Military Instructors Manual Part 31

Practice Marches.

"Special attention should be paid to the fitting of shoes and the care of the feet." (i.d.r., 627.)

Short marches from 2 to 4 miles should be made daily and at a uniform rate until the troops become hardened. Particular attention must always be paid to the rate of march--it is imperative for the leading element to keep a uniform rate per hour.

Be careful and see to it that your troops march on the right-hand side of the road, and during halts, no one, not even officers, must be permitted on the left. Keep closed up, and during the last mile of your march have your company sing some real snappy song, and they will come in in jubilant spirits. Keep the muzzles of your rifles always elevated on the march so that men marching in rear wont be bothered.

On the march the first halt is for 15 minutes taken after 45 minutes of marching. The men should be taught to use this time to adjust their clothing and equipment, and answer the calls of nature. Do not halt where there are houses, etc., on this first halt, as a great many men want to relieve themselves.

The succeeding halts are for 10 minutes after 50 minutes of marching--except of course during a forced march--when you would march for a longer period. During rainy or very hot weather the halts should be made oftener.

Do not have any straggling, remember if a man falls out he must have a certificate signed by an officer stating the cause. Have one officer march in rear of the company. Be careful about the use of water. Have your men take a good drink early in the morning just after reveille, and on the march use their canteen sparingly. One canteen of water must last one man one day. Do not allow men to drink until after the second halt.

On reaching camp the kitchens are put up, latrines are dug, and tents are pitched. When everything has been tended to each man should give his feet a good salt water bath. Put them in the water and let them remain there for 2 minutes. Do not dry them by rubbing, but sponge them--this will harden the feet. This should be done for the first three days, after which it can be dispensed with. A change of socks daily should be made, take one pair of socks from the pack, and wash out the dirty pair.

Try to avoid night marching.

The leading company in each regiment regulates the rate of march.

"The marching efficiency of an organization is judged by the amount of straggling and elongation and the condition of the men at the end of the march." (i.d.r., 632.)

Remember a sanitary squad should be detailed daily to police the immediate vicinity after each halt.

Field Work.

Field work will be cla.s.sified under the following heads: Orders, Deployment, Fire, Attack, Defense, Leaders.h.i.+p, Communications, Night Operations, Patrols, Advance Guards, Rear Guards, Flank Guards, Camp, March Outpost, and Outpost.

(a) AN ORDER is the will of the commander expressed verbally or in writing to his subordinates. It should be clear, concise and to the point. A field order should be given as follows: 1. Information of the enemy and supporting troops.

2. General plan of the commander.

3. Dispositions of the troops.

4. Instructions for the trains.

5. Place where messages are to be sent.

(b) DO NOT DEPLOY too early. It is very fatiguing, and has a tendency to disorganize the skirmish line. The major designates the companies to be on the firing line, and those to remain in support. The distance between the firing line and support is from 50 to 500 yards. The support should be as close as possible under cover.

(c) FIRE DIRECTION is the function of the company commander. He gives each platoon its sector or objective, determines the range, target, indicates the cla.s.s of fire, and the time to open fire. Fire control is given to platoon commanders. The platoon is the fire unit. "Fire control implies the ability to stop firing, change the sight setting and target, and resume a well directed fire. The best troops are those that submit longest to fire control." Fire discipline is the function of the individual soldier. "It implies that in a firing line without leaders, each man retains his presence of mind and directs effective fire upon the target."

(d) THE TROOPS march in column of squads until under the observation of the enemy. Platoon columns are used in crossing ground where there is cover. Squad columns are used across the artillery zone. At approximately 800 yards a skirmish line is formed. Thin lines may then be used to advance to the attack. Remember the Major has a.s.signed each company in the firing line an objective. Be sure to watch out for flank protection. If the Major has forgotten to have combat patrols on the exposed flank or flanks, it is up to the flank company to send out a combat patrol. This patrol should be slightly in advance of the front line, and off to the right or left. The advance is made by a fraction rus.h.i.+ng forward. These rushes are from 20 to 80 yards. When a rush is made the remaining troops fire faster. The firing line should not be reinforced by less than a platoon. The Major determines when to fix bayonets. The front rank men fix bayonets first, the rear rank men fire faster, then the rear rank men fix bayonets while the front rank fire faster. A battalion is the smallest unit in the firing line to inaugurate a charge. Remember the battalion is the attack unit.

In changing sight setting follow same plan as fixing bayonet, _i.e._, each front rank first, the rear rank man firing faster, etc.

(e) DEFENSE.--In defense the line is usually stronger and the support weaker than in the attack. Do not give up your ground unless you have written orders from the High Command. Watch out for flank protection by combat patrols.

