_Before the battle_, the attacking troops assemble first in the
shelters, then in the assembling places and parallels made during the
previous night. The battalion, company and section commanders survey
the ground of attack with field-glasses.
_During the battle_, at a given signal, the assaulting battalions
dash forward from the departure trenches, the first wave deployed in
skirmishing order; the second and third, consisting of trench-cleaners,
machine-gunners and supports, follow thirty or forty yards behind, in
short columns (single file or two abreast). Reinforcements _echeloned_,
and likewise in small columns, bring up the rear, 150 to 200 yards
behind.
As a matter of fact, in actual fighting, each regiment attacks
separately. The Commandant, realising the difficulties on the spot,
must have in hand all the necessary means of success, the most powerful
being the artillery, which accompanies and prepares each phase and
development of the attack. Generally, the creeping barrage, timed
beforehand, is loosed at the same moment of time as the assaulting
wave. The infantry follows as closely as possible.
[Illustration: INFANTRY ADVANCE.
_The attacking waves mark their advance with Bengal lights._]
Constant and perfect _liaison_ is necessary between the infantry and
artillery. This is ensured by means of runners, pennons, panels,
telephones, optical telegraphy, signals, rockets, Bengal lights, etc.
A similar _liaison_ is ensured between the various attacking units, on
the right, left and behind. Action must be co-ordinated, an essential
point on which the G.H.Q. always strongly insist.
As soon as the enemy perceives the assaulting waves, every effort is
made to scatter them by means of artillery barrage and machine-gun
fire, asphyxiating gas, grenades and liquid fire, so that generally the
storming troops cross "no man's land" through a veritable screen of
fire. The enemy's fire likewise extends to the first-line trenches, to
cut off the first waves from their supports.
Without stopping at the enemy's first-line organisations, the first
attacking wave overwhelms the position, annihilates all defenders
encountered, and only comes to a halt at the assigned objective.
The following waves support the first one, and deal with points of
resistance. The trench-cleaners or moppers-up "clean out" the position
of enemy survivors with bayonet, knife and grenade, in indescribable
death grapples. Progress is slow along the communicating trenches, and
in the underground shelters, tunnels, cellars and ruins, where the
defenders have taken refuge. From time to time hidden machine-guns are
unmasked and have to be captured.
_After the attack._--As soon as the "cleaning out" is finished, any
prisoners are sent to the rear, being often forced to cross their own
barrage-fire. Meanwhile the other defenders will have withdrawn to
their positions of support.
[Illustration: GERMAN PRISONERS HURRYING TO THE ALLIES' LINES.]
Having reached their objective, the assaulting troops must hold their
ground. Sentries are posted, while the rest of the men consolidate the
position in view of the inevitable counter-attack, which is generally
not long in coming.
Under bombardment, the levelled trenches have to be remade, the
shell-holes organised and flanked with machine-guns, and communications
with the rear ensured for the bringing up of stores and, if necessary,
reinforcements.
The assaulting troops may thus reach their objectives without excessive
losses or nervous strain, and may be kept in line for a second and
third similar effort, after a few days' rest, during which the
artillery will have destroyed the next enemy positions.