DEFENCE NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 6

DEFENCE NOTES

(By “SENTRY.”; Major It- A. Row, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., Chief Staff Officer Central Command, will be the lecturer at tills month’s meeting of the Garrison Officers’ Club on Tuesday, June 26, aud will take as his subject “Two Aspects of War.’’ Major Row, on the same day, will make au inspection of the iVuugauui Collegiate School Cadet Corps, “A” Company, Ist. (C) Battal.on, Wellington West Coast Regiment. The Signal and Intelligence Group have changed their training night to Monday and their next pa.ado will be on Monday, July 9, and rortnrghtly thereafter. Both the Signal and intelligence Sections under Captain A. M. Rennie and Lieut. O. H. Burrord have made good progress during tile last year. The Signalleis have no less than eight “ qualified ” signallers in their number, and can claim to tie one of the most efficient and Keenest units in the regiment. Recent promotions include the promotion of Lance-Corporals R, W. Stitt and C. S. Brandon to be corporals, while Privates W. W. Joil aud C. S. Cresswell have Been appointed Lance-Corporals. The Signallers also have the distinction of Paying the only ex-N.Z.E.F. N.C.p. in their ranks, this being Sergeant E. 1 - U. Parnell. Th u Intelligence Section is in noway behind the Signallers, and m mapping and topography Have developed a very high standard. In the last two camps they have completed excellent plane table and panorama sketches. ••Who won the battle of the Marne?” is still a contentious subject amongst allied historians, the point in dispute being the part played Uy Gallieiii, the Governor of Paris, and jogie, the C.I.C. of the French forces. From a broader viewpoint the question may Still be asked, “Was the Marne won by the Allies or lost by the Germans? • Readers may recall that t:ie battle ot the Marne, September 6-9, J 1914, was the culmination of the retreat front Mons. The great wheeling movement of the German right wing tnrough Bel gium, as a result c-f optimistic reports of German success, everywhere wheeled east of I’aris instead ot west, lurthei, this contracting oi the wheeling ° lo ' e ' nicnt brought the German Ist. and -nd armies doser together, a somewhat dangerous gap existing after the battle of Be Cateau. However, it was th movement east of laris wniuh possible the great counter-stroke by Manoury’s Army, thereby driving the Germans back to the Aisue and ending their chances there and then of a rapi victory. Many will recall how troops from Paris, ’the capital’s garrison were rushed by taxis to tne scene ot the battle—for time was the factor ot the battle—a very few hours more and the opportunity would have gon . France since the war this battle as been refought on the point as to the part played by Gallicni in moulding the plan of Joffre, and his vigorous and emotional temperament as a f» et or the victory attained. In recent y a s the French Government by extensive research through the archives of G.y.u.

have assured themselves as to the part 1 played by Gallicni and have created ihim, posthumously, a Marshall c-f ‘France in recognition of his great serI vice on that occasion. Ge. man historians have not concerned themselves with the point referred to, but in those translations the writer has read, due credit is given to ' the part played by the B.E.F. in the ' battle of the Alarue. it is now rightly J claimed that it wag the advance of the i British Expeditionary Force into the gap between the Ist and 2nd German , armies that made tlw retreat or trie 2nd j army necessary. The retreat of the Ist j army was then inevitable, otherwise ' their means of retreat was upon to destruction by the B.E.F. Training by sand-table is an interesting method of instruction in tactics these days. It is not always possible to get on to good tactical ground, aud sand-table on which sand is modelled jto represent a piece of country, thus i bringing the country so to speak inI doors, is essential for tactical instrucI tion. The model can either be made up i from the map or from the Imagination, i but in both cases the model should be i bright, attractive and realistic, All ■types of exercises can be demonstrated, and the mode 1 is both useful for ' n.c.o’s and officers. Some of the types of schemes demonstrated are section. ■ platoon, company and battalion in attack, defence and protection, while the use of machine-guns in attack and de fence’ can also be explained. In Wanganui the sand model has been used on occasions, and it is likely to be again used in the near future. A very fine j model was constructed on the floor of ' the Drill Hall a year or two ago, being ; 15 feet by 8 feet, and representing a [piece of the 1/20,000 Northallerton ■ area, England. The Drill Hall cat. [ however, found the model useful for his [sunbath, etc., so the model had to be eventually taken up. *' » ♦ • I This is the pciiod of social functions jin the Regiment and the annual dance of the officers of the Regiment is to be held in the El rick on Wednesday evening, June 27. when a large attendance is expected. Other dances to be held are these of the Foilding platoon on Monday, July 2 and the Marton platoon on August The Regimental Badminton Club has a match with the Gonville Badminton Chib at the Drill Hall to-night. Recruiting parades have boon held in various localities during the last month, and a fair measure of success has been attained. Taihape had its initial training parade on Tuesday, June 19, when 54 were on parade. Taihape is going to set a high standard aregards enthusiasm and keenness, and j other centres will have to look to their laurels in company competitions in camp. Taihape in the form of “D” company has in the past been noted for its excellent “team” spirit and has been all to the good. Other centres making progress in recruiting are Raetihi, Mangaweka and Turakina. while a recruiting meeting is to be held in Palmerston North on Friday evening next.