ARMY MANOEUVRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1941, Page 6

ARMY MANOEUVRES

TERRITORIALS MOVING INTO POSITION ADVANCE TO LOWER VALLEY. Y.M.C.A. ORGANISATION. The largest military manoeuvres so far held in New Zealand during the present war are now well under way. A large force of infantry with supporting specialist units"was concentrated at and around Palmerston North on the presumption that there was war in the Pacific and the Dominion was threatened. Information reached divisional headquarters at Palmerston North yesterday that enemy forces had landed under cover of dense fog at Palliser Bay and that independent mounted rifle squadrons had encountered enemy motor-cycle patrols which had penetrated to Lake Ferry. A report then arrived that enemy forces had also landed at Pukerua Bay. The Central Field force under Colonel L. Potter, N.Z.S.C., and the 2nd Mounted Rifles Brigade under Colonel W. R. Foley, M.C., went into action, the forces moving from their concentration at Palmerston North, Ashhurst, and Foxton at an hour’s notice. From dawn yesterday there were long lines of mechanised transport filled with khaki-clad troops moving from concentration areas to make contact with the “enemy.” Some of the troops went by transport over the Pahiatua track, which, although it had been damaged by flood and slips last weekend had been maintained for traffic by the work of engineer units of the Central Field Force. •

The 75 mile move from concentration areas began at G a.m. yesterday and occupied seven hours. Last night all the forces which Colonel Potter had moved to the Wairarapa with the object of engaging the enemy on his right were encamped in and around Masterton.

The Y.M.C.A. organisation which had charge of the canteens had canteens at the Solway Showgrounds, Opaki racecourse, Memorial Park, and at the Y.M.C.A. and the Masterton Drill Hall. In addition, canteens were established at the farms of Messrs C. J. Bennett, A. J. Percy, J. Mackay. D. McKenzie, and J. M. James, at Wangaehu and Te Ore Ore.

The local Y.M.C.A. had organised arrangements a fortnight ago and sixty residents of Mastefton were engaged in the task of feeding some 3,000 men, Five Y.M.C.A? secretaries attached to the army and the local secretary, Mr C. W. Gaze, supervised the work. A difficult position had to be met as all supplies had been sent to Palmerston North the previous day and had to be replaced at short notice. Tea and apples were distributed free. Some 2,000 pies. 3,000 cakes, 600 saveloys and 20 cases of apples in addition to great quantities of biscuits, cigarettes, etc., were disposed of. This morning a letter was received from a staff captain, Field Force headquarters. expressing appreciation on behalf of the officers and men participating in lhe manoeuvres, for the wonderful organisation which had been set up in Masterton to provision the troops. Thanks were expressed to all who had assisted in the work.

The Y.M.C.A. organisation will cooperate with the citizens of Carterton today to provision the troops within a five mile radius from Carterton. In the Lower Valley and the Hutt area similar arrangements will' operate.

Last night an outpost was established by the Hawke’s Bay Regiment along the Waingawa River, with a frontage of about 8 miles extending from the bridge to Gladstone, as a protective measure. The troops moved today through Gladstone to Carterton.