When the classes have been shown the methods of using the butt and the knees, they should be practised on the padded stick; _e.g._, fix several discs on a dummy; make a thrust at one; use the knee on another, low down; jab a third, and so on. Light but still sufficiently-strong dummies should be used for practice with the butt, in order to avoid damage to it. It is apparent that bayonet fighting as taught for trench warfare abroad lacks all the niceties of the art of bayonet fencing prescribed in our manual. _In bayonet fighting no “fouls” are known. The only rule to follow is: “Get after your man, put him out of action by any means at your command.”_ CHAPTER III THE TACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE BAYONET. A bayonet assault should preferably be made under cover of fire, surprise, or darkness. In these circumstances, the prospect of success is greatest, for a bayonet is useless at any range except hand-to-hand. At night, all these covers can be utilized. On the other hand, confusion is inherent in fighting by night, consequently the execution of a successful night attack with the bayonet requires considerable and lengthy training. Units should be frequently practised in night work with the bayonet. The bayonet is essentially a weapon of offense, which must be used with skill and vigor, otherwise it has but little effect. To await passively an opportunity of using the bayonet entails defeat, since an approaching enemy will merely stand out of bayonet range and shoot down the defenders. [Illustration: PLATE VIIIA.--TYPE OF SIMPLE “FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE” COURSE. It is attacked both ways, and the positions of the trench sack dummies are varied.] In an assault, the enemy should be killed with the bayonet. Firing should be avoided, for in the mix-up a bullet, after passing through an opponent’s body, may kill a friend who happens to be in the line of fire. FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE. _This practice is to be carried out only after the men have been thoroughly trained in all the preliminary lessons and have acquired complete control of their weapons, otherwise injury to rifles and bayonets will result from improper application of the methods laid down in the foregoing instruction._ The Final Assault Practice must approximate as nearly as possible to the conditions of actual fighting. Nervous tension, due to the anticipation of an attack, reacting on the body, as well as the dash across the open and the final dash at the enemy, combine to tire an assaulting party. It is only by their physical fitness and superior skill in the use of the bayonet that they can overcome a comparatively fresh foe.