New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-09-15

cat1on or troops. guns and supplies.
The scouting and bombing machinen,
are usually protected by swift fight
ing machines. Airplanes have been
used at times to descend close to the
ground and fire from machine gun
upon bodies Of troops
Another very interesting and PROM
Using device is the "tank'-a heavily
armored machine so constructed that
it can advance under it's own power
over almost any obstacles, and thusr
lead an attack on enemy trenches. 1t
is armed with machine guns. Ar
mored motor cars have also been
used effectively under some condi-
tions.
In the front line trenches men are
often armed not only with rife and
bayonet, but also with bombs which
can be thrown by hand or by ma~
chine. Some of them are no larger
than an ordinary lemon. Many men
become extraordinarily expert in
throwing these small bombs into enc
my trenches. They even become ex-
pert in picking up enemy bombs be-
fore they explode and throwing them
back.
Another weapon of the trenches in
troduced by the Germans in spite Of.
international agreements to the con-
trary, Is poisonous gas. This was at
first very effective, since no defense
against it had been prepared. At the
present time, however, each man in
or near the front carries a gas mask,
which enables him to meet an attack
of this kind without serious injury.
Wonderful staff Organizations.
Back Of the lines the organization
of the staff branches of the service
has been enorm ously extended. Rail-
roads are constructed up to within q
short distance of the front. Trans
port Of supplies and ammunition by
motor trucks has been organized on
big scale. The medical departments
have also made notable gains IN
methods of treating wounded men,
with the result that a very large per-
centage recover. Even in the early
m onths Of the war it was announced
that Of the wounded actually treated
in French hospitals 54.5 per cent
were returned to duty within short
time; 24.5 per cent. were sent home
to complete their recovery and later
returned to duty; II per cent. at the
time of making the report were stif,
in hospitals. with the probability Of
complete recovery: 1.5 per cent. were
unfit for further service: rs per cent
had died from the effects of their
wounds.
There is probably little basis for
the idea that the number of casual
ties in this war is any greater in PROF.
portion to the number of men en-
gagged, than in previous wars. In the
French army during the last six
months of 1916 (Which included three
big offensives) tho total losses in
killed. wounded, and prisoners are
officially reported to have been only
1928 per cent. of the French forces
under arms.
One of the striking features of the \
war is the proof that has been givenN
of courage and devotion to duty on
the part of the men of all nations. AS
soldiers we must honor and strive to
emulate the heroic bravery of those
who are fighting the battle for de-
and freedom AS soldiers
we must recognize also the skill and
courage of the enemy even though
they are shown in q bad cause. Moth
ing is gained by belittling the enemy.
1t is our place rather to see to it that
we develop among ourselves a still
higher degree of the intelligence
spirit, tenacity, and self-reliance
which alone can win victories.
The war in Europe has brought
forth changes and improvements,
such as those just described. to which,,
the soldiers of the National Army
1t has not changed in the least the
qualities Of body, mind, and heart,
which in the long run are always the
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