Training for the Trenches / A Practical Handbook Based upon Personal Experience During the First Two Years of the War in France

by Leslie Vickers

In this list that I am now giving, I propose to deal with the equipment of the soldier first and then add to it the items that seem to me to be essential for the Officer.

First of all there is the rifle, the soldier's best friend. It should be cherished and cared for as though his life depended on it—as it frequently may. We used to inspect the rifles of the men at least twice a day in the trenches, and any sign of neglect was at once dealt with. It must be kept free from all rust and dirt, well oiled and polished, and with every part of the mechanism in first class working condition. Any text book on musketry will give the information necessary for the effective care of the rifle. We found that the breech of the rifle was often in danger of becoming fouled through mud or sand. Accordingly we advised the men to keep that part covered whenever the rifle was not in action. Small khaki cloths with snap buttons were made, but where these were not obtainable, the leg of a sock served quite as well. But it must be easily removable.

Rifles are sometimes fouled through putting into them cartridges that are rusty or muddy. All cartridges should be cleaned before being inserted. Now it is obvious that time cannot be taken for this task during an engagement, and so it must be done before the rifle is to be used. As the cartridges come from the factory they are perfectly clean; but if they are carried about for days and weeks in the carriers on the equipment they get very dirty. Officers must inspect them from time to time and see that damaged ones are sent away and not allowed to be fired through the rifles. No care can be too great. It is a pitiful sight to see a man in action with a rifle that has become clogged through carelessness. It is a good thing to give rewards for those who consistently present clean rifles for inspection, and to punish those who do not. When a man realises how much he is dependent on his rifle he will be certain to take care of it.

The next thing is the bayonet. I have said that all infantry work leads up to the use of the bayonet, and so, if a man is to be ready for this final test, his bayonet must be in good shape. Of course there is not much to get out of order, but there are a few movable parts that must be kept oiled, and the blade itself which must be kept clean. It is a slight courtesy that you can pay your enemy, that you give him clean, instead of rusty, steel.

Another weapon that has proved itself indispensable in this war is the entrenching tool. It is a small instrument with a detachable handle, and the head itself has a shovel at one end and a pick at the other. It is a wonderful little tool for hasty entrenching and no attack should be made without it. It has been the means of saving many, many lives in this war.

Unfortunately, the perfidy of the enemy has made necessary another addition to the equipment of every soldier, and that is the gas mask. The best kind consists of heavy khaki cloth, kept wet with a solution to counteract and neutralise the chlorine in the gas, and equipped with goggles very much like what motorists wear, and a tube that enters the mouth. The air to be breathed is drawn in through the cloth itself, and the air that has been used is driven out through the tube. It is not a comfortable process but it is considerably better than imbibing deadly gas.

Of course a water bottle must be carried and must always be kept clean. On every possible occasion the soldier should wash it out with hot water and some form of disinfectant. Men should be discouraged from rushing to their water bottles for drinks at all times, especially when they are on the march. Thirst is a thing that we can easily control if we will.

We learnt that it was an excellent practice to have strapped about the equipment in a place where they could easily be got at, two sandbags. They are not heavy or bulky to carry, and if hasty cover is needed they will be found invaluable.

Lists of the clothes necessary are given in every military manual, and it will be well to follow the one for the special army to which you belong. Besides, the clothing necessary will vary according to the climate in which the troops have to serve. Quite obviously the equipment for the Philippines will be different from the equipment for France. But we found that it was a good plan to have warm underclothes for the winter, not the heaviest variety, but reasonably heavy. It is better and more convenient to add to the clothing should occasion warrant it rather than carry heavy underclothes all the time. In summer the underclothing should be light. But whatever the season, a change should be carried in the pack on the back. In the case of socks two or three emergency pairs should be in the pack. These socks should be made of wool, preferably undyed, and should be thick and heavy for all times. I am aware that it is much nicer to have thin silk socks for the summer time, but they are not intended for marching in nor yet for use with heavy military boots.

Two pairs of boots should be taken, one pair on the feet and one pair in the pack. Tennis shoes should also be carried to put on at times to rest the feet.