New Britain herald., 1917-09-17
LESSON NO. 80 THE SOLDIER IN BATTLE.

NSt'iIS AeSc'Niy IOI Cdulp. D. I II SI Days in Camp. $. Cleanliness in Camp. '. Your Health s. March ing and Care of Feet g. Your
 Equipment and Arms TO- Recrea-
 ton in Camp. Il. Playing the
 Game. 12. Team Work in the Army.
 13. Grouping Men into Teams. IA.
 The Team Leaders. 15 Fighting
 Arms of the Service. 16 Staff
 Branches of the Service--I. IT.
 Staff Branches of the Service-II.
 IS. Army Insignia. 19 The Army
 System of Training. 20. Close Or
 der Drill. 21. Extended Order
 Drill. 22. Guard Duty. 23 Get
 ting Ahead in the Army. 24 Army
 Courtesy. 25. Discipline and Re-
 spect for the Colors. 26. Some Ma
 tional Traditions. 27. The Spirit of the Service. 2S. Why we Fight. 29.
 The War in Europe.)
 The average civilian, no matter how brave he may be, has little desire to go into battle. Even though he knows very well that the chances of his be- ing killed or severely wounded are comparatively small, yet the thought of placing himself in a post of dan ger face to face with a well-trained and courageous enemy is more or less terrifying to him.
 This state of mind is entirely natur- al. Every man goes through it. The bravest soldiers of the Civil war and of all wars testify to their dread of entering battle but this is a feeling that can be conquered even by man who is physically timid. It is related that 9 veteran soldier was observed by one of his comrades just before the Battle of Seven Oaks to be white and trembling and was reproached with being scared. Yes, he replied, If you were one half as scared as I am, you'd be making dash for the rear" | Ninety per cent of the men now fight ] ing so dauntlessly in Europe have doubtless passed through a similar l experience and'hold themselves in the path of duty only through mastery | of their physical fears.
 Growth of Self Confidence. As a mans military training pro- gresses, his body becomes stronger, and therefore better able to stand strain and intense activity. He grows accustomed to the noise of heavy fir ing. He gets practice in handling his rifle and his bayonet with skill, SO that he becomes confident of his abil- ity to defend himself. He learns how
 
 swept by bullets without exposing himself to really effective fire. He grows used to the idea of meeting enemies face to face in battle. All your training as a soldier will work toward putting you into condi- ton to meet the test of battle when the time comes with true American sprit-with the intelligence and cour- age that make eventual victory cer- tain.
 Private soldiers are not required to study tactical problems. These are solved by the higher officers. But every man should thoroughly under stand the following elementary prin- ciples of combat:
 l. The offensive wins.
 2. Battles are won by the individual soldier It is emphatically 'up to" him. Splendid leadership and fine equipment are of avail only when each private does his utmost
 8. Victory depends more on nerve and fighting spirit than on the best weapons and armor in the world. Importance of the Attack. Defensive action alone never wins victories. The army which succeeds must be ready and anxious to attack. There are 1I1dIy dOVdnldSco Ill Ie"f>AiAS the offensive. The destruction of hos tile trenches by heavy bombardment | preceding the attack weakcns the enemy's spirit and sometimes leads to the surrender of men who are in no 1 condition to withstand assault. The | chief advantage, however, is the fact 1 that the attacking side chooses it's 1 own time and place to strike, forcing l the enemy to readjust his defences 1 accordingly.
 1 It is always possible In battle for 1 good infantry to "defeat an enemy greatly superior in numbers, but lack ] ing in training, discipline, leadership, 1 and morale.' Gnfantry Drill Regu- 1 lations, par. 354.) In another place in 1 the Regulations, which has been pre-
 viously quoted to the effect that dis l cipline ''is the distinguishing mark of l trained troops"
 All these remarks tend toward one
 conclusion, namely that the discipline
 of the Army is a big factor in giving
 men the tenacity which enables them to go into battle with dauntless cour- l age and to win victories. Discipline 1 can accomplish wonders even among men who are naturally lacking in l brains and self-reliance: It can ac- l complish a great deal more, however, l among those who possess these natur- 1 al qualities.
 Men who are thoroughly disciplined,
 and yet within the limits of disci
 pline possess the priceless quality of
 initiativea. make ideal soldiers. They
 are the men who can always be
 trusted to pull thmselves out of tight places, to carry attacks through until
 success is won. to hold out against all
 odds
 Making Yourself Real Soldier.
 Men of this type will be found in the 1 National Army-tens of thousands of 1 them. If you have made LID VOur mind