should ask himself on taking over a trench and at frequent intervals
afterwards_:
1. I am here for two purposes: To hold this line under all
circumstances and to do as much damage as possible to the enemy. Am
I doing all I can to make this line as strong as possible? Am I as
_offensive_ as I might be with organized snipers, sniperscopes, rifle
grenades, etc., and patrols?
2. Do I connect up all right with the platoons on my right and left? Do
I know the position of my nearest support?
3. Does every man know his firing position, and can he fire from it,
over the parapet, at the foot of the wire?
4. Where are my S. A. A. and bomb stores? Are they under cover from the
weather?
5. Do all my men know their duties in case of attack--bombers
especially?
6. Are all my rifles and ammunition clean and in good order? Have all
the men got rifle covers? Are the magazines kept charged?
7. Is my wire strong enough?
8. Are my parapets and traverses bullet proof everywhere?
9. Where are my sally ports and gaps in my wire?
10. Where are my listening posts? Are my listening patrols properly
detailed?
11. What points in front particularly require patrolling at night?
12. Are my sentries in their right places? Are they properly posted by
N. C. O.'s? Have they received proper instructions?
13. Have I got the S. O. S. message in my pocket, and do I know the
orders regarding its use?
14. Are the trenches as clean and as sanitary as they might be? Are
live rounds and cases properly collected? Are my bags for refuse and
empties in position?
15. Are my trenches as dry as I might make them?
16. Am I doing all I can to prevent my men getting "trench feet"?
17. How can I prevent my parapets and dugouts from falling in?
18. Have I carefully studied the ground in front and noted all places
where Germans expose themselves or are likely to do so? Have I taken
advantage of suitable spots in the ground in front of my parapet or
behind my trenches to make "snipers'" lairs, besides making loopholes
in the parapet?
19. Have my men always got their box respirators on them, and are they
in good order?
20. Are the arrangements, in case of gas attack complete and known to
all ranks?
21. Are the orders as to wearing equipment carried out?
22. Are my men using wood from the defenses as firewood?
23. Are my men drinking water from any but authorized sources? Are the
arrangements for cooking and the care of rations as clean and sanitary
as they can be made? Are dugouts and shelters kept clean and tidy?
24. I am here for two purposes: To hold this line under all
circumstances, and to do as much damage as possible to the enemy. Am
I doing all I can to make this line as strong as possible? Am I as
_offensive_ as I might be with organized snipers, sniperscopes, rifle
grenades, etc., and patrols?
=11. WIRING.=--(_a_) Each company will have a party of 1 N. C. O. and 6
men who will be specially trained in wiring. They will go out nightly
and repair and improve the wire along the company front. The definite
duty allotted to trained wirers will not preclude the use of other men
to increase the amount of wire along the front.
(_b_) The wire defenses of the front must be such as to preclude the
enemy from throwing bombs into our trench from the outer edge of our
wire. The nearest wire to our parapet should be 30 yards from it, and
should be 20 yards at least in depth.
=12. ORGANIZATION OF WORK ON DEFENSES.=--(_a_) The Infantry brigade
commander is responsible for the maintenance of the front line system
of trenches, under direction of the division and with the advice and
assistance of the field company commander.
(_b_) One field company will usually be allotted to each brigade area
for work under the C. R. E.
(_c_) The O. C. field company will act as technical adviser to the
Infantry brigadiers, and with his officers will visit frequently the
front line trenches and other trenches in the area, and be responsible
for the technical quality of the work done in them; if necessary he
will supply R. E. personnel for supervision, but this will be done
sparingly, for the Infantry should be trained to do all ordinary
maintenance and repair work, such as repairing wire, rebuilding of
parapets, fixing U frames and revetment hurdles, construction of
ordinary dugouts, keeping trenches drained, etc., without R. E.
assistance or supervision, leaving the R. E. free for work requiring
technical skill, such as--
New works.
Concrete dugouts and machine-gun emplacements.
Main drainage, etc.
(_d_) The pioneers will be employed under the C. R. E. on special jobs
under their own officers, such as--
Construction of new trenches.
Repair of communication trenches.
Preparation of camps, etc.
