Mimicking the Ermine in War
![image of how soldiers are dressed in time of snow and ice](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/PSM_V88_D078_Alpine_troops_of_the_austrian_army_in_winter_camouflage_1916.png/1000px-PSM_V88_D078_Alpine_troops_of_the_austrian_army_in_winter_camouflage_1916.png)
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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