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TACTICS AND DUTIES FOR TRENCH FIGHTING
by
GEORGES BERTRAND
Capitaine, Chasseurs Alpins, de l’Armée de France
and
OSCAR N. SOLBERT
Major, Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.
With Diagrams
G. P. Putnam’S Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1918
Copyright, 1918
by
Oscar N. Solbert
The Knickerbocker Press, New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREWORD
It must be borne in mind that this book deals with principles and
examples of methods of warfare, and not fixed rules. There are no fixed
methods in warfare. Development in warfare means change of methods or
the invention of new ones to overcome military difficulties. However,
one must have knowledge of past and present methods to be ready for the
next logical step of development.
HEADQUARTERS, FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, ILL.,
October 26, 1917.
From: MAJOR O. N. SOLBERT, C. of E.
To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army, through official channels.
Subject: Publication of Lectures.
I. Request authority to publish in pamphlet form lectures given at this
camp on Trench Fighting.
[Illustration:
Major, C. of E.]
_1st Indorsement_
OFFICE OF THE SENIOR INSTRUCTOR, FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, ILLINOIS,
OCTOBER 26, 1917.
TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER:
Earnestly recommending that the lectures referred to above be published
in pamphlet form. I consider it most desirable that every graduate of
this camp take these lectures with him, upon being commissioned. I do
not believe that the best interests of the service will suffer, in any
way by publishing these lectures.
[Illustration:
Lt. Colonel, Infantry,
Senior Instructor.]
_2nd Indorsement_
HQ., THE FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, OCTOBER 26, 1917.
TO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, D. C.
I. Approved.
[Illustration:
Colonel of Cavalry,
Commanding.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. O., OCTOBER 31, 1917.
TO HEADQUARTERS, THE FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, FORT SHERIDAN, ILL.
Returned.
I. Approved.
By order of the Secretary of War:
[Illustration:
Adjutant General.]
CONTENTS
Chapter I
Organization of the Company for Battle Formations
PAGE
=Specialists=—Organization of a Typical Company—=Use of
Specialists=—In the Defensive—In the Offensive—=Formations=—
Initial Formation—Close Order and March Formation—Approach
March—Skirmisher Line—Assaulting Formations—Composition of
Lines—=Drill Regulations= 1
Chapter II
Development of a Position from an Open Warfare Battle
=General Use of Fortifications=—Change from Battle Lines to
Trenches of a Position—=Division of a Position=—Different Lines
of a Sector—=Principles of Organization=—Flanking Fire—Field of
Fire—Location of Trenches—Compartments—Concealment—=Elements of
Organization=—Plan—Outline of First Line—Cover Trench—Advance
Posts—Loopholes—Traverses—Transversals—Support Trenches and
Redoubts—Boyaux and Communication Ditches—Accessory Defenses—
Command Posts 34
Chapter III
Sector and Trench Duties
=Plan of Defense=—Definition—Principles—Form of—=Details of Trench
Duty=—Guard Duties—Sentinels—Reconnoitering Patrols—Observers—
Attrition—Fighting Patrols and Raids—Arms, Equipment, and
Ammunition—Activities of the Troops—Reports—=Use of Infantry and
Artillery Weapons, and Liaison=—Machine Guns—Trench Mortars—
=Artillery Support=—Use—Barrage—Liaison—Instructions for
Sentinels—Watchers—Observers 62
Chapter IV
The Relief
=Definitions and Principles=—Kinds—=Preliminary Dispositions for
the Relief=—Time to Prepare—Preparation—Reconnaissance—=Relief
Orders=—General—Battalion—=Movement of the Relief=—Departure—
March to Rendezvous of Guides—Guides—March in the Boyaux—
=Occupation of the Position=—Duties after 104
Chapter V
Defense of a Position
=Hostile Attacks=—Kinds—=Surprise=—Precautions against—Maintenance
of Barbed Wire Entanglements—Service of Guard and Observation—
“Stand To” Exercises—=Attack in Force=—Revealing Symptoms—
Preventive Measures before—Perfecting Organization of Position—
Increase of Control and Discipline of Defense—Moral Preparation
of the Troops—Maintenance of the Garrison during the
Bombardment—Reply with Artillery Fire—=Defense of First Line
during Assault=—Duties of Watchers—Defenders of the First Line—
=Fighting in the Interior of the Position=—Defense of an Area—
The =Counterattack=—Troops Detailed for—Routes or Directions—
Form of—=Repair of Position= 123
Chapter VI
Attack of a Position
