MARCHING IN THREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 101, 2 May 1939, Page 5

MARCHING IN THREES

THE NEW ARMY DRILL

"FORM FOURS" OUT OF DATE

(By Air Mail, rrom 'The host's" London

Representative.)

LONDON, March 20.

Instead of marching in fours, the British Army is soon to march in threes. From next month, it is expected that the new formation of carrying out every operation in "threes" will be in regular use by all foot guards and infantry. To give an impression of this revolution in Army drill, a company of the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards carried out ceremonial drills at the Wellington' Barracks.

The innovation was introduced as an experiment in field drill last March. For various reasons it did not in all details answer the purposes for which it was intended, but based on its design the present drill has been evolved, and in future will operate throughout the British Army. And so, instead of that familiar order, "Move to the right in fours," was heard toe command, "Company will advance in columns of threes —right." The next moment, without any shuffling of the odd ■ numbers marking time two paces, the men on parade turned smartly to the right, and th • company was on the march.

One of the difficulties experienced in developing the new drill was that when the men formed up shoulder to shoulder, and got into column of route, there was no space between each man for marching. That has been overcome by falling the battalion in, with a space of 30 inches between each file.

To old soldiers it at first gives an impression of bareness and raggedness in the ranks. But gradually the eye becomes accustomed to the new order, and, apart from its greater simplicity, it is hardly less impressive and dignified.

It is undoubtedly going to save tima in training a recruit, for from0 now on he will master during squad- drill every movement that is necessary for both field training arid ceremonial.

In future there will be three platoons to each company instead of four, and the march past will be by platoons in place of companies, as was done in the old drill . r

Further simplifications have been introduced into arms and sword drill.