This shows of what value, a little active service is to the
soldier. The first time he is under fire, he imagines himself to be in
great danger. He thinks that every bullet is going to hit him, and that
every shot is aimed at him. Assuredly he will be killed in a moment. If
he goes through this ordeal once or twice, he begins to get some idea of
the odds in his favour. He has heard lots of bullets and they have not
hurt him. He will get home safely to his tea this evening, just as he
did the last time. He becomes a very much more effective fighting
machine.
From a military point of view, the perpetual frontier wars in one
corner or other of the Empire are of the greatest value. This fact may
one day be proved, should our soldiers ever be brought into contact with
some peace-trained, conscript army, in anything like equal numbers.
Though the firing produced very little effect on the troops--most of
whom had been through the experience several times before--it was a
severe trial to the wounded, whose nerves, shattered by pain and
weakness, were unable to bear the strain.
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