Military Instructors Manual Part 57

6. Snipers should spend 24 hours in trenches with those of command which theirs is to relieve, before relief takes place.

7. No night work required of these men since they must be constantly on the alert during the day.

Organization of a Platoon--Rifle Company--Table No. 7

PLATOON

Platoon Headquarters 1 Lieut.

1 Sgt.

4 Privates.

1st Section 2d Section 3d Section 4th Section Hand Bombers Rifle Grenadiers Riflemen Auto-Riflemen ----------------+----------------+-------------------+-------------------- 3 Teams, each 1 Team of 1 Sgt. 1 Sgt. and 2 Corps.

1 Leader 6 Grenadiers 2 Squads of 4 Teams, each 1 Thrower 3 Carriers 8 men each 1 Gunner 1 Carrier (May be 4 Extra 2 Carriers 1 Scout subdivided) riflemen[R] 2 Corps. 2 Corps. 1 Sgt. and 2 Cpl. 1 Sgt. and 2 Cpls.

4 Pvts. 1st Cl. 1 Pvt. 1st Cl. 6 Pvts. 1st Cl. 4 Pvts. 1st Cl.

6 Pvts. 6 Pvts. 12 Pvts. 8 Pvts.

Total--12 Total--9 Total--21 Total--15

[Footnote R: Runners: Attached to 3d Section and 7th Squad. With Platoon commander when company is in extended order formation.]

_Suggested Organization of Platoon in Close Order and for Administration._

1st Squad 2d Squad 3d Squad 4th Squad ---------------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------- Bomber Section 1/2 Auto Rifle 1/2 Auto Rifle (less 1 bomber Section i.e., Section i.e., Grenadier team) Cpl and 2 teams Cpl and 2 teams Section 1 Corp 1 Cpl. 1 Cpl. 1 Cpl. 7 Pvts. 6 Pvts. 6 Pvts. 7 Pvts. (Extra Cpl. in File Closers) ---------------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------+

5th Squad 6th Squad 7th Squad ---------------+-----------------+----------------- 1 Rifle Squad 1 Rifle Squad 1 Bomber Team plus 4 extra riflemen[S] 1 Cpl. 1 Cpl. 1 Cpl. 7 Pvts. 7 Pvts. 7 Pvts. ---------------+-----------------+-----------------+

Right Guide--Automatic Gun Sgt. Left Guide--Rifle Sgt.

Chief of Platoon--Lieut. File closer or acting 1st Sgt.--Sgt.-a.s.st.

Note.--If desirable the 4 mechanics and 4 privates (signalmen) who are not a.s.signed to platoons regularly, can be used to fill the blank files in the 2d and 3d squads.

[Footnote S: Runners: Attached to 3d Section and 7th Squad. With Platoon commander when company is in extended order formation.]

Deployments.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES:

(a) The following plans for deployment are not to be regarded as rigid. The positions of the various squads depends upon tactical considerations.

(b) The platoon in attack will be used only for accomplishment of its offensive mission. Moppers-up, additional carriers, etc., will be furnished by other organizations.

A. Being in line, to form single skirmish line to the front.

1. As skirmishers (so many) paces, guide right (left or center). 2. March.

Executed as described in pars. 206 and 208, i.d.r.

Normal interval to be ordered, 4 or 5 paces.

This formation to be regarded as exceptional.

B. Being in column of squads, to form single skirmish line. Same command as in (A). Executed as described in para 207 and 208, i.d.r.

C. Being in line to form double skirmish line to the front (_i.e._, to take the "Formation for Attack" in the diagram.) 1. In two lines. 2. As skirmishers (so many) paces, guide right (left or center). 3 March.

Executed according to the principles in pars. 206 and 208, i.d.r., except that at the command March the even-numbered squads stand fast while the odd-numbered squads form the first line by deploying on the base squad as in the case of deployment in single line. Similarly, the even-numbered squads form the second line by deploying on their base squad after the odd-numbered squads have moved forward about 20 paces.

[Ill.u.s.tration: NORMAL BATTALION FORMATION IN ATTACK]

D. Being in line or column of squads to deploy in line of squad columns in one or two lines. Use same commands and execute in same manner as described in (A), (B), (C), except that in the command "Squad Columns" is subst.i.tuted for "as skirmishers,"

and in the execution each corporal on approaching the line forms his squad in "squad column" instead of deploying it as skirmishers.

