TRAINING OUR MEN.

Northern Advocate, 12 November 1917, Page 3

TRAINING OUR MEN.

IMPROVED TRENTHAM SCHEME,

WELLINGTON, November 10,

That portion of the training grounds at Trentham. Camp which is devoted to bayonet fighting and physical exercises, has always been a busy place. Now it is to become busier than ever. The more comprehensive scheme to be followed is one of the reasons, and the other is that certain features of trench-warfare formerly taught in the model trenches, are to be included in the new idea. Moreover, the obstaclei course, with its high board fences, long jumps, and other impediments to progress, which are typical of those of a charging body of soldiers might meet with, - have, been transferred to the bayonet grounds.

. Thet-old trenches and gallows are being; obtained, and .-after- the soldier has charged into these trenches and bayoneted the dummies-suspended on the gallows, he will pass "on to a model set of first line and communication trenches. Having leaped into the former, and presumably overcome the enemy there, the soldiers will pursue them along the winding communication trenches.

It is an invigorating sight to see the companies of troops engage in physical training. They strip themselves of hats, rifles, and belts, and rush away, each platoon taking a position where it has ample room to exercise. The instructors wear white sweaters, the men blue shirts and shorte, which: show brown necks and knees and arms.

The physical drill, at this -stage of the soldiers' training is searching. The men bend and dance and stretch, they lower themselves sideways to the ground, and rest on one hand, then rise slowly upwards again—that is one of the difficult poses, and the instructors, who look as fit as men can be, lead them in every exercise.

From this new system of training very satisfactory results are expected. When it is in full swing in a few weeks , time, it should prove one of the show places of the camp—certainly it would be difficult to pack more concentrated energy and visible effort into any given space than is here displayed.