NIGHT TRAINING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 244, 16 October 1940, Page 4

NIGHT TRAINING

SCOTTISH COMPANY’S ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN TO-MORROW Elementary night training will be earned out, weather permitting, by A (Wellington) Company, New Zealand Scottish Regiment, under Major J. L. McAlister, to-morrow night in an area at the north-eastern end of Fitzherbert Avenue, near Tawhero School. These exercises were to have 1 een held last night, but a threatened downpour caused the cancellation of oi tiers. Lack of drying facilities on a large scale was one of the factors v\hich influenced the decision to postpone the outdoor activities. The company will travel to the scene of the exercises by foot and in motor transport, in the “leap-frog" style adopted when there is only sufficient motorised transport for half the forces. Leaving the Spriggens Park camp shortly before 7.30 p.m., they will conclude their exercises about 8.30 p.m., returning to camp shortly after 9 p.m. Included in the training to be carried out will be demonstrations of night visibility, showing how far a lighted match and the glowing end of a cigarette can be seen in the darkness, evidence thus being provided of the necesZy of observing due precautions. The company will also be instructed in observation of the different sounds made by men marching on a road, both at ease and at the alert, and the difference when marching over turf. Later in their training course the men’s night manoeuvres will be extended, and probably next month they will be enabled to make use ot the knowledge when a night “alarm’’ is sounded. During wet weather the company received instruction in bayonet practice. musketry and Lewis gun courses under cover in the Spriggens Park grandstand and training sheds, the officers expressing appreciation of the splendid facilities available.