Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888 — John Shaqi
Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888Various
History
Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888
Various
Science -- Periodicals
I think the whistle could be carried with advantage by all cavalry
officers. For advanced work attention can be drawn by it without being
heard at a distance like a bugle. In movements the commanding officers
would find it useful to call the attention of leaders to himself,
especially in extended or échelon formation. I have omitted to make
much mention of the action of horse artillery combined with cavalry,
as it seems beyond the limits of this paper; but it is one to which
the cavalry officer's attention requires to be brought most strongly
to bear. I would also have wished to have made some remarks on the
many advantages to be obtained by having mounted infantry attached to
cavalry. I understand that this force would be under the orders of the
cavalry general, and if so, I think a cavalry division well found in
horse artillery, with mounted infantry, whether conveyed on horses,
or, where the cavalry admitted of it, on cars, and accompanied by
machine guns on wheels, could act in such an independent manner as to
enable it to penetrate far ahead into an enemy's country, or threaten
his communications, and be absent from its main body for many days or
weeks.
As regards the English cavalry, I think it may be said, without
boasting, that the material is excellent. The men are of the best
physique, recruited from a good class, and plenty of them to be had.
The non-commissioned officers are intelligent and always ready for
instruction; the riding compares favorably with cavalry of other
nations, certainly far better than any I have ever seen abroad, either
German, Russian, or French, and among all foreign countries we have
the reputation of being the best horsemen in the world, which at all
events has a good moral effect. Our horses are undoubtedly first-rate,
having more quality and greater speed than foreigners. We have in our
officers the exact stuff we want. Their very sports and amusements
start them with all the makings of cavalry soldiers. But the quickness
of eye, the self-confidence and readiness that these sports and games
may give, require nowadays more than ever something beyond this to
produce the trained cavalry leader. Cavalry is an arm of opportunity,
and above all others depends greatly on its leaders, but with the
chances now available of reading, in every detail, the campaigns of
the past, if taken advantage of, as is now daily becoming more common,
we should produce in the future the best and most accomplished cavalry
officers that this country or any other has ever seen.
As there appeared to be a unanimity of opinion on the lecture, there
was no discussion, and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to
the lecturer.--_Broad Arrow._
* * * * *
IRON SAILING SHIPS.
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