The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-07-30
BRITISH ARMY
HAD TO LEARN
war TRADE new
Trench-Making Was Mystery
to Tommies in Early Days
of War.

LONDON, July 80. Correspond
ence)-The British Army has under
gone changes OF a far-reaching char
acter since the outbreak OF war IN
1914, and 1t now possesses many
branches unheard OF In pre-war days.
Every resource afforded by the mani
fold capacity OF this great Industrial
community has been harnessed to the
war chariot, says British statement
from oficial sources.
There are certain respects In which
the problem by which the British
Army is faced is unique; and one OF
the most striking OF these is that 1t
must be capable OF campaigning IN
any part OF the world and in any CHI
mate. In the case Of armies like that
of Germany, on the other hand, the
problem Of preparation for war was
relatively simple. The ground on
which the Army was destined to night
was known; 1t was an army designed
to do battle in a particular theatre
Europe. In consequence everything
could be, and was, planned along GER
tain well-dehned lines.
Trenches Recognized
In the present war the importance
of feld works was apparent at a 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 frst invading France and
Belgium was: Make trenches every
where"
In fact all the Continental powers
had in addition to their corps OF eng1.
neers, very large numbers OF trained
pioneers, organized in battalions, and
suitable for use either as fighters or fol
maintenance OF field works and com
munications. The absolute import
ance of the last-named can perhaps
only be realized by one who has seer
the roads during the advance.
But. while the Continent was to this
extent prepared for trench warfare
as was natural in the circumstances
1t was otherwise with Great Britain
In the British Service only the lndiar
Army possessed pioneer regiments
these troops being always necessar,
in conducting campaigns In the hill
country. When the need for this class
of troops became evident steps were
taken to form pioneer battalions TO
the Expeditionary Force. From thu
first they proved their value.
To Fight or Work
Pioneers are prepared to fight o
work as may be required. They pc
form such services as the construc
ton and repair Of communicated
trenches, fire-trenches and dug outs
the digging Of trenches and wiring
Their duties are manifold, and ther
is no form Of usefulness at the from
which the pioneer does not at on
time or another find himself called w
on to undertake. His activities rang
from carrying up ammunition to RI
trieving the wounded or holding
fiercely disputed trench or sap.
In the great advances on the Son
me and in Artois the pioneers Pc
formed work Of the greatest impor
ance. The duty of consolidating tn
captured ground and connecting 1t u
with the old front line of the attacl
ers, largely fell to them. In man
places they took part in the advano
as infantry, in others they kept ii
advancing line supplied with ammun
ton and water, and beat off counte
attacks. Their losses have bee
heavy, but they have accomplishe
their tasks in the face of every o
stacle. AS rule, the pioneers r
main In the vicinity Of the trench'
all the time their division is in II
line, and do not go back for rest, e
cept at long intervals.
The pioneer is as yet new tyl
In the British Army, but he mas loI
since passed the trial stage, and hi
proved his worth and steadfastnes
His metal has been tried in the cruz
BILE of war and very thoroughly it hi
stood the test.