_E.G._ 1. In two lines--2. Squad columns (so many) paces, Guide right (left or center)--3. March.

This gives a "Formation of Approach" as the French describe it, or as an "Artillery Formation" as the British describe it; which may be used directly or indirectly (by means of echelons) for advancing when not liable to infantry fire.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate #22]

E. Being in above formation to vary the intervals.

1. Squad columns (so many) paces, 2. Guide right (left or center). Executed in the same manner as similar movement described in i.d.r. 126.

General Principles of the Platoon Formation in the a.s.sault of Fortified Positions in Trenches. (Points of Resistance, Etc.).

1. The platoon is now a complete fighting unit within itself. It contains riflemen, bombers, auto-riflemen, and rifle grenadiers. With this combination the platoon commander has, under his immediate control, all the different kinds of fire available to the infantry.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate #23]

2. This formation was developed so that the platoon commander could meet the different contingencies that arise from being opposed by points of resistance in a "Trench-to-Trench" attack or the "Semi-Open-Warfare;" that is the secondary stage of a push.

3. When strong opposition develops, the principle on which the platoon works is to develop or surround the point of resistance, the platoon acting either alone or in conjunction with neighboring platoons. The four different kinds of fire are then used to their best advantages to silence or diminish the enemy fire thus making this manoeuvre possible.

4. In order to obtain success it is first necessary to impress on the officers and men that the primary advantage of the entire formation is its mobility, and the scope it gives to the initiative of the platoon section, squad and team leaders. In studying this formation it is first necessary to free the mind of all parade ground formations and to feel that there is nothing to hinder any desired movement of the sections, so long as the movement is not contrary to the operation orders for the attack. Until this idea is grasped thoroughly no progress can be made.

5. There is no typical or "normal formation." The one given at the beginning of this instruction here is a drill or parade ground formation, and while it may be used under actual conditions of warfare, it is simply utilized at this time as a basis from which the necessary variations may be worked out. In an attack, every platoon in the battalion may use a different formation.

6. The formation to be used is decided upon after a careful study of air-photographs. As far as possible all points of resistance are picked out and the best method of meeting the situations that may arise are then considered. The platoon is then arranged so as to best facilitate this manoeuvre. It must be realized that there will be other platoons on the flanks and in the rear, and their dispositions must be studied with a view of their probable bearing on the points of resistance.

7. In order to know how to get results it is first necessary to have a very clear conception of the uses and limitations of the different weapons in the platoon.

Briefly they can be used in the following ways:

(a) The auto-rifles open up a point blank fire on the strong point as soon as it is discovered. Their function is to either draw the fire of the enemy or to silence him by a hit or forcing him to take cover.

Their work may be compared to the work of the field artillery in a barrage. They cover the movement of the infantry across the open. The auto rifles so place themselves at such points that their line of fire will in no way interfere with the manoeuvre of the commander of the platoon or the remaining units of the platoon interfere with the effective use of the auto rifles of the platoon.

(b) The rifle grenadiers advance at once just as close as possible, but at all costs to within effective grenade range. They then take cover in sh.e.l.l holes, trenches, etc., and open up a rapid fire. They are the long distance howitzers of the platoon and are very valuable.

By a well placed grenade the whole resistance may be overcome. This section usually works around a flank.

(c) The riflemen work up by squad as far as practicable and to a flank, when an opportunity presents itself, the squad opens fire in such a manner as to protect advance of other squads or teams.

(d) The bombers endeavor to get well around behind the enemy and taking advantage of cover get to within bomb range. They may be compared to the close range howitzers or trench mortars.

When all four sections are in action at proper ranges, the opposition can probably last but a short time, and as soon as the machine guns cease fire the platoon, especially the riflemen, go after the remainder of the garrison with the bayonet.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Plate #27]

It may happen that the barrage put up will so demoralize the enemy that the riflemen can advance before his machine guns are even put out of action. This operation allows the rifle men to get in with the bayonet, if the resistance is not sooner overcome.

When the different sections are getting to their places, they usually find enough sh.e.l.l holes or old trenches to obtain cover. They should not move as entire sections, but as small groups of three or four at a time.