ACTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK. Pl. III ] [Illustration: ACTION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK. Pl. IV ] [Illustration: ACTION OF RESERVE BATTALIONS. _Zone Definitely Cleared._ Pl. V ] ----- Footnote 1: Etude sur l’attaque dans la période actuelle de la guerre—Impressions et réflexions d’un commandant de compagnie; Paris, Librairie Blon, 1916. Communicated to the French Army by the Commander-in-Chief. Translated for the INFANTRY JOURNAL by an officer of infantry. Footnote 2: The great French offensive on Neuville-Saint-Vaast north of Arras.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 3: See Plate II at end of this article. Footnote 4: Communicating trenches. Footnote 5: The assault commenced at 10 o’clock.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 6: See Plate I at end of this article. Footnote 7: See Plate III at end of this article. Footnote 8: The French company has four sections, but no platoons except for administration.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 9: The word reinforcement (_renforts_) is defective for designating the second line, but it is the current and popular word that is used among the troops to designate whatever comes after the first line of attack.—See Plate IV at end of this article. Footnote 10: The author’s language may not be clear, but the point he wishes to bring out is that the first line of attack, consisting of several waves, will be entirely occupied in taking the first zone of defense; then and not until this is almost accomplished will the second line, complete in itself, like the first line assault over the same ground, each unit as in the first line having a pre-arranged objective; this second line not to be used by the superior commander for any but the preconceived program. Behind this second line are held as reserve other bodies of troops under the direct orders of the superior commander for employment against any resistance that the first and second lines have failed to take. Behind all this are the general reserves, several hours in rear, ready to march through the breach to the pursuit and to new battlefields beyond.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 11: When an attack is planned, numerous saps are run out to the front from the main firing trenches. The night before the attack, a parallel is broken out connecting the sap heads, and this parallel is amply provided with short ladders. Just before the artillery preparation is to cease, this parallel is filled with the companies detailed for the assault, and as the artillery ceases, the waves rush in succession up the ladders and to the front. Thus the name parallel of departure. Of course, to provide for the successive waves, not only the parallel, but the saps and the main trenches are filled with men who move up into the parallel as fast as room is made.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 12: Thirty inches, 140 per minute.—TRANSLATOR. Footnote 13: See Plates at end of this article.