Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 Part 50

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 27. Par. 24.]

ATTACKS.

27. 1. _THRUST._

Thrust the rifle quickly forward to the full length of the left arm, turning the barrel to the left, and direct the point of the bayonet at the point to be attacked, b.u.t.t covering the right forearm. At the same time straighten the right leg vigorously and throw the weight of the body forward and on the left leg, the ball of the right foot always on the ground. Guard is resumed immediately without command.

The force of the thrust is delivered princ.i.p.ally with the right arm, the left being used to direct the bayonet. The points at which the attack should be directed are, in order of their importance, stomach, chest, head, neck, and limbs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 28.]

28. 1. _LUNGE._

Executed in the same manner as the thrust, except that the left foot is carried forward about twice its length. The left heel must always be in rear of the left knee. Guard is resumed immediately without command. Guard may also be resumed by advancing the right foot if, for any reason, it is desired to hold the ground gained in lunging. In the latter case, the preparatory common _forward_ will be given. Each method should be practiced.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 29.]

29. 1. _b.u.t.t_, 2. _STRIKE_.

Straighten right arm and right leg vigorously and swing b.u.t.t of rifle against point of attack, pivoting the rifle in the left hand at about the height of the left shoulder, allowing the bayonet to pa.s.s to the rear on the left side of the head. Guard is resumed without command.

The points of attack in their order of importance are, head, neck, stomach, and crotch.

30. 1. _Cut_, 2. _DOWN_.

Execute a quick downward stroke, edge of bayonet directed at point of attack. Guard is resumed without command.

31. 1. _Cut_, 2. _RIGHT (LEFT)_.

With a quick extension of the arms execute a cut to the right (left), directing the edge toward the point attacked. Guard is resumed without command.

The cuts are especially useful against the head, neck, and hands of an enemy. In executing left cut it should be remembered that the false, or back edge, is only 5.6 inches long. The cuts can be executed in continuation of strokes, thrusts, lunges, and parries.

32. To direct an attack to the right, left, or rear the soldier will change front as quickly as possible in the most convenient manner, for example: 1. _To the right rear_, 2. _Cut_, 3. _DOWN_; 1. _To the right_, 2. _LUNGE_; 1. _To the left_, 2. _THRUST_, etc.

Whenever possible the impetus gained by the turning movement of the body should be thrown into the attack. In general this will be best accomplished by turning on the ball of the right foot.

These movements const.i.tute a change of front in which the position of guard is resumed at the completion of the movement.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 33. Par. 36.]

33. Good judgment of distance is essential. Accuracy in thrusting and lunging is best attained by practicing these attacks against rings or other convenient openings, about 3 inches in diameter, suitably suspended at desired heights.

34. The thrust and lunges at rings should first be practiced by endeavoring to hit the opening looked at. This should be followed by directing the attack against one opening while looking at another.

35. The soldier should also experience the effect of actual resistance offered to the bayonet and the b.u.t.t of the rifle in attacks. This will be taught by practicing attacks against a dummy.

36. Dummies should be constructed in such a manner as to permit the execution of attacks without injury to the point or edge of the bayonet or to the barrel or stock of the rifle. A suitable dummy can be made from pieces of rope about 5 feet in length plaited closely together into a cable between 6 and 12 inches in diameter. Old rope is preferable. Bags weighted and stuffed with hay, straw, shavings, etc., are also suitable.

DEFENSES.

37. In the preliminary drills in the defenses the position of guard is resumed, by command, after each parry. When the men have become proficient, the instructor will cause them to resume the position of guard instantly without command after the execution of each parry.

38. 1. _Parry_, 2. _RIGHT_.

Keeping the right hand in the guard position, move the rifle sharply to the right with the left arm, so that the bayonet point is about 6 inches to the right.

39. 1. _Parry_, 2. _LEFT_.

Move the rifle sharply to the left front with both hands so as to cover the point attacked.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 40. Par 41.]

40. 1. _Parry_, 2. _HIGH_.

Raise the rifle with both hands high enough to clear the line of vision, barrel downward, point of the bayonet to the left front.

When necessary to raise the rifle well above the head, it may be supported between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. This position will be necessary against attacks from higher elevations, such as men mounted or on top of parapets.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 41. Par. 44.]

41. 1. _Low parry_, 2. _RIGHT (LEFT)_.

Carry the point of the bayonet down until it is at the height of the knee, moving the point of the bayonet sufficiently to the right (left) to keep the opponent's attacks clear of the point threatened.

These parries are rarely used, as an attack below the waist, leaves the head and body exposed.

42. Parries must not be too wide or sweeping, but sharp, short motions, finished with a jerk or quick catch. The hands should, as far as possible, be kept in the line of attack. Parries against _b.u.t.t strike_ are made by quickly moving the guard so as to cover the point attacked.

43. To provide against attack from the right, left, or rear the soldier will change front as quickly as possible in the most convenient manner; for example: 1. _To the left rear_, 2. _Parry_, 3.

_HIGH_; 1. _To the right_, 2. _Parry_, 3. _RIGHT_, etc.

These movements const.i.tute a change of front in which the position of guard is resumed at the completion of the movement.

In changing front for the purpose of attack or defense, if there is danger of wounding a comrade, the rifle should first be brought to a vertical position.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 44.]

III. INSTRUCTION WITHOUT THE BAYONET.

44. 1. _Club rifle_, 2. _SWING_.

Being at order arms, at the preparatory command quickly raise and turn the rifle, regrasping it with both hands between the rear sight and muzzle, barrel down, thumbs around the stock and toward the b.u.t.t; at the same time raise the rifle above the shoulder farthest from the opponent, b.u.t.t elevated and to the rear, elbows slightly bent and knees straight. Each individual takes such position of the feet, shoulders, and hands as best accords with his natural dexterity.

_SWING._ Tighten the grasp of the hands and swing the rifle to the front and downward, directing it at the head of the opponent and immediately return to the position of _club rifle_ by completing the swing of the rifle downward and to the rear. Repeat by the command, _SWING_.

The rifle should be swung with sufficient force to break through any guard or parry that may be interposed.