BRITISH SOLDIERS' MARCHING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1310, 13 October 1914, Page 4

BRITISH SOLDIERS' MARCHING.

British infantry have the reputation ot excelling the infantry ot all other armies in the rate of marching and staying powers. So marked has been the improvement .since the South African War that the standard of time and distance set lonh in the manuals are now regarded in many quarters as minima. Fifteen miles a day was regarded a few years ago as a good average for a large column ; 25 miles for a small body of seasoned men. The average speed, with halts, was placed at three miles an hour. In the grand autumn manoeuvres ot 1909, when a lest was made of British marching ability, the Ist 'lnfantry Brigade covered 30 miles in one day, and the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Brigades, hampered by artillery, 23 miles. The sth and 6th Infantry Brigades covered 31 miles, the Ist Devonshire Regiment 35 miles, the Ist Grenadier Guards 35 miles, and the rst Cheshire Regiment 33 miles. Much of this marching was performed at the rate of five miles per hour. The Service equipment carried on this occasion averaged 6olb. in weight.