MERC
IN THIS NUMBER ®
Cavalry’s Part in Infantry School | Maneuvers
—Lieutenant Colonel Kinzie B. Edmunds
Minute Men of the Next War
—Major General Johnson Hagood
Cavalry Rifle and Pistol Team Tryouts
—Captain Thomas J. Heavey
Influences of Mechanization —Colonel Charles F. Martin
' Modern Cavalry \Saee healed = : WY
A . —Generalleutnant G. Brandt \ \
tie aK ie 4 ITA: TEs Whi iy 4
: An Improved Officer’s Shelter Tent
—Captain Gyles Merrill
Ungar. inp
LL
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Concentration of 14th Cavalry —Captain Royden Williamson
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Lamas
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Published Bi-Monthly by THE UNITED STATES CAVALRY ASSOCIATION JULY-AUGUST, 1935
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CS ORNAL
PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY THE UNITED STATES CAVALRY ASSOCIATION CAPTAIN CHARLES S. MILLER, Cavalry, Editor
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—
VOLUME XLIV
JULY-AUGUST, 1935
NUMBER 190
Publication Date: August 10, 1935
Contents
Comanche Frontispiece
Famous War Horses. I. Comanche
6th Cavalry at. the Maneuvers of the 8th Brigade Lieutenant Colonel Kinzie B. Edmunds, 6th Cavalry.
Anti-Aircraft Action of the Cavalry Light Machine Gun.... 10 Second Lieutenant James B. Corbett, 5th Cavalry.
An Improved Type of Officer’s Shelter Tent Captain Gyles Merrill, Cavalry.
Progress of the Cavalry Rifle and Pistol Team Tryouts.... 14 Captain Thomas J. Heavey, 3rd Cavalry.
The Concentration of the 14th Cavalry Captain Royden Williamson, 14th Cavalry.
Graduation Events, The Cavalry School, 1935 ............ 21 Major Kent C. Lambert, 9th Cavalry.
Summer Camp of 116th Cavalry, Idaho National Guard Lieutenant Glenn Balch.
Panama’s Irregular Cavalry Captain Maurice Rose, Cavalry.
Influences of Mechanization, Motorization and Machine Guns on the Horse Cavalry Regiment’s Tactics, Organ- ization and Supply Methods
Colonel Charles F. Martin, 13th Cavalry.
Experimental Harness for New Trailers
Modern Cavalry: Training; General Conclusions .......... 35 Generalleutnant G. Grandt.
Notes from the Chief of Cavalry What Would You Do? — Cavalry’s Share of Army’s Enlisted Increase. The Increasing Importance of Horsemanship Major Wilfrid M. Blunt, Cavalry.
Graduates, The Cavalry School, 19138 .................... 50
Minute Men of the Next War Major General Johnson Hagood.
The Editor’s Saddle
Famous War Horses — Campaign for National Guard Members — Cavalry’s Part in Fort Benning Maneu- vers — One Hundred and Three Fights and Scrimmages.
Seventeenth Annual West Point Horse Show (Captain Frank DeK. Huyler)—The Cavalry School Race Meet- ing—Fort Ethan Allen Horse Show— Annual Hunter Trials and Horse Show at Presidio of Monterey— Mili- tary Classes at the Tuxedo Horse Show—305th Cavalry Equestrian Games (Sergeant John OC. Fairchild)—Polo in the Regiments — Polo Tournaments Calendar.
The Foreign Military Press Major Alexander L. P. Johnson, Infantry.
Book Reviews The Campaign of the Marne — Ordeal by Fire.
Organization Activities
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN PUBLISHED CONTRIBUTIONS
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
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‘uso F1g aytsry 2qg1 fo ayuiwg aq1 fo 40ataans hjuo 24,1, HHONVWOZD
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The only survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
FAMOUS WAR HORSES
I. COMANCHE
T IS contended by many that Comanche, the sole survivor of all the forces in Custer’s last stand at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25, 1876, is the most famous horse in our mili- tary history.
He was the mount of Captain Miles W. Keogh who was killed with Custer. It has been told that he was captured from the Comanche Indians. However, the preponderance of evidence shows that he was purchased at the age of five by the Army Supply Depot at St. Louis, in 1867, and joined the 7th Cavalry at Ellis, Kansas, the same year.
Comanche was a gelding 1514 hands high, had a 73-inch girth, and weighed 940 pounds. In color he was a yellowish bay, sometimes called a claybank, with a dark stripe down his back. The official descriptive list carried him as a buckskin. He was very well suited to the hardships of campaigning against the Indians, being substantial and hardy, a good walker, a good feeder, and capable of living off the plains when grain was not available.
Interest attaches to the manner in which Captain Keogh came to ride the horse and the incident which led to his being named Comanche. In 1867 Captain Keogh was a member of a scouting force which engaged in a brief skirmish. Keogh’s horse was killed under him. Lieutenant Brewster, in command of Troop I, dismounted one of his men. The horse turned over to Captain Keogh was Comanche, who was at that time without a name.
Some days later Captain Keogh was fired upon by Comanche Indians hiding in the brush. His new mount received a long, raking, flesh wound in the rump, caused by either a bullet or an arrow. On account of the animal’s splendid behavior under fire after being wounded by the Comanche’s, Captain Keogh at once named him Comanche.
There appear to have been no unusual adventures in the life of Comanche from the day he received his name until the fateful day in June, 1876.
When he started out from Fort Abraham Lincoln (on the Missouri River opposite Bismark, Dakota Territory), against the Sioux and their allies in 1876, Comanche was already a veteran with a battle scar on his rump. Nothing definite has been learned about the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Deductions as to what actually happened have been reached by the posi- tions of the dead. Comanche’s wounds were principally on one side, showing a posibility that Captain Keogh had fired in a standing position from the side of the animal, Comanche pro- tecting his master at any cost.
The Indians took Comanche’s saddle and bridle but considered him too badly wounded to be of any service. Of his seven wounds, three were severe, including one passing through the neck, near the left shoulder, one in the front part of the neck, and another in the flank. When he was found after the battle it was at first thought advisable to destroy him, but friends of Captain Keogh recognized the animal and decided to make an attempt to save him. General Hugh L. Scott (then a lieutenant just out of West Point), who joined Troop I the day after the battle, nursed him back to health with the assistance of Blackmith Korn.
In recognition of Comanche’s service, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis, Commanding the 7th Cavalry at Fort Abraham Lincoln, issued his famous General Orders No. 7, on April 10, 1878, directing that “a special and comfortable stall” be fitted for Comanche, that he “not be ridden by any person whatsoever under any circumstances” and that he not be “put to any kind of work,” “to the end that his life may be prolonged to the utmost limit.’”’ The order further directed that on all occasions of mounted regimental ceremonies Comanche be saddled, bridled, draped in mourning and, led by a mounted trooper of Troop I, be saariaessie with the regiment.
In 1879, Comanche moved with the 7th Cavalry to the Dakota Black Hills, and in 1888 ac- companied the regiment to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he died November 7, 1891. Since the 7th Cavalry had nc means of caring for the remains they were presented to Professor Lewis L. Dyche, expert taxidermist, and they may now be seen in life-like shape at the Dyche Museum, University of Kansas, at Lawrence, a reminder of “the desperate struggle against overwhelming numbers, of the hopeless conflict and of the heroic manner in which all went down on that fatal day. ee
I. Two-Sep MANEUVER
(= difficulty in an article of this kind is the de- cision of what to put in and what to leave out. The maneuvers of the 8th Brigade, Reinforced, at Fort Benning between the dates May 6th and May 18th, 1935, included a week of combat firing, command post exercises, demonstrations and minor tactical problems, followed by a two-sided maneuver involving a reinforced, motorized infantry regiment on each side, followed again by a combined brigade maneuver with an outlined enemy. They involved also for the 6th Cavalry a 230 mile march each way to and from the maneuver area. This is an em- barrassment of riches. If I attempted to cover at one time the whole field, I would soon exhaust my writing arm and the reader’s patience. Another difficulty is to keep the account from looking and reading like a Leavenworth problem with maps, general and special situations com- plete, a picture likely to make our over-schooled and under-practiced officers nauseated at the start.
I am struggling to hold a course which will avoid both of these dangers. Accordingly, this particular article is limited to the cavalry actions involved in the two-sided maneuver, with only so much of the missions and actions of the parent infantry units as is necessary to understand the cavalry actions. Maps are discarded in favor of a few easily read, I hope, and diagrammatic sketches. Let him who wishes a more detailed impression of the terrain con- sult the one-inch or the three-inch map of the Fort Ben- ning Reservation.
Here I dismiss the terrain with the scant information that it is rolling and heavily wooded, with numerous clearings where cultivation has been or still is, that ground visibility is limited in the extreme, and that the only improved roads are the First Division Road, gravel, the Columbus-Cuseta and the Buena Vista Roads, both paved. There is also a stretch of graded dirt road from Harmony Cemetery to Ochillee. The remaining roads in the area are mere ungraded, one-way and usually sandy trails. However, most of the stream crossings boast sub- stantial wooden bridges or culverts. Both the Upatoi and Ochillee Creeks were fordable at the time of the ma- neuvers, but both have precipitous, heavily wooded and brushed banks. The number of practicable crossings is, for this reason, quite limited.
SITUATION
The problem selected was a simple one. Upatoi Creek was assumed to be the boundary between two hostile states; Blue, north, and Red, south. A reinforced, mo- torized infantry regiment on each side was held back
6th Cavalry at the Maneuvers of the Sth Brigade
By Kinzie EpMunps
Cavalry’s role in Fort Ben- ning problem developed prompt, aggressive actions.
from the frontier awaiting diplomatic decisions. The o»- posing forces were released at the same hour with the mission on each side of securing a bridgehead at McBricie Ford where there is a bridge as well as a ford. Distanc:s by road were equal; it was practically a race to the ob- jective; it was desired to develop some ideas on the tactical handling of motorized infantry units. The cavalry on each side was released an hour before the infantry by
delaying the availability of the infantry trucks.
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O pening Situation.
NARRATIVE The commander of the 8th Infantry (Blue), doub: ful of success in securing the crossing at McBride Ford, de- cided not to put all of his eggs in the basket. Accordincly,
he dispatched two advance forces, one consisting of his
arti core
7 Th to ¢ ing: bot! mot low
T Reit dire Fore deta ont their
1935
cavalry, less the scout cars, but with the motorized battery and a platoon of two light, fast tanks attached, on Mc- Bride Ford, the other a motorized column made up of the two scout cars reinforced by a small force of infantry in re- connaissance cars and trucks, on Eelbeck. His main body he moved to the Buena Vista Road and awaited informa- tion. His reasons are almost self-evident: If the cavalry as reinforced could not secure a bridgehead, it could at ‘east be depended upon to block the crossing to the Reds; he was considerably closer to Eelbeck than were the Reds and nearly certain of its bridge. If the cavalry failed to secure a bridgehead, he could cross his main body at
Eelbeck and be on equal terms with the Reds on the south bank of the Upatoi. On the other hand, should his cavalry succeed in its mission, he could rush his main Lody to its support.
However, he was dependent on information; informa- —
tion waited on communication and communication failed. Why it failed, I do not know. The cavalry commander tells me that his pack set was working with the cavalry set left with the infantry. After waiting impatiently for some time, the commander of the 8th Infantry split his main body as he had split his advance detachments, send- ing one battalion to McBride Ford and one to Eelbeck. At peace strength, he had but two.
The 1st Squadron (Blue), reinforced by a platoon from the Machine-Gun Troop, having the single clear and definite mission of ‘securing a crossing for the infantry, rode hard and fast. It reached the Upatoi without opposi- tion, thundered at a gallop across the bridge and, still at a gallop, up the mile of steep slope on the south bank to the rim, arriving with horses blown but a full ten min- utes before the Red Cavalry. It had covered eleven miles in fifty minutes. The motorized battery and the tanks attived some time later—about half an hour later ac- cording to the Blue Squadron Commander.
The Red Cavavlry mission differed from the Blue. The 2d Squadron, with its platoon of machine guns was to cover the infantry advance and to reconnoiter all cross- ings of the Upatoi between Eelbeck and McBride Ford, both inclusive. At nine miles an hour in one column it moved via RJ 461 and Ochillee. The 22d Infantry fol- lowed by the same route.
The cavalry scout cars, like the Blue, were detached. Reinforced by infantry in reconnaissance cars, they were directed on a known ford about a mile above McBride Ford with instructions to secure the north bank. The detachment succeeded in this mission. Leaving the cars on the south side, the infantry waded the stream and took their post, holding it through the night. The crossing was never used. *
But note the consequences of this use of scout cars. The cavalry umpire, just after contact, asked the com- mander of the 1st Squadron what measures he had taken to inform his main body of his situation. He replied, “I have reported my location and the situation but have not yet received acknowledgment. They have taken my scout cars with the other column, so I can’t use one of
6TH CAVALRY AT THE MANEUVERS OF THE 8TH BRIGADE
000 L syards
Shown YS
The Cavalry Fight at McBride Ford.
them as courier.” And a few minutes later the com- mander of the 2d Squadron answered in similar language, “My radio is out, my scout cars are detached, I have only the mounted messenger.”
The 1st Squadron (Blue), on gaining the rim, con- tinued on the Ochillee Road. The tail of the column had just reached the top of the slope when the point, a mile more advanced, came in contact with the Red cavalry advance guard, dismounted and opened fire. The Blue point was facing southwest but, owing to a sharp bend in the road, the remainder of the column was marching southeast. The Blue Commander intent on holding what he had gained, reinforced his point first and started to send light machine guns to the east to cover his left flank, but this last move was too late. For the 2d Squadron (Red), leaving only a platoon with two light machine guns as a fire pivot, circled at a gallop to the east and north, then formed in two waves to the west and charged.
There is an open field here, and the defilade is very slight; the whole maneuver was plainly visible to the mounted umpire. But the Blue advance guard, lying down and engaged in its fire fight, saw nothing of it. It was only when the advance guard commander stood up to report his dispositions to the umpire that he saw the galloping lines two hundred yards to his left rear. Farther to the Blue rear, the remainder of the leading troop was just dismounting to occupy the crest to the east, on which crest there was no observation. Only a few scattered shots were fired before the leading Blue troop was ridden over and, with considerable loss in men and horses, swept back several hundred’ yards on the rear troop and machine guns.
These last, having dismounted behind ground difficult for mounted action, held. The Red advance was halted and the Blue infantry assured at least a toehold on the south bank.
The Red cavalry dismounted and developed the Blue position. Leaving patrols in contact, it then withdrew to cover. Its commander at this time was flirting with the
8 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
idea of leading it across the next crossing above, which, as has been noted before, was secured to the Reds by the scout cars and infantry. His decision to hold what he had until the arrival of his infantry was probably wise, but it is interesting to speculate what might have happened had he acted on his first impulse. For the north end of that crossing is within two hundred yards of the only road available to the Blue motorized infantry in its movement to McBride Ford, and but a few hundred yards farther from the position of the Blue battery.
This battery, following the cavalry, went into action on the north side of the stream: to fire from the south bank it would have to be placed practically on the front lines. Its observation was with the cavalry, but its radio was temperamental, and communication was delayed. It had no effect on the cavalry action, but later supported effectively the infantry defense.
The Blue infantry, one battalion, arrived a few minutes before the Red. Its two-wheel drive trucks stalled on the steep, sandy slope of the south bank and the infantry made the last half mile on foot, taking over the bridge- head from the cavalry. Leaving its heavy machine guns to support the infantry, the 1st Squadron then withdrew to protect with one troop the bridge itself and the road to the front lines. The remaining troop was sent to the north bank to cover the flanks and rear.
The 2d Squadron (Red), attacked in conjunction with its infantry and on the right flank. Dismounted on the heavily timbered slope, it penetrated to the road leading
to the bridge among the Blue infantry trucks and light
tanks. In the meantime, the Blue threat from the direc- tion of Eelbeck was developing slowly, opposed by one Red infantry company. The 2d Squadron was used dur- ing the remainder of the day and night to cover this flank. It was engaged several times, making some captures, in- cluding the two Blue scout cars.
During the night, Blue was directed to withdraw to the north bank. The movement was completed without detection by Red. The rst Squadron reconnoitered the new infantry position, covered the withdrawal across the Upatoi from positions on the north baak, held the cross- ing after the withdrawal and maintained standing patrols covering five other possible fording points during the rest of the night.
The problem ended in the morning, after Red had failed in a first attempt at crossing, with the Blue cavalry moving to the east to uncover the infantry position.
ComMMENTS
1. The more rapid advance of the Blue cavalry, as compared with the Red, may be explained partly by the fact that, while road distances to the objective were almost exactly equal, the ground on the north was more favor- able to rapid movement. With the exception of the hill south of McBride Ford, the route of the 1st Squadron was a gentle and uninterrupted down slope to the Upatoi. The Southern Cavalry, on the contrary, had several quite
abrupt hills to surmount.
July-August
Situation at 7:00 P. M.
However, it is considered that a more cogent reason can be found in the missions assigned the two squadrons the Northern Cavalry was told definitely to seize the objective; the Southern was given reconnaissance and covering missions. No criticism is implied, both missions were proper and in accordance with the situation, but the Blue mission would naturally induce a faster advance.
2. It is more difficult to find justification for the use made of the scout cars. The scout car is a cavalry weapon and a very essential weapon under the conditions of modern warfare. It should be left under control of the cavalry commander and assist directly in the accomplish- ment of the missions assigned the cavalry. Its principal functions are found in distant reconnaissance and com- munication—it might be said that the scout car bears the same relation to the horse cavalry that cavalry bears to infantry. There is no objection to its being used in an emergency to seize an objective, or to its being reinforced by infantry in reconnaissance cats and trucks for this pur- pose, provided it is so used as part of the cavalry under the cavalry commander and in furtherance of the cavalry mission. Used as they were, the cavalry was badly crip- pled and their detachment accomplished nothing of any consequence. It may be said that either side directing its scout cars on McBride Ford (the other side failing to do so) would have secured its objective.
3. The Blue Cavalry Commander on one occasion was slow in protecting his fank. The author can sympathize with him in this, for he himself was caught in a similar situation a day or two later. With these tiny peace-time troops it is difficult to detach a patrol or two and have anything left. Mounts and orderlies must be furnished for reserve officers and umpires and the 6th Cavalry was already short of horses and over machine gunned in proportion to its rifle strength, reducing still further the number of scouts available. The machine guns, both heavy and light, were a potent argument when the fire fight started but on the march sometimes gave the im- pression of a convoy.
4. But note a successful mounted attack. Later, there were others. Opportunities for this form of action are frequent when cavalry is operating against cavalry, of even against infantry in open warfare situations, but our
7 Eelbe
1935
present doctrines are not likely to encourage such use of our squadrons. We discard the saber and speak of Cavalry as “Mobile Fire Power.” Europeans write say- ing that cavalry has disappeared from the battlefield and we interpret it as meaning that a trooper will no longer fight mounted. It means nothing of the sort. What it does mean 1s that masses of cavalry acting mounted will not be used to decide the infanty battle by shock. That use of cavalry was obsolescent a hundred years ago; it is a doctrine to which we have never subscribed. I hope we will never see the day when one of our platoons, caught by opposing cavalry at too close quarters to dismount, must turn tail and run because it has never been taught to fight mounted.
5. After the 1st Squadron was relieved by the infantry, the greater part of it was held in the narrow bridgehead. A few infantry automatic rifles could have been used for local defense of the crossing and the cavalry released for flank protection. Upatoi Creek had several crossings be- tween McBride and Eelbeck, and one of these was al- ready in the hands of the Reds.
6. Some rather startling implications are contained in one of the plans of the Blue Infantry Commander. I am speaking of the one involving the movement of his entire truck column to a flank through Eelbeck while his cavalry held the pivot at McBride Ford, a complete reversal of our usual conception of the rdles of the two arms. However, it is a perfectly logical idea if you assume, as he did, that the entrucked infantry is the more mobile arm of the two.
