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doubtless desire that solid guarantees for future security should be taken, and it is evidently essential to success in this sense that their land forces should be organized on a common basis, so as to be capable of being brought together for concerted action. The possibility of being able to take a vigorous offensive at the outset of war against points which might subsequently prove menacing would be a strategic advantage of the first importance."
The necessity for troops to man the defences of Adelaide, to provide a small movable force against a landing near that town, and to form part of a federal defence force is recognized in Chapter I of the Defence Scheme under consideration, but the Colonial Defence Committee would suggest that the language in which the reasons for this provision are expressed in paragraph 1 (a) is open to criticism, as having the appearance of a contradiction with the sound principles enunciated in paragraph 3, "that South Australia cannot be liable to attack in force by a fleet of cruisers, which might or might not be accompanied by transports, as long as Her Majesty's navy holds the command of the sea." Adelaide is protected by the Royal Navy in the same way as Bristol or Liverpool in England are protected, that is, by the action of the navy against hostile fleets probably at a distance from their possible objectives. In the case of the English, as in that of the Australian ports, local defences are required against the few ships which might have escaped from blockaded ports and chosen to run the risks of raiding attacks for the sake of creating that degree of general alarm which would give rise to a feeling of insecurity and so paralyze commerce. As one of the main reasons for the maintenance of an army in England is the power of counter-attack that it confers, so one of the main reasons for a federal force would be the possible action above referred to against points which might ultimately prove menacing to Australian interests and Austra- lian security.
3. With the above principles in view, and bearing in mind the small number of available troops, and the primary importance to the Colony of the city of Adelaide, it will be necessary to modify to some extent the military organization given in Chapter III of the Scheme. It is unadvisable to break up the defences of Adelaide into two separate districts, forming, apparently, independent commands. The "Harbour Fortress District" and "Adelaide and West Littoral District," as generally described in the Scheme, would better be treated as "Largs" and "Glenelg" Sections of the defence, each under a Section Commander, in their turn under the Officer Commanding the Forces of the Colony, who will also have with him the movable force for the defence of Adelaide, and, so long as it remains in the Colony, the offensive-defensive force told off to form part of the Federal Army. It does not appear advisable to subdivide the Largs and Glenelg Sections in the manner proposed for the two districts in the Scheme, as this would tend to unnecessary disper- sion of the small number of troops available for their defence.
The Commander of the Largs Section should have charge of the forts and of the necessary measures for the protection of the Port River, and for the defence of the coast-line from Light's Passage to Mellor's House (which is assumed to be near Grange Station). The officer responsible for carrying out the Traffic Regulations will also act under his directions. In addition to the artillery garrison of the forts, the troops in the Largs Section might comprise three companies of infantry, one company of mounted infantry, and two 16-pr. R.M.L. guns. It would be advisable to keep the force concentrated in a central position ready to move at once to any point threatened. The vicinity of Largs Fort would probably be most suitable for this purpose, and that fort might conveniently be the head-quarters of the Section, as proposed in the Scheme.
The Commander of the Glenelg Section should have charge of the defence of the coast-line from Mellor's House to Marino Rocks. The troops in his command might be three companies of infantry and two companies of mounted infantry, with two 16-pr. R.M.L. guns, and should mostly be kept concentrated in the neighbourhood of Glenelg, which would conveniently be the head-quarters of this Section.
The movable force for the defence of Adelaide, which will be available
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