TRAINING SOVIET RESERVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1942, Page 6

TRAINING SOVIET RESERVES

realistic”]methods

The training of new reserves m military camps in the Soviet rear continues day and night whatever me weather, states the “Soviet War News.” No blizzard or frost, however severe, is regarded as an obstacle. The recruits learn the theory of modern War, but the most important place in the programme, is reserved tor practical training in. military tactics. Much of the day is spent m rifle practice, at special courses for commanders, or in studying Soviet weapons or those captured from the enemy. , x , In the evenings the recruits hear lectures on political or military subjects, or make a detailed study of the operations carried out during the day, so that shortcomings and mistakes may be corrected. Frequently the Red Army men, together with their commanders, arrange discussions of day,-to-day events. They gather around the newspapers and talk over the latest news from the battlefield, the internal life of the Soviet Union and the international situation.

Platoons, companies and battalions 2 jften run their own wall newspapers. Z rhe notice board always carries the z latest communique of the Soviet In- \ formation Bureau, which is studied 5 with keen interest. z Once the men have mastered tne ( use of the various weapons, theoreti- < cal training gives, way to practical j manoeuvres out of doors. The camp < is covered with a dense network oi i trenches, machine-gun nests, and ) dugouts. This network is built by < the recruits themselves under expert ; guidance, in order to teach them how < to handle an infantry squad under < enemy fire, lying or crouching on their < knees. . i The nights are frequqently inter- ■ rupted by '“alarms.”. 'Within a few . minutes all the recruits are ready to ! set out on the march. Night marches : by platoons or companies across ; snow-covered fields, forests or moun- ■ tains innure them to camp life at the front and to arduous night marches. They, learn to make camouflaged camp fires in the open, to prepare ambushes and dig trenches. Detachments of infantrymen and machinegunners build dugouts. The signallers lay telephone lines. Every arm receives ttaining in its specific job. The airmen do not lag behind. Night bombers and scouting planes reconnoitre the terrain in search of camouflaged fortifications, and practice destroying the “enemy” troops. Parachute troops practice night landings behind the “enemy” lines. Matters do not always run “smoothly.” For instance, when vigilant parachute hunters are out to prevent the “enemy” paratroops from blowing up their objectives! Particular emphasis is laid on assault practice. These tactics are first carried out by small groups made up of platoons or companies, and afterwards by bigger units. Finally the neighbouring reserve army, situated several miles away, collaborates in realistic offensive operations.. During long day marches the units encounter “enemy” planes, tank units and trench mortars, and come up against machine-gun nests, artillery positions, minefields and ambushes which have to be stormed and destroyed. Most of the commanders and commissars at the head ol the reserve troops have ahxady seen action in the present war, and are therefore well‘acquainted with conditions at the front and with German tactics. Thus tiisv arc- able to impart to the Red Army trainers their practical experience of different methods of modern warfare. Many Red Army men and commanders who underwent military training at the reserve camps, have already replaced units operating at the front. They have proved in now battles that they command all the necessary tactical knowledge and experience. The overwhelming mass oi these reserves, fully trained anci equipped, are ready to go into battle in the Spring.