The training of an infantry companyKirkpatrick, E. (Edward)
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The training of an infantry company
Kirkpatrick, E. (Edward)
Great Britain. Army -- Infantry -- Drill and tactics; Infantry drill and tactics
In the charge, the men
should work by their files, i.e., the two men of each file should act
together and run at the same objective. The meaning of this is that
in actual conflict two men would go together for the same individual
enemy, and between the two of them they would be pretty sure to bring
him to an untimely end, if the enemy really waited for the steel, and
with less chance of his doing damage than if the combat took place
man-to-man; thereafter they could turn their attentions to some other
person.
For the practice choose and indicate any position for assault; work
sections up to about two hundred yards from it, and then order rapid
fire and bayonets to be fixed. As soon as all are ready, order the
charge to be sounded. (I.T., 124). When the men hear the bugle they
must at once jump from their cover and go straight and hard at the
position; there must be no waiting by individuals to fire a last shot
or two. The rush should be made suddenly and swiftly, so that the
enemy has no time to see what is happening before the men are well on
their way at him. When the position is reached, pass right through
it and well beyond it, to escape hostile gunfire (I.T., 124 (5)),
and then order the “Halt,” when the men may lie down under cover and
open a pursuing fire. Walk along the line and see, with the help of
non-commissioned officers, whether men of each file are together; if
so, it will be proof that they have obeyed the directions to keep
together during the charge. Allow a minute or two of the pursuing
fire, then let section or platoon commanders sound their whistles,
close and reform their sections under cover. On the whistle-sound
(a succession of short blasts), men rise and double to where the
commander is, resume their places, and lie down. This re-organisation
is very important for you as company commander, for by it you get
your men formed up quickly into platoons and ready to be closed
into company or to take fresh orders in the minimum of time. The
usual thing seen is that after the assault the ground is covered
with a mixture of men of all companies staring about, and apparently
thinking the show at an end, whereas on service this is the very time
you may expect either a counter-attack by infantry or a burst of
artillery fire directed on the lost position.
To repeat the orders of the assault: “Rapid Fire; Fix Bayonets;
Charge; Halt and Take Cover; Commence Fire; Rally and Close Under
Cover,” and be ready for further happenings.
EXERCISE V.
THE SECTION AND PLATOON IN THE ATTACK.
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