The training of an infantry companyKirkpatrick, E. (Edward)
History
The training of an infantry company
Kirkpatrick, E. (Edward)
Great Britain. Army -- Infantry -- Drill and tactics; Infantry drill and tactics
For patrolling by day, tell off the whole strength into patrols of
four or six men, one of whom will command in each patrol. Let each
take up the formation it would usually adopt; that is, one or two
files in advance, followed by the rest at a distance sufficient to
prevent the surprise of the whole by one and the same opening of
fire. Teach the method advocated for movement across country, i.e.,
a careful but rapid advance from one cover to another, also how to
approach suspicious localities. The leading file halts and looks
for any signs of the enemy; meanwhile the rear file comes nearly
up to it; the leading file then moves forward while the rear file
lies down with rifles loaded and sighted, ready to fire at once to
cover the others if the enemy shows himself. If the locality to be
searched can be outflanked, the leading files should move round one
or both flanks before closing in on it. If it is one that cannot be
outflanked, as, for instance, a straight edge of a large wood, they
should approach it under cover, creeping up a hedgerow perhaps, and
so get inside. If there is no cover they may try some ruse to draw
the enemy’s fire before getting too close, halting as if they had
seen something, shading the eyes with the hand, pointing and then
starting to run back as if alarmed, which might lead the enemy to
open fire to prevent their escape. But it is rather hard to get
men to do this play-acting unless there is a real force of “Blue”
or “Red” enemy against them. The commander of the patrol, when
approaching any place, should tell his men what they are to do if it
is seen to be held by the enemy, i.e., to lie still and watch, or
retire. If the latter, he should fix some place in rear where the
patrol could rally after getting out of harm’s way.
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