Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-21
GERMAN TACTICS
ARE LIKE
OURS
MILITARY METHODS
ARE ON TRIAL IN THE BIG
EUROPEAN WAR


The tactics of the American army are
on trial in the European war. For
years it has been known that the
American and the German modes of
warfare have been similar. Except
for the open order formations-in
which America goes to the furthest
extreme two armies are directed
by almost the same system. 1t is
known that Major General Leonard
Wood is an ardent supporter of the
German methods
1t is also true that the French tao
tic are somewhat similar to parts of
the German and where they depart
from them they begin to parallel ours,
so whatever the outcome of the Eu-
ropean war, the tactics of America
will receive severe test that may
result in the Inauguration of radical
changes.
America closed it's mind to things
belligerent at the close of the Spanish
American war, yet nothing could be
more fatal than to judge the army of
any nation by the standards existing
tnen. In the brief lapse of 16 years
the army has received the closest
study and has been benefited by more
inventions than at any other period
of it's existence.
There are several innovations that
this war will either make or break.
One is the efficiency of light artillery,
another is the motor car in the dual
| test as an armored scout and as A
mode of transportation. Still another
is camp sanitation. This last feature
has developed highly since the Span
ish-American war and will be sub
liected to its most severe test by the
tremendous European enlistments.
The war will also settle. forever the
value of mass formation.
The last three years have marked
the development of the indirect fire.
BY this method, perfected by the
French, and already in use in America,
an invisible enemy is located, and
shells containing 206 rifles size bull
let's, with range timed fuses are play
ed on them long before there is an
actual view. In hilly or rolling
country, the indirect fire is practic-
able unassailable by either light or
heavy artillery, and for a range one
thousand yards or over the parabola
is great enough to allow shelter be-
hind a pretty high hill.
Modern warfare is drawn to an ex-
act science and it is safe prediction
that this war will 1evolutionize the
rules of the war game. The old hap.
hazard and hysterical charges have
passed into oblivion. 1t is now gov
erned by carefully thought out plans
orders communicated and OBJ eyed and
men placed in strategic positions al
without confusion. Gunners know to
"a mathematical certainty the range OF
their guns. Advancing armies sally
forth to attack certain stronghold
with complete information of the
strength of that position. Experts be
lieve that the day of such spectacular
charges as that of the Light Brigade
Pickett's men at Gettysburg and oi
the Old Guard at Waterloo has passed
1t is not believed that this war will
lcontribute anything like them.
The Germans will wage fierce but
careful campaign. They depend upon
their terrific onslaughts to break the
enemy. Their losses will be immense
but they estimate the great sacrifice
of life at the time of the charge as
compensated in the shortening of the
time of the war
The French will exercise caution
They will fight fierceiy, but in open
formation, and will probably annihi
late the advance line of the enemy
with their expert handling of the ar