THE GERMAN FORMATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1290, 29 August 1914, Page 4

THE GERMAN FORMATION.

The close formation used by the Germans in attacking trenches and fortified positions, and their consequent heavy losses is discussed by a writer in the Melbourne Argus, Mr Donald Macdonald. He recalls that Sir lan Hamilton has remarked some striking points of difference between the British and German Armies. Neither the German officer nor the German soldier has had any experience of war with long range magazine rifles; his solid formation for attack —practically the old-fashioned shock tactics—has not modified greatly, because traditions count for much. “The war policy of nations is almost always conservations,” continues this writer. “The Germans, as well as other nations engaged in this war, have yet to learn how greatly the death zone has widened with rapid and withering magazine fire, or the extent to which the advantages of the man in position have increased as against the man who attacks. We have already had deadly evidence from Liege on that point. Even Napoleon was slow to realise that the winning formation against another, so right up to Waterloo he threw his square columns with only one front of fire against the British double line, which bad every musket firing on a solid target. The British Army has had recent experience of magazine fire; best of all, most of the leading officers of the army—the men who campaigned in South Africa, and who hold all the important commands in this expedition possesses such experience. That is the strength ot our troops as against any other army in the world.’’