SOLDIERS IN TRAINING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9620, 28 March 1917, Page 5

SOLDIERS IN TRAINING

INSPECTED BY GOVERNOR NEW OBSTACLE AND BAVONLTFIUHTTNG COURSES. A visit was paid to the camp at Trcntbam yesterday by His Excellency the Governor, who spent some time watching the operations in progress there. Lord Liverpool was accompanied by .Major-General Sir Alfred Botnn (Commander of the New Zealand Forces), Colonel C. M. Gibbon, I.G.S. (Chief of the General Staff), Lieuten-ant-Colonel H. R. Potter (Camp Commandant), Lieutenant-Colonel C. RMacdonald (Chief Infantry Instructor!, Captain •(. Hell (Camp Adjutant), and I ieutenant Luckam (Assistant Camp Adjutant). A portion of the troops first, marched past in platoons, the Infantry with fixed bayonets and rifles av the slope, and the Rifle Brigade with their side-arms in their scabbards and rifles at the trail. The men made an impressive sight as platoon after platoon, with eyes nghlj passed the saluting point. THE NEW RIFLE.

His Excellency, who was the guest of the Staff at luncheon, afterwards saw the men at their various branches of training, and was shown the latest rifle that lias been adopted by the British Army. This instrument of warfare is a distinct improvement on the rifles that have been used from turn, to time, and embodies the best features of the Mauser and a number of other- well-known makes. It is known aa the 276 rifle, to which has been fitted a .303 barrel. Probably its greatest feature is its simplicity as regards handling by recruits. It is an Enfield rifle of the 1914 pattern, and is furnished with what is termed a ‘‘battle sight.” This sight is a small peep-hole behind the magazine, the familiar sight in front of the magazine and close to the first band being absent. The rifle has a very high velocity, and consequently a low trajectory. Up io fi’JO yards the range is practically a “point-blank” one, and all tile rifleman has to do in order to hit the enemy at any range up to 660 yards is to bring his fiont bight to boar upon the object by looking through the peep-hole, and his shot cannot bo more than a foot away from the mark, practically no alignment being necessary. The safety catch is also a distinct improvement, and when the magazine, which holds five cartridges, has been emptied, the flier is made acquainted with the fact by being unable to shut the breach. By this means a lot of time is saved, as soldiers, when using other classes of rifles, often continue to pull the trigger after emptying the magazine. The “pull” on the trigger is also an improvement, being well-balanced and not too sensitive or too hard to the touch. *

Lord Liverpool and Major-General Robin tried their prowess with the rifio at 200 yards range, both doing good shooting. At the third shot His Excellency registered a “bull,” and only one shot was off the target. Colonel Gibbon made even better active, four shots out of fivo bringing tho white disc into view. THE OBSTACLE COURSE.

There were a number of visitors to tho camp, many of whom remained behind to see the men being put through tho obstacle course. The obstacles that have to ho surmounted in this course have already been fully described in the “Times,” and consist of eight obstructions, varying from a two-foot hurdle to a 6ft Bin close-hoarded wall- On leaving the rifle range, His Excellency and party witnessed a section negotiating this course. The troops who took part had not been long in camp, consequently they were not as fit as is desirable for so strenuous an exercise, but under the circumstances they did well. Tlie men were sent away in groups of four, aud found no difficulty in clearing tho low hurdle that was tho first obstacle to ho negotiated. A little further on was a wide wall about 6ft in height. This the men scrambled over by various methods, only to find a 6ft 6in wall barring their progress, a short distance away. To surmount it without a rifle is no easy task, and with one tho difficulty is accentuated. The majority of the men succeeded in struggling up and over the wall in fair time, while others had to receive the help of a friendly hand. The grotesque attitudes of many of those who took part in the training, and tho genuine attempts made by the smaller men were tho cause of much merriment, but before the troops have completed their training the obstacles will occasion them little inconvenience or effort. Tho other barriers presented no difficulties. Sergeant Thompson (an instructor) gave an exhibition of how tbo obstacles should bo tackled, and when he came to the close-boarded wall it was noticed that he sprang at it in his stride. The left foot struck the wall first, and, grasping tho top with his right hand, he levered himself ovoV in a very short space of time. BAYONET FIGHTING.

At the far side of the camp from tho obstacle course squads of men wore being trained in bayonet-fighting. Here are trenches of considerable depth, in which sacks filled with straw and earth are placefi to represent the enemy, while hanging from gallows are more sacks. In a deep trench at the rear a quick order is given by an instructor, a number of men suddenly come into view over tho edge of tiio trench, and with a yell tho men rush forward, stab the sack in a certain position, then into a trench they go. Hero the stabbing is repeated, then on again to another set of gallows. No time is lost, and the training is particularly hard. It is very realistic, and tho determination of the men is shown by the expression on their faces.