Military Instructors Manual Part 20

5. _Short Point_.--1. s.h.i.+ft the left hand quickly toward the muzzle and draw the rifle back to the full extent of the right arm, b.u.t.t either high or low as a low or high point is to be made. 2. Deliver the point vigorously to the full extent of the left arm. 3. Withdrawal. 4. Resume the "guard."

6. _Jab Point_.--1. s.h.i.+ft the left hand quickly toward the muzzle, draw the rifle back, and s.h.i.+ft the right hand up the rifle and grasp it above the rear sight, at the same time bringing the rifle to an almost vertical position close to the body. Bend the knees. 2. Straighten the knees, jab the point of the bayonet upward into the throat or under the chin of the opponent--chiefly by a body movement. 3. Withdrawal. 4. Carry the rifle forward with the left hand, grasping the small of the stock with the right. 5. Resume guard. Remember in the first motion to have the hands at least 4 inches apart.

7. _b.u.t.t swing--b.u.t.t strike_--out.--1. Swing the b.u.t.t up at the opponent's ribs, forearms, etc., using a full arm blow, bringing the rifle to a horizontal position over the left shoulder, b.u.t.t to the front. 2. Advance the rear foot, and dash the b.u.t.t into the opponent's face. 3. Advance the rear foot and at the same time slash the bayonet down on the opponent's head or neck. 4.

Resume the "guard."

(The easiest guard to a swing at the crotch is simply to get the left knee in the opponent's right.)

E. PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES:

1. The cla.s.s works in pairs with scabbards on bayonets. One man alternately in each pair signals; the other promptly executes the movement, at the target, designated by the signal. The following signals are suggested: The hand, placed against the body, indicates the target.

Long point--Back of hand outward.

Short point--Palm of hand outward.

Jab point--Hand horizontal against chin, palm down.

High port--Fist against left breast.

Parry right (left)--Hand waved to right (left).

b.u.t.t swing--Fist against crotch.

b.u.t.t strike--Fist against jaw.

Instead of signals, thrusting sticks are then used. These are strong wands having a padding of paper and burlap over one end and a rope ring tied to the other. Points and b.u.t.t swings are executed at the padding and rings, respectively, as these are presented. The man holding the stick must remember to stand to one side of the man with the bayonet.

2. AS IN FIRST EXERCISE.--One man thrusts with a stick: the other parries.

3. THRUSTS ARE PRACTICED AT DUMMIES, first from a distance of five feet, then by advancing two paces or more. To simulate fighting conditions, a frame is then arranged in which dummies are slung on ropes pa.s.sed over pullies, and so manipulated that as the man withdraws his bayonet from one dummy another swings at, him from a different direction.

4. As SOON AS PROFICIENCY HAS BEEN GAINED in the above exercises, the a.s.sault practice is taken up.

a. _A course is laid out as follows:_ (1) A fire trench about 60 yards long, well _revetted_.

(2) 20 yards in front of the trench, smooth wire entanglements.

(3) 15 yards further, another trench, parallel to the first, 60 yards long, 4 feet deep and 4 feet wide. In this trench p.r.o.ne dummies are placed, one per yard.

(4) 15 yards further, 60 dummies, hung on frames, parallel to the trenches.

(5) 15 yards further, a hurdle 4 feet high and 60 yards long, parallel to the trenches.

(6) 10 yards further, a low trip wire, stretched parallel to the trenches.

(7) 10 yards further, 60 dummies, hung on frames, parallel to the trenches.

(8) 15 yards further, a large trench, 60 yards long, 6 feet deep, 10 feet wide, containing 60 p.r.o.ne dummies, 1 per yard.

b. _Procedure:_ Each platoon, in turn, enters the first trench at skirmish intervals, bayonets fixed. On signal, all move out at a walk, guiding carefully in line on a leader previously designated. After pa.s.sing each obstacle, the line is again carefully formed. On each of the swinging dummies one of the seven movements of the manual is used; a long or short point is used on each p.r.o.ne dummy. All go down into the last trench together, with a good loud yell, point of the bayonet level with the toe, and land on the dummies in the bottom, stabbing as they land. This course should be repeated several times at quick time, then at double time, and finally at a run. Remember that in the advance the rifle is carried at high port.