Undoubtedly it is so under certain conditions and up to a certain point, that point being the place where the foot soldier disembarks. He is then reduced to a snail’s pace. The combination of doughboy and truck has little battlefield mobility. This was shown in the case of the battalion actually sent through Eelbeck; its progress was painfully slow and it had little effect on the action.
And I imagine the infantry sent on an isolated mission miles away from support must have rather a lost feeling. Its trucks can not be maneuvered as led horses are maneu- vered; they are very vulnerable. Destroy them, and the command is hours instead of minutes from support. A truck maneuver without a strong covering force is too tisky, too likely to bring disaster.
What will this covering force be? Mechanized cavalry in our service. The Blue Commander evidently had something like this in mind when he appropriated the cavalry scout cars.
7. The idea of a movement of all the infantry through Eelbeck is more enticing than the decision actually made
\ . 6TH CAVALRY AT THE MANEUVERS OF THE 81H BRIGADE 9
of splitting the regiment. If used aggressively, the regi- ment, acting as a unit from a flank should have been able to draw off sufficient Reds to enable the cavalry to hold McBride Ford, and the Blues might have held possession of both crossings. But the infantry would have been without artillery support; the single battery on hand was behind the cavalry.
8. Generally speaking, and with the exception of the use of the scout cars noted above, the infantry command- ers understood the functions of cavalry and its rdle in the action of the combined arms. The missions assigned were appropriate to the situation. I believe we can thank our service schools for this knowledge. Twenty-five years ago it did not exist; an officer knew his own arm, but no other. Now, throughout the Army, our field officers have at least the theoretical knowledge necessary to direct a team of the combined arms, and to supply it. Our next step should be in the direction of practical application of this knowledge; we need more maneuvers.
g. The handling of their units by the squadron com- manders was excellent. Their actions were in all cases prompt, aggressive, and suitable to the situation and to the missions assigned them. Here we may again con- gratulate ourselves. We ate learning to apply the knowl- edge gained in the schools. This, also, has not always been true. I remember seeing a brigade commander keep his troops halted in column on the road for two hours while he painfully sweated out a halt order according to Hoyle and “‘The Field Service Regulations,” with an umpire sitting beside him to criticize the form of the order, not the handling of the troops.
I remember, also, from ten years back, some pungent remarks by a colonel of cavalry, “I can do nothing. My squadron commanders have just come from Leavenworth. When I tell them to do something they run off under a tree and write a formal field order with headings and maps and paragraphs. When that is done, the emer- gency is past.”
10. A feature of the problem was the enthusiastic te- sponse given and the interest displayed by members of all organizations to the demands made on them. This was commented upon by all who witnessed the actions of the troops. Of course, we expect discipline and effort to carry out orders at all times, but there is a marked difference between compliance given as a result of discipline and training and that stimulated as well by personal interest. For the 6th Cavalry I can say that in this, as in subse- quenc problems, the regiment displayed splendid and intelligent loyalty, codperation and esprit de corps.
(Part II, A Combined Brigade Maneuver, will appear in the September-October number )
Anti-Aircraft Action of the Cavalry Light Machine Gun
By Seconp LIEUTENANT JAMES B. Corsett, 5th Cavalry
without accompanying heavy machine guns, have
an active as well as a passive defense against air at- tack. The passive defense is well known to all cavalry- men—dispersion. The active defense is to be found in the light machine gun.
At present it is impossible for the light machine gun to lay antiaircraft fire even with the new improved tripod, which, incidentally, does not meet all the requirements necessary for accurate firing but is a gigantic improve- ment over the old tin wishbone. The gun could lay an- tiaircraft fire if some method were devised for raising the front leg of the tripod sufficient for high-angled fire. The pack horse is carrying a near maximum load, therefore it is necessary to use some part of the present load in order to gain this needed elevation. If the pack saddle is re- moved from the horse and the front leg of the tripod placed on the pack as shown in the accompanying picture, all the above requirements are met. Extreme caution must be exercised in the handling of the pack. If, through carelessness or negligence, the pack is sprung and replaced on the horse, some organization is going to have a horse with a sore back. This, as we know, is an irreplacable though not a permanent loss but is entirely unnecessary. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the diligent handling of the pack. The pack saddle does not have to be handled like an egg but it can not be thrown around and remain intact.
There are two kinds of antiaircraft action, waiting and immediate. Waiting action is used in defense of bridge- heads, short defiles, etc. Immediate action can take place anywhere and demands antiaircraft fre RIGHT NOW. It 1s not essential in a waiting action for a detailed drill in order to place the guns in antiaircraft firing position.
ik is essential that the Cavalry squadron, acting alone
Removing and placing gun, tripod and pack in position.
193
halt 31 the then of th 5 me
has There is usually more than sufficient time to locate and place set up all guns to the best advantage. In immediate ac- has | tion the requirements are different. Speed is essenti:l, soon The following drill was worked out by the Light Ma- the f chine-Gun Platoon, Troop F, 5th Cavalry, and proved JJ time, satisiactory. There is little chance that the formation for [J takes insert in th Corporal Gunner Corporal Gunner, No , | Squad Leader ri menc soon T Horse Holder No.! Gun No. y 3 of tv horses A unde: Amm. Carrier Asst.Gunner, and Horse 4 No.1! Gun mem Holder Re cover the sit Horse Holder peas No. 2 Gun Total 6 from “Airpl second Amm.Carrier Asst. Gunner, animal and Horse “ j No. 2 Gun Holder In a Drill formation. placed action the unit would be other than column of twos for the & in this march, so the drill was designed for this formation only. Whe With very little ingenuity it could be changed to apply § is appr to any formation. pack,
In the following plate the numbers will indicate the men. At the command “Airplane—FIRE,” Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 dismount. No 3 turns his pack horse to the right, away from the column and holds him close to the
'y it is
officer v paign at work of a sleepit situatior that wo mit him tent to | at night
1935 halter bridle. No. 4 gathers up the led horses of Nos. 5,
3, 1, and 2, in that order. No. 2 moves to the right of the pack horse, removes the gun and tripod and places them on the ground assembled. No. 1 moves to the left of the pack horse and frees the cinchas on that side. No. 5 moves to the right of the pack horse and, when No. 2 has cleared, Nos. 5 and 1 remove the pack saddle and place it on the ground in front of No. 2. When the saddle has been removed, No. 3 leads the pack horse away. As soon as the pack saddle is on the ground, No. 2 places the front leg of the tripod on the saddle. In the mean- time, No. 1 removes an ammunition box from the saddle, takes out a belt and inserts the brass tag in the belt feedway. No. 2 loads and com- mences firing. As soon as practicable, No. 7 relieves No. 4 of two of his led horses and the squad, under the ranking member, moves to cover or disperses as the situation dictates. Total time necessary from the command “Airplane—FIRE,” until the gun actually fires, fifteen seconds. At the command, “Out of Action,” the pack animal saddled and packed in the normal procedure.
In a waiting action all the guns in a platoon may be placed in the antiaircraft firing position. In immediate action only two guns in a four-gun platoon can be placed in this position with the present squad formation.
When the gun is in position the front leg of the tripod is approximately horizontal and flat along the crest of the pack. The two rear legs of the tripod are actually touch-
Front leg of tripod resting on pack.
AN IMPROVED TYPE OF OFFICER’S SHELTER TENT
ie (a\gor
a
f t \ \
Squad movement in immediate action.
ing the pack and are points of support. The gunner ts directly behind the gun in the sitting position. The as- sistant gunner, No. 1, is on his left.
The belt should be loaded with every fifth round a tracer. A special ammunition box distinctly marked; for example, a two-inch white stripe around the center of the box, should be filled with loaded belts containing the required number of tracers. This would tend to eliminate any chance for error on the part of No. 1 in loading the gun with a belt not containing tracers.
And now just a word concerning the training of the light machine-gun platoons. Developments such as the above, whether or not they prove successful under all conditions and over a period of time, can be attained with much less trouble and with far more precision if the guns of the squadron are trained as a troop, where everybody thinks like machine guns.
An Improved Type of Officer’s Shelter Tent
By Captain Gy es MERRILL, Cavalry
HE fact that the present issue shelter tent affords [Meson shelter has long been recognized. This
is particularly a handicap in the case of the troop officer who has no other shelter provided for him in cam- paign and must use his shelter tent as a place in which to work on administrative and tactical matters as well as a sleeping quarters. It was with a view to alleviating this situation and providing the troop officer with a shelter tent that would properly accommodate his bedding roll, per- mit him to sit erect in the tent and completely close the tent to keep out rain, as well as permit the use of a light
at night, that the proposed tent was developed.
The essential characteristics of an officer’s shelter tent
are as follows:
(1) It must be light enough to be carried on the saddle.
(2) The tent, as thus carried on the saddle, must pro- vide shelter for one officer without the necessity of doubling up with another officer to make a complete tent.
(3) The single tent must have enough floor space to accommodate the officer's bedding roll, which measures about 78"x34” when unrolled, and some articles of equipment.
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
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Fic. 1—Sketch of tent proper.
Required. 1 Guy line—5/32” sash cord, 18’ long, loop in one end. 9 Footstops—5/32” sash cord. Placed in four corners and at lower ends of O.D. webbing. 6 Door fasteners—5/32” sash cord, 1034” long. One end sewed to outside of tent just above grommets on right side of front.
40 Grommets—No. 1 teethed. Seams in material to overlap on outside of tent away from center front reinforce, to shed
rain. Ahem 134” wide around tent, folded over a 1” webbing i in the center of which the grommets are placed, bringing the centers of the grommets 1” from edge of tent.
(4) The single tent must have enough height to per-
mit an officer to sit erect on his unrolled bedding
and 4.)
When telescoped, it measures 2714"x1".
July-August
around its edge, and narrow webbing sewed on at the proper places to take up strain and prevent stretch- ing. (See Fig. 1.)
There is also a separate triangular piece of the same fabric which will be referred to in this article as the “end piece.” It measures 72” x 59° x93. and has grommets around its edge. (See Fig. 2.)
One tent pole is provided for each tent. It is made of aluminum alloy tubing in three sections of different diameters and lengths so that the three telescope to- gether when not in use, the inner sections being held in place by a rubber crutch tip which also serves as a base for the pole when set up. Put together, the pole meas- ures 71” not including the grommet pin at the top. (See Figs. 3
roll. Two tent ropes of 5/32" sash cord, 18 feet long each
(5) The tent must be so constructed that it can be completely closed all around.
The shelter tent proper consists of a rectangular piece of light waterproof fabric 142”xg2", with grommets
4“
aus 4. OD « 095 wall
with a loop in one end, are furnished per tent. One of these ropes is to be used as a lacing when two tents are joined together.
Ten tent pins should be carried. These’ may be the ordinary wooden shelter tent pins, but aluminum al- loy pins of a fluted design, 7° long, with a hook at the
top are more satisfactory.
Steel Pin-drivs aS « ©
When pitched as a single
tent, it is 71" high at the
center of the front and
slopes downward to both
sides and the rear, the front
being vertical. (See Fig. 5.)
It is 82” long across the
front and 57” wide from front to rear on the ground.
We bases 1
|
Fic. 2—Sketch of end piece. Required for end piece.
1 Guy line 5/32” sash cord, 18’ long, loop in one end. To be used as lacing.
3 Footstops—5/32” sash cord. Placed in bottom grommets.
6 Door fasteners—5/32” sash cord, 1034” long. One end sewed just above each of the six
middle grommets on the 72” side. 18 Grommets—No. 1, teethed.
Seam in material to run vertically. A hem 134” wide around piece, folded over a 1” webbing in the center of which the grommets are placed, bringing the center of the grommets 1”
from edge of piece.
Fight tent pins are used, one
Fic. ities of tent pole.
at each corner and one at the center of each side. Ifa pole is used, an additional pin is required for the guy rope. The pole may be dis pensed with if a tree or tele-
graph pole is available in
square cots a
head 1
an ais]
issue €
1935
which case the guy rope is thrown over a branch or tied high up on the pole to support the peak of the tent. (See Fig. 6.
* sae on the saddle the equipment consists of the tent proper, one rope and ten pins (weight 5 pounds, 7 ounces), and if the wheeled transportation containing the bedding roll does not get up, the use of a tree or im- provised pole must always be resorted to, as the end piece one guy rope and tent pole are carried in the officet’s bedding roll. This is done to keep the weight carried on the horse at the absolute minimum and still provide ade- quate shelter for the officer even though separated from the transportation. The saving in weight carried on the horse is 3 pounds, 1 ounce over the present issue equip- ment.
The single tent is very easily and quickly pitched, one man being able to do it in less time than two men can pitch the issue shelter tent.
In a hot climate where protection from the sun or light showers only is needed, the tent may be pitched as a wedge tent, open at both ends for ventilation. When so pitched the tent would be 5 feet high at the ridge, 714 fect long and 614 feet wide on the ground with room enough for a canvas cot. The end piece may be used to partially close one end. (See Figs. 7 and 8.)
Or the tent may be used as an elevated fly with a rela- tively flat slope by tying it between trees and guying the corners out. So pitched, it would cover an area about 10 feet by 714 feet.
Two tents, with their end pieces, may be so laced to-
ether as to form a larger double tent. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) This double tent is 71” high at the ridge, the ridge is 71 long, and the tent covers a ground area g'/ feet square. There is ample room in this tent for two canvas cots and the equipment of two officers. There is enough head room to permit sitting erect on the cot even when an aisle is left between the two cots. -
A list of the weights of the proposed equipment is shown below, together with the weights of the present issue equipment for comparison:
Proposed Equipment
Present Issue lbs.
Tent End piece
Fic. 4—Proposed equipment, both rolled up and displayed.
AN IMPROVED TYPE OF OFFICER’S SHELTER TENT
oye 5-—Single tent open, us- Fic. 6—Single tent closed, us- ing pole. ing tree for support. Fic. 7—Single tent pitched as Fic. 8—Wedge tent, using
wedge tent. end piece to partly close
Fic. 9—Two tents laced to- one end. gether to form double tent. Fic. 10—Double tent, show- ing end pieces closing front.
at Fort Riley and used by various officers on fishing trips, marches, and maneuvers; some of the tents were made of shelter tent duck, some of light canyas, and four tents were made of a light waterproof fabric sold commercially under the name of “Tanalite.” It is believed that air- plane cloth, suitably dyed and dry waterproofed, would be an ideal material for the tent. The material should weigh about 414 ounces per square } yard.
These tents have been used in high winds and heavy rains and have been found to afford adequate protection and comfort in all cases. Every officer who used them re- ported favorably and recommended their adoption.
Progress of the Cavalry Rifle and Pistol Team Tryouts
By Captain THomas J. Heavey, 3¢d Cavalry, Team Captain
HE Cavalry Rifle and Pistol Team Squad, consist-
ing of eleven officers and forty-three enlisted men,
assembled at Erie Ordnance Depot, adjacent to Camp Perry, June 12, 1935. Since that time the squad has undergone an intensive period of competitive shoot- ing, preliminary to selecting a rifle and pistol team to represent the cavalry in the National Matches. Weather conditions to date have been exceptionally good for train- ing purposes, in that all types of climatic conditions have been encountered.
During the month of June, the weather for the most part, was unseasonably cold, with plenty of rain, fog, wind, and many cloudy days. Conditions of this sort may well be expected in September during the National Matches, so the experience gained should prove valuable. The month of July brought hot days with frequent rains, which usually occurred during the afternoon or night.
al
CAVALRY RIFLE AND PISTOL TEAM SQUAD, 1935
Shooting conditions during this period of time were fav- orable except that heavy winds prevailed most of the time. The winds on the Perry range are probably more variable than at any other large rifle range in the country, and it is not unusual for the wind to shift from a point and a half right to that much left, in firing at 1,000 yards.
The first period of training of the squad was mostly free shooting for the purpose of determining the zero of the rifles, and, incidentally, to condition the shooters. A competitor's shoulder must be tough to withstand the shock of sixty to one hundred rounds of National Match ammunition daily.
Following this period of free shooting, the squad undet- took the various competitions which had been previously announced. As might be expected with a squad of over fifty shooting members, it was difficult to predict the win- ners of these matches. In many cases inexperienced green
]
First row, from left to right: Pfc. E. W. Hendrickson, 11th Cav.; Sut. W. A. Locke, 12th Cav.; Ist Sgt. W. E. Fitzgerald, 2d Cav. Brig.; Pfc. J. A. Morton, 14th Cav.; Pfc. H. O. Phelps, 8th Cav.; Jimmy Heavey; Pfc. F. E. Gormley, 3d Cav.; Sgt. R. Ded. mon, 12th Cav.; St. Sgt. W. T. McGimpsey, Ist Cav. (Mecz) ; Corp. A. F. Kellerman, Ist Cav. (Mecz); Tech. Sgt. B. Schwartz,
7th Cav.
Second row, from left to right: Sgt. E. Yeszerski, 3d Cav.; Sgt. D. Lubrano, 13th Cav.; Sgt. F. Rubino, 13th Cav.; 1st Lt. C. A. Thorp, lst Cav. (Mecz) ; ist Lt. C. A. Burcham, 14th Cav.; Capt. H. A. Boone, 5th Cav.; 2d Lt. E. M. Cahill, 3d Cav.; Ist Lt. G. A. Williams, 2d Cav. Brig.; Ist Lt. G. A. Rehm, 14th Cav. (Team Coach); Captain T. J. Heavey, 3d Cav. (Team Captain); 1st Lt. P. McK. Martin, 13th Cav. (Team Coach); 1st Lt. H. W. Stevenson, 13th Cav.; Ist Lt. S. L. Myers, 12th Cav.; 2d Lt. D. E. Still, 4th Cav.; Sgt. W. D. Reynolds, 2d Cav.; Sgt. J. B. Jensen, Cav. Sch. Det.; Sgt. V. Shantz, 11th Cav.; Pvt. F. Bartinikaitis, 13th Cav-
alry ; Sgt. G. G. Wicker, 2d Cav.
Third row, from left to right: Corp. W. H. Endicott, 14th Cav. ;
Pfc. J. D. Lingo, lst Cav. (Mecz); Pfc. L. Weber, 14th Cav.;
Sgt. H. P. Ernst, 5tn Cav.; Sgt. O. D. Milton, 8th Cav.; Corp. R. N. Brewer, 6th Cav.; Sgt. W. R. Robinette, 6th Cav.; Pvt. A. Chil- gren, 3d Cav.; Sgt. W. P. Rogers, 4th Cav.; Sgt. E. Towne, 3d Cav.; Pvt. E. Silvers, 6th Cav.; Pvt. J. J. Jacobs, 13th Cav.; Sgt. R. R. Grider, 14th Cav.; Corp. M. Stickel, 2d Cav.; Pvt. B. A. Kortuem, 2d Cav. Brig.; Sgt. W. G. Hamel, 4th Cav.; Corp. A. F. Rogers,
13th Cav.
Fourth row, from left to right: Sgt. J. J. Campbell, 7th Cav.; Pfc. O. H. Thomas, 14th Cav.; Pvt. G. W. Gutza, 14th Cav.; Sgt. B Sanders, 14th Cav.; Sgt. C. J. Leach, 8th Cav.; Pvt. W. J. Bugnacki, 3d Cav.; Sgt. S. Blazejevski, 3d Cav. ; Tech. Sgt. L. H. Hedglin, Ist Cav. (Mecz) ; Pfc. E. Solie, 7th Cav.; Pvt. T. H. Penniston, Cav. Sch. Det.; Corp. P. J. Mattson, 12th Cav.; Sgt. J. P. Law- rence, 5th Cav.; Pvt. W. Stockton, 14th Cav.; Pvt. C. E. Burlingham, 14th Cav.; Pvt. V. Adrian, 14th Cav.; Pvt. W. Hixson, 14th
Cav.; Pvt. G. Clifton, 14th Cav.
Fifth row, from left to right: Pvt. P. Peterson, 14th Cav.; Pvt. W. S. Lambert, 14th Cav.; Pvt. J. H. Paulsgrove, 14th Cav. ; Pvt. L. Lukas, 14th Cav.; Pvt. A. Cox, 14th Cav.; Pvt. B. Bixler, 14th Cav.; Corp. O. D. Lockwood, 14th Cav.; Corp. F. Kloss, 14th Cav.; Pfc. W. W. Waliszewski, 14th Cav.; Pvt. F. Robirtson, 14th Cav.; Pvt. S. Gerdes, 14th Cav.; Pvt. E. V. Bachtell, 14th Cav.; Pvt.
W. Richmond, 14th Cav.; Pvt. W. Metzner, 14th Cav.; Pvt. R. Hill, 14th Cav.; Pvt. E. Byrd, 14th Cav.; Pvt. H. Varner, 14th Cav.
ine Mar licele
mate Cou outs. Gene was * tachs ceive son 1 won and t Cava net o
third
2 This Mate men | alry F throu; and v matck the 5¢ Boone of a f 12th ( Myer: won sistin ie medal:
third ]
3. MAT! 1,000 } of one mitted. alry, w receive place v receiver won by ment.
4. II MATC scores 0 A targe 200 yar
€ Wi with as
1935
shots stole the show from the better shots of other years. Competition has been exceptionally keen this year, and, in every case, the winner of any of the Chief of Cavalry’s Matches barely topped second place by a single point, or little more. .
The results of these matches, which commenced July 1st, and were completed July 25th, follows:
1. THE KROMER RIFLE TROPHY MATCH, this match consisted of ten times over the National Match Course, and was open to all rifle shots attending the try- outs. The trophy for the match was presented by Major General Leon B. Kromer, Chief of Cavalry. This match was won by Sergeant Jens B. Jensen, Cavalry School De- tachment, who, in. addition to winning the trophy, re- ceived a gold medal. Total score fired by Sergeant Jen- son was 2800 out of a possible 3000. Second place was won by Corporal A. F. Kellerman, rst Cavalry, (Mecz), and third place by Technical Sergeant L. H. Hedglin, 1st Cavalry (Mecz). A silver medal was awarded the win- ner of second place; and a bronze miedal, the winner of
third place. 2. THE REGIMENTAL TEAM MATCH (Rifle).
This match consited of one firing over the National Match Course. The match was open to teams of two men from each cavalry regiment represented at the Cav- alry Rifle Team Tryouts. This match was hotly contested throughout, the leaders changing position at each range, and was not settled until the last shot was fired. The match, and the Regimental Team Trophy, was won by the 5th Cavalry Team, composed of Captain Howard A. Boone and Sergeant H. P. Ernst, with a score of 553 out of a possible 600 points. Second place was won by the 12th Cavalry, represented by First Lieutenant Samuel L. Myers and Sergeant R. C. Dedmon. Third place was won by the rst Cavalry (Mecz) (second team), con- sisting of First Lieutenant Claud A. Thorp and Staff Sergeant W. T. McGimpsey. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were received by winners of first, second, and
third places respectively.
3. INDIVIDUAL 1,000-YARD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. This match consisted of twenty shots at 1,000 yards on the C target, no sighting shots, time limit of one and one-half minutes per shot, no coaching pet- mitted. It was won by Sergeant R. R. Grider, 14th Cav- alry, with a score of 96 out of a possible 100 points. He received the Fort Bliss Trophy and a gold medal. Second place was won by Private J. J. Jacobs, 13th Cavalry, who received a silver medal. Third place, a bronze medal, was won by Sergeant Jens B. Jensen, Cavalry School Detach-
ment.
4. INDIVIDUAL RAPID FIRE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. The course for this match consisted of two scores of ten shots each at 200 and 300 yards, fired on the A target, in the prescribed time limit of one minute at 200 yards, and one minute and ten seconds at 300 yards. The winner was Sergeant S. Blazejevski, 3rd Cavalry, with a score of 193 out of 200, who received the rapid fire
PROGRESS OF THE CAVALRY RIFLE AND PISTOL TEAM TRYOUTS 15
championship trophy, and a gold medal. Second place was won by First Lieutenant Clyde A. Burchman, 14th Cavalry, who received a silver medal. Technical Sergeant B. Schwartz, 7th Cavalry, was awarded a bronze medal for third place.
5. INDIVIDUAL OFF-HAND CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. This match consisted of twenty shots fired off-hand, at 200 hundred yards on the A target during a time limit of one minute per shot. (The sling was not per- mitted in any team competitions when firing in the stand- ing position.) It was won by Sergeant W. G. Hamel, 4th Cavalry, with a score of 94 out » possible 100 points. He received the trophy presented by the Cavalry School, and a gold medal. Second place was won by Corporal A. F. Kellerman, 1st Cavalry (Mez), who received a silver medal. Sergeant J. J. Campbell, 7th Cavalry, received
a bronze medal for third place.
6. THE HOLBROOK TROPHY MATCH. The course for this match consisted of ten times over the Na- tional Match course, and was fired concurrently with the
. Kromer Trophy Match. It was open to new shots only;
that is, competitors who had never previously fired on a team in the National Matches. It was won by Staft Sergeant W. T. McGimpsey, 1st Cavalry (Mecz.), who received the Holbrook Trophy and a gold medal.
7. CAVALRY INDIVIDUAL RIFLE TROPHY MATCH. This match consisted of one firing over the National Rifle Match Course, with the service rifle. It was open to all candidates attending the tryouts, and was won by Sergeant E. Yeszerski, 3rd Cav., Ft. Myer, Va., with a total score of 287 out of a possible 300 points. He received the Cavalry Individual Trophy, which was presented the Cavalry Rifle Team in 1921, by the United States Cavalry Association, and a gold medal. Second place was won by Sergeant W. D. Reynolds, 2d Cavalry, who received a silver medal. Sergeant F. Rubin, 13th Cav., received a bronze medal for third place.
8. THE OSCAR KOCH TROPHY MATCH. The course for this match comprised all record firing up to the completion of the Chief of Cavalry’s Matches. All candi- dates attending the Cavalry Rifle Team Tryouts auto- matically entered this match. Points won by contestants were based on “bonehead”’ action by the individual. For example, firing on the wrong target counted one point for each shot so fired. Using the wrong rifle was worth a point. Taking windage in the wrong direction won a point. Setting sights incorrectly, assuming the rapid fire position with the piece locked, and any éther dumb action on the part of the firer was duly considered by the team captain and coach, and awards issued. This match was won by Sergeant W. R. Robinette, 6th Cavalry, but his total of ten points awarded, was far from a walkaway victory. Second place fell to Second Lieutenant Daniel E. Still, 4th Cavalry, with seven points. Third place was awatded Private First Class E. W. Hendrickson, 11th Cavalry, with five points. A suitable leather medal is being prepared for. presentation to Sergeant Robinette ar. a
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL July-August
MEDAL AND TROPHY WINNERS, CHIEF OF CAVALRY MATCHES, 1935
Sitting, left to right: Sgt. S. Blazejevski, 3d Cav., winner Rapid Fire Championship Match; member winning Regimental Pistol Team; Sgt. E. Yeszerski, 3d Cav., winner Individual Rifle Championship Match; member winning Regimental Pistol Team; Sgt. E. P. Ernst, 5th Cav., member winning Regimental Rifle Team; Capt. H. A. Boone, 5th Cav., member winning Regimental Rifle Team; Set. W. R. Robinette, 6th Cav., winner Koch Trophy Match; Sgt. Jens B. Jensen, Cav. Sch. Det., winner Kromer Rifle Trophy Match ; third place Kromer Pistol Trophy Match; third place 1,000 Yard Individual Championship Match; Corp. A. F, Kellerman, Ist Cav. (Mecz), winner Kromer Pistol Trophy Match; second place Individual Off-Hand Match; second place Kromer Rifle Trophy Match; St. Sgt. W. T. McGimpsey, 1st Cav. (Mecz), winner Holbrook Trophy Match; third place Regimental Rifle Team Match; Sgt. R. R. Grider, 14th Cav., winner 1,000 yard Individual Trophy Match; Sgt. W. G. Hamel, 4th Cav., winner Individual Off-Hand Championship Match.
Standing, left to right: Sgt. J. J. Campbell, 7th Cav., third place Individual Off-Hand Match; second place Regimental Pistol Team Match; Tech. Sgt. L. H. Hedglin, 1st Cav. (Mecz), third place Kromer Rifle Trophy Match; Ist Sgt. W. E. Fitzgerald, 2d Cav. Brig., second place Kromer Pistol Trophy Match; Ist Lt. C. A. Thorp, lst Cav. (Mecz), third place Regimental Rifle Team Match; 1st Lt. G. A. Rehm, 14th Cav., third place Regimental Pistol Team Match; Ist Lt. C. A. Burcham, 14th Cav., second place individual Rapid Fire Championship Match; Capt. T. J. Heavey, 3d Cav., Captain, Cavalry Rifle Team, 1935; Pvt. J. J. Jacobs, 13th Cav., sec- ond place 1,000 Yard Individual Championship Match; 1st Lt. S. L. Myers, 12th Cav., second place Regimental Rifle Team Match; Tech. Sgt. B. Schwartz, 7th Cav., third place Individual Rapid Fire Championship Match; Sgt. R. C. Dedmon, 12th Cav., second
place Regimental Rifle Team Match; Pvt. Ist cl. E. Solie, 7th Cav., second place, Regimental Pistol Team Match.
later date. This trophy was presented by Captain Oscar Koch, 13th Cavalry, who served as “Statistician” for the
Cavalry Rifle Team Squad, in 1923. g. REGIMENTAL PISTOL TEAM MATCH. The
course for this match consisted of one firing of the Na- tional Pistol Match Cuurse, and was eligible to teams of two pistol firers from each cavalry regiment represented at the tryout. The trophy for the match was presented by the rst Cavalry, (Mecz). It was won by the 3rd Cavalry Team, composed of Sergeant E. Yeszerski, 3rd Cavalry, Ft. Myer, Va., and Sergeant S. Blazejevski, 3rd Cavalry, Fort Echan Allen, Vermont. This team received the regimental pistol team trophy, (1st Cavalry Trophy), and gold medals. Second place was won by the 7th Cav- alry, represented by Sergeant J. J. Campbell and Private E. N. Solie, who received silver medals. Third place, bronze medal, was won by the 14th Cavalry, represented by First Lieutenants George A. Rehm and Clyde A.
Burcham.
10. INDIVIDUAL PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH. The course for this match consisted of eight times over the National Pistol Match Course, and was open to all candidates attending the Cavalry Pistol Team tryouts. It was won by Corporal A. F. Kellerman, 1st Cavalry, (Mecz), who received the Kromer Pistol Tro- phy, and a gold medal. Second place was won by First Sergeant W. E. Fitzgerald, 2d Cavalry Brigade, who re-
ceived a silver medal. Sergeant Jens B. Jensen, Cavalry School Detachment, received a bronze medal for third lace.
All medals won by individuals in these matches become permanent property of the winner. All trophies won by regimental teams or individuals are to be held by the win- ning regiment or organization for one year, or until the next Cavalry Rifle Team tryout.
Following the above matches, an informal individual handicap match was held, competitors of the Cavalry and Engineer Teams being eligible to compete. The course of fire consisted of one firing of the National Match course. Competitors were handicapped aécording to their average scores up to the date of the firing of the match, July 26th. The match was won by Private Watson of the Engineer Team with a score of 283, and a handicap of 21, which gave him a total of 304. Second place was won by Private E. Silvers, 6th Cavalry, with a score of 283, and a handicap of 20, which gave a total of 303. Third place was won by Corporal P. J. Mattson, 12th Cavalry, with a score of 283, and a handicap of 16, which gave him a total of 299. Two other cavalrymen made a gallant effort in this match. Technical Sergeant Hedglin making a flat score of 292 out of a possible 300, and Sergeant R. R. Grider making a flat score of 290 out of a possible 300. However, these almost record breaking scores could not hold up against the handicaps.
(Continued on page 20)
May 31
June June June June June June June June June
y . : ¢ 7 §
S
June 10 June 13
June 14 June 15: June 16
The Concentration of the 14th Cavalry
By Captain RoypeN WILLIAMSON, 14TH CAVALRY
HAT “‘t’s always fair weather” is a rollicking af- firmation, but it was put to a rude test during June in course of a march of concentration to Rock Island, Illinois, by the 14th Cavalry. Conditions en- countered made the march not only the longest but the most rigorous undertaken by the mounted service in recent years, for deluging rain dogged the footsteps of the two elements of the regiment throughout most of the four hundred and sixty odd miles covered. Discomforting as these circumstances were to men and animals, they served, nevertheless, toward the achieve- ment of the basic purpose of the “hike,” for in addition to tempering the metal of regimental morale, they subjected its new equipment in modified saddles, motor trucks and scout cars to the proof of unusually hard field service, with the result that the march was not only successful; it was highly instructive as to personnel and matériel. Not since 1920 when, following its service on the Mexican border, regimental headquarters, the head- quarters troop, the machirie gun troop and the 2d Squad- ton were ordered to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, for station, while the 1st Squadron was sent to Fort Sheridan, IIli-
nois, has the 14th Cavalry been together as a unit. Colonel .
Clarence Lininger, soon after assuming command in August of last year, took steps, therefore, to effect in 1935 aconcentration of the regiment at some point midway be- tween the two posts with a view of combining with tac- tical training a reawakening of its esprit-de-corps. He was encoutaged in this by the excellent results of a prac- tice march made in October of last year to Fort Dodge, lowa, and return by the Fort Des Moines elements when much interesting work was done in cavalry-aviation liaison.
His project found prompt favor with both the Sixth and Seventh Corps Area Commanders as well as with the Chief of Cavalry, and Rock Island Arsenal was approved as the objective, for it promised both in facilities and distance to make an ideal rendezvous point. Authoriza- tion and allotment of funds were received early in May and on the 31st of that month both commands began the movement from their respective stations.
Their itineraries and daily marches were:
REGIMENT LESS lst SQUADRON From To
Ft. Des Moines Mitchellville, Ia. Mitchellville Newton, Ia. In Camp at Newton. Newton Grinnell, Ia. Grinnell Victor, Ia. Victor Homestead, Ia. Homestead Iowa City, Ia. 7 Iowa City West Liberty, Ia. 5 June 8th West Liberty | Walcott, Ia. 5% June 9th Walcott Rock Island Arsenal 5 June 10th, 11thand 12th In Camp at Rock Island Arsenal.
June 13th Rock Island
Arsenal. De Witt, Ia. 22 5% June 14th De Witt Maquoketa, Ia. 20 5% Dubuaue, Ia. 360 55%
June 15th Maquoketa June 16th and 17th = In Camp at Dubuque.
Date Miles Rate May 31st June 1
June June June June June June
For first time in fifteen years, regiment unites for success- ful practice march and tacti- cal exercises.
Date Miles Rate
m.p.h. Cascade, Ia. 5 Cedar Rapids, Ia. 5% Amana, Ia. 5% Amana Victor 6 5% Victor Grinnell 5% In Camp at Grinnell.
Grinnell Newton 5% Newton Ft. Des Moines 5%
Total Distance, 466.9 miles.
lst SQUADRON From To
From To
June 18th June 19th June 20th June 21st June 22d
June 23d
June 24th June 25th
Dubuque Cascade Cedar Rapids
Miles Rate m.p.h. 5
Date
May 31st June Ist June 2d June 3d June 4th June 5th June 6th
Ft. Sheridan Barrington, II Barrington St. Charles, Ill. 5 In Camp at St. Charles.
St. Charles De Kalb, Ill. 5% De Kalb Rochelle, Ill. 5% Rochelle Dixon, Il. 5% Dixon Erie, Ill. 5% June 7th Erie Rock Island Arsenal 5% June 8th to 12th In Camp at Rock Island Arsenal. June 13th Rock Island
De Witt, Ia. 22 5%
Arsenal. Maquoketa, Ia. 20 5%
June 14th De Witt June 15th Maquoketa Dubuque, Ia. 36 «5% In Camp at Dubuque.
June 16th and 17th
June 18th Dubuque Stockton, III. 5%
June 19th Stockton Freeport, III. 5%
June 20th Freeport Belvidere, Ill. 5% Ft. Sheridan 5%
June 21st Belvidere Total Distance, 439 miles.
Both commands followed main automobile highways, the Fort Des Moines troops under Colonel Lininger, going via National Highway No. 6 and the rst Squadron commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Harry D. Chamber- lin, taking for the greater part of their way Highway No. 86. Starting their march at 1:00 P.M., May 31st, the former ran into showers as soon as they cleared the post gate and necessarily made slow progress until they had left the city limits of Des Moines behind. Then they split column and assumed a steady rate. The latter force also met rain early on their march.
Save on days when the downpour was excessive, the road shoulders proved generally practicable, permitting of trotting for regulation periods. Frequently they were soft and soon became soggy, especially for horses in the rear of the column. Animals grew tired as they slipped and slid, while at times these paths were found to be burrowed with hidden holes and actually dangerous. Due to excellent march discipline, however, and prompt passing back of a word of caution, no casualties from this source were suffered. In general, mounted troops under normal conditions can make good use of shoulders such as characterize most motor roads through the Middle West and can make regulation time on them or better.
At night they are best avoided.
18
Concrete pavement, on the other hand, offers no detri- ment, provided trotting is restricted to a slow pace and not prolonged. This was resorted to whenever:
a. Shoulders were dangerous,
b. On steep up-grades,
c. To avoid crushed rock which, with soft mud in a horse’s foot, was likely to be picked up and cause lame- ness,
d. Through urban districts.
On the return march from Cascade to Cedar Rapids the Fort Des Moines column used the pavement freely— perhaps one-fifth of the time—in course of nearly fifty miles under a torrential rain and with no ill effect. It 1s believed that an occasional slow trot on pavement ts pre- ferable to continual walking. This is particularly true toward the conclusion of a march, when men are fatigued and likely to slouch in their saddles.
Grazing was resorted to at every halt. The grass along the highways was mostly blue grass, orchard grass and clover, all in luxuriant growth. The clover was avoided whenever wet. However, it is not believed to be danger- ous where present in limited quantity; that 1s, not more than twenty per cent proportion. Only three cases of colic occurred. These were extremely mild and of short duration. The affected animals were led for a day and then returned to full duty.
Watering on the march was ordinarily from canvas troughs. Occasionally water was found in small streams at convenient locations. It was frequently used to cool out feet and tendons of horses showing indications of leg weariness, mild lameness or a tendency to stumble. Re- sults were gratifying. After five or ten minutes of this treatment, such animals showed marked improvement and were soon going sound again. Three horses showed symp- toms of slight exhaustion. These were bathed at the poll with cold water from a canteen. All responded to this remedy and continued on the march.
Very few shoes were lost, though the heavy mud and railroad crossings tended to loosen some. When horses have been running unshod, either all around or behind only, they should be shod at least twice before starting on extended field service. By shoeing at least twice, time is afforded for them to become accustomed again to the weight. Moreover, the second shoeing insures a better fit and obviates the likelihood of taking the road with feet tender or in such condition that even the best of work-' manship can not prevent casting with the probability of leaving the hoof so damaged that immediate re-shoeing is difficult, if not impossible.
It is the conclusion of the Regimental Veterinarian, too, that it is ill-advised to begin a march of more than two or three days’ duration with horses unshod behind, unless the going is to be on soft earth relatively free of stone. Other than fitting shoes closely on the inner quarters, no special shoeing was used. A normal shoe properly fitted
on the inner side appeared more practical for the field than
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
July-August | weighted or special shoes. ‘Good, normal shoeing in con- |
junction with proper conditioning before the march ap- pears to be the solution.
Heavy traffic at high speed was, of course, the rule on the highways. While this necessitated constant vigilance, it gave less trouble than was expected. A trooper with a red flag preceded the column at about two hundred yards, while a similar flag was borne at the head of each toop. The tail gate of the last trailer bore a large white canvas | with the word SLOW in large black letters. Motorists were usually courteous, slowing down at these indications, though an occasional speed demon would try to crash through the split column in utter disregard of some sway- ing pack animal or led horse.
Since traffic in war time will be rigidly controlled, cavalry in the future can count upon using main highways as they have done in the past. Such roads are usually the most direct from point to point and split columns afford sufficient space for motor vehicles at reasonable speeds. But mounted troops must never relax their march dis cipline and the traffic must be controlled.
Both commands conducted their daily marches as if in the presence of an enemy. A situation was assumed and a written march order issued in conformity therewith: Ad- vance guards, ordinarily of one troop, preceded the main body by not less than eight hundred yards. Connecting files were furnished by the next element in rear. The smoothness with which bounds were made and signals transmitted showed notable improvement as the march progressed, until, by the time the columns approached Rock Island, the troops were performing these duties with celerity and skill. Flank patrolling, however, was merely simulated to spare horseflesh, being reserved for the formal tactical exercises to come.
Utmost use, on the other hand, was made of the new armored scout cars with which the regiment has recently been equipped. Four of these, the assignment of the Fort Des Moines contingent, were with that column. The other two were with the rst Squadron. Both Colonel Lininger and Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlin sent their cars well in advance daily, on missions of offense or de- fense, filling roles of delaying forces in position, as threats from a flank or on scouting or reconnoitering missions, as the case might be. In all of these duties, the cars were well concealed; marching columns usually missed discovering them until well wichin range of the car’s guns.
The experience gained with these scout cars was probi- bly the most valuable lesson of the “hike.” First of all, mud on ordinary dirt roads offers them no obstacle. Their weight is excessive, however, and they are cumbersome to turn about on a road. Whenever a car is close to soft going, one or more of its crew should alight and guide the driver, for his vision 1s too limited to admit of trusting to ground he himself can not see and in which his car might become hopelessly mired.
These vehicles eliminate much wear and tear of horses on patrol, they provide excellent protection for the front
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1935
and flanks of a cavalry column and they solve the problem of defense against hostile mechanized forces. They are extremely valuable, too, as agencies for medium distance reconnaissance and can render great service when used for checking up on designated phase lines the locations of reconnoitering and counter-reconnoitering detachments.
But short of actual combat, they are parcicularly valu- able in the transmission of radio messages. Experience i in radio communication with the present equipment was prompt and éffective up to twenty-five or thirty miles in open country. In wooded areas effectiveness was cut down to two and one-half or three miles. It is believed that hav- ing but one car per section equipped with sets is too limiting. All cars should be so provided. Of course, it is realized that to do so might tend to complicate the di- visional net. In any event, pack sets are still necessary.
During the march to Rock Island Arsenal, Major General Leon B. Kromer visited each contingent, inspect- ing in particular the condition of the animals.
The public showed lively interest in the troops, especi- ally in the smaller towns. Many visitors flocked through the camps. The German-American populations of eastern lowa were particularly cordial. The apogee of interest and enthusiasm was reached at the tri-cities, Davenport, Rock Island and Moline. As the regiment marched through Davenport very early on the morning of June gth, the route was thronged. -Persons of all ages were filling win- dows and doorsteps, many of them waving flags.
As the Fort Des Moines column approached the inter- state bridge over the Mississippi, the 1st Squadron with Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlin at its head was drawn up and rendered the honors to the regimental commander. This compliment was appreciated by Colonel Lininget’s entire following, and, now united, the 14th Cavalry, with its band leading the way, marched proudly across to the Illinois side and went smartly into camp on the Rock Island Arsenal grounds.
This was the first time in the history of the “Tn- Cities” that the community had experienced a cavalry regiment in its midst. Its welcome was unstinted. The Arsenal garrison, from Colonel Alexander B. Gillespie down, was untiring in service and hospitalities, while citizens and civic organizations of all three cities were lavish with their attentions to all. Radiant weather pre- vailed, so that the three-day stay in the veritable park of this Government reservation seemed too short.
Yet the sojourn there was not an idle one. Formal guard mount and retreat were held daily, a tactical exer- cise was held involving a dismounted attack against an outlined enemy, and finally a horse show and gymkana was given at which Mayor A. Henry Arp of Moline, Mayor Charles F. Carpenter of East Moline, Colonel Gillespie and some ten thousand other persons attended.
At 7:00 A.M., June 13th, the complete regiment bade farewell to the “Tri-Cities” and marched to De Witt, lowa. As it approached that town, an exercise was held for the tactical inspection of the command before the
THE CONCENTRATION OF THE 14TH CAVALRY
19
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Seventh Corps Area, Lieu- tenant Colonel Forrest E. Williford, General Staff.
An enemy rear guard, outlined, was assumed to be holding a delaying position along the southern exits of De Witt. With his staff and squadron commanders, Colonel Lininger made his reconnaissance from a knoll about one mile ‘south of the hostile position and then issued his attack order, placing the machine gun troop supported by one troop, 1st Squadron, as pivot near the knoll, one troop in reserve, while the 2d Squadron, pre- ceded by scout cars, made the envelopment, some three and one-half miles via side roads, to turn the enemy right. This scheme was performed punctually and it was Lieu- tenant Colonel Williford’s opinion that, scout cars, when, as in this instance, correctly used, add much to ease and security of a march and to the formulations of plans in an attack.
From De Witt to Dubuque the route led over abruptly rolling country. Long pulls up steep grades became frequent, and when the horses were inspected the morning after arrival in Dubuque, some symptoms of slight stiff- ness were noted. However, this condition soon disap- peared. There were practically no cinch sores. The Phil- lips pack equipment gave satisfaction as usual and the only contusions from pack loads were in cases where the pack animal lacked preliminary conditioning or where the pack had not been properly fitted.
At this camp Lieutenant Colonel Chamberlin con- cluded his demonstrations to the officers of the regiment on the advantages of the forward seat. That position in the saddle now is uniform throughout the 14th Cavalry and is being taught to recruits as they join.
The departure of the commands on their return to their tespective stations took place in Dubuque on the morn- ing of June 18th. The 1st Squadron, crossing the Missis- sippi, started eastward; the remainder of the regiment ascended the long hill leading to the Dubuque plateau and the west. Rain, as if to mark the regrets at the part- ing, began falling again and soon was coming down with a vengeance. That night in Cascade, Iowa, it fell in tor- ren:s, but this did not prevent the regiment from making on the following day against a strong wind, and with an advance guard out, a march of nearly fifty miles, from Cascade to Cedar Rapids. It could have continued a like distance again had an emergency demanded. As for the 1st Squadron, it gave up tactical formations while home- ward bound because of the weather and made a forced march on the last lap into Fort Sheridan. Between Free- port and Belvidere, Ill., it did a “leap frog’ jump. Leav- ing all its baggage in camp at Freeport, half the com- mand rode, while the other half, taking their saddles and equipment with them, moved to the half-way point in ~ trucks. When all had assembled there, lunch was served and the horses watered and fed. Then the half that had entrucked in the morning mounted and rode in the after- noon. The trucks proceeded on to the night’s campsite, deposited their loads there and then returned to the half-
20
way point to pick up and bring into camp those who had ridden that morning. This made easy an exceptionally long march. By lightening loads through use of its motor transportation, cavalry, if not in contact with the enemy, can increase greatly the length and speed of its marches and still keep men and animals fit for action.
The Fort Des Moines command on its last lap made a night march. This was another test of stamina and march discipline; it was also a trial of the effect of pavement.
That afternoon, in Newton, Iowa, its troops paraded before National Commander Belgrano, of the American Legion, who was attending a state gathering in that town. Shortly after 8:00 p.M., “Boots and Saddles’ was sud- denly sounded and camp was quickly struck. Column of route was formed behind an advance guard of one troop and the final jump began. A secondary but paved high- way was followed to avoid the heaviest motor traffic and only the regulation halts were made. The movement was devoid of incident. Such lame horses as were being led showed improvement rather than otherwise, seeming to be benefitted by the fresh night air and frequent leading. There were no indications of ill effect from the pavement and all were going strong when the Fort Des Moines gate was passed at 5:50 A.M., and the command was home again.
A few details only remain to be recounted.
In the matter of feeding, both oats and hay were pur- chased locally. The latter was generally timothy or light clover and timothy mixed and uniformly of good quality. Waste was avoided by having picket line guards continu- ally rake the hay beneath the line and kept available to the horses, thus evading loss and contamination. Salt was at hand at all times.
It was the practice in all troops the moment their mounts entered camp and were tied on the picket line to slacken girths without removing saddle and to massage legs vigorously for ten or fifteen minutes. Saddles were not removed until the men were ready to begin grooming, which was always begun by hand rubbing of backs to in- sure against puffs. Salt bathing of backs for a time be- fore the “hike’’ was found a in preventing sore backs; this should not be done unless completed before the start of a “hike,” however. Contusions and swellings were covered with cold packs or with white lotion fol- lowed by cold packs.
The total number of animal casualties aw on emerg- ency veterinary tags numbered thirty-three. Of these, fifteen were disease cases, such as dermatitis, _podermatitis, circumscripta. The other eighteen were injuries, for the most part abrasions of the back or withers, or wounds resulting from kicks. Cases of dermatitis occurring on the posterior surface of pasterns were frequently the effect of the rain and mud and it was found that massaging with the hand gave better results for cleaning the pastern re- gion than by having recourse to a brush, which appeared to cause irritation.
A limited number of minor abrasions developed fol-
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
July-August
lowing the night march; none of these were serious and all healed completely within a short time, having re- sponded to drying mixtures. Of these one was methylene blue and tannic acid in alcohol. Saturated solutions of picric acid also proved beneficial.
Ointments and oils were used only during rest periods. Wounds resulting from interference were covered for a few days, after which they gave little or no trouble. This was probably due to the disappearance of leg weariness.
No animal deaths occurred during the march, nor since as the result of it. The total number of evacuations was seventeen, and of these only one was absolutely necessary. All the others could have continued with the column in case of emergency. And, too, it should be stated that this number included several mounts valid but rendered superfluous by reason of their riders being ordered to Camp Perry after the march had begun.
The new trailer with which the cavalry is now equip- ped proved entirely satisfactory, both to the rst Squadron which used it as such behind motor trucks and to the regiment less the 1st Squadron where it was mule- drawn. On paved roads one pair of mules per vehicle was found sufficient.
Memories of the march to Rock Island and return will go down in the annals of the 14th Cavalry. If its equip- ment and matériel were found by this experience to be sound and satisfactory, not less gratifying was the test of personnel. Morale was splendid, even under the most adverse conditions. The regiment has found itself again and, proud in the consciousness of its capabilities, It is now ready for anything. For this reason it remains firm in its conviction that “it’s always fair weather when good fellows get together.”
: A vy fi
Progress of Cavalry Rifle and Pistol Team Tryouts (Continued from page 16) The Rifle Team Squad is now entering the final grind,
preparatory to making the actual shooting team in the Matches a team that the Cavalry as a whole may well be proud of. Morale is high, scores are steadily improving, and the competitors are getting down to serious work.
The Pistol Team Squad is progressing excellently. Again we have a potential winning team, if we can get going at the right time.
The success of teams in the National Matches in most instances is traceable to morale and esprit. The team officials are striving to keep the morale up and to maintain the Cavalry esprit. The support of our regimental com- manders can be of great assistance, and, although ‘ it 1s without doubt present, the competitor who is striving to make the team now, can exert greater efforts if he hears with his own ears, or sees with his own eyes that the
“outfit” is behind him. We are half way through the siege now, and going strong. May we keep up the pace.
an be
alt
Graduation Events, The Cavalry School, 1935
By Mayor Kent C. Lampert, gth Cavalry
HE graduation of the classes of the Cavalry School
for the School Year 1934-1935 had many added
and unique features which made it a most interest- ing climax for students and permanent personnel.
Among the special features were: The added month to the usual nine months’ course to allow for the sched- uled seventeen-day march of the Cavalry School Brigade to Fort Leavenworth and return, during which the students were to ride their regularly assigned remounts as part of the Remount Competition; the last graduation in which Brigadier General Abraham G. Lott exercised command as the Commandant of the Cavalry School; the presence of Major General Leon B. Kromer, Chief of Cavalry, who gave a stirring address to the graduating classes; and the greatest flood in the history of Fort Riley, which, because of its sudden appearance and destructive results, altered the planned program materially.
The rampage of the Republican and Kansas rivers will no doubt be of interest to the many former Riley resi- dents. Although flood warnings were issued daily as the Republican gathered force and swept down its valley, no one at Fort Riley had any idea of what these warnings meant. Aviators from Marshall Field made constant re- connaissance of the crest as it approached Fort Riley on June 2d. As it passed Milford, carrying the railroad sta- tion with it, everyone who could do so gathered at the concrete bridge and reservoir hill to watch the spectacle. At 11:00 A.M., June 3rd, the crest reached Washington Street Bridge, which held, but the river left its banks and rushed across the sand dunes, race track, hippodrome, the island, the air field, Whiskey Lake, and on—and Fort Riley was isolated from the west, south, and east. The planes from Marshall Field had established a field on the plateau in the vicinity of North Gate. The families from Marshall Field, race track pasture, and the regimental farms were rescued and moved into the post. Many of the civilian employees of the Quartermaster, Post Ex- change, Post Headquarters, and telephone operators who were caught on the Fort Riley side of the flood were the week-end guests of the post personnel.
Naturally, the graduation events scheduled in the Hippodrome for June 3rd were transferred to the West Hall. The Hippodrome was suitable only for a sea horse, being eight feet under water, but was identifiable by a sign reading “Reserved for the Department of Horse- manship,”
The water began its fall on June 5th, and on June 7th the concrete bridge was open to Junction City. Highway 4o to Manhattan was opened on June roth.
The remount competition, which is an annual gradua- tion event consisting of schooling, use of arms, cross
Fort RILEY FLoop SCENES DuRING GRADUATION PERIOD. 1. Kansas River. Looking toward Marshall Field.
2. C.C.C. Camp near Engineer Bridge.
3. Union Pacific track, and hay sheds.
4. Pump House area. Race track stable at right center.
22 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
country, and jumping was this year augmented by a march and field service phase. This added test was to demonstrate the capabilities of the remount to take his place in the column of a marching and maneuvering bri- gade, and to determine the standards that we may rea- sonably expect of the young horse just finishing his nine months’ training period. As stated previously, it had been planned that this phase would be held as part of the seventeen-day match and maneuver of the Cavalry School Brigade, June sth to June 21st, inclusive; but, because of the flood, this plan had to be altered. School troops had
to be held in readiness for relief and rehabilitation work.
Therefore, to accomplish this march phase test and provide the students with the field training contemplated in the original plan, a provisional squadron composed of the Brigade Headquarters Troop and a Student Troop was organized.
The Student Troop was composed of four platoons, one each from the Advanced Equitation Class and Noncom- missioned Officers’ Advanced Equitation Class, and two from the Regular Class. Each student started the march on his regularly assigned remount, and cared for his mount and himself as a private soldier in the field.
A total of forty-five remounts made the march. The majority were horses whose training had started as four- year olds, three as five, and one as a three-year-old in September, 1934. Eleven were equipped with the modi- fied McClellan saddle, the remainder with the officers’ field saddle.
The plans contemplated a march of about 300 miles in eight marching days out of the eleven days scheduled for the field, particular emphasis to be given on marching gaits as taught by the Cavalry School. This method ad- vocates the squadron as the marching unit and the pla- toon as the regulating unit.
Following is a short summary of the marches made:
June 11th. Left Fort Riley at 8:00 a.m.; arrived in bivouac, Gar- rison, at 1:30 p.m. Distance, 28 miles.
June 12th. Left Garrison at 5:45 a.m; arrived in bivouac, near Marysville, at 1:00 p.m. Distance, 35.2 miles.
June 13th. Left bivouac at 5:43 a.m.; arrived at Wymore, Ne- braska, 11:25 a.m. Distance 29 miles.
Left bivouac 8:00 P.m.; arrived in bivouac, Pickrell, at 1:00 a.m., June 14th. Distance, 22.8 miles. Total distance for June 13th-14th, 51.8 miles.
June 14th. Rest.
June 15th. Left Pickrell at 5:00 a.m.; arrived in bivouac 6 miles southwest of Lincoln, Nebraska, at 11:00 a.m. Dis- tance, 32 miles.
June 16th. Rest.
June 17th, Left bivouac at 5:08 a.m.; arrived in bivouac, Pickrell, at 10:52 a.m. Distance, 32 miles.
Left Pickrell at 6:39 P.m.; arrived in bivouac, Wy- more, at 10:52 p.m. Distance, 22.8 miles. Total distance for day, 54.8 miles.
June 18th, Rest.
June 19th. Left Wymore at 5:04 a.m.; arrived in bivouac, Marys- ville at 9:45 a.m. Distance, 27.3 miles.
June 20th. Left Marysville at 4:50 a.m,; arrived in bivouac, Gar-
rison, at 10:50 a.m. Distance, 34 miles.
Left Garrison at 5:04 a.m.; arrived at Fort Riley at
9:04 a.m. Distance, 28 miles.
Total distance, 290.3 miles.
June 21st.
July-August
During this march phase an accurate check was kept by a board of officers, consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan} M. Wainwright, Assistant Commandant; Major Calvin De Witt, Chief, Department of Horseman- ship, and Major George L. Caldwell, V.C., Department of Horsemanship, of the condition of each horse after each day’s march, and preceding the next, with an allotted value gained for each day completed under the saddle, or lost due to lameness or sore back.
At the completion of this march phase, the score of each horse was added to the scores already obtained in the preceding phases of the Remount Competition, and the winner designated accordingly.
A summary of the graduation events, with the winner: follows:
ADVANCED EguITATION CLAss, ADVANCED CHARGER ScHOOLING PHASE
Place Rider
Ist First Lieut. Henri Luebbermann, Cavalry 2d_—sCWFFirst Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry 3d_—sC*FFirst Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry 4th First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry
ADVANCED Egu!Tation Ciass, ADVANCED CHARGER
Cross CouNTRY Ist First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry Recoil 2d_=sCr Fist Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry Adalid 3d_—sC First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Podhorski 4th First Lieut. Edwin H. J. Carns, Cavalry Reno Duce
ADVANCED EQguiItTATION CLass, ADVANCED CHARGER JuMPING PHASE lst First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Podhorski 2d_=séC(WFFist Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry Jinwich 3d_—SsCWFFirst Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry Adalid 4th First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry Flitter
Mount
Podhorski Recoil Adalid Jinwich
ADVANCED EguITATION CLAss, ADVANCED CHARGER COMPETITION
Ist First Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry Adalid
lst First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Podhorski (Tied for First Place)
2d_~=s«* First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry
3d_—s First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry
4th First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry
Recoil Flitter Jinwich
ADVANCED EguITATION CLass, CHARGER SCHOOLING PHASE Ist First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Scamps Boy 2d_~=—«~ First Lieut. John G. Minniece, Jr., Cavalry Dustan 3d_—Ss First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry Dintanita 4th First Lieut. Edwin H. J. Carns, Cavalry Fitz K.
