COMMANDOS—NEW WAR STRATEGY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 45, 27 April 1942, Page 4

COMMANDOS—NEW WAR STRATEGY

THE manner in which the "Commandos'' as a new method of war, have leapt into prominence brings forcibly to mind the fact that these highly trained guerilla units originated, in the South African war, and became a most deadly weapon against regular troops in the hands of brother Boer. The commando of 40 years ago was however a vastly different proposition to the improved product of modern times. Then, it consisted mainly of a lightly armed, body of horsemen, whose duty it was to wage incessant guerilla war against the British Army, in the inaccessable regions of the Veldt. Given a free hand these bands ranged the parched South African plains, attacking, burning, pillaging and destroying, on such a widespread scale that they were a continual thorn in the side of the British High Command, ihe hardihood of the riders stood them in good stead in all weathers while their knowledge of the country made them extremely hard to hunt out. The greatest thing in common with the modern 'commando' was their extreme mobilityThe modern counterpart is possibly even quicker than its forerunner and it is certainly better armed. Its striking power is greater an hundredfold while the training and individual initiative is also definitely higher. So to-day the Empire is profiting by the example set by a handful of tough Boer patriots in the far off wars of 46 years ago. The 'commando' system is likely to play a growing part in the winning of the present war, for apart from the briliantly organised exploits on the French coast, it affords the only outlet for the enslaved populations of Europe who look to the day of deliverance with never-dying hope in their hearts. Guerilla tactics are merely an offshoot of the 'Commando style of warfare, though in the latter case the system is more loosely individual. In Yugoslavia, Greece, Crete, Albania, Norway and even France the underground warfare goes on relentlessly, awaiting but the call to open rebellion to sound the open declaration of 'Commando' warfare. In Great Britain thousands of specially trained troops are practising for the day when the mainland of Europe will be stormed in a hundred places. They are taught self reliance and given an individual capacity for fighting on their own initiative - They are selected for intelligence as well as physical fitness and carry with them equipment for destroying bridges and. other key points as well as provisions for an indefinite period. In every instance where the men have been used, they have succeeded beyond all expectations and, suffered casualties which were ridiculously light. The very boldness of their enterprise appears to contribute towards their immunity from heavy losses, while their swift deadly onslaught always ensures a protective element of surprise. It would appear that the Dominion would do well to cultivate a similar system of training which in this country, should ever the need arise, would be an invaluable and effective way of dealing with a heavily armed and well supported enemy.