The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-08-07
UNIQUE PROBLEMS
SOLVED BY BRAINS
OF GREAT BRITAIN
British Army Has Undergone
Changes Of Far-reaching Char
acter Since the Outbreak Of the
War: Pioneers on the Job.

BY Associated Press
London Aug The British army
has undergone changes of q far-reach
ing character since the outbreak OF
war In 1914. and u now possesses
many branches unheard of in pre-
war dusA Every resource afforded
by the manifold capacity Of this grea,
industrial community has been har-
messed to the war chariot. SAYS al
British statement from official
sources.
There are certain respects in which
the problem by which the British
army is ,nced is unique; and one of
the most striking OF these Is that u
must be capable OF campaigning IN
any part of the world and in any cli-
mate. In tie ease 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 destlLed To fight
was known II was an army designed
10 do battle In particular theater--
Europe In consequence everything
could be- ana was. planned along cer-
tain weli-defined lines.
In the present war the importance
Of field works was apparent az a very
early stage, partly owing 10 modern
artillery and partly 20 the confirmed
entrcnchng habit OF the Germans
one of the cardinal instructions given
J by the German commanders To- their
troops on first invadins France and
Belgium was--"make trenches every
where" In fact all the continental
! powers hli in addition to their corps
of engineers large numbers OF train
ed pioneers. organized In battalions
and suitable for use either as fight
| ing troops or In th. construction and
maintenance OF field works and COM
munications. The absolute importance
Of the last-named can perhaps only
be realized by one who has seen the
roads during an advance.
But. while the continent was to this
extent prepared for trench warfare.
as was natural IN the circumstances
IS was otherwise with Great Britain
/ In the British service only the Indian
army posses>cd pionSer regiments.
these troops being always necessary
iu conducting campaigns In the hill
! ,uuntry when the need for Thu class
Of troops became evident steps were
taken 10 form pioneer hattalious foe
the cXpcdit louary force. From the
first they proved their value.
Pioneers are prepared 10 fight or
work as may be required. They per
form such gcrvices 1s the construc-
tion aud repair of communication
trenches. nrc-trenches aud dug outs
/. ,he digging OF trenches and wiring
Their duties are manifold. and there
Is no form ~ usefulness at the front
which the pioneer does not at one
time or another lind himself called
upon 10 undertake. Ills activitie'
range from carrying mp ammunition
to retrieving the wounded or HOLDING
Ia iicrceiy disputed trench or sap.
In the great advances on the Somm'
and In trtois the pioneer performed
worl, of tho greatest importance. tn
duty OF consolidating the cupture'
ground and connecting II up with tn
old front line of the attackers. largel
fcH to them In many places the
took part in the advance as infantry
In others they Kept the advancin
limos supplied with ammunition an
water aud beat or cuunter-attack'
Thor LOSSES have been heavy, hu
they have. accomplished their task
lu the face of every obstacle.
As rulc the pioneers remain u
/ the vicinity Of the trenches all IA
time their division is In the line. an
do not po back for rest. except az Ion
intervals.
The pion"or is as set new type q
M" British army hat he has Ion
3. since passed the trial stage, and ma
proved his worth and stendfastnoH
n Ills metal has been tried In tn" cruc
bile of war and very thoroughly u ho
stood the test.