advantage—the target is fixed. If the men are properly taught this
there will be no trouble in getting them to want the artillery to
fire over their heads as long as possible.
[Sidenote: Tactical connection]
The connection that must be kept between the infantry commander
and the commander of the batteries told off to his support is of
the greatest importance, but that will be the function of a higher
ranking man than this book is written for.
[Sidenote: How to instruct]
How part of this instruction is to be given has already been told.
It is believed that the best way to give the theoretical part is in
small doses between exercises in the field—the little talks referred
to before. Care must be taken not to give too much at once and to
continue explaining until the men really grasp it. The theory should
go along with the practical work; some of it can be best given in the
non-commissioned officers’ school and, as before stated, on the sand
table.
How and when you do it is of less importance than _that_ you do it.
VI
PATROLS, ADVANCE AND REAR GUARDS, OUTPOSTS
Patrolling. The great importance of this work calls for the most
careful instruction being given our men in this duty. It is not easy
to teach, there is so little of it that can be done by thumb rule
except in the simpler forms as visiting patrols. The first requisite
is that the instructor know the subject thoroughly. As this work is
in no sense a treatise on tactics that phase of the question will not
be entered into here.
[Sidenote: Teaching patrolling]
In teaching this subject in the company the following course has
been found to give good results. In the winter’s school thoroughly
instruct all the non-commissioned officers and selected privates in
the fundamental principles; for example, the various formations, the
necessity of the leader’s determining his mission and knowing how to
interpret what he sees, how to write a message, and how to decide
many other questions.
[Sidenote: Sand table work]
With this oral instruction there should be work on the relief map or
sand table. This latter is one of the most important aids in teaching
this subject. The instructor with a small group at the table gives
a simple situation and then, turning to one of the men, gives him
an order as patrol leader to make a certain patrol on the ground
represented by the map. Allow a short time for the section to think
it over then question the leader. First get his idea of his mission
and plan of action, question the others as to what they think of it,
then the instructor gives his idea or concurs in that already given
by the men.
Next the leader should be required to tell what he would do up to the
time of moving out, the inspection he would make, what men must have
and what they must not have, all the instructions and information
he would give his patrol. The other members are called on in turn
to point out any errors or omissions, then this part is discussed.
The leader then points out his general route and gives the formation
of his patrol along this route under the supposition that no enemy
is encountered. The others are questioned as to their ideas of the
correctness of the leader’s decision.
The instructor should then take up the march in detail, something as
follows: When you reached this point what would you do? How would
you get from here to there? When you reached the bottom of this
little hill what did you do? And so on, bringing out carefully and
thoroughly how woods, bridges, defiles and villages are traversed,
etc.
At the conclusion the instructor should go back to the start and at
various points along the route have them see various hostile patrols
and bodies of troops, bring out what should be done in each new
situation, what messages sent, whether by one man or more, whether
written or verbal, requiring in every case the reasons. The problem
should be worked out once on the assumption that the patrol is in
hostile territory and once as in friendly territory, the instructor
bringing out clearly the difference in conduct. The mission should
then be changed, as for instance from a patrol seeking information
change the problem, on the same ground so as to give it a mission of
screening.
The various phases of patrolling, in friendly and hostile territory,
with a mission to gain information and then to prevent the enemy’s
gaining it should be worked out carefully on the same ground
with only the necessary changes in the problem to bring out the
differences in their conduct. It seems to impress these differences
on the men the more lastingly, the more closely the problems
resemble each other in other respects and when they are on the same
ground.
After this series is once worked through with the men, other problems
on different ground are taken. It takes considerable work of this
kind to make the men proficient in the principles of patrolling.
As soon as they are deemed proficient they should be taken out for
tactical walks in patrol problems on the ground and there given
problems to solve, the instructor acting as umpire. This is all
work that can be done in most posts in the winter season by taking
advantage of the most favorable weather for the outdoor part.
The instruction in the principles of patrol leading can be given to
better advantage on the relief map or sand table than on the ground
but the latter training can not be dispensed with, some of it must be
given. Later on there should be much opportunity for further practice
in the course of the combat exercises.
[Sidenote: Other kinds of patrolling]
The work of the expeditionary patrol should be taught in the same
manner. The work of the visiting and connecting patrols can be taught
during the exercises in advance guard and outposts. They require very
little effort. The company as a whole should be frequently exercised
as a strong patrol. There is one form of patrol, often very strong,
that is of great importance and yet its proper training is frequently
neglected—the combat patrol. These patrols are always thrown out
when a command deploys for action and upon their proper conduct much
depends. Their mission is always to prevent the firing line from
being unexpectedly fired into from the flank and they fulfill this
mission according to the situation, either by securing the flank by
themselves holding off the enemy, or by observing and giving timely
warning so that the support or reserves can be disposed to meet the
enemy and thus ward off the attack.
It must be thoroughly impressed on all what the mission of the combat
patrol leader really means and that any position or formation of such
a patrol, that allows the firing line to be so attacked is all wrong.
[Sidenote: The combat patrol]
The following must be thoroughly taught:
1. That when the patrol is so situated that it can see no more than
the men on that flank of the firing line it is serving no valuable
purpose.
2. That in practically all cases where it is not in advance of the
firing line it will not gain the necessary information in time to be
of any value.
3. That the enemy must not get within effective rifle range of the
flank of the line.
The strength of the combat patrol must depend on whether it is merely
to observe or to offer real resistance and its conduct must be
governed accordingly.
It is believed that the principles governing this work can be best
taught, after a talk in the school, by a form of tactical walk, where
the instructor can devote himself to the handling of this patrol;
later on it is, of course, practiced in all battle exercises.
[Sidenote: Combat patrol tactical walk]
In the conduct of such walks the instructor takes his class out as
such patrol and states his problem, the firing line being represented
by a few men or even entirely imaginary, its progress being announced
from time to time. The instructor then acts as leader, explains
what is to be done and, assuming he has a platoon, takes his first
position. He conceals his platoon and has observers out covering
him and so placed that any enemy approaching will be seen in time,
and that he will be in the best position to meet him. The number of
sentinels out and their distance from the main body of the platoon
depend on the terrain. He then carefully points out his dispositions
to the class and explains why made and assuming in turn that the
enemy is approaching from each of the likely directions, how his
dispositions enable him to meet fully the case. The necessity for
signal communication with the commander is explained and how he has
provided for it.
He then discusses the terrain with reference to the next advance.
As the firing line advances where he should next go, and how get
there. A small patrol advances to the next position selected, finds
it unoccupied and so signals back. The platoon then moves there and
sentinels are sent out as before and possibly small reconnoitering
patrols. The same discussion as before. Also from time to time
hostile patrols are assumed to be seen and what should be done
explained; when fire would be opened on the main hostile line, if at
all. In fact the whole conduct of this patrol until the conclusion
of the fight should be discussed, showing how it jumps from place
to place, always covered by sentinels or small patrols, and how the
firing line is always protected by it from surprise. He should point
out how, in most cases, a mere marching along in a straight line
would utterly fail, and impress upon the men the fact that the leader
must use his head all the time.
Having gone through such an exercise once or more, the instructor
solving the problem himself, he should then prepare the problem and,
having stated it, call on the class to solve it step by step in the
same manner. In all cases of errors in disposition the instructor
assumes an enemy from a certain direction and has the class realize
the error by their inability to meet the situation. The importance
of keeping as many of the patrol as practicable well in hand must be
emphasized.
Any combat patrol that is to offer resistance, from a squad to a
company, is handled in the same way. The work of the smaller combat
patrols whose duty is only to observe are likewise taught in the same
way. The terrain and conditions bringing about their use instead of
the larger ones make the problem easier.
The officers of the battalion should be taken on such walks by the
major or some other officer. The company commander should conduct
them for his lieutenants and non-commissioned officers.
The men should also be practiced in the same way, as the combat
patrol or covering detachment of a defensive line. This work is
simpler, the patrol generally does not move from position to
position. Its mission is the same as in the attack and even more
important. In the defense very much depends on the selecting of the
best position for this patrol and the correct dispositions being
taken.
The case must be also considered of a patrol sent out by the defense
for reconnaissance or screening which in case of attack becomes the
combat patrol.
In a battle line with intervals, as in the case of the enveloping
attack, connecting files must be used. Their object is to keep
the commanders of the subdivision informed as to how the other is
progressing. This can generally be done by forming points in the line
joining the two inner flanks. In some cases this will not serve.
Rules for this can not be given.
[Sidenote: Advance guard training]
Advance Guard. In most commands too much of our limited field
training period is devoted to work of advance and rear guards. It
is important and must be taught, but if the other work which is the
real foundation for this is properly done but little more time is
required outside of the maneuver exercises for training the enlisted
men. Patrolling and combat form most of the work in these exercises
so far as the men are concerned.
There are many tactical problems that come to the officers in this
class of work and they must know how to solve them. This is the work
of the school for officers and should be effectively done.
[Sidenote: Advance guard rencontre]
The point is but a patrol with a special mission. The flanking groups
are reconnoitering and scouting patrols but they involve some new
features. When a rencontre engagement occurs on the march one of the
first things the commander wants to know is the strength of the enemy
and his location; if deployed, where is his line? Where its flank?
