BATTALION, BRIGADE, AND DIVISION DRILL.
BATTALION DRILL.
=91.= GENERAL RULES.
1. _Object of battalion drill._--The instruction of the soldier is
brought to a conclusion in the ranks of the company. It is necessary,
however, that the companies should be drilled in battalion in order
that the officers commanding companies may learn to work in unison.
2. _Application of company drill._--Battalion movements are carried out
by combination of companies, moving as described in Company Drill.
3. _Mounted officers._--The commanding officer, the second in command,
and the adjutant will be mounted.
When the battalion is acting independently, the commanding officer,
accompanied by the adjutant, who will act as his orderly officer, will
place himself where he can best exercise supervision.
When the battalion is in brigade in column or quarter column the
commanding officer will be ten paces in advance of the centre of the
leading company, the adjutant being one-and-a-half horse’s lengths in
rear, and half a horse’s length to the right of the commanding officer.
In all movements the second in command will be responsible for the
direction and covering; he (and the serjeant-major, if no ammunition
carts are present) will generally assist the commanding officer. If a
third field officer be present he should generally assist the second
in command, unless detailed by the commanding officer for any other
purpose.
When a battalion is on the move, the second in command will place
himself in a position from which he can best superintend the direction
of the advance and the covering of the squad commanders on the
directing flanks.
4. Ranks will be changed as in Company Drill, S. =63=.
5. Except where laid down, the double march is not to be used by
companies during the interior movements of a battalion, unless ordered
by the commanding officer.
6. If companies move into column or quarter column from both flanks
they will pass each other left arm to left arm.
7. In order to practise the battalion in brigade movements, and to
give the field officers experience in handling several companies, the
battalion will occasionally be divided into two battalions, each of
four companies, or of eight companies in single rank.
8. In action, in high wind, and at all times when indistinctly heard,
the commanding officer should indicate his orders by signal, where
possible (S. =49=); such signals should be repeated by as many
officers and non-commissioned officers as may be necessary to ensure
the transmission of the order.
In battalion movements the orders given by the commanding officer
are printed in CAPITALS; those by officers commanding companies in
_italics_. The cautions may be applied to either the right or the
left flank although only the former is referred to.
9. Where cautions and commands are given for formations to, or from,
one flank only, the same rule applies when forming to, or from the
other flank, which will also be practised.
10. Fire action should be practised as directed in S. =72=, para.
1.
11. The principles laid down in company drill, S. =60= (3), (4)
and (5), apply equally to battalion drill.
12. Companies will be told off again when a change of formation alters
their relative position.
=92.= _Formations._
1. The following formations will be employed in battalion drill:--
(i) _Quarter column._--This is a convenient formation in
which to move battalions, either singly or in brigade, when
not exposed to the enemy’s fire.
(ii) _Column._--This is essentially a march formation,
but will be used for the purpose of forming up preparatory to
closing to quarter column, or moving off in column of fours.
(iii) _Line_ (or _Lines_) _of company columns._--This formation will
usually be adopted by the battalion at distant artillery
ranges, preparatory to extending for the attack. It allows of
full control being exercised by the battalion commander,
whilst at the same time enabling companies to take advantage
of natural cover, and to conveniently advance over broken or
intersected ground.
(iv) _Column of fours._--This is a convenient march formation when
a narrow front is necessary, such as passing a defile, and
will usually be adopted when on the march.
Against an enemy armed with the breech-loader, close order formations
in battalion and brigade are applicable only for assembly, for marches
and during the preparatory stages of the fight.
2. Attacks by savages armed with spears and swords must, however,
usually be met in close order; and for this purpose, in addition to the
formations mentioned in para. 1, the following will be practised, but
only by troops which are likely to be called upon to take part in such
warfare:--
(i) Line.
(ii) Echelon.
(iii) Square.
=93.= _A battalion in quarter column. Plate VI._
The companies of a battalion, after having been inspected on their
private parades or in column, will form up in quarter column as
shown in Plate VI. On the commanding officer’s order TELL OFF
BY COMPANIES, the companies will be numbered from the leading
company. When the companies are numbered, the commanding officer will
divide the battalion thus:--
No. 1 to No. -- RIGHT HALF-BATTALION.
