The Washington times., 1917-04-21

the Hawaiian Islands. Some time ago
three caterpillar "45s" were delivered
to the United States army for use on
the island OF Oahu, one OF the Ha'
waiian Islands. These tractors gave
such an excellent account of them
selves that twenty-seven more were
ordered, and 1t is now announced that
they will be used in the formation of
horseless regiment of field artillery
the first of its kind in the world.
Replaces Horses.
"The new regiment has been desig-
mated the Ninth Heavy Field Artillery,
and will be stationed permanently In
ment has been formed and its COM
manding officer is Col. John F. Nc
Mahon. 1t is one of three new regi-
ments Of field artillery authorized by
the national defense act of June 3,
1916, all of which are now being or
ganized. Its headquarters is Schofield
barracks.
ITO be more accurate. the Ninth
Heavy Field Artillery will be a cater:
pillar tractor regiment, because all
twenty-four Of its guns will be hauled
from point to point, and then put upon
the firing line, by means of caterpillar
tractors.
"The distinctive features of the
Ninth Heavy Field Artillery which
will single II out as the first of its
kind in the world are as follows:
There will be no horses whatever
connected with the regiment; 1t will
be thoroughly an exclusive motor
traction regiment, motor tractors OF
varying types taking the place Of
about 1000 horses. Its heavy field
guns and their ammunition caissons
will be hauled by powerful caterpillar
tractors. The tractors will not be
armed, and will be armored only for
protection OF their machinery. The
battery and store wagons of the regt
ments will also be hauled by tractors,
so as to be able to follow the tractor
drawn howitzers into action, over
rough country. The regiment will be
provided with its own truck company
Of twenty-seven motor trucks. which
will carry ammunition to the firing
line. The reserve ammunition for
the regiment also will be conveyed to
the front by motor truck companies.
All Plans Perfected.
1.-TWO of the six batteries Of the
regiment will be equipped with the
new model 6-inch heavy field howitzer
which has just been adopted by the
army after successful experimental
tests at Fort Sill. All the plans have
been thoroughly perfected. and the
regiment will be ready for tactical
maneuvers with its motor traction
facilities within a year. Four cater
pillar tractors will be required for
moving each 16-inch gun and its am
one tractor hauling the gun
and the three others hauling its
mount and ammunition.
"The Ninth Heavy Field Artillery
will use thirty tractors. In this regi-
ment there will be six batteries and
each battery will use five caterpillar
tractors. Four of the batteries OF the
regiment will be. equipped with At
inch guns and the other two batteries
will be equipped with 6-inch howitz-
ers. On the basis of four guns to the
battery, there will be sixteen of the
4.T-inch guns and eight of the 6-inch
ment Each OF these twenty-four
guns will be moved by a caterpillar
Thus, each of the six bat
teries will require four tractors for
the movement of its guns.
There will also be assigned TO each
Of the regiments batteries an addi-
tional, or NTH, caterpillar tractor. In
each instance this fifth caterpillar
will haul two vehicles, a bat
terry wagon and store wagon, in /
which will be carried extra parts and
other kinds of material. Each of the
tractors used for hauling
4 gun will also haul that guns calls
son or ammunition carriage. 1t is
estimated that during peaceful times
the saving yearly will be about $780,
BOO for each regiment equipped with
In addition, there will.
Of course, be humane advantages in
the saving OF men and horses.