The sun., 1893-07-01
BRITISH INFANTRY TACTICS.
The Tendency to Place Larger ResponsI-
bilities on Subordinate Commanders.

WASHINGTON, juno 30.-The British army
like our own. has lately adopted new drill regu-
lations. based on the requirements OF modern
service. But 1t has found reason to change
its first system for this purpose. as the result
OF experience. The drill regulations OF last
year were styled provisional. while no such
qualification appears in the title Of this years
book. which may accordingly be regarded as
the completed work.
A leading point Of difference is considered to
be that in the revised tactics the subordinate
commanders have even more latitude in the
management of their com mands than was ac-
corded by tho provisional regulations. In
those, the commanding officer, in an advance
OF his command by firing line. was directed
to take UP such position as will best enable
him to exercise general supervision" In the
now tactics. he Is not required to exercise this
supervision. He Is told that "as the attack
develops he will do his best to appreciate its
accidents and to assist his firing line. taking
up q position near the reserve, SO as to employ
1t to the best possible advantage" 1t will be
seen how far the disposition to give subordi-
mates full acope in tho management OF their
immediate commands. after tho battle begins.
Is carried by this change Of regulations. The
Captains are expected take care OF tho
fighting Of their own companies. free from the
the whole battalion becollss q part of the
firing line. when 1t Is again under tho control
OF the battalion command er. Indeed. the drill
book OF last year declared that the greatest
latitude will bs allowed to Captains Of COM
panies during the advance" The general
principle which Is followed In combat is thus
expressed:
Commanders OF all ranks. from Generals to section
commanders must carefully bear in mind the fact that
in It Is possible for them 10 their
at drill exercises Local circumstances unforeseen by
the commanders may render tho precise execution
the orders and they have given to their
subordinates not only unsuitable to the but Abso
necessity. and commanders must. therefore. take
every opportunity OF training their In
cepnR responsibility FOR departures from variations
IN the mode OF carrying out orders or directions origs
such departures variations must always be justified
by the circumstances OF the action
merely for tho purpose OF escaping from higher control
Is to be firmly repressed
1t need hardly be said that this view shows
tho high importance not only OF company COM
manders and subalterns but OF non commits
stoned officers. The general principles thus
inculcated are recognized In other services be-
sides the British. and form an argument for
tho improvement OF the condition of the wear
ers OF the chevrons. 1t Is declared In the new
British Infantry tactics that THE conditions
Of modern warfare render It imperative that
to general instructions and accepted princi-
every fight. influenced by a thousand different
considerations offers a problem which can
only be grappled with at tho time. and cannot
be treated under set cond ditions-" This may he
said to formulate leading principle in modern
Soldiership.