Tactics, Volume 1 (of 2). Introduction and Formal Tactics of Infantry — John Shaqi
Tactics, Volume 1 (of 2). Introduction and Formal Tactics of InfantryBalck, W. (William)
History
Tactics, Volume 1 (of 2). Introduction and Formal Tactics of Infantry
Balck, W. (William)
Military art and science; Tactics
[31] One of the most remarkable snowshoe marches ever recorded is
without doubt that made by the ski detachment of the 4th Regiment
of Tirolese Kaiser-Jägers (Austria) stationed in Salzburg. In
June, 1905, this detachment, consisting of 4 officers, 15 men and
4 guides, all with field equipment, marched around the base of the
“Grosz Glockner,” via Mittersil, Felber-Tauern (elev. 2,500 m.),
Windisch-Matrey, Lienz, Dolsack, Hochtor (elev. 2,570 m.), into the
Fuscher valley, despite violent cyclonic snow storms, a journey
which, even in mid-summer, can only be undertaken by experienced
tourists. In several of these detachments experiments were made with
white covers for uniform and equipment, which enabled individual men
and patrols to approach unseen to within 200 to 300 m. of an opponent.
Deep snow is an effective obstacle for troops not equipped with
snowshoes. This is not entirely due to the fact that the march is
retarded, but to the unusual difficulties attending the service of
security. Covering bodies are stalled. Besides, the difficulties of
maintaining communication with neighboring detachments are increased
when valleys or abrupt declivities intervene between the forces. The
only remedy in such cases is to employ the snowshoe, upon which one
can move rapidly without regard to roads, and up or down hill without
difficulty. Patrols can be despatched to adequate distances from the
marching body on skis alone. Ski-runners can perform the same duty
which cavalry performs on the plain; for instance, they can occupy
points in advance which are of importance to us, dispute crossings
with the enemy, and hold him at bay. Ski detachments alone are able
to reconnoiter the condition of roads and test the carrying power of
snow in advance of a command, and they alone can furnish the connecting
links in an extended outpost position, because they alone are able to
move off the roads. During halts they furnish guards; in action they
easily turn the enemy’s flanks, reconnoiter his weak points as well as
the position of his reserves; and after the fight they maintain contact
with him as patrols. They can hasten forward in advance of a command
and prepare cantonments and bivouacs, and attend to the cooking.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account