(_g_) On taking over a line of trenches a company commander will at once get in touch with the companies on his right and left; he will ascertain the position of the nearest supporting troops, of the reserve ammunition, of any machine guns or bombing posts, and of his battalion headquarters; he will ascertain the best and quickest means of obtaining artillery support, and he will have all wires, including the artillery wire, if there is one, tested. When his platoons have taken over, and he is satisfied that all is correct, he will inform his commanding officer by telephone that the relief of his company is complete. (_h_) The actual relief of trenches should be carried out in the following manner: The platoon being relieved gets on the firing step. The relieving platoon files in behind and halts. On the word "pass," which will be given quietly, being passed along, the relieved and relieving platoons will change places. The company commander of the relieving company will then supervise the posting of sentries by his platoon commanders. He will satisfy himself that each post is properly relieved and that the orders for the post are correctly handed over. The greatest care and attention to detail are necessary in this. The exact frontage for which each platoon commander is responsible will be clearly defined. Before dismissing his company the company commander will ensure that each man has an alarm post from which he can use his rifle freely and fire at the bottom of our own wire entanglements. Each man must also know the position of company headquarters, the reserve ammunition, and latrines. Every company commander in the front line will have control of the grenadiers employed on his front. (_i_) Within 24 hours of taking over a new line of trenches a company commander will forward a report on his trenches as follows: Garrison of trench. Field of fire. Distance from enemy's trench. General condition of trench. Whether every man has a post from which he can fire at the bottom of our own wire entanglements. Number of efficient loopholes. Whether the parapet is bullet proof throughout. Whether sufficient traverses. State of our wire. State of enemy's wire. Drainage. Number of boxes of reserve ammunition. Number of bombing posts and of bombs with each. Number of rounds of VERY pistol ammunition. Number of VERMOREL sprayers. Number of gongs. A rough sketch showing the position of bombers' posts, machine guns, grenade stores, and reserve ammunition should accompany the report. (_j_) Before handing over trenches, officers commanding companies will draw up a statement containing all available information on the following points: Our own trenches and wire. The enemy's trenches and wire. Habits of the enemy.