TACTICAL PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED DURING BAYONET TRAINING.
METHOD OF CARRYING RIFLE WITH BAYONET FIXED.
QUICK SHORT ADVANCE (IN THE OPEN).
The rifle will be held at the “High Port.” This position is suitable
for close formation, minimizes risk of accidents when surmounting
obstacles, and can be maintained with the left hand alone, allowing
free use of the right when necessary.
LONG ADVANCE (CLOSE FORMATION).
The rifle will be slung over the left shoulder, sling to the front and
perpendicular to the ground. This is a safe method of carrying the
rifle and allowing the free use of both hands.
LONG ADVANCE (OPEN ORDER).
The rifle will be carried at the trail.
THE ASSAULT.
The importance of discipline and organized control throughout the
conduct of a bayonet assault can not be over-emphasized. It must be
remembered that in this, as in all other military operations, success
can be achieved only through the closest coöperation of all concerned;
and that, while individual initiative is not to be discouraged, it
must be strictly subordinated to the intention of the leader of the
assaulting party.
Men should be shown by demonstration that it is in their own interests
to pay attention to this point, and that the failure of an enterprise
can usually be traced to the lack of this close coöperation.
During training, the following general principles will be observed:
1. All members of the attacking party must leave the trench or rise
from cover simultaneously. In addition to the advantages of surprise,
needless casualties are thereby avoided.
2. The first stage, especially of a long advance, will be slow and
steady--not faster than the pace of the slowest man. Such an advance
has a decided moral effect on the enemy, makes certain of the maximum
shock at the moment of impact, and at the same time allows the
attacking force to reach its objective without undue exhaustion. On the
other hand, if the assault is allowed to develop without control and in
a haphazard fashion, the moral effect of a steady, resistless wall of
men is lost, and the defenders may be given time to dispose of their
opponents in detail.
Bayonet control in the attack is just as important and fully as
practicable as fire control, and it depends altogether on discipline,
which must be taught by close-order work, and on thorough technical
instruction in the use of the bayonet. Tactical bayonet control will
then follow without much difficulty, provided the instructor has done
his work properly.
The actual charge will not be made over a greater distance than twenty
paces. Within the last ten yards, and before closing with the enemy,
the rifle will be brought to the threatening, yet defensive, guard
position. Line will, as far as possible, be maintained until actual
contact with the enemy is gained.
As soon as the enemy’s position has been carried, and prior to any
attack on a further position, or any other operation whatsoever,
every precaution must be taken against a counter-attack. In trench
warfare, indiscriminate pursuit with the bayonet must never be allowed
unless orders to that effect have been given by the leader of the
assaulting party. The attacking troops are not so fresh as the enemy,
and experience has shown that unorganized pursuit lends itself to
ambush and casualties from machine-gun fire. In most cases the work
of immediate pursuit is better done by the supporting artillery, the
infantry assisting by rapid fire on the retreating enemy.
ASSAULT PRACTICE.
A useful form of Final Assault Practice which can be adapted to a
variety of combat exercises is described in following paragraphs. The
following materials are assumed:
“A.” Communicating trenches leading to a fire trench with an open space
in front.
“B.” An occupied enemy-trench.
“C.” Gallows with dummies, representing the enemy.
(1) retiring from “B” or
(2) coming up in support of “B” or
(3) making a counter-attack on the captured trench “B.”
[Illustration: PLATE IX.--EACH DUMMY MUST BE REGARDED AS AN ACTUAL
ARMED OPPONENT.]
1. The attacking party makes a controlled assault on “A,” which is
cleared of the enemy.
2. It then re-formed and an assault is launched on “B,” after taking
which
3. “C” is regarded in one or other of the above ways, and action taken
accordingly.
Throughout the training, men must be constantly practised in:
1. The recognized method of carrying the rifle with bayonet fixed.
2. Rapid advance out of deep trenches.
3. Control and maintenance of line and opening fire during an advance.
4. Using the bayonet with effect in the cramped space of communicating
and fire trenches.
5. Re-forming and opening of fire after the assault.
6. Acting as leaders of attacking party.
Instructors should endeavor by every means in their power to arouse the
interest and imagination of their men during the assault practice. The
special phase of the combat which is to be carried out in the exercise
should invariably be explained beforehand. Each dummy must be regarded
as an actual armed opponent, and each line of dummies as an enemy line
attacking, defending, or retiring, and be disposed of accordingly.
Any tendency toward carelessness or slackness must be instantly
checked, and it should be impressed on all ranks that a practice
assault which is not carried out with the necessary quickness, vigor,
and determination is worse than useless.
Lack of imagination, which allows men and their leaders to violate the
most elementary principles of tactics in practice assaults against
dummies, can lead only to disaster in a real assault against an enemy.