TOURNAMENT THRILLS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20845, 1 July 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

TOURNAMENT THRILLS

This year’s Royal Tournament at Olympia not only provides first-class entertainment, but also gives the public an opportunity to see for itself how mechanisation has transformed the soldier’s lrfe, says a London paper. it also shows how rapidly the Territorial Army is being trained and re-equipped to meet the needs of modern war. All that remains of the old order of things is seen in the ever-popular musical ride—provided this year by the Life Guards—and in the musical drive by “K” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, the only horsed battery remaining in the Army. A thrilling motor-cycle display is given by dispatch riders of the Royal Corps of ‘Signals. These nonchalant young men jump over ponies and motor-cars, and make riding backwards look the easiest thing in the world. As he careers round the ring one of them climbs up an iron ladder fastened to the saddle, and down the other side, while two others do acrobatics on parallel bars fixed above the rider. Territorial Display A realistic display of modern warfare in an outpost of Empire is the big item provided by Territorials of

Mechanised Army Shows Its Worth

the London Division. Wireless cars, Brenqgun carriers, motor, machinegun and mortar sections, and a cablelaying lorry all play their part in this exciting episode. Since those taking part are working during the day-time, this demonstration can he given only in the evenings.

Another side of modern warfare—also to be seen in the evenings only—is the technical display by the H.A.F.. which includes a display by Auxiliary Air Force men of No. 901 (Balloon, Squadron, Kidbrooke, and a demonstration of dropping supplies by parachute, given by pupils o'!' the No. 3 School of Technical Training, R.A.F. An old favourite is the inter-port field gun display, in which men of the Navy throw a gun and limber weighing more than a ton over walls and across a 30-foot chasm in under live minutes.

Then there is the toy soldier display by boys of the Duke of York’s Military School. This year a mimic battle is staged, in which a "Blue'' force attacks a fairytale castle.

Every year the tournament raises thousands of pounds to assist needy ex-servicemen and their widows and orphans. This year it was open until Saturday, June 3, with two performances daily.