The shooting was exceptionally good with the prize shoot going to Major
W.R. Gilchrist.
His target was a destructive shoot on a lone tree on a crest at 5700 yards.
He took six ranging rounds, adjusted the
MPI
and then hit the tree twice.
This was the first time it had been done by any Regiment on this range.
Everyone enjoyed the camp immensely.
The organization, schedule and instruction
was
excellent and much praise must go to the school and especially to the
I.G.
Major Peter Lowe.
Basic training was not forgotten and
Ts.O.E.T.,
Small Arms range practices and route marches were carried out.
All traces of the dirt and mud of the period in action had now disappeared and
76th Battery even invited the Commanding Officer Lt-Col. R.W. Armstrong
to inspect them.
A return was made to SAN NICANDRO to calibrate absolutely one gun per battery
and comparatively calibrate the remainder.
Following the calibration the Regiment participated in an
infantry-cum-tank exercise with live ammunition on the ranges.
The
G.O.C.
Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister,
DSO.,
walked with the Infantry of the Irish Regiment within 200 yards of our barrage
and the whole demonstration was considered highly successful.
14.
In April the 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade was placed under command of the New
Zealand Division on the CASINO front with the Regiment providing
the close support.
The unit first moved to a concentration area near
VINCHIATURO having an excellent convoy dispite difficult roads.
A British Royal Artillery Colonel who had been riding in the convoy for some time
took the trouble to enquire for Col. Armstrong and personally
congratulate him on the road discipline maintained.
In the concentration area the Officers and men made the acquaintance
of the former Canadian town of CAMPOBASSO with its clubs and Signoritas.
Not daunted by the weather everyone took a great pride in his
personal
appearance so much so in fact that two British Captains stopped
a Bombardier to ask if there was to be a big Canadian parade in town,
not being able to believe they would be so smart for any other reason.