The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-21
CYCLISTS IN GERMAN ARMY.
Their Usefulness i'm the Transmits
sion of Orders.


The German Embassy is in receipt from
the home Government OF the following in
formation regarding the usefulness c. cy-
clists IL the army: During the grand ma
neuvres Of 1899 cyclists were exclusively
employed in the transmission Of orders
and renorts. and the idea OF using them
as combatant troops during this yesr's
grand .naneuvres seems TO have been
given Up. In addition to the regulation
cyclists attached to different corps. a
group OF sixty-six. under the command OF
a captain Of the Railway Brigade. was
formed from the Thirteenth Army Cops.
Another detachment OF sixty pioneer cy-
clists was formed from the Fifteenth
Army Corps.
The cyclists had been instructed in map
reading and surveying and in rendering
correct reports The infantry were armed
with model 81 rifles. shortened and
made lighter. and the cavalry with the
carbine. Their dress consisted OF cap,
a tunic, Litewka (jumper), grey water
proof cloak with hood. breeches, short
leather leggings. and a pair Of laced
boots
Throughout the mane-yres great use
was made OF cyclists as despatch riders.
These we're split UP into posts, or relays,
and were generally about fifteen h,ome-
tres distant from one another. The cyclist
group formed from the Thirteenth Corps
was divided il the following way, namely:
One sergeant major and nine men =.
the disposal Of the headquarters staff; enc
non-commissioner officer and six men uD-
der the director OF maneuvres at Carl
ruhe. one acting sergeant major and eight
non-eommissioned officers employed as des-
patch riders
The distance from Carlruhe to Stuff
CART was divided into seven sections at
each OF which a relay. consisting OF one
nOn-cOmmissioned officer and Eve men.
was established Letters. kilograms. and
orders were rapidly transmitted from ore
relay TO another: in this manner they ar
rived more quickly al their destination
and the cyclists were less fatigued- This
service was carried on day and night
Another line OF despatch riders was also
organized from Pforzheim TO Mark
groningen approximately thirty-two kilo-
metres), pas sing through MuehIacker and
Vaihingen. This latter service was under
the direction of a lieutenant Of the Rail-
way Brigade. On the nth OF September
the military operations took place more
to the south. and the line of relays wa:
consequently transferred with the same
organization, and passed through Wurm.
berg. Waissach, Markgroningen. and
Remminger. The service was carried out
witr the utmost regularity and punctual-
ity.'
Great praise is bestowed in the repor
or tbe detachment of pioneer cycIist.
WIS crossed the Knibis BLACK Forest). q
an altitude of $50 metres. in excellen
condition, - spite Of the bad state Of tn,
I roaos- Tbs ascent took place. with III.
| Thi'tieih cavalry Brigade. on the da,
| this cyclist division rallied the Cayalr,
| Division 4 at Muenhinger.
In conclusion the report says the cy
clists carried out the duty of transmittin
orders and dispatches in a most salts
| factory manner, without being stoppe
| either by the bad state of the road. or b
the rain, which, for several days fell 4
| torrents.