=Phases=—Preparation—Assault against First Hostile Line—
Exploitation of Success—=Preparation=—Front of Attack—
=Conditions of Assault=—Distance of—Trace of Lines of Departure—
Ground Preparation—=Organization of Assault=—=Execution of the
Works=—=Artillery Preparation=—Counter-Battery Fire—Fire on
Communication Routes, etc.—Destructive Fire—=Plan of Action=—
Observation—Control—=Plan of Battle=—Strength of Enemy—
Preparation of Men for Attack—Mission of Attack—=The Assault=—
Disposition in Depth—Waves—Assaulting Companies—Supporting
Companies—Disposition of Assaulting Battalion in the Departure
Trenches—Order of Attack—Departure of Assault—Support Artillery—
Departure of First Echelon—Departure of Second Echelon—Advance
of Reserves—=Fighting in the Interior of a Position=—Principle
of—Details of—Assaulting Companies—Reinforcing Companies—=Rôle
of the Artillery during the Attack=—Principle of Accompaniment
Fire—Means of Controlling Barrage—=Liaisons during Attack=—
=Aviation= 152
Chapter VII
Model of Trench Orders
=Plan of Defense=—Order for Relief—=Plan of Attack=—Order for
Attack—Order for a Raid 196
Chapter VIII
Special Operations
=Raids=—Preparation—Purpose of—Troops Employed—Objective of—
Execution of—Infantry Support—Artillery Support—=Gas Warfare=—
Kinds—Protections against—Special Precautionary Measures—=Liquid
Fire=—=Mines= 216
Tactics and Duties for Trench Fighting
CHAPTER I
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY FOR BATTLE FORMATIONS
I. Specialists
The exigencies of modern warfare, especially of trench warfare, have
developed new infantry weapons. As there are several kinds of these
weapons to each infantry company, the men detailed to handle them must
be trained as specialists. The weapons are:
Hand grenades
Rifle grenades
Automatic-machine rifles
Rifles
The men who use these weapons are respectively known as:
Hand grenadiers
Rifle grenadiers
A. M. R. crews
Riflemen
As a consequence of the new weapons, a company is now organized on a
basis of these specialists. A typical company is patterned like that of
the French, the only difference being in the number of specialists. Each
of the four platoons of a company contains the same number of
specialists and each platoon is divided into four sections of
specialists.
Organization of a Typical Company
One lieutenant (1st and 4th platoons under 1st lieutenants; 2nd and 3rd
platoons under 2nd lieutenants).
One sergeant (second in command, assistant to platoon commander).
1st Section, 22 men
2nd Section, 12 men
3rd Section, 12 men
4th Section, 11 men
——
Total 57 men × 4 = 228 men
224 rifles
64 pistols
16 automatic rifles
Platoon—1st Section—Hand and Rifle Grenadiers
1 Sergeant, pistol and rifle.
3 Corporals, pistol and rifle.
6 Privates, 1st class, all with rifles, two of them with pistols.
12 Privates.
——
22 men.
2nd and 3rd Sections—Riflemen
2 Corporals, rifle and pistol.
3 Privates, 1st class, rifle.
7 Privates, rifle.
——
12
4th Section—Automatic Riflemen
1 Sergeant, pistol and rifle.
1 Corporal, pistol and rifle.
3 Privates, 1st class (automatic rifle gunners, including 1 extra).
6 Privates, rifle.
——
11
Officers
1 Captain.
3 First Lieutenants.
2 Second Lieutenants.
—
6
The platoon is the self-contained unit with the proper proportion of all
the different kinds of specialists for the assault. The reason for this
is that the platoon is the largest unit that one leader can control in
combat. The four platoons are alike and therefore interchangeable.
Although it is true that the specialists are particularly trained with
their own weapons, all men of the company are first trained as riflemen.
All specialists carry rifles, and if for any reason they cannot use
their special weapon they immediately become riflemen. Also every man is
trained in hand grenade throwing. This makes it possible to fill gaps in
the specialists’ ranks from the riflemen. Some men also, usually
to the number of the A. M. R. crews, must be trained to operate the
automatic-machine rifles.
The remaining supernumeraries of the company, such as mess and supply
sergeants, mechanics, cooks, buglers, etc., do not march with the
company in maneuver or combat formations. Some of the above
supernumeraries will be found in the captain’s headquarters, or tactical
group, such as the liaison agents from the platoons, orderlies, buglers,
and observers. Mess and supply sergeants, cooks, etc., remain with the
regimental train in rear, with the kitchen behind the artillery
positions. The tactical group of the captain lives in an adjoining
dugout to that of their chief in the sector. In the fight these latter
are used as messengers or observers.
