THE TACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE BAYONET.
A bayonet assault should preferably be made under cover of fire,
surprise, or darkness. In these circumstances, the prospect of success
is greatest, for a bayonet is useless at any range except hand-to-hand.
At night, all these covers can be utilized.
On the other hand, confusion is inherent in fighting by night,
consequently the execution of a successful night attack with the
bayonet requires considerable and lengthy training. Units should be
frequently practised in night work with the bayonet.
The bayonet is essentially a weapon of offense, which must be used
with skill and vigor, otherwise it has but little effect. To await
passively an opportunity of using the bayonet entails defeat, since an
approaching enemy will merely stand out of bayonet range and shoot down
the defenders.
[Illustration: PLATE VIIIA.--TYPE OF SIMPLE “FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE”
COURSE.
It is attacked both ways, and the positions of the trench sack dummies
are varied.]
In an assault, the enemy should be killed with the bayonet. Firing
should be avoided, for in the mix-up a bullet, after passing through
an opponent’s body, may kill a friend who happens to be in the line of
fire.
FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE.
_This practice is to be carried out only after the men have been
thoroughly trained in all the preliminary lessons and have acquired
complete control of their weapons, otherwise injury to rifles and
bayonets will result from improper application of the methods laid down
in the foregoing instruction._
The Final Assault Practice must approximate as nearly as possible to
the conditions of actual fighting.
Nervous tension, due to the anticipation of an attack, reacting on
the body, as well as the dash across the open and the final dash at
the enemy, combine to tire an assaulting party. It is only by their
physical fitness and superior skill in the use of the bayonet that they
can overcome a comparatively fresh foe.
Therefore, quick aim and good direction of the bayonet when moving
rapidly or even when surmounting obstacles, accurate delivery of a
thrust and sufficient strength and vigor to penetrate clothing and
equipment, the clean withdrawal of the bayonet--which requires no small
effort, especially should it be fixed by the bone--are of the greatest
importance, and need the same careful attention and constant practice
as are devoted to obtaining efficiency with the rifle.
In the Final Assault Practice, the charge brings the men to the first
trench in a fairly exhausted condition, and the accuracy of the aim
is tested by the disc, which can be perforated only by a true and
vigorous thrust and a clean withdrawal.
[Illustration: PLATE VIIIB.--EXAMPLE OF SHORT COMMUNICATION TRENCHES.
Which should form part of the usual Final Assault Practice Course,
where, owing to the lack of ground, a “labyrinth” for daily practice
with the bayonet in the confined space of a trench cannot be
constructed within a convenient distance. On arrival in France drafts
are tested in trench bayonet work.]
For this practice, the men should be made to begin the assault from
a trench six to seven feet deep, as well as from the open, and they
should not cheer until close up to the enemy.
A reproduction of a labyrinth of trenches with dummies in the dugouts,
and shelters between the trenches, forms an excellent Final Assault
Practice Course. Assaults should be made from all four sides, in
order to give variety. The edges of the trenches should be revetted,
otherwise constant use will soon wear them out. Cinders scattered over
the course prevent the men from slipping. If gallows cannot be erected,
sack dummies should be placed on tripods or on end, as well as lying in
trenches, or on parapets, with soft earth free from stones under them.
The number, length, and construction of trenches are regulated by the
available ground and by the ingenuity of the instructors.
[Illustration: PLATE VIIIC.--TYPE OF “NURSERY” LABYRINTH.
The positions of the sack dummies are frequently changed: containing
dummies, and the men practised in clearing such.
The ground between the trenches is pitted with “craters” “cramped”
grounds as well as in clearing the trenches.]
Extremely interesting and practical schemes in trench warfare can be
arranged by combining the Final Assault Practice with other branches of
training; _e.g._, bombing, laying sand-bags, entrenching.
Competitions can be arranged by allotting marks for: (1) number of
discs transfixed and carried on a bayonet; (2) time taken for signal to
charge until the last man of the team passes the finishing post; and
(3) form.
Competitions should never be carried out until the men have completed
their lessons in bayonet training and thoroughly mastered the handling
of the bayonet in the Final Assault Practice.