MARCHING IN THREE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 7

MARCHING IN THREE

NEW ARMY DRILL "FORM FOURS” IS OUT OF DATE (Times Air Mail Service) LONDON, March 20 Instead of marching in fours, the British Army is soon to march in threes. From next month it is expected that the new formation of carrying out every operation in “threes” will be in regular use by all foot guards and infantry. To give an impression of this revolution in army drill, a company of the 2nd Battalion ol' the Grenadier Guards carried out ceremonial drills at Wellington Barracks.

The innovation was introduced as an experiment in field drill last March. For various reasons it did not in all details answer the purposes for which it was intended, but based on its design the 'present drill has been evolved, and in fulure will operate throughout Ihe British Army. And so, instead of that familiar order, "Move to the right in fours,” was heard ttie command, '‘Company will advance in columns of threes —right." The next moment, without any shuffling of ihe odd numbers marking time two paces, Ihe men on parade turned smartly to the right, and Ihe company was on the march.

One of the difficulties experienced in developing tile new drill was that when the men formed up shoulder to shoulder and got into column of route there was no space between each man for marching. That has been overcome by falling the battalion in with a space' of 30 inches between each file. To old soldiers it at first gives an impression of bareness and raggedness in the ranks. But gradually the eye becomes accustomed to the new order, and, apart from its greater simplicity, it is hardly less impressive and dignified. It, is undoubtedly going to save time in training a recruit, for from now on he will master during squad drill every movement that is necessary for both field (raining and ceremonial. in future there will be ihree platoons to each company instead of four, and the march past will be by platoons in place of companies, as was done in the old drill. Further simplifications have been introduced into arms and sword drill.