No. -- to No. -- LEFT HALF-BATTALION.
If the number of companies is uneven, the right half-battalion will be
stronger by one company than the left.
Unless otherwise ordered a battalion in quarter column will assemble
and move by the left.
The machine guns, drums and band, mules, wagons and stretcher bearers
will usually be on the outer flank of the battalion, as when in column,
_see_ Plate VII (cyclist sections, if present, will be in rear of
machine guns).
The second in command will be four paces from the centre of the
directing flank of the leading half-battalion.
If a third field officer be present, he will be four paces from the
centre of the directing flank of the rear half-battalion.
The position of the company commanders and serjeant-major are shown in
Plate VI.
When ranks are changed, the second in command will gain his position by
moving round in rear of the battalion. Company commanders will move in
rear of their companies. Company officers and section commanders and
supernumeraries will act as in S. =63=.
[Illustration: PLATE VI.
A BATTALION IN QUARTER COLUMN.]
=94.= _Movements in quarter column._
THE BATTALION { 1. On the word MARCH the whole will step
WILL { off together. The squad commander on the
ADVANCE. { directing flank of the leading company
QUICK--MARCH. { (_i.e._, on the left unless otherwise
{ ordered) selecting points to march on.
{ 2. The whole will act as in Squad Drill, S.
RIGHT--INCLINE. { =28=. On the command LEFT--INCLINE the
{ battalion will resume its original
{ direction.
{ 3. A flank company will be ordered to
{ direct, the remainder being led by the
FORM FOURS--RIGHT, { leading squad commanders on the flank nearer
NO. -- WILL { the company of direction.
DIRECT. {
{ The second in command will post himself on
{ the flank of the directing company in line
{ with the leading section of fours.
=95.= _A quarter column wheeling._
{ 1. On the command RIGHT--WHEEL, the
{ battalion, excepting the leading company,
{ will make a partial turn to the outer flank,
{ the front rank of the leading company will
{ glance towards the inner flank on which they
{ will wheel, the second in command
{ superintending on the inner flank and the
{ adjutant regulating the pace on the outer
{ flank; the outer flank will direct, but when
{ companies are of unequal strength they will
CHANGE { retain the same relative positions they held
DIRECTION { before the wheel. Each man will move round
RIGHT. { on the circumference of a circle of which
RIGHT--WHEEL. { the inner squad commander of the leading
{ company is the centre. The adjutant in
{ regulating the pace must watch the squad
{ commander of the outer flank of the rear
{ company, who will continue to march at a
{ full pace throughout the wheel, and on whose
{ movement the march of every man in the
{ quarter column should be made to depend.
{ When the battalion has circled round to the
{ required angle, the command FORWARD will be
{ given. This may be preceded by MARK--TIME
{ should all the companies not be in their
{ correct positions.
2. A quarter column moving in fours will wheel as in 1, the leading
fours of each company wheeling in the same manner as the leading
company in 1, the sections of fours in rear making a partial turn
outwards and following round after the leading fours, the leading squad
commanders changing to the inner flank if not there already.
=96.= _A battalion at the halt opening to column from quarter
column._
{ 1. On the caution ADVANCE IN COLUMN, the
{ leading company will be moved off by its
{ commander, who will give the command _By the
{ Left, Quick--March_; the other companies
ADVANCE IN { will follow in succession at company
COLUMN. { distance by order of their commanders, and
{ will conform to the movements of the leading
{ company. Unless otherwise ordered column
{ will move and dress by the left.
When halted in column the second in command will be four paces from the
centre of the directing flank of the leading half-battalion; a third
field officer, if present, will be four paces from the centre of the
directing flank of the rear half battalion.
The position of the company officers and section commanders will be as
when in company; the machine guns, drums and band, &c., will be on the
outer flank, _see_ Plate VII.
[Illustration: PLATE VII.
A BATTALION IN COLUMN.]
