FIRST W.W.C. REGT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 8

FIRST W.W.C. REGT.

WEEK-END BIVOUAC BALL AMMUNITION I SLIJ j TACTICS Al’ Pi 11KL During the bivouac held at the racecourse last week-end by the W.W.C. Regiment, an extensive I scheme was carried out involving the 1 controlled use of ball ammunition. Troops of the regiment, including ' those irom Marton and Taihape, as-, sembled at the racecouise on Satur-: day morning prior to firing their ; practice at the Putiki rifle range in ; the afternoon. The scheme carried out on Sunday morning was of paiticuiar interest to those familiar with ’ the range. It was assumed that an enemy held ihe high sand ridge at the far end of the range, commanding the main south highway. A reconnais- . sance by the officers resulted in a vanguard, consisiting of a title platoon proceeding from tht racecourse by motor transport. The trucks kept out of view of the enemy before the men look up positions on the brow of the hill on the left flank, Lewis gun and j rifle sections holding the enemy These were represented by life-like wooden figures and other targets arranged in realistic position along the top of the butts. By this time the main body, consisting of rifle and machine-gun platoons, were dropped from their bu>es, the machine-gunners deploying to th? left flank and the rule and Lewisgun sections advancing over the open country, taking cover as they did so by using breaks ami depressions in the ground. The fire control was particularly good and the moment a pre-arranged Verey light was *<e»i the firing ceased. Advancing to the 2th) yards range, the troops had an opportunity of demonstrating their ability to riddle tiu targets by controlled firing. Interviewed after the ‘’stunt,” Captain J.-W. Barry, N.Z.S.C., said it was the most extensive ball ammuniticn scheme he had ever attempted with territorial troops, and he was particularly pleased with the way officers: and men had carried out their work. A small error on anybody’s part could have resulted in extreme danger.