MOTOR CAR TRANSPORT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9433, 1 May 1909, Page 6

MOTOR CAR TRANSPORT.

AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT. {London, March 19. The experiment of conveying a battalion composed of companies from various regiments of the Guards, with guns and baggage, from London to Hastings on a hasty summons to repel an imaginary invasion, by means of motor-cars, was carried out on Wednesday, and was attended with complete success. The troops were mustered in Birdcage-walk shortly before 8 a.m., and found oars drawn up in perfect order, ready |to receive them. The oars started at the appointed time, and made their way, along roads which were often in very bad condition, and amid great crowds of spectators, to Hastings, which was reached by the head of the long procession at the scheduled hour of 1 p.m. la spite of the difficulties caused by a rapid thaw, not a single serious accident occurred. At Bastings the column was welcomd by an enormous gathering. The headquarters staff and officers were entertained by Oolone l Arthur |Dn Ores, M. P., the rank and file by the corporation and residents, and the drivers and,’owners, with a large number of Press representatives, by the Automobile Association. The return journey was successfully carried out in accordance with the War Office orders.

The Special Correspondent ot»,tfaa Times writesWbafc was done iu some three hours would have oooupid about three days iu former times, and the men would have arrived fatigued by the long march, instead of fresh and ready foe any operation. It was desired to show what could be accomplished, as a general illustration of a new means of military transport. Railways are vulnerable to the attack of raiders, who are tempted by tbe facility—unless the places are strongly guarded—of blowing up bridges and {the mouths of tunnels, tearing op rails and otherwise damaging the permanent way in such a manner that months may be required to make good the damage done. It is trne that Wednesday’s trial was only of the despatch of a battalion at war strength, with first and second line transport stores, and all requirements complete for troops taking the field ; bat what was done in this way was only an illustration of what could be accomplished on a larger scale, if an organisation were prepared beforehand. The members of the Automobile Association have about 14,000 high-powered oats amongst them, and it has been shown how admirable would be their service if a proper system of registration in view of the needs of rapid mobilisation were introduced. It is sometimes forgotten that a slow-moving force “drags at each remove a lengthening chain,’ ’ and that the difficulty of feeding tbe men and providing pare water is apt to increase with every day’s march. Anything that tends to shorten the length or diminish tbe vulnerability of' columns on the march is im« meneely valuable A big British division would stretch some 16 miles along a road, and if a strong advance guard qould be hastened forward by means of motor vehicles, supposing no railway to be available, a great military object would be attained, by striking soon, and we should hope striking hard, and by protecting the march of the column in the rear.

It had been calculated by the Guards* officers that the journey from the Crystal Palace to Hastings, a distance of 54 miles, \ would bring the head of the complete column, travelling at 20 miles an hour, into bastings at 1 p.m. borne doubts were expressed among experienced motorists as to the possibility of a column of 286 motor vehicles, exclusive of oars for Staff and other officers, guests, and journalists, maintaining that speed. But the military forecast was justified by the result; and punctually at 1 o’clock the oars of the Headquarter’s'Staff were speeding along the front to Hastings In some of the villages there were obstructions, due to the gathering of vehicles to witness the Guardsmen pass; bnt time had been allowed for some delay, and there was comparatively little straggling.