Realistic Military Training.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8192, 18 May 1906, Page 8

Realistic Military Training.

The Melbourne (Victoria 1 * cavalry were, during the sham lighting tast Easter, farced to undergo an exercise which, however valuable as an illustration of the hardships mot with in real warfare, is certainly open to very grave objection. Thirty men, under the command of Captain Rushall, were compelled to go without food tor nearly 30 hour?, and their horses were subjected to a like barbarity. The .Melbourne eavairy i« permanently attached under the mobilisation scheme to the forts at the Heads. The oO men were .sent to do outpu.st duty on Sunday night. The evening meal was served at 5 o'clock, and the horses were fed at the same time. An order wits issued before the troops left camp that they were to return by 9 o'clock next morning. The commanding oliicer was returning in accordance with this order, when a " galloper " arrived and told him to go back at once to his post and remain there till further orders. The result of the further orders was that they did not return till .'5.15 p.m. on Monday. They were immediately entrained for and reached the city at 9.30 p.m.. no food having been issued to men or horses .since 5 p.m. on Sunday,a period of "i.SUiours. .Sometime, of course, elapsed between the hoar the tram reached the station and the time when food was available. On arrival at their destination the men formally requested to be paraded before their commanding officer, and complained of their treatment. The incident is to form the subject of an oflieial inquiry. It will generally be admitted that, too high a development of realism in sham lights is fraught with disastrous possibilities.