“SEEING RED.”

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1918, Page 1

“SEEING RED.”

There are some aspects of the soldier’s training—many of them are of quite recent introduction —about which the general public knows nothing. One of these training “stunts ” was recently described to me by a school chum who has just gone “ out there. He described it as “ seeing red.” In a word, it is teaching the men all about the elemental passion for blood, making them, as it were, itch for battle. In a large marquee behind the camp some hundreds of soldiers are assembled. It is easier to stir the emotions of many than of a few, and the instructor knows this. The instructor mounts the platform, and in a clear voice begins his lecture. Gradually he works on the emotions of his* audience till the atmosphere seems to be electrically charged. The men are “ seeing red ” —unconsciously their hands clasp, tliir faces flush and they are ripe for battle. *****

Then from behind the platform steps a dapper little N.C.O. — in private life a schoolmaster. He looks a mild little man. One could scarcely imagine him saying “Bo ’ to a goose ! In his hand he cam ies u rifle and bayonet.

The instructor introduces the N 0.0., telling his hearers at the same time to watch the little man carefully. In a flash he changes his whole appearance. lie grips his rifle viciously, and with shoulders hunched and eyes flashing he lungts desperately forward, bringing the gleaming steel to within a t'e,v inches of the instructor’s throat \ Snarling and sweating the N.C.O. leaps about, frothing at the lips. The “Tommies' 1 can hear the laboured breathing of the man as he parries and thrusts, throwing all his passion for blood into a single jab. The instructor raises his hand.

Magically the N.C.O. drops his rifle and smilingly bows to his audience. In a few terse words the instructor tells the soldiers how this particular N.C.O. has shown them the art of “seeing red.” The class tiles away to give place to another. Ihe new batch of soldiers arrives to learn this terrible art. Thus it goes on.

To the civilian mind this practice may seem revolting, but in the Army nothing whatever must be left to chance, the more so as the soldier knows t hat, in a charge it is either his life or his enemy’s.