HIGH-SPEED WARFARE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12251, 24 September 1925, Page 5

HIGH-SPEED WARFARE

MIMIC BATTLE IN ENGLAND WEAPONS NEVER USED BEFORE MARVELLOUS EFFICIENCY By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. . (Received September 23, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. The great mimic battle began in Hampshire valley early this morning. The equipment included engines of war which were not seen even in the last stages of the European conflict, together with others brought to a still more marvellous state of efficiency. The contending armies are named Mercia and Wessex, vhe latter representing the attacking fprees.

Within a minute of the opening of the conflict the bridges over the dividiflg ri-fer were blown up with complete theoretical thoroughness. Notices were immediately placed on the destroyed bridges, telling of the lengths of time occupied, the material used, and where it was obtained. It was around Whitchurch that the battle first developed. Field-Marshal Earl Haig arrived in uniform. A small force of Mercians were holding the railway, and had -theoretically blocked the road. A little later a Wessex cavalry patrol, trotting along the .road, was engaged by Mercians with' Lewis gun toe, and forced to turn for safety. Thereupon the battle developed, armoured cars, machineguns, reinforcements, airplanes and tanks being engaged. ’Planes flew at a terrific speed scarcely 100 feet above the embankment.

The tanks have been so perfected that they travelled more speedily than ever before. It was described by one critic as war under speedier conditions, and most uncomfortable. It will be four days before the result of the battlo is known.