FIGHTING A REARGUARD ACTION.
Early this morning the mounted brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel Chaffey was sent out to take up -a position among the hills to the squth-wedt of the camp. They were followed ai>B a.m. by thfe Ist Battalion Norti Canterbury Infantry, the Engineer corps, the E Battftry and a company of mounted men Under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who conducted an advance against the mounted brigade > which was supposed to be a hostile force of preponderating strength. The let Battalion was followed at about 9.30 a.m. by the 2nd . Battalion, and on marching a few miles out of camp the 2nd Battalion was informed that a rearguard action was to be fought. The scene of operations ttais a riverbed, the low wide plain, of which was fringed with downs and plateaus. A road ran parallel with the river, and along this road the infantry forces^ had advanced. The mounted brigade fought an engagement against the E Battery guns, and, the infantry force was then ordered to retire. The mounted force, or portions of it, could' be seen moving about on. the ' low-lying hills to the south, and the direction of its advance was uncertain. The retiring infantry force had to guard against a flank movement by the enemy which might have cut it off from the ©amp, and to prevent this the forces were scattered in open order under • cover at right angles to the road oil each flank, commanding, as well as could be managed, the riverbed and the plateaus on each side of it. The rearguard action was successfully carried out, the mounted brigade failing to outflank the defends ers. , The retreat to camp was made in good order. . ; This afternoon field firing practice with Ball cartridges is to -take place and will be participated in by all armcarrying sections' of the forces. Tomorrow morning a tactical movement will be carried out, and church parade will be held in the afternoon. . Though considerable rain fell during last nigEf the weather to-day. is bright and sunny. , '
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Star (Christchurch), Issue 9513, 10 April 1909, Page 5
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336FIGHTING A REARGUARD ACTION. Star (Christchurch), Issue 9513, 10 April 1909, Page 5
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