The cavalry soldier must not be misled by these appeals of ignorance to vanity. Let him continue to study profoundly the training, tactics, and organisation of the best foreign cavalry. Let him reflect long and deeply upon the opinions of such acknowledged authorities as Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood and General von Bernhardi. Let him keep himself abreast with every change in the tendencies of cavalry abroad, so that he may help us to assimilate the best of foreign customs to our own. Finally, let him realise the great intellectual and physical strain that modern war will impose upon the cavalry, and let him preserve the _mens sana in corpore sano_, that equable balance between study and action, which alone will enable him to rise superior to every difficulty in the great and honourable calling to which he belongs. J.D.P. French. TRANSLATOR'S NOTE _In placing this translation of General von Bernhardi's work at the service of the officers of the Army, I take the opportunity of drawing attention to the educational value of the large quantity of military literature published abroad, particularly in France and Germany. Translations into English of works of this kind are rare, and often so belated as to have lost much of their value by the time they are produced._ _Modern developments in means of communication and intercourse are daily bringing us into closer touch with the Continent of Europe, and there can be no doubt that the rising generation of officers would do well to make themselves masters of the not over-difficult art of reading French and German, that they may be able to appreciate such works and keep themselves abreast of the times. They will find such knowledge of the greatest service, not only in the profession of arms, but in the course of everyday life._ _My thanks are due to Major W.H. Greenly, D.S.O. 12th Lancers, for his kind and able assistance in correcting proofs._ _T.B._ CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 25 EMPLOYMENT IN WAR THE BASIS FOR TRAINING 33 A. Reconnaissance, Screening, and Raids: I. RECONNAISSANCE BY THE ARMY CAVALRY 40 1. _The Main Body of the Army Cavalry_ 40 2. _Reconnoitring Squadrons_ 51 3. _Distant Patrols_ 64 4. _Close Reconnaissance and Reconnaissance during the Fight_ 76 II. RECONNAISSANCE BY THE DIVISIONAL CAVALRY 82 III. THE SCREEN 91 IV. RAIDS 97 B. The Action of Cavalry: I. GENERAL 104