ARMY EQUIPMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1931, Page 12

ARMY EQUIPMENT

IMPORTANT BRITISH CHANGES The Army authorities are going to give their attention this winter to the problem of designing an entirely new equipment for the infantry, writes Capt. Liddell Hart, in the London "Daily Telegraph.” This important step is being taken at the direction of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff; and a committee is being formed at Aidershot to study the question. The decision apparently arose from the recent test mobilisation at Aidershot, in which the unhappy plight of the overladen and encumbered infantryman provoked much comment. The lack of mobility of the infantryman, both in the line of march and the field of action, was all too evident, and has given a strong stimulus to the reviva l of the old “light infantry” ideal. To shift the infantryman’s pack to the transport is not enough, and has the disadvantage of clogging the roads with additional non-fighting vehicles. What is gained on the swings is lost on the roundabouts. And even thus lightened, the present infantry equipment is a hindrance to the athletic skirmishing role which modern infantry must fill if they are to be of use —and to survive.

True mechanisation combines mobility both in long distance movement and in fighting. “Motorisation” may give the infantry long distance mobility, but so long as part of the army is required to fight on foot it can only be made effective if the burden of individual equipment is eased. To stalk machine-guns and to travel swiftly through wooded or rugged country, the fighting man on foot must be unfettered. He must be given as far as possible the freedom of body enjoyed by the poacher, the deerstalker, or the guerilla fighter, who has so often in the past played havoc with the slow-moving Regulars. PRACTICAL OPINIONS Such considerations as these appear to have prompted the forthcoming effort to design a new equipment, and an assurance is given that the opinions of practical infantry officers will be preponderant. The general “framework”” and arrangement of the present equipment will. come under review, and such questions also as the value of pouches, the abolition of the valise or pack, the improvement of the haversack, and the need for a lighter substitute for the greatcoat. One may suggest, not merely in humour, that those who submit recommendations should first have to pass a qualifying test in the form of wearing a private’s kit during a two or three-day tactical exercise. It is to be hoped that the subject of arms and uniform will also be included in the terms of the investigation. As earlier announced, the replacement of the cumbersome Lewis gun is already under consideration, but the present rifle is also needlessly heavy. As for uniform, the present cap, jacket, and trousers could certainly be improved. A short spell of service with the Australians sufficed to convince me of the practical superiority of their uniform to our own in several respects. The abolition of “brass,” too, is overdue. The Rifle Regiments are a living proof that smartness and efficiency do not depend on a metal that catches the sun.