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Leader Magazine
DECEMBER 1960.
THE STORY OF THE FOOT-SOLDIER.
BY J/Pte Eyden and J/L/Cpl Campion
Ever since the cave-man realised his need for food, man has used weapons. It was soon found that these could be used against other men; thus came the foot-soldier.
As time passed, the need for an organised army was felt, and the Persians, seeing the need for discipline, introduced the phalanx. This was a squad of men arranged in a square formation for all-round defence, and was very successful.
The Roman legions were the best fighting force in the world. Each soldier wore light armour, and carried a short stabbing sword and a javelin.
The main change in the foot-soldier in the following centuries was the appearance of the long-bowman, renowned at Agincourt. They would make a defensive position by setting up a palisade of sharpened logs, and would then from this defensive position, wreke havoc on the advancing enemy cavalry.
The advent of gunpowder changed the idea of warfare for the foot-soldier, for now he could fire at long range using the musket. At first however, the musket was almost as dangerous to its firer as to the enemy.
In the 17th century, Cromwell formed the New Model Army, with proper uniforms, weapons and pay. The foot-soldier was at last coming into his own. It was at this period that the first regiments of the line were formed and numbered, for example, the Lancashire Fusiliers, the 20th of foot.
With the Boar War in South Africa against the sharp-shooting Dutch, the arts of fieldcraft and movement with fire began to evolve. Changing times brought new weapons, and, by the Great War of 1914; the Infantry had to be able to use the Lee-Enfield, the Maxim machine-gun and grenades whilst coping with fierce artillery barrages.
The Great War had particular problems, but the test of an infantryman's skill in battle was during the Second World War, where a quick, efficient fighting force had to adapt itself to all climates and terrains.
Today the foot-soldier is foremost in battle, the man who can take and hold ground, the essential.
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