The Chronicles of a Gay Gordon Part 22

(Reference Map.--Map of Liverpool Manoeuvre Area)

On the morning of the 7th January the O.C. Brown Brigade was informed by his patrols that the White Advanced Guard had occupied ECKERSLEY at 8 A.M.

On the receipt of this information the O.C. Brown Brigade decides to advance and attack the White force.

1ST PHASE

1. Reconnaissance and Screening Duties by the Light Horse.

2. Use of Artillery in checking the advance of hostile Infantry by long-range fire.

(Map No. 2--Infantry advancing, Target marked No. 1.)

Textbooks:-- "Light Horse Manual," '07, Sec. 299 _et seq._ "F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VI and Chap. VII.

"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.

2ND PHASE

_Development of Attack_

1. The advance to within long-range rifle fire.

2. The further advance to decisive fire positions.

3. High-angle fire by Howitzers on enemy's position--Targets marked III and IV.

4. The struggle for fire supremacy.

5. The a.s.sault.

(Map No. 2 for 2, Infantry entrenched, Target marked II; for 4, Infantry on ridge, Target marked III. Enemy's reserves behind hill marked IV.)

Textbooks:-- "F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VII.

"Musketry Regs.," '05, Sec. 110 _et seq._ "F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.

"L.T.," '05, Sec. 129 _et seq._

3RD PHASE

_The Pursuit_

(Map No. 2.--Infantry retreating--Target marked V.)

Textbooks:-- "F.S.R.," Part 1, Chap. VII.

"F.A.T.," '08, Chap. VIII.

"L.T.," '05, Sec. 129 _et seq._

N.B.--Information as to the positions of the enemy (represented by targets) is to be gained by the patrols and scouts of the Brigade.

No other information will be given.

On the morning of January 5, 1910, Lord Kitchener and his staff arrived by train from Brisbane at Newcastle, New South Wales. Only the local garrison troops were in camp there, the local units of the Field Forces having proceeded to the general camp at Liverpool.

The question of the fixed defences at Newcastle was at the time causing considerable anxiety owing to disturbances in the ground due to the coal mines. The construction of a new fort had been decided upon and its position selected. The whole day was spent in making a most careful examination of the harbour, the coast line and the existing forts. Lord Kitchener in his report approved of the site chosen.

He arrived at the Liverpool camp on the next morning, Thursday the 6th, at 7.15 A.M. Early morning parades were being held by all corps. He watched some units at work and then went to the quarters prepared for him. After breakfast he at once began his inspection, and from that time until he left the camp, three days afterwards, there was practically not an idle moment.

When we were inspecting the camp lines Kitchener was rather interested in the incinerators I had ordered to be used for the first time. An old Irish ex-soldier employed as a camp policeman was asked by the general how they were working. "Fine, sir," he said. "And what are they called?"

"Well, sir," said Pat, "I am not quite sure, but I think they call them _insinuators_." Kitchener had a hearty laugh.

On the Thursday evening I was ordered to arrange for a certain small portion of the troops to leave camp at two o'clock next morning under the command of an officer specially selected. Their destination was not divulged. The remainder of the troops under my command were to bivouac at a place called Signal Hill, some three miles from the camp, at 7 A.M.

next day and await instructions. These orders were carried out. Sharp at half-past seven Lord Kitchener and his staff rode up to Signal Hill. I was not aware of the whereabouts of the small force that had left the camp at 2 A.M.

He sent for me and informed me that he had prepared me a task to be carried out at once. The idea was that an enemy's convoy and escort--which was composed of the troops we had detached the night before--were marching along certain roads following up an enemy column.

The position of the column of the enemy's troops and convoy were roughly given. My business was to capture the convoy with the troops at my disposal, and he wished me to at once give my orders to my commanding officers for carrying out my plans. The commanding officers were a.s.sembled without delay. My own mind was soon made up as to my plans. The orders were given, and within a quarter of an hour of the time when I had left Lord Kitchener my troops were on the move.

