[Illustration: Figure 14.—Horizontal Butt Stroke—Delivery to the Head.] [Illustration: Figure 15.—Horizontal Butt Stroke—Delivery to the Side.] 306. THE JAB a. Execution.—The jab is executed as follows: (1) Assume the guard position. (2) Move the left hand downward diagonally across the body, extending the left arm fully. At this point the blade of the bayonet should be flat, pointed toward the opponent. At the same time, pull the small of the stock to the rear with the right hand until the cone of the stock is opposite the hip bone and the right forearm is resting along the flat of the stock with the sling turned out. (See fig. 16.) (3) Aim the blade at the opponents midsection from the stomach to the throat. (4) Step forward about 15 inches with the left foot, pushing forward with the shoulders, and thrusting the blade into the opponent. (See figs. 17 and 18.) b. Recovery to the Guard Position. (1) Withdraw the blade and bring the right hand down and forward while bringing the left hand back. (2) Step forward with the right foot and assume the guard position. [Illustration: Figure 16.—Jab Step Forward.] [Illustration: Figure 17.—Jab to the Throat.] [Illustration: Figure 18.—Jab to the Midsection.] SECTION 4: INDIVIDUAL DEFENSE 401. GENERAL At times the bayonet fighter may lose the initiative and the opponent may move into the attack. Some defensive measures are therefore necessary for protection and in order to permit the bayonet fighter to regain the initiative. The basic defensive moves are the block and parry. The parry is effective against the jab, while the block is used against the slash and the vertical butt stroke. Timing, speed, and judgment are key factors in handling defensive moves. The parry is done either to the right or left, depending on the position of the incoming blade. If the opponent’s blade comes in above the bayonet fighter’s piece, the parry should be to the right. If it comes in below the bayonet fighter’s piece, the parry should be to the left. 402. PARRY RIGHT a. Execution (1) If the opponent’s blade is thrust toward the bayonet fighter in a position above the piece of the bayonet fighter, the parry will be to the right. (2) From the guard position, step forward about 7 inches with the left foot, keeping the right foot as a base. (3) Extend the left arm outward, to the right and down, engaging the opponent’s weapon and forcing it to the right and down. This is done by pulling the right hand back along the right hip. Ideally, the opponent’s weapon is engaged at the balance of the bayonet fighter’s weapon. The operating handle is pointed toward the deck after the opponent’s weapon is engaged. (See fig. 19.) b. Move into the Attack and Recovery. (1) Move directly into the attack rather than returning to the guard position. (2) Deliver a jab, or step forward with the right foot and deliver a vertical butt stroke. (3) Recover to the guard position as prescribed in section 3.