The Press. SATURDAY, AUGUST l5, 1914. The Use of Cavalry in War.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15047, 15 August 1914, Page 10

The Press. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1914. The Use of Cavalry in War.

When the details of tho early stages of tho.present war become known, one feature which will excite tho keenest interest among military students and critics is tho way jn which tho cavalry havo been handled on both sides and tho results of their operations. There are two schools of military thought on this matter—those who believe in cavalry armed with the"anno blanche." (tho lanco or sabre) and consider they are best employed in shock tactics; and iho&n on tho other hand/who believe that cavalry are of most valuo when

armed -with tho rifle, like the mounted infantry in the Boor War. In the latter case their great mobility is employed to enable them to take up their positions rapidly, after which they aismount and firo upon tho enemy from fcuch cover as they can obtain. Tho most distinguished upholder of tho second school is Lord llobcrts, who, however, does not go so far as to urge that the use of cold steel by the cavalry should be altogether abandoned. After the Boer War be expressed the opinion tiiat "close order charging is a thing "of tlio past," but ho thought that cavalry should have a sword bayonet, with,' "a substantial handle largo "enough to be iirmly gripped, so that "in the event of ita being required it " couid bo need on horseback as woll "as 0:1 foot."" yioro recently there

has been -1 reaction, and a return to vTio view that while cavalrymen should carry a rifle and bo -well-trained in rrarksrnaiij&hip, yet that, under certain circumstances, they are most effective in mounted combat. The sumo question arose during the Russo-Japanese war. li, was snid by some critics that the war sealed tho J doom of the "anno blanc Jit." Colonel I K-epington denies this. He says that neither belligerent possessed a cavalry up to the standard of the West, the Generals did not know how to handle tho arm, and the result, uo doubt, was I failure of tho cavalry on both sides. Ho ! points out. however, that the Japanese recognised that their cavalry was not up to the mark, and tboy took prompt measures after the war to juiprovo the breed of horses in Japan. They increased tho number of their cavalry and took steps to raise 1,-500,000 better horses within eovoii years. The Japanese Manual, published in 1907, laid it down that cavalry as ;i rule should act mounted, and that tho J riflo should only be used when there was little hope of success by mounted action alone. General Bernhardi, tho distinguished German military authority, correctly describes the cavaJry's duties as twofold. On tho one hand they must carry out reconnaissances and screening movements; on tlio other hand they must operate against the enemy's communications, continually interrupt the regular renowal of his supplies, and thus cripplo his mobility. Tho German trooper is taught every lesson of dismounted work, from picking up targets to creeping and stalking. But tho Germans are also great believers in shock tactics. During the critical operations preceding a great war, the cavalry en both sides play a most important part. Whilo endeavouring to find out the enemy's strength they use their utmost efforts to prevent him from gaining information in their 6ide. "In all opera- " tions which precedo the tactical "encounter," says Colonel Repington, '.'the enemy's cavalry is the most " important objective. These troops "must be driven from the field, and "not only driven away, but '. h'nntea ">o deatli. 2s o reconnaissances of

"mo enemy's' masses can, as a rule, "be carried out until his covering "cavalry are.disposed, of. The cavalry "which is successful in ,this encounter w secures for its commander tho monoperhaps of' good information, "without which-the best-laid plans may "fail.

Cno tiling can safely bo said, and that is tihaf. cavalxr and the' 'anno blanche tin oo need on a tremendous ecale in this war. It is evident from indications in the cable messages that they havo already been so used, although, no doubt, cavalry will also be used for the purpose of Tapidly ■ seizing important positions and then holding them as dismounted marksmen until they are rolniorced by infantry. Imagination reels at the thought of those titanic conflicts between men on horseback. Cavalry charges with ten thousand men on each side, among them the finest horsemen in Europe, may bo among tho more.StJrring-incidents of tho campaign. This is indeed -war on the. grand scale. Nothing like it has ever been seen beforo so far as historic records go. And yet even in the blaze of these aciiievomente, the lustre of one famous charge in pur history -will remain undimmed. For sheor heroism, misplaced though ifc was, tho "Charge of tno Light "Brigade" will probably never bo surpassed When can their jflory fade 0 the wild charge they made! All the world ■wonder'd. Ilonour the charge they made! - Honour tho Light Brigade, «• Noble six hundred!