EVERYTHING IN THREES The Army's New Number

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 17, 20 October 1939, Page 4

EVERYTHING IN THREES The Army's New Number

e ORM fours" belongs to the past, as far as the army is concerned. In the new army three is the prevailing number. In the past the men were drawn up in two ranks and opened out to four at the command, " Form fours." To-day the command is "In three ranks-fall in!" This new drill has been devised for simplicity, directness and speed, and the new army has lost none of its impressiveness as a result. Three is the number of all field and ceremonial movements. There are three sections to a platoon in place of the former four; there are three platoons to a company, three companies to a battalion, three battalions to a brigade, and so on, Marching in threes saves space when the army is moving along country roads; and an example of the new simplicity prevailing in the army can be gauged from the fact that only one command, " Right Turn," is necessary to get a unit into column of route.

The men now dress at arm’s length, with the fist clenched, instead of touching shoulder to shoulder as in former days. They are then approximately 30 inches apart. The command " Right dress" is given when a unit is at the "slope," that is, with the rifle over the left shoulder; and "Left dress" when the unit is at the "order" and the right hand occupied. Changes have also been made when an officer salutes with his sword. Instead of coming from the "carry" to the "recover" and then pointing the sword downwards, the new movement is like a fencing salute, coming to the " recover," with the hilt level with the mouth and the blade pointing upwards. Military experts are of the opinion that the new movement is a great improvement. The columns look as solid and impressive in threes as they did in fours, and when they march in line they look even more impressive for not being shoulder to shoulder,