2. A battalion in column will move either in fours or by the diagonal
march, on the same principles and on the same words of command as from
quarter column. S. =94=.
=97.= _A battalion in column on the march closing to quarter
column._
{ 1. The leading company will be at once
AT THE HALT, { halted by its commander. The remaining
QUARTER { companies will continue to advance, and will
COLUMN. { be successively halted by their commanders
{ on reaching their position in quarter
{ column.
{ 2. Should it be necessary to form quarter
{ column on the march, on the battalion
QUARTER { commander’s order REMAINDER--DOUBLE--MARCH,
COLUMN. { the whole will break into double time,
REMAINDER--DOUBLE { except the leading company, which will
MARCH. { continue to advance in quick time; the
{ commanders of the companies in rear will
{ order them to break into quick time as soon
{ as they have reached their position in
{ quarter column.
3. Should it be necessary to form quarter column from column from
the halt, the command in 1 will be followed by the words, REMAINDER,
QUICK--MARCH, when the leading company will stand fast, the remainder
will act on the same principle as in 1.
4. Quarter column will usually be formed on the leading company.
=98.= _A battalion in column or quarter column advancing in
fours, or vice versâ._
{ 1. _Column of fours from column on the
IN SUCCESSION { march._--This caution will be given when a
ADVANCE IN { column is required to defile, on which the
FOURS FROM { leading company commander will give the
THE RIGHT OF { command _Form fours, right, Left--wheel_,
COMPANIES. { each company forming successively on
{ reaching the same point.
If companies are to advance in fours simultaneously, the battalion
commander will give the command FORM FOURS, RIGHT, COMPANIES,
LEFT--WHEEL.
2. _Column from column of fours on the march._--If the column is to be
reformed immediately on clearing the defile, the caution will be IN
SUCCESSION ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, on which the company commanders
will act as in S. =68=, each company successively forming into column.
Column may also be formed when the whole has cleared the defile, on
the battalion commander’s order ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, FORWARD,
companies acting as in S. =68=.
3. _Column of fours from quarter column from the halt._--The battalion
commander will give the caution IN SUCCESSION ADVANCE IN FOURS FROM
THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES, on which the commander of the leading company
will give the command _Form fours, right, left wheel, Quick--march_,
each company in rear being moved off in a similar manner as soon as
its front is clear. If on the march the quarter column must be halted
before defiling.
4. _Quarter column from column of fours on the march._--Quarter column
will be formed from column of fours by first forming column as in 2,
and then forming quarter column as in S. =97= (2).
5. _Column or quarter column from column of fours on the march._--A
battalion moving in fours may form quarter column or column on the
leading company facing at right angles to the line of advance, on the
caution AT THE HALT, FACING RIGHT, COLUMN (_or_ QUARTER COLUMN) ON THE
LEADING COMPANY, on which the leading company will be at once halted
and turned to its right by its commander, the remaining companies
forming in rear of it.
_Note._--When in column of fours on the march, drums and band will
be twenty paces in front of the leading company; mules will follow
in rear of the companies to which they are attached; machine guns,
stretcher bearers, carts and wagons will be in rear of the battalion;
the whole in the above order. Cyclist section, if present, will precede
the machine guns. The second in command will usually be in rear of the
battalion. The adjutant will accompany the commanding officer, who
will be between the band and the leading company. The serjeant-major
will be in front of the leading company.
=99.= _A battalion in column changing direction._
{ On the battalion commander’s caution, each
{ company commander will successively form his
CHANGE { company round the same point by giving the
DIRECTION { command _Right form_ followed by _Forward,
RIGHT. { by the Left_, as soon as the formation of
{ his company is complete. S. =66=.
=100.= _Movements in line, or lines, of company columns from
column or quarter column._
1. These are of very great importance, as particularly applicable to
the vicinity of the battlefield, and should therefore be practised on
broken ground. They enable full advantage to be taken of cover afforded
by folds in the ground, &c., and admit of rapid extension into lines of
skirmishers.
2. One, two, or three lines may be formed, at varying distances and
intervals, with a different number of companies in each, if desired.
