“BATTLE OF PERIA”

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3765, 2 October 1940, Page 4

“BATTLE OF PERIA”

DEFENCE COMPANY IN ACTION SUCCESSFUL FIELD EXERCISES / The Matamata Defence Company had its first lesson in tactics on Sunday when it was hurriedly transported from the Domain to the 1 Peria hills to destroy, if possible, a motorised column of the “enemy” reported to be advancing from Richmond Downs towards Matamata (writes the special War Correspond dent of the “Matamata Record.”) The . exercise was greatly appreciated and although the defending forces had fairly heavy casualties the losses inflicted on the enemy were such as to allow of a message to Battalion Headquarters that it was not expected further advance couhJL be made by them until reorganisation and reinforcements were effected. However, in view of the possibility of an outflanking moveirient by another section of the enemy, the entire Matamata company was later withdrawn in good order and . consolidated in a more compact front about a mile in front of a bridge on the main road. The Exercise Orders and information regarding the exercise were as follows: Information: Enemy light-arm-oured motorised. forces, about 30 vehicles strong, and apparently unsupported,.. reported to be advancing along Richmond Downs towards Peria. , Orders: .Matamata Defence Company r to hold up enemy at all costs to allow of concentration of main defence force in line, to defend Arapuni. Exercise.:; Matamata Defence Com- .. pany-to bohkyihat portion of Peria... ridge facing Johnston’s farm. Company; wjif.usfti its ,own transport fromthe.Dqmain. Equipment! Rifles, ammunition, axes, explosives. No artillery support available. bridge oVer stream on main road, Peria*.company will dismount. Nos. 1,2, and 3 platoons will continue until reaching open ground facing ridge, and prepare to take up defending; pqsitiqnis on.top of, ridge. In crossing open ground each platoon will move independently, taking advantage of all available cover. Enemy light .bomber planes may be bombing this area. After advance and platoons have consolidated line of defence, Nos. 5 and 6 platoons will move to reserve sections forward to act as reinforcements. Company ; will hold ridge at all costs—no retirement. Inflict all possible • losses o'b enemy. Secure all possible information. Not to expect relief: under 48 hours. Encouraging Initiative Remarks to Platoon JLeaders: This tactical exercise, .is. to train and encourage?; initijjdiye. , Gaining information means -stop: all cars using roads.; to tnake sure they are not enemyyetp. It may be found advisable to hold ridge with posts and .: not in line. If so, keep contact with posts on both flanks. Ensure lines of communication. Keep contact, with Company Headquarters. . See that position occupied;, commands fullest line of fire and observation over enemy. Take notes on the afternoon’s operations to enable full discussion at next N.C.O.’s class. Signallers will be posted to each platoon to transmit messages. Method: Morse with flags. Transport consisted of seven lorries. There were approximately 150 on parade. Ridge Occupied Little time was lost and on .arrival minor heights on the ridge were quickly occupied with No. 1 platoon on the left, No. 2 in the centre and slightly behind, and No. 3 platoon further out and advanced on the right. These posts formed a flattened “U.” Signallers attached to each platoon kept Company Headquarters advised ’Of progress made and the movements of the enemy. Owing to casualties No. 3 platoon had to be quickly reinforced and No. 5 platoon carried out this instruction well. Later No. 4 platoon had to go to the assistance of No. 2 platoon. ; After an hour’s battle, and when casualties had been sent back, it was considered safer to withdraw the company about a mile nearer the bridge and consolidate on a more compact line along high ground, protecting the river crossing.

The whole exercise lasted about two hours and was entered into with much enthusiasm and no little