Nothing in the previous section is intended to relieve the company commander of his responsibility in all that concerns his command. He will make arrangements for the distribution of fresh supplies of ammunition, but it is important he should not allow himself to become too much engrossed in details which should be looked to by his subordinates. In defence, the occupation, to the best advantage, of the ground allotted to him, is the company commander’s first duty. THE BATTALION IN DEFENCE. =172.= GENERAL RULES. 1. If the front is very extended, or if it runs through close or broken country, it may be broken up into sections of defence. 2. When acting independently the officer commanding will himself give the signal for the decisive counter-attack. This attack will, as a rule, be commanded by the officer specially detailed to command the general reserve. =173.= _Duties of the Commanding Officer._ 1. He will see that the reserve ammunition is conveniently placed. 2. He will ensure that communication is maintained with the troops on either flank. 3. He will report all movements of the enemy. 4. If he commands a section of the defence, he will watch for opportunities for local counter-attack. 5. He will keep up communication by means of his signallers with his brigadier. 6. He will fix on some central position, where he can receive reports, and communicate rapidly with all portions of his force. 7. He will arrange for first treatment of casualties on the spot, and for their transfer to the dressing station of the bearer company. 8. He will make himself acquainted with the best line of retirement to the rallying position. THE BRIGADE AND DIVISION IN DEFENCE. =174.= GENERAL RULES. 1. The duties of a brigade or divisional commander are practically the same as those of the officer commanding a battalion. It may be repeated, however: (i) that the rule of detailing a complete unit, with an adequate staff, for the delivery of the decisive counter-attack, should always be observed; (ii) that the position of the officer commanding should be carefully selected. 2. On an extended field of battle, and particularly in broken country, it is not always easy to find a place where the firing-line can be supervised, and the opportunities for counter-attack observed before it is too late to take advantage of them; and in some cases, the officer commanding will have to rely entirely on the reports of his staff officers and the subordinate commanders. It is essential, then, that the system of collection and transmission of information should be complete and thoroughly understood; in peace exercises as much attention should be paid to this most important point as to training officers and men to make clear, concise and useful reports. SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT OF S.A. (·303-INCH) AMMUNITION IN THE FIELD.