TROOPS SWIM RIVER IN EQUIPMENT

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 121, 8 May 1942, Page 7

TROOPS SWIM RIVER IN EQUIPMENT

Attack On Poverty Bay KEY SERVICES SEIZED IN TOWN Imagine Poverty Bay threatened by a pincer movement of Invadine forces. However incredible, some people may think the situation pictured, military leaders Lave to be imaginative y men; men who prepare for an uncertain future and test out every known possibility from both an attack and defence angle. That was why two units attached to a brigade in the (’cntral Military District took ’he role of enemy forces, presumed to have landed north of Poverty Bay in the early evening of a recent, day. Local forces undertook the defence. The enemy marched over lulls and fairly steep country overnight in heavy rain, and poor visibility, coming down on the defence in several places. In parts they got through ; elsewhere they failed. Use of Steamer. Greatest success went to a special party of 60 which embarked on a local steamer, landed on the breakwater, then swam the river with full equipment and got right into the centre of the town, where they took possession of key services like the broadcast ng station, post office, and So on. This job required toughness; to swim a river in late April without clothing would not be ’relished by most men. To do it, in battledress and full fighting equipment, called for stamina, courage

and absolute fitness. This special party did the job without a hitch. The battle over, civilians in the attacked area came to light wi n splendid hospitality. They provided drying facilities and hot showers and did everything they could to make the troops comfortable. As a return gesture, the two forces demonstrated.. on a former racecourse how armoured vehicles operate in conjunction with following infantry, and engineers bridged a river in the centre of the town. Most local residents had not seen how a modern army operates; these demonstrations wore an eye-opener to them and a means of sowing confidence in the growing ability, and strength, of New Zealand to defend itself against all comers. Before the main attack there was ■ another exercise in the form of an approach march on the, town by , '.wo independent routes, local forces being in opposition, One squadron went wide to a flanking movement, crossing a river neckhigh and coming down behind the local forces, an unexpected at.] completely successful outflanking movement. All this sqfladron made the crossing safely.