the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL
whereas it is absolutely necessary that the battery wagon and
forge limber be up with the battery at all times." The truck was
finally dismantled at Rock Island Arsenal.
The principal criticism in the light of later developments is
that the project attempted was too ambitious, as with the great
improvements made during the intervening twelve years it is
now thought that for light batteries two trucks will be required
to do what was attempted then with one truck and that the total
weight of each should not exceed about 8000 pounds.
Comparatively little was done by the Ordnance Department
after this test until about two years ago due to the fact that the
Quartermaster's and other corps were making an effort to
discover a suitable truck for replacing ordinary wagon
transport, and that until this had been satisfactorily
accomplished there was little hope of applying motor power to
the movement of such important units as field batteries. The
whole subject was of course given an impetus by the
unexpected demand for transportation in the present war which
called into service motor vehicles of every description, many of
which would probably have been found totally unsuited for
military use except for the superior roads of France. It is
believed that Russia is now much more particular about the
vehicles for use on her poor roads than the nations operating
vehicles in France.
Practical tests by the Ordnance Department were again
undertaken at Rock Island Arsenal early in 1915, with a view
of determining what types of motor vehicles would probably be
suited for field artillery and for armored car service. About the
same time practical tests were undertaken at Fort Sill under the
direction of the Field Artillery Board, which are referred to in
the July-September, 1915, number of the Journal and more
fully in the article by Captain Wm. Bryden in this issue.
Most of the photographs and data upon which this article is
based were procured during the Rock Island tests, and are used
by courtesy of the Ordnance Department. Any conclusions
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