The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-06-09

HRQC-Hldy well UlSSS IuO yCdi
~ 1911, for the weight of his kit
is to be lessened by almost
,ne-half The regulation Sc Id. is cut
% 46 lib. with everything on, and
stripped for real work in the field the
loot soldier will carry but 80 h. now,
hus fitting him the better for march
ng and fighting. When a soldier goes
INTO a fight there are certain things
which he must carry if he is going to
be of any use to his country. These
are, first of all, his weapons-rif1e or
.eyolver-and the proper ammunition,
the first-aid packet, one intrenching
!ool, water-a thirsty soldier cannot
bit a flock Of barns-a mess kit, and
then more ammunition. Nowadays
10 rounds are not considered any too
much for the first dole of ammunition.
What he does not need in fight Is
ais shelter-the dog tent" overcoat,
blanket, and poncho.
Today the intrenching tool is re-
garded as next in Importance to the
weapon. Each man carries either
pick mattock, shovel, or an axe.
Certain men also have wire-clippers.
With shovels a whole regiment can
hide itself in little holes in thirty sec
onds, and dead soldiers are NO use to
government. The old days OF
standing up in the face of the bullets
are gone now The only time SOL
aier shows himself to the enemy, If
be can help 1t, is in the final rush.
Advances are not permitted until SUI
periority of fire is assured.
But there are score of marches to
every skirmish, and the tabulated list
lives the essential things that each
lnfantryman must carry with him. all
Of which are distributed more or less
evenly about his person.
Here Is the tabulated list of the
United States infantryman's kit:
One rifle One intrenching tool
One gun sling One haversack
One bayonet One bacon can
One bayonet scab- One condiment can
bard One meat can
One cartridge belt One knife
One hundred rounds One fork
of ammunition One spoon
One frst-aid pack Toilet articles
age One pair socks,
One first-aid pouch wooden
One canteen One haversack ra-
One canteen cover ton
One cup one emergency ra
One intrenching tool ton
And the pack. which consists of:
One nack-carrier One shelter half
One blanket Five shelter tent
One poncho pins
carrier
Scores Of further suggestions from
officers have been received by the
United States war department, which
Is responsible for this new departure,
to make the soldier more efficient In
time of war An ambulant kitchen
A range on wheels which can cook
meal on the march-is one of the
newest wrinkles proposed. Automo-
biles for a mobile army are demanded
now. The blanket has been cut to
weigh h. 1t is proposed to abolish
the coat in the field and substitute
sweater in its place.
Other recommendations are that
the sergeants carry no rifle IN the
field but have revolvers and bolos In
stead Likewise the cooks are to De
relieved of the rifle and have revolver
and bolo, thus enabling them to carry
sufficient utensile to cook for the
company when other transportation
has been abandoned.
1t is proposed to do away with the
old campaign hat and to substitute
the mounted police hat, which has
lower crown and a wider brim and Is
more comfortable. With it goes the
Individual housewife" The COM
pany will carry at kit for mending for
the entire outfit A neckerchief is to
be made part Of the uniform. Off1cers
will not carry their sabres In the
field, and tobacco and soap Will be
made part of the Iation. The foot
soldiers little tent has been made
much lighter. Nowadays each man
Jugs half a shelter tent, with five
pins and one jointed pole; his bun
kie" Jugs the other half Now the
poles are abolished. The rife acts
as a front pole and a rope takes the
place of the rear pole. In case OF
surprise the rifles is even handler to
get at. But even better the lessened
weight will be carried in much easier
fashion.
The illustration shows front view
of the new equipment Of the United
States foot soldier with cartridge belt
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