THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 21

THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

The following is a memorandum by Lieut.colonel Webb, Commanding District, re th» operations on Monday, 3rd inst., read to a meeting of officers held last evening to discuss the manner in which the operations were carried out: —

General Idea. — An enemy (red) is advancing fromTaieri River, with Dunedin as his objective.

Defending force (blue) is encamped at Abbotsford, and will resist Red's advance. . Force Red. — Represented by a skeleton force distinguished by flags, and supposed to consist of 300 Infantry, witK three machine guns. Forco Blue. — Consisted of 2 companies Mounted Rifles (30 each), 60; 4 9-pounder field guns (B Battery), 43; 1 company Engineers, 67; 6 companies Infantry, about 300: — total, 470.

At 10 a.m. Force Red advanced in three columns — 1 (strength 75, 2 flags), from wes 1 ; of Stony Hill and new Brighton road, towards Green Island; 2 (strength 75, 2 flags), by old Brighton road, towards Fairfiefd ; 3 (strength 150, 4 flags), by Christie's road, Saddle Hill, along Chain Hills, and down leading spur. No. 3 column were supposed to have machine ~uns with them, but through an omission were not distinguished by flags. At 10 a.m. Force Blue took up a defensive position in front of the camp, facing about W.S.W., having its field artillery on a commanding position at rear of railway station, and occupying a front of some three miles.

At 11.10 Red's No. 1 column became engaged with Blue's left at long range. Battery also opened fire on this column at same time. No. 1 column pushed on, fighting till 12.45, when it admitted itself beaten with heavy loss.

At Vi .55 Red's No. 3 column was seen descending the Chain Hills spur, ancl the Battery opened fire upon it with the left section (two guns) at 2200 yds, the right section being still engaged with No. 1 column (Red). At 11.45 Blue's right (Captain Milne) occupied a strong position on railway line, but eventually had to retire. Reinforced by two companies under Captain Myers : Sharp fighting.

lso. 2 column Red Force left Kaikorai Stream near bridge at 10.10 a.m., and advanced along old Brighton road. Engaged Mounted Rifles 11.15 to 11.45, when they retired. Guns opened on No. 2 column at Fairfiold at 12.10. No. 2 column eventually advanced by Brown's tannery, and up the hill to the centre of Blue's position, meeting with no resistance until opposed by some 30 Mounted Rifles without any supports. Tho brunt of the fighting had been on the flanks, leaving the centre weak, and here Redpenelratod, rendering the position untenable by Blue and a retirement to higher ground in rear imperative.

Red, although it forced its way into the position, will find he has achieved only a temporary success, as the position cannot be held against a force on higher ground. Casualitie^. — No mention made, as if you deduct from one side you must do so from the other till there is nothing left. In my opinion both sides took up much too extended a front, but this could not well be avoided, as one object of the camp and the manoeuvres is in order that all ranks may learn tho roads ancl the features of the country, and the number of men was limited. Orders, with a few exceptions, were not given in writing, as they should have been. Very few written orders were issued.

Flags. — It was originally intended that the skeleton enemy should carry 16 flags, which means about one flag to eVery 20 men, but at the last moment it was discovered that there were insufficient staves, and so only eight flags were carried. This no doubt upset calculations, ancl caused the strength of the skeleton to be misrepresented, but the mistake did not affect the main issue. The same may be said of the absence of indicating flags for the Maxim guns. It would have been more satisfactory if they had been carried, but their absence does not affect the result. There are many points that must be noted in addition to having the number of flags correct. For instance, they were, as a rule, all together when they should be separated, to show the extent of front occupied. Individual Officers. — Great credit must be given to individual officers and units for the way in which they took up their positions and for the intelligent manner in which they disposed their men. Of the 24 reports, many are very good ; also sketches. Considerable improvement was noticeable in fire discipline and advancing to the attack. All worked remarkably well, but, of course, mistakes were made, which must be guarded against in fi'turtj^rsuch as neglecting to retain or secure the advantage of high ground. This mistake was committed by both side--. As regards the main position which was taken up, although comparatively high ground, it is a bad position, as it commands nothing, having an impassable swamp in front, while it is dominated from p the rear, and it is too fat from its assailable flanke. Tti fact, at Easter camps, you have to consider n<>t only the situation from a military point of view, but from many other points. It was chosen for convenience, as, being close to the camp, it enabled operations to be conducted in such a manner that every unit should take part, and at the same lime be able to strike camp and return to quarters before dark. The orders for the skeleton enemy were also framed with the same intention. Major Robin ancl I threshed the matter out before the camp took place, and I have learnt, and you have learnt, that the position taken up on Monday was not a Rood one for the defence of Dunedin, and that for tins purpose we should hold either Saddle Hill and Chain Hills forward if we have sufficient men: 01, failing that, the Green Island Ridsr.o is the next best line to hold.

Major Robin then produced a map drawn to scale, on which the battle was fought out again with war game "blocks, the several bodies being placed by the officers concerned, aud each successive phase carofully and lucidly explained by Major Robin. A long and friendly discussion look ralaco aftorwards, lasting till nearly 10 o'clock.