3. The battalion forms a line, or lines, of company columns,
preparatory to advancing to the attack, or when exposed to distant
artillery fire. The precision of such movements will depend almost
entirely on the clearness and completeness of the explanations and
orders given by the commanding officer. The commanding officer will
usually assemble the company commanders, and will inform them of the
number of lines to be formed, and the relative positions of their
companies; he will then issue his instructions and assign an objective.
Companies will be moved into their positions on the battalion
commanders order MOVE.
This formation may also be carried out on the command LINE OF COMPANY
COLUMNS AT ---- PACES INTERVAL, _or_ LINES OF COMPANY COLUMNS ON NOS.
----; AT ---- PACES INTERVAL, AT ---- PACES DISTANCE. In the case
of one line, the right companies will move to the right and the left
companies to the left of the leading company; in the case of two or
more lines, companies will similarly move to the right or left of the
named company in front of them. Distances will be usually be obtained
by advancing the leading line or lines. In moving into position company
column will be formed on the march as soon as space is available S.
=67= (4).
4. A company of direction will be named, and an objective pointed out
on which the line (or lines) will march.
5. Changes of direction during such movements should be practised, and
fire should be opened on some named object.
6. Attention must be paid to the maintenance of direction, interval,
and distance, and there must be no increase or decrease of the original
frontage assigned to the battalion. In broken ground companies may
deviate to one flank or the other to avoid obstacles or to take
advantage of cover, and they may change their formations in order to
adapt them to the ground; but they must resume their intervals as soon
as the ground permits.
7. The duties of the second in command during these movements will be
assigned by the commanding officer.
8. The machine guns, band, ammunition carts, &c., will follow in rear
of the battalion, unless they receive other orders.
9. The battalion should also be constantly practised in various
formations of a similar nature to those described in this section,
cautions being extemporised for the purpose.
10. In all formations of this character scouts will cover the movement
and protect the flanks.
=101.= _When dispersed, re-assembling._
Each company will be assembled by its commander, and will then be moved
into any formation ordered by the commanding officer. This should be
frequently practised. On the signal to close, a company on which the
battalion is to be formed will be indicated by the commander. Each
company commander will then assemble his company and move it into its
position.
=102.= _Inspection of a battalion._
(a) _In close order._
1. A regular battalion will be inspected in some of the movements
prescribed for savage warfare, particular attention being paid to fire
discipline when in close order. The inspection of a regular battalion
in close order formations will be more searching than for a battalion
of auxiliary forces. A few movements in lines of columns, preparatory
to a. tactical exercise, will be a sufficient test of the drill of one
of these latter battalions.
2. In close order movements particular attention should be directed to
the following:--
(i) The attention and steadiness of the men.
(ii) The precision of all movements.
(iii) The preservation of direction, distance, and interval
during the march, especially when in lines of columns.
(iv) The readiness of a battalion in forming lines of columns.
(b) _In attack and defence._
3. The inspection will invariably take the form of a tactical scheme,
set by the inspecting officer and given out on the ground, in which the
enemy will be represented by another battalion or part of a battalion,
or by a company or section with flags.
4 The inspecting officer will pay particular attention to the
following:--
(i) The orders of the battalion commander.
(ii) The co-operation of the companies.
(iii) The initiative and readiness of the company leaders.
(iv) The suitability of the formations adopted by the company
leaders.
(v) The precautions taken against counter-attack.
(vi) The measures for delivering a counter-attack.
(vii) The employment of covering fire, and the compliance with
the principle of mutual support.
(viii) The rallying of the companies after an assault.
BRIGADE AND DIVISION DRILL.
=103.= GENERAL RULES.
1. Movements in brigade and division are practised in order to accustom
the battalions to assemble rapidly and without confusion; and to train
them to march in mass, without losing distance or interval.
2. The brigade or division commander may give his orders verbally, but
on service and at manœuvres orders may be written, and the object of
every important movement or formation should invariably be explained to
the battalion commanders, and, in case of a division, to the brigadiers.
