"P.T."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13050, 12 January 1917, Page 2

"P.T."

(By a T. 0.)

Physical training does not sound either a very humorous or interesting branch of military exercise—but njan.v subjects appear dull until you understand them, and the details of a "P.T." and bayonet fighting course are full of incident and comedy. Imagine a number of young officers gathered together for the purpose of learning the best method of obtaining physical and muscular perfection, and being taught how to pass on their knowledge to their men. 'J he strenuous activity of the days spent on the course makes them thoroughly fit, although I have heard tlve complaintthat it comes expensive in tailors' bills, as sometimes the chest measurement of the P.T. course officers increases with an almost alarming rapidity, and there, are instances known of young men bursting the buttons off their best tunics when they put them on after the course. , ODD ANATOMY.

"Detailing" the exercise to a squad is one ot tne things to be learnt. j.'his means that the instructor has to explain exactly what portion of the men's anatomy each exeicise is intended to benefit. There is a famous story of an N.C.O. who was not very conversant with the longer word.s in the English language, and who interpreted some oi the instructions as follows••J'his, gentleman, is an abominable exercise which massages the infernal regions." The-.same N.C.O. was, however, well versed in the Scriptures, and when he considered that his orders were not obeyed with sufficient speed, he would shout, "Now, gentlemen, is the accepted time, now is the appointed hour. Not jv blinking week hence!!" —an order which he considered to be effective, and of a somewhat refined and literary flavor.

There are, however, moments of relaxation on a P.T. course, and it is amusing to note that the "relaxations ' and "games" played on these occasions as a "rest" are of the following description : There is the obstacle race, which consists of a course of some 80 yariw., resembling a steeplechase on a small scale. It boasts a double jump, ovef a couple of trenches, with a parapet between, which in wet weather takes the place of a brook, as the trenches. of course, fill with water, when it rains. There is also a 10ft palisade of wood to be scaled, and a kind of maze of logs laid down between wire entanglements which has to be threaded at the double. The men must imagine that the wire round the logs is live, electrified wire, and that to fall from the log path means death. In any ease it is not amusing to fall off, as wire is apt to cut the shins unpleasantlv. "MR TANK."

The relaxation of the obstacle race is full of humor, and . the soldiers who take part in it watch each other's efforts with amusement, and sometimes | receive nicknames in accordance with j their manner of negotiating the obstacles. I have heard of one somewhat | elderly sportsman who was christened I the "Tank," as his method of attack- ! iug the palisade was supposed to be reminiscent of our famous armoured cars. On one occasion he is reported\to have dashed up to the wall and leaned up against it with all his weight, apparently hoping to push it down. There he remained until one of the more active competitors who was firmly astride the wooden wall had the charity to seize "Tank" and drag him over the obstacle. The amusing part of "Tank's" nickname was that the instructors so constantly heard the other officers addressing him by it that they got the impression that" it was his correct appellation, and regularly addressed him as "Mr Tank," with no malicious or impertinent intent, hut in perfect good faith.

Sometimes our young officers introduce their P.T. training into tlie house. Not long ago I had occasion to call on a- friend after dinner, and' as I entered the drawing-room I heard a strange sound of shouted orders, and was amazed' to see my middle-aged' hostess extended on the floor face downwards, ■attempting to cope with "On the hands, down: abdominal exercise," while her soldier son assured her that it was an absolutely certain, cure for indigestion.

My 1 lost ess was far too engrossed' in her occupation to greet me with any pleasure, and she assured' me that sho felt years younger since Reginald had exercised his instructional powers on he l "- JABBING GERMANk "The only drawback is that I have ruined l my new tea gown, but what, after all, is a tea gown compared with physical trailing?" she nobly remarketf, and added, "I ki*w all about bayonet fighting, too, and I practise with a golf club at tiie cushions in the morning, and can do a long point, a short point, and a jab, and so finish off- throe Germans in a trie?. I consider it to bo an excellent thing to do, as I am not at aM inclined to hate people as a rule, and a little bayonet practice rouses my military enthusiasm and' makes me feci quite bloodthirsty, and encourages nif in my-resolve to boycott German trade after the war —even if Hun-made goods are cheaper than British ones." Th is delightful theory made me smile, but at the s(iine time the fact that the military spirit has invaded all the homes of England' gives one to think. The amount of technical knowledge displayed by the mothers and sisters of our . soldiers is remarkable, and it shows how keen is the spirit which animates our men. People only talk about their jobs and see the funny side of it when they are interested and love thoir work. All our men talk about their drill and; their training at home, and this very fact shows that thov have become a. military nation, although wo arc far from the Prussian militarism, as the comic side of training is always seen by our soldiers, and the good temper and keenness of their spirit are visible on every hand.