Mimicking the Ermine in War
As winter comes on the ermine changes his coat of brown to one of white to match the snow and escape his enemies. Soldiers of Austria's mountain battalions have torn a leaf from nature's book. They, too, garb themselves in white to escape their enemies
Since they must travel on snow-covered mountains the Alpinists of the Austrian army use Norwegian skiis. Austrian snow patrols often raid the opposing scouts by sliding down the mountains at a terrific rate on their skiis, shooting as they go. The momentum of such a charge is almost irresistible, and they are often able to rout a superior force by sheer weight and daring
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