(_e_) The battalion commander is responsible for all work done in his
subsector, and is, under the brigade commander, responsible for drawing
up a time-table allotting hours for work, rest, and meals. Time-tables
will be submitted in the first instance to brigade H. Q. for approval,
and will then remain in force till altered, any alteration being
submitted in the same way as the original.
The following table is an example:
_Instructions for working party._
[To be used by all officers requiring or detailing a working
party.]
Working party from___________________________________________________
Officers__________________________ O. R.______________________________
Rendezvous________________________ Time______________________________
Guide will be furnished by___________________________________________
Tools_____________________________
_____________________________ To be drawn from__________________
_____________________________
Stores____________________________
____________________________ To be drawn from__________________
____________________________
Instructions on the work from________________________________________
Time party will stop work____________________________________________
Whether haversack rations are to be brought__________________________
(_f_) All work on the fire trench should be carried out by the garrison
of the trench, assisted, if necessary, by the garrison of the support
and the reserve trenches.
(_g_) All work in rear of the fire trenches will be carried out by the
garrison of the support and reserve trenches.
(_h_) Efficiency of work depends, firstly, on _organization_, and,
secondly, on _supervision_. Without these, effort is wasted and work is
unsatisfactory.
(_i_) _Organization_ demands forethought. Every officer charged with
the execution of any work must--
(i) Think out beforehand exactly how it is to be performed, and
how many men are necessary to carry it out, including any carrying
parties that may be wanted.
(ii) Appoint a place and time (if this is not already fixed by
routine) for the assembly of the party.
(iii) Ensure that the necessary tools are forthcoming, and that
they are either brought by the party to the place of assembly, or
are available for them there.
(iv) Ensure that the necessary materials are at hand or arrange
for their conveyance to the place of work by the working party
or by a separate carrying party before the working party arrives
there.
(v) Parade the working party at the place of assembly, and tell
each individual off to his task, or, in the case of larger
parties, tell off their respective tasks, and appoint a N. C. O.
or soldier in each squad to be responsible for the work.
(_j_) _Supervision_ demands energy and watchfulness. The officer
charged with the execution of the work will always personally supervise
it. Working parties will, as far as possible, be detailed by companies,
platoons, or sections, and will be accompanied by all officers and
N. C. O.'s belonging to them, who will remain with the party and be
responsible for the continuance and direction of the work of their own
men during its execution.
(_k_) Unless work has to be performed with equipment on, jackets should
be taken off (except in inclement weather) while men are actually
working and put on at once when they stop.
(_l_) The best work is obtained from men when they are given certain
definite tasks, proportionate to the time they are to work, and allowed
to fall out when the task is finished. If this can not be done, a fair
task must be exacted and men who idle given extra tasks after the rest
are dismissed.
(_m_) A working party which is too big for the task in hand is worse
than one which is too small, since one man who has no job generally
makes several others idle.
(_n_) All officers and other ranks must be made to understand that
working is as useful and important as fighting; that good work deserves
as much credit as good fighting, and that bad work brings discredit on
himself and his battalion.
(_o_) A covering party will be provided for digging and wiring parties
outside the front trenches. When such parties are being employed an
adequate garrison will be left in the front trench.
(_p_) The word "fatigue" will never be employed in connection with work
in the trenches or other defences.
=13. LOG BOOKS.=--Each company commander in front line or support
trenches will keep a log book (Army Book 136) in which will be entered--
(i) Work done;
(ii) Number of men working;
(iii) Hours worked;
(iv) Information obtained from patrols, sentries, or other
sources, as to the enemy, his habits, and his trenches.
_The above will be entered daily._
(v) Work projected or ordered, in order of importance;
(vi) A list of trench stores.
The log book will be inspected daily by the battalion commander and
frequently by the brigade staff.
=14. UNDERCUTTING TRENCH SIDES.=--(_a_) The undercutting of trench
sides to make shelters is forbidden.
(_b_) When shelters are made the required space from the ground level
downwards will be cut out, and a roof, supported on reliable posts,
will be made.
=15. COMMUNICATIONS.=--(_a_) Artillery lines will be laid on the north
and west sides of trenches. Infantry lines on south and east.
