Hieing Raised.—A Maxim Gun Company was formed about two and a half mouths ago, which promises to be a very useful unit: by @ contrivance thought out by Captain Sanders the guns, which are ordinarily mounted on wheeled carriages, can be mounted on the wheel-barrows of the country and taken over the intersected ground round the Settlements.
'A mounted infantry company is in process of formation.
Diary or Ixsrection.
Ixsrgerros Rerort ox Te SuaNanat 20rH Mancu axp 2sp Apnat, 1904.
The Corps (enerally.—I did not see the Corps on any purely ceremonial parade but between the 29th March and Ist April witnessed the several units at drill, and the bulk of the Infantry at Musketry, finishing my inspection with a field day in which all three arms took part.
Twas very favourably impressed with the Corps' general efficiency: the relations between the Commandants and the officers appear to be most cordial: the Giscipline is very good: and all ranks show keenness.
Drill and Field Training.—The drilling 29th March, 5.45 p.m.—The Light Horse paraded on the Race Course. Officers present: Captain Keylock, Lieut. Dyerand 2nd Lieut Mosberg. The officers in turn drilled the Squadron; they have good words of command and know their drill: the Squadron worked well and steadily, the ponies being well in hand. All ranks ride very well. [also saw the Squadron at Sword exercise, which was somewhat ragged; and at dismounted practice which gave me the impression that this branch of the cavalry soldier's training is not sufficiently practiced, evidenced by the perfunctory way in which the dismounted work was carried out—impossible rushes of about thirty yards, parade volleys and so on.
30th March, 7a.m—The German Com-of some of the units is far better than p: any on the Bund: Officers present: that of others, but as the general stand-
Captain Wilkomm, 2nd Lieut Ridder.
The precision of the drill and smartness of all ranks left nothing to be desired. This Company has about 50 per cent of men who have served in the German Army and adopts the German drill.
Owing to the confined space I could not fairly judge of its methods in oxtended order—nor could I do so at the Ficldday on 2nd April as it did not on that occasion come into action—but while taking exception to the rigid adherence to a three pace extension as a maximum and a generally undue amount of stiffness in extended order I consider this company is a very efficient unit. The officers drill well, as also did a private called haphazard out of the ranks. The phy-pique and set up of the men is very good.
I would suggest that less conspicuous uniform might be of advantage—the present uniform of dark blue, with pickelhanbes, betrays the company in the field at 9 great distance, and especially when working with a khaki-clothed Corps, as the rest of the 8.V.C. is. The German troops in North-China have an excellent field khaki uniform, which might be taken as a pattern, 80th March, 5.45 p.m—Battalion drill on the Race Course under a Captain and Adjutant G.F. Oollyer. Captain Collyer is a good drill and the Battalion worked very fairly well: the pace is too slow however.
ist March 5.40 p.m.—Customs Company in the School's Yard under Captain Wade, 2nd Lieuts. Innocent and Saker. Owing to the confined space-only a few movements could be done. The fair but the pace in marching was too slow, the Consulate ground under Captain pan.—The Japanese Company in Chita and Lieut. Take. The Officers know their work and the men rill very well and smartly, the movement in extended order by signals were particularly good.
Reserve Company.—A Squad of the Reserve Company consisting of gentlemen who have retired from the Corps but periodically turn out in plain clothes for drill were also at work in the Consular Compound—this I consider most p worthy as most of these gentlemen are men past middle age who set an excellent example of public spirit to the young men of Shanghai who can but won't join the S.V.C. The Reserve Company has a total strength of eighty-four all ranks.
Ist April, 10.20 a.m,—* A" ©B" and Or toms Companies at Sectional skirmishing practices on the ranges. Considering that this was the first time the practice was attempted, it was well carried out, but much more attention is required on the part of Section Commanders to such points as seeing that men close the reach and lower the leaf of the backsight during each advance and that fire is opened more rapidly. All the Companies were excessively slow. in opening fire at the targets, which appeared at irregular intervals—very often not getting shot off till there was nothing to fire at. The object of this practice being to custom men to open a rapid and heavy fire on an object only visible for a short time, they should be taught to do so on their own initiative without waiting for any preliminary words of command. this connection, the employment of the magazine is I understand rather discouraged for fear of accidents but as the men are in possession of a magazine rifle it appears absolutely necessary that they should be trained to its full use.
Signallers—I also inspected the signallers at work under 2nd Lieut. Carlsen, They are all lads ranging in ago from
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.