Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0150Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of a group of soldiers practicing with their bayonets. Above the image "W193 (Star)" is printed, below the image "V19219 Clas of Officers Practicing "the Short Point Stab," American Army Camp, U.S.A." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood Inc. Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V19219
BAYONET CLASS PRACTICING THE SHORT POINT STAB
To take a raw civilian straight from the office, shop or farm and make him into a thorough-going fighting man in the period of three months was a task that required aid of the best kind. Our country, therefore, called on Great Britain to send us hundreds of instructors who know how the "game was played" on the western front and who could instruct our men how best to defeat the Germans and how best to protect themselves in battle.
Great Britain sent us the kind of help that we needed, men like that captain that you see standing behind the line of men. He is experienced in all the tricks of hand to hand fighting as is his assistant, a non-commissioned officer, that is farther down the line. The captian is recognied by the three rosettes on his sleeve, while the other Britisher is known for a soldier by the shiny ornament on his cap.
To give the men training as realistic as possible, dummies such as those that you see were strung along in rows, one for each man. With those and his rifle with its bayonet, the soldier learned the technique of killing; how to thrust, parry and club, and how to keep his footing on the treacherous ground, made as real as possible with bundle of brush.
It is skill in bayonet fighting that counts as much as strength, but strong backs and strong arms are essential to make this vicious "short point stab" count.
Copyright by The Keystone CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection