CHAPTER I.

PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING.

=1.= _Object and method of training._

1. The object of training is to fit all ranks for the performance of their duties in war. This volume deals with the general principles which govern the training in peace and leading in war of horse, field, mountain, and heavy artillery. It also forms the basis of the training of companies R.G.A. armed with movable armament (except 6-inch howitzers) for the defence of land fronts.

2. The training must include both moral and physical instruction. The development of a soldierly spirit is needed to help the soldier to bear fatigue, privation and danger cheerfully; to embue him with a sense of honour; to give him confidence in his superiors and comrades; to increase his powers of initiative, of self-confidence, and of self-restraint; to train him to obey orders or to act suitably in their absence; to impress upon him that so long as he is physically capable of fighting, surrender to the enemy is a disgraceful act; and finally to produce such a state of discipline that each individual will perform his duty coolly and correctly in the stress of battle.

The training of the body is required to develop the soldier’s capacity for resisting fatigue and privation, in order that he may always be fit to perform his duty.

It is only after some development in these qualities of mind and body has been made by the individual that instruction in working collectively in the field should be undertaken.

3. As soon as a man enters the service, every endeavour should be made to foster in him a soldierly spirit. Officers and non-commissioned officers must remember that it is chiefly by their example that the development of a soldierly spirit will be achieved.

The soldier should be instructed in the deeds which have made the British Army and his own regiment famous, and as his education progresses simple lessons drawn from military history may be explained to him.

The privileges which he inherits as a citizen of a great empire should be explained to him, and he should be taught to appreciate the honour which is his, as a soldier, of serving his King and country.

4. The management, care, and handling of his gun and horse must always be the principal aim in the artilleryman’s training, but he must also have some knowledge of musketry and field engineering, either of which he may be called upon to employ in the course of a campaign.

Drill is an essential factor of all training, in order to establish and maintain a mutual understanding between a commander and his subordinates.

Mounted and dismounted games are also of value in teaching the importance of co-operation, discipline and determination. The greater number, therefore, that take part in such sports the better.

It should be impressed on all ranks throughout their training that the sole object of the various courses of instruction is to fit them for their duties in war. By keeping this fact constantly in view training will develop on sound and practical lines.

=2.= _Responsibility for training._

_See also_ T. and M. Regs. Sec. =2=.

1. Responsibility for the training of the troops committed to their charge rests on all commanders from those of sections upwards. Subject to the principles laid down in the various Training Manuals and Regulations, commanders are at liberty to employ such methods as appear best calculated to attain the desired end. Superior commanders while holding their subordinates responsible for the training of their units will never forego their functions of guidance and control, and will exercise a general and continuous supervision over their work. In carrying out this duty they must not curb the initiative of their subordinates or interfere unnecessarily so long as the training is conducted on sound lines.

2. The importance of artillery being regularly trained to work with the other arms cannot be overestimated. It is the function of the divisional commander to afford the necessary opportunities to his batteries, when the divisional artillery commander reports that they are ready. (_See_ T. and M. Regs., Sec. =40= (6).)

3. The divisional artillery commander is a subordinate commander and as such is responsible for the efficiency of the artillery of the division. (_See_ F.S. Regs., Part II, Sec. =9=.)

It is his duty to superintend the tactical training of the artillery, to conduct the higher education of its officers, and to see that the principles laid down in the various training manuals for the guidance of the artillery are adhered to.

4. The commander of an artillery brigade is responsible for the training and efficiency of his brigade and for supervising the instruction of his officers. He will also see that the numbers and efficiency of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men required for special duties are maintained in accordance with the regulations. (_See also_ Sec. =6= (6).)

The commander of a reserve brigade, is responsible for the system of training the recruits as well as for the efficiency of the permanent cadres of the depôt and reserve batteries.

5. The commander of a battery is responsible for the training and efficiency of his officers, non-commissioned officers, men and horses. He is also responsible that the equipment of his battery is complete and fit for service. He is assisted in these duties by the captain. A battery commander will hold his section commanders responsible for the training and efficiency of their sections, and also for the condition of the horses and equipment belonging to them to such an extent as he considers desirable. It should be his aim, while maintaining a general control, to develop the self-reliance and readiness to accept responsibility of all ranks.

6. To qualify for the command of a section an officer should himself be capable of performing all the ordinary duties which his men may be called upon to undertake in the field.

Young officers, before being dismissed drill, should therefore be capable of stripping and putting together a saddle, correctly saddling, bitting and turning out a horse in marching order, putting together the harness and harnessing a draught horse and driving in the centre, lead or wheel. He should also have a thorough knowledge of the gun, its equipment and ammunition, the system of laying and of the duties of the various numbers.

When qualified they should personally train their own section to take its place in the battery, making the most of the opportunities thus afforded to study the characters of their men, to find out the special qualifications of each and to gain their confidence.

TRAINING OF RECRUITS.

=3.= _Preliminary training of recruits._

1. The training of the recruit will commence as soon as he joins the depôt or training brigade. As it is here that the foundation of his military education is laid, great importance attaches to the system of instruction adopted.

The daily programme of work should be varied so as to avoid monotony with its consequent loss of interest.

A syllabus of training is given in Appendix I. This syllabus can only be taken as a guide since weather and other conditions will often make it impossible to carry out the programme laid down.

2. A practical character should be given to the instruction from the beginning. Officers and non-commissioned officers should themselves show the proper position or way to do whatever they are teaching: for it is much easier to learn when the eye assists than when the ear alone is the medium of instruction.

3. The language used should be as simple as possible and technical terms which are necessary must be carefully explained. Questions which admit of a simple answer should frequently be asked, but attempts to extract long parrot-like quotations from drill-books should be forbidden. Every encouragement should be given to recruits to take an interest in all details connected with their work and to question their instructors on any points they do not understand.

The attainments of recruits on joining are to be noted and all should be encouraged to attend school until they obtain a second-class certificate.

4. Recruits should be formed for instructional purposes in squads; the number of men in each squad should not exceed ten. It may be advisable to rearrange the squads periodically, so that the more intelligent men may not be kept back by those of inferior ability.

Recruits should be called out in turn to drill when they have progressed sufficiently, for this gives a man confidence, helps him to learn, and causes him to take additional interest in his work.

5. The squad instructors must be carefully selected and should, if possible, receive some previous training as instructors at the depôt. They must be firm, but patient, making allowances for the different capacities of the men, and it will be of advantage if the same instructors remain with the same squads throughout their course.

An instructor should place himself where he can be seen and heard by all in the squad, should stand in a smart, soldierlike attitude, and should avoid pacing up and down, looking down on the ground, turning his back to the squad, and similar habits, which fidget the men and distract their attention. His explanations should be given in a distinct voice; his word of command should be sharp and decisive.

6. Alertness of attitude and smartness of movement should be enforced throughout all drill; but while details or explanations of drill and equipment are being given, squads should be allowed to stand easy.

7. The recruits course will consist of instruction in the following subjects:--

_All recruits._ i. Physical training. (_See_ Manual of Physical Training.) ii. Foot drill. iii. Rifle exercises, and Musketry exercises. (Musketry Regulations, Part I.) iv. The use of cordage, tackles, knots, &c. v. Semaphore signalling.

_Gunners._ vi. Gun drill and elementary gunnery. vii. Laying, fuze setting. viii. Visual training.

_Drivers._ ix. Fitting, cleaning and disposal of harness. x. Stable management.

_Boys._ xi. Signalling (flag, lamp and helio). xii. Map reading.

8. In addition to short lectures connected with the above, others should be given on the following subjects, illustrated whenever possible, by reference to incidents of actual warfare:--