The garrisons of Malta and Aden were brought up to the new establish ment last month. This strengthening was decided on last year and in view of the fact that both places would be in the Italian line of communications zone the added numbers were sent out before normal time. It is a crinal measure for a neutral to take which finds its stations within an area of possible war movements.
We have also taken steps to strength on the Sudan, Kenya and Somali fand Uganda frontiers for the double Purpose of preventing natives from crossing over into the war zone and to intern all who cross from that area into British territory. So far as Malta and Aden concerned the increase in the 4 sons is part of the Heneral plan agreed on in 1984 to raise the defense Gibraltar, Singapore also with' artillery and engineers. The 18th Infantry Brigade has been drawn on for the Malta infantry, increase Just as it was for the Shaforce and the Saar. The relief programme for the winter is dislocated and China relicts coming from Egypt may be delayed.
Army Manoeuvres As forthe Army manoeuvres just ended offeial attention was distracted from them but they were carried through with 48,000 troops on a three days scheme. The opposing forces were given a Ist and 2nd Corps basis and while a specially mobile cavalry force was employed it was not offset by the use of a tank brigade, Instead the cavalry and the four divisions were each given a tank battalion and an extra brigade of artillery. The use Which was made of these additions was carefully studied and a favour~ able impression was made. Where in the course of the tactical scheme a division had the assistance of cavalry the best results were obtained and this confirmed the view that the proposed mobile division is sound as ea-operator with the ordinary divisions well supplied with artillery and tanks. The Long tail which mechan ization threatens to place behind a division is in course of solution and was cut down on the manceuvres. The new horseless light brigade of three rifle battalions supported by one of machine guns was a success and the Durhams were complimented on the discharge of their new role. The new six-wheeled tractor was also a success with the R.A. as was the new four~ wheeled Morris truck with the infantry.
Clever Tactics Employe:
The corps. commanders were Generals Sir Francis Gathorne-Hardy and Sir Cyril Deverell of Eastland and Westland respectively, with Sir John Burnett-Stuart os chief umpire. The bone of contention Was q mineral area round Whitchurch and the 1st Corps operated from the line Bordon—Petersfield and the 2nd Corps from Amesbury—Stockbridge. Infantry in lorries made the forward bound with armoured cars and deceived the aeroplanes but the latter were able to locate the cavalry brig fade of the Ist Corps as it moved but so cleverly was {t mancuvred that alr action was frustrated. The bound was for the river test which corps secured at different crossings and bejeame interlocked. There was out glorious halt day which paid for all. Tt arose from a strategic conception, Gen, Sir Cyril Deverell, 2nd Army Corps commander. He decided to fight with two widely separated wings flung out from a river centre, induce the Ist Army Corps to make for this lightly held water centre and then bring all-powerful enveloping move~ ments against each flank, In this he assumed correctly that the Ist Corps would attack ina concentrated line and it did so, not knowing that the 2nd Corps had two horns and no strength in the centre, The Ist Corps very nearly rain between the two horns and was in danger of being rolled up on both flanks. Ger Gathorne-Hardy at once planned an extrication on the lines of the Ger~ man get-away at the Marne and it was a pity that the directing staff stopped the battle before this useful Yesson and practice could be carried out.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.