Tactics and duties for trench fighting — John Shaqi
Tactics and duties for trench fightingBertrand, Georges Etienne
History
Tactics and duties for trench fighting
Bertrand, Georges Etienne
Intrenchments
Additional details (result of the reconnaissance).
=Departure.= Before departure, each company is inspected by its company
commander, who must see that each man has his canteen full, his rations
for the day, a full supply of cartridges, the magazine of his rifle
loaded (no cartridges in the chamber), and his gas mask in good
condition. In winter the relieving troops will find a supply of blankets
and trench boots in the sector. Usually each man should carry an extra
supply of cartridges above that laid down by regulation, and two
sandbags. There should be a certain number of flashlights and candles to
the company (each corporal carrying a minimum of two candles). Just
previous to departure or entraining the battalion commander himself
makes a general inspection of his unit.
III. Movement of the Relief
=March to the Rendezvous Point of the Guides.= Usually the regiment
marches, but it is sometimes transported in motor trucks, up to a point
in the rear of the sector, called the point of dispersion, from which
the different battalions branch off successively to go to their
respective areas. This practice avoids the crossing of units. A short
meal may be had by the regiment at the point of dispersion. The distance
of this point behind the sector and the time of arrival of the relieving
unit must be carefully calculated so that the relief may be finished
early enough to permit the unit relieved to get out of sight of the
enemy before daylight.
When the battalions leave the rendezvous point, each company sends to
the battalion headquarters two messengers for the purpose of liaison.
The units now follow the prescribed itineraries up to the rendezvous
point where the guides are met.
=Guides.= During the reconnaissance, the company to be relieved details
certain men to act as guides for the incoming company. An average of two
guides is furnished for each platoon, one for each company headquarters,
and one for each battalion headquarters. These guides await the arrival
of the different units at a certain point called the rendezvous point of
the guides. Usually this point is at the entrance of the boyau. As
several guides are usually grouped at the same rendezvous point,
they must be alert to meet the unit to which they are assigned. A
non-commissioned officer of the retiring battalion is in charge of this
group and he is responsible that each guide finds his unit. Each guide,
of course, must know the best and safest route by which to conduct the
unit to the position it must occupy.
=March in the Boyaux.= From the rendezvous point, the companies continue
their march in the boyaux which are assigned to them. One guide leads
each platoon while the second guide brings up its rear. The leading
guide must inform the platoon commander of the different points of
interest that are passed, such as each line of the sector, regimental or
battalion command posts, depots, water points, etc.
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