FORESTERS IN THE GREAT WAR 



8G1 



defense of the fortifications in the war 

 zone, while those in the second class 

 have probably been vised largely for 

 reconnaissance work. This work, 

 which has been steadily increasing in 

 importance and difficulty, is one which 

 foresters are especially qualified to 

 perform, and in connection with it they 

 have undoubtedly rendered valuable 

 service as guides and scouts. 



Germany, Austria-Hungary, and 

 Russia have not gone so far as France 

 in making the forest organization an 

 integral part of the army. In Germany 

 the bulk of the higher forest officers are 

 merely subject to the compulsory service 

 which may be required of all able- 

 bodied citizens in accordance with the 

 general military laws. Some of these 

 higher officers do, however, voluntarily 

 become a part of the army as guides or 

 couriers (feldjager). In Prussia the 

 "feldjagerkorps" consists of about 

 seventy-five forest officers who receive 

 the same education as other foresters 

 but in addition have military organiza- 

 tion and are from time to time assigned 

 to duty in Berlin. The origin of this 



corps dates from the time of Frederick 

 the Great, who conceived that foresters 

 could find their way through the wilds 

 better than any other men. In times 

 of peace the members of the corps are 

 still used for such duties as transferring 

 despatches between the different courts. 

 The lower forest officers, on the other 

 hand, are much more closely connected 

 with the army through the organization 

 of special "jagerbattalions." Foresters 

 belonging to these battalions owe not 

 only the usual military service required 

 of every one, but are subject to certain 

 special military obligations. Candidates 

 for the lower grades in the forest 

 service, after serving an apprenticeship 

 in forestry work and undergoing from 

 one to three years of military training, 

 must pass an examination known as 

 " jagerpriifung." If successful in this 

 they are recommended for appointment 

 in one of the "jagerbattalions," which 

 are organized as part of the regular 

 army. In connection with their military 

 service they are specially trained as 

 sharpshooters and also receive instruc- 

 tion in forestry from competent fores- 



AUSTRIAN FOREST SCHOOL STUDENTS. 



NOTE PARTICULARLY IN THIS GROUP THE MILITARY UNIFORMS AND THE GENERALLY SOLDIER LIKE APPEARANCE 



OF THE STUDENTS. 