(_b_) The Infantry brigade signal officer will exercise general
supervision over all lines in the brigade area, and will notify
Artillery brigades when any Artillery lines require attention or
relaying. He will assist the Artillery whenever it may be possible to
do so.
(_c_) All essential lines should be buried to a depth of at least
6 feet. Lines in the communication trenches should be reduced to a
minimum.
(_d_) Lines will be clearly labeled at every hundred yards and at every
junction with another line.
(_e_) All lines will be carefully patrolled at least once daily.
(_f_) One telephonist will always be on duty.
(_g_) Telephone communication to battalion headquarters and the company
on each flank will be frequently tested.
(_h_) All "dead" lines will be reeled up at once.
(_i_) Every man is to know the position of his platoon commander's
shelter and of the company headquarters.
(_j_) At least two men per section of the support and reserve companies
must be able to act as guides to all the company headquarters of the
battalion.
(_k_) All officers must know the shortest route from their own
headquarters to those of the company on their flanks and to their own
battalion headquarters.
(_l_) It is most important to maintain always visual signaling
communications from the front line as far back as brigade headquarters.
Brigade signal officers will be responsible to brigades that this is
done. One message by day and one by night will be sent daily over each
visual signaling route. These will be checked by the brigade staff at
least once a week to insure that they are transmitted promptly and
accurately.
(_m_) Pigeons when relieved by fresh ones will be flown back, each with
a test message to brigade headquarters. Times taken from battalion
headquarters to brigade headquarters will be checked in each case by
the brigade signal officer, and once a week at least by the brigade
staff.
(_n_) The brigade signal section while with the brigade forms an
integral part of brigade headquarters. The brigade commander is
responsible to higher authority for the communications within his
brigade sector and must have full knowledge of them. He exercises
control over his signals through the brigade signal officer. It is
the duty of the brigade signal officer to bring to the notice of the
brigade commander, as well as of the officer commanding divisional
signal company, any defects which exist or any improvements which can
be made.
=16. RATION PARTIES FOUND FROM FRONT TRENCHES.=--Usually rations and
stores will be carried up to the trenches by supports and reserves.
If this is not possible, and it is necessary that men from the front
trenches have to be employed, not more than 10 per cent of the men in
the firing line are to be away from the trenches at the same time.
=17. FIRING AT AEROPLANES.=--Will not be permitted except by order of
an officer.
=18. RIFLES, EQUIPMENT, AND AMMUNITION (Carrying and wearing
of).=--(_a_) Equipment will always be worn in the front trenches.
Haversacks, water bottles, packs, and entrenching tools need not be
worn. In the support and reserve trenches equipment will be worn at the
discretion of the brigade commander.
(_b_) Ration and carrying parties, orderlies, etc., will wear equipment
and carry rifles unless otherwise ordered in special cases by an
officer. Permission to discard equipment, and particularly to discard
arms, should be sparingly given.
(_c_) _Loading of rifles._--Except when it is necessary to shoot, a
round will _never_ be kept in the chamber. Cut-offs will always be "in"
and the safety catch "back."
(_d_) The magazine will be kept charged with five rounds.
(_e_) In the fire trenches, bayonets will be fixed at night.
(_f_) _Care of rifles._--All rifles and ammunition will be inspected
by an officer at least twice a day, viz, at morning and evening "Stand
to." They must be kept scrupulously clean at _all_ times, and any mud
or grit removed _at once_ without waiting for the next inspection.
Breech covers will always be kept on rifles, and so fixed that they can
be immediately cast loose. Each platoon will have its full complement
of "breech clearers" in charge of men fully instructed in their use.
(_g_) Noncommissioned officers and men in firing line and support
will at all times be in possession of their rifles and bayonets. The
rifles of men in support reserve trenches or dugouts may be placed in
protected racks, so that they can be seized quickly. Not more than six
will be in one rack.
(_h_) In very cold weather sentries will occasionally work the bolt of
the rifle to prevent the striker becoming frozen.
(_i_) On no account is the rifle to be used for the purpose of carrying
camp kettles and other loads.
(_j_) Ammunition boxes in the trenches will be examined frequently to
see if the lids work easily. They will not be needlessly broken into.
Each box will be placed on its side in a recess, protected from the
weather, with the lid facing outwards, and with the broader end of the
wooden lid uppermost.
