REGIMENTAL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25385, 12 September 1935, Page 15

REGIMENTAL NOTES

(By

“Khaki.”)

Refresher Course. A course for officers and N.C.O’s was held at Burnham under command of Major K. Stewart, 0.8. E. from August 31, to September 7, inclusive of travelling time, and was attended by 22 officers and N.C.O’s and three members of the N.Z.P’s from Southland. The theme of the camp was section leading and the importance of the section leader was shown repeatedly. The programme of training was:—September 1, squad drill, small arms and technical training, topography on sand table and on ground bayonet training, sword drill and a lecture on section leading; September 2, platoon drill, S.A.T. and technical, section battle formations, use of ground, including a section stalk, both on ground and sand table, and a lecture on topography; September 3, platoon drill, S.A.T. and technical, anti-gas training, section in the attack on sand table and on ground, and a night march; September 5, Company drill, S.A.T. and air defence, Company battle formations, platoon in attack on sand table and on ground, and the issue of orders for operations on September 6; September 6, field operations which consisted of a march by night to dawn position, breakfast in field, attack exercises and concluding remarks by Major Stewart. The late afternoon and evening was free for the N.C.O’s. Officers practised equitation and were given the benefit of Major Stewart’s experiences in Colon, Singapore, China and Japan, in a talk by him at night. Besides the above each day except Friday, physical and recreational training and ceremonial drill were held. Colonel Nicholls, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., accompanied by Colonel P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., visited the camp on Thursday and expressed appreciation of the number attending and the work done. Especially did he approve of sand-table tactics as an excellent method of training officers and N.C.O’s in the use of ground. The captain’s squad specialized in general tactics of advanced guards, defensive and attack positions, topography equitation, the construction of sand table models, night operations and company drill. They were alloted posts for the tactical exercise on Friday and changed round command positions at the end of each section. The object of this field operation was to demonstrate and teach: (a) night marches and formations; (b) march discipline; (c) interior economy in the field; (d) a company in advanced guard; and (e) a company in the attack. The troops consisted of one rifle company, one machine-gun platoon and one section of Stokes mortars. The orders for the company commander included: “Move off from camp not later than 0500 hours (5 a.m.),” and created a position that the camp was supposedly'surrounded by spies, necessitating the force parading and moving off with a minimum of noise and light or the enemy would get wind of the move and quit the field. The movement was, however, executed successfully, and the enemy (represented by the N.Z.P.S. and a number of territorial N.C.O’s under the command of’ Captain A. J. Moore, N.Z.S.C.) was first met about one and a-half miles from camp. The fact that the opposing forces breakfasted together about four and a-half miles from camp did not affect the after breakfast attack which was successful only after a delayed flanking movement was effected. Major Stewart in his subsequent summing up specially commended the work done by the M.G. platoon and mortar section both of which were largely composed of Southlanders.

The method of conducting a section stalk and a night march may be of interest. In the former a section is sent out to take up a defensive position. Its approximate position is then given to the stalking section or sections whose task is to adopt such a position that they would command the defended post oi- be able to rout the defenders. The defenders are supplied with blank ammunition which they use on sight of the stalkers and the success or otherwise of the stalk is decided by an officer who acts as umpire. To conduct a night march ranges and compass bearings are taken over a certain route from point to point, not necessarily defined, leading to some unknown spot. Tire marchers are divided into syndicates of not fewer than three members, are given the bearings and ranges from point to point and are shown the starting point. No lights may be shown and absolute silence is ordered. The nearest approach to the finishing point on the night of September 4, was correct for distance and under 20 yards to the left, which considering inexperience, the fact that the course was one and an eighth miles long and a very irregular shape passing over gravel pits, trees, hedges and ploughed fields and the fact that the points of the march were all in open paddocks with nothing definite to mark their whereabouts shows the accuracy obtainable by marching to compass bearings. Promotions. The undermentioned second-lieu-tenants Ist Cadet Battalion, Southland Regiment, are to be lieutenants: G. D. Anderson (Southland Technical College), and W. C. Cleine (Winton District High School). Transfer to Reserve. Capt., E. E. S. Clark, Ist Battalion, Southland Regiment, is transferred to the Reserve of officers, class 1 (B) R. 11. Dated July 19, 1935. Intelligence Section. Map reading was the subject taken for the last parade on September 2, in which work the intelligence section is taking a keen interest. Work on the second sand table model will be commenced shortly. Queenstown. The largest parade the Queenstown platoon has had for some time was held on Tuesday, August 27, under Lieut., P. W. J. Cockerill assisted by S. J. Little, of Invercargill. The instruction received consisted of platoon drill, section drill and rifle exercises. Cpls. D. G. Jardine and C. Jardine and L/cpl. A. S. Robins attended the Burnham course from the Queenstown platoon. Mortar Platoon. The Southland members of this platoon who attended camp at Burnham are to be commended for their work there. In the words of Major Stewart, “Mortar section, well done!” As this section except one member was composed entirely of Southlanders it accepts this commendation as another feather in its cap. The platoon commander hopes that the attendance at parades from now on will leave nothing to be desired as the platoon is working up a name for its efficiency and will have to live up to it. Machine-gun Platoons. The O.C. Course at Bumham commended the M.G. platoon on its work. There were several Southland M.G. N.C.O’s in that platoon and their standard of training was as high if not higher than, that of N.C.O’s from other centres, which is very pleasing to the Southland M.G. officer, Lieut. J. K. Robbie, who attended the course. No. 1 Platoon, A. Company. The parade on Monday, September 2, was not up to standard, although several were attending the course at Burnham. Men are reminded that regular attendance is essential to efficiency.

