MOCK BATTLE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21653, 13 February 1942, Page 2

MOCK BATTLE

HIGH SCHOOL CADETS WEEK OF MILITARY TRAINING As is customary in February, the cadets of the Hamilton High school have this week been undergoing a programme of intensive military training. Officers in charge have been Major A. P. Nelson, E. D., Captain H. F. Morton, Lieutenant H. W. Sayers, Regimental Sergeant-Major Thomas, and £>tali Sergeant-Majors Gate, Reid and Holmes. It was stated by Major Nelson this morning that good progress nad oeen made in all branches of the training. In addition to the military worK the Air Force Cadets proceeded with their specialised training. Both morning alternoon have been divided into periods, with a short break at the end of each. Tne boys have had a certain amount of physical drill each day, and swimming periods have proved popular. Tne successful week's training culminated this morning in a mock battle in the open country at tne back ot the Hamilton Lake. A Company, witn tour platoons, was supposed to be advancing toward the Frankton railway station and B Company, with three platoons, was defending a strategic ridge. It was apparent that the lessons learnt by the ooys during the week were bearing good fruit, all platoons carrying out their work efficiently. Advantage was taken of the natural cover of tussocks and folds in the grounds, while a touch of realism was added by the use of blank cartridges and one or two mecnanical devices. The ability of one section to deal with unexpected situations was demonstrated when a fire, inadvertently started in a gorse hedge, was -quickly extinguished by six oi seven cadets—at the expense of giving their position away to the attacking force. Major J. C. Oliphant, M.C., No. 4 -(Hamilton) Military District Area Officer, took the taiule at a march past inis afternoon after he had inspected the battalion.