Tactics, Volume 1 (of 2). Introduction and Formal Tactics of InfantryBalck, W. (William)
History
Tactics, Volume 1 (of 2). Introduction and Formal Tactics of Infantry
Balck, W. (William)
Military art and science; Tactics
=England.= (Regulations dated 1896): Originally the regulations
prescribed rushes 30-40 m. long, but, as a matter of fact, their
length was actually increased to 60 and 100 m. during the first
engagements of the South African war, in cases where the fire of the
enemy was not especially heavy. The regulations of 1905, recently
published, state: “Rushes over open ground should not exceed 80-100
yards (_i.e._, 70-90 m.) and will, in fact, rarely reach this length.
At decisive ranges, _i.e._, under 540 m., they should be short enough
to afford the enemy no opportunity to pour a well-directed fire on
the skirmishers. When cover is available the advance is made from
cover to cover.” At another place the regulations state: “On open
ground and within effective range, long lines of skirmishers, rising
simultaneously, will suffer heavy losses even when making short
rushes; the sudden movement of smaller units may take the enemy
unawares, so that for a time at least well aimed fire is avoided. The
rush is continued only while the surprise of the enemy lasts. The
shorter the range, the smaller the advancing units will have to be,
and the shorter the length of the rushes.”
All preparations for a rush must be made as unostentatiously as
possible. The units following in rear should, whenever possible,
advance beyond the leading unit which is lying down and firing. When
an advance by rushes in units is impossible, individuals may run or
crawl forward.
=Italy.= Long rushes, at least with platoons, otherwise with
companies, are used as a rule, so long as the hostile fire permits.
When the intensity of the hostile fire increases, or after the
organizations have become mixed, rushes can no longer be made by
entire units but only by squads or like fractions. These leave the
main line and endeavor to reach the next cover at a rapid run, or if
cover be lacking, throw themselves down in order to open fire again
at the shorter range thus gained. As a rule, the leading echelons
open fire at once from their new positions so as to facilitate the
advance of the others, unless special circumstances make it advisable
to delay the firing until all the other units have reached a good
position and are able to direct an effective fire upon the enemy.
=Japan.= Rushes are made according to German pattern, their maximum
length being 100, their minimum 30-40 m. Rushes are not made by units
smaller than a platoon.
=Russia.= Rushes are made by individual men, by groups, by sections,
and by platoons. The length of the rushes is not indicated. When
sections advance by rushes the platoon commander indicates the
section which is to advance first, and also the order in which the
others are to follow. The Russian regulations are the only ones which
prescribe a “movement to the rear by rushes,” at a run.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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