Military Instructors Manual Part 58

8. After the encircling movement has once begun, the platoon commander loses all control, and the action is then conducted by the section, squad or team leaders. They must be trained to act on their own initiative, as further orders are rarely practicable.

The resistance will finally be overcome, either because the enemy will retreat or surrender under the menace of encirclement, or by the losses caused by our fire or by the attack at close range of our bombers or else by the final a.s.sault with the bayonet led by our riflemen.

It must be remembered that under an artillery barrage it is never possible to issue verbal orders, so the sections must be trained to understand and obey the arm signals of its officer, or more often to work without orders.

9. A sequence of command must be arranged in each section, squad and team down to the last man.

REMARKS REGARDING THE FORMING OF WAVE FROM CLOSE ORDER.

The sketch of deployment attached is an ill.u.s.tration of one of the formations that may be adopted. It is given as an example. Any other wave formation may be practically as easily formed up. The platoon commander simply calls out the squads he wants in the first line.

_It must not be imagined that this transition from close order to extended is done in the field when actually under fire or as a result of surprise._

Before the platoon goes into an attack it is all arranged so as to allow it to be changed with ease from column of sections at extended intervals (formation for approach) to the wave formation decided upon.

This arrangement is made when the platoon is miles to the rear.

When the change is made from column of sections to the wave formation there must be no crossing of sections as they go to their places.

Some of the Many Questions a Platoon Commander 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 circ.u.mstances, 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, catapults, 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?

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 got at least one loophole, from which men can snipe, for every section? Have I pointed out to Section Commanders the portion of the enemy's trench they are responsible for keeping under fire, and where his loopholes are?

19. Have my men always got their smoke helmets on 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 defences as firewood?

23. Are my men drinking water from any but authorized sources?

24. _I am here for two purposes: To hold this line under all circ.u.mstances, and I 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, catapults, etc., and patrols?_

Defensive Measure Against Gas Attacks.

I. Introduction.

A. General Considerations:

In the absence of suitable means of protection the poison gases used in war are extremely deadly and the breathing of only very small quant.i.ties of them may cause death or serious injury. This being the case, it is essential that not the slightest time should be lost in putting on the anti-gas device on the gas alarm being given.

It cannot be too strongly insisted on that the measures to meet hostile gas attacks afford _perfect protection_, and if they are carried out properly no one will suffer from gas poisoning.

The whole basis of protecting troops against gas lies (a) in keeping the appliances in perfect working order; (b) in learning to adjust them rapidly under all conditions, and (c) in ensuring that every man is given immediate warning. These results can only be attained:

(1) By frequent and thorough inspection of all protective appliances.

(2) By thorough instruction and training in their use.

(3) By every man understanding and complying with all standing orders on the subject of defense against gas.

If these are effectually carried out, there is nothing to fear from hostile gas attacks. Officers must impress this on their men, as an important object of all anti-gas instruction should be to inspire complete confidence in the efficacy of the methods which are adopted.

B. Nature of Gas Attacks:

(1) GAS CLOUDS:

This method of making a gas attack is entirely dependent on the direction of the wind. The gas is carried up to the trenches compressed in steel cylinders. These are dug in at the bottom of the trench and connected with pipes leading out over the parapet. When the valves of the cylinders are opened, the gas escapes with a hissing sound, which, on a still night, can frequently be heard at a considerable distance. It mixes with the air and is carried by the wind towards the opposing trenches, spreading out as it goes forward.

A continuous wave of gas and air is thus formed, the color of which may vary: