One of the best methods of training a command in the final assault is to construct a section of trench, forming a course, over which the training may be conducted. The edges of the trenches should be protected by logs anchored back in the parapets or solid ground. Constant use will soon wear them down if this precaution is not taken. Cinders placed on the course are a great advantage, for they prevent the men from slipping. When dummy targets are laid on the ground or on parapets, care should be taken to see that the earth under them is free from stones, otherwise bayonets will be injured when the thrust penetrates clear through the dummy and into the ground. For this practice work it will be well to select the bayonets of the company that are most worn and use them exclusively. Most interesting and practical problems in the tactics of trench warfare can be solved by combining the assault practice with other forms of training such as the operations of grenadier squads in clearing fire trenches and communication trenches; throwing hand grenades, to cover the assault; barricading with sandbags and the construction of trenches. The illustration herein shows a type of Final Assault Practice course, that may be prepared with a minimum expenditure of labor and material. It occupies a space of about 100 feet in width and may be of varying depth according to the elements that it is desired to introduce. A platoon of four squads with the squad leaders taken out of the line and placed in rear to direct their squads, may be run over the course with safety after the men have had sufficient preliminary training. The elements of this course are: 1. A line of traversed type of fire trench. There being four bays, 18 feet long with 6 foot traverses. This trench is the simple type of standing trench shown in the profile. 2. A supervision trench located parallel to and about 50 feet in rear of the fire trench. Profile shown. 3. Communication zigzags from the supervision trench to the fire trench. 4. Two communication zigzags of three legs each running to the rear from the supervision trench. 5. The location of squad dugouts in rear of the bays of the fire trench and platoon dugouts just in rear of the supervision trench are indicated. It is not necessary for the purposes to excavate these. The location of the entrances in the trenches should be indicated. The starting line is 40 feet in front of the traversed fire trench. This may be a deep trench or merely a line as desired. The trench gives good practice for the men in getting out of a fire trench, quickly and forming a line beyond. The whole system of trenches should be constructed on ground that can be easily drained. ACCESSORIES 1. Portable gallows for the suspension of from one to four targets are constructed and located at such points as may be desired in the area between the fire trench and the supervision trench and that to the rear of the latter. [Illustration: _Gallows with Dummy._]