II. Use of Specialists
The following table shows the evolution of infantry armament since the
beginning of the war:
At Beginning of War
Rifle and bayonet Nearly total personnel
Hand grenades Nil
Rifle grenade guns Nil
Automatic rifles Nil
Present Time
Hand grenadiers per Co. 48
Rifle grenadiers per Co. 24
Automatic rifles per Co. 16
Outside the company is the 37 mm. gun in the battalion and trench
mortars and engines, permanent equipment of the trenches.
In the Defensive
=Hand Grenades.= Hand grenades are used to produce a short-range
defensive barrage at a distance of about 30 yards in front of the
trenches. For this purpose one grenade thrower is required for from 10
to 16 yards of frontage.
They are also used to establish centers of resistance; to protect
important features of the lines, such as salients, machine gun or
automatic rifle posts, command posts, listening posts, etc.
They are used to defend a barricade in a communicating trench. In this
latter case the grenades may be thrown from a special bombing post
established for that purpose or from an adjoining trench.
=Rifle Grenades.= Rifle grenades are employed to establish a barrage at
a greater range than that of the hand grenade, being used up to as great
a distance as 300 yards. The great advantage of the rifle grenade
barrage is that it is under the control of the platoon leader and can be
called into service immediately, which is not always true of the
artillery barrage.
Several grenade rifles concentrated on a trench will stop hand grenade
throwing from the same. Rifle grenades are usually shot from the cover
trench immediately in rear of the fire trench.
=Automatic-Machine Rifles.= In the defensive the A.M.R’s are usually
employed to obtain flanking fire from the firing line, but may be used
in the cover trench and sometimes in shallow holes out in front. In
interior fighting they are used to cover stretches of communicating
trenches against an enemy that has penetrated the first line.
=Riflemen.= The riflemen are placed in the intervals between the
specialists in the firing line. They are also used as snipers and as
sentinels. These sentinels are not to be confused with watchers, who may
or may not carry rifles.
In the Offensive
=Hand Grenades.= In the offensive, hand grenades are used to reach the
enemy under cover in trenches, etc., by high-angle throwing. It is an
excellent weapon to clear out the trenches that the assaulting columns
are advancing against. The H. G. and the R. G. break the resistance, so
to speak, of the line that the attack is to capture and the assaulting
troops are to occupy and hold. The places of the hand grenadiers in the
assaulting column are seen in the diagram.
The hand grenade is the principal weapon in trench combat—that is, to
obtain progress laterally and in depth in the trenches after a breach
has been made at one point, as every foot of trench has to be fought
for. Each section of trench, between traverses, is cleared of the enemy
by throwing H. G’s into it. It is then occupied and the next section
cleared and occupied in a similar manner.
In a raid on the enemy’s trenches hand grenades are used to clear up the
particular stretch of trenches before the raiding party jumps into them.
This will be taken up in detail later.
=Rifle Grenades.= The rifle grenade in the offensive is employed
similarly to the hand grenade, to reach an enemy under cover, but at a
greater distance.
It is used to help reduce all nests of resistance that the assaulting
infantry runs up against, and when the artillery barrage is not
obtainable for that purpose.
They may be used as a barrage to cut off the retreat of a small group of
the enemy that is being attacked in front.
Rifle grenades are very useful against counterattacks, especially before
machine guns can be brought up and the defensive artillery barrage
obtained.
=The A. M. R.= The A. M. R., with its great mobility and ease of
control, makes it possible to carry this weapon in the assault and to be
used immediately the wave is halted for any reason. In this connection,
it can be instantly employed against a nest of resistance.
It is used in the assault to protect the flanks of the assaulting waves,
especially when stopped.
As the A. M. R’s are brought up in the first wave, they are immediately
available against counterattacks upon the captured position. In a
similar manner they are employed to hold ground gained until an
artillery barrage can be obtained to support it and before the machine
guns come up.
=The Riflemen.= The riflemen, with bayonets fixed, do the necessary
fighting in the interior of the enemy’s position. As was stated before,
the H. G. and the R. G. break the enemy’s resistance and the rifleman
does the hand-to-hand fighting required to occupy the objective lines of
trenches.
