SPIRIT OF THE BAYONET.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 281, 1 June 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

SPIRIT OF THE BAYONET.

WEAPON WHICH SETS THE SEAL ON VICTORY.

The staff instructor in bayonet fighting, whoso chief aim is to make bis men sen a (Jerman every time they thrust at a bag of straw, is himself an athlete, an enthusiast wherbi the bayonet is concerned, and puts lire into his oratory when ho tries to instil some of Ins virility into the men whom he is training, they must go for the sack as they would for the Hun. and tlly must " fight" it with all the dash, energy, and decision of which they arc capable, as if they could see the face of the Boche above the sack, and as if each thrust were the one wanted to will the war — as, indeed, it is. In bis oratory the instructor *s not afraid to envhrii'dor lis language, and it is astonishing how many glowing appreciations of the bayonet are delivered by these men, whose teaching is the more valuable because most of them have actually pitted their knowledge against that of the German in the. trenches.

"What you have to realise,'" one of the old Army instructors told lii.s class recently, "'s that the bayonet ha* the last word to say in battle. Ever since it was invented the British soldier has won his battles with the bayonet. People once said and wrote that in lighting the Germans the bayonet, like the sword, might well be left at home. They know better now, for to-dsy, just as in the days of Marlborough, the bayonet is tho most feared of all military weapons when it comes to the last phase of a battle.

A STEELY STKKAK. •■ Look at it!" he cried, as he whipped off the scabbard, and with it tapped the shining blade. " Look at it! There's not much of it—just a steely streak, but 'in tho hands of a man who can use it the finest thermometer that ever took the temperature of a perishing foe! So, it is the final appeeaT, and when you make the attack your ainews must stiffen and vour eves stand out like golf balls!''

He bad reason, for officers and men who have to take German trenches know the priceless value of the bayonet when it comes to the "final appeal." Bayonet fighting is a, science, and it is now taught on scientific priciples, the objects in the training being the mastery of and confidence in the weapon. Tho eyes of the spectator would stand out like "golf balfe'' if he were to see the specially selected men of our armies under instruction. Here every noncommissioned officer is a potential instructor of recruits. Thus the responsibility of the Staff Instructor is heavy, and he appreciates it, for he know that according to the quality of h's teaching so will that quality be reflected in the standard of efficiency with the bayonet of the men in the ranks.

Very different is the present system of training with the bayonet from that which obtained before the war. In those days it was comparatively an academic exercise, chiefly practised for skiJl-ttt-orms compotut'oiwi, \md a' is not to be wondered at, therefore, that at tho beginning of the war bayonet lighting, as understood by the expert*, was unappreciated by some commanding officers and regarded by them as a waste of time—precious hours stolen from the limited numlier allotted to them for turning batches, of civilians into battalions of trained soldiers. THE BEST SOLDIERS. Hard experience of trench warfare, however, changed their views, and it soon became evident to the most obtuse that the men who were dexterous in the use of the bayonet, and had confidence in it, were physically, morally, and mo-t effect'.voly the best soldiers. Consequently, officers commanding battalions and other units recognise that physical and bayonet training are the first essentials in fitting infantrymen for war, so much so that instructors in these arts are ol all soldier-makers the most sought after. To the uninitiated it may seem incongruous that tho actual decision of a "push" should be left to the bayonet, but so it is, and so it will continue. Tho gigantic, bombardments of the artillery, the sweeping fire of the machine guns, the mortar batteries, the fantastic but awe inspiring evolutions of the "tanks," even the intrepid bombers after their la-st hazardous rush, must stand aside for the bayonet tn take the trenches and set the seal to a tight which results in victory.