small number of officers.[1] The 6th Grenadier Regiment, which, in July, 1870, had marched out with four field officers, seven captains, six first, 14 second lieutenants, and four cadets, all on the active list, lost so many officers at Wörth and Sedan that a field officer of the 46th Infantry had to take command of the regiment; three first lieutenants of battalions; and four second lieutenants, two officers of the Reserve, and six vice 1st sergeants of the companies. The 12 companies had available five vice 1st sergeants as platoon commanders. The 1st Battalion of the 58th Infantry had only seven officers left (including its commander and the adjutant) after its losses at Weiszenburg.[2]
The 7th Grenadier Regiment lost 40 officers at Weiszenburg and Wörth. On August 7th, three captains commanded the battalions and three officers of the 5th Jäger-Battalion were detailed to command companies in it.[3] At Gravelotte the Füsilier-Battalion of the 1st, the Ist Battalion of the 2nd, and the IInd Battalion of the 3rd Regiment of the Guard lost all of their officers. The French organizations, having more officers and less men than we, were by no means so badly off in 1870-71. Upon mobilizing in 1870, the German army had 13.7 officers to every 1,000 men, the French army, 32.2 officers.
On the other hand, it should be remembered that in
armies consisting of militia it is considerably more difficult
to command a platoon of 60-70 men than to command one
of 40-50 men. A disadvantage inseparably connected with
the four-platoon company is the small size of the platoons
during peace exercises. On account of this circumstance
most regulations permit the three-platoon formation when
the company is small, because platoons consisting of less than
ten files are of no instructional value. An advantage of the
three-platoon company is the simplicity and rapidity with
which changes from one formation to another may be effected.
The three-unit column of platoons is very broad for movements on the battlefield. It offers, when numbering 200 rifles, a target about 25 m. wide and only 15 m. deep. The four-unit column of platoons is better suited for movements. With a front of 17 m., its depth is only 15 m., when the