(f) LEADERs.h.i.+P.--A good leader should possess self reliance, initiative, aggressiveness, superior knowledge, and have a conception of teamwork. Make your work a game in which each man has a part to play. Reward merit and give the disagreeable things to be done to the "knockers." A leader must know his men. Never give them a job to do that you couldn't do yourself. Train yourself to estimate the situation quickly and calmly. Have your men well disciplined, well drilled, well equipped, and well dressed. It might be called unmilitary by some of the sterner characters in our service, but we believe by occasionally drawing comparisons to something real amusing--a good joke--you show your men that the "old Man" is really made of human stuff. Be sympathetic, and it has been shown by experience that, for some slight breach of discipline a "little talk"

in the orderly room does the most good, and is the best form of punishment. Do your work cheerfully, and your men will do likewise.

Keep yourself abreast of the times in all matters military--remember your men look to you in time of action and excitement and you must be ready to deliver the goods. Work out and plan your orders, etc., simply. Morale is the greatest a.s.set an organization can have. Keep all your troubles and have the men keep theirs within the company.

Have _esprit de corps_. The real successful leader knows and plays the game.

(g) COMMUNICATIONS.--Communication is maintained by wireless, telegraph, telephone, signals, runners, carrier pigeons, aeroplanes, motor cars, patrols, and connecting files. Each unit usually maintains communication with the next higher command, and with similar commands on the flanks.

(h) NIGHT OPERATIONS.--They are used to minimize losses from hostile fire, to escape observation, and to gain time. The ground to be traversed at night should be carefully looked over in daylight. Some distinctive badge should be worn by our troops. The bayonet is chiefly used at night. Avoid firing. The enemy should be surprised. Place obstacles in front of your own lines at night. Usually 50 yards is the maximum range to fire at night.

(i) PATROLS.--"A commander may be excused for being defeated, but never for being surprised."

PATROLS.

Commander selects leader, strength, gives it a mission, when to report back, and where to send messages. He gives it a number if more than one patrol is sent out, information of the enemy, and location of any friendly patrols that may be or have been sent out. Patrol leader is then allowed to ask questions.

_Patrol Leader_.--He should have a compa.s.s, watch, pencil, note-book, knife, and a map of the country. He should then do the following:

1. a.s.semble his men.

2. Inspect them.

a. To see if they are fit for this duty.

b. That they have no valuable maps or papers, that their equipment does not rattle or s.h.i.+ne.

c. Rations and water.

3. He repeats the instruction that he has received.

4. He explains any signals that are to be used.

5. Designates a rallying point in case they are scattered.

6. Details a second in command.

7. Takes a formation that will favor the escape of at least one man.

_Conduct of the Patrol_.--1. Move cautiously but not timidly.

2. Do not flinch or show consciousness of it in case you become suddenly aware that you are under the observation of the enemy.

Not knowing that you are aware of his presence he will let you come on, and suddenly, when you see cover, make a dash for it and escape.

3. Do not get lost.

4. Do not allow yourself to think of the enemy as being in one direction only.

5. In entering or pa.s.sing through woods take an extended skirmish line formation.

6. In pa.s.sing any short defile bridge or ford, send one man ahead.

7. If you suspect the presence of the enemy under certain cover, a good way to find out is to let one man approach within a reasonable distance and then, acting as though he had been discovered, turn and run. This will generally draw his fire.

8. Keep quiet. Forbid unnecessary talking.

9. From time to time select suitable rallying points in case you become separated.

10. Remember that you do not fight unless in self defense.

_Report_.--1. Do not report the presence of small patrols unless you have been ordered to do so. Locate the main body or a large command.

2. Determine his strength, kind of troops and movements.

3. Remember the indispensable qualities of a report are: accuracy as to facts, simplicity, clearness, legibility and correct spelling. Surmises must not be given as facts. Separate what you know and what has been told you. A report should not be expressed carelessly in ten words when it could be clearly stated in twenty. Send a sketch if practicable.

4. Do not send a verbal message.

5. Address it to C.O. Support or C.O. Advance Guard, etc., not to the commander of a certain body of troops. Give date, place and time.

6. Remember to state what you intend to do.

7. In hostile country send two messages by different routes. In friendly country one will suffice.

8. When the capture of your message is likely, give messenger a false one that will be easily found and conceal the true message carefully.

_Return_.--1. Do not return over the same route as you avoid ambuscade and widen your field of reconnaissance.

2. Report any special features of military value that you have seen to your C.O.

3. Compliment your men.