Military Instructors Manual Part 65

9. Danger points.

10. Location and condition of stores.

11. Liaison.

7. Guides.--A. Arrangements will be made between the company commanders of the incoming and outgoing companies as to the rendezvous where guides will be provided by the latter to conduct the incoming troops to the trenches.

B. One guide per platoon, one for each company and one for battalion headquarters will be provided. These guides must know the exact spot where they will meet the relief troops and the best way to conduct the units to the particular section of the trench they will occupy.

8. Smoking and Talking.--A. After leaving the rendezvous there will be no smoking and talking until arrival in trenches. Strictest march discipline will be enforced on the way to and from the trenches.

9. Procedure on Arrival at Trenches.--A. The troops being relieved will not leave the trenches until the relieving troops are in position and the new sentries have been posted, all trench stores have been handed over and receipted for, and orders to move have been received from the Company Commander.

B. Platoon commanders will at once personally see that all sentinels are properly posted, that the non-commissioned officer is on duty, that every man knows his place in case of attack, and that both flanks of his platoon are in liaison with the adjoining platoon.

C. When reliefs are completed, Platoon Commanders will report to that effect to the Company Commander.

D. Men will not be dismissed until the Company Commander has received the reports from all of his Platoon Commanders that everything is in order.

10. Log Books.--A. Each Company Commander will keep a log book in which will be entered:

1. Work done.

2. Number of men working.

3. Hours worked.

4. Any information obtained from sentries, patrols, or other sources.

They will also enter in this book a list of any trench stores that come into their possession.

11. Equipment.--A. Equipment will be worn in the front trenches.

Haversacks, packs, and trench tools need not be worn, these will be left in the shelters. In support and reserve trenches, they will be worn at the discretion of the Company Commander.

B. Ration and carrying parties will wear equipment and carry rifles unless otherwise ordered.

C. Pieces will be a.s.sumed to be loaded and locked at all times.

D. In the firing trenches bayonets will be fixed at night.

E. Non-commissioned officers and men of the firing line will at all times be in possession of their rifles and bayonets. The rifles of men in the support and reserve trenches or dugouts will be where they can be quickly seized, even in the dark.

12. Stretcher Bearers.--A. Stretcher bearers will be stationed at a point designated by the Company Commander.

13. Discipline.--A. Sleeping in the firing trenches will not be permitted.

B. No man will enter the firing trench, except in discharge of his duty, unless so ordered by his Company or Platoon Commander.

C. Sentries will remain standing unless the height of the parapet renders this impossible.

D. Saluting and standing at attention, etc., will be as carefully adhered to as when in camp except that sentinel will not let this interfere with their duties.

14. Rations and Cooking.--A. Cooking will be done in the rear of the reserve at a point to be designated.

B. Company Quartermaster Sergeants will accompany ration parties, which will be limited in size to the actual needs for bringing up cooked rations from the point where cooking is done, to the trenches.

At no time should this exceed ten per cent of the effective strength of the unit from which sent.

C. Care will be taken that as little noise as possible be made by these carrying parties.

15. Sanitation.--A. The importance of strict attention to sanitation will be impressed upon all ranks.

B. The commanding officer of each unit is responsible for sanitation in his sector. He will make frequent inspections of latrines, refuse pits and trenches to ascertain that no unsanitary conditions exist.

C. Latrines will be constructed in the trenches, excreta kept covered at all times and such disinfectants as may be provided will be used at regular intervals. When filled within eighteen inches of the top, pits will be filled with earth and labeled.

D. Urinal cans will be provided and men required to use these cans and contents will be emptied as often as necessary into deep pits at least one hundred yards from the trenches. Empty tin cans, particles of food and other refuse will be collected in receptacles kept in the trenches for that purpose and carried to the rear and buried in pits. This is usually done at night.

Emergency Dumps for Companies (Material).

1. Any large sh.e.l.l crater will do for these or holes can be dug 10' x 10,' x 5' deep.

CONTENTS OF DUMP.

10 rolls barbed wire.

8 coils French accordion wire.

30 long screw stakes.

50 short screw stakes.

4 prepared wire blocks (gooseberries).

STORES FOR COMPANY.

100 very flares.

6 S.O.S. rockets.

2 verminal sprayers.

1 strombos horn. (gas alarm) rubber boots.

periscopes.

200 revolver ammunition.

1 log book.

1 set maps.

1 set air photos.

1 defense scheme.

2. These are taken over and signed for. Each dugout must have a gas blanket and some form of gas alarm (usually empty sh.e.l.l case.)

STORES AT BATTALION HEADQUARTERS.

1 strombos horn.

2 verminal sprayers.

300 very flares.

20 S.O.S. rockets.