Besides this material preparation, the officers of the relieving companies are responsible for the morale of their troops. Before going into the trenches there may be some apprehension on the part of the troops, which must be dispelled by the officers. The great factor of depression is the mystery of what is not known of the sector about to be entered. Platoon leaders and company officers try to clear up this difficulty by telling their men what is known of the sector they are going to hold, and otherwise speaking words of encouragement. =Reconnaissance.= Prior to taking over a sector, a preliminary reconnaissance is made by a certain number of officers and orderlies. They are: For the Regiment—The colonel and part of his headquarters staff (adjutant, intelligence officer, telephone officer, engineer officer, medical officer, supply officer). For the Battalion—The battalion commander and his adjutant. For the Companies—The company commander and one officer for each company. Machine gun company commander and one machine gun officer. The commander of the 37 mm. gun platoon. Messengers and telephone men at the discretion of the adjutant and the company commanders. The above reconnaissance parties will go into the trenches on the morning of the day preceding the night relief. They must start early enough to permit a certain number of officers of these parties to return to the billets with all details and information necessary for the movement of the relief into the sector. The adjutant and the lieutenants of each company remain in the trenches until the relief arrives. During the intervening time they must acquaint themselves with all details of the sector necessary for the execution of its defense. This preliminary reconnaissance affords an opportunity to the different leaders and chiefs of services to note the particular things of interest to each. For the Colonel or Battalion Commander—The general organization and defense of their area. For the Adjutants—The works under construction, precautions against gas attacks, etc. For Officers of the Regimental Headquarters Co.—Information as follows: Information Service—Activity of the enemy, microphones, observation posts and observatories, carrier pigeon posts, signal rockets. Telegraph Service—Telephone systems, flashlight posts, wireless or ground telegraphy installations. Engineer and Ordnance Service—Depots and supply (material and ammunition), special engineer works, trench mortar emplacements. Medical Service—Dressing stations, evacuation of the wounded, hygiene (latrines, etc.). Supply Officer—Emplacements of the kitchens, food supply.