5. COMBAT EXERCISES (to be used in conjunction with the a.s.sault practice): a. _Equipment for each man:_ Thrusting stick or other wooden rod with wooden ball or thick padding covering one end. (Old rifles with spring-bayonets are even better.) Plastron.

Baseball mask.

Pair of broadsword or single stick gloves.

b. _Procedure_: The cla.s.s is formed in two lines of about equal numbers, facing each other, about fifty paces apart, with intervals in each line of about two paces. A leader is designated for each line. The instructor stands at one end of the s.p.a.ce between; an a.s.sistant at the other end. On the instructor's whistle, the lines advance, guiding carefully on their leaders. When about ten paces apart, they charge, each seeking to break and roll up the opposing line.

Sticks are carried and used as rifles with bayonets fixed.

Any other use disqualifies. Use of the b.u.t.t is barred. One thrust on the plastron or mask, or two hits on the extremities, disables the recipient, who must promptly retire--or be retired. The combat continues until the second whistle, blown not more than 30 seconds after contact; when they cease fighting promptly, separate, and form as before.

c. _Criticism:_ After each combat, the instructor will criticize the manner of advance and of fighting, especially the alignment kept in the advance and the team work in combat, and the advantage taken of opponents' mistakes. He counts the casualties and awards the decision. He must continually urge the men never to lag behind nor advance ahead of the line, never to allow large gaps to occur in the line, and always to seize the advantage given by opponents who disregard these principles.

d. _The terrain for this exercise_ should be frequently varied.

It may also be conducted at night, the opposing sides being clearly distinguished.[Q]

[Footnote Q: The last exercise was devised and perfected by M. Jules Leslabay, Master of Fencing, Harvard R.O.T.C., 1917. It is more completely described in his "Manual of Bayonet Training."]

Machine Guns.

1. Properties of the machine guns are divided into three general cla.s.ses: Mode of action, fire, and inconspicuousness.

(a) THE MODE OF ACTION.--The machine gun acting only by its fire can prepare an attack or repulse an offensive movement, but it does not conquer ground. The latter role is almost exclusively that of infantry which is fitted for crossing all obstacles.

When it will suffice to act by fire, employ the machine gun in preference to infantry, preserving the latter for the combined action of movement and fire. By the employment of the machine gun economize infantry, reserving a more considerable portion of it for manoeuvre purposes.

(b) FIRE.--Machine gun fire produces a sheath, dense, deep but narrow. The increase of the width of the sweeping fire gives to the sheath a greater breadth, but when the density becomes insufficient, the effect produced is very weak. Machine gun fire will have its maximum power upon an objective of narrow front and great depth. With the infantry fighting normally in thin lines the preceding conditions will generally only be realized when these lines are taken in the flank. "The fire of the machine gun parallel to the probable front of the enemy--a flanking fire--must therefore be the rule." The fire perpendicular to the front will be employed generally on certain necessary points of pa.s.sage as, bridges, roads, defiles, cuts, roadways, communicating trenches, etc., where the enemy is generally forced to take a deep formation with a narrow front, or where he is in ma.s.sed formation.

(c) INCONSPICUOUSNESS.--By reason of its small strength the machine gun section can utilize the smallest cover, and can consequently hide from the enemy; the machine gun therefore, more than the infantry, has the chance to act by surprise. The opening of the fire by surprise will be the rule; the machine gun will avoid revealing itself upon objectives not worth the trouble. Flank action and surprise are the two conditions to try for under all circ.u.mstances.

2. OFFENSIVE REINFORCEMENT OF A FRONT MOMENTARILY STATIONARY.--The machine guns a.s.sisted by small elements of infantry cover thoroughly the getting in hand of the main body, the machine guns presenting to the enemy a line of little vulnerability. The machine guns a.s.sist in securing the possession of the ground previously taken, and will permit time to prepare for the resumption of the forward movement.

Preparation of the attack--machine gun fire completes the preparation done by the artillery, either by acting on the personnel or by opening breaches in the accessary defenses. At times the machine guns alone may be charged with the preparation of the attack where it is necessary to act very quickly as in pursuit, exploitation of a success. Whatever the situation, concentrate the machine gun fire on one or several points. Machine guns cover the flanks of attacking troops. They follow the advance of these troops remaining on the flanks, so as to be able to fire instantly on all points from which an attack might come. Machine guns will likewise be employed in intervals created intentionally or accidentally between units. It is here a powerful weapon which can rapidly be put into action by the Commander.

