Trench Warfare: A Manual for Officers and MenSmith, Joseph S. (Joseph Shuter)
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Trench Warfare: A Manual for Officers and Men
Smith, Joseph S. (Joseph Shuter)
Intrenchments; Siege warfare
The machine gunners are generally used at the rear of a party, so that
they can bring their guns into action from behind and sweep the top
of the ground around the trenches being attacked, in order to prevent
an overland attack on the bombing party. In all these formations the
number of men detailed must allow for casualties. Rapidity of movement
is essential, as crawling and stalking will give the waiting enemy an
advantage. The leading bayonet men generally move along the trench,
from corner to corner, in a succession of rushes, followed by first
bomber, and the thrower hurls as directed by the bayonet man. The
duty of the bayonet man is to protect the thrower and carrier at all
costs. Second bomber and carrier follow the leader, keeping one corner
behind to replace casualties. Each party must be regarded as reserves
to the party in front, and some method must be found every time a new
attack is carried out for giving the aerial service notice of trenches
occupied. If the head of a party is checked, that which has been gained
must be held by throwing up a barricade. In all attacks bombing parties
are supported by a party of sandbag men, under an experienced N. C. O.,
so that while bombers keep the enemy at bay a strong barracade may be
put up as quickly as possible.
This is generally done by placing what is known as a demolition tube
about 1½ feet from the bottom of the trench and in each side of the
trench. This will bring down enough of the sides of the trench to make
a good enough barricade for the moment, but great care must be taken
that while watching and protecting the barricade the enemy do not come
overland and drop in behind the barricade, with disastrous results to
the garrison.
Although the main defense of a line of trenches is infantry supported
by artillery and machine gun fire, parties of bombers should be
distributed throughout the front system of trenches. The best position
is in the support trenches close to the main communication trenches,
where they can make an immediate counter-attack should the enemy
succeed in gaining a footing. A bombing trench back about 20 yards in
the rear from which bombs may be thrown into the front trench, is a
distinct advantage.
The bombs stored in the trench should be kept ready-fused and with
detonators inserted. They must be distributed in a number of dry,
enclosed, as nearly as bomb-proof depots as possible, established at
frequent intervals along the trenches. A good type of grenade depot is
one built in a “T” shaped trench, slightly off the main trench.
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