André Godefroy Lionel Hanguillart

“ The fire of the adversary being negligible at night, there is seldom any advantage in putting more than a battalion in line against a given objective, the quality, discipline and cohesion of the troops making up for the number. ”

“ The advance of a company into an engagement is conducted in close order, preferably columns of squads, until possible observation by the enemy or encountering of hostile fire makes it advisable to deploy. ”

“ If the aim is to keep the exits open so as to cover the retreat of troops, the roads at the bottom of the defile should be left free and the defense troops so placed as to draw the enemy's fire on other points. ”

“ Prepare for the obstruction of the communicating trenches in case [16] the enemy should capture the fire trench: Have piles of sand bags above the entrance of each trench ready to be dumped into it. Have chevaux de frise lined up on one parapet of the trench and all held up in such a way by a single wire that when the wire is cut they will fall into the trench. Mines can also be prepared to blow up the trench when invaded. The communicating trench between the fire trench and the listening post should be covered with barbed wire screens or be tunnelled. ”

“ An infantry division is composed of two brigades, each brigade of two regiments, each regiment of three battalions. Each brigade thus has six battalions, each battalion numbering 1026 officers and men, normally divided into four companies.
One battalion occupies about 1000 yards in ordinary trench warfare. As reliefs must be frequent, three battalions of each brigade will be on duty, while the other three are in rest-billets, at least two miles back of the trenches. ”

“ On dark nights, have all firing stop. Throw stones by hand or with slings, a dozen at a time toward the enemy's trench. This will lead him to fire repeated [29] volleys and waste ammunition in his fear of an attack, especially if the trenches are in wooded terrain and there are leaves on the ground. Repeat several times during the night.
Patrols may also tie strings to the enemy's barb wire. On dark nights pulling on the string may lead the enemy to fire. ”

“ He will make sure that there are combat patrols on the exposed flank or flanks and to the front and rear if need be.
It is well to have combat patrols detach automatically. It may be understood, once for all, that, without further orders, the first squad will cover in front, the second to the right, the third to the left, the fourth to the rear, whenever needed. Still, the officer in charge should make sure that this arrangement is carried out.
A combat patrol, if not a full advance guard, will thus always precede a unit and be the first to take contact with the enemy. ”

“ If there are no listening posts, patrols should be sent out to favorable spots especially at sundown and before sunrise.
22.—Enemy sighted or heard, fire.
If the night is clear and the terrain is open, proceed as during the day: If the enemy is sighted or heard, fire in short volleys. In case of doubt throw grenades with the first volley.
23.—Otherwise no firing.
Otherwise, absolute silence should be observed. No firing whatever.
24.—Unless night is dark.
If the night is dark, to avoid surprise, keep up firing: One man per section should fire in turn, from time to time varying the direction. ”

“ When the terrain opposite is open country, the necessary observation may be done by the smallest possible number of men. Fire only, if any of the enemy are sighted. Then, have two rounds fired, then three. ”

“ Within each 1000 yards front, the distribution may be as follows:
Three platoons of Companies A, B, and C occupy the dugouts of the cover trench and of the support trench and post sentinels by roster in the fire trench.
Platoon No. 4 of each company occupy the dugouts of the reserve trench, together with the entire Company D.
Platoons and companies then relieve one another according to roster, a platoon of each company and an entire company, in turn, enjoying comparative rest in the reserve trench even during the stay of the battalion in the trenches. ”

“ Do not stop in a zone under fire for effect as lying down only provides a larger target. If absolutely obliged to [63] stop, remain standing and packed together like sardines, maintaining above formations and intervals. It is useless to run, but, as much as possible, advance steadily.
135.—Protective Formation against all types of shells.
As may appear from the study of the above the following formation and intervals will afford the best protection against all types and combinations of types of shells, as a shell will never affect more than one section. ”

“ To exit from wood, take all necessary dispositions under cover so that, on the signal of the commander, all fractions may be ready to spring out together. They should continue to advance forward, as rapidly as possible, [65] to avoid the enemy's likely shelling of the outskirts. ”

“ Each platoon should be assigned its special duties, the duty roster drawn up for all sentry and patrol duties, details, etc.
Have all the men locate the enemy trench as they come on duty and give them the range. ”

“ Investigate the work under way for the improvement of defense and prepare plans for further work if necessary.
Obvious improvements are: making additional communication trenches, repairing or completing shelters, listening posts, mining tunnels, wire entanglements.
7.—Ammunition shelters:
See that there are a sufficient number of shelters for rifle ammunition, grenades, rockets and other supplies.
8.—Loopholes and Parapet:
Ascertain the conditions of all the loopholes and have them repaired if need be. ”

“ N. C. O. and men should be assigned to patrol duty by roster or as volunteers. In the former case, if there is [23] reason to think that a patrol has not done its best to secure information, the same men should be sent out again.
32.—Sentinels should know about patrols.
Neighboring companies should be notified of the departure, route and probable time of return of patrols. If several patrols are sent out at the same time they should know one another's itinerary.
33.—Dress and equipment of patrols. ”

“ The arms and complete equipment of the wounded should be sent out with them. The arms and equipment of the killed should be sent to the battalion commander. Their personal effects; money, papers, letters, etc., should be carefully collected, listed, and sent to the sergeant-major. ”

“ The men (3 to 5 commanded by N. C. O.) should carry no impediments and their dress should not interfere with ease of movements: sweaters should be worn instead of overcoats. The woolen cap or comforter should be worn as they cover most of the face. ”

“ Under the command of the section leader, they advance, in double file, at proper intervals or deployed, according to their proximity to the enemy and according to the terrain (covered or uncovered) .
171.—Distance from the firing line.
They should be about 250 yards behind the firing line to whose movements they conform.
172.—Supplying the firing line.
The section leaders keep in sight of the captain and upon his signaled command advance into the firing line either to fill up a gap or to reinforce a section.
[73]
173.—When filling a gap.
They advance as far as possible ahead of the line. ”

“ At the same time let trench mortars fire bombs in the same direction.
51.—His field and trench artillery fire.
If enemy's artillery fires upon trenches (Cf. par. 69 ff.)
[32]
AN ATTACK. THE REPULSE.
52.—A threatened raid.
As has been stated (par. 15 and 22) in case enemy patrols approach, volleys of two, then of three rounds should be fired. Keep cool. Do not fire prematurely.
53.—Fire above parapet.
The firing should be done over the parapet and not through the loopholes.
54.—When alarm is given.
If the sentinels report that an attack is developing, every one on duty takes his post. ”

“ The enemy's charge should be met with a violent fire at the shortest possible range, followed immediately by counter-attacks with the bayonet, especially on the flanks.
THE COUNTER ATTACK.
220.—Confine to definite Objective.
Indicate the objective very definitely including the position to be reached but not gone beyond.
Its direction should not interfere with the fire of neighboring troops. ”

“ If cavalry patrols are expected ahead, deployment as skirmishers will secure this, if on the flanks, deploy in columns of squads marching in double file. A formation in echelon is effective at all times. ”