WAR TRAINING

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 3

WAR TRAINING

For British Army

NEW TOUGHENING PROCESS.

(Special 1 .) (Rec. 6.30.) jIONdON, June 13. From tne humblest cook or driver to Colonel every man in the Bntisn infantry is undergoing a course or new’ battle arm mis summer foi nardemng up and toughening up. Tne new system, introduced omy this year, provides training drill tor : practicauy every situation in wiucn an infantryman may nnd himself, wnetner attacking a strong poim, house, village, or wood, in this way works a aennite plan of attack, also

designed to develop pnysicai ntness, alertness of mind, efiiciencv mid initiative. Flo fit man can escape tne course. If unable to stand ud to it he will be transferred to lignter work. ... , , , Battle training divisional heaaguarters are now established throughout Britain. Instructors have ail learned the drill at the General Headquarters School. The urst m<... in every battalion to receive training are the officers, from Majors downwards, Warrant Officers, Company Quartermasters, and Sergeants, who go to Divisional Headquarters ior tne course, lieutenant Colonels and colonels taken shortened schooling at General Headquarters. When Officers and N.C.O.'s have completed the divisional course tney establish a battalion school at which all tne

men are intensively trained, no matter whether clerk, batman, cook, or driver. The principle they follow is that soldiers must be lighting men. The course finds out physical weannessess bv men reasonably fit having to carry out a compulsory crosscountry. run of about five miles weekly, and also three to four miiy route marches monthly. They need to be fit, for the v carry out every order at the double. The course begins with battle innoculation.” Each man with full equipment has to crawl on his .stomach behind an earth parapet over which their packs are seen bobbing if they are not flattened out, through which they may find a bullet, for at ten yards from the parapet Officers, ■and senior N.C.O.’s lire live ammumnvav thnm from vines an..

Tommyguns. The Officers’ favourite dodge is to heap up mounds oi dirt on the parapet, which are hit by bullets, causing dust to ilv over the crawling men. To liven up the .innoculation are bakelite grenades which explode harmlessly but very loudly. Next each man learns the proper method of crawling by day or night, variations including “kitten” and “Cossack” crawls, also crawling fiat on the face and on the back, carrying rifles. .. . . Every man in each section is gwen a definite job, so helping to foster initiative, while promoting

the team spirit. Thus section leaders carry Tommyguns, the assistant section leader is in charge of the Bren gun section, wlfile their riflemen and bombers are thus all given a sense of responsibility. He feels an important cog in a machine instead of a numbered nonenity. The section then work together as platoons and carry out exercises. They learn the drill for taking villages, for clearing out woods, and for river crossing by boats. In order to develop 'initiative and spirit the section will be ffiven instructions and take point. The section leader then dis cusses the best method of attacr., which the section carries out un-

criticised until the exercise is encl- I ed. They are taught observation ana recognition by hearing various weapons fired in different directions and from different distances. They must name the weapon and state the location. Target shooting has not been discontinued, but modern battle drill emphasises the need for snapshooting. Men must walk through the wood carrying a rifle, and live ammunition while an officer or n.c o. follows up instructing, and oc-1 casionally pulling wires which bring j the target of a crouching enemy suddenly into view, at which the man fires instantly from, the hip. Section leaders try 'out the tommy-gun by seeking sudden unexpected targets ] in houses. To keep men alert instructors often give unorthodox or-1 ders. For instance, men may be doubling along a lane when suddenly they are told to crawl through a thick hedge or barbed wire barricades. They are not allowed f to

slacken up for a moment when exercising, but while instructors keep them moving there is no “bawling out.” On the contrary they more often hear: “That was well done for the first time” or “that is good, but must be faster.” There is no doubt this battle drill is first-class, being based on lessons learned in the present war. Officers and men nave foodless days to accustom them to. lack of rations, and also see instruc- i tional films. It is noticeable that the men themselves are keen and en. • thusiastic. understanding what the training is all about, but admittedly, , whatever they think of such intensive ; framing as doubling up here and there, crawling and negotiating rivers. swamps and bogs, there is one general expletive “Blimey.”