The United Service Magazine (Volume 161)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883. Excerpt: ... THE IMPORTANCE OF MACHINE-GUNS IN THE ARMY. By Lieutenant-colonel W. W. Knollys. niO those who hare studied the subject it must J-seem almost superfluous to write on the importance of Machine-Guns in the Army. Both experiments during peace, and practical experience in war, have shown what a deadly weapon the Machine-Gun is. Equally have they shown that these weapons are easily handled by men with comparatively little training, that they require very little transport, and that all but the heaviest descriptions can everywhere accompany infantry. A further advantage is, that the amount of injury which they inflict on the enemy is, on account of the small number of men and horses required, largely in excess of the damage which that enemy can inflict on them in return. Finally, they can be kept concealed until the moment when it is deemed advisable to open fire with them. Such being the case, it is difficult to understand why they have not yet been adopted as a regular portion of the armament of the British Army. The reasons for the apparent lethargy of the War Office are various. We will try and point them out. The Horse Guards dislike all novelties, while the War Office shrink from any addition to the cost of the Army. The artillery advisers of the Secretary of War look coldly on the Machine-Gun as it was not invented at Woolwich, and may in their opinion become to a certain extent a rival to field-artillery. There is nothing like leather, and every effort is being made by the artillerymen, who have got hold of the Press and the War Office, to persuade alike the Public and tha Government that motley is your only wear,--we beg pardon, that cannon is your only weapon, and that all other arms are only subsidiary. They do not openly assert as much, but that is...