THE GERMAN ARMY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2254, 14 September 1914, Page 8

THE GERMAN ARMY

1 ; POINTS FROM THEIR FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS. "The training of troops in peace timo is regulated by what will bo required of them in war." Emphasis is given re tho above statement in the introduction to the Field Service Regulations of the German Army. Further, the introduction states: "The efficiency of a, soldier depends not only upon his physical and military training, but upon his discipline and morale. . The powers of the soldier will only bo utilised to full advantage when they are applied as his commander directs. To this end the troops must learn discipline, which is the backbone of the army, and without which 110 victory can bo achieved. It must be firmly established, and strenuously maintained under all circumstances. An outer semblance of discipline, not consolidated by long training in peace time, will vanish at critical moments, or under tho influence of unexpected events." The German regulations lay down tho duty of tlio ollieers towards t'ho men, and state that untiring solicitude for t'Jio welfare of his men is tlio duty and the privilogo of tlio officer. Commanders of every grade must do their ut-. most to ensure that their subordinates take a pleasure in the performance of their duty. "Resolute action," concludes tho introduction, "is of first importance in war. Every individual, lvom the highest commander to tho .youngest soldier, .must always remember that supine .inaction and neglect of opportunities will entail severer conI sure than an error ill, conccptioii of the choice of means."

' A German army corps consists, as a rule, of two infmibry divisions, a corps telegraph detachment, a corps bridge train, ammunition columns, and -tram.. Heavy artillery may bo allotted to it. An infantry division consists, as a rule, of two infantry brigades, to one of which a rifle battalion may be attached; the divisional cavalry; one brigade or field artillery (19 batteries), with its light ammunition columns; one held company of pioneers, the divisional bridge train; and one or two bearer companies. A cavalry division consists, as a rule, of three cavalry brigades, 0110 Abteiluu" (three batteries) uf iuirso artillery j witn its light ammunition column, a pioneer detachment, and a machine-gun sectipn. The war establishment of various units is given as follows:—Staff of an army corps, 330 men J Stalf of an 111fjsntry division, 300 nien; company of infantry, 270 j battalion of infantry, L0?0; machine-gun battery, 120 men, veliioles, including guns 14; field battery, 150 men, 16 vehicles; horse artil- . k-ry battery, 170 men, 16 vehicles; infantry ammunition column, 200 men; heavy field howitzer battalion, 960 men, 76 vehicles; mortar battalion, 570 men, 48 vehicles; ammunition column of a Jieavy field howitzer battalion, 860 men, '163 vehicles. . An instruction to Gorman officers, which apparently has not been obsorved toe.faithfully up to the present, reads: "In tlio interests of the troops themselves, it is well, even wlien in the enemy's couiitrv, to treat tlie inhabitants with the greatest consideration. At the same time, when the gravity or. the situation dcnuuids it, duo seventy rowst Iba exercised towards hostile miiaoiiants. Leniency and Negligence at. the wrong time and place may lead to hardships for the troops."