First War Game To Use Air Scouts.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 8, 1912:
Operations of Army Aviators Will Be Feature of Connecticut Campaign.
NEW TESTS FOR WIRELESS
Transportation of Army Will Require 65 Long Trains and Will Tax New Haven Road.
    STRATFORD, Conn., Aug. 7.— Many new features will distinguish the Connecticut manoeuvre campaign, which begins Saturday, from the war games that have gone before, but nothing will illustrate up-to-date warfare more strikingly than the fleet of aeroplanes that will be employed.
    For the first time, probably, in experimental warfare in this country will be tested apparatus fixed on the flying machine for telephoto work and moving picture machines. Most of the work of the aviators will be done about nightfall or at dawn. The aviation section will also be used in aerial scouting and reconnaissance during the instructional period from the headquarters of the chief umpire and by the "Blue" army during the final three days, when actual warfare will be simulated by a theoretical collision of the contending forces.
    In the first period of the war game each side will have the use of a machine. Specified instructions have been drawn up governing the flights. The pilot will rise to an elevation of not less than 2,000 feet above ground before starting on a scouting flight. Each aeroplane will be supplied with a recording barograph with a six-hour clock movement, and at the beginning of the reconnaissance the recording instrument will begin its work.
    The aviator will report to the commander of the disposition of commands, will seek to make rough maps of the country thereabout, and in other ways bring news of the forces. It will be assumed that an aeroplane in its flight over a body of troops will be under rifle fire.
    Another feature will be the thorough trying out of field telephoning with a special double wire, or two-pair twist circuit, run out from reels. This was used effectively by the Japanese army, while besieging Port Arthur. Wireless telegraphy will also be in use.
    Much attention is being given to matters of sanitation and hygiene, likewise in observance of the rights of non-combatants and strict observance of military regulations and State laws. Officers have been detailed as provost marshals for their respective military regiments, while the Judge Advocate of the Eastern Division of the army will be provost marshal for the manoeuvre campaign. He will have general charge of adjusting and paying for rentals of land and all claims for damage to private property in connection with the field work.
    The question of subsistence is already a leading problem for the army officers, who have arrived to perfect arrangements for the manoeuvres, which will begin Saturday morning. Few non-combatants, or even soldiers, realize the stupendous task to feed the 20,000 soldiers who will be in the neighborhood for ten days.
    An idea of the scope of the manoeuvres is provided by the plans of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company for carrying the troops. The schedule calls for accommodations for 17,000 men with 3,000 civilian employes. 341 wagons and ambulances, and 2,322 horses. The road will run 65 incoming trains, each with 15 cars, carrying 700 men. Under orders of the Secretary of War trains must be moved on time. Other trains will be loaded with supplies, artillery, pontoons, and other classes of war equipment. After the war is over, it is estimated that the company will have handled 75,000 passengers, and have run a total of 145 trains.