It is inevitable in the heat of battle that battalions, companies, sections, and even squads will become mixed up. It is of very great importance to accustom the men to such conditions, and to make them understand that if they use their intelligence and their eyes, confusion may be readily reduced to order. The squad should be practised in reinforcing to the front. For this purpose two squads may be extended in two lines. On the word or signal _Reinforce_, the rear squad will advance as directed by the commander, and will carry forward the leading line of skirmishers, the intervals of which it will occupy, no regard being paid to the order in which the men may place themselves. But great attention should be paid to the following:-- (i) The men, whether they receive orders or not, should at once look for the nearest squad commander, and place themselves under his control. (ii) Skirmishers should be ordered to re-organise when the cover is so good as to afford a favourable opportunity, and the men should always be on the look out for such chances to rejoin their squads. (iii) Troops who are being reinforced should be careful to cover the advance of the reinforcements by directing a rapid fire on the enemy’s position. Squads should also be practised in reinforcing on either flank. On the word or signal _Reinforce_ the squad in rear will advance as directed by its commander, and prolong the leading line to the right or left. =57.= _Assembly after Dispersal._ The squad will be dispersed, and the men taught to assemble on their commander on the command _Assemble_, forming at the double in two ranks in their original position on his right. =58.= _Inspection of Skirmishers._ In testing the efficiency of a section of skirmishers, officers will carefully avoid a stereotyped catechism. Question and answer in the exact words of the manual result in a mere parrot-like knowledge, of no value in the field. Skirmishers should be questioned during a series of exercises on broken ground, and their replies should either be in the form of practical illustrations; for example, occupation of cover, approach of a position, crossing a sky-line, &c., &c.; or of explanations as to how they would act, or what they would report, in circumstances that might arise out of the exercise in progress. Furthermore, in attack and defence, in order to prevent the inspection becoming a repetition of operations already rehearsed, the officer will direct where the targets are to be placed, or give instructions to the men representing the enemy; and in all exercises--attack, reconnaissance, retirement, or defence--he will set the task for the squad to carry out. PART II THE TRAINING OF THE COMPANY. =59.= PRELIMINARY REMARKS.