4. Any standing arrangements for patrols at night, including point at which wire can best be passed, ground to be patrolled, or place where they can lie under cover. 5. Any parts of trench from which it is not safe to fire. Such positions are apt to occur in winding trenches, and are not always recognizable in the dark. 6. Special features of trench, recent improvements, work not completed, dangerous points (on which machine guns are trained at night), useful loopholes for observation. 7. Places from which food and water can be safely obtained. 8. Amount of ammunition, number of picks, shovels and empty sandbags in that section of the line. Information on these points cannot always be given properly by word of mouth. _Written_ notes and plans should therefore be handed over to a platoon commander taking over for the first time. Every man is required to see that he has a good firing position for all directions. Section commanders must satisfy themselves that men have done this, and report. _The whole line “Stands to Arms” during the hour before dawn._ After dark, unless the moon is bright, rifles should be left in firing position on the parapet. All men not on sentry should keep rifles, with bayonets fixed, in the trench. [Sidenote: Routine] 1. Double sentinel posts are established in each bay. They are on post one hour at a time. 2. When the enemy’s trench mortar detachments are active, special sentinels will be posted to give notice of coming bombs. 3. Every man in the platoon is to know: (_a_) The location of the platoon reserve ammunition and munitions. (_b_) The location of latrines. (_c_) The topography of the trenches in the platoon section and the adjoining sections, including the approaches. The location of the accessory defenses, listening and observation posts, machine-gun positions, snipers’ positions, trench mortar positions, etc. (_d_) The tactical disposition in the sector and the general disposition of the company. (_e_) The location of loopholes. (_f_) The places of especial danger in order that he may stay away from them. 4. Rifles are inspected twice daily. Every precaution is taken to keep the rifle and ammunition free from mud. 5. There is a gas helmet parade daily. 6. Accurate sketches are made of the trench and any addition or alteration entered on them. [Illustration: PLATE 42. _Organization of fire of Observers in the Combat Trench_] 7. Loopholes are inspected at dusk. 8. Wire entanglements are inspected and repaired under cover of darkness. 9. A log of events hour by hour should be kept which shows every item of enemy activity and the measures taken during the tour in the trenches. This will be a valuable reference when turning the trench over and will make a record of the habits of the enemy that may be most valuable as a guide for making plans to circumvent him. 10. The police and sanitation of the trenches will be carefully looked after.