Military Instructors Manual Part 4

Company Commander is on right flank, in same place as "Prepare for Inspection."

IN ALIGNING COMPANY.--Captain places himself 2 paces from and facing the flank toward which dress is made, verifies alignment and commands Front.

(Platoon leaders same position for Platoon alignment.)

TO MARCH SQUAD WITHOUT UNNECESSARY COMMANDS.--The Corporal commands, _Follow Me_.

Men always at ease. Squad conform to pace of Corporal, and carry pieces as he does.

In line or skirmish line, No. 2 front rank follows in trace of Corporal at 3 paces. Others guide on No. 2.

AS SKIRMISHERS, MARCH.--At run. Rear rank men on right of file leaders. All conform to Corporals gait. In squad alone, skirmish line is formed on No. 2, front rank, Corporal ahead when advancing, in rear when halted.

Regular interval in skirmish line 1/2 pace = 1 yard per man.

Squad deployed = 10 paces.

Any number of paces may be specified, _e.g._ As Skirmishers, at 10 paces, March.

a.s.sEMBLE, MARCH.--Men form on corporal. If he continues to advance, move in double time, form and follow. Do not a.s.semble while marching to rear.

KNEEL.--Left forearm and left lower leg form straight line.

LIE DOWN.--On both knees, then both elbows.

RISE.--Stand on point marked by both knees.

(When deployed, may sit instead of kneel.)

LOADINGS AND FIRINGS.--Loadings are executed only in line and skirmish line.

Firings are always executed at a halt.

When kneeling and lying down in double rank, rear rank does not load, aim or fire.

In both cease firing and suspend firing pieces are loaded and locked. (Sec. 150, i.d.r., April, 1917, is incorrect.) 1. AIMING.--Target carefully pointed out.

2. SIGHT-SETTING ANNOUNCED. (Battle sight if none announced.) 3. (If by volley), Ready, Aim, Squad FIRE.

To continue volley firing, Aim, Squad FIRE.

Volley fire is used against large, compact enemy or in fire of position.

FIRE AT WILL.--Normally employed in attack and defense; 3 shots per minute at effective ranges (600 to 1,200 yards); 5 to 6 shots per minute at close ranges (up to 600 yards).

CLIP FIRE: Used (1) To steady men.

(2) To produce a short burst of fire.

UNLOAD.--Safety lock up.

EXTENDED ORDER.

A squad acting alone, as one out on a patrol or for instruction, the corporal acts as the leader of a small platoon leading the advance, and in rear when halted.

Men come to trail as they come on the skirmish line.

On halting, a deployed line faces front (direction of real or a.s.sumed enemy), and takes cover.

CORPORAL CAUTIONS.--By the Right Flank (if halted). Corporal steps out looking back to get his 10-pace interval. Squad Halt.

LEFT FACE.--Base squad deploys as soon as it has room.

Guide of a deployed squad is center without command.

Captain indicates point on which corporal of base squad is to march.

COMPANY RIGHT is executed as explained for front rank of Company, but at 1/2 pace intervals.

DEPLOYMENTS.

_From Line, to Form Skirmish Line to Front._

As SKIRMISHERS, GUIDE RIGHT, MARCH.--1. If marching, corporal commands, Follow Me. Corporal of base squad moves straight to front, deploys as soon as possible and advances until Company, Halt, is given.

Other squads move to left front and place squads on the line.

If guide is center, other corporals on right of center squad move to the right, and squads on the left to the left, and bring their squads on the line.

If guide is left, other corporals move to right front.

2. If at halt, base squad deploys abreast of its corporal, 3 paces in front of the former line, as soon as it has room.

Other squads are conducted by the left flank, to their places.

TO DEPLOY FROM COLUMN OF SQUADS, FORMING SKIRMISH LINE TO THE FRONT.--If at a halt, base squad deploys abreast of its corporal 3 paces in front of its former position.

If marching, base squad deploys and moves straight to the front.

If guide is right, other corporals move to left front and place squads on line.

If guide is center, corporals in front move to right (if at a halt, to right rear), the corporals in rear of center squad move to left and come on line in succession.

Column of twos or files are deployed by same commands in same manner.

If deployment in an oblique direction is desired, the captain points out desired direction.

Column of squads may be turned to the flank or rear and then deployed.

a.s.sEMBLE, MARCH.--In skirmish line, men a.s.semble at a run, to their places individually. Squads do not a.s.semble and march to places as units as do platoons.

PLATOONS, a.s.sEMBLE.--Men a.s.semble individually on the run, in their platoons and are then marched to relative position on base platoon as indicated by position or command of captain.

PLATOON COLUMNS.--Platoon leaders should be sure to go through center of platoon.

Platoon guides in rear.

Columns should be 20 yards apart, or more.

(Used to take advantage of few favorable routes where cover is poor or ground difficult.)

SQUAD COLUMNS.--Men oblique and follow squad leader. No advantage in cover, but used to advance more quickly over rough or brush grown ground.

(It might be desirable to teach men to take squad columns from column of squads.) In a.s.sembling from Platoon or Squad columns, the men reform by platoons or squads and are conducted by their leaders to point indicated by captain.

_Thin lines_ are used to cross wide stretches under artillery fire or heavy, long range rifle fire which cannot be profitably returned.

No. 1's FORWARD, MARCH.

First line is led by platoon leader, right platoon.

Second line is led by platoon guide, right platoon.

Third line is led by platoon leader, next platoon, etc.

Quick time, unless conditions otherwise demand.

CAPTAIN POINTS OUT NEW LINE.--Original intervals preserved.

DISADVANTAGE.--Serious loss of control over company.

ADVANTAGE.--Offers less definite target and is less likely to draw fire.