COMPOSITION OF AN ARMY CORPS

New Zealand Tablet, 21 January 1915, Page 31

COMPOSITION OF AN ARMY CORPS

Curious though it may seem, it is not quite correct to refer, as many people do, to the Indian and Colonial troops as part of the ‘ British Army.’ (Strictly speaking, the term ‘ British Army ’ only applies to the land forces of the United Kingdom, which consist of the Keguiar Army and the Territorial Army, and that part of the former which serves in the British. Dominions oversea, it being customary to refer to these troops as ■ the British Army ’ in contradistinction to the ‘ K ative Army ’ or ‘lndian Army ’ in India, and to the ‘ Local lorces in South Africa and in the British Colonies. The Regular Army, whether at home or abroad, is paid for by the Imperial Exchequer, except in India (although certain Colonies pay contributions towards its upkeep). India, however, while paying for its own native army, also pays a contribution towards the cost of the troops at Home. :■ The permanently embodied portions of the Regular Army consist of thirty-one cavalry regiments, twentyfive horse artillery batteries, 147 field batteries, ninetynine companies of garrison artillery, seventy-seven companies of engineers, nine battalions of Root Guards, 148 battalions of infantry of the line, besides departmental services, some of which come under the head of the Service Corps, that highly-organised department of the Army which attends to the transport of bago-ao-e supplies, and transport of food and forage, and aTso assists the medical service. It should be mentioned that part of these sections of the Regular Army are stationed abroad during peace times, but, on mobilisation for war, the bulk becomes absorbed into an Expeditionary Force. This is divided into various army corps, according to the number of men seat to the front, an army corps comprising infantry, cavalry, and artillery, in command of general officers. The British Army, in times of peace, is divided into six army corps, half of which are composed of Regular troops, and the remainder Territorials. - The strength of an army corps is not definitely fixed, but consists of about 40,000 men.

A British infantry division is about half an army corps, and is the smallest tactical unit possessing all arms. It usually consists of twelve battalions, 'each of 1000 men. In addition to this, there is at least two squadrons of cavalry, from thirty-six to seventytwo guns, besides field companies of engineers, medical supply, transport, and signal services. In all, its strength is normally about 20,000 men. The war establishment of a cavalry regiment is twenty-five officers, 537 other ranks, and 562 horses, formed into three squadrons. A cavalry brigade is made up of three regiments, and a division of four brigades ; so that a division consists of twelve regiments, supplemented by two horse artillery brigades, engineers, signal troops, field ambulances, and cavalry train, not to mention one areoplane squadron. The total establishment of a cavalry division mobilised for war consists of 9896 officers and men, 10,195 horses, and twenty-four guns.

It should be mentioned that such divisions are equipped with motor cars, motor cycles, ordinary bicycles, and horse waggons. In the Territorial Army the divisions correspond very nearly in their position to the Regular Army on a war footing.