As soon as the enemy’s position has been carried, and prior to any attack on a further position, or any other operation whatsoever, every precaution must be taken against a counter-attack. In trench warfare, indiscriminate pursuit with the bayonet must never be allowed unless orders to that effect have been given by the leader of the assaulting party. The attacking troops are not so fresh as the enemy, and experience has shown that unorganized pursuit lends itself to ambush and casualties from machine-gun fire. In most cases the work of immediate pursuit is better done by the supporting artillery, the infantry assisting by rapid fire on the retreating enemy. ASSAULT PRACTICE. A useful form of Final Assault Practice which can be adapted to a variety of combat exercises is described in following paragraphs. The following materials are assumed: “A.” Communicating trenches leading to a fire trench with an open space in front. “B.” An occupied enemy-trench. “C.” Gallows with dummies, representing the enemy. (1) retiring from “B” or (2) coming up in support of “B” or (3) making a counter-attack on the captured trench “B.” [Illustration: PLATE IX.--EACH DUMMY MUST BE REGARDED AS AN ACTUAL ARMED OPPONENT.] 1. The attacking party makes a controlled assault on “A,” which is cleared of the enemy. 2. It then re-formed and an assault is launched on “B,” after taking which 3. “C” is regarded in one or other of the above ways, and action taken accordingly. Throughout the training, men must be constantly practised in: 1. The recognized method of carrying the rifle with bayonet fixed. 2. Rapid advance out of deep trenches. 3. Control and maintenance of line and opening fire during an advance. 4. Using the bayonet with effect in the cramped space of communicating and fire trenches. 5. Re-forming and opening of fire after the assault. 6. Acting as leaders of attacking party. Instructors should endeavor by every means in their power to arouse the interest and imagination of their men during the assault practice. The special phase of the combat which is to be carried out in the exercise should invariably be explained beforehand. Each dummy must be regarded as an actual armed opponent, and each line of dummies as an enemy line attacking, defending, or retiring, and be disposed of accordingly. Any tendency toward carelessness or slackness must be instantly checked, and it should be impressed on all ranks that a practice assault which is not carried out with the necessary quickness, vigor, and determination is worse than useless. Lack of imagination, which allows men and their leaders to violate the most elementary principles of tactics in practice assaults against dummies, can lead only to disaster in a real assault against an enemy. CHAPTER V GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR BAYONET TRAINING PRACTICE.