(v) Exposed ground will, if the enemy’s fire is heavy and accurate, be crossed by rushes at the quickest possible pace. Rushes, over open ground, should not exceed eighty or one hundred yards, and should rarely reach this limit. At decisive ranges a rush should not be so long that the enemy has time for aimed fire, and can only be continued whilst the surprise lasts. If cover exists they should be made from one shelter to the next. Ground which affords slight cover may be crossed by the men running, creeping, or crawling forward by ones or twos, each, if possible, selecting a different course, and starting at different times from different points of the line. (vi) Either before or during a forward movement each skirmisher should mark out for himself the new position he intends to occupy. This position should be as nearly as possible in a direct line forward, and should be such as not to mask or interfere with the fire of his comrades. (vii) The fire of a widely extended line is very ineffective. Under such circumstances, therefore, fire should rarely be opened, the advance being covered by the fire of the supporting troops. (viii) If the distance from cover to cover is too great to be crossed without halting, skirmishers, at the end of the first rush, will throw themselves down in the open, and lie perfectly motionless without firing, until they recover their wind. (ix) In the final advance against the position, after bayonets have been fixed, the skirmishers will either advance by rushes from cover to cover, or, if possible, in a general line. (x) The men of a squad, and the squads of a section, must always if possible keep together. 3. When two or more sections are advancing in a general line, and it is assumed to be no longer possible, owing to the intensity of the enemy’s fire, to advance in this formation, the advance will be conducted by alternate rushes. The commander of the section indicated, without rising or exposing himself, will warn the squad of his intention to advance, and will himself lead the way. When the commander halts, the section will at once conform to his movements and reopen fire. The section behind, which has been firing in order to cover the advance of the leading squad, will now rush forward, pass beyond, or align itself with, the leading section, halt, and open fire. 4. Bayonets will be fixed before the final advance from the fire position. =78.= _Position of the commanders._ Section and squad commanders will place themselves where they can best carry out their duties. In open ground, when the line is halted, and when the enemy’s fire is heavy, it is not possible for them to move about. In such circumstances the commanders must lie down, either on the flank or among the men. =79.= _Casualties._