Showing results by author "Charles Tyrwhitt Dawkins" in All Categories

Many soldiers enlisted from bustling urban environments have spent their lives under the glow of street lamps, making the darkness of the battlefield daunting. Initially, these men may feel disoriented, startled by shadows and clumsy on even ground, overwhelmed by nerves. However, with careful, personalized training, they can learn to move confidently together in complete darkness. Once they build this confidence, further instruction becomes a much simpler task.

Many soldiers enlist from urban backgrounds, often feeling disoriented and fearful in the dark. They may startle at shadows, stumble over flat ground, and create excessive noise, all while grappling with intense nervousness. However, with a focused program of individual training, these same men can learn to operate confidently in complete darkness. Once they gain that confidence, further instruction becomes much simpler. - Summary by Book Chapter 1

This guide for infantry officers was compiled and published during the First World War. It sets out recommended practices for officers to follow with regard to training soldiers for night-based operations. As it says, the majority of soldiers came from urban environments, and many had not ever been to the countryside, and even less of them during night time.