DEFENCE OF PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 3

DEFENCE OF PATEA

HOME GUARDSMEN FORCED BACK REALISTIC MOCK BATTLE Patea, attacked from the south by an armoured fighting vehicle regiment, fell to the invaders (hiring a mock battle which lasted from 8 o’clock on Saturday night till 3 a.m. on Monday. This was not accomplished, however, until strenuous opposition by Home Guardsmen Iwl been overcome. Loua explosions, me ilasning Ol flares ana me rumbling oi rsren-gun carriers as tne victors entered me Lown in me early hours oi tne morning, gave the ilnal stages oi tne manoeuvres a realistic atmosphere. rne objects oi the manoeuvres were the increasing efficiency in mgnt woik, co-operation witn the Home ouard m its defence of focaf sectors and the gaining of knowledge by home defence rorces of the country over whicn they might have to light. Occasional rain anu a high wind made conditions diincult, but the night’s work w'as considered most satisiactory, lessons being learned on both sides. Features of the imaginary battle were the erection of a oriuge across the Patea River in the vicinity oi Kakaramea and the capture of the Patea Post Oilice by soiuiers in civilian clothes. One lesson taught by the manoeuvres was that too much reliance must not be placed upon the Whenuakura and Patea Rivers as protective barriers. Troops swam anu crossed lhe Whenuakura River in boats carried by overland troops for the purpose, while in complete secrecy lhe night before engineers erected a bridge al an isolated point on the Patea River, ’lhe presence of the bridge came as a great surprise to Home Guardsmen, who had prior advice that the attack was to take place. Its erection was a tribute to the efficiency of the army engineers, who handled heavy materials in difficult country. The need for proper protection of essential services behind the lines was illustrated by the ease with which the Patea and Waverley post offices were taken over without the outside world becoming aware of what had happened. Dressed in mufti, members of the attacking forces arrived in the towns earlier in the day, portable transmitting sets being carried in suitcases. At about 8 p.m. lhe men entered the post olficcs and, taking charge, continued the service undetected. The portable transmitters were set up, and Home Guard messages were intercepted and transmitted to headquarters. “Blitz” Atmosphere. Loud explosions rent the air throughout the engagement, troops in armoured vehicles hurling the explosives as they neared Home Guardsmen with the object of bringing to them as nearly as possible the “real thing.” On more than one occasion, however, flares were lit. and explosions let off to attract the attention of lhe defenders from another quarter where the attackers were preparing a surprise. Home Guardsmen were made to realise the necessity for detailed mobilisation and the need for anticipating any eventuality. Throughout the operations the headquarters of the army forces were kept in constant contact with the various sectors by wireless, and signallers and dispatch riders operated when necesToughness is needed to stand up to the requirements of an armoured lighting vehicle regiment, which depends for success upon rapidity of movement, quick decisions and ability to act daringly. When a frontal attack on a railway bridge was faltering it became apparent that a rear attack would have to be made and troops swam the river to accomplish the task su/cessfully. After a night in the rain and wind the troops received hot soup supplied by the Women’s War Service Auxiliary and were marshalled in the Patea Domain. There, without tents' or blankets, they snatched what sleep they eould in their lorries before taking part in manoeuvres on Mondaymorning.