ctical requirements, one can nevertheless subscribe
unconditionally to the soundness of the principle involved. But for
actual purposes of combat we require simpler forms and more freedom in
their application, and in so far as the Regulations tend towards this
end they show a very considerable degree of improvement; for the
squadron, Section 330 provides the necessary amount of independence,
and Sections 331 and 333 give sufficient freedom to the Regiment,
subject only to the limitations referred to above. Section 346 in
particular and Section 348 are also of fundamental importance for the
higher commands.[8] Indeed, I hold the former as the most important
concession contained in the whole book, for it practically initiates a
new phase in the whole course of our drill evolution, by marking the
commencement of the breach with the old doctrine of the Three-Line
system ('Drei Treffen Taktik'). It is true that it still lays chief
importance on this method, but it no longer regards it as the one
royal road to success. Thus we enter on a path on which the Infantry
already long ago preceded us, and which, _mutatis mutandis_, offers
also for the Cavalry similar great and undeniable advantages. It is
safe to predict that Section 346 will prove the starting-point, by
sheer pressure of natural conditions, of a fresh series of development
in our Cavalry Tactics.

[Footnote 7: Rauch's Brigade of the 6th Cavalry Division at
Vionville, under von Schmidt, August 16, 1870.]

[Footnote 8: Section 346 reads: 'The above general principles
applying to the conduct and relations between the several
"Lines" must not be allowed to lead to the adoption of any
stereotyped form of attack. The Division Commander has full
authority to employ his brigades as he thinks best for the
attainment of the purpose in view.']

Thanks to these prescriptions, the Commander has now a free hand to
arrange his units (Brigades or Regiments) side by side, and to give
them the amount of depth that he considers necessary. Hence the
commands remain immeasurably more in the hands of their leaders than
was formerly the case--a point of particular importance on ground
where the view is restricted; and every unit Commander can also form
his own reserves, so that reinforcements from the rear will always
join their own Regiment (or Brigade), and thus the intermixture of the
different commands will be