The Aldershot Division Transport Run.
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200 Tons of Ammunition Carried 100 Miles in 24 Hours by 72 Wagons.
By a Lancashire Participant.
AS I was ordered by the doctor to have a complete change and rest, I accompanied our car from near Blackpcol to _Portsmouth, to take part in the mobilization test, and thus combined pleasure with business. The whole outing was so interesting and so instructive, demonstrating not only the capabilities of a motor, but its incalculable boon in time of war—that I find I can write an article at. once readable and of interest to many in the motoring world. I intersperse a few incidents experienced en route, and give the werk of the column after leaving Hilsea barracks.
Oar motor is a 1912 40-50 h.p. Leyland, and the day before the journey south it was engaged on char-à-banes work. The tops were interchanged, as the vehicle was chartered to carry a " useful load " of three tons. We made elaborate preparations for our bodily comfort en route—a Thermos flask, a varied and ample supply of food, abundant straw and rugs, all calculated to render our alfresco experience joyous withal. When " aching voids" asserted themselves, we selected a cleanly cottage and solicited the good offices of the motherly dame whose genial countenance and general rotundity betokened a generous disposition. She brewed our tea.
194 Miles in a Day.
Wu left home at 6.30 a.m., with a detailed route before us, written in Indian ink on Bristol board. We found Hutton's "Open Road" not only explicit but wonderfully accurate, and therefrom we had gleaned our information. The mileage concurred precisely with the registering of our A.T. milometer. Our route was direct and level, and missed all congested areas; it was via Warrington, Tarporley, Whitchurch, Wellington, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Stratford, Banbury, Oxford, Abingdon, Newbury, Winchester, and Fareham. The grand total was 266 miles. Realistic topography, living historical settings, and a gradual modification of dialects and vowels were incidentals appealing to our pedagogic mind, but hereanent it is sufficient to state we reached Oxford before midnight., having traversed 194 miles. We lay down and, intoxicated with fresh air, there was no insomnia.
Precisely at 6 a.m. (Monday), we rose to find that a heavy snowstorm was " being held," and the classic city was thereby shorn of much of its beauty. The conditions were winterly, and we hied us to Abingdon there to break our fast. Warmed within and under a smiling sun, we crossed the Ilsley Downs under ideal conditions. Not a murmur nor objection from our engine: we hummed along, halting next at Winchester. The bracing air had a remarkable effect on the appetite of the " convalescent supernumerary." Quaint Hampshire unfolded her charms before us, and in due course many-maeted Portsmouth appeared on our horizon.
At Portsmouth.
Hilsea Park was our destination, and our first acquaintance was the ubiquitous and solicitous Mr. F. H. Wort, the Government contractor, who had made all arrangements. The column (with some 20 from Aldershot) numbered 72 wagons, and it was rapidly assembling at 4 p.m. Mr. Wort was very anxious for the well-being of men and ears alike, and supplied essentials which, owing to negligence or forget
hiltless, might in rare instances be wanting In the course of conversation, he proved himself keenly alive to the vexed question of standardization, and the danger of 'throttling " originality and invention.
Endeavour to compute the number of horses necessary to move the load the column of motors literally toyed with! Time and distance and dependence on railroads were literally annihilated ! Scores of men and horses, tone of fodder and baggage, were dispensed with : the speed and certainty of delivery were an incalculable boon. Instead of special trainloads of horses, the motors arrived " on their own," reducing organization to simplicity. As an adjunct in time of war, the motor is of inestimable value. The column carried over 200 tons of ammunition nearly 100 miles within 24 hours.
Some Points from the Test.
The test ran thus (if our limited civilian comprehension may be allowed to define a problem of war). .A battle was supposed to be taking place near Odiham, some 40 miles X.E. of Portsmouth, and at Odiham the horse transport. was
Atationed. The motor column at Hilsea was to convey 18-pounder shells and small arms ammunition to (Milian), there to be transferred to the horse transport.The column was divided into three sections, of which Sections 2 and 3 went forward as the exigencies of the battle required. We were in Section 3, and ordered to leave at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. In true test spirit, a wire at 2.30 a.m. demanded ammunition at once, and, despite the early hour, so perfect was the organization that at 3 a.m. the men partook of a
capital breakfast of ham and eggs. This care for civilian drivers and assistants was a marked feature. They were treated as men as regards both diet and sleeping accommodation, and every praise is due to the thoughtful care and excellent organization of Colonel Inglefield, Major Wilder, A.S.C., and Lieutenant Leland. Unfortunately, the men in our casement were not awakened until 5.30, to find the demonstration Commer, a Hanford, and our Leyland in lonely solitude. By dint of an alternate route, and in no wise hampered by slower vehicles, we three arrived at Alton considerably in advance of the column. Under sealed orders, our rendezvous was rendered obscure, but a move was made to Fleet. The horse column was here awaiting, and ammunition transferred. After a reasonable lapse of time, the ammunition was restored and Odiham reached, the whole experiment having proved an unqualified -111CCOSS.
AU Over Without a Hitch.
The motors, after the drivers had had an excellent repast, returned to Hilsea, but, as our car was requisitioned for char-a-bancs work on the Saturday following, we decided to set out on our journey north straightway. It was nigh on midnight when we had restored our load and replenished eur petrol supply, yet even then supper was procurable. The indefatigable Mr. Wort still hovered round, and the cook was as obliging as he was at 2.30 a.m. He seemed to do without rest, maintaining an imperturbable and genial spirit which was good to see. Not until Winchester was reached did we snatch brief slumber, and at 8.30 a.m, we were again reducing the distance between us and home. Under the shade of Banbury Crose we lunched, having discovered a hospitable dame in the vicinity. We had re-passed Oxford under beau. tiful conditions, and were fully repaid in returning by the same route.
Cheshire's Good Roads.
Here I may descant on the vast differences in the work of county councils. Invidious distinctions are not good, but Cheshire deserves a word of praise. Its natural beauty of scenery commends it. but the excellent surfaces of its roads. and the sufficient and efficient signposts, render motoring a real pleasure. Elsewhere we met conundrums, and had to " inquire within " at devious turns. Then we found " fossilized remains," with obscure. and almost unintelligible marks, which did duty for milestones. Surely, there is ym, ample scope fur some of our big motoring organizations to improve the existing conditions.
Horne Again, Money in Hand,
It was on Friday, at 2 p.m.. we entered our garage, and from the sweetness of the running of our Leyland one might have thought we had indulged in a little cantor. Of course, this speaks volumes for the perfection of the modern motor, but it must be remembered due care was paid to its every requirement on the route. Oil, water and grease were supplied with unfailing regularity, and so ended a trip which was healthful, interesting and highly instructive. We noticed chiefly, after leaving Lancashire. a remarkable scarcity of motor commercial vehicles on the road, and this seemed further to substantiate the criticisms one heard last year in Derby and Leicester. Lancashire and Yorkshire appear to be tie pioneer counties, especially in the adaptable ear, whilst farther south the possibilities are not yet fully appreciated. London is, of course, the great exception. In conclusion, I may say that the criticisms, which were justified in times past as regards the payment, do not apply in this inetance, as the cheque from the contractors arrived by the next post after our return.