ADVANCED EguiTATION CLAss, CHARGER JUMPING PHASE First Lieut. Clarence K. Darling, Cavalry Silver Fox First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Scamps Boy First Lieut. Edwin H. J. Carns, Cavalry Fitz K. First Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry Goldseeker
ADVANCED EguiraTion CLAss, CHARGER COMPETITION First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Scamp’s Boy First Lieut. John G. Minniece, Jr., Cavalry Dunstan First Lieut. Edwin H. J. Carns, Cavalry Fitz K. First Lieut. Leander LaC. Doan, Cavalry Goldseeker
ApvVANCED Egurtation CLass, REMOUNT SCHOOLING PHASE Ist First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry Anita Mentor 2d ‘First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry Run Around 3d First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry Frannie 4th First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Hatorda
ADVANCED Equitation CLass, REMouNT OuTpDooR PHASE Ist First Lieut. John G. Minniece, Jr., Cavalry Latifolia 2d =‘ First Lieut. Paul D. Harkins, Cavalry Lady Mac 3d“ First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry Anita Mentor 4th First Lieut. Clarence K. Darling, Cavalry | Dannefred
1935
ADVANCED Equitation CLass, REMOUNT CoMPETITION
lst First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry § Anita Mentor 2d ‘ First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry Frannie
3d.—s“ First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry Run Around 4th First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Hatorda
ADVANCED EguitaTION Cass, Poco Horse SCHOOLING PHASE
First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Florine
First Lieut. Paul D. Harkins, Cavalry Reno Dot First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry Kaffirant First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry - Stella Gordon
ADVANCED EguitaTion Ciass, Poco Horse ComMPEtTITION
First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry Florine
First Lieut. Paul D. Harkins, Cavalry Reno Dot First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry Kaffirant First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry Stella Gordon
REGULAR CLAss, REMOUNT SCHOOLING PHASE
First Lieut. Chandler P. Robbins, Jr., Cav. Tilt Top Second Lieut. O’Neill K. Kane, Cavalry Tom Boy Second Lieut. John H. Dudley, Cavalry Fraternity Second Lieut. James O. Curtis, Jr., Cavalry Sally F.
REGULAR CLAss, REMOUNT OuTDOOR PHASE
Second Lieut. Angelo R. Del Campo, Cav. Irish Girl First Lieut. David A. Watt, Jr., Cavalry Glint Second Lieut. Robert W. Porter, Jr., Cav. Fitzota Second Lieut. Wayne J. Dunn, Cavalry Gen. Buell
REGULAR CLAss, REMOUNT COMPETITION
Second Lieut. Franklin. F. Wing, Jr., Cav. High Spot Second Lieut. John H. Dudley, Cavalry Fraternity Second Lieut. O’Neill K. Kane, Cavalry Tom Boy Second Lieut. James O. Curtis, Jr., Cavalry Sally F.
REGULAR CLass, JUMPERS
Second Lieut. James O. Curtis, Jr., Cavalry Muskogee Second Lieut. Cornelius A. Lichirie, Cavalry Maher Second Lieut. Donald M. Schorr, Cavalry Flurry Knox Second Lieut. Henry B. Croswell, Cavalry Big Red
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE Troop OFFICERS’ CLAss, Pistot COMPETITION
Second Lieut. Walter R. Tayloe, Cavalry-Reserve.
Captain R. J. Cowles, 113th Cavalry, Iowa National Guard.
First Lieut. L. K. Kurland, Cavalry-Reserve. First Lieut. W. P. Winchester, Cavalry-Reserve.
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE TROOP OFFICERS’ CLAss, Cross-CouNTRY AND JUMPING COMPETITION
First Lieut. H. K. Henry, Cav.-Res. Blaze Captain J. F. Kellogg, Cav.-Res. Cashton Captain R. C. Hall, Cav.-Res. Miss Beason Second Lieut. J. R. Graham, Cav.-Res. Big Red
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ ADVANCED EgulitaTION CLAss, CHARGER SCHOOLING PHASE
Corporal Samuel Carter, M.G. Troop, 10th Cavalry , Dintate
Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th Cavalry 3d Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. 4th Corporal Robert W. Georisch, Troop E, 13th Cavalry
Talus Chaffinch
Fanchion
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ ADVANCED EgulirtaTION CLAss, CHARGER JUMPING PHASE
Ist Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. 2d Corporal Clifford Butler, Troop B, 3d Cav. 3d Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cav. 4th Corporal Avery G. Mills, Troop F, 13th Cav.
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ ADVANCED EQUuITATION CLASS, CHARGER COMPETITION
Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cav. Corporal Samuel Carter, M.G. Troop, 10th Cavalry
Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th ; Cavalry Talus
Chaffinch King Kong Sharper Square Smith
Chaffinch Sharper
Dintate
GRADUATION EVENTS, THE CAVALRY SCHOOL, 1935 23
NONCOMMISSIONED OrFicers’ ADVANCED EQguirtaATION CLass, RemountT ComMPETITION, First GrouP SCHOOLING PHASE
Ist Corporal Samuel Carter, M.G. Troop, 10th
Cavalry Skeeter 2d Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. Bathing Suit 3d Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th
Cavalry Broncho Dan 4th Corporal Clifford Butler, Troop B, 3d Cav. Hamilburr
NONCOMMISSIONED OrFicers’ ADVANCED EguirtATION CLAss, REMOUNT CoMPETITION, First Group OutTpoor PHASE
Ist Sergeant Roy Childers, M.G. Troop, 2d Cav. Stock Meter
2d Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. Bathing Suit
3d Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th Cavalry Broncho Dan
4th Corporal Tillman A. Kelley, Troop A, 7th
Cavalry Miss Gibbon
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFIcers’ ADVANCED EguitaTION CLAss,
REMouNT CoMPETITION, First Group
Ist Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th
valry Broncho Dan
2d Corporal Samuel Carter, M.G. Troop, 10th Cavalry
3d Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav.
4th Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cav.
Skeeter Bathing Suit Mad Neill
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFIcErS’ ADVANCED EguirtaTIoNn Ciass, REMOUNT CoMPETITION, SECOND Group SCHOOLING PHASE
Ist Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th
Cavalry Nora Dinter 2d Corporal Avery G. Mills, Troop F, 13th Cav. Riggs Mentor 3d Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cav. Aryan 4th Sergeant Roy Childers, M.G. Troop, 2d Cav. Sage Brush
NONCOMMISSIONED OrFicers’ ADVANCED EguiTaTION Cass,
REMOUNT CoMPETITION, SECOND Group OuTpoor PHASE [st Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cav. Aryan 2d Sergeant Roy Childers, M.G. Troop, 2d Cav. Sage Brush 3d Corporal Avery G. Mills, Troop F, 13th Cavalry Riggs Mentor 4th Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. Trumps
NoNCOMMISSIONED OFFicers’ ADVANCED EguitaTIoNn CLass, Remount CoMPETITION, SECOND GRouP
Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A,. 5th
Cavalry Nora Dinter Corporal Avery G. Mills, Troop F, 13th Cav. Riggs Mentor Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cav. Trumps Sergeant Roy Childers, M.G. Troop, 2d Cav. Sage Brush
REGULAR Cass, NicHt Ripe
Metalic Bermuda Shamrock Craig
Second Lieut. Glenn F. Rogers, Cavalry Second Lieut. Franklin F. Wing, Cavalry Second Lieut. Robert W. Porter, Jr., Cavalry Second Lieut. Cornelius A. Lichirie, Cavalry
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE Troop OrFicers’CLAss, Nicut Rive
Captain C. R. Bevington, Cavalry, Idaho National Guard. First Lieut. H. K. Henry, Cavalry_Reserve.
First Lieut. L. K. Kurland, Cavalry-Reserve.
First Lieut. T. M. Spieldoch, Cavalry-Reserve.
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ ADVANCED EguitATION CLass, NiGcut Ripe
Corporal Robert Goerisch, Troop E, 13th Cavalry. Sergeant Roy Childers, M.G. Troop, 2d Cavalry. Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th Cavalry. Sergeant James Martin, Troop A, 11th Cavalry.
THE LoriLttarp Cup
To the member of the Advanced Equitation Class with the best aggregate score made in graduation events on his assigned ad- vanced charger, charger, green polo horse, and remount.
Ist First Lieut. Henri A. Luebbermann, Cavalry. 2d_—s*First Lieut. Milton A. Acklen, Cavalry.
3d_—sC First Lieut. William H. Hunter, Cavalry.
4th First Lieut. Zachery W. Moores, Cavalry.
24 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
REGULAR Cass, ALL AROUND EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
To the member of the Regular Class, having the highest number
of points as determined from the following table: Possible
Score Coefficient Remount Competition ; 1 Jumper Competition 2 Night Ride 1 Standard Stakes 1
Possible Points
Maximum Total 2,360 Second Lieut. Franklin F. Wing, Jr., Cavalry.
Second Lieut. Glenn F. Rogers, Cavalry.
Second Lieut. Robert W. Porter, Jr., Cavalry.
Second Lieut. Angelo R. Del Campo, Jr., Cavalry.
NoONCOMMISSIONED OFFicers’ ALL AROUND EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
To the member of the Noncommissioned Officers’ Advanced Equitation Class with the best aggregate score made in gradua- tion events on his assigned charger, remount first group, and remount second group. Ist Sergeant James P. Owens, Troop A, 5th Cavalry. 2d Sergeant Howard P. Null, Troop E, 2d Cavalry. 3d Corporal Samuel Carter, M.G. Troop, 10th Cavalry. 4th Corporal Avery G. Mills, Troop F, 13th Cavalry.
THE CAVALRYMAN’S Bow.
To that student of the Regular Class who has displayed the greatest proficiency in the duties of a cavalryman, as demonstrated by his work in the various activities of the School during the school year, and as determined by an examination of his record for the entire year, covering his work in all instructional depart-
ments. lst Second Lieut. Robert W. Porter, Jr.,
STANDARD STAKES, OPEN TO ALL OFFICERS OF THE GARRISON Ist First Lieut. Paul D. Harkins, Cavalry. 2d Second Lieutenant James O. Curtis, Jr., Cavalry. 3d_—sC First Lieut. Walter E. Finnegan, 13th Cavalry. 4th Second Lieut. John K. Waters, Cavalry.
Cavalry.
July-August
Combat LEADERSHIP TROPHY
To the officer who has demonstrated the highest efficiency in the duties of a cavalry officer of his grade, based on his individual work in all departments while a student in the National Guard and Reserve Officers’ Class, The Cavalry School, with particular stress placed upon his demonstrated combat leadership. Ist CaptainC. R. Bevington, 116th Cavalry, Idaho National
Guard.
Captain Clifford R. Bevington, 116th Cavalry,
Idaho National Guard, winner of Combat
Leadership Trophy and Night Ride, National
Guard and Reserve Troop Officers’ Class. In
private life, he is a Junior High School In- structor at Gooding, Idaho.
Summer Camp of 116th Cavalry, Idaho National Guard
By LiEUTENANT GLENN BaLcu
DAHO’S crack national guard horse regiment, the 116th Cavalry, 45 officers and 528 enlisted men, recently completed at the Boise barracks field one of
the most successful encampments in the history of the regiment.
The 116th Cavalry’s brother National Guard organi- zations, the 116th Engineers and the 148th Field Arul- lery, journeyed this year to Fort Lewis, at Seattle, Wash- ington, there to take part in summer training maneuvers by the National Guard of four northwestern states, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, thus leaving only the cavalry regiment to settle down for the two weeks’ period, June 8th to June 22d, at the Boise Field.
A splendidly mounted regiment of natural horsemen, the 116th Cavalry in all its training has laid special em- phasis on horsemanship with the purpose of keeping at a high level those essential qualities of mobility, fire power, shock, and spirit which makes the cavalry a colorful, effective branch of our national security organization.
Colonel Sam D. Hays, commanding officer of the regi-
ment, was camp commander of the encampment, and Major John D. Hood, Cavalry, regular army officer as- signed to the 116th, was the camp instructor. The camp was visited by Colonel John T. Geary, C.A.C., national guard representative of the Ninth corps area, and Captain C. C. Park, Field Artillery, representing the chief of the National Guard Bureau at Washington.
Among the officers attending the camp was Captain Clifford R. Bevington, commanding Troop A, recently graduated by the Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas, with high honors. A leader and a good horseman, Captain Bevington has made a fine record as a troop commander.
Intra-camp rivalry between the various troops attend- ing the camp opened with a bang on Sunday, the second day, when the fast polo teams representing Troop A, Gooding, and Troop E, Boise, clashed in an eight-chukker battle. A spirited exhibition of the mallet sport, the game resulted in a 7-5 victory for Troop E. Playing for Troop E were Lieutenant Johnson, First Sergeant Keltner, Pr- vate Allen and Private Jacobs. Captain Bevington, Licu-
and - as- amp onal tain the
tain ntly nsas, tain
tie
1935
tenant Balch, First Sergeant Cecil, and Sergeant Hudson carried the Troop A colors into the fray.
Polo is a sport which Idaho National Guardsmen take to readily and in recent years some excellent mounts, mostly privately owned, have been accumulated in the various troops. Likewise 33 head of young remounts were added to the regiment this year, some seven or eight being purchased from contract or accepted animals in camp and the remainder from Oregon dealers.
Training began early Monday morning, with the first four days being devoted to field exercises, on the sloping foothills behind Boise, in scouting, patrolling, recon- noitering, and dismounted combat. Each morning the three long lines of the squadrons rode forth, moving out from the picket lines under orders at 7:10 sharp, each squadron. headed for its respective drill area for the day,
I and all during the forenoons the gentle bare slopes of
the foothills could be seen covered with horsemen, some riding in close order, some in advance guard formations, some as scouts and patrols, some in long thin lines of foragers and still others sweeping over this swell or that ridge in pistol charges.
Friday afternoon was given over to the annual regi- mental field day, in which there is spirited competition among the troopers in both mounted and dismounted events for the numerous prizes and awards. Dismounted events include the two popular dashes, tugs-of-war, and a 44o-yard relay. Among the mounted features are three classes of j jumping, mounted wrestling, cossack racing, tugs-of-war, musical chair contests, three-gaited classes iad novelty races.
When the smoke of hot rivalry had cleared away from the polo field, where the competition took place, it was found that Machine-Gun Troop, of Weiser, had won the mounted events with a score of 28. How those machine gunnets did ride! Four units, Troops K, Moscow; E, Boise; A, Gooding, and F, Nampa, tied for second place with 15 points each.
In the dismounted competition, Headquarters Troop, Caldwell, won first place, with 23 points, and I, Lewis- ton, and K, Moscow, tied for second with 10 points each.
An exciting incident of the field day occurred when two iron-jawed horses, entered in the novelty race (where- in the various contestants draw for mounts), bolted and ended up—up-ended, too—in a big water-filled irtigation ditch, with two gigantic splashes. No one was hurt, but riders and horses received thorough soaking.
In the “best turned out mounted trooper” event, one of the most hotly contested features of the field day, First Sergeant Russell Cecil of Troop A won first place over a classy group of immaculate cavalrymen and splendid horses in full-pack equipment.
The manual of arms contest went to—of all things!—a bandsman, Private Eugene Ney of Caldwell, member of the 116th Cavalry band. Private Ney can click a rifle
about as well as he can blow a horn.
The annual regimental banquet was held at the Owy-
SUMMER CAMP OF 116TH CAVALRY, IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD 25
hee Hotel, Friday evening, with Lieutenant Colonel Frank Meek as toastmaster and Adjutant General M. G. McConnell the guest of honor. Spirited repartee, good food, and a generally friendly spirit of fellowship made the banquet highly enjoyable. After the customary roast- ing, Adjutant General McConnell, Colonel Hays, and Major Hood made short speeches.
Saturday was given over to the cleaning of equipment and inspection, Sunday was a rest day, with church con- ducted by Lieutenant Turner in the morning.
All officers of the regiment worked on Regimental command post problems in camp the second Monday morning under the direction of Major Hood, while the troops were moved out for drill by the noncommissioned officers.
Monday afternoon was “Governor's Day”’ and the en- tire regiment marched in review before Governor C. Ben Ross. At officers’ mess that evening the Governor was the guest of honor, and was presented with a silver- mounted bridle bit purchased from regimental funds.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the three squadrons went out successively to solve tactical combat problems and spend a night in bivouac. The third squadron, composed of I and K Troops, under Major Frank Townley, was the first out. Major Lou Farber and his first squadron, Troops A and B, came Wednes- day, and Major Clarence Martin, with E and F, made
the third and final squadron maneuver on Thursday.
The problem given the squadrons was to throw out a bridgehead in front of a deep, swift-running canal for the purpose of making the bridge and river safe for the crossing of friendly troops. The problem was conducted under the direction of Major Hood, and a skeletonized enemy was represented 1 in the field by the use of flags, blank ammunition and aerial bombs under control of the brigade staff, Major Colvard, Captain Fred Vandergraft, and Lieutenant John Walsh with a few detailed enlisted men. Lieutenant Walsh was also the provost marshal in town during the camp and the conduct of the men was generally excellent, much favorable comment in this regard coming from the civilian authorities.
The 1935 encampment attracted considerable attention from the newsreels. A Pathé News cameraman spent much time on the drill area, getting pictures of the ma- chine-gun units going into action, of pistol charges, and general maneuvering. On one occasion a group of picked horsemen, including several Cavalry School graduates, led by Captain George Wright on a. beautiful brown gelding, staged a cross-country ride for the cameraman, taking steep slides, treacherous ascents, water jumps, and hurdles at full gallop.
The highest award of the camp, the Colonel James Harris trophy given for tactical efficiency, sanitation, field training, armory drilling, camp administration, mili- tary courtesy, and military discipline, was awarded on the final Friday afternoon of the camp. It was won by the
Machine-Gun troop, officered by Captain E. W. Horner,
26 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
First Lieutenant Fred D. Stover, First Lieutenant Dar- win N. Hite, and Second Lieutenant John T. Jensen. This trophy is named for Colonel Jim Harris, former be- loved commander of the regiment, who was killed a few years ago in an automobile accident.
Major Bob Talbot’s crack baseball team from the medical detachment won the encampment baseball cham- pionship, following a hard fought round robin of close games in which the “Pill Rollers’ ” supremacy was threat-
Panama's Irregular Cavalry
By Captain Maurice Rose, Cavalry
probably the most strenuous, comprehensive, and
instructive maneuvers that have ever been com- pleted under peace-time conditions by any organization of the United States Army, are over. Organizations had been marched day and night, many day’s marches were up to nearly twenty-five miles, food was limited, and hunger and privation were the order of the day, not because the service of supply had failed but because Major General Harold B. Fiske placed his command into the field on a war-time basis. War conditions existed, war rations were issued, and the command proved itself ready for—anything.
There was one element which forcibly injected itself into the picture of the Departmental maneuvers, and which through its typical cavalry activities caused Briga- dier General John W. Gulick, commander of the pro- visional Coast Artillery Brigade, to announce in substance at the main critique that the provisional cavalry organiza- tion operating under his command had rendered invalu- able assistance, convincing him that there should be a detachment of mounted troops in the Department.
It is not my intention to enter into a discussion of the entire maneuver, which lasted between three and four weeks, but rather so mention the operations which our branch is more vitally concerned with: i.e., the operations of mounted troops in the Panama Canal Department.
The enemy, commanded by Major General Lytle Brown, and consisting generally of the 14th Infantry, 33d Infantry, 2d Field Artillery, 11th Engineers, and necessary supply units, had been disgustingly successful and our friendly troops, generally known as the 1st Pro- visional Coast Artillery Brigade, commanded by General Gulick, had been forced to retire to a position generally along the line extending through Cerro Corozal to the north and south and prepare for a desperate defense. The Department Commander at this time placed at the dis- posal of the Commanding General of the 1st Provisional Coast Artillery Brigade the facilities of the Panama Pa- cific General Depot, which under some conditions would not have proven a very serious factor from the standpoint of fire and manpower, but in the Corozal Depot it was a serious factor, because for the past four years the troops
Te maneuvers in the Panama Canal Department,
July-August
ened time and time again.
During the camp the regiment’s fine band, in addition to playing daily for guard mounts and squadron parades, gave two concerts under the direction of Warrant Officer J. J. Smith.
And now the 116th has dispersed again, to the re- spective home stations in various patts of the state, fo: another year of armory training, where they will look forward to the next encampment of 1936.
