MOUNTAIN ARTILLERIES OF FRANCE AND ITALY. 265 
of the Regiment of Mountain Artillery, head-quarters Turin. 
The Batteries, which had no reservists present, varied slightly in 
strength but averaged about 100 rank and file and 50 mules. All the 
9 regular Mountain Batteries have 6 guns on the peace establishment. 
The two transformable Batteries have only 4. 
The physique of the men was extremely fine; their average height was 
at least 5’ 9”, and they were, almost without exception, powerfully 
built. They wore loose cloth tunics, khaki trousers, and Alpine boots, 
and were invariably in complete marching order (knapsack, havresack, 
water-bottle, &c.), throughout the operations. The only weapon 
carried by the men was the short artillery sword resembling that of a 
drummer. 24 men per Battery carry a carbine. Under officers carry 
a long artillery sword and revolver. 
The most distinctive feature in their equipment was the aforesaid 
“Alpine boot,” which resembles a short, heavily-nailed “ Field ”? boot! 
and laces in front up to about 8” above the ankle. Similar boots were 
very generally worn by the inhabitants of the district, and officers and 
men alike declared that, if well made and fitting tightly round the 
ankle, it was the best form of foot-gear for mountain work. 
The practice took place among the highest ridges between Mont 
Chaberton and Pointe Rascia, and involved each day a climb of over 
3000 feet from Bousson. Both men and mules however stood the work 
admirably and there were absolutely no signs of distress. As an in- 
stance of the physical power of the gunners I may mention that, on the 
second day’s practice, a Battery having taken up its preparatory posi- 
tion at the foot of a knifelike ridge, on the top of which it was coming 
into action, it was found that the slope was in places too steep and 
narrow to allow of the guns and carriages being carried into position 
by three men to each load, as is usually done. Wherever this was the 
case the gun was promptly shouldered by one man and the trail by 
another and so carried into action 20 or 30 feet up a steep slope. Each 
of these loads weighed over 200 pounds, and was carried by a man in 
fuli marching order who had just climbed over 3000 feet in two hours. 
The mules were of an extremely fine stamp, many over 15 hands high 
and in excellent condition. ‘The saddlery was in serviceable order 
though with no attempt at polish of any sort. Four mules go to make 
up a gun-team, and march in the following order and with the following 
loads. 
(1) Gun-carriage. 
(2) Gun. 
(3) ‘Two wheels, a pair of shafts,? and a box containing gun im- 
plements and small stores. 
(4) Two wooden boxes of ammunition, ten rounds in each. 
The remaining ammunition mules march in rear of the six gun-teams, 
each mule carrying 20 rounds.’ 
1 It is very similar in pattern to that worn by officers of some of our Mountain Batterics in the 
Afghan War. 
2 A very awkward and unnecessary load projecting over the mule’s back. 
® Constituting the “ammunition line” as in our Batteries; there was no “relief line” of mules, 
nor did it appear necessary. 