If not deployed, what is he doing? As the advance party deploys and
pushes on, these flanking groups have the best opportunity to observe
and by reconnaissance to gain valuable information. They also become,
temporarily at least, combat patrols to the firing line. The men must
be taught to carry out this mission without further orders and to do
it correctly. In case small detachments attempt to delay our march,
these patrols by flanking them can greatly hurry their retreat and
prevent the delay of our column.
[Sidenote: Maneuver work]
The general principle of advance and rear guards should be taught
the company. This work can be done in part at the relief map and
sand table, but the company should be exercised on the ground as the
advance guard of a battalion and as the advance party of a larger
advance guard, the other troops being imaginary. Afterwards two
companies should work against each other, one as rear party of a rear
guard, the other as advance party of an advance guard; also each as
advance party in a rencontre.
If the foundation has been properly laid there is no difficulty in
teaching the application of these principles to covering detachments.
If it has not been so laid and the men do not thoroughly understand
patrolling in its different forms, it will be hard to teach it in
these exercises.
In maneuver exercises problems involving rencontre engagements and
engagements involving a marching column encountering an enemy in
position should be had to train the officers in tactics and to give
the men practice in combat exercises and in the patrolling necessary.
[Sidenote: Outpost training]
Outposts. The general principles of outpost duty, the duties of
sentinels, the general formation of an outpost line with its
subdivisions must be taught the men indoors. The officers have
much to learn in school or from books on this subject. With proper
preparation by all the work outside is simple.
There are a few things that need special mention:
In the instruction work have a definite situation. If the company
is to be exercised as a support take an outpost order giving the
situation and general location of the supports. If any detachment,
including the company, is to march beyond assumed existing covering
detachments, see that it is properly covered by an advance guard.
Judgment must be used in this, the smaller the detachment the weaker
relatively the cover. Bear in mind where the other detachments are
marching and the amount of cover they afford to yours.
When starting out instruct the advance where you are going, then have
it go far enough in advance of that to cover you while you are making
your dispositions after you have reached your destination.
From the company down make the distribution of troops and assignment
of tasks in an orderly manner, much as the guard is divided up for
the post guard; do this while the detachment is still formed.
Full information of the situation should be given the men; the proper
performance of their duty is impossible otherwise. Each subdivision
commander must attend to this. The captain should give as much of
the necessary information as practicable to the whole company, this
saves time for the picket commanders and will probably result in the
situation being better understood.
[Sidenote: Outpost practice on the ground]
Where the outpost line should be located and how it should be
disposed varies with many conditions. It is a tactical problem that
the officers must be able to solve and must learn elsewhere than on
the ground in the few hours devoted to this work in troop training.
A little practice should be held by the regiment as a whole in
forming outpost; one with the regiment as the outpost and one with
the regiment as the whole command, one battalion forming the advance
guard on the march. In the latter, a halt order should be issued and
outpost formed from the advance guard battalion; when completed a
march order should be issued by which the new advance guard passes
through the outpost line. The outpost should then be assembled and
take its place in column.
We do this very easily in map problems; try it on the ground,
especially in rather close country.
[Sidenote: Mounted scouts]
The mounted scouts. While the mounted scouts have been taken from
the infantry regiment there is still with each regiment a mounted
detachment of orderlies. A few mounted scouts well trained are
invaluable to an infantry regiment when operating alone. The
commander of an infantry regiment, if wise, will see that these
orderlies are trained as scouts and then when necessary he can so
use them. Their most important and frequent use will be as the
mounted point and flank patrols for an advance or rear guard and for
patrolling to the front of an outpost line.
To be of any value they must be well instructed in these duties as
described under advance guard. Being mounted they are much more
valuable than a dismounted patrol for gaining information from the
flanks and getting it back to the commander in time to be of some
use. These orderlies can be trained in this work without interfering
materially with their instruction in the care of horses and equipment
and it can be given along with instruction in horsemanship.
VII
MARCHING
Ability to march under war conditions is of primary importance in the
training of infantry. There is much more marching than fighting in
war and, no matter how well a man may be trained otherwise, if he is
unable to reach the field of battle he is of no value as a fighting
man.
[Sidenote: Requisites for marching]
That the infantry soldier may be able to meet the requirements in
this respect he must possess the necessary health and strength he
must be properly shod, know how to care for himself on the march,
especially how to take care of his feet, and his muscles must be
properly developed. It is also necessary that the responsible
officers know how to conduct the march and to care for the men.
That the man has been allowed to enlist presumes the possession of
the necessary health and strength and gives us a man who can be
trained to meet all necessary requirements except when temporarily
sick or disabled.