(_k_) Every man will have 120 rounds in his possession.
(_l_) Platoon commanders will report at "Stand to" whether their
ammunition is correct or otherwise.
(_m_) Except in cases of emergency no bandoliers will be issued to men
in the trenches.
(_n_) _Disposal of rifles, equipment, and ammunition._--Men wounded
and going sick will, if able to walk, wear their equipment and carry
their rifles. The rifles and equipment of men unable to carry them, and
also those of dead men, will be sent back to the dressing station. All
rifles, however, badly damaged, and equipment damaged or not required,
will be sent back to the quartermaster. Damaged cartridges and empty
cases will be collected in sacks hung up in the trenches for the
purpose and returned to the quartermaster.
=19. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST GAS ATTACK.=--When "_Wind dangerous_" is
ordered, the following arrangements will be carried out:
(i) All small box respirators and P. H. helmets will be carefully
inspected; such inspections will be carried out daily during the "_Wind
dangerous_" period.
(ii) Within a mile of the front line the small box respirator will be
worn in the "_Alert_" position on the chest with flap unbuttoned, but
protecting the respirator from the wet.
(_a_) The small box respirator will be worn in the "_Alert_" position
outside all clothing.
(_b_) Nothing will be carried slung across the body in such a way as to
interfere with the adjustment of the box respirator.
(iii) Where for any reason a man is not in possession of a small box
respirator, he will wear his P. H. helmet pinned to the shirt in the
"_Alert_" position.
(iv) The chin strap of the steel helmet will on no account be worn
under the chin to impede the adjustment of the mask.
(v) Detached parties of men moving within a mile of the front line will
strictly observe the precautions laid down in (ii), (iii), and (iv).
Commanding officers will be held responsible that this is done.
(vi) The duties of sentries are:
(_a_) To give warning;
(_b_) To adjust immediately the curtains of gas-proof dugouts.
(vii) All working parties east of the line
POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES will have a sentry posted to give
instant warning of a gas attack.
(viii) A sentry will be posted at each Strombos horn or similar alarm
and instructed in its use.
(ix) A sentry will be posted at every tunnel dugout or other dugout
holding more than 10 men.
(x) A sentry will be posted to each group of two or three small dugouts.
(xi) A sentry will be posted on each headquarters, signal office, and
independent body of men east of the line POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES.
(xii) Men sleeping in rearward lines, works, or rest billets where they
are allowed to take off their equipment will sleep with their small box
respirators round their necks, and must know exactly where their P. H.
helmet is to be found.
(xiii) Company gas N. C. O.'s will report to company headquarters in
readiness to assist the company commander should a gas attack occur.
(xiv) Medical officers will be responsible that a proper proportion of
the ammonia capsules issued to them are with stretcher bearers in the
front line in readiness for their immediate use after a gas attack.
(xv) Company gas N. C. O.'s will inspect daily all antigas
apparatus--Strombos horns, flapper fans, vacuum bulbs, and stores of
combustibles for clearing dugouts. They will see that gas-proof dugouts
are kept in good order and the curtains sprayed.
(xvi) An officer on duty will be detailed from each company in reserve,
except resting battalions.
(xvii) Commanders of units in billets east of the line
POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES will organize a system of giving the
alarm and rousing the men in cellars or houses.
=20. ACTION DURING ENEMY GAS ATTACK.=--In the event of an enemy gas
attack the following action will be taken:
(i) The alarm will at once be given by all means available; by
telephone, gongs, Strombos horns, and, if necessary, by orderly, and in
accordance with paras. (iv) and (v).
(ii) THERE SHOULD BE AS LITTLE MOVEMENT AND TALKING AS POSSIBLE. All
ranks will at once adjust their small box respirators. In front lines,
and wherever the tactical situation demands, they will stand to arms.
In rear lines, where there are large gas-proof dugouts, there is no
objection, provided the tactical situation allows it, to men, with the
exception of sentries and officers and N. C. O.'s on duty, remaining
in the gas-proof dugouts. In any case small box respirators will be
adjusted immediately the alarm is given and before the men leave the
dugout.
(iii) On the alarm being given, all bodies of troops or transport on
the move will halt, and all working parties cease work until the gas
cloud has passed.
