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The military organisations of the Great Powers of Europe have served as patterns to the smaller Powers, for even the smallest State must have an Army of its own wherewith to defend its independence and secure the vindication of its rights, actual or imaginary. Its strength would depend on the size, geographical situation, and historical associations of the State.

In recent times the small State of Denmark has once or twice been obliged to have recourse to arms, in order to keep possession of the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, to the right of attaching which to the Danish crown, or rather to their absorption into the Danish commonwealth, Prussia objected. In the year 1848–49 the small Danish Army succeeded in making such a gallant stand against the might of Prussia, that time was gained for other great Powers, namely, Russia and England, to step in in her favour. The result was that Prussia was obliged to stay her hand from taking under her protection the German inhabitants of the two Duchies.

In 1863–64, when Prussia and Austria took in hand the German rights in the Duchies, circumstances were considerably altered, and the war, which lasted a whole year, was brought at last to a close by the Treaty of Vienna, which once and for all separated the Duchies from Denmark and gave them to Prussia. The resolution and courage, however, with which the men of the tiny Danish Army withstood the vastly superior forces of the other two Powers, and the determined opposition which they offered, more especially in their fortifications at Danewirke, Duppel, and the Island of Alsen, until their last hope of foreign intervention had gone, bear most honourable testimony to the excellence and courage of the Danish troops.

After this war Denmark made use of her bitter experience in reorganising her Army on new lines, a proof that she had, in spite of the loss of her lands, by no means given up the idea of being a Power in the North of Europe. She has now made an important step in the military line by introducing universal conscription, the terms of which are four years with the Colours, four in the Reserve, and eight in the “Reinforcement” Reserve.

The Danish Army is now constituted as follows:—

Infantry—

1 Battalion of Foot Guards, with 4 battalions Reinforcement Reserve.

10 Regiments of the Line, each of 3 battalions Active and 1 battalion Reinforcement Reserve, forming 5 brigades (2 Jutland, 2 Seeland and 1 FÜnen) of 2 regiments each.

Cavalry—

1 Regiment Hussars of the Guard and 4 regiments of Dragoons, each of 4 squadrons.

Artillery—

Field Artillery—2 Regiments of 2 divisions each—total, 12 Line and 4 Reinforcement Reserve Batteries.

Garrison Artillery—2 Battalions—total, 6 Line and 4 Reinforcement Reserve Companies.

Engineers—1 Regiment of 5 Line and 3 Reserve Companies.

Train—4 Sections.

The total strength of the Danish Army is reckoned at about 50,000 men, with 128 guns. The Reinforcement Reserve battalions and batteries only exist as depÔt-cadres.

The Infantry is still armed with a single-loading rifle, the Remington, but it is intended to shortly arm them with a magazine-rifle, which is now in course of preparation.

The Cavalry is armed with the sabre and Remington carbine. Their Jutland horses are clumsy, but enduring, animals. Recently large purchases of horses have been made in Germany to improve the breed.

The Danish character is better adapted for stout resistance and endurance than for daring courage, and the Army accordingly is better fitted for a defensive rÔle, such as holding a fortified position to the last extremity, than for offensive action and bold attack.

The general plan of national defence is based on this characteristic, for the capital, Copenhagen, is going to be turned into a great entrenched camp, which would be garrisoned by the larger portion of the Danish Army in case of war.

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