ARMY MOBILITY

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1935, Page 5

ARMY MOBILITY

MODERN NEEDS FACED BRITISH REORGANISATION SWEEPING CHANGE MADE GREATER MECHANISATION CAVALRY AND INFANTRY - By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. London, Dec. 23. In order to meet the requirements of modern warfare the British War Office announces a sweeping reorganisation, especially directed to mechanisation of cavalry and infantry regiments. The changes will be made because the cavalry division as it is now organised lacks the speed, wide-range action and strik- ■ - ing power demanded by modem war in which mechanised troops are employed. Moreover, the tank brigade may require the co-operation of equally mobile troops capable of acting in areas unsuitable to tanks and infantry. , The reorganisation is designed to reduce the size of a division and increase the proportion of supporting arms compared with riflemen to enable greater economy, flexibility and concentration, and to simplify training and the supply of war-time reinforcements. Certain infantry battalions of the regular army will become machine-gun and rifle battalions. The existing cavalry division, consisting of two horse brigades and divisional troops, will with a tank brigade become a mechanised mobile division consisting of two mechanised brigades, each comprising two motor cavalry regiments, one cavalry light tank regiment, one tank brigade and divisional troops. The cavalry brigade in Egypt will be divided into an armoured car, motor and light tank regiment, which re-arrange-ment will eventually apply to the entire cavalry scheme. INFANTRY CHANGES. Changes in infantry will provide for brigades each consisting of three rifle ;• and one ■ machine-gun battalions and two battalions of foot guards. Thirteen line regiments will become machine-gun units containing anti-tank gun and mechanised reconnaissance companies. The remaining guards, battalions and line regiments will become rifle battalions, including a mortar platoon and light machine-gun platoon for the headquarters company. The rifle sections will receive machine-gun training. The home battalions should be con- > verted in 1936-7 and foreign station battalions later. India will participate in 1939. The application of the policy to territorial units is being considered. “The new model army constitutes the first really large step in post-war reorganisation and is in a technical sense the most definite change in the history of the British Army," the Times emphasises in an editorial article. “It has been delayed because of incapacity to perceive and to reconcile war lessons in the present stage of technical progress with indications of the trend of possible . development, although . it is doubtful whether horse-minded soldiers will get as . much out of machines as the Tank Corps, who are natural enthusiasts in machinery. “Regarding infantry development the armoured machine-gun carrier will enable machine-gun battalions to acquire increased fire power and\pave the way for important tactical changes. Major H. W. Temperley in the Daily Telegraph points out that the cavalry reorganisation leaves six • horse regiments ' in Britain and six in India.. Further mechanisation probably depends on India, where there are special conditions. Meanwhile the new division will place a formidable weapon in the hands of a bold commander for co-operating with a flank army carrying out an independent mission. Further mechanisation is now probable. The Daily Mail says the reform places Britain in line with the Continental practice. It will-affect about 43,500 officers and men.