A provisional troop compos: ed of men of various arms
ov and services, mounted on j " native polo ponies, obtains f ;- remarkable results in De- | .. partment maneuvers. 9 1€ of the Depot, under command of Colonel George Wil- by liams, Cavalry, have not been known as Depot troops cha but as the First Provisional Depot Regiment, which J} cap were “‘soldiers first and specialists afterwards.” And it J to | was these troops that occupied the “‘center of the line,” [J pos bore the brunt of the enemy penetration and performed B their infantry duties in a manner to call for the commen- J ture dation of the higher commanders. thre One other arm remained at Corozal to be utilized for BF eral the desperate defense ordered by the Department Com- J dete mander. The native polo ponies placed under the com- § ener mand of Colonel Williams for exercise, care and super- T vision were organized into a provisional troop of cavalry, sees mounted by men of the various services with riding ex- ee perience, commanded by the author and, with First Liev- pa tenant John L. Horner, Jr., of the Quartermaster remount ff 4..:, service as second in command, were offered to General sania Gulick to assist him in his defense of the Panama Pacific § 41. ; General Depot, the locks at Miraflores and Pedro Miguel. snd 3 The night of March 24th-25th, was a perfect tropical 0 night, especially designed for gay caballeros to whisper C r sweet nothings into the ears of coy senoritas to the ac- ‘ tt: companiment of the dulcet strains of strummed guitars, Fa nck instead of the typical phrases so familiar to the cavalry Ye picket line, overheard in the vicinity of the Corozal reg . stables as ponies were saddled, grain packed, and blank hil | ammunition issued to the command which in appearance in '; closely resembled the aggregation of a Pancho Villa, j ae: Sandino, or perhaps even Jesse James. a a At five o'clock on the morning of March asth, che c ; . provisional cavalry = left Corozal charged with the nd mission of locating and determining the dispositior of 2 oll
the enemy force.
d for Som- com- uper- ralry, o eX: Lieu- Jount neral acific guel. apical uisper 1e ac itars, valry orozal blank ance
Villa,
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1935
The troop moved with its axis generally along the Panama National Highway, and sent an officer’s patrol through the Corundu Military Reservation, via trails, to locate the enemy force whose whereabouts were un- known. At about g:00 A.M. the point of the enemy advance guard was encountered on the National High- way and captured. Very valuable information was ob- rained and telephoned to brigade headquarters by utiliz- ing commercial telephones.
The continuation of the reconnaissance along the Na- tional Highway led to the enemy in bivouac in the vicinity of Matias Hernandez and, by the use of high-handed methods, the exact location of the various regiments was cetermined and immediately communicated to the bri- gade commander.
The next mission assigned the “troop” commander was to “cover the outpost line and act according to your own judgment and training as a cavalryman.” This is the sort of an order we all love to receive. Being given a
ussion and allowed to work out the details is really a perfect “set-up” which we too seldom encounter.
Troop headquarters were established at ‘‘stone bridge.” Cavalry patrols operated in front of the outpost line of the rst Coast Artillery. The enemy attempted to take the bridge but was driven back across the river. Covered by the fire of the coast artillery outpost, the “troop” charged across the bridge three times and succeeded in capturing the entire section of the enemy which proved to be a covering detachment sent out to reconnoiter the position in the vicinity of the stone bridge.
Before the end of the maneuvers, the cavalry had cap- tured prisoners from each regiment in the line and, through information brought to the Commanding Gen- eral of the Coast Artillery Brigade had enabled him to determine the exact formation to be utilized by the enemy in the attack.
The night before the attack, sent on a mission to de- termine the location of the command post of General Brown and the location of the 2d Field Artillery, the embryo Cavalry troop was able to gain the information desired, cut the wires leading to the cominand post of the enemy commander, and capture and bring back, through the city of Panama, the enemy water purification truck and three additional trucks.
On the morning of March 27th, the missions of the Cavalry were independent and they, were permitted to operate where they could do the most harm. The enemy attack was launched at 10:00 A.M., but before and during the attack the cavalry made itself felt. Frequent raids were made on infantry, consisting of riding into them while they were deploying and scattering them or caus- ing them to seek cover; but the high point of the entire operation took place when a mounted patrol, commanded by the troop commander and consisting of one other of- ficer, Lieutenant Horner, and six men, while on an inde- pendent mission in rear of the enemy line of departure, encountered the commanding officer of the enemy motor
PANAMA’S IRREGULAR CAVALRY 27
~ ’ a“ "OPO Hye, CORUNDU “ag ieee at ~ Ming AAILITARY RESERVATION : < cS
we Loc, oa --- A H3 208-34, .
1OMI.-RIO ABAJO —>
Where provisional troop participated in Department maneuvers.
convoy and engineer pack train, resting on the bridge over the Corundu River in the vicinity of the Bull ring and about 100 yards from his train, but out of their sight. The commanding officer of the train was immediately captured and forced to surrender his train. Some forty trucks, numerous passenger cars; two trucks equipped with antiaircraft machine guns and sufficient men to handle them were a part of the spoils of this raid. A dis- cussion with the chief umpire and a brief resume of the circumstances brought forth the welcome information that the capture of the train would be credited to the Coast Artillery Brigade as having been brought in by their mounted patrol.
Since the completion of this maneuver, I have had time to ponder as to why there is no cavalry in Panama. Of all the places imaginable this is the one where the mounted man should serve. Mechanization is splendid, but cannot operate in the jungles and trails, which exist throughout this isthmus, off the highway. If this small provisional group could have operated in a manner which merited the favorable comments of the Department and Sector Commanders, it is conclusive that a well-trained mounted organization would be highly beneficial to assist in the defense of the canal. The wet season in Panama is extremely prolonged but even in the dry season motors can not operate off the main trails or highways, and in wet season no wheeled transportation can negotiate most of the trails. But the horse will always go through. We too few cavalrymen in Panama are pleased and enthused with the success of our mounted activities during these maneuvers and have shown higher authority what mount- ed troops can accomplish here. In every action entered into by the provisional troop, no advantage was taken of the fact that only blank ammunition was used or that we were operating from horseback. Every tactical move- ment would have the approval of the faculty of the Cav- alry School. It was our intention to prove that the use of the horse cavalry in Panama is desirable and we cannot help but feel that we have done so.
By Coronet C.F. Martin, 13th Cavalry (Concluded from May-]une number. ) VI
Scout Cars—Mororizep Comsat Groups— DEMOLITION SECTION
23. The Scout Cars.
The scout cars are a most valuable addition to the regi- ment’s equipment. They permit quick reconnaissance of distant areas, and early contact with the enemy. There- after they should keep the regiment informed as to the enemy’s movements and permit the most effective orienta- tion of our own march and coordination of action. They should be equipped with the best two-way radios obtain- able. The crew should be of specially selected men trained so far as practicable to replace one another in their various functions.
It might be argued, since we have anti-tank weapons as well as light machine guns on our scout cars, that they should be used for security purposes—somewhat like combat patrol groups—on the flanks, front or elsewhere. But the primary and most valuable service of these ve- hicles is that of reconnaissance at distances much greater than horse cavalry patrols can make in time, and to main- tain a flow of information as to the movements of the highly mobile mechanized or motorized hostile elements. Their speed and their high-powered radio sets permit this vital service which can not be performed by mounted patrols or scouts. The scout cars will use their weapons for their own protection; but they should never be em- ployed in combat missions save in cases of grave emer- gency—they give us new eyes and new ears of far-reach- ing capacity, the loss of which should not be risked so long as that can be avoided.
Neither should these cars be sent to secure or hold river crossings or other points. The crews are 'techni- cal men, not organized in any way for dismounted combat—particularly for dismounted movement. If such a car approaches under observation, or stops within range of enemy troops already in possession of bridge or other point, destruction of the car is invited. If it stops out of sight some distance away, its crew is too small and its guns too immobile for any effective attempt at maneuver dismounted.
Another mission that should not be assigned to scout cars is that of demolitions. The same tactical objections exist, and there is no room in the car for explosives. The crew must carry their own equipment and rations; and
Influences of Mechanization, Motorization and Machine Guns on the Horse Cavalry Regiment's Tactics, Organization and Supply Methods
as ca ni sc ca sce . of Our most effective Cavalry | :: regiment would have one f * machine gun platoonineach f :i. rifle troop, one machine gun ; troop in each squadron, and J i. one regimental machine gun t troop. lic are crowded in the car at best. The scout cars should Ie. be maintained for command and control purposes. Com- r bat and demolition missions should be left to other agencies = Higher units should have their own scout cars and P * should not detach those of the regiment when the regi- of ment is separated from the main body, which must often . nif be the case. - q 24. 4 Motorized Regimental Engineer and Demoli- or tion Section. fairl Since the advent of mechanization and improved mo- ce torization, the necessity for engineering and demolition facilities in the regiment has enormously increased. The cavalry regiment as has been pointed out, must often operate far from the division, and, even when with the division, it often has its own zone of activity in which, 26. aside from missions assigned it by higher authority, it shoul will have its own problems of clearing away obstacles, that 1 repairing bridges, preparing stream crossings where no §j “” f bridges exist, destroying or obstructing stream crossings, ff '™P barricading roads, placing road mines, etc. Light, easily fequit transportable road mines of great value against mechan- Ment ized units can readily be constructed and should become ff “64! part of the equipment of the cavalry regiment for use in tions 1 blocking defiles, important approaches, etc. Often the have | points at which minor engineering and demolition activi- fH Prove ties will be necessary will be at a considerable distance fj “(U'Pt and will have to be reached quickly. The present pack difficul demolition section has not the capacity nor the mobility fj ""s. for transporting such equipment; and the need for a small P eac motorized section is clearly indicated for the regiment. mainte The engineer section, like the scout cars, will frequent- J * © P ly need the assistance of a motorized combat group cap § “quire able of dismounted action. ditions 25. 4 Motorized Regimental Combat Group Desir- makesk able. Possible As has been pointed out mage can be assured only = K by force. Often the scout cars will need force to break Ore Of
only break
1935
through minor resistances to accomplish reconnaissance missions; this force should be provided by some other agency—a combat agency. Armored cars and combat cars can not always be available to assist scout car recon- naissance: their field will usually be greater in scope; the scout cats operating on a smaller radius of action. Horse cavalry groups have not the mobility to keep up with the scout cars. European armies have recognized the need of motorized groups to back up mechanized elements in large reconnaissance groups; and some, notably the French, have provided motorized combat groups in their cavalry—such as the dragons portés of the French Cav- alry. :
It will often be necessary to leave groups of machine gunners and riflemen to guard important road junctions, defiles, etc., or to send them ahead to secure them—at considerable distances in each case.
Such a group will often be necessary to assist the demo- lition section; it will facilitate the work of both this agency and the scout cars, and will permit prompt re- lease of this section for other work.
Not only can a motorized group perform these missions more quickly than horse groups, but they can rejoin more promptly. Our recent maneuvers have indicated a need for small motorized groups of this kind. The anti-mech- anization group previously described (Par. 13) lends it- self well to this purpose. One motorized platoon organ- ized as indicated would be of great value. The platoon could be divided into two sections, each an independent, fairly strong combat group for minor activities. Their trucks might well be armored.
VII ORGANIZATION OF MacuHINE-GuN UNITs
26. The tables of organization for our cavalry regiment should provide for the equipment and an organic structure that will enable it to fulfill the réles which, so far as we can foresee them, will be imposed upon it in the next important war. Theaters of operation vary and some will require modification of equipment; similarly the equip- ment needed against a certain enemy may not be required against another. It seems logical to prepare for condi- tions involving an enemy or a group of enemies that will have kept abreast of progress in modern mechanical im- provements and inventions and made provisions for an equipment based on such progress. It would thus not be dificult to adjust to special and less complicated situa- tions. j
Peace or “Maintenance” tables must be adopted to maintenance conditions, but they should be so prepared as to permit prompt and facile transition to war-strength fequirements. What we now have as reduced peace con- ditions with “recruiting-strength” personnel, requires makeshift compromises; which, however, should so far as possible include provisions for the necessary expansion.
As to machine-gun units, we can meet the situation more or less satisfactorily by:
INFLUENCES OF MECHANIZATION, MOTORIZATION, ETC. 29
4. Emulating the infantry, and organizing a machine- gun troop in each squadron;
b. Organizing two regimental machine-gun troops; a plan already proposed for war strength but not for main- tenance organization;
c. By a combination of the foregoing, supplemented by sections of anti-tank weapons in rifle troops and the addition of machine guns to headquarters troops.
27. The Light Machine Guns.
In any combination, the light machine guns should be placed as direct-fire support weapons in the rifle troops; and, for reasons previously stated, it is felt that they should be organized as a platoon in the rifle troop.
For war strength, the present gun crews are too small. There should be enough men to provide for proper am- munition supply, for messenger and liaison service, for scouting and combat patrol duty, and initial replacement. There should be two pack animals to each gun.
The terminology should be changed to make it uni- form with that employed with reference to the other ma- chine-gun units; that ts, each gun and its crew should be called a squad (instead of having a squad composed of two guns, as at present) ; a section should be composed of two squads (2 guns), and a section leader; two or three sections should constitute a platoon. The squad should be composed of five men.
It should be possible when the platoon attaches a sec- tion to a rifle platoon, to send with it at least two men for scouting, combat patrol, and liaison duty.
The dismounted section would then consist of a leader, two scouts and messengers, two gun crews of three men each.
War-Strength Platoon One Squad One Section Men Packs Men Packs Platoon sergeant .... File closer sergeant.. 1 Scouts & Messengers (Horse Holders).. 5 Section Leader (1 to each Section) 1 3 Si SORRS. .csccincssts 5 Z 10 4 30
Platoon Men Pack Horses 1
5 2 11 4 40 Maintenance or Peace Strength One Squad One Section Men Packs Men Packs Platoon sergeant .... File closer sergeant.. 1 Scouts, Messengers,
Platoon Men Pack Horses 1
5
etc. Four Squads (2 Sec-
12 4 17 4 This maintenance-strength platoon has been reduced to a possible minimum. It would be better to maintain the full number of packs and guns since regular army units are supposed to be ready to move at once. 28. Minimum Squads for heavy machine guns and other auxiliary weapons. The minimum war-strength squad for the heavy ma-
chine gun, the .50 caliber gun, and the 37-mm. gun
30 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
should consist of 7 men and 10 animals, including 1 gun pack and 2 ammunition packs. The initial ammunition supply, which is considered a minimum, would then be for each gun squad: 3,000 rounds for the .30 caliber gun, 840 for the .50 caliber gun, and 128 for the 37-mm.
The section should consist of 15 men, and when de- tached it should have with it at least 2 additional men for scout and liaison purposes.
29. Squadron Machine-Gun Troops.
War-STRENGTH TROOP
Men Packs Heavy .30MG Cal..50MG 37-mm. 1 Platoon ...... 36 12 4 2 Platoons .... 72 24 8 1 Section ...... 15 6 2 Troop Head- quarters .... 24 13(a)
147 55 4 8 Z (a) The additional packs are: 2 kitchens; 2 picket line and mis- cellaneous ; 2 ration; 3 ammunition; 4 emergency.
MAINTENANCE-STRENGTH TROOP
Men Packs Heavy .30MG Cal..50MG 37-mm. 1 Platoon... 29 6 4 1 Platoon ...... 29 6 o 1 Section ....... 14 2 2(a) Troop Head- quarters .... 19 6 91 20 4 4 2
(a) If necessary because of recruiting limitations, 1 37-mm. gun might be made inactive, reducing the strength of each squad- ron troop to 84.
Advantages of the squadron machine-gun troop plan:
(1) Permits a more adequate supply of essential auxili- ary weapons in the regiment.
(2) Eliminates the evils pertaining to the constant necessity of attaching the required weapons from a regi- mental organization.
(3) Permits a flexible organization of the trains, with squadron sections, assuring the presence of essential am- munition and supplies with the machine-gun elements.
(4) Gives the squadron commander the basic means which he needs to influence his unit’s effort in combat, and enables him to acquire essential experience in hand- ling fire-support weapons.
(5) Relieves regimental headquarters of a routine ob- ligation of attaching weapons always needed by subor- dinate units; saves delay; lessens the difficulty of sending essential ammunition and supplies with the weapons attached to such units.
(6) Facilitates all-round security of freedom of action in encounters with hostile mechanized forces, and the prompt detachment of properly equipped smaller units for special purposes—the necessary auxiliary weapons for a detached troop or platoon being with the squadron from which the detachment should be sent whether or not that squadron is marching in the same colurnn.
Disadvantages:
(1) If a regimental machine-gun troop is maintained in addition to one in each squadron, the overhead is in- creased by one troop headquarters.
(2) Unless additional weapons are provided under
July-August 1 regimental control, it does not provide enough anti-tank a weapons; does not leave the regimental commander any . auxiliary fire power of his own to influence the regiment's i main effort; and does not provide proper protection for the command post, the led horses, etc., of regimenta! om, headquarters and headquarters troop. is, 30. The Two-Regimental Machine-Gun Troop Or. p ganization. (1) First WAr-STRENGTH TROOP Men Packs Heavy .30MG Cal..50MG 37-m: 2 Platoons .... 72 24 8 be 1 Platoon ...... 36 12 4 §U 1 Section ...... 15 6 Z reo Troop Head- re quarters .... 24 13(a) z — —_— —_— —_- eu Wwe : 147 55 8 4 2 nec (a) Additional packs: same as in squadron machine-gun troo; s, paragraph 29. we: MAINTENANCE STRENGTH of 1 Platoon ...... 29 6 4 onc 1 Platoon ...... 29 6 4 mio 1 Section _...... 14 3 2 | “ Troop Head- alte quarters .... 19 10 are 91 25 “a m 2 tion (2) SEconD WAR-STRENGTH TROOP mG, a 3 Platoons ....108 36 12 W 1 Section ...... 15 6 2 € Troop Head- weaf quarters .... 24 13(a above) onlin? a os -_ sary, 147 55 12 Z we f _ MAINTENANCE STRENGTH basic 2 Platoons .... 58 12 8 that 1 Section ...... 14 3 2(b) footi Troop Head- The quarters .... 19 10 € — _— — — — troo 91 © 25 8 2 rm (b) One 37-mm. gun might be made inactive, if necessary ; but ? it should be with the regiment. Zatior : ce men Advantages of the two-regimental troop organization: (1) Leaves the auxiliary means of fire power central- ff 1 Plat. ized in the hands of the regimental commander, permit- See . . 4 . 1 ting him to support the main effort of the regiment. Troop (2) Permits him the possibility of providing for the quar security of the command post, led horses, etc., of regi- mental headquarters and headquarters troop. (3) Centralizes control of trains, making it easier for 32. the supply officer. T Disadvantages: he (1) Retains all the evils of the attachment system neither discussed in paragraphs 19-21, in that weapons and am- tfoop munition supplies normally needed by subordinate units ih must be attached thereto by re _— headquarters f° Pia often hastily and under the disa vantageous conditions jj °°S wu of campaign, thus losing valuable time, risking confusion ) and possible failure to get the guns or their ammuni: tion acl to the unit concerned in time. {oop wv (2) Does not provide enough anti-tank weapons. i > (3) Limits the squadron commanders in their faci! ties r a the |
for acquiring the technical and tactical technique and
tral- J
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, the
regl-
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stem | am- units arters itions usion vition
ilities » and
1935
training essential to the effective command and coordi- nation in combat of the primary means of action, fire support and movement.
(4) Limits the close relationship between the units of the auxiliary weapons and the rifle units that would come from constant association and training together as perts of the same unit.
31. The One-Regimental Machine-Gun Troop Or-
ganization.
Our present organization of one regimental machine- gun troop has some of the advantages cited for the two- recimental machine-gun troop organization and all the disadvantages in accentuated form. It does not lend itself we!l to expansion, which must be considered absolutely necessary bor war; and it embodies a weakness in essential weapons, particularly anti-tank weapons; which, in view of the fact that the regular army may have to be sent at once to a theater of operations upon the outbreak of war, might be very unfortunate. The disadvantages of the alternative-weapon plan under which additional weapons are carried in the combat train have already been men- tioned (paragraph 21). It would be risking loss of the weapons to have them follow the troops in such a manner, and it would be impossible in action to shift weapons. We need at least a minimum equipment of each kind of weapon that modern warfare will probably make neces- sary, and need them in the hands of the troops. And we need a peace-time organization including at least the basic essentials of these weapons with an organization that permits the quickest possible expansion to a war footing, as fast as men—not weapons—can be obtained. The weapons and other equipment for the first-line troops should be ready.
