TANKS CLOSE IN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24539, 23 March 1943, Page 2

TANKS CLOSE IN

"INVADING" FORCE RETIRES BATTLE NOISES IN NORTH (S.R.) KAWAKAWA, Monday An exercise mainly for infantry, but with armoured vehicle and artillery support, was carried out to-day by the Northern Brigade Group, which lias begun extensive exercises in Northland. The task of dislodging an enemy force from a commanding hill position was successfully accomplished during a short but highly instructive action. The defending force consisted of an infantry battalion with light artillery support. The enemy force was an advanced element of a Brigade Group, which, it was assumed, landed in a northern area yesterday. The "invading" detachment, occupied a high scrub-covered hill and contact with it was first made by a strong reconnaissance group. Infantry were then summoned to the area and an attack, supported by artillery, was begun across rolling country offering fairly good cover. In spite of this advantage, however, great caution had to be exercised by the attackers, because of the enemy's commanding position. The attack waa gradually pressed home and the enemy dislodged, after which General Stuart tanks swung in from a flank to exploit the success. The Brigade Group followed the enemy north during the afternoon afid tomorrow further actions against the main force of the invaders will develop. A feature of to-day's action was the air of reality given by explosions and other battle noises created by engineers. Satisfaction with the initial stages of the exercises was expressed to-night. Intercommunication, one of the chief objects of the exercises, had been well tested with satisfactory results and speech by wireless over considerable distances had been possibly. HAYSTACK DESTROYED GRASS FIRE AT GLENFIELD A haystack owned by Mr. A. E. P. Boorman, of Peach Road, Gienfield, near Birkenhead, Mas destroyed by a large grass fire which got out of control early yesterday afternoon. About four chains of a road fence were also burned. A house at one stage was endangered. Neighbouring farmers, assisted by a number of soldiers, brought the outbreak under control by beating the flames and constructing firebreaks. Yesterday morning machines from the Central and Parnell brigades answered a call to a main switchboard lire in the premises of Heard's, Limited, Parnell. Minor damage was caused to wires and the board. Small grass fires at Avondale, Ponsonbv, Great South Road and Remuera were also attended to by firemen during the day. SPARKS CAUSE FIRE WELLINGTON WHARF SHED (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Monday Congratulations 011 a good job at the fire at shed No. 33 on the King's Wharf 011 February 21 were conveyed to the Wellington Fire Board in a letter received at its meeting from tlio Wellington Harbour Board. It was reported that the lire was due to an electric arc in the traverse control of one of the Harbour Board's craues, sparks from which fell on bales of jute immediately under the crane. The chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, said that it had been clearly established that the cause of the fire was the electric arc. The question of whether the Harbour Board's property came properly within the Fire Board's area was discussed. The position appeared rather complicated, because the position of low tide foreshores appeared to have carried some weight in earlier days, and reclamations would seem to have further accentuated the difficulty of determining where the exact division now lies, though the issue was clearcut enough when the city and harbour board control first separated. A committee was appointed to investigate this matter. AMERICAN SERVICE BAND (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Monday Concluding a week-end visit, an Americnn service band returned to its base to-day. During its stay in Whangarei the band assisted in raising some hundreds of pounds for patriotic funds, and last night completed its effort with a band recital. MAN SERIOUSLY HURT Believed to have been knocked down by a motor-car in Quay Street last night, Mr. Charles Jackson, printer, aged 69, was taken to the Auckland Hospital suffering from concussion. His condition is fairly serious. EXTENSIVE BURNS (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday Extensive burns to the arms, chest and legs were received by Mr. Frank Hiki. aged 35, while employed at Huntly. He was admitted to the Waikato Hospital,