Their Object and Utility
The previous chapters, describing the Units of the various Arms, and their grouping into the larger Formations, give only the broad lines of the organization of the Army. The detailed composition or Establishment of each Unit is shown in a table giving the numbers of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers by their ranks, of men according to their various functions, and of horses—riding, draught, and pack. These numbers make up what is termed the Strength of the Unit. Similarly, there are laid down Establishments for the larger Formations, which are given in tables showing the Head-Quarters, the numbers of Units of fighting troops and the Administrative Services, and the total numbers of personnel and animals, according to their various categories.
It is convenient to add to these Establishments a statement of the Transport of each Unit or Formation, showing the guns, wagons, and carts, of all descriptions, with the drivers and animals required.
The Strength given in Establishments represents the total numbers of men and animals drawing rations daily in the field, and may be termed the Ration Strength. It is often summed up as so many “officers” and “other ranks” (or so many of “all ranks”) and horses. The Fighting Strength means the number of men actually available for fighting, and the number of guns horsed and manned. The Fighting Strength is generally reckoned as so many rifles, or men fighting on foot, so many sabres, or mounted fighting men, and so many guns. The number of men with the guns is not included in the fighting strength, nor are officers, Staff Sergeants, or Drivers. But all Cavalry officers, even the Commanders and Staff, might strictly be counted as “sabres,” as they actually fight with the same arm as the men, which Infantry officers do not.
It will be observed that in the larger Formations there is a great discrepancy between the Total Strength and the Fighting Strength. This is due to the numbers of men employed for non-combatant functions, or in the auxiliary services, and of horses required for transport. Thus, in a German Army Corps the total strength is 41,000 men, 14,000 horses, and 2,400 vehicles; while the fighting strength is 25,000 rifles, 1,200 sabres, and 126 guns. In the British Cavalry Division the total strength is nearly 10,000 men and horses, and 550 vehicles; while the fighting strength is under 6,000 sabres, with 24 machine guns and 24 guns.
Tables of War Establishments furnish a complete statement of the Organization for war. On them are founded the necessary calculations for mobilizing the peace army, for its transport by sea or rail to the theatre of war, and for its supply with food, ammunition, clothing, and stores.
The mobilization of a Unit for war may be defined as providing it with the men and animals required to complete its War Establishment, and with its War Outfit, or the matériel of all kinds with which it has to be furnished for War. This War Outfit is in the British Service considered under the following heads:
(a) The Personal Kit of each soldier—that is, his clothing and small necessaries.
(b) War Equipment, which is personal or regimental.
Personal Equipment comprises the Arms and Ammunition carried, and the Accoutrements worn, by each soldier.
Regimental Equipment comprises guns, reserve of ammunition, vehicles, harness, saddlery, stationery, butchery and cooking utensils.
(c) Regimental Supplies of food and forage.
(d) The Medical and Veterinary Equipment allotted to the Unit.
These Establishments are laid down for the most important, or the most likely, wars which the nation may have to wage. They represent the normal requirements, which are those of a campaign in a civilized country, and in a temperate climate. The tables would be altered in the case of war under other conditions, such as in hot or cold climates or seasons, in mountain warfare, in fighting savages, in quelling civil insurrection, or when a force is designed for special and limited operations, such as a raid, or the capture of an oversea fortress.
Instances of such improvised organization may be found in most British campaigns of the past two centuries, and of late years in the Expeditionary Forces sent by France to Madagascar, by the United States to Cuba, and by Germany to South-West Africa.