Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 207, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1917 — HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS

Warfare In Europe. This war differs from previous wars chiefly in the eno'rmous increase in the use of artillery. This is due partly to the immense manufacturing resources of the,” countries at war, which enables them to produce great numbers of guns and great quanta ties of ammunition. It is due also to the new methods of directing gun fire from airplanes. It is evident that a gun can not be accurately aimed at an object the exact location of which is unknown. The airplane, however, is able to bring back or signal back this information, so that the artillery may now be used with much greater effect. The size of the guns and the force of the explosive shells fired from them have also been largely increased. Partly as a result of these improvements in artillery, it has been necessary to develop better methods of protection. The protection of troops consists of digging stronger field entrenchments than have been necessary in previous wars. Here we have the main reason for the so-called “trench warfare,” which during the last three years has largely taken the place of former methods of moving armies about freely until they came into conflict with each other. Digging trenches and throwing up breastworks for protection against the enemy’s fire is, of course, not a new thing in warfare. It is being done in Europe, however, on a much bigger scale than ever before. A complicated network of trenches now protects the men on both sides. The spade has become one of the soldier’s best weapons of defense.

In seeking protection against heavy artillery fire a very interesting development has taken place. This if. the use of various devices for concealing field guns and troops from the view of enemy airplanes. Sometimes trees are brought up and planted near the object to be hidden. Sometimes the gun or other object has an awning spread over it which is painted to look from above like grass or earth. For the same reason tents may be painted in greens and yellows. The chief improvement in methods of defending entrenched troops is the increased use of machine guns. Machine guns must be put out of operation by artillery fire or by rifle fire directed against the gunners before infantry can advance directly against them. There has been also ?. gTeat increase during the present war in the use of barbed wire in front of the trenches as a means of defense. Similar devices have been used in entrenched positions for many years, but never on so large a scale. Through their use it is now known to be possible to defend the front line positions with smaller bodies of men than were considered necessary during the earlier years of the war, thus considerably reducing the strain on the individual soldier. The chief new instrument of warfare developed during the present war is the airplane. It is used for scouting, directing gunfire, and dropping bombs. The scouting machine is usually equipped with a large camera which takes a series of pictures. When these pictures are developed and compared day by day they give valuable information as to the exact, location of troops, guns and supplies. The scouting and bombing machines are usually protected by swift fighting machines. Airplanes have also been used at times to descend close to the ground and fire from a machine gun upon bodies of troops. Another very.interesting and promising device is the “tank,” a heavily armored machine so constructed that it can advance under its own power over almost any obstacles, and thus lead an attack on enemy trenches. It is armed with machine guns. Armored motor cars have also been used effectively under some conditions.

In the front line trenches men are often armed not only with rifle and bayonet, but also with bombs which can be thrown by hand or by machine. Some of them are no larger than an ordinary lemon. Many men become extraordinarily expert in throwing these small bombs into enemy trenches. They even become expert in picking up enemy bombs before then explode and throwingthem back. , • Another weapon of the trenches introduced by the Germans, in spite of international agreements to the contrary, is poisonous gas. This was at first very effective, since no defense against it had been prepared. At the present time, however, each man in or near the front carries a gas mask, which enables him to meet an attack of this kind without serious injury. • . _ Back of the lines the organization of the staff branches has been enormously extended. Railroads are constructed up to within a short distance of the front. Transport of supplies and ammunition by motor truck, has been organized on a big scale. The medical departments have also made notable gains in methods of treating wounded men, with the result that a very large percentage recover. Even in the early months of the war it was announced that of the wounded actually treated in French hospitals, 54.5 per cent were returned to duty within a short time; 24.5 per cent were sent home to complete their recovery and later returned to duty; 17 per cent at the time of making the report were still in hospitals, with the probability of complete recovery 1.5 per cent were unfit for further service; 2.5 per cent had died from the effects of their wounds. One of the striking features of the war is the proof that has been given of courage apd devotion to duty on

the part of men of all nations. As soldiers we must honor and strive to emulate the heroic bravery of those who are fighting the battle for democracy and freedom. It is our place to see to it that we develop among ourselves a still higher degree of the intelligfhce, spirit, tenacity, and selfreliance which alone can win victories. The war in Europe has brought forth changes and improvements, such as those just described, to which the soldiers of the national army must quickly adjust themselves; but it has not changed in the least the qualities of body, mind, and heart, which in the long run are always the greatest of all-factors in warfare.