The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-16
HOW GERMAN SOLDIERS ARE TRAINED.
The broad outlines OF German military


ton. are sufficiently well known. But wo are
less thoroughly informed about the training OF
tho private soldier about tho processes by
which raw recruit Is Transmitted into an ef-
fective. integral. ard automatic unit Of tho com
pany and the battalion. II was Just this matter |
which stnff officer in the Russian nrmy-Col. |
Kaulbars-was sent TO Germany TO study. and |
upon which he has lately published report in |
n Russian Official journal. Tho facts collected |
by him have attracted much attention from the |
French and English press. and glance at some |
OF thcm may aid us to understand tho perfection |
Of the German army M an instrument Of combat. |
The striking point of the whole system-noxt |
to the rigorous application OF universal llabil- |
ity-is the short term OF active service. From |
this principle the axiom Is deducod thnt not q |
moment Ia to DO wasted In stage effects the |
flourish and strut TO which 80 much tlmo IL |
given in an English barrack yard. tho solo aim
| OF training being TO promptly render the con-
script an efficient soldier In the field OF tho
many divers ways. however, by which this con-
version OF tho inexpcrt civilian into the
accomplished combatant may DO comprised.
the special method chosen by the instructor is n
| matter OF absolute Indifference provided tho
end DO attained. Tho dogroe Of indcpen-
| dcnco and responsibility thus devolvod
| upon tho company commander Is another
remarkable feature OF German military educa-
ton. To illustrate tho extraordinary freedom
iron Interference enjoyed by the trainer OF raw
material. Col. Kaubars cites the case OF q Cen
eral whom he heard express to Captain strong
disapproval of the latters method. Tho COM
mandcr paid no attention to tho structure, and
at the inspection of his company. which took
! place presently. came on with flying colors.
wheroupon the General owned his error and
publicly congratulated the Captain upon his SUI
perlor sagacity. Woa iurthertold that some
times two Captains OF the same battalion will be
carrying out rival systoms OF training, their gu
| pcrlor officers watching both without the slight
est Intervention. but leaving the question Of
fitness to the result Of the inspection.
The country needs supply Of soundy
drilled but not deliberately finished soldiers
out OF which % construct its battalions regi-
mcnts etc. and to create these units Is tho
Captains work. Accordingly tho recruit on
joining is handed over 10 the latter as a stick Of
green wood. to be returned at a fixed date as a
plant seasoned. manufactured implement
Processes will be wholly dsregarded inten-
tons will 20 Tor nothing; the authorities will
look to results only. on which depend the pres
ent standing and future Advancement % the
! manufacturer. But the Captain, though
responsible for tho work and compelled 10
expend an immense amount Of thought.
anxiety. and trouble on n seemingly small
field Of labor. is not the executive;
the chief instructor is one Of his lieu.
tenants. chosen 10y himself. the other trainers
being taken from among the non-commissioned
officers. 1t j. the Captains duty. however. TO
teach these instructors how to teach he has to
provide not only for drill. hut musheiry. gym
nastics. and theoretical knowledge. there being
no specialists in German barrack yard to
whom any part Of the work ia intru III; the
company officers do it I'll In their turn those
subordinate Instructors. once chosen. ENJOY sub
stantial Independence. and a faulty selection
may therefore ruin a years work. From this
ludicious distribution OF responsibility it re-
suits that nowhere in the world does awkward
squad" training receive such strenuous and
fruitful attention ~ in Germany,
From the time Of recruits Joining. which
takes place in November. al Old soldier or nom
commissioned officer is told IN as his compul-
sorry companion: tho cons 'ript must deposit
his money In the Captains hands. and give this
officer full accounting in writing of his past
life. which, owing to the territorial system Of
enlistment. can DE easily verified. Worked but
lightly during tie first few days. the recruit
( soon finds himself with t,le or no time at his
own disposal. not less than ten hours day
being exacted for drill and instruction during
the fourth woek OF service. This strenuous
training goes on. in the hands OF the Captain
and his assistants until HE middle or end Of
|
recruits competence takes place. Through
out the German army. says Col. Kaul-
bars. the inspection Of tho recruits forms
ono Of the most important events Of military
life exciting the lvelies interest. not only
among the officers Of each regiment but o. all
officers in tho garrison. 1t Is conducted by the
Colonel OF the regiment, in presence. however,
Of the General commanding the army corps.
and often Of the Emueror. and everything is
a. ,t.f
maliiy. There is nothing farccGl or perfume
tory in these proceedings rs is too often the case
IL other countries. The inspection taxes place
during the actual course % instruction. and not
after it Is concluded. No tiIac is lost in prcpar-
ing for the inspecting officer before his arrival
on the ground. nor is any special preparation
possible, since no nN9d day Is set apart for the
test. and notice OF it Is only given on tho prevr
Gus evening 10 those concern cd. In word, the
scrutiny 10 which the German recruit is sub
lectcd Is exhaustive. sharp. and Trustworthy
The Same shrewl expedlent Of localized re-
spOnsibllIty and scrupulOus noniuieriorence
with the specific officer in charge is adopted for
each stage or period Of instruction. As the
commanding ofloer Of the battalion does not
venture to thwart or advise his Captains so no
intorpOsition or even suggestion Is offered by
the Colonel OF tho regiment when the former is
working companies together in battalion orma-
ton But because the recruit has advanced n
stop IN his education he Is not suffered to for
get what he has already mastered, or TO out
grow the automatic abandonment Of self to the
volition Of his company commander. and. there
fore after he has begun 10 drill in battalion he
still finds himself three days q week under his
Captains hand in company work, II ID 10y this
UNIQUE combination Of the development Of in
dividual initiative on the part Of every officer
with complete scl-surronder on the part Of the