NAVAL MANCEUVRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3855, 31 January 1928, Page 71

NAVAL MANCEUVRES.

MIMIC ATTACK ON AUCKLAND, AUCKLAND, January 27. The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy continued its manoeuvres in the Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday night and yesterday, when an attack was launched by the whole division against a party of marines detending Waiwera, and its communications. I lie special idea of the operations was that a Red force desired to capture Auckland, a Blue base, known to be strongly defended against attack The Red commander in chief decided to seize Waiwera, where the Blue infantry and the mounteds wer e com ent rated, and use it as a base for an advance on Auckland. Tho capture of Waiwera was purely a naval operation, carried out with the resources of a division. The houi for the commencement of t.'.e attack was 345 yesterday morning. Punctually at that time, the W7akakura steamed from the anchorage at Horahora Island to a point three miles south of W 7 aiwera, known as ” X ” Beach. Heie a force of machine gun sections and demolition paities were landed in whale boats, • and cutters. The Diomede landed a further force of Reds at the Puhoi River, lhe force split into two sections, one *caling the Waiwera Bluff, while the other worked westward, severing the Blue communications between Warkworth and Waiwera. The section on the bluff erected a field portable wireless outfit, and within a quarter of an houi established communications with the division. Meanwhile the Red force advanced from X ” i-each, sout.i of Waiwera, and swung westward to proceed along the Helensville road into Waiweia. A demolition party also advanced along the cliffs from “X ” Beach into Waiwera. Tho whole of the Red land forces were supported by gunfire from tfie division anchored off Waiwera. Bridges, roads, and other essential . communications in the Blue defence were subjected to constant barrages. Hie two Red sections, equipped with rifles and Lewis guns, advancing along the VVaikworth and Helensville roads, concentrated on a strong Blue defence at the bridge over the Puhoi River, about one mile from Waiweia. After a sharp engagement the Blue forces, completely outnumbered, were overcome and compelled t o surrender. At 8 o’clock, one hour ahead of the operations schedule, the Red land forces advanced into and occupied Waiwera Hie division then landed moie forces, ammunition, and stores on Waiwera Beach. The whole of the operation was carried out m typical navy fashion. From the moment tlie division moved off the manoeuvres proceeded in deathly silence, and with impressive clocklike piecision. The bombardment of Waiwera disturbed the whole village, and tourists and lesidents were shown realistically how the silent navy works. Tho concussion of the guns during the bombardment caused windows, dours. and crockery in houses to rattle and vibrate.