TANK “ESPRIT DE CORPS”
The first “Instructions on Training” were issued to battalions of
the Heavy Branch towards the end of December 1916. They are of some
interest, as the _esprit de corps_ and the efficiency of the entire
formation was by degrees moulded on them.
“The object of all training is to create a ‘corps d’élite,’ that
is a body of men who are not only capable of helping to win this
war, but are determined to do so. It cannot be emphasised too often
that all training, at all times and in all places, must aim at the
cultivation of the offensive spirit in all ranks. The requirements,
therefore, are a high efficiency and a high moral.
“Efficiency depends on mental alertness and bodily fitness; the
first is produced by extensive knowledge and rapidity of thinking
logically, the second by physical training, games, and the
maintenance of health.
“Moral depends on _esprit de corps_ and _esprit de cocarde_; the
first is produced by discipline, organisation and skill, the second
by pride, smartness and prestige.
“Efficient instructors and leaders are essential; indifferent ones
must be ruthlessly weeded out. Officers must not content themselves
with the teaching and knowledge they gain, but must supplement
these by personal study and effort. Further, they must exercise
their ingenuity in adapting the knowledge they have gained so that
it may interest and expand the ideas of those they teach. In mental
superiority and bodily vigour they must be examples to their men.
“As a general principle, officers and N.C.O.s, charged with the
duty of instruction of troops, should adopt the following method:
First the lesson is to be explained, secondly demonstrated, and
finally carried out as an exercise.
“Instruction _must_ be interesting. As interest soon flags,
subjects will be changed at short intervals, though the same
movements must be frequently practised on different occasions.
“Changes should be based on a system; thus, work which has
required brain power should be followed by work entailing physical
exertion, and _vice versa_. As physical training develops muscle
on a definite system, so should mental training develop mind. It
will not be easy to accomplish this unless schemes are carefully
organised and thought out, and training is carried out according to
a progressive programme.
“Much time is often wasted by attempting long unrealistic movements
and by prolonged drill. Three to four hours a day, divided into
hourly or half-hourly periods, should be sufficient. Ten minutes’
rest intervals should succeed each hour’s work.
“All work must be carried out at high pressure. Every exercise and
movement should, if possible, be reduced to a precise drill.
“Games will be organised as a definite part of training.
“Order is best cultivated by carrying out all work on a fixed plan.
Order is the foundation of discipline. Small things like marching
men always at attention to and from work, making them stand to
attention before dismissing them, assist in cultivating steadiness
and discipline. Each day should commence with a careful inspection
of the billets and the men, or some similar formal parade. Strict
march discipline to and from the training grounds must be insisted
upon.
“It is an essential part of training for war that the men are
taught to care for themselves, so as to maintain their physical
fitness. To this end the necessity for taking the most scrupulous
care of their clothing, equipment and accoutrements will be
explained to them.
“The importance of obedience to orders will be impressed on all
ranks and prevention of waste rigorously enforced.
“Both in the case of officers and N.C.O.s special attention should
be paid to the training of understudies for all positions and
appointments.
“The men must be brought to understand that on the skill they gain
during training will depend their lives as well as the result
of the battle. Instruction is not a matter of getting through a
definite time, but of employing that time to the fullest advantage.”
The training of the Heavy Branch was divided into the following
categories: Brigade Training, Battalion Training, Schools, Courses of
Instruction, Camps of Instruction, Lectures and Depot Training.
Brigade and battalion training were divided into two
periods--individual training and collective training. As time was very
limited, all individual training had to be completed by February 15,
1917.
“The object of individual training” (to quote the “Instructions”)
“is twofold: first, to impart technical knowledge and skill;
secondly, to cultivate general knowledge so as to enable all ranks
to obtain the highest benefit from the schemes set in collective
training. These latter in their turn are for the purpose of
training units for battle. Individual training is the keynote of
efficiency. On the thoroughness with which it is carried out rests
the efficiency of the whole training.”
The object of the collective training was:
“To apply, in conditions as near as possible to those which will be
met with in battle, the detail learnt during individual training.
“This comprises:
“(i) Close co-operation with the other arms.
“(ii) Rapidity of movement across ground in fighting formations.
“(iii) Selection of objectives with reference to the plan of
operations.”
During January and February all officers took part in a long indoor
scheme which when completed formed a tactical and administrative basis
for future operations, and all ranks were lectured to on discipline,
_esprit de corps_, moral, and leadership.
Whilst the above work was in progress a Reinforcement Depot was formed,
first at Humerœuil, later on it was moved to Erin, and eventually to
Mers, near Le Treport. The Depot was the receiving station of all
drafts arriving for the Tank Corps, whether from the Training Centre in
England, or from units or hospitals in France. The duty of the Depot
was to hold on its strength all reinforcements until fully trained,
and when fully trained to continue refresher training until they were
required to fill vacancies in the battalions.
Besides the Depot and the schools attached to it, two main
schools--Gunnery and Tank Driving--were instituted in the Bermicourt
area. In the early summer of 1917 the first was moved to the sea
coast at Merlimont, and the second to Wailly, a village close to the
zone devastated by the Germans during their retreat in the preceding
February and March, which permitted of driving being carried out
without damage to crops. This school remained at Wailly until January
1918, when, on account of the threatening German attack, it was moved
to Aveluy near Albert. As it happened, Aveluy fell into the German
hands towards the end of March 1918, whilst Wailly remained in ours
until the end of the war.
Closely connected with the training of the men was the general
administration of the Heavy Branch. It was fully recognised that the
efficiency of all ranks depended to a great extent on the cheerfulness
and comfort of their surroundings, and nothing was left undone, or at
least unattempted, which could increase the men’s happiness and health.
On January 1, 1917, baths and laundries were opened at Blangy. The
arrangements first made enabled 450 men to bathe each day; this
permitted of every man getting a bath once a week. Cinema theatres were
also established at the Depot, and later on at Merlimont and elsewhere,
being bought out of funds provided by the canteens’ and supper bars.
While at Erin a Rest Camp was formed to which those men who were
temporarily incapacitated for work were sent to recuperate. This later
institution was found so useful that in the summer of 1917 a seaside
Rest Camp was established at Merlimont, the object of which was to
provide rest and change of surroundings to men who had been in action,
or whose health was impaired. This camp could accommodate 100 officers
and 900 other ranks, and the period of rest there was usually limited
to fourteen days.
An even more popular institution than the Merlimont Rest Camp was that
of the Mobile Canteens: these consisted in lorries fitted to carry
canteen stores; they formed the mechanical _vivandières_ of the Tank
Corps, following up units to within a mile or two of our front lines
or pushing forward across the battlefield when a success had been
gained. During the dark days of March and April 1918, they played a
notable part in maintaining the _esprit de corps_ of the battalions by
providing comforts which would otherwise have been unobtainable. They
also formed cheerful rallying-points where men could meet, eat, and
chat, and then return to battle refreshed and still more determined to
see it through for the honour of the Corps to which they belonged and
which, it may without boasting be said, always thought of their needs
first and generally supplied them.