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CHAPTER IV.
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94
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6. Mode of Reinforcement.-By land from Victoria Reserve, and by water and land from Kowloon Reserve.
7. Communication.--The section is connected with Victoria by a good carriage road, which runs round the west of the island. The main ridge is connected with this highway by a road running from the Section Headquarters at Mount Austin to Pokfulum. The section is in telephonic communication with headquarters in Victoria, and the forts are in similar connection. Mountain Lodge and Plunkett's Gap are also connected by telephone with headquarters.* Launches can run from the commissariat pier in Victoria to Belchers in 15 minutes, and the tram from Murray Barracks to Mount Austin Barracks in 10 minutes.
Communication with the neighbouring section will require establishing by means of patrols and signalling parties.
8. Supplies.-Rations will be sent out daily from the Victoria main depôt, and will be carried by coolie labour. Two ration sub-depôts will be established, one on the flat piece of ground north of the embankment, running to Thirleston Peak House, and the other at Lower Belchers, in each of which seven days' reserve rations will be stored. Water can be obtained from the hydrants, the outposts being supplied by coolie labour. 9. Ammunition.-Gun ammunition is stored in the fort magazines, ready for use, at the rate of 200 rounds per gun, with the exception of the following:-
12-pr. Q.F.
6-pr. 3-pr.
"2
303-in. Maxim
Rounds per gun.
400
506
512
..
11,000
1st Reserve small-arm ammunition to be kept in regimental charge. 2nd Reserve in Ordnance charge in a field magazine, which will be established in combination with the ration sub-depôt.
Infantry carry 100 rounds per rifle in their pouches, other branches 50 rounds. 10. Dressing Station.-Will be formed at Lower Belchers for the treatment of mild cases among the garrison of the forts, and Mount Davis and Taihowan Bay outposts; all other cases will be sent by tram to the Victoria Base Hospital.
11. Probable Modes of Attack. The more probable forms of attack on this section are as follows :—
(1.) By shell fire from an enemy's cruizers, with the object of silencing the batteries of the forts.
(2.) By a landing of troops in the bays on the south, and an attack by land, in combination with (1).
(3.) By a sudden raid on the cable in Taihowan Bay.
12. Works.-The following field works will require construction on mobilization :- (1.) Emplacements and epaulements for the guns of the movable armament on the southern and western spurs of High West.
(2.) A road for the movements of howitzers into position from the existing road at Victoria Gap to the south spur of High West.
(3.) Shelter trenches for the picquets at Mount Davis and Taihowan Bay.
4.) Shelter trenches for infantry outposts at the positions assigned to them. (5.) A field magazine.
13. Camp Equipment, Ammunition, and Intrenching Tools.--
Fle
Str
Fo
Cu
Sa
S
Ti
C
(
1
¡
Articles.
No.
Articles.
No.
W.S., No. 2.
Hooks, reaping
3
"
Axes-
Felling
Hand, 2-lb...
Pick, heads..
Kettles, camp
101
18
Lanterns, brass globular
8
helves
5
Sheets, ground
820
14
Shovels, universal
111
112
Spades
11
helves..
127
24
Tents, complete, D.C. linen
127
6-ft.
多
Hooks, bill
Bars, crow, 4-ft. 6-in.
Buckets, water, G.S., leather
16
Tubs, washing, 3 gallons
105
8
Screens, latrine, local pattern
16
105
Tents, Indian pattern, complete, G.S. 160-lb.
3
25
Bags, sand, common
5,000
* An alteration will be made in the telephone cables to bring the forts in direct communication with head- quarters.
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