A "Ir.T.C." HANDBOOK.* Mn. F. A. M. WEBSTER, who has
bad considerable experience in both the old Volunteers and the Territorial Force, is now doing good service as Regimental Commandant—a rank corresponding to Brigadier-General in the Army—of the Wandsworth Regiment of the Volunteer Training Corps. He estimates the strength of the new organization, which has, sprung up throughout the country under the stress of the Great War, on the lines of the Home Guards which were sug- gested in our columns a year ago, at two million men—who are either over the military age or are unable, for good and sufficient reasons, to enlist at present. Mr. Webster's own regiment is well known to be one of the most efficient units of the V.T.O., and he has now published a concise handbook, based chiefly on his own experience, which seems to us likely to be extremely helpful to both the officers and the members of similar units which are in a less advanced stage of training. Mr. Webster points out that the Volunteer Training Corps may be of the greatest service in the event of raid or invasion, since their local knowledge of the ground should go far to supplement any deficiencies in mancouvring skill. He especially urges the Commandants of units in the neighbour- hood of the coast " to arm and uniform their men with the least possible delay, and to give them such a training in field-work over their own countryside as will not leave a road, lane, or field-path unknown to them ; in other words, insist that officers, N.C.O.'s, and men alike make a thorough study of the topography of their own particular locality." Shooting and digging are the matters of primary importance, of course; but in such guerrilla warfare as the Volunteers would have to undertake in the case of invasion the men "must be able to kill, dress, and cook their own meat, to build their own huts or temporary bivouacs, and they must learn to travel with their wardrobe in a haversack, for no transport for food and • The Volunteer Training Corps Handbook. By F. A. M. Webster. Loudon : Sitlawick and Jackson. Lo& net. j
stores will be available, or, for that matter, advisable." Mr. Webster sketches an excellent programme of training, and gives some valuable suggestions as to the formation and administration of units which may be studied with advantage by those engaged in getting up Volunteer forces in their own districts.
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