The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-06-01
MW JTXE OLD VXf

fight-may well bless the year
~ 1911, for the weight of his kit
Is to be lessened by almost
one-half. The regulation Sc ID. Is cut
to 46 lb. with everything on, and
stripped for real work in the field the
foot soldier will carry but 80 ID. now,
thus fitting him the better for march
ing 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-rile or
revolver-and the proper ammunition,
the first-aid packet, n intrenching
tool, water-a thirsty soldier cannot
hit a flock Of barns-a mess kit, and
then more ammunition. Nowadays
30 rounds are not considered any too
much for the first dole of ammunition.
What he does not need in a fight Is
his shelter-the dog tent" o%vercoat,
blanket, and poncho.
Today the ~intrenching tool Is re-
garded as next in importance to the
weapon. Each man carries either a
pick mattock, a 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
a government. The old days Of
standing up in the face Of the bullets
are gone now. The only time a SOL
der shows himself to the enemy, If
he cap help it, is in the final rush.
$3.50 a~@ oct rnrpofttn6 until Gil
p~eriority of fire is assured.
But there ara q score of marches to
every skirmish, and the tabulated list
gives the essential things that each
infantryman 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 coEdiment 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 frst-aid pouch wooden
One canteen One haversscK ra-
One canteen cover ton
One cup One emergency ra-
One intrenching tool ton
And the pack, which consists or:
One pack-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 a
meal on the march-is n OF the
newest wrinkles proposed. Automo-
biles for a mobile army ale demanded
now. The blanket has heen cut to
weigh 3 lib. It is PROPOSED to abolish
the coat in the field and substitute a
sweater in its place.
Other recommendations are that
the s~ergeants carry no rifle in the
field but have revolvers and bolos in
stead. Likewise the cooks are to be
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 a
lower crown and q wider briE and Is
more comfortable. With 1t 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. Ofacers
will not carry their sabrss in the
held. and tobacco and soap will be