3. Instructions given by the commander of a parade will be passed by
commanding and mounted officers, who are responsible that they are
distinctly conveyed to, and understood by, the next unit.
On receiving their instructions, commanding officers will give all
necessary orders and be prepared to march off their battalions together
on the signal or order of the brigadier. The cautions and commands
given by commanding officers will be as in Battalion Drill.
When the progress of an order is interrupted, commanding officers will
conform, as quickly as possible, to the movement they see in execution.
4. Intervals and distances of thirty paces between battalions and
brigades, and sixty between divisions, will be preserved in all
formations, unless otherwise ordered.
5. A battalion will always be named to direct, the remaining battalions
preserving their intervals from that battalion.
6. In brigade and division drill, battalions will be in quarter column
unless otherwise ordered.
7. In all interior movements of a brigade, battalions will move to
their places by the shortest lines, moving, when possible, by the
diagonal march.
8. _Division drill._--The principles laid down for brigade drill
are equally applicable to division drill.
=104.= _A brigade wheeling from mass into line of battalions and
vice versâ._
A brigade can be wheeled into line of battalions from mass and _vice
versâ_, by the battalions wheeling as in Battalion Drill, =95=.
The above movements may be performed either at the halt or on the move.
=105.= _A mass deploying into line of battalions and vice
versâ._
The battalion which is the point of formation stands fast. The
remaining battalions will be moved by their commanding officers by the
shortest line to the spot where their inner flank will rest, this spot
being marked by the second in command.
If the deployment is in an oblique direction, the battalion of
formation will be formed on the required alignment by its commanding
officer, in accordance with the instructions of the brigadier. The
deployment will then be carried out as already described.
Mass will be formed from line of battalions in a similar manner.
In forming mass on a central battalion, the battalions on the right and
left will pass into mass left arm to left arm.
_A line of battalions changing position._
A line of battalions will change position on a flank battalion as
follows:--The battalion of formation will be wheeled into the required
alignment, the others forming on it, the seconds in command marking the
spots where the inner flanks will rest.
=106.= _Marching in line of battalions either in column or
quarter column._
When a brigade marches in line of battalions, a battalion of direction
will be named. The remaining battalions will march by their inner
flanks, the seconds in command riding on the flank next to the
regulating battalion, and notifying to the commanding officers whether
interval is being correctly kept or not. Signals should be agreed on
for this purpose; the commanding officer should watch for them, and
direct the movement of the battalion accordingly.
When it is necessary to advance in echelon of battalions, intervals
will be preserved on the principles described in =117=.
FORMATIONS APPLICABLE TO SAVAGE WARFARE.
=107.= _General Rules._
1. The following formations, _i.e._, line, echelon, and square,
are suitable against attacks of ill-armed savages. They will
occasionally be practised, but only by troops likely to take part in
such warfare.
2. The battalion forms or deploys into line, echelon or square in order
to come into action, and these movements must therefore be executed as
rapidly as is compatible with steadiness. The main object is to develop
a broad front of fire, and enable every man to use his rifle with
effect.
3. When a movement is to be executed as rapidly as possible, the
commanding officer will order it to be performed at the double.
4. The combination of fire-tactics and drill movements is of the
greatest importance in savage warfare, and should be constantly
practised; the fire unit will usually be the section.
5. Company commanders will employ whatever description of fire the
circumstances may require.
=108.= _A battalion in line._
1. _Arrangement of companies._--Each company will be in line, as in
Company Drill, the captains will be three paces in front of the centre
of their companies; when firing, three paces in rear.
2. _Correction of intervals._--After forming into line the intervals
will be corrected by the company commanders. The right centre company,
or in deployment the first formed company, of the battalion should
remain unmoved.
3. A battalion in line moves and dresses by the centre unless otherwise
ordered.
4. The battalion in line will be formed up on the same principle as in
Plate IX Ceremonial, with the exception that the second in command will
be six paces in rear of the centre of the battalion, and the adjutant
will accompany the commanding officer.
