HIDING FROM AIRCRAFT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 3

HIDING FROM AIRCRAFT.

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO TROOPS. n Tho new department at the British War oifico which is charged, under the direction of Brigadier-General David Henderson, with the development of the air service has bad tabulated for use in Army training a set of observation instructions. These rules aro very interesting and aro the outeomo of aggregate experience in scouting and observing under all conditions. Aircraft aro to fly as a rule at not less than 3000 feet when exposed to rifle fire, and when artillery is underneath them this altitude must be increased by another thousand feet. Under misty conditions it is left to the pilot to drop lower if objects cannot bo distinctly seen. As a rule observers in aircraft are best able to judge whether they aro under firo or not. The General Staff Notes are as follow: (i.) The accurate observation of bodies of troops largely depends on two circumstances: (a) Tho background, that is, the colour of the ground 011 which tho troops may bo at the moment; and (b) Movement, i.e., troops 011 tho move arc far more easily seen than when they remain absolutely still. (ii.) A column of troops moving along a white or light-coloured road can bo easily seen from almost any height, whilst an extended lino of infantry scattered 011 tho grass amongst smail bushes will seldom bo detected if tlicy remain still. Troops should 011 110 account look up at aircraft, for nothing 15 moro conspicuous than men's faces. (iii:) When troops aro marching along ,a broad road it is advisable that strict march discipline bo maintained, tho troops being kept well to one side of the road, so that the remaining side, it kept absolutely clear, iviil look liko the wholo of tho road, and will probably not attract the observers' attention. (iv.) Troops in column of route on a narrow road may escape observation it they at onco take cover on either sido ot the road and remain absolutely still close under tho hedges. (v.) Woods, belts of trees, IIHI hedgerows and villages all offer complete shelter from observation if taken advantage of when tho aircraft is still at a distanco. (vi.) When moving over country in extended order or m small columns, troops should take cover under tho nearest trees hedgerows, or patches of gorso and bushes lying still, close under tho edge ot such vegetation until the aeroplane has passed 011. (vii.) Formed bodies of infantry must be got under trees or into woods if they aro to escapo observation, for in tho open they are certain to bo seen. (viii.) Artillery will probably bo unable to conceal cither their guns or their horses, excopt in very favourable country uhero trees aro. numerous and tho viojv much restricted. Guns in tho open will 110 doubt bo easily seen, and tlio only liopo of concealment is to occupy a position close up to a hedgerow anil hro through it. (ix.) .When troops are in camp, or iu bivouac, ovory endeavour should bo made to alter the usual formations with a view to deceiving tho observer and causing him to mistako one unit for anotner, e.g., a battery for a Field Company, R.E. Guns can bo covered with tarpaulin or hay. Where feasible, cook•JJig should bo done near villages, so that tho smoko does not attract attention. (x.) Pile question will often arise aS to how long tho presenco of a hostile aeroplane is to bo permitted to interfere with or paralyse tho manoeuvre which may be in progress, '.rime may bo a more important factor than discovery, and brigade commanders must jud"o whether it is moro advisable t<r dcltiv the movement by taking cover and re--1 mauling hidden, or to continuo the manoeuvre. In recent training both the 3rd and 1 4th Divisions succeeded in escaping ohservation, and some of tho cavalry'wore also able to remain undetected. The concealing of troops from aircraft observation having been successfully demonstrated, tho above rules aro interesting as embodying tho conditions tinder which commanders succeeded in avoiding tho notice of aircraft when moving considerable bodies.