New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-28

INSTRUCTION AND PLEASURE CoMBlNED-THE
CHANCES OF WAR.
Training for war in time of peace. even in America.
has been shown to be a matter of Importance. The
Introduction of a game intended TO increase the
tactical skill of officers. recently at Fort
Hamilton. and still recently at General Han
cocks headquarters Governors Island, indicates
a growing recognition of this fact. The game is
called Kriegsspiel OF Game of War. general de-
scription of the method of PLAYING the and the
benefits supposed TO result from it given here
with.
RULES AND METHODS OF THE GAME.
The Game of War. or Kricgssp,el as it is
called in German. invented by n Prussian named
Reiswitz and worked out in detail by hs who
artillery officer in the Prussian Army. IL has
long engaged the attention officers the Prussan
armies. and Count von Motke time the pres
ideut Of society formed for the express purpose OF
PLAY ing the game During the FrancOrussian War the
public astonshed the minute knowledge Prussan
officers bad OF French territory. The explanation was
very simple The Prussisn officers had played the Game
Of War for years upon maps representing the topography
OF French territory. Following a knowledge or this
fact increased attention has been given the in
France England aud other European countries. Aside
tactical instruction. officers familiar with
the spaces occupied by various divisions Of troops de-
poyed, in line OF march otherwise disposed and the
to another.
The game consists Of a representation Of the ma
nnuvres OF troops upon prepared for the pupose
In Europe fat maps made represent the topography
OF the country have been usedin represent
ing particular sections. Leutenants Postey and Pratt,
Fort Hamilton, have improved upon these very ma
terally by constructing plaster-of-paris map upon
which the connguration OF the land represented by
elevations depresons and level plains. Upon this map
rivers and streams indicated by streaks Of paint
and roads plainly marked miniature villages are
constructed out OF blocks. to the detail Of the
church steeple; woodlands are represented by green
worsted-work and built of fine wire and pins
The map-whlch about feet by feet in dimensions
is drawn a scale OF inches 10 mile, and cOnse
Quently represents a considerable area.
In making preparations for play at Fort Columbus
map being modelled in pasrerof-pars 10 repre-
sent particular part OF f. esh territory This Is an
Improvement the at Fort Hamilton, which Is not
copy Of any particular place The troops Indicated
by small movable metal blocks, set being cclorei
red and the other blue. commander-in-cb-f Is appTo
prateIy represented Different bodies OF troops are
represented by blocks Of sizes. bearing various
devices further mark the distinction hall battalion
line represented by Oblong segment OF metal
and the same body in quarter column by segment az
preaching square shape. To denote a squadron OF
cavalry small square is cut on Its face by d1agoha
line and section IL painted red or blue Artillery
forces are represented oOong blocks OF different d.
meuSOns, decorated IL VARIOUS NdHr ~
denote the different divisions ana dispositions OF lnc
troops and through all the divisions Of the inla
try. cavalry and artillery. The blocks are caIeius
made 10 correspond 10 the scale Of the map
As impossible to Introduce the elements OF rlpe-
riOr courage and training or TO calculate ne l rnSrt
Of artillery fire. II Is necessary 10 use tD,er caVs
prepared on the data furnished by active WARFARE III
conjunction with dice. by this means actual wal Is a
preached nearly possible. and TO degree OF rear
n.y. n cs1med that car IN no other way De Optalhe
In this respect II may he SAID the game Is superior 70
field manRuvres IN OF peace the commanders OF
the actually pted against each other and the
chances Of are calculated by means OF 'he 'ADeS
with great degree Of accuracy ~ ,.,,or d.ne,ds
upon several conditions. The nature OF the
ground, the numerical strength OF the oopposing
whether In order disorder, etc. are taken into ac-
count, and TO facilitate decision win reference 10
points table Is prepared to be Used IN conjunction
with dee In many instances real warfare one OF
two opposing forces Will have decided advantage over
the other but though the defeat or the weaker sac IL
highly probable tho uncertainty OF war Is such hat Ie
feat in the game cannot be SAID 70 Ds eeat ~
with which failure may occur under various
engagements be termed the chances of war
HOW PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED.
In conducting the game IL IL is intended 10 represent
mannuvres small scale It Is only necessary To nave
three persons. Two OF these command the opposing
sides and one acts as umpire TO settle disputes and to
decide peculiar cases which IN the progress Of the
game When the maneuvres on large scale there
should be subordinate officers to carry out the orders IN
detail so as 70 the superior officers free 20 give
commands. II Is not necessary that AL the omcers
The only requirements that they should learn what
the bock OF metal represents should be able in some
measure 10 read "A map ana some knowledge OF
the leading principles governing the march OF troops
and ther disposition in action The duties OF the umpire
are manifold and require an accurate knoweSe on III.
part Of the Of and the conventional rules OF
the game He must see that the movements are made
according 70 the proper measurements. must crtcise
family dlspostions aad decide all doubtful questions
that come I'D In the progress OF the game At the con
cuson he also decides who has gained the advantage
BEFORE the game s opened the umpire states the gen
era nature OF the operations 10 each OF the
officers and also the special object which each is to en-
deavor 10 obtain The first statement is called the
" general idea" and is issued to each commanding
officer as relates to what is supposed 20 be known to
both The base and principal line OF operation are
stated but nothing Is furnished which in actual war
would not be possession OF both opposing forces Inc
sneoal idea Of one force differs from that OF the
other IL should contain the strength ana composition
of the force spot which II mas arrived tine me
dae objective point view the date and hour any In
formation which may be in possession Of the commander
M the force strength movements or disposition OF
the enemy.
When each commander has carefully studied the gen
era and special ideas put into his hands he sends the
,isnosons which he proposes to make OF his troops
IN writing TO the umpire stating the manner IN which
ne proposes TO divide his force into advanced guard
main body reserve. and when necessary rear guard
The general line outpost is indicated and the detach
ments are named which to furnish them. Brigade
orers-the same in form and substance rs those gwen
in the neld-are also promulgated IL Is also stated
what position be occupied by the officer in com
mand After these preliminarfes arranged the
reanisite number OF metal blocks representing Datta
ions batteries squadrons, Is distributed to each
officer IN command and divided by them into advanced
guard main body etc; the special objects OF
the proposed movements also communicated to the
subordnaes To make the game as real "a possible tue
man 1. 40 covered up that each officer Is only permitted