To make a little résumé, we may say that the best results will be
obtained by the proper combination of all of these weapons. The low
trajectory weapons (rifle, A. M. R., H. G., and the 37 mm. gun)
concentrate on everything that shows itself above the trenches; while
the high-angle missiles (H. G. and R. G.) seek out the enemy under
cover. The riflemen complete the success of the specialists by rushing
forward and occupying the enemy’s position and fighting hand to hand for
it if necessary.
III. Formations for Maneuvering this Resultant Company of Specialists
(Formation of the Platoon)
=Initial Formation.= The initial formation of the platoon in sections of
specialists as per diagram is almost self-explanatory. Each group of
specialists is in this formation under the control of its leader ready
for any maneuver.
The platoon is the attacking unit because it contains all the
specialists required for the assault. The frontage of an offensive is
composed of a series of platoons, each with a definite objective, and
each with reinforcing platoons in depth following.
[Illustration: INITIAL FORMATION OF THE PLATOON LINE OF SECTION COLUMNS]
All other formations, whether for combat or ordinary march maneuvers,
are based upon this initial formation.
=Close Order and March Formations.= From the initial formation, we pass
to the close order formations, used for parade, roll call, or the march.
(_a_) First we have the company in line, which is the habitual formation
for assembly.
(_b_) From the company in line is formed a column of fours, for
marching. The squads that are complete execute “squads right or left,”
while the remaining odd number of specialists in any section execute the
easiest movement to bring them into column of fours, sometimes with
blank files behind the rest of their section.
=Approach March.= The approach march is a name given to the formations
that the platoon in section columns takes up to minimize casualties
while crossing the zone of artillery fire.
These formations are taken up under the conditions of open warfare, or,
in the case of reinforcements, following up an attack.
The formations may be in “Line of Section Columns” or “Double Line of
Section Columns.” In the first case, each section may be in single file
or in double column; or again the first and fourth platoon section may
be in double column and the second and third sections in single file: In
the “Double Line of Section Columns” any of the formations in the
diagrams may be taken up, depending upon circumstances.
[Illustration: FORMATIONS FOR ASSEMBLY, MARCH, AND PARADE]
The interval between sections is variable, but usually the interval is
such as to give room for the proper development into line of
skirmishers.
=Skirmishers.= This formation of skirmishers is not taken up for the
assault, but under similar conditions as that of the approach march—that
is, for open warfare and for the advance of the reinforcing platoons
behind an attack.
To form the skirmish line, each section column simply deploys into line,
each man going either right or left front into line from the regular
formation of double line of section column.
If you inspect the figure, you will see that this deployment into
skirmish line gives practically the type formation of the first
reinforcing platoon in the assaulting column.
=Assaulting Formations.= In the attack the platoon forms and goes
forward in waves. A wave is not one line of men, but is composed usually
of two or three lines.
[Illustration: PLATOON IN DOUBLE LINE OF SECTION COLUMNS COMPANY
FORMATIONS FOR MANOEUVRE]
The composition of the lines of the wave depends upon the duties and
functions of the different specialists during the attack.
Let us recapitulate the functions of the specialists in order to show
the reasons for their positions in the assaulting wave.
=The First Line of the Assaulting Wave.= In this line are the
grenadiers, whose duty it is to clear the enemy out of the objective
trenches. Here also are the A. M. R’s, employed to protect the flanks of
the wave. When the wave is halted, the A. M. R’s must be available for
instant use against any nest of resistance and must therefore be in the
first line. They are also used in the captured trench to withstand an
enemy’s counterattack, which may develop within five minutes after its
capture.
=The Second Line of the First Wave.= We have here the rifle grenadiers
who help the hand grenadiers break up the enemy’s resistance and clear
the trenches of the enemy. This is done by fire of rifle grenades from
the second line. Here, also, we have all the riflemen of the platoon,
whose function it is to follow up the success of the specialists and
drive the surviving hostile men out of the trenches with the bayonet.
[Illustration: FORMATION FOR COMBAT]
=Third Line of the First Wave.= In this line we have the “trench
cleaners” or “moppers-up.” These are hand grenadiers furnished by the
reinforcing platoon and their function is to clear the enemy out of the
trenches, both laterally and in depth of the position. The assaulting
column remains above ground and continues across the position to the
objective line of trenches, which is usually the limiting objective of
the attack. The “trench cleaners” picket all entrances and exits of
dugouts to allow none of the enemy to come out after the waves have
passed and fire into the backs of the assaulting troops.
These three lines compose the first wave, and we see that the
specialists are placed in the lines in the order of their duties.
