AN ATTACK AT DAWN

Opunake Times, 16 September 1941, Page 5

AN ATTACK AT DAWN

DESERT MANOEUVRES A dawn attack made vends tic by the support ot live artillery lire marked the commencement of a week of desert manoeuvres I; v a Aew Zealand infantry brigade umier full battle conditions. Also pairtaking are cavalry, machine gunners and signallers. From an overnight bivouac area the troops moved into positions before day-light, and a* dawn broke the artillery opened up from the rear. The supposed enemy was one division and a brigade, with a possible armoured brigade in support. (Seven minutes before the zero hour the heavy guns opened on tke enemy ridge positions.

The scene was impressive in the half light as the troops lay in wait listening to the shells swishing overhead. At zero hour tanks and Bren carriers moved tv. attack under a smokescreen laid by the artillery. Then the infantry moved forward, Qineis of indistinct khaki figures running through the dust and smoke.

The ridge was successfully captured and dulring the morning further advances were made ;;nd positions consolidated. Hostilities on the first day ceased at noon at which time it was very hot.

The week’s manoeuvres will include exercises in wide-range desert tactics. The smoothness of the attack showed accurate or gauisation of the movement and was a fitting culmination f<> se venal weeks of desert training. The men were at the peak of physical condition and toughened to desert life.