An amusing incident happened afterwards. One of my cavalry brigades had been ordered to cut off the convoy. It had done so and was moving rapidly to close in on it. I myself was riding with them; it was the last phase of the attack. Knowing that the manoeuvre was over, for we had captured the convoy, and seeing Lord Kitchener and his staff not very far away, I rode up to him to report. With something of a smile on his face he said to me when I reached him, "Have you come to surrender yourself? Because, if not, I am going to make you a prisoner. I am here with your enemy, who has four guns at this point" (they were imaginary), "you must stay here with me." So I was taken prisoner. He then asked me to explain to him the position of my troops at that moment. In doing so I told him that, on our right, along the crest of the hill on which the convoy was travelling, I had an infantry brigade. The edge of this hill, right along, was covered with fairly thick bush, some three to four feet high; I had ordered the infantry to creep right up, keeping under cover to within some sixty yards of the top of the ridge without showing themselves, lie down, and keep as quiet as possible until such time a certain whistle signal was given, when they were to rise and collar the convoy.

When I explained to Lord Kitchener that the infantry were quite handy, he said, "Well, I want to see them." I gave the whistle signal agreed upon, and immediately, for a distance of some three-quarters of a mile along the ridge, on the flank of the convoy, up jumped a couple of thousand infantry. It was my opportunity now, so I ventured to tell him that, as the convoy and the four guns were now in my hands, I took it that my troops had rescued me and that I was afraid he was my prisoner. He laughed and said, "Well, I'm going to order the 'Cease fire' to sound, which puts an end to the morning's work, and then I am free."

It was an inspiring morning, that morning, a fine day. Everyone was most keen and anxious in his work. All knew that Kitchener's critical eye had been upon them all the morning. He had ridden from place to place watching their work. They had been on the march for some eight hours and were now a.s.sembled for the return to their camp, six miles off. He took up his stand on the side of the road and watched them as they marched past homewards. Practically every man at the time serving in the Field Forces in New South Wales was present. They came from every part of the State. The attendance reached the very high average of close on 97 per cent.

After his inspection of the Field Forces the garrison troops and the fortress defences had to be inspected. The garrison troops, the units detailed for the defence of the forts and harbour, were inspected on Sat.u.r.day afternoon, having taken up their positions in accordance with the local scheme of defence. Afterwards visits to the forts occupied the time till late at night. Finally we embarked on board the submarine mine-layer, the _Miner_, to watch the working of the searchlights protecting the mine fields and navigable channels. Close on midnight the inspection was finished and we returned to Government House.

Before we reached the landing-stage Lord Kitchener asked me to get him a sheet of paper. I did so. He then said, "I wish you to publish this Order to-morrow." Taking his pencil, he wrote as follows:

"To General Gordon. Be good enough to inform the officers, non-commissioned officers and men under your command of my appreciation of the keen interest and great zeal they have shown in carrying out their duties during my lengthy inspection. They are doing well, and it has been a pleasure to me to have been present with them during their period of continuous training.

"(_Signed_) KITCHENER."

This Order, I knew, of course, would be most acceptable to all concerned.

Next day, just previous to their leaving for Melbourne, Captain Fitzgerald, his personal secretary and close friend--who later on, unfortunately, was drowned with him--told me that I should be proud to receive that Order, as he had never known "the Chief" to have issued one in a similar manner before. During his visit he reminded me of the conversation we had in South Africa when I asked Lord Roberts's and his opinions on my scheme for the Universal Service. He heartily congratulated me on having achieved what then he thought my too ambitious hopes, and a.s.sured me he would support the movement heart and soul. This he did, as his report proved.

I think it only fair to the Government of that day to say that they did carry out the whole of his recommendations, and that every one of his suggestions was in force within three years after his visit.

Practically all men of any importance, politicians, business men, working men, one and all enthusiastically helped. A considerable improvement was noticed, not only in the general bearing of the trainees, but what was much more important, in their physical and moral development. The keenness of the lads themselves was proved by the extra time voluntarily devoted by them to receiving instruction to qualify as officers and non-commissioned officers, attending courses of lectures, special parades and rifle matches. The police authorities throughout the Commonwealth were asked to watch carefully and report as to whether, in their opinion, the system was influencing the character of the boys generally, and if so in what directions.

In 1914 reports were received from the police in all the States. They were unanimous in stating that, "in their opinion, the behaviour of the youths who were subjected to the training had vastly improved, and that the princ.i.p.al effects of a beneficial nature were increased self-respect, diminution of juvenile cigarette smoking, 'larrikinism,' and generally a tendency towards a sense of responsibility and a desire to become good citizens."

Wherefore it is seen that the chief aims as laid down in my scheme have been fully realized, namely, to secure:--

(1). A sound mind in a sound body;

(2). A disciplined mind;

(3). Ability to shoot straight; and