5. In deployments into line, or in changing position, the second in
command will mark the inner flank, and the adjutant the outer flank of
the battalion; in deployments outwards the second in command will mark
the left, and the adjutant the right flank of the battalion.
=109.= _A quarter column or column deploying into line._
Deployments will be made on the leading company of a battalion.
{ 1. _To a flank._--The company of formation
{ will stand fast.
DEPLOY TO THE {
LEFT. REMAINDER, { The remaining companies will form fours
FORM { and move by the shortest line to the spot
FOURS, LEFT, { where their inner flank will rest. Each will
QUICK--MARCH. { then move parallel to the alignment, and
{ when opposite to its place in line will be
{ halted and turned to the right.
2. _To both flanks._--The deployment will be made on the principle
above described. The command will be DEPLOY OUTWARDS, ONE COMPANY (_or_
TWO, _or_ MORE COMPANIES) TO THE RIGHT, REMAINDER FORM FOURS, OUTWARDS.
QUICK--MARCH. The company or companies, next in succession from the
front, will move to the named flank.
3. _In an oblique direction._--On the battalion commander’s caution,
QUARTER (HALF _or_ THREE QUARTERS) RIGHT preceding the caution in 1 or
2, the Company of Formation Will Be Formed on the required alignment
by its commander in accordance with the instructions of the commanding
officer. The deployment will then be carried out as already described.
4. _On the March._--A battalion may be ordered to deploy while
advancing towards an intended alignment, on the command as in 1, 2,
or 3, the leading company being halted and, if necessary, formed in
the required direction by its commander when the remainder have formed
fours and turned towards their position in line.
A battalion moving in column or quarter column to a flank in fours may
deploy in the direction towards which it is moving. On the caution,
FACING RIGHT, DEPLOY, the company on the right will be halted
by its commander and turned to its right, the remaining companies
will continue to move forward and will deploy into line as in 1. This
movement may also be performed in an oblique direction as in 3.
5. To ensure the alignment being kept clear, companies will be formed
or halted four paces in rear of it.
=110.= _Marching in line._
{ 1. On the caution THE BATTALION WILL
{ ADVANCE, the second in command will select
THE BATTALION { points for the left squad commander of
WILL ADVANCE. { the right centre company to march on. The
QUICK--MARCH. { remaining companies will march by their
{ inner flanks.
BATTALION--HALT. }
2. _Marching with changed ranks._--The second in command, on
the words ABOUT TURN, will pass through the ranks in order
to superintend the direction, the files opposite him making way by
covering the files on their right and left, after turning about.
=111.= _A line changing position, from the halt, on a flank
company._
CHANGE } On the caution, No. 1 company will be
POSITION, } formed in the required direction as
QUARTER (_or_ } described in S. =66=, and the remainder will
HALF) RIGHT. } receive the command FORM--FOURS, &c., on
REMAINDER, } which each company will move direct on the
FORM--FOURS, } outer flank of the company formed before it.
RIGHT, QUICK--MARCH. } Each company will be ordered by its
} commander to form up at the halt into the
{ new alignment.
=112.= _A battalion in line forming column or quarter column._
COLUMN OR { 1. All formations of columns from line will
QUARTER { be made in rear of the named company on the
COLUMN ON { command COLUMN OR QUARTER COLUMN ON NO. --
NO. --. { REMAINDER, FORM FOURS, RIGHT (_or_ LEFT,
REMAINDER, { _or_ INWARDS), QUICK--MARCH, the company of
FORM FOURS, { formation will stand fast, the remainder
RIGHT (_or_ { will move by the shortest line to their
LEFT, _or_ { positions. As each company arrives in its
INWARDS), { place in column, or quarter column, its
QUICK--MARCH. { commander will give the word, _Halt. Right_
{ (or _Left_) _Turn._ (S. =91= (6)).
2. If it is desired to form at an angle to the alignment, the caution
QUARTER (_or_ HALF _or_ THREE-QUARTERS) RIGHT will precede the caution
in 1, on which the company will be formed in the required direction
by order of its commander, the remainder then receiving the executive
command to form fours and turn in the required direction.
