Specimens of British Trench OrdersArmy War College (U.S.)
History
Specimens of British Trench Orders
Army War College (U.S.)
Great Britain. Army; Intrenchments; Military orders; World War, 1914-1918
=18. "S. O. S." AND "TEST" SIGNALS.=--In the event of an infantry
attack by the enemy, a mine being fired, or other emergency, the S. O.
S. signal will be sent by the quickest route to the Field Artillery
battery covering the trenches concerned.
_The signal will be followed by the number of the trench, e.g., "S. O. S.
B4."_
The signal will be repeated to battalion H. Q., who will transmit it to
brigade H. Q.
On receipt of the S. O. S. signal all batteries covering the trenches
concerned will open a concentrated fire on the enemy's front line.
When necessity for fire no longer exists, a message to this effect will
be sent to the artillery and to brigade H. Q.
In order to test the efficient working of the artillery lines, "test"
messages will frequently be sent from the trenches to the supporting
battery.
The number of the trench will always be sent, e.g., "Test A 6."
The test will consist of one round of shrapnel fired on the "night
line" of the battery. No target will be given by the officer in the
trenches.
The time taken from the handing in of the message until the shell
bursts will be carefully noted and reported to battalion H. Q. The O.
C. battalion will enter the result of all tests in his daily report.
He will give the exact time at which the test was sent and will state
whether it was a "direct" or an "indirect" test. A "direct" test is
from trench to battery. An "indirect" test is from trench via battalion
H. Q. to battery.
=19. VERMOREL SPRAYERS.=--One man will be detailed to look after each
sprayer. A spare tin of solution will be kept with each sprayer.
Medical officers will periodically inspect both sprayers and solution.
=20. HOSTILE ARTILLERY FIRE.=--In reporting activity by the enemy's
artillery it is necessary to state:
(i) The time at which shelling began and when it ceased.
(ii) Your own position.
(iii) Whether howitzer or gun.
(iv) Direction from which shells arrive. Compass bearing should be
given if possible.
(v) Whether shells burst in the air or on "graze."
In reporting results of our own fire, state:
(i) Your own position.
(ii) Estimate distances short, over, right, or left, in yards.
Avoid vague statements.
(iii) Whether gun or howitzer.
(iv) Whether shrapnel or high explosive.
If shrapnel bursts in the air, judge whether range is correct by the
splash of the bullets on the ground and not by the burst.
=21. AIRCRAFT.=--On the approach of any of the enemy's aircraft three
blasts will be blown on a whistle. This will be the signal for all
ranks to keep perfectly still.
One blast on a whistle will indicate that the aircraft has moved away.
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