At our present reduced strength, the following organi- zation is suggested as the most suitable, on a basis of 106 men in the machine-gun troop:
Men Packs Heavy ig MG Cal..50MG 37-mm. 6
3Sections .... 9 6 1 Section 3 Troop Head-
quarters .... 18 8
106 26 4 6 z
32. Supplemental Combinations of Auxiliary Weap-
ons.
The discussion in paragraphs 29-31 indicates that neither the squadron nor the regimental machine-gun troop organization meets all the requirements of the regiment. It is, however, possible to supplement either by placing sections of machine guns and anti-tank weap- ons within other units.
(x) Anti-Tank Weapons in Rifle Troops.
Placing a section of 2 or 3 .50 caliber guns in each rifle troop would add enough of these to the squadron to give it reasonable assurance of freedom of action, especially in a three-troop squadron; and with the light machine guns of the rifle troops, provide both direct fire support and
INFLUENCES OF MECHANIZATION, MOTORIZATION, ETC. 31
anti-tank weapons and a reasonable capacity for sustained action. This solution might be considered as one which, with a more flexible organization of the trains, would eliminate most if not all of the disadvantages of the two- regimental machine-gun troop plan.
Objections:
That it adds a new technical weapon to the rifle troop, thus overburdening the troop commander who should have his hands full with his rifle platoons and his light machine guns; that it places too many different kinds of weapons in the rifle troop, thus complicating training and adding to the difficulties of supply, particularly of ammunition; that it makes the rifle troop too unwieldy and restricts its mobility.
Answers to these objections:
The rifle-troop commander should not be unduly bur- dened, since dismounted combat is carried on by platoons as maneuver elements and fire-support element. If the platoons are well organized and well commanded, the troop commander should not have to occupy himself with the details of their operation or of those of the anti-tank weapons; he deals with the commanders of those units and should concern himself mainly with the codrdination of their efforts. Besides, when the troop is in the squad- ron, the squadron commander will probably assign the missions of the anti-tank weapons; and the action of these guns is analogous to that of combat or security groups.
Whenever a troop is separated from its squadron or regiment, it must have anti-tank guns attached to it, and the problem should be less difficult if these were a familiar organic part of the troop. Technical training should be supervised by a regimental machine-gun officer. Supply should be simpler than the present system where- by the guns are often attached without any of their own supply elements. The same light truck could carry ammu- nition for both the light machine guns and the anti-tank weapons, which will normally be always near together.
The troop wold be no more unwieldy or less mobile with the guns as organic equipment than when they are attached, as they must be if hostile mechanization is to be encountered.
The section of anti-tank weapons having no troop overhead would add 15 or at most 23 or 24 men to the troop, depending upon whether 2 or 3 guns were in it. Three would be better than two, since a gun on each flank could watch that flank and part of the front rea- sonably well, but could not well protect the rear, the led horses, the ammunition truck, etc. If necessary, the light machine-gun platoon could be reduced to two sections —four guns. But in any case, the rifle troop of three rifle platoons, one light machine-gun platoon of six guns, and one section of three anti-tank weapons should run to less than 165 men. That many is a disadvantage, true; but it is a question of balancing disadvantages.
This combination, however, does not eliminate all the
32 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
disadvantages inherent in the regimental machine-gun organization. It does not add general support machine guns to the squadron, and headquarters would often have to attach some of the “heavy 30's”; it is rigid and limited in that it does not readily permit increases in the number of auxiliary weapons. No more than three anti- tank weapons could well be absorbed by a troop; and the two regimental machine-gun troops could not be ex- panded—at least not to more than a total of 16 guns in the troop, which might be possible.
(2) Adding Machine Guns to Headquarters Troop.
Placing in the Headquarters Troop a platoon of light machine guns and a platoon of .50 caliber guns would permit the organization of squadron machine-gun troops with sufficient auxiliary weapons to provide for the com- bat needs of those units, with no regimental machine- gun troop. This would have a disadvantage in leaving no organized troop of fire-power directly in the hands of the regimental commander, except these last-resort weap- ons of the headquarters troop. He could, however, de- tach a platoon from one of the squadrons; as he must on the other hand, with the regimental machine-gun troops, attach guns to squadrons.
As previously pointed out, regimental headquarters and the headquarters troop have of necessity been en- larged, and operate all the command, control, and com- munication activities of the regiment, as well as the sup- ply functions as at present organized. The command post and all the activities and personnel centering about it form a unit of considerable size and importance. In dis- mounted combat, which will be the normal form, it will doubtless remain in place for more protracted periods than those we have been accustomed to consider probable. While it will probably be initially established in the vicin- ity of one of the squadrons or the regimental reserve, these combat units can not be tied to it to the point of restricting their action in combat and should not, there- fore, be burdened with its protection in position or in its displacement to successive positions. Regimental head- quarters should then, it seems, be able to protect its own set-up, its personnel and horses at least for a reasonable time, against hostile raid, envelopments, or attacks of small bodies that have broken through the combat area, as well as against hostile aircraft.
The guns allotted to it would need only a reduced per- sonnel, because the members of the headquarters troop and regimental headquarters could handle the ammuni- tion supply and otherwise assist them in emergency situa- tions. On this basis, it could absorb two sections, four guns, of the light .30 caliber weapons and a similar num- ber of .50 caliber guns; thus:
(a) If mounted:
Light Machine Guns: 4 squads of 1 gun and 3 men each; total in the platoon: 4 guns; 14 men; 4 pack animals.
If transported in trucks: 4 squads of 1 gun and 2 men; total in platoon: g men and 4 guns.
July-August
(b) .50 caliber guns, if mounted:
Two sections of 2 guns and 14 men each; 3 pack animals; total in platoon: 2 sections; 4 guns; 29 men; 6 pack animals.
If transported in trucks: 2 sections: 4 guns; 16 men; total in platoon: 17 men.
Whatever the organization adopted, the regimental commander in sustained dismounted combat must pro- vide for the security of the command post and its asso- ciated personnel and animals.
33. [be Most Advantageous Organization of Machine
Guns and Auxiliary Weapons.
From the foregoing analyses, the most advantageous organizations of the machine guns and auxiliary weapons of the regiment appear to be in the order of their de- sirability:
(1) A machine-gun troop for each squadron; and one regimental troop, each organized as indicated in Par. 29.
In a regiment of two squadrons of three rifle troops each, this would give each squadron a powerful arma- ment of:
Three platoons of light machine guns as direct-support weapons of the movement elements of the rifle troops; one platoon (4 guns) of heavy .30 caliber machine guns
for general support, permitting prompt attachment of a
section to a detached rifle troop; two platoons (a total of 8) of anti-tank weapons, which is a minimum for secur- ing freedom of action in open country, and would permit in case of necessity prompt attachment of two of these weapons to a rifle troop or platoon for special missions, in cases when this need could not be promptly met from the regimental machine-gun troop.
The regimental machine-gun troop would provide for regimental needs; permit reinforcing by heavy machine- gun fire the regiment’s main effort; permit detachment of as many as two sections of anti-tank weapons to troops or platoons on special missions; provide for the security of the regimental command post and its adjuncts.
The trains could be so organized that each squadron section and the regimental section, modified along the lines indicated in paragraph 22, could promptly meet the needs of the troops.
This organization of three troops does not appear ex- cessive, from the standpoint of personnel, or when com- pared with the infantry regiment. It takes account of the fact that the necessity for an ample supply of mobile anti-tank weapons properly distributed for- effective use seems to be a dominating factor in the matter of equip- ping and organizing cavalry to participate effectively in future wars.
The maintenance strength arrangement shown permits ready expansion to war strength, and at the same time provides a basic equipment of weapons with which the regiment could move at once and have in its possession a well-balanced minimum of essential weapons.
The set-up permits further expansion or addition of guns by adding a section of anti-tank weapons to each
assul to a
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1935
rifle troop, if so desired, a platoon of light .30 caliber ma- chine guns to the headquarters troop.
(2) Two regimental machine-gun troops organized as shown in paragraph 30; one troop with 1 platoon of heavy 30's (4 guns) and 2 platoons of .50 calibers (8 guns) , the other with 2 platoons of the 30’s and 1 platoon of the .50 calibers. Each troop to have a section of 37- mm. guns.
In each rifle troop a section of 2 or 3 anti-tank weapons. In the headquarters troop, a platoon of light 30’s.
The trains to be reorganized, and made more flexible by the addition of light mobile trucks, as indicated in paragraph 22.
This plan is not so satisfactory as the preceding one.
34. Summary of Principal Points.
(1) The special value of cavalry lies in its mobility over varied terrain and its capacity for maneuvering its fire power and effectively employing it in combat. Para- graphs 1-6.
(2) Cavalry must have a high degree of fire power to assure its mobility and make it capable of sustained action to a degree commensurate with its roles in modern war- fare. Paragraphs 5-6.
(3) In dismounted action, its ptimary means of action are fire and movement; its success in such combat will depend upon the effectiveness with which it codrdinates fire and movement. Paragraph 8.
(4) The auxiliary weapons essential to the cavalry regiment are the light machine guns, the heavy machine guns, the 37-mm. guns, and the .5o caliber guns. Each has a distinct and indispensable rdle in cavalry combat. Paragraph 7.
(5) The movement elements in dismounted combat ate the rifle platoons. The fire support elements are the light machine guns providing direct fire support for the rifle platoons, and the heavier machine guns providing general fire support and reinforcing the main effort. Paragraph 8.
(6) The light machine guns should be in the rifle troops and organized as fire-support platoons, with sec- tions readily detachable for special action when needed. The heavy general support machine guns should be under the control of squadron and regimental commanders. Paragraphs 8-11, 33.
) The advent of mechanization makes it imperative for telatively small bodies of troops acting alone in open country to maintain freedom of maneuver and action by all-tound security against combat vehicles. Paragraphs 12-15.
(8) Freedom of maneuver for the regiment and its subordinate units when acting alone or separately in open country can only be assured by an adequate number of anti-tank weapons. Paragraphs 12-15.
(9) Troops, particularly small bodies of cavalry, which must often operate at considerable distances from sup- porting troops should have as organic elements the weap-
INFLUENCES OF MECHANIZATION, MOTORIZATION, ETC. 33
ons and equipment which they will normally require in combat. Paragraphs 17-20.
(10) Dependence upon a higher echelon for the at- tachment of means normally required in combat is organi- cally wrong; and means loss of time, invites confusion, risks disaster. Paragraphs 17, 19, 20.
(11) Since the cavalry régiment and its smaller units will frequently if not normally operate at considerable distances from supply points and in areas in which their front, flanks, and rear will be vulnerable to attacks by © mobile hostile elements, such as mechanization, horse cavalry, or a combination of these, supply by columns from the rear or by higher echelons will be difficult and at least irregular.
These units should therefore have their own trains, and be accompanied by those sections thereof necessary to supply immediate requirements in ammunition and other basic supplies. Paragraphs 17, 21.
(12) Cavalry units can protect their own trains as readily as they can protect their far more numerous horses during dismounted combat; and if the vehicles are prop- erly armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons, they should be an asset and not a liability —particularly in the protection of the led horses. Paragraphs 5, 6, 21.
(13) The trains of the regiment should be of such type and so organized as to assure the flexibility necessary to meet the immediate supply needs of all units of the regiment which may have to operate at a distance from the main body. This means that a squadron, troop, or platoon detached for a special mission should be accom- panied by an element of the train; this is particularly true of machine-gun elements which must accompany units of which they are not an organic part. Paragraph 21.
(14) The rapidity with which cavalry action occurs and develops has been accelerated by the advent of mech- anization. Therefore the organization of machine guns and anti-tank weapons in the regiment should provide for an adequate number of each so distributed that the units normally requiring them in combat will have them as an integral part of their equipment or immediately available to them. Paragraphs 12-19.
(15) The most effective organization of the regiment would be one with two squadrons of three troops of three rifle platoons and one light machine-gun platoon; with one machine-gun troop in each squadron and one regi- mental machine-gun troop. Trains to be organized to correspond. A less satisfactory organization of the ma- chine-gun troops would be two regimental troops, with supplementary sections of anti-tank weapons in the rifle troops and a light machine-gun platoon in the headquar- ters troop. In this case—-to permit the regiment to main- tain training and to be prepared to move at once with a minimum of essential means of combat and to facilitate prompt expansion to war strength—the two regimental troops should be kept active at maintenance strength, with all types of auxiliary weapons present. Paragraphs 26-33.
34
(16) Particularly in the machine-gun troops, light mobile trucks would normally be more useful than the trailer loaded with supplies belonging to the whole unit and drawn by a truck similarly loaded. The additional machine guns of various types included in or contem- plated for the regiment, and the advent of mechanization making essential a larger initial supply of ammunition, rations and grain (Pars. 17-21), render it imperative to increase the tonnage and the flexibility of the combat trains.
At least one additional light (34-ton) truck in each rifle troop and two such trucks in each machine-gun troop are indicated.
(17) Regimental scout cars should be used for recon- naissance and communication purposes. All their space and their technically trained crews are required for these functions. Save in great emergency they should not be given demolition missions or security or other combat missions, particularly those involving dismounted action in combat.
(18) The regiment needs a motorized demolition sec- tion.
(19) There is an indicated need in the regiment for a small motorized combat platoon composed of light ma- chine guns, anti-tank weapons, and riflemen.
THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
July-August
(20) Mechanization and motorization demand that horse cavalry think in new terms in regard to its tactical formations, the methods of assuring its own freedom of movement and action and its methods of combat.
35- In this discussion the attempt has been made to present a composite pattern of cavalry’s rdles in future wars, in which mechanization and effective modern motor transport may be expected to play a prominent part. Tlic views presented are centered around three principal ideas: an efficient organization for control and coordinaticn working downward and outward from the central cora- mand as well as upward and inward from the troops; pos- session by the combat units as an integral part of thir organization the weapons and means of supply and co:a- munication they will require in combat and movement related thereto; flexibility in the organization of thcse means of combat and supply to assure smooth and prompt coordination of the two agencies which ate as closely interrelated and interdependent as fire support and move- ment are on the battle field.
From the point of view taken, cavalry’s needs in the way of artillery, armored cars, and other special agencies have not been considered, the discussion having been te- stricted to that of the regiment’s auxiliary weapons, means of transport, etc.
(The End)
7
7 A
Experimental Harness for New Trailers (Convertible Type
PROPOSED method of moving the new. cavalry trailer (convertible type) , by horsepower is receiving a test in the 13th Cavalry. Under the direction of the regimental commander, Colonel Charles F. Martin, ex- perimental work with this new vehicle has been continu- ous since the reception of seven of these trailers in June:
The harness is a combination of the Phillips pack saddle
and breeching, the Field Artillery breast collar and traces and the Quartermaster ambulance harness, bridles and reins. Due to the spring floods in Kansas, this “rig” has not been given the “‘acid test” under field conditions to date. It is hoped that several important tests will be pos sible during the fall maneuvers of the Cavalry School.
arran; a pro his p cavalr ism o sentec nality unwis suffer lack of
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_*Mod lin. Ag Cavalry
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AV PAGEL et
43
MODERN CAVALRY: A Discussion of Em- ployment, Troop Leading, Organization, and Training
By G. BRANDT
Generalleutnant, German Army, Retired; formerly Inspector-General of Cavalry. Translated from the German by F. W. MeErtTEN.
(Concluded from May-June number)
VII. TRAINING
have furnished undisputable proof that outstand- ing cavalry leaders ate the exception; it is for this reason that, whenever such a man did present himself, he invariably ushered in a new era in the history of the mounted arm. This is attributable to the high demands which of necessity are made upon the character and tal- ents of a true cavalry commander. His early endowments must fit him for the position; yet they alone do not suf- fice. This gift of nature must be supplemented by a thorough knowledge of all military requirements and, in particular, of the technical needs of cavalry. These quali- fications are acquired by judicious training founded on practical experience and theoretical study, combined with, and enhanced by, serious and conscientious reflec- tion. Although innate talents tend to aid this training immensely, yet it will, in the main, resolve itself into diligently and systematically pursuing sound and well- founded principles. It is necessary, however, completely to absorb the knowledge thus gained by individual thought and analysis, so that it may be quickly applied at any time without lengthy deliberation. Knowledge, finally, must be supplemented by skill, that is, by a thor- ough familiarity with the tactics and technique of cavalry. Anyone who is entrusted with the training and instruc- tion of cavalry, must himself possess a background of sound training. This process requires a system, a carefully arranged plan. General v. Schmidt, famous for possessing a prominent practical mind with respect to his arm, in his precepts governing the instruction and training of cavalry remarks as follows: “I sometimes prefer schemat- ism or mere routine to an arbitrary procedure as repre- sented by empiricism, which spoils everything.” Origi- nality and method must go hand in hand; but if applied unwisely and one-sidedly, they will cause the troops to suffer spiritual ruin either from utter exhaustion or from lack of activity. Every system of training presupposes, of necessity, a thorough training of the instructors. Much work that is unnecessary, futile, and killing morale, could be avoided,
dhs historical experiences of all nations and ages
*Moderne Kavalierie, published by E. S. Mittler & Sohn, Ber- lin. American translation rights owned by the United States Cavalry Association.
Every system of training presupposes, of necessity, a thorough training of instruc- tors.
if everybody would fully appreciate this principle under- lying all successful training systems. There is nothing mote destructive than to teach the pupil in the beginning something that is wrong. To remedy the mistake after- wards is very difficult, and hardly will it ever be accom- plished satisfactorily.
A squadron commander who does not know how to select and train competent instructors in his unit will soon witness a collapse of the training of his command. He will either have to try to attend to everything himself, ot he must commit his men and horses to instructors that are untrained and incompetent. The result in either case is bound to be disastrous. Even in a squadron the training schedule is so extensive and diversified that the squadron commander alone cannot impart the instruction, but re- quires the services of keen and well-trained assistants. To create such a body of men is the squadron com- mander’s foremost training mission. Yet, in spite of the attention that has been directed to this principal require- ment, its full significance has not yet been learned by all concerned.
General v. Bernhardi, in his book entitled Germany and the Next War, has this to say: “The higher a type the instructor represents, and the greater knowledge he possesses of all his duties, the greater will be his influ- ence upon the pupils, the quicker will he succeed in mak- ing himself understood by his subordinates, and the more will he acquire their confidence and respect which con- stitute the most solid foundation of discipline.”
Also General v. Schmidt’s precepts regarding the train- ing of instructors, as well as the systematic sequence of training subjects, deserve to be dwelled upon once more: “A judicious and suitable selection and training of good instructors, as well as a permanent staff of assistant in- structors are paramount. Moreover, adherence to strictly systematic methods during instruction periods and logical
36 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
The training of a soldier to become a horseman and a rifleman must be founded upon individual instruction.
sequence of training subjects must begin at the very bot- tom. It is important to lay a good foundation, which constitutes the primary prerequisite, by beginning with
the simplest subjects. The instructors, however, must”
not only know the ways and means of laying this founda- tion, but must furthermore be absolutely familiar with the entire content of the subject, its causes as well as its effects; for only thus will these men be able properly to conduct the instruction periods and exercise their influ- ence in conformity with the system. Only if the instruc- tor fully comprehends the purpose of the individual drill movements and lessons, will he teach his men 1n logical sequence, add necessary exercises and lessons to assist them, and tend to produce a superior degree of training. The least the men are entitled to demand of their in- structors implies that the latter are fully conversant with their subjects and have prepared themselves for their lessons. In other words, it presupposes that they know what subjects to take up with their pupils; what should follow the preceding lesson; what the pupils need most to further their progress; and how to go about teaching the subject matter. Only the instructor who is always prepared will be able to render real service; and only he who renders real service and realizes this will become in- terested in his work and not merely indulge in drudgery. Finally, only he who has acquired such interest in his work can render superior service.”