[Sidenote: Shoes for marching]
The soldier’s shoes must be of proper construction, well fitted to
the man and the leather kept soft and pliable. The shoe now issued to
our army is good and with proper care in fitting leaves little to be
desired. The fitting of the shoes is an important duty of the company
commander and should never be slighted. The rules prescribed for this
should be carefully followed. Every captain of infantry should have
and carefully study the little book “The Soldier’s Foot,” by Lieut.
Colonel Munson, Medical Corps.
No matter how well a shoe may be fitted if it becomes soaked with
water and dries, without proper care, it will become hard and stiff
and sore feet are apt to result. The men’s shoes in campaign should
be kept oiled. Neatsfoot oil should always be carried in every
company’s baggage and officers should see that it is used as needed.
There should also be a supply of talcum or foot powder.
[Sidenote: Socks for marching]
The socks are of nearly as much importance as the shoes. They, too,
must fit. If too large they wrinkle, if too small they are apt to
bend and injure the toes; in both cases the result is sore feet.
Woolen socks are much better for hard marching than cotton, they keep
the feet dryer and afford more of a cushion and consequently better
protection from injury. If the man finds that wool next his skin
produces too great irritation he should wear woolen socks over a pair
of cotton or lisle thread.
[Sidenote: Care of abrasions]
After a day’s march the feet should be washed and any blisters and
abrasions should receive proper attention. Adhesive plaster should be
applied to all such, even to spots that are sore and the skin not yet
broken; properly applied it is a great protection.
Rather than have the men treat their own feet it is much better that,
after the day’s march and camp has been made, a reasonable time be
given the men to wash their feet and prepare for inspection. Captains
should then carefully inspect the feet of all their men and send
every man with the slightest injury to the regimental infirmary at
once and have the injuries properly treated.
Men should be taught to do this for themselves but as it can be so
much more surely and better done as above described the men should
be permitted to do it themselves only in emergencies where sanitary
troops are not available.
[Sidenote: Protection of head and neck]
In marching in very hot weather the men must be instructed in the
importance of protecting the back of the neck from the direct rays of
the sun. It would be well if our men were issued a small piece of
cloth of suitable color with some means of readily attaching it to
the hat to afford this protection. The Japanese soldiers used such an
attachment in Manchuria with good results.
There must be an air space between the top of the hat and the man’s
head. The hat must be ventilated and in very hot weather a wet sponge
or cloth or green leaves should be carried in the hat. The shirt
collar, if not very loose, should be unbuttoned.
[Sidenote: Bathing]
Besides bathing the feet the men should bathe their whole bodies
frequently. Anyone familiar with our “regulars” on the march and who
has seen them break for the water to bathe as soon as possible after
a day’s march knows that it requires no order to get this done. But
sometimes we must camp where there is no water available for bathing.
Men should at least wash the crotch with a wet towel, especially if
there is a tendency to chafe. Talcum powder should be used in such
cases.
[Sidenote: Drinking]
Men should be carefully taught the disabling effects of alcohol if
drunk the night before or during a hard march, especially if the
march be made in hot weather. The men must also be instructed to care
wisely for their diet and to avoid the excessive drinking of water
on the march. Too little water is as bad.
[Sidenote: Personal hygiene]
All this instruction should be carefully given the men by their
company officers under the general supervision of the regimental
surgeon. The surgeon, with the approval of the colonel, should
prepare an outlined scheme for instruction in first aid and in
personal hygiene, having special reference to the soldier’s care of
himself in the field. The surgeon should then instruct such company
officers as have need of the instruction; the company officers then
instruct the men. A part of the examination of the company at the end
of its indoor period should be on these subjects.
[Sidenote: Muscle development]
The muscles must be _properly_ developed. It is not the strongest
man who can best stand the march; it does not require great physical
strength. The man’s muscles must be flexible, he must be trained to
use them and be able to use them without causing physical pain.
Marching as fully equipped infantry in the ranks is a very different
proposition from walking along the road independently, and for the
private in ranks with his load it is different from what it is for
the officer with his.
Many men of great strength are often what is called “muscle bound.”
Others have certain muscles overdeveloped others underdeveloped.
When muscles usually unused are brought into play, or when a man is
forced into a constrained position, if it be kept up continuously for
some time, serious pain and discomfort results and often ends in a
physical break down.
A good course in callisthenics or in gymnasium training is the best
thing for the new man. It loosens him up, brings into play the
different muscles, renders them flexible and gives the man control
of himself. Then practice in marching, carrying his equipment,
strengthens the necessary muscles and accustoms the man to the
necessary constraint.
[Sidenote: March training]