THE COAST ARTILLERY JOURNAL - Air Defense Artillery

Ships on the Battletield
By MAJOR C. C. BENSON, Cavalry
EDITOR'S NOTE: In this article the author discusses a subject which is, or should be, of
outstanding interest to the Coast Artilleryman. The main theme is directed toward the
necessity of modification of battlefield tactics to allow for the presence of large fast tanks
with either or both sides. To illustrate his point, the author selects a situation from one. of
the current publications, adds tanks to one side, and discusses the consequent effect upon
dispositions and developments. Quoting from the text, he shows the applicability of prin.
ciples and the inapplicability of methods of today.
The article is not a criticism ot our present-day teachings, for no school can be expected
to base its teaching today upon tomorrow's probabilities. It is merely an attempt to
show wherein we must change our instruction and study.
The anthor neglects motorization-the mechanical substitute for cavalry-and the
tankette or light tank-the mechanical substitute for infantry. Feeling that these are!
factors of importance, the JOURNAL pursues the subject on the editorial page, although it
is expected that the author will himself continue the discussion of mechanization and
motorization in later articles.
The unresting progress of mankind causes continual change in the
weapons; and with that must come a continual change in the manner of
fighting,-in the handling of troops or ships on the battlefield.-Mahan.
UNRESTINGprogress has given the Army a new weapon-the fast crosscountry
fighting machine. The new light tank (T1 E1), which was developed
last year and is now undergoing service tests, maneuvers over rolling
terrain at surprising speed. Last October a platoon of these tanks, moving
under their own power, made a road march of 144 miles in two and a half days.
In November,the new Christie machine coveredthe same distance in half a day
-144 miles between breakfast and lunch. The Christie's amazing ability on
the road, across country, and over obstacles leaves small doubt about its development
into a first-classfighting machine. It has both strategical and tactical
mobility; its iron lungs and steel muscles give it power to carryon where men
and horses would drop from exhaustion. This combination of sustained high
speed, fire power, crushing power, and ability to advance rapidly across country
under machine-gun fire is dangerous--so dangerous, in fact, that we cannot
afford to ignore it.
What effect will these fast fighting ships have on the battlefield? We have
seen the development of another highly mobile weapon-the airship-and have
noted the strenuous efforts made to perfect it for military use. As yet its place
in the combat team is undetermined, but the fact stands out that when hostile
air fleets engage each other, their direct effect upon ground troops ceases.
Landships, however, will fight in actual physical contact with men on the
ground. The scene of action, instead of being far aloft, may be in the midst
of ground forces. When land fleetsengage on terrain occupied by other troops,
NOTE: By special arrangement with the editors, this article appears in the ~Iarch issues of publications
other than the COASTAaTILLEIty JOURX.u••
[25+]