MECHANISED WARFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 9

MECHANISED WARFARE

LESS SLAUGHTER EXPECTED. EXPERT VIEW OF THE TANKS. (Received August 2S. 5.5 p.ra.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Aug. 2#, The operations of the tanks in the Army manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain have created widespread interest. Major-General Sir Ernest Swinton, who wrote as "Eyewitness" on the Western front in the war, watched the manoeuvres and sums up as follows: — "In theatres of war such as mountain ous forest countries, where cross-country machines cannot function, the present method of warfare will remain unchanged. On flat, open country the actual fighting will be done by tanks. "Until all such machines on one side are put out of action the cavalry and infantry will be useless within their scope. "The tank is master of the machinegun. The artillery will to some extent be converted into tanks of special design. If the mechanised force attains mobility, efficiency and economy, lives will be spared. The justification for this assertion can be obtained by a comparison of the losses in the Great War in battles where tanks were employed and where they were not. "The result of Britain's present experiments should be awaited by everybody with the greatest interest."