The personnel and material must be protected as far as possible from the effects of fire.

3. DEFENSIVE.--It is here that the flanking fire is especially necessary. In the defensive preparation of a position the machine guns must be so placed that they will provide along the front several successive fire barriers. The machine guns must be ready at all times to stop by instantaneous fire all hostile attack. In order to have machine gun protection at all, it is absolutely necessary that they be protected from bombardment. This is best done by the following: Place the machine guns under solid cover; make their emplacement invisible; echelon the machine guns in depth. The cover must be placed where it can be hidden from the sight of the enemy, such as a counter slope, a position where it is impossible to blend it, relief with an accentuated slope of the ground, woods, brush, etc. It is essential that the princ.i.p.al parts of the machine gun casemate be prepared in the rear. Only in this manner will the work be done solidly and rapidly. While the machine gunners and helpers do the excavating, specialists in rear prepare the parts for a.s.sembling. The latter are then transported to the position and, the casemate is established, hiding the work with the greatest care from enemy observation.

Remember that it is of the utmost importance that the machine gun be invisible, so the firing emplacements must be made outside of the shelter, but near enough for the gun to be brought out instantly and put into action. All communicating trenches leading to the firing emplacement must be concealed. Enough emplacements should be built to avoid firing daily from the emplacements especially reserved for cases of attack. Do not place too many machine guns in the first line; in case of a violent bombardment they are sure to be destroyed. The object to be attained is to install the machine guns in conditions such that if the enemy penetrates our first line, by aid of his bombardment or asphyxiating gas, his infantry, as it advances, comes under the fire of machine guns echeloned previously in depth, under whose fire it must stop. It is not a matter of sweeping a wide sector, but of giving over certain strips of ground flanking fire which will cut down surely the enemy's waves when they push forward. The commander should, therefore, divide between the first line and the terrain in rear, the machine guns which he controls, organizing for each particular case a firing emplacement in accord with the surrounding ground and the purpose in view.

GENERAL RULES FOR INSTALLATION.

Machine gunners must under no circ.u.mstances abandon their positions.

They must, when necessary, allow themselves to be surrounded and defend themselves in their place to the end. In many cases the heroism and tenacity of a few machine gunners have permitted the rapid retaking of a lost position. To provide for this resistance to a finish, the machine gun emplacements must fulfil the following conditions:

1. Be surrounded by a wire entanglement of irregular trace and as invisible as possible.

2. In the enclosure thus created having several firing emplacements, in case one or more becomes useless.

3. The personnel must have all the means for protection against gas and have in addition rations, water and abundant ammunition.

EMPLOYMENT OF FIRE AND INSTRUCTION.

The more grazing the fire of a machine gun the more effective it is.

This causes the princ.i.p.al employment of the machine gun to be at distances where the trajectory is flattest, that is under 800 or 1,000 yards. However, the effort to obtain a grazing fire must not exclude long distance fire. This latter will always be justified when directed upon important objectives, or necessary points of pa.s.sage. For this fire to have some efficacy, it is necessary to calculate the range with the greatest precision. On the defensive indirect fire will be employed sometimes to annoy the supply, reliefs, etc. To give results, great quant.i.ties of ammunition will have to be expended. All of the officers and non-commissioned officers and as many men as possible must be capable of firing the machine gun, so that at the time of an attack no gun will remain idle for want of personnel. It is, moreover, essential to keep up the training of the personnel by having them fire at least twice a month, and, if possible, once a week.

RESUME.

Machine guns must be utilized in the greatest measure in order to _economize the infantry._

Seek to employ them always in a, _flank fire_.

Conceal them so as to get _surprise fire_.

_Echelon_ them and _shelter_ them so as to avoid their premature destruction.

POINTS BEFORE FIRING.

1. Thoroughly overhaul the gun to see that no part is deficient, and that the mechanism works freely.

2. See that the barrel is clean and dry.

3. See that the barrel mouthpiece is tight.

4. See that small hole in gas regulator is to the rear.

5. Thoroughly oil all working parts, especially the cam slot and exterior of the bolt, and the striker post and piston.

6. Weigh and adjust the mainspring.

7. See that the mounting is firm.

8. Examine the magazines and ammunition.

9. See that the spare parts and oil reserve are handy.

POINTS DURING FIRING