Each infantry officer will carry altogether a weight of 41lb 14oz (c. 18.5kg), and each infantryman 59lb 6oz (c. 27kg).
The preponderance of the weight of the rifle over that of the sword makes up the difference between the officers' and the men's burdens.
The horse of a mounted man who weighs 150lb (c. 68kg) carries altogether a weight of 213lb 1oz (c. 110kg). An infantry cyclist carries on his machine a weight of 55lb 2oz (c. 25kg).
Included in the infantryman's load is a day's rations. Sometimes he carries an extra day's food, increasing the weight by five or six pounds. Entrenching tools, weighing nearly two pounds, are also included.
A great deal of baggage, including amongst other things, the men's second uniforms, is carried in transports.
A battalion consists of about 1000 men; and each battalion has with it six small-arms ammunition carts, one Maltese cart for medical equipment, four general service wagons for kits, etc, four travelling kitchens, one general service wagon for machine guns, two general service wagons for tools, and two water carts.
The six ammunition carts carry 241,220 rounds, making 350 rounds immediately available for each man in the firing line.
The total of tools available with the battalion consists of 25 field axes, 12 hand axes, 85 picks, 124 shovels, eight crowbars, 47 bill hooks, 20 reaping hooks, 32 folding saws of a special pattern, and 926 entrenching implements.
It is said that men fight on their stomachs, and the authorities allow liberal rations. Each man received per day in the field 1 lb (570g) of fresh or frozen meat, 1 lb of bread, and 4oz (113g) of bacon.
The men carry what is known as an ''iron'' ration, for use in emergency, consisting of 1lb of preserved meat, 12oz of biscuit, 2oz of sugar, oz of salt, 3oz of cheese, and 2 cubes of meat extract.
The daily ration given is for normal campaigning in a reasonably good climate in more or less good weather.
It is almost certain that a much larger ration is being given to the men fighting in Europe, who will require to be particularly well fed in order to endure the hardships they have to face.
Extra rations of bacon and heating foods will be given to enable them to stand the intense cold of the trenches in winter.
- ODT 13.1.1915.