(iv) Should the gas cloud be unaccompanied by an infantry attack, the
message "Gas attack, trench ________________," but not the S. O. S.
signal, will be sent.
(v) Should an infantry attack develop, the normal procedure of S. O. S.
will be carried out.
(vi) Troops in the front line not affected by gas must be warned to be
prepared to bring a cross fire to bear on the enemy when he attempts to
advance against a gassed portion of the trench.
(vii) If a relief is in progress, units should stand steady as far as
possible until the gas cloud has passed.
(viii) Supports, and parties bringing up ammunition and grenades, will
only be moved up if the tactical situation demands.
(ix) The blanket doorways of protected dugouts will be properly
adjusted.
(x) Men in charge of combustibles and fans will prepare to use them
as soon as the gas cloud has passed, so as to admit of helmets being
removed.
(xi) Helmets will not be removed after a gas attack until permission
has been given by the company commander, who will ascertain from
officers and N. C. O.'s trained at the divisional gas school that it
is safe to do so. Trenches will be fanned clear of gas with fans and
sandbags.
(xii) In order to guard against the danger of a subsequent gas cloud,
all ranks, as soon as the gas is clear and permission has been received
to remove their masks, will replace them in the "_alert_" position.
A SHARP LOOKOUT WILL BE MAINTAINED AS LONG AS THE WIND CONTINUES IN A
DANGEROUS QUARTER, AND MEN WILL SLEEP ON THE FIRE STEP, WITHIN REACH OF
A SENTRY. A SUBSEQUENT GAS CLOUD IS ALWAYS LIKELY.
(xiii) Dugouts will not be entered for at least four hours after a gas
attack, and should be ventilated freely. Ventilation (natural or by
means of fires and antigas fans) is the only sure method of clearing
a dugout. If dugouts have to be entered owing to heavy shelling, this
should be done with the utmost caution, and gas helmets put on at the
slightest trace of gas. The clearing of dugouts should not be carried
out by men who have been even slightly affected by gas. Dugouts can be
efficiently ventilated by means of a small fire burning in the center
of a dugout or cellar for 20 minutes. This method has been proved by
experiments to be effective, but should be employed with due regard
to the danger of smoke being visible to the enemy. Dry wood or other
combustibles will be kept in readiness for the purpose.
(xiv) Special arrangements will be made by corps for warning the civil
authorities who are responsible for the protection and warning of all
civilians within the corps area.
=21. ACTION AFTER ENEMY GAS ATTACK.=--(i) Smoking will be prohibited
for a period of three hours after the gas has ceased.
(ii) After a gas attack troops in the front trenches will be relieved
of all fatigue and carrying work for 24 hours by sending up working
parties from companies in rear. Horses should not be worked for a
similar period if it can be avoided.
(iii) No man suffering from effects of gas will be permitted to walk to
the dressing station.
(iv) Rifles and machine guns should be cleaned immediately after a gas
attack; oil cleaning will prevent corrosion for 12 hours, but the first
available opportunity should be taken to clean all parts in boiling
water containing a little soda.
=22. ACTION DURING GAS SHELL BOMBARDMENT.=--(i) Small box respirators
will be put on in the shelled area.
(ii) In the event of a sudden and intense bombardment with gas shell
a local alarm will be given in the front-line system of trenches by
orderlies; in reserve trenches and battery positions this local alarm
may be given by French shunters' horns. In order to avoid false alarms
of a gas attack the French shunters' horns should not be used in
Infantry front-line trenches.
(iii) All dugouts in the vicinity will be visited and any sleeping men
aroused.
=23. DISCIPLINE WITH REGARD TO CARRYING SMALL BOX
RESPIRATORS.=--Small box respirators will always be carried
within 2 miles of the front line (_i.e._, in advance of the
line ELVERDINGHE--VLAMERTINGHE--DICKEBUSH--KEMMEL HILL--NEUVE
EGLISE--NIEPPE--LAVENTIE) whatever the direction of the wind is. P. H.
helmets will always be carried in corps areas whatever the direction of
the wind is.
="WIND-DANGEROUS" period.=--Orders as to the position in which the
above are worn in "_wind-dangerous_" period are contained in section
19.