Basic BATTLE Physical Training, running, walking, 1945

Basic and Battle Physical Training. Part IV - Endurance Training

[PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR MORE PICTURES]

 DETAILS: (n.p. London): The War Office, 1945. First edition. Original paper wraps. ii, 24pp. Size: 8vo - 5in (2.5cm) by 7.25in (18.3cm) (small sized book).

CONDITION: Very Good to Good (see table below for details). Slight sunning to wraps. Dirt marks to rear wrap. Bumps to corners of wraps and pages. Inscription and stamp to inner front wrap read: 'Ex Libris J. Colin Dagnall' *(see below for details). Some sunning to pages. *Photo(s) given of actual book.

CONTENTS: Issued by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1945, this pamphlet provides a detailed guide to physical training in the army during wartime. Part IV of a series, it provides an insight into the selection and training of troops during the twentieth century. 

'The acquisition of endurance,' the text states, 'depends not only on the physique, but also on the will-power of the individual. Instructors must therefore consider the psychological, as well as the physiological aspect of endurance. Self-confidence must be established, and this can be done by proving to each individual soldier that he can considerably improve his own powers of endurance through a knowledge and practice of correct technique.'

Chapters include: basic walking training; application of technique of walking to route marching; basic running training; road work; military cross-country running. An interesting glimpse into British Army training in the Second World War.

[This book comes from the private collection of chiropodial and podiatric literature amassed by eminent chiropodist J. Colin Dagnall. His collection was one of the largest of its kind in the world. 

Colin Dagnall trained at the London Foot Hospital in the late 1940s, and spent almost 50 years in private practice. Editor of the British Journal of Chiropody for many years, he was also an active member of many of his profession's governing bodies.

Please browse our other auctions for more books from this collection.]