3. If it is desired to form by the right, the words BY THE RIGHT should
follow the words COLUMN OR QUARTER COLUMN.
=113.= _A line passing obstacles, or moving over broken
ground._
A line will pass obstacles by the commander of the company encountering
the obstacle forming his company into company column or column of
fours. In broken ground, or in line movements of any length the whole
battalion may break into fours. The command will be FORM FOURS, RIGHT,
COMPANIES LEFT WHEEL, NO. -- WILL DIRECT. The squad commanders, if not
already there, will change to that flank of the fours which is nearer
the company of direction. The second in command will lead the battalion
on the directing flank of company of direction.
A line may be reformed on the command ON THE LEFT, FORM COMPANIES,
FORWARD, when companies will act as in S. =68=.
=114.= _A line forming column to the right or left._
1. COMPANIES, }
RIGHT FORM, } Each company will form as in S. =66=.
QUICK--MARCH, }
FORWARD. }
_A column forming into line to the right or left._
2. COMPANIES, }
LEFT FORM, } Each company will form as in S. =66=.
QUICK--MARCH, }
FORWARD. }
3. The movements in 1 and 2 may also be performed at the halt.
=115.= _A line advancing in column._
{ 1. _Advancing in column._--This movement
{ will be performed on a flank company; the
ADVANCE IN { named company will advance. The remainder
COLUMN, ON { will form fours and step off, and each in
THE RIGHT. { succession, as soon as its leading four is
REMAINDER, { in rear of the centre of the preceding
FORM FOURS, { company, will be ordered by its commander to
RIGHT, { incline to the left, and will again be
QUICK--MARCH. { ordered to incline to the left when in
{ column.
{
{ 2. This movement may be executed on the
{ march, the words ADVANCE IN being omitted.
=116.= _A quarter column on the march forming line to a
flank._
{ The commander of the rear company will at
AT THE HALT, { once form his company at the halt in the
LINE TO THE { required direction as in S. =66=. Each of
RIGHT. { the other commanders will form his company
{ into line in like manner as it gains its
{ proper interval.
=117.= _Echelon movements, from line, column or quarter
column._
In certain circumstances it may be desirable to advance or retire in
echelon from any named company or companies. The commanding officer
will give instructions as to the number of companies to be formed in
echelon, and the distance or distances to be preserved between them;
and on his caution ADVANCE (_or_ ABOUT TURN, ADVANCE) IN ECHELON AT --
PACES DISTANCE FROM THE RIGHT, _or_ No. -- _or_ Nos. -- --, the named
company or companies will advance by order of their commanders, and
the remainder, if necessary, will be moved into their places by the
shortest route, and will march by the inner flank.
A battalion in column or quarter column suddenly threatened will be
required to develop a maximum fire with the least possible delay; this
will be accomplished by forming echelon. On the command ECHELON TO
THE RIGHT, REMAINDER FORM FOURS RIGHT, DOUBLE--MARCH, the leading
company will stand fast; the remainder will move in echelon direct to
a flank, being halted and turned to the front by their commander on
reaching their position.
Echelon may also be formed outwards on the command ECHELON OUTWARDS,
REMAINDER FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE--MARCH, left or even-numbered
companies forming to the left, and right or odd-numbered companies
forming to the right, the leading company standing fast.
Echelon may be formed on a centre company on the command ECHELON FROM
NO. --, COMPANIES IN FRONT TO THE RIGHT, COMPANIES IN REAR TO THE LEFT,
FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE--MARCH.
Line or column will be reformed on the same principles, the caution
being LINE ON NO. --, _or_ COLUMN _or_ QUARTER COLUMN ON NO. --, on
which the named company if in movement, will be halted.
=118.= _Meeting an attack by cavalry or swordsmen._
When a battalion in line is threatened by cavalry or swordsmen in
force, it may sometimes be desirable to dress back the threatened flank
and to dress up the unmenaced flank, the battalion commander giving the
order BACK, NO. --, UP, NO. --.
