work and at the discretion of the officer in command may take off their
box respirators, provided the latter are placed conveniently at hand
for use in case of a sudden gas-shell attack or change of the wind.
The P. H. helmet will always be carried.
=24. VERMOREL SPRAYERS.=--(_a_) Vermorel sprayers form part of trench
stores. They are provided for spraying the blankets of gas-proof
dugouts and shelters.
(_b_) They will be stored in the gas-proof dugout or in a protected
position close at hand.
(_c_) They must be kept one-third full of water. Six gallons of the
solution given below to be used in them must be kept in corked jars or
petrol tins close to each sprayer. It must not be kept in the sprayer
owing to its corrosive nature, and after solution has been used the
sprayer must be washed out with water:
Water.--3 gallons (one large bucket);
Sodium thiosulphate (hypo).--1-1/2 lbs. (3/4 mess tin);
Sodium carbonate (washing soda).--3 lbs. (one piled mess tin).
(_d_) Vermorel sprayers will be in charge of company gas N. C. O.'s,
who will detail and train men in their care and use and superintend all
spraying. The blankets on all gas-protected dugouts will be inspected
and sprayed at the commencement of a wind-dangerous period and as often
as is necessary to keep them in a moist condition during it.
(_e_) Company gas N. C. O.'s will take over Vermorel sprayers from
outgoing N. C. O.'s.
(_f_) Vermorel sprayers in the line will on no account be used for
clearing gas from trenches or dugouts after an attack. Against the
present gas used by the enemy these chemicals have no effect, and
Ayrton fans and fires are the means to be used.
The sprayers at medical aid posts are provided with a chemical solution
which will clear any gas that may have entered their protected posts.
=25. SANITATION.=--(_a_) The importance of strict attention to
sanitation will be impressed on all ranks.
(_b_) The commanding officer is responsible for sanitation in his unit,
and the medical officer will advise him in sanitary matters, making
frequent inspection of cook houses, latrines, refuse pits, and water
arrangements. Under the medical officer latrines and refuse pits will
be attended to by the regimental sanitary men and water duties by the
R. A. M. C. details attached.
(_c_) Latrines will be constructed in trenches leading from
communication trenches. Where the bucket system is employed, chloride
of lime or creosol will be freely used. The soil will be removed at
night and buried in a deep pit at least 100 yards from the trenches;
these pits will be filled in when nearly full and labeled.
(_d_) Empty tins and other refuse will be collected in receptacles kept
for the purpose in the trenches, and returning carrying parties will be
used to carry these back to the incinerators in rear.
=26. RATIONS AND COOKING.=--(_a_) Ration parties from the support and
reserve trenches will be made up in complete units.
(_b_) The company quartermaster sergeant will accompany the ration
parties for his company and report his arrival to the company commander.
(_c_) Great care is to be taken that ration and carrying parties make
as little noise as possible.
(_d_) Where cooking is done individually, definite times should be
allocated for the purpose.
(_e_) Unused rations will be returned to the quartermaster.
(_f_) Waste in any form will be discouraged.
(_g_) Arrangements should be made to insure that soup or some hot drink
is available for the men between midnight and 4 a. m.
(_h_) All cooking places and appliances will be kept scrupulously clean
and inspected daily by an officer.
=27. CARE OF GRENADES.=--(_a_) Grenades in the trenches will be kept in
waterproof boxes placed in recesses in the parapet.
(_b_) The brigade bombing officer will frequently inspect all grenades
and posts, and will see that the proper number of grenades is kept up
in each post and store; that they are protected from weather; that a
sufficient number of bombers are present and understand their duties;
that the grenades are in good condition; and that waistcoats or
carriers are available.
=28. STEEL HELMETS.=--Steel helmets will be worn at all times in the
trenches (including all communicating trenches). In addition, they will
be worn elsewhere than in the trenches as may be ordered from time to
time by divisional or brigade headquarters.
=29. RUM.=--(_a_) Rum will be issued by an officer, who will see that
each individual drinks it in his presence.
(_b_) It is not to be issued in the trenches after "Stand down" in the
evening or before "Stand down" in the morning, except with the special
permission of the battalion commander.
(_c_) Men undergoing punishment for drunkenness will receive no issue
of rum for fourteen days after the offense unless it is necessary for
medical reasons.
=30. CHILLED FEET AND FROSTBITE.=--1. These conditions are caused by--
(_a_) Prolonged standing in cold water and mud;
(_b_) The continued wearing of wet socks, boots, and puttees;
(_c_) Constriction of the lower limbs.
2. They can be prevented or diminished by--
(_a_) The wearing of long gum boots;
(_b_) Improvements to trenches and provision of dry standings, and
warmth;
(_c_) Reduction of time spent in the trenches as far as the
military situation permits;
(_d_) Good battalion arrangements to insure that men enter the
trenches warmly clad with dry boots, socks, and trousers, and with
the skin well rubbed with whale oil or antifrostbite grease;
(_e_) Taking to the trenches a pair of ankle boots, in addition
to the long gum boots, and changing from one into the other when
possible, at the same time putting on a pair of dry socks.
N. B.--The effect from being wet through from perspiration is just
as bad as that from water. Therefore, change your socks.
(_f_) Taking exercise. Work is the best specific against trench
feet. Men who are kept moving are kept warm, with their blood
circulating properly, and do not get trench feet.
(_g_) Providing warm food at least once a day in the trenches and
shelter.
=3. Commanding officers will be held personally responsible that the
following instructions are implicitly carried out under the strictest
supervision by officers=:
(_a_) Previous to a tour of trench duty, men's feet will be well rubbed
with oil or grease and dry socks put on. It is not sufficient to apply
the oil or grease, it must be _thoroughly rubbed in until the skin is
dry_.
(_b_) In addition to those worn, another pair of socks will be carried
by each man and used as directed in section 30, paragraph 2 (_e_).
(_c_) Battalion arrangements will be made for the reissue of one dry
pair of socks to each man daily in the trenches.
(_d_) Puttees are never to be worn with long gum boots. Socks can be
prevented from creeping down under the sole of the foot by fastening
them to the trousers by means of safety pins. On no account will
anything in the form of a garter be worn, as it impedes circulation of
the blood.
(_e_) Hot food will be provided at least once a day for men in
trenches. Hot boxes will be available for carrying this.
(_f_) When the feet are affected on no account is hot water to be used,
nor are they to be put near a fire.
(_g_) Regimental rest posts are to be instituted in close proximity to
the trenches, where attention can properly be given to men who show
signs of exposure.
(_h_) On return from the trenches the long gum boots are to be dried
inside.
=4. Divisional or brigade arrangements for=: (_a_) Provision of the
necessary accommodation for the washing and drying of socks in large
numbers, and their supply, to battalions in the front line, in exchange
for wet ones.
(_b_) Drying and brushing of clothes.
5. Long gum boots are issued solely for the use of men in the trenches,
either in the forward or backward lines. They are not to be issued to
or used by men under any other conditions.
Trancribers note:
The following printers errors have been corrected, otherwise spelling
is as in the original.
sperior/superior
certatin/certain
sumbitted/submitted
Words, letters surrounded by equal signs were bold in the original.
End of Project Gutenberg's Specimens of British Trench Orders, by Anonymous