Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-09-17
How Huge Armies Operate In Battle.

| the current number OF the Scientific Amer
ican. The subjects include army supply
methods, transportation of troops in vast
numbers, hospital facilities on the field,
Germany's big guns and naval chances,
and destructive new machine guns.
The magazine contains an article on
the composition of European armies.
The numerical strength represented by
the terms brigade, division, regiment,
army corps, differ so widely from those
in the American Army that they are almost
meaningless.
The European regiment in full war
strength numbers about 3, 300 men, under
the command of colonel. Three regi-
ments form brigade of 10, 900 men, COM
manded by a major general. Two bri-
gades form division of 10000 men, un-
der the command of lieutenant general.
Two divisions constitute ali army corps
of 10000 men, commanded by general,
and three army corps form an indepen-
dent field army, fully equipped with cav
airy, artillery, commissary, engineers and
medical department, of total strength OF
l20 1000 men. There are variations from
these totals as given. but they are not
great, and the foregoing estimate OF the
strength of the various units if applied to
the number OF divisions, brigades, army
corps, ETC., mentioned in the dispatches,
will give closely accurate estimate OF
the number OF troops engaged.
The Scientific American has another
article showing the stupendous number
OF men already under arms or available
for the conflict. The whole fighting
strength OF trained men in the nations in
volved numbers something like l6,OOO,-
000 1t is shown that there are facing
each other on a 250-mile battle line,
reaching from Antwerp. Belgium, 10 Basle,
Switzerland, approximately. 2,5OO,OOO
men, about equally divided between the
allied French, British and Belgians, and
the allied Germans and Austrians. These
represent the standing armies, the flower
OF the national troops engaged.
To the east, along the borders OF Ger
many and Austria, Germany has masSed
some 100000 of her second line of re-
serves. and Austria is moving TO her own
northern frontiers, and TO The assistance
OF Germany in Alsace and Lorraine an
other 100000 men. Russia has announc-
ed that her mobilization is complete,
which means that she is moving down
upon the German and Austrian frontiers
her standing army of over ,25O, 900 men.
And the while these 100000 troops
are on the fighting line, there are being
gradually assembled at the various camps
and equipped for the field as they may
be needed the 10000, 900 trained reserves
every one having spent two or three
years with the colors.
How cannon are used in an actual battle
is most interesting subject, dealt with
in the magazine.
In actual battle the guns of battery
are lined up, and one loaded caiSson is
placed next to each gun. The entire
battery is behind cover, and generally
cannot see the targets. The fire is di-
rected by each gunner aiming on des-
ignated aiming point, with an instrument
set at given DETECTION, so that the gun
will actually point at the target. This
DETECTION is calculated by triangulation
method by the battery commander, who
is some distance away from the battery
either on elevated ground, on ladder or
in tree. The German system of obtain
ing the DETECTION is to measure the angles
by means of instruments, thereby at
| tempting to make the first shots effective,
while the tendency OF the French system
| is to estimate the first DETECTION, fire
quickly, and by observing the shot make
necessary corrections for succeeding
shots. The ranges are obtained by base
range finders, which are accurate within
200 yards for 5000 or 600 yard ranges.
The object OF howilzers is mainly 10
fire heavier projectile with lower We
locity at a much higher elevation and
longer range. Assume, for instance,
that, the enemy's infantry is intrenched
behind embankments. With high
velocity the trajectory OF the projectile
for given range is very Hat, so that the
troops would be able 10 sit behind the
cover and have all projectiles either
strike the embankment or pass over their
heads. For this emergency battery of
howitzers is called into action. By re-
ducing the charge the projectile may be
started at a higher elevation, which causes
the proiectile TO fall TO the ground in a
much more nearly vertical path, and en-
ables If to be dropped back OF the en-
bankment.
The object Of field artillery is to sup
port the infantry in its advances or its |
retreats. 1t aims TO hit the part OF the
enemy which is most dangerous TO the
friendly infantry and which would hinder
IFS success. Since the enemy's artillery
would do the same thing, it is evident
that modern battle will generally begin
with an artillery duel, and that whichever
side is able to silence the other sides
artillery will have tremendous advan-
tage. In fact, until the enemy's field ar
tillery IS sienced, an advance OF the in
fantry would be practically impossible.
As the infantry advances, the field ar
tillery must be in readiness to fire over
the advancing line and attack parts of the
enemy's troops, or must be able 10 move
with lightning rapijity TO any other posi-
ton where its fire is needed or is more
effective. A battery OF field artillery is
tactical unit composed OF from four 10