On relieving the fire trenches, the men should make no noise, and rifles must be carried so that they do not show over the parapet. This is necessary even if enemy’s trenches are at a distance, as there is always the possibility of a listening or observation post being quite near. Each man should pair off with one of the party occupying the trench and find out from him any points which may be useful. A commander should consult the officer or N. C. O. in charge of the outgoing party and obtain the fullest information possible in connection with the position. Particular points on which information should be obtained from the outgoing officer are generally: (a) behavior of enemy during period preceding relief and any point in their line requiring special information, such as enemy may have cut wire as though preparing to attack; (b) machine gun implacement may be suspected at some particular point; (c) anything ascertained by patrols about ground between firing lines, thus avoiding unnecessary reconnoissance; (d) any standing arrangement for patrols at night, including point at which wire can best be passed, ground to be patrolled, or place where they can lie under cover; (e) any parts of trench from which it is not safe to fire. Such positions are apt to occur in winding trenches, and are not always recognizable in the dark; (f) special features of trench, recent improvements, work not completed, dangerous points (on which enemy machine guns are trained at night), useful loopholes for observation; (g) places from which wood and water can be safely obtained; (h) amount of ammunition, number of picks, shovels and empty sandbags in that section of the line. Information on these points cannot always be given by word of mouth. Written notes and plans should, therefore, be handed over to a platoon commander taking over for the first time. In the meantime the incoming party should fix bayonets and all go temporarily on sentry at posts taken over. Occasional shots should be fired, so that the enemy’s suspicions may not be roused. The outgoing party then starts back, and when clear, the relieving party should be numbered off and sentries posted and dugouts allotted. When practicable sentries should be taken from the dugout closest to his post. By day the number of sentries varies, but should not be less than one in six. The platoon sergeant is responsible for changing sentries, who are generally not on duty more than one hour at a time, unless under exceptional circumstances. When the maximum amount of labor must be obtained from the battalion holding the line, sentry duty is of any length that fits in with working arrangements.