The Coolidge examiner., 1933-03-31
Cavalru Horseback Radio Set
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when 1t left for California, via the Isthmus of
Panama. 1t took station at the PresidiO of San
Francisco on January 90, 1866
From this time until the outbreak of the
with Spain in 1898. the regiment remained in the
West, scouting and fighting Indians from the
Pacific coast to Oklahoma its duties practically
the same as they had been during the interval
between the Mexican and Civil wars Engage
ments were fought with every important tribe
of red men-and at times the troopers we're
even engaged in rounding up horse thieves who
practiced their trade along the Rio Grande.
In the Spanish-Amerlcan war; the regiment
took part in the Battle of Santiago, and later
rendered a glorious account of itself in the
Philippines during the Instructions.
Since the war with SPAIN the command has
soldered extensively In the Philippine islands
and the western United States. 1t was on bor-
der duty during 1916, 1917. and 1918. Its service
during the period has been generally without
striking historical significance, but the organiza-
ton has nevertheless occupied an important
place in national defense system. In the
performance of its routine garrison duty and
on maneuvers, IL has upon many occasions drawn
the praise of high commanders and inspectors.
After the sad ceremony which took place at
Fort d. A. Russell. this historic regiment was
of the mechanical force of the army which for
some time has been experimenting at Fort Eu-
sits, Va, with the latest developments In tanks
and armored cars. This in line with the
War departments desire to maintain the cavalry
In its role the fastest-movng fighting force
and II was believed that 1t could best be done by
replacing horses with hlgh-speed cars.
This does not necessarily mean, however that
the cavalry charger will be entirely eliminated
In fact, 1t would appear from a study of past ex-
perience that there will always be special sit
uations in which the mounted soldier will be
needed. Man and horse can get through and
gain information when other means are blocked
The airplane is helpless in a fog, for instance.
Nor can thoroughly effective reconnaissance be
accomplished without the aid of the horse In
exceedingly mountainous terrain All this would
indicate the retention of the horse for some
military purposes and that mounted troops in
smaller numbers, will be available for scouting
at any rate.
In the broader field of tactical usefulness
however, the horse cannot compete with the
newer mechanical weapons. The speeding ar
mored car, for ground reconnaissance. can cover
much greater distances In quicker time
With the development of more effective weap-
ons the horse has lost its "shock power" in
enemies There are too many machine guns, auto
matte rifles and quick firing artillery guns to
permit such close contact, and the horse offers
larger target than the man on foot. Cas-
too. is potent weapon against the horse 1t is
too expensive to completely an animal
with gas-proof cloth and there are gases now
which infict deep burns at the slightest exposure
Ever since the British launched the first land
ships or tanks" tas they were originally named
to mslead spies) many military experts have
been looking toward a mechanical cavalry
mounted on mechanical steeds, still carrying
its traditional roles of distant reconnaissance,
pursuit surprise attack and last-mnute reserve
but covering more ground in less time striking
with more force and power and with fewer risks
and greater protection than the horse offered
But the World war tanks were incapable of
carrying out such assignments Some power they
enjoyed, but mobility, the prime essential of
cavalry, they lacked. The light tank for in
stance, maneuvered across country at the rate
Of three to four miles an hour. After ten miles
it ran out OF gasoline, and, what was even worse
it usually had to go back to the shop for over
haul after comparatively short trip The heavy
tank. carrying the tremendous weight Of ii
tons, numbered along at a maximum rate of
five and half miles an hour, and often begged
down ia its own tracks.
1Oudy, HOWeEeT, IHe OruHdHce department has
given the American fighting forces a light ex-
permental tank capable of operating on the
road at % miles hour across country at 18
miles an hour; 60 miles on one filing of gaso-
lire and more than 1000 miles before major
overhaul becomes necessary And all this has
been accomplished without increasing the light
tank of seven and half tons by a single pound
Besides tanks and vehicles of its type, a
mechanical force calls for armored cars wheeled
vehicles armored and armed with machine guns
only. For long-distance reconnaissance, pa
trolls and raids. such vehicles are held lndispen-
sable, and the time may not be far distant when
they will replace entirely that faithful compan-
ion of our troopers, the cavalry charger, who
helped push back the frontier In the conquest of
America.
tG BY Western Newspaper Union.)