Company Drill Regulations Adopted at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, R.O.T.C.,
in Lieu of No Existing Official Regulations
Company Organization
1. For the purposes of drill and maneuver, the regiment will be
organized as follows:
(_a_) One training company, as at present constituted, will form two
platoons.
(_b_) The new organization contemplates four platoons to the company.
When, for training purposes, a complete company is necessary or
desirable, companies will be combined.
[Illustration: PLATOON PASSING FROM MANEUVER TO COMBAT FORMATION]
2. For a training company of two platoons, the 2nd in command (sergeant)
of the first platoon is the right guide; the 2nd in command of the 2nd
platoon is the left guide.
3. The platoons, in line or column, are arranged as at present.
4. The usual arrangement of a company for attack is to place two
platoons in the 1st wave and two in the 2nd wave. The two platoons in
the 1st wave are known as the assaulting platoons; the two in the 2nd
wave, as the reinforcing platoons. The normal distance between the
assaulting and reinforcing platoon is about 65 yards. Sometimes three
platoons are placed in the 1st wave and one in the 2nd wave.
5. The first wave is followed, at a distance of 15 yards, by the hand
grenadiers of the reinforcing platoon, who are sent forward by the
commander of the reinforcing platoon to act as trench cleaners or
moppers-up for the first wave. Fifty yards behind these is the remainder
of the reinforcing platoon. There are no “moppers-up” for the
reinforcing platoon.
6. The captain of a company has four liaison agents constantly with him,
one being furnished from and for each platoon. They march immediately in
rear of the captain.
7. The post of the captain is between the 1st and 2nd waves.
Platoon Organization
1. The composition of a platoon is as follows:
1 Lieutenant (1st and 4th platoons under 1st Lieutenants).
(2nd and 3rd platoons under 2nd Lieutenants).
1 Sergeant (2nd in command, assistant to platoon leader).
=First Section=—(Grenadiers).
1 Sergeant—Section Sergeant.
2 Corporals and 12 Privates—Hand Grenadiers.
1 Corporal and 6 Privates—Rifle Grenadiers.
=Second Section=—(Riflemen).
2 Corporals and 10 Privates—Riflemen.
=Third Section=—(Riflemen).
2 Corporals and 10 Privates—Riflemen.
=Fourth Section=—(Automatic Rifle).
1 Sergeant—Charge of 1 gun crew.
1 Corporal—Charge of 1 gun crew.
3 Privates, 1st Class—Gunners—1 in charge of each gun and 1 in reserve.
6 Privates—Ammunition Carriers.
2. All platoons are alike in numbers, organization, and armament.
3. When the platoon is in column of squads or in line, the post of the
platoon leader is as at present. When in line of section columns he is
normally in front of the right center section, although he may be in
front of some other section if he sees fit. In attack formation he is in
the center of his platoon between his first and second lines.
4. When the platoon is in line, the post of the 2nd in command is in
rear of the center of his platoon. In line of section columns he is in
front of the 3rd section. In attack formation he is in rear of the fight
center of the second line.
Platoon Movements
1.
1. The 1st Section (Grenadier Section) contains 15 rifle grenadiers
(including the section sergeant) and 7 hand grenadiers. When in column
of squads, the rifle grenadiers march as a squad, in rear of the hand
grenadiers. The 1st Section constitutes 3 squads, each having the No. 3
in the rear rank as a blank file. The Section Sergeant marches abreast
of the rear rank of the 2nd squad of his section. Line is formed by
executing squads right or left.
2. The 2nd Section (Riflemen Section) contains 10 privates and 2
corporals. One corporal has charge of 7 men, the other of 3 men. When in
column of squads, the section forms one complete squad and the front
rank of another. Corporals are number four. To form line at the command
“Squads left (right),” the complete squad executes “Squad left”; of the
half squad the Nos. 3 and 4 execute “Twos left”; the Nos. 1 and 2
likewise execute “Twos left,” thus placing themselves in rear of Nos. 3
and 4. To form column from line at the command “Squads right,” the Nos.
3 and 4 of the incomplete squad move forward two paces, execute “Twos
right,” and place themselves in rear of Nos. 3 and 4 of the preceding
squad; Nos. 1 and 2 move forward two paces, execute “Twos right,” and
place themselves in rear of Nos. 1 and 2 of the preceding squad.
3. The personnel, numbers and movements of the 3rd Section are identical
with those of the 2nd.
