Tactics and duties for trench fightingBertrand, Georges Etienne
History
Tactics and duties for trench fighting
Bertrand, Georges Etienne
Intrenchments
To make a little résumé, we may say that the best results will be
obtained by the proper combination of all of these weapons. The low
trajectory weapons (rifle, A. M. R., H. G., and the 37 mm. gun)
concentrate on everything that shows itself above the trenches; while
the high-angle missiles (H. G. and R. G.) seek out the enemy under
cover. The riflemen complete the success of the specialists by rushing
forward and occupying the enemy’s position and fighting hand to hand for
it if necessary.
III. Formations for Maneuvering this Resultant Company of Specialists
(Formation of the Platoon)
=Initial Formation.= The initial formation of the platoon in sections of
specialists as per diagram is almost self-explanatory. Each group of
specialists is in this formation under the control of its leader ready
for any maneuver.
The platoon is the attacking unit because it contains all the
specialists required for the assault. The frontage of an offensive is
composed of a series of platoons, each with a definite objective, and
each with reinforcing platoons in depth following.
[Illustration: INITIAL FORMATION OF THE PLATOON LINE OF SECTION COLUMNS]
All other formations, whether for combat or ordinary march maneuvers,
are based upon this initial formation.
=Close Order and March Formations.= From the initial formation, we pass
to the close order formations, used for parade, roll call, or the march.
(_a_) First we have the company in line, which is the habitual formation
for assembly.
(_b_) From the company in line is formed a column of fours, for
marching. The squads that are complete execute “squads right or left,”
while the remaining odd number of specialists in any section execute the
easiest movement to bring them into column of fours, sometimes with
blank files behind the rest of their section.
=Approach March.= The approach march is a name given to the formations
that the platoon in section columns takes up to minimize casualties
while crossing the zone of artillery fire.
These formations are taken up under the conditions of open warfare, or,
in the case of reinforcements, following up an attack.
The formations may be in “Line of Section Columns” or “Double Line of
Section Columns.” In the first case, each section may be in single file
or in double column; or again the first and fourth platoon section may
be in double column and the second and third sections in single file: In
the “Double Line of Section Columns” any of the formations in the
diagrams may be taken up, depending upon circumstances.
[Illustration: FORMATIONS FOR ASSEMBLY, MARCH, AND PARADE]
The interval between sections is variable, but usually the interval is
such as to give room for the proper development into line of
skirmishers.
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