Rifle exercises and preparation of Lewis guns for firing formed the main part of the evening’s training. The N.C.O’s class on Thursday evening was well attended and instruction was given by Lieut. C. Pomeroy on Lewis gun stoppages. Half-Day Parades. At the musketry practices at Otatara on Saturday, September 7, some good shooting resulted. Out of a possible of 140 the following were among the best scores: Cpl. G. Weeds 131, Sgt. A. Pomeroy 124, Lieut. H. S. D. Yates 112, Pvt. R. Ingles 108, Sgt. H. McKechnie 104, Pvt. E. Greiber 103. The next half-day parade at the Otatara range will be on Saturday at I. p.m. for machine gunners and Lewis gunners. HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT. AN ADVANCE ATTEMPTED. 111. At the end of April plans were prepared for the advance of the general line between Quinn’s Post and Walker’s Ridge in order to impose the continuity of our line over this area. The two salient points desired were, on the right, Quinn’s Post and Pope’s Hill (known as Dead Man’s Ridge), and on the left a hill known as Knoll 700. The points to the right were unoccupied by the enemy, but owing to their dominating position were important to deny him. From Knoll 700 the enemy seriously embarrassed movement from Pope’s and Walker’s Ridge. This attack was intended to be launched on May 1, but was put off until the next day owing to an unsuccessful enemy attack being made on the left against the 4th August Brigade earlier in the evening. On May 2, at 7 p.m. artillery bombardment of Turkish trenches was commenced and at 7.15 it lifted on to the enemy’s rear slopes and supports and the 16th Battalion of the 4th August Brigade moved foi"ward and secured a footing on the ridge towards Knoll 700 by 7.45, and commenced to dig in, although suffering heavy casualties from the enemy M.G. fire. The 13th Battalion of the same division followed up and gained the high ground on the left, so prolonging the line towards the Knoll. The Otagos unfortunately did not arrive at their starting off place at the foot of Pope’s Ridge until 7.45 and did not attack until 8.20, thus losing the advantages of a simultaneous attack. They had been held up by enemy sharpshooters at the head of Monash Gully, congestion due to stretcher parties moving down the Gully, and principally by the fact that the half Battalion of the Naval Brigade in Monash Gully had not cleared the road sufficiently. The advance was made immediately the 'Battalion arrived at its starting point and was directed towards an enemy position known as Baby 700. Owing to the hurry in attempting to make up time and to the fact that it was a night operation the assaulting troop with the exception of the 4th Company moved too far to the right. This company approached almost unchecked to the first line of Turkish trenches, but the Turks, who had withheld their fire, now swept the attackers with deadly effect. Major R. Price, Capt. A. V. Spedding and Lieut. R. E. Egglestone were killed, leaving Lieut. J. L. Saunders in command. The roll call showed exceedingly heavy losses, there being only 45 left out of an initial strength of 200. The Bth Southland, commanded by Capt. W. Fleming, advanced towards Dead Man’s Ridge and encountered such destructive M.G. fire that on gaining a temporary shelter 200 yards from start were reorganized before continu-. ing the advance. On gaining high ground again, the same destructive fire forced them to dig in along a line which was only 30 yards from the enemy’s position there being only 40 of the attackers left. This position was held until early morning of May 5 against incessant attacks. Runners were sent back to the C. 0., but no orders reached the party in return. On the morning of the 4th Lieut. L. Richards was killed and in the evening Capt. Fleming was wounded. Withdrawal was commenced during the night, and at 1 a.m. on the- sth part of the garrison rejoined the Battalion. By some mischance the section of the garrison occupied in the foremost trench under Sergt. E. F. Selby, who commanded a platoon of the Bth Company from the outset of the operation, did not know of the intention to withdraw, and experienced some difficulty in getting back, as they _ were being shot at by our own men in the belief that they were the enemy. The net result in respect of ground gained permanently was nil, the casualties numbered about 800 all ranks, there being two further officers killed, Lieut. J S Reid, and Second-Lieut. D. J. A. Lyttle. Owing to the lack of reinforcements a projected second attack was considered impracticable, and the Otago Battalion was placed in general reserve on the beach.