Nothing better could be advanced about the impor- tance of well-trained instructors than the words spoken by General v. Bernhardi and General v. Schmidt. Con- sequently, we found it advantageous to cite their observa- tions on this subject verbatim. If we take these words to heart and act accordingly, we shall possess the philoso- pher’s stone, the very elixir of training. The reason for discussing the training of instructors in such great detail hinges on the fact that it actually constitutes the secret of success in any kind of training.
While the training of the staff of instructors means much hard work for the squadron commander, it 1s nevet- theless a thankful task. This training must never cease but must continually be improved by labor and study. On the other hand, it is the best means of carrying out the training mission within the squadron along uniform lines; besides, it affords the squadron commander the as- surance that the training of the various sections is con- ducted according to his orders and instructions. More- over, the squadron commander thus secures for himself eager collaborators, men who are proud of the independ- ence given them within the sphere of their respective ac- tivities, and who on their part will continue to improve themselves as instructors and leaders and thus gain in value and efficiency as time goes on.
Having divided the lessons and exercises into short training periods, the squadron commander must discuss
July-August
the program with the instructors and afford them an op- portunity to prepare themselves for the subjects in ques- tion. The training of the squadron as such should not begin until the squadron commander is convinced that the instructors are thoroughly conversant with the pro- gtam. The squadron commander, on his part, will su-
rvise the instructors and intervene wherever necessary. Thus he will obtain a much better perspective than if he were personally to carry out the training schedule.
It must be admitted that it may be rather difficult for an active and industrious commanding officer to pursue this method. On the other hand, if he appreciates its soundness and strictly adheres to it, he will—though not immediately, for omissions cannot be remedied at once— eventually meet with success. It is a grave mistake to believe that matters will go wrong unless one personally attends to everything. Such a belief either testifies to a weak character or to a lack of intelligence; then again it may have its origin in stupid conceit. A matter which is arranged according to what only one pair of eyes can see will always prove unstable.
In contrast to the dull methods employed in training large masses in a brief period of time, the training of a soldier to become a horseman and also a rifleman must be founded upon individual instruction. Only the latter can produce satisfactory results; for it is the aim of our work not merely to produce soldiers and cavalrymen, but also to build and strengthen the character of the individual. Here again we may follow the writings of General v. Schmidt who demands that individual training should constitute our foremost ambition. If the work is carried out in this sense and spirit everywhere, it cannot fail to exercise its beneficial influence upon the morale of our men: “Just as the results of physical training will be te- flected in the appearance of the cavalry soldier, in his manner of walking and conduct in public, so will his alert mind and speech, his make-up, the expression of his face and eyes testify that he has been subjected to the proper mental influence in every respect. With such men one can accomplish things; they will understand their superiors and gtasp the latter's conceptioris and ideas; they will not hesitate to attack any problem; nothing will ever be too much for them; they will be full of daring and determi- nation. Such men will be imbued with an unlimited amount of good intention; and it is to cultivate the latter which really constitutes the main object.”
One must continually have recourse to individual train- ing and employ it throughout the year. In so doing, one must see to it that every detail is executed exactly as pre- scribed in the training regulations. “Soignez les détails, ils ne sont pas sans gloire; c'est le premier pas, qui mene 4 la victoire.” (“Be mindful of the details, for they are not without glory; it is the first step which leads toward victory.””) May we always take these words to heart. May nothing ever seem too insignificant to deserve con- sideration. He to whom the small is too small, will never obtain the great.
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1935
While the dismounted trooper is trained according to the training regulations of the infantry, the mounted training is carried on in conformity with the manual on horsemanship. It would be a welcome revision of the cavalry training regulations if a chapter were added which, as has been done in a similar manner in the in- fantry training regulations with regard to individual training in marksmanship, would deal with the indi- vidual training of the mounted trooper in the field and furnish him advice on how to act under the various con- ditions while mounted.
The manual on horsemanship gives all the details nec- essary for the individual mounted training of the ‘trooper. Since equitation, however, also involves the training of the horse as soon as the rider has mastered the rudiments of horsemanship, the riding instructors are only too prone to devote greater attention to the training of the horse than to that of the individual trooper. Even if the rider does remain within the sphere of freedom the manual on horsemanship deliberately grants, it must nevertheless be demanded that all movements of the mounted trooper be executed strictly in conformity with regulations. Any arbitrary action on the part of the rider with regard to his seat and application of aids is no more permissible than it is in dismounted training. Unfortunately, it often hap- pens that especially the good riding instructors, men who excel in the training of their horses, fail to have an eye for the individual training of the mounted trooper. This shortcoming is due to the fact that these instructors see only the horse and that they are satisfied so long as the animal is well presented by the rider. Whether the man riding the horse is offending 1 in all other respects against the manual, this type of instructors, however, inclines to overlook, failing to consider that it is their duty to train not only horses but teach horsemanship to soldiers as well. Inasmuch as formal close-order drill has been great- ly reduced since the war, individual instruction in horse- manship on strict lines has gained all the more in im- portance as a means for instilling discipline.
Is the training of the horse, as carried on by us, still in conformity with the times; and does not the manual on horsemanship make too great demands? These questions are asked sometimes, particularly by officers of the other arms. Moreover, comment is often made to the effect that the cavalry could use the time spent in horse training to far better advantage in some other branch of training. It is contended that formerly, when the cavalry regiments upon mobilization needed to muster in only a small number of additional mounts, there might have existed good reasons for emphasizing the training of the horses; yet the squadron in a future war would have an entirely different appearance and, moreover, only part of 1 horses would have the benefit of peace-time training. Why, then, all this work and effort spent on the training of horses?
The following may serve as an answer. While the training of the horse requires time, it does not take up
MODERN CAVALRY
GERMAN REMOUNT TRAINING.
Upper: Riding a remount next to a led horse. CENTER: Training of young remounts in crossing water. Lower: Schooling young horses in going over hurdles.
much more time than is necessary for the purpose of affording the animals the daily exercise essential for main- taining their health and fitness for duty. On the other hand, it cannot be gainsaid that a trained horse will be in better condition, thereby saving the state money; fur- thermore, that he is more suitable for cavalry service than the untrained horse; and, finally, that his performance will be superior and that he promises to carry his rider to the battlefield in better condition than an untrained animal would. While campaigning demands of the trooper that he possess complete control over his mount, it requires of the horse obedience, strength and agility of
38 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
body, and endurance. To fulfill these demands by syste- matically training both man and mount is the purpose of training in horsemanship. Ought one, then, to reject the advantages with the disadvantages and entirely forego the benefits of careful training, simply because part of the horses of a war-strength squadron lack this peace-time process? The German principles of training, as laid down in the manual on horsemanship, have stood the test and can easily be acquired by following the progressive steps of the manual. If this training were abandoned, it would have to be replaced by something else. It is folly to imagine that those nations which do not follow our system of training have no method of horse training whatever; no cavalry can exist without some sort of train- ing system. No matter what country, its cavalry regi- ments have to devote some of their time to horse training. Hence we would hardly effect any saving in time, were we to replace our system of training with some other method.
While training ‘the horses, we simultaneously pursue another aim, the importance of which should not be un- derrated: namely, that of developing riding instructors. Inasmuch as the instructor ought to be more proficient than the pupil, we must deliberately raise the peace re- quirements to a higher level than the actual needs of war render it necessary. Who else should train the young riders and remounts, if we had no riding instructors? Our minds are still fresh with the memory of the toil and labor that were necessary after the World War in order to re- gain the pre-war standard of our mounted troops. Why did this cost so much effort; and why did it require so much time? Because we did not have a sufficient number of experienced riding instructors at our disposal. In war, proper horse training as such will be neglected, for other demands will naturally be more pressing. Let us watch, therefore, that every trooper in his capacity as horseman derives sufficient benefit from his peace-time training to place him in a position where he, on his part, may see to it that the training and treatment of the animals in time of war does not sink below the minimum standard capable of being endured.
Nor is there any reason to believe that a less well- trained horse would answer the purpose of modern cav- alry. In former days, it was very well, within the close formation of the squadron, to take care of less well-trained horses; the latter would simply run along with the rest of the squadron. Modern tactics, however, require the horse to traverse all sorts of terrain and negotiate various kinds of obstacles individually; these circumstances, nat- urally, make far greater demands upon the expertness of the rider, as well as upon the tractability and dexterity of the horse.
Yet horse training is not an end in itself. The trained horse merely represents the means which enables us to develop a good rider with sympathy for his mount. This aim cannot be attained, however, on badly-trained ani- mals which will only tend to produce crude riders devoid
July-August of the capacity to understand the horse. The bending
exercises, therefore, | retain their full importance. They not only serve to insure a thorough gymnastic training of the horse, but they also give to the rider that fine sensa- tion of touch so highly essential for a correct application of the aids.
Frederick the Great appreciated the importance of horse training as the foundation of a good cavalry. One of his contemporaries tells us that, after the Peace of Dresden Frederick devoted particular attention to equitation of hi: cavalry. Every regiment was ordered to construct riding hall. The soldiers were then instructed in all th: details of the art of horsemanship. It was in this manne: that every individual cavalryman gained absolute con fidence in his own strength and qualifications both as t: horsemastership and the use of his weapon. No soldier o: the regiment was considered fit for field service unless h: had been thoroughly taught all the details of equitation and had acquired a firm seat. “It was the hard work in the riding hall applied to the training of both horse and rider, which constituted the secret that enabled the Prus sian cavalry to maneuver in large bodies with such re markable speed.” After the engagement of Bratsch which took place on May 22, 1745, the Great King expressed himself as follows: “In 1741, the Prussian cavalry repre- sented the most cumbersome, awkward and spiritless body of mounted troops in Europe. Ever since it has been drilled, it has acquired dexterity, courage, and self-con- fidence; now it has grown bold. Reward and punishment, praise and censure, each used at the proper time, will change a man’s disposition and imbue him with a spirit such as one would not have expected in the raw recruit. If, moreover, great examples of courage that will tend to arouse their admiration are put before them, the men will vie with each other in giving the best that is in them. Often these characteristics lie merely dormant. Yet severe shocks will awaken them; whereupon they will assert themselves and develop to great strength.” Such were the fruits of a thorough training of both man and mount, a result to the maturing of which the horse training con- tributed no small part.
The smaller an army is, the more difficult it will be to maintain a high standard of horse training. It will require a number of specialists to be assigned to the Cavalry School as instructors in equitation. Since the training of these officers must of necessity be one-sided, they will occupy a disadvantageous position with respect to pro- motion to higher grade, as compared with their fellow officers. It is for this reason that one will hardly ever find anyone inclined to enter upon the schooling of horses as a life career. One would, however, fail to appreciate the difficulties inherent in this line of work, if one were to assume that an officer could become a master horse- man and riding instructor in addition to his other duties. If the cavalry is to retain its old standard, it must procure the services of an adequate number of equitation specia! : ists and make provision to insure proper promotion for
1935
them. Not only the cavalry, but the entire army as well, will benefit from the labor of these officers.
We cannot conclude the discussion regarding the im- portance which horse training has for the cavalry, with- out adding a few words about mounted sports and the haute ae. ot high-school riding, as engaged in by the stables of the Cavalry School in Hanover.
The school stables in Hanover fulfill that mission which is of such vital importance for the entire cavalry: namely, co furnish an object lesson on mounts specially selected as to suitability, up to what degree the schooling of a horse may be raised by employing the German system of cavalry equitation. The Cavalry School is the place where our method is constantly tested and further developed. For, also in the case of equitation, not to progress means co go backward. Furthermore, the Cavalry School serves 0 promote the advanced training of especially talented ‘iding instructors and, by continually changing them, ae the entire arm. By its example, the School fur- nishes valuable suggestions and thus is instrumental in advancing the standard of horsemanship in the regiments.
What the school stables are to the general training of the horses, the jumping and versatility stables are to the school of jumping. In the latter, training and style are tested and improved to a degree that enables both rider and horse to measure up to the greatest possible perform- ances in jumping: Thus the training in jumping of all branches of the service benefits from the work of these stables. Whereas outstanding performances in jumping can be expected only from particularly fit jumpers under especially gifted horsemen, the cavalry must give its primary attention to the training of horses with a view to developing facility in various subjects. To this end, both rider and horse must learn to perform so as to serve as an example to the regimental school of equitation; such proficiency, though to a lesser degree, should be de- manded of any cavalry trooper and cavalry mount. It is in this sense that training, jumping and steeple-chasing are mentioned in the manual on horsemanship as the training object for both man and mount in the regiment. The cavalry, therefore, should take a keen interest in such sports. They will produce the type of rider and horse that the cavalry will require in the field.
Racing produces courageous and daring horsemen, men who will act with calmness and alacrity of spirit.’ It is the best school in which to prepare the equestrian for war. The gentlemen-jockeys that were killed during the World War were rated as outstanding among the officers of their respective arms. Yet, on account of the low weight requirements, only a relatively small number of officers will ever be able to participate in races. It would be a great blow to the cavalry arm, if this small number should continue to decrease. Participation in races, there- fore, should be encouraged by all authorities.
The various cavalry regiments receive their remounts as eatly as June. This time of the year as such is not fav- orable. Yet the date of assigning these remounts cannot
MODERN CAVALRY 39
Only those formations and movements which will be required in actual warfare should be taught.
be postponed; for, this would necessitate an enlargement of the remount depots, in view of the fact that the pur- chase of young <nimals must begin in the spring of the year and space must be provided for them in the depot.
Because of the necessity of engaging in major tactical exercises and owing to the leave period, the regiments often find it difficult during the summer to concern them- selves sufficiently with the new remounts. But if these remounts are to remain as strong and well-nourished as they arrive from the depots, their work under the saddle must begin immediately. It is a mistake to postpone this work until the fall of the year and merely lead the re- mounts up to that time.
Should there be a shortage of riders and suitable riding instructors during the summer, it is advisable to train the remounts on the longe. This requires only a few men. Moreover, the young animals will learn to stretch their necks and are not spoiled when in the fall of the year the work under the rider is taken up.
Once the trooper has mastered the fundamental prin- ciples of individual training, his training in squad forma- tion must be especially stressed. The squad constitutes the smallest tactical unit; thoroughly trained in mounted as well as dismounted action, it is am indication of the excellency of its squadron. Within the squad, the soldier learns everything he needs in war. Whatever exceeds the sphere of the squad is more or less a matter that concerns the squadron commander.
Instruction must be imparted in as simple a form as possible; only that which is required in actual warfare should be taught. Squad formations must be simple; whereas difficult and elaborate movements ought to be avoided, remembering always that only what is free from intricacy will stand the test in war. Mounted formations should adapt themselves to dismounted work; for the men will learn to carry on the latter with greater facility if this relationship exists.
A review of the problem confronting the squad under actual war conditions will show that they are not so com- plex as they appear at first sight. The individual trooper may be employed either as a mounted messenger, or as a sentry on outpost duty, or as a rifleman. On the whole, this covers the duties incumbent upon the cavalry soldier as an individual. In the execution of any other activity, however, he acts in unison with his squad and under the control of a leader.
Mounted, the single squad may operate independently as a patrol, as a point, or as a unit within the squadron when deployed; while dismounted, it may be used as a cossack post on outpost duty. In combat, however, the squad rarely fights independently, but usually functions as a member of its respective platoon. Thus we observe that the individual squad is likewise restricted as to in- dependent action.
40 THE CAVALRY JOURNAL
Whether operating as a point, or as a patrol, or again as the advance squad of a deployed squadron, there are very few differences in the maneuvering of the mounted squad. The same principles govern any of these three types of riding. Bearing this in mind, one will encounter little difficulty 1 in training the squad in the application of these tactics.
The squad leader, accompanied by a few men, rides ahead of his squad, while the remainder under a second- in-command follows him. From time to time the squad leader issues orders to the men accompanying him with regard to reconnoitering certain tactical localities. Should the squad draw fire, it must determine whether the enemy is occupying merely an isolated tactical locality or an ex- tended line of resistance. This comprises practically all the contingencies that a mounted squad will be called upon to face. Terrain, as well as enemy measures, will vary in every case and influence the action of the squad accordingly. Fundamentally, however, the tactics remain always the same: namely, either a frontal or enveloping attack, with or without fire support; or a retreat; or de- fensive action. It is up to the squad leader to decide which of these contingencies apply. Although these potential cases will repeat themselves under varied conditions, they will nevertheless be always more or less alike. It is in the solution of such problems, therefore, that the squad must be trained.
Yet this is not quite so simple a matter as one might be inclined to assume from what has been stated above. Whereas in theory it is comparatively easy for the squad leader to arrive at a decision, yet to translate this decision into action is not quite so simple a matter, but requires a good deal of training.
As soon as the squad has been thoroughly trained in the basic squad movements, varied ground must replace the barrack square. This, however, requires a change 1 in the system that was adhered to in the days prior to the World War.
Before the war, the yearly contingent of recruits entered the service in the month of October, so that practically all training during the winter season took place in garrison.
This condition no longer prevails, however, inasmuch as the squadrons of the regular army receive no recruits at the present time.* The harvest in the fields terminates in August; while planting begins at the end of March. During the period beginning 1 in April and ending in mid- August cultivated ground is not available for tactical exercises because of the damage to the crops they would entail. Hence there are left only the months from Octo- ber to March in which to take advantage of the open country for squad training.
Nor can a squad carry out its training schedule in the short period of a few weeks; on the contrary, its training must extend over a long period of time. As in the case of individual training, recourse must continually be had to
*The German regular army (Reichswehr) enlists its men for a period of 12 years. Tr.
July-August squad training, particularly after periods during which
most of the training was taken up by exercises of the higher units. Able squad leaders and men that will know how to maneuver skillfully can be produced only by frequent exercises in the field. Garrison drill grounds are too small for this purpose and offer too little variety. On the other hand, the large training camps which in themselves would be suitable for squad training are needed for the instruction of large units and leave no time for squad training; hence it must be concluded beforehand.
The demand has been made to leave the riding hal! occasionally during the winter season and to take the field for training twice a week; unfortunately, this de mand has not met with universal approval. True, the squadron commander who is solely working for a success- ful mounted inspection in the spring and who believes that the salvation of his command depends upon the outcome of the inspection of bits, must indeed entertain apprehension for his training, if his squadron were or- dered to take the field during the winter. For he is the type who considers his mission to consist exclusively of schooling horses in the winter and training men in the summer. One may be justified in assuming, however, that notions of this sort have disappeared; for they cer- tainly would not meet the requirements of modern cav- alry. Likewise, one will hardly find a superior officer today who judges his squadron commanders solely by the results of a mounted inspection.
Yet this in no way should detract from the accepted merits of a good school of equitation and a thorough training of the horse. Any attempt at interpreting these lines in that manner would constitute an utter failure to comprehend their true meaning.
If throughout the winter the horses are worked in the riding hall six times a week, the results of their training by the arrival of spring are bound to be greater than if the horses enter the riding hall only four times weekly. On the other hand, so many other subjects will have been covered by the outdoor exercises during the winter season as to make available a certain amount of time in the sum- met which may be devoted to equitation during the summer months. Besides insuring greater serviceability of the mounts and better riding discipline of the men throughout the year, this procedure will, moreover, ren- der it unnecessary to start instruction in equitation all over again in the fall of the year. Comparing hotse train- ing with gymnastics, one will readily appreciate the ne- cessity of devoting constant, rather than periodic, atten- tion to this subject. Crammed into a limited period, this training might easily be overdone and thus miss its pur- pose.
Even General v. Schmidt, in his instructions, warns against any abrupt break in passing from the winter to the summer schedule. He makes it a point to demand that the winter training should be continued throughout the summer. Critics voicing doubt he exhorts as follows:
1935
“This is no illusion, but a matter which can be accom- plished without difficulty if haridled properly. Provided this is done, it will not be necessary every fall to start with che first lessons in equitation; on the contrary, it will be possible to proceed from the stage reached during the summer and thus obtain still greater results in the winter. Steady progress will consequently manifest itself in the riding ability of the men as well as in the suppleness