AKAROA TO BE THE SCENE OF BIG MIMIC BATTLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 9

AKAROA TO BE THE SCENE OF BIG MIMIC BATTLE.

COMBINED FORCES WILL HOLD MANOEUVRES.

The military authorities conferred with Commodore Geoffrey Blake, C. 8., D. 5.0., R.N., of H.M.S. Dunedin while in Akaroa Harbour this week concerning the combined military, air force and naval manoeuvres which are to take place at Akaroa commencing on March 3 next. Brigadier M. M. Gard’ner and Colonel N. W. B. B. Thoms conferred with the commodore as to arrangements.

Plans were made for manoeuvres, which will be somewhat similar to the mimic battle fought at Auckland last year, the three arms of the defence force co-operating.

A battalion of infantry will be used in the jnanasuvres, and artillery and other units will take part. . It is not certain yet whether the air force will participate, but H.M.S. Dunedin with the other ships of the New Zealand Division will take part in the exercises

This will be the first time that com bined manoeuvres have been carried out in the South Island. They will probably be the biggest yet held in the Dominion. As Akaroa will be the centre of these operations it will create much interest to see all three branches of the defence forces in operation. The operations will take several days, so Akaroa will be filled with military and naval men during that time.

It is probable that the Australian Squadron will pay a visit to New Zea land mext year and will visit Akaroa.