach with Colonel Plugge, the general and his party proceeded to Mangere, .where the Mounted Rifles car-1 ried out a tactical scheme. A force was landed from the Manukau Harbour and, received orders to cut off the railway I line £t Papatoetoe and make a dash on the "enemy," which held a strong posi- \ tion on Mr. L G. Gray's farm at Mangere. j The mounted men attacked with two squadrons on either flank. The manoeuvre j was accomplished quickly and the enemy i was driven out in nalf-an-hour. i The mounted squadrons formed an imposing array as their horses galloped over j the undulating ground to take up posi-! tions on higher ground. Several of the riders put their animals at stone walls, and the horses cleared tho obstacles with the greatest of ease. j

Fine Body of Horses and Men. To the officers of the mounted squadrons General Godley also addressed' helpful criticisjn. In the course of his remarks, he said he was very pleased to see how extremely fit both men and horses were. They had carried out their work with dash, energy, and vigour.

At the conclusion of the manoeuvres General Godley inspected the camp at Otahuhu, and remarked on its charming situation. The site, he considered, was ideal for the purposes of a camp. After partaking of afternoon tea, he proceeded to the city and at 5.15 p.m. he visited the troopships Waimana and Star of India, and thoroughly inspected both vessels. He was the guest of Colonel Mackesy at dinner on the Waimana.

This morning General Godley will visit the camp on the Takapuna racecourse at Devonport, and will there inspect the troops, who will be engaged in tactical exercises.

.NIGHT FIRING AT TORTS. SOME EXCELLENT SHOOTING. GENERAL GODLEY PRESENT. Night firing from the batteries on North Head was carried out last evening by the Garrison Artillery Territorials, under the observation of General Sir Alexander Godley. The spectacular side of big gun practico is more apparent at night, when the blinding flashes precede the concussion of the discharge. The weather conditions last night were ideal for big gun practice, there being just sufficient wind to clear the haze off the sea- To some extent the bright moonlight spoiled the weird effect of the searchlight beams as they played over the surface of the sea, but the added light certainly assisted the gunners.

The programme consisted of a total of 100 rounds, and included the unusual number of 20 rounds from the 6iu mark 7 guns, 60 rounds from the 61b quick-firers, and 20 rounds from the 121b quick-firers. General Godley arrived at Fort Cautley at 9.15 p.m., and shooting was immediately commenced from the mark 7 guns. The range and direction were excellent, and in the double series a very high percentage of bits was recorded. The firing from the 61b guns, in which two gun crews from Fort Takapuna took part, was also good, while the work on the 121b guns was quite equal to that from the larger weapons. The 121b series was fired at a stationary target/, a shot from the smaller gun having cut the tow rope. Although the shooting was carried out with expedition it was after 10.30 p.m. before the last shot was fired.

At lie conclusion of the mark 7 firing General Godley congratulated the men on tho excellent manner in which they manipulated the modem weapons. He said that from the moment they were mobilised ho had received good reportsin regard to their conduct and their work. They were just as much on active service as the men in Europe, and were dohie as great a service for their country as tho men who were cuing away in the expeditionary force. Ho also sooke well of the shooting from the quick-firing guns.

General God lev was accompanied bv Lieutenant Rhodes, staff officer, and anion r. other officer* present were Colonel G. W. S. Patterson, roast defence commander, Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Hazard, officer commanding Auckland Garrison Artillery Territorials; Lieutenant Colonel G. Gore Gillan. medical officer: Major P. B. Oreenhonph, assi«tant lire commander; Caotain G. E. B. AfirVle. Colonel Patterson. Captains H. S. Morran. and T. F. Pullen. Garrison Artilierv Territorials; Lieutenant-Colonel C. T. 'Major. D.8.0.. officer commanding Auckland Military District: Colonel f*. K. S. Maokesy, officer commanding Auckland section expeditionary force; and Captain Hnll-Tr.omr.son, naval adviser to the New Zealand Government.