Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-08-08
BRITISH ARMY
MUCH CHANGED
SINCE WAR BEGAN

| LONDON, August S.-The British ar
my las undergone changes of , far
reaching character since the outbreak
of the war in 1914, and it now pos
sesses many branches unheard of in
pre-war days. Every resource afforded
by the manifold capacity of this great
industrial community has been har-
messed to the war chariot, says a Brit
ish statement from official sources.
There are certain respects in which
the problem by which the British army
| il faced is unique; and one of the
most striking of these is that it must
be capable of campaigning in any part
Of the world, and in any climate. In
| the case of armies like that of Ger
many, on the other hand, the problem
OF preparation for war was relatively
simple. The ground on which the army
was destined to fight was known; it
was an army designed to DO battle in
particular theatre-Europe. In con-
sequence everything could be, and was,
planned along certain well-detined
lines.
In the present war the Importance
OF field works was apparent at very
early stage, partly owing to modern
artillery, and partly to the confirmed
entrenching habit of the Germans.
One of the cardinal instructions
given by the German commanders to
their troops on first invading France
and Belgium was, make trenches
everywhere" In fact, all the CONT
mental powers had in addition to their
corps of engineers, very large nuns
! bers of trained pioneers, organized
il battalions, and suitable for use
either as fighting troops, or in the
construction and maintenance of field
works and communications The alb
solute importance of the last named
can perhaps only be realized by one
who has seen the roads during an adj
vance
But, while the continent was to
this extent prepared for trench war
fare as was natural in the circum-
stances, it was otherwise with Great
Britain. In the British service only
the Indian Army possessed pioneer
regiments, these troops being always
necessary in conducting campaigns
i the hill country When the need
flor this class of troops became evil
dent steps were taken to form pio-
ncer battalions for the expeditionary
force From the first they proved their
value.
Pioneers are prepared to fight or
work, as may be required. They per
form such services as the construc-
ton and repair of communication
trenches, fire trenches and dug-outs,
the digging of trenches and wiring.
Their duties are manifold, and there
| is no form of usefulness at the front
which the pioneer does not at one
time or another find himself called up
on to undertake. His activities range
| from carrying up ammunition to re-
trieving the wounded or holding a
| tiorcely disputed trench or sap.
In the great advances on the Somme
and in Artois the pioneers performed
work of the greatest Importance. The
duty of consolidating the captured
ground and connecting it up with the
old front line of the attackers, largely
fell to them In many places they took
part in the advance as infantry, in
others they kept the advancing lines
supplied with ammunition and water,
and beat off counter-attacks. Their
losses have been heavy, but they have
accomplished their tasks in the face OF
every obstacle,
AS a rule the pioneers remain in the
Vicinity of the trenches all the time
their division is in the line, and do not
60 back for rest, except 3 long inter
!yals.
The pioneer is as yet new type
in the British army, but he has long
since passed the trial STAGE, and has
rruynd lis worth and steadfastneSs,
His metal has been tried in the cruel
BILE of war and very thoroughly it has
/ stood the test.