Military Instructors Manual Part 33

March Outpost: Detachments for protection of column halted on march.

Formation, that of the marching protection.

Outpost: The detachments forming the protection for a force in camp or bivouac.

Divisions of Outpost: Reserve.

Line of supports.

Line of outguards.

Pickets.

Sentinel Posts: Sentry squads. Cossack posts. Sentinels.

Detached posts (from support).

Hours of Special Danger: Evening and dawn; thus good times to relieve outposts.

Examining Post: Intelligence and a place where prisoners, etc., are brought in.

Orders: The expression of the will of a commander, either written or verbal.

Letters of instruction--plans of the superior leaders.

Field Orders: Regulate tactical and strategical actions of troops.

General Orders Include: (1) All necessary detailed instructions.

(2) All standing instructions (avoid repet.i.tion).

(3) Proceedings of general and special courts-martial.

Special Orders: Relate to a.s.signment and movement of individuals, not necessary to be communicated to the whole command.

Bearers of verbal orders must _repeat._

Field Orders: (1) Heading.--t.i.tle, place, date, hour and number.

(2) Distribution of troops.--Division of command.

(3) Body: (a) Information of enemy and supporting troops.

(b) General plan of commander.

(c) Detailed tactical dispositions to carry out general plan.

(d) Instructions for trains--also the positions of ammunition and dressing stations.

(4) Ending.--Authentication and method of sending.

Marches and Convoys: Successful march.--That which places troops at destination on time, and in best possible condition.

Rates of March: Infantry.--2 to 2-1/2 miles per hour.

Cavalry.--4 miles (walk), 8 miles (trot), 12 miles (gallop).

Artillery.--(Same.)

Average Marches: Infantry.--15-20 miles per day.

Cavalry.--25 miles per day.

Artillery.--15-20 miles per day.

Load of pack mules equals 250 pounds.

March Orders, State: (1) Object of march.

(2) Distribution of troops.

(3) Order of march of main body.

(4) Manner of forming the column.

Halts: First hour, 15 minutes' rest. Each successive hour, a 10-minute rest.

Weather conditions create exceptions to above rule.

Marches in Peace: (1) Changing station.

(2) Practice.

In War: (1) Concentration.

(2) In presence of enemy.

(3) Forced marches.

(4) Night marches.

Convoys (on Land): Those trains by which supplies are forwarded to an army from depots, etc., in the rear--also trains bringing supplies collected by requisition.

Security Furnished by an Escort: (1) Advance guard.

(2) Main body.

(3) Flank guard when necessary.

(4) Rear guard.

Favorable places for attacking convoys: Through woods defile.

Over hedges.

Sharp bends.

Ascending or descending slopes.

Farming corral, watering.

Whenever conditions are such that escort cannot quickly prepare for defense.

Conducting Prisoners: 10 foot soldiers to every 100 prisoners.

Infantry: The princ.i.p.al arm, charged with the main field work. Its role is the role of the entire force and its success is the success of the whole force.

Artillery: The close supporting arm of the infantry.

Its targets are those most dangerous in the eyes of the infantry.

Cavalry: Reconnaissance--supports the other arms and is valuable in pursuit.

Combat: Offensive.

Defensive.

(a) Temporary.

(b) Pa.s.sive defense.

Combat Principles: Fire superiority.

Unity of command.

Simple and direct plans and methods.

All troops necessary to mission must be a.s.signed at beginning.

Detachments justifiable only when they can contribute directly to success of main battle.

Some reserves must be kept.