4. The 4th Section (Automatic Rifle Section) contains 1 sergeant, 1
corporal, and 9 privates (total of 11). One complete squad is formed and
2 privates are left over who march in rear of Nos. 1 and 4 of the squad.
The corporal is No. 4 of the front rank. No. 3, front and rear rank, are
the gunners. The sergeant marches abreast of the rear rank of the squad
in the line of file-closers; when line is formed, the two men left over
form one additional file on the left (right) of their sections. In
forming for attack formation, the No. 4 of the two men left over
attaches himself to the front rank gun crew and goes with them; the No.
1, to the rear rank gun crew. The sergeant remains with his gun crew if
the guns are separated, or assumes charge of both when together.
5. If the training company contains more men than are necessary to fill
the platoons as indicated above, such additional men will be carried as
riflemen and attached to the second and third sections of the platoons.
II
1. To form line of section columns from line.
The left file of each section moves straight to the front, followed by
the file next on its right, and this in turn by the other files of the
section. The section sergeants of the 1st and 4th sections place
themselves at the head of their respective sections.
2. To form line of section columns in columns of twos or fours.
“Half-squads (squads) right front into line.”
3. To form line from line of section columns.
“Sections, right front into line.”
4. To form column of squads from line of section columns.
First form line of section columns in column of squads—then “Column of
squads—1st (4th) section forward (column right or left).”
5. To form line of section columns from column of squads.
The left file of the leading section moves straight to the front,
followed by the remaining files of the squad, then by the left file of
the second squad, etc. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sections oblique to the
right (left) in column of squads to section interval and, when in rear
of their place, form column of files. The section may thus be marched in
echelon, or line may be formed by halting the leading section, or the
sections in rear may be double-timed to the line established by the
leading section.
6. To form line of section columns to the flank, command:
“Sections, column left (right).”
“Line of section columns.”
7. Frequently, for convenience in maneuvering, the platoon leader may,
when in line of section columns, wish to form only two columns from his
four columns. In such event he will command:
“Double sections, 1st and 4th sections forward.”
One rifle section will follow the first section. The other rifle
section, the 4th section. The rifle sections in such formation are
always in rear of the specialist sections.
8. Intervals between sections or double sections are opened and closed
by the command:
“To —— spaces extend (close).”
III
1. Attack formation is taken up from line of section columns _only_.
2. The attack formation is always in two lines. The two lines constitute
a wave.
3. Hand grenadiers and automatic riflemen are always in the first line.
The riflemen and rifle grenadiers are always in the second line in the
assaulting platoon. Rifle grenadiers may be posted in the center of the
second line, or on either flank, as the platoon leader directs.
Similarly the automatic riflemen may be in the center, on either flank,
or divided between center and flank of the first line, as the platoon
leader may direct.
4. The 1st and 2nd lines are separated by a distance of 20 paces.
5. To pass from line of section columns to attack formation, the platoon
leader commands:
“Form for attack at (_place_). Automatic rifles to center (left flank)
(right flank) (both flanks) (left and center). Rifle grenadiers to
center (left) (right).”
Only the automatic riflemen and grenadiers need be designated. The
remaining men accommodate themselves to their movements.
At the above command the 2nd and 3rd sections stand fast until the 1st
and 4th sections have cleared their front. They then move to their
places led by the corporal at the head of their respective sections.
This movement will be executed at first in quick time; as men become
more proficient, in double time and at a run.
IV
1. The arrangement of specialists in the reinforcing platoon differs
somewhat from the assaulting platoon. The hand grenadiers of the
reinforcing platoon are sent forward in two squads to follow in rear of
the 2nd line of the first wave at a distance of about 15 yards. The two
squads are abreast of each other, the section sergeant between them.
2. The rifle grenadiers of the reinforcing platoon are then moved up
into the 1st line.
3. The riflemen of the reinforcing platoon remain in the 2nd line.
4. The position of the platoon leader of the reinforcing platoon is in
front of the center of the 1st line. The position of the 2nd in command
is the same as in the assaulting platoon.
[Illustration: PROVISIONAL ORGANIZATION OF A PLATOON—RIFLE COMPANY]
[Illustration: PROVISIONAL ORGANIZATION OF A PLATOON IN CLOSE ORDER AND
FOR ADMINISTRATION]
[Illustration: DIAGRAM OF PLATOON IN LINE (CLOSE ORDER) FORMATION FOR
ATTACK PLATOON AS FIRST WAVE RIGHT FLANK THE OUTER FLANK]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]