=119.= _Formation of Squares._
1. In savage warfare, it may often be necessary to form a square two
deep. This can be formed from line on the two centre companies, the
companies further to the flanks forming the side faces, and the flank
companies the rear face, all, except the companies nearest the two
centre companies, moving into position by fours. On the caution ON
THE TWO CENTRE COMPANIES FORM--SQUARE, the commanders of the two
centre companies will take post for firing. Nos. 3 and 6 will turn
about, and at the halt right and left form at the double, and turn
about by order of their commanders. The remaining companies, by order
of their commanders, will form fours inwards, and the commanders of
the two centre companies will order their companies to fix bayonets.
Nos. 2, 7 will then be moved at the double to the points where their
flanks will rest in square, on the left or right form up at the
halt, turn about. Nos. 1 and 8 will halt and turn to the left and
right respectively to form the rear face. The company officers and
supernumeraries who are outside will pass into the square. Each company
as it reaches its position will be ordered to fix bayonets. The company
commanders will give orders as to firing, subject to directions from
the commanding officer.
If there are an odd number of companies, that next to the right flank
company should double inside the square, form column of half-companies,
and fix bayonets.
Line may be reformed by reversing the above movements. On the command
REFORM--LINE, the company commanders will give the order to
unfix bayonets, and form or march their companies on to the original
alignment at the double; Nos. 3 and 6 receiving the word _Left_
and _Right Form_ respectively, the remainder forming fours.
2. Square will be formed from column as follows:--On the word
FORM--SQUARE, the leading company, if on the march will be
halted, and bayonets will be fixed. The remainder will be moved at the
double by order of their commanders, and those which are to form the
side faces will be formed successively to the right and left, the last
company forming the rear face. Each company as it reaches its position
will be ordered to fix bayonets. If there is an uneven number of
companies in the battalion, the rear company but one will form company
column on the march, halt inside the square and fix bayonets.
Column will be reformed by reversing the above movements. On the
caution FORM COLUMN, bayonets will be unfixed, and the companies
forming the side faces will be turned about by their commanders.
The company in rear will then step off at the double by word of its
commander, while the commander of the next company will give the word
_Right--Form, Double--March_; the remaining companies will move off in
succession. If the number of companies be uneven, the rear company but
one, which will turn about with the side faces, will follow the rear
company and re-form company on the march. The second in command will
mark the point where the flank of the last company of the column will
rest, and when the company reaches this point, its commander will order
it to halt and turn about. The remaining companies will be halted and
turned about at company distance from the company preceding.
3. A square may be moved in any direction, the commanding officer
indicating the direction in which the square is to move. On the command
THE SQUARE WILL ADVANCE--SLOPE ARMS, SIDE FACES, FORM--FOURS INWARDS
the officer or officers commanding the company, or companies, facing
in the opposite direction, will turn it, or them, about. The flank to
direct should be named before the order QUICK MARCH is given. On the
command BATTALION--HALT, the side faces will turn outwards and the
company or companies which are to form the rear face will turn about.
BRIGADE DRILL.
=120.= _Deployments._
Lines of battalions in quarter column or in column, at any interval,
will deploy into line, each battalion in succession following the
procedure in S. =109=, and commencing its deployment on reaching a
point thirty paces from the mounted officer on the outer flank of the
battalion next to it in line.
If a brigade in mass is to deploy into line, the leading battalion will
deploy at once; the remaining battalions will move by the shortest
lines to the points where their inner flanks are to rest in the line,
and will then deploy in the usual manner.
=121.= _Marching in line._
When a brigade is required to march in line, each battalion will march
by its centre. A mounted officer of each battalion, not directing,
will ride on the inner flank to ensure that the correct interval is
maintained.
=122.= _A brigade in line advancing in columns, or quarter
columns._
Line of columns or of quarter columns will be formed as in S. =112=.
=123.= _A brigade forming square._
For the protection of a convoy, or wounded men, it may be necessary
to form brigade square. The angles of a square are its weak points;
in order, therefore, to obtain the greatest amount of resistance to
resolute savages, the flanks of battalions should not meet at an angle.
The square may move in any direction on the same principles as a
battalion square.