3-082-234 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

March of the 5th Prussian Rifle Battalion on snow-shoes through the Giant's Mountains, Silesia, 1895. 'One of the recent developments in connection with German military manoeuvres is marching through snow. After a heavy fall of snow many of the troops, especially those stationed in mountainous districts, practise with Norwegian "ski." Our Illustration shows the 5th Prussian Rifle Battalion marching with snow-shoes across the Giant's Mountains in Silesia. The regiment's garrison is at Hirschberg, and not very far from it are the Giant's Mountains, the highest range of all the German mountain chains. The ascent was slow, but as the troops grew more accustomed to their shoes and to the conditions of their journey, they increased speed, and the descent was rapid. The whole experiment took two days to accomplish. In order to be prepared for a winter campaign, the 92nd Infantry Regiment is likewise using "ski" in the Harz Mountains. As this range is celebrated for its constant mists, the work has been far from pleasant'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.