William H. Waldron

“ The men must learn to practice bayonet fighting in the spirit and with the enthusiasm that animates them when training for their games, and to look upon their instructor as a trainer and helper. Interest in the work is to be created by explaining the reasons for the various positions, the method of handling the rifle and bayonet and the uses of the points. Questions should be put to the men to find out if they understand these reasons. When men realize the object of their work they naturally take a greater interest in it. ”

“ The supporting points must receive a lion's share of attention for, bristling with machine guns and trench mortars, they are the really dangerous elements to the infantry attack after it passes the first line trenches.
The weapon which inflicts the greatest losses on the assaulting infantry is the machine gun, which appears suddenly out of the ground and lays low whole units. By a careful reconnaissance these machine-gun positions are ferreted out and every possible means are taken to effect their destruction. ”

“ This training must approximate as nearly as possible the conditions of actual fighting. Instructors should endeavor by every means in their power to arouse the interest and imagination of the men. Each problem should be carefully explained beforehand so that every man may have a complete knowledge of just exactly what is being attempted. Each target must be regarded as an armed opponent and each line of targets as an enemy line, attacking, defending or retiring, to be disposed of accordingly. ”

“ Rifle grenades are capable of causing more losses to the enemy than bombardment. The rifle grenade arrives at its destination unexpectedly without any noise; it explodes before one has even time to get out of the way. As it does not arrive at fixed hours like the bombardment, the enemy cannot continually avoid it by taking refuge in his dugouts and shelters; when he is moving about a trench which is subject to rifle grenading he must be continually on the alert. ”

“ We are in constant communication with the observing posts that cover our front, and our observing posts covering the other platoons are in constant communication with them.
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6. We know the firing position assigned to us and are familiar with the use to be made of the accessories furnished us. We can fire over the parapet at the foot of our wire entanglements to repel night attack.
7. We will at all times be careful about needlessly exposing ourselves. We appreciate the fact that it is absolutely stupid to get killed or wounded in the trench through negligence. ”

“ All company officers and non-commissioned officers should be taught how to instruct in bayonet training in order that they may be able to teach their squads and platoons this very important part of a soldier's training, which must be regularly practiced during the whole of his service at home, and during his periods of rest behind the firing-lines.
The greatest care should be taken that the object representing the opponent and its support should be incapable of injuring the bayonet or butt. Only light sticks are to be used for parrying practice. ”

“ Organization
While every infantryman receives a certain amount of instruction in grenade throwing, there should be a grenadier squad in each platoon specially instructed and trained in this most effective auxiliary method of trench warfare. Not all men possess the temperament and qualifications [Pg 99] necessary to make efficient grenadiers. Hence the personnel of the grenadier squad should be carefully selected. Strong physique, personal courage and steadiness in emergencies are the qualifications that count. Men fond of outdoor sports, other things being equal, will be found the best. ”

“ Infantry manning a trench can assist listening by digging a small pit, 6 feet deep below the trench, and running a bore-hole out 20 feet or more.
The enemy is always listening for indications of the direction and position of gallery heads. Work must therefore be carried on with a minimum of noise. Shouting down the shafts of galleries is absolutely forbidden. ”

“ An important point to be kept in mind in Bayonet Training is the development of the individual by teaching him to think and act for himself. The simplest means of attaining this end is to make men use their brains and eyes to the fullest extent by carrying out the practices so far as possible, without words of command, i.e., to point at a shifting target as soon as it is stationary, to parry sticks, etc. ”

“ Snipers
The enemy's sojourn in the trenches should be made as disagreeable to him as possible. He must be kept continually on the alert. Our operations must be made a constant menace to him. It is in this way that casualties are effected and he is gradually worn out. One of the best methods of accomplishing all of the above is the employment of snipers, who are specially selected and trained in this branch of trench warfare.
The snipers are on duty all day, but they have their nights in bed. ”

“ The advantage of having the same men regularly on the same post is that they learn thoroughly the appearance of every square foot of the ground included in their area of observation and are able immediately to note any change that may take place. They soon learn where to look for the enemy and in fact learn the habits, etc., of the enemy occupying their sphere of observation. ”

“ Lookout and listening posts serve the double purpose of having a few men at the most advantageous places for observation at the front and flanks and providing points at some distance to the front of the first line fire trenches from which listeners may be able to discover the location and direction of enemy mining operations before they really menace the fire trench. ”

“ Each man runs straight towards the part of the trench in front of him and jumps upon the parapet. By rifle shots and bayonet thrusts he destroys everything in his way. Men selected in advance take charge of the prisoners. The line is reformed, lying down just beyond the fire trench, and fire is opened against the second line. Men are positively forbidden to enter the communication trenches. They are most inviting for cover, but a man rarely gets out of them.
The grenadier squad proceed to their work of clearing the fire and communication trenches. ”

“ As soon as a position is carried and prior to any further advance or any other operation whatsoever, the line must be reformed and every precaution taken against a counter attack. In Trench Warfare, the indiscriminate pursuit with the bayonet must never be permitted unless orders to that effect have been given by the leaders of the assaulting party. The attacking troops are not so fresh as the enemy and experience has shown that unorganized pursuit is exposed to ambuscades and machine gun fire. ”

“ No matter how well the infantry assault on the enemy's fire trenches may be conducted, it rarely succeeds in occupying the hostile position throughout its entire length. Casualties, loss of direction, and unexpected [Pg 103] obstacles encountered are bound to break up the assaulting line more or less, thereby leaving gaps in the captured position. Furthermore the attack on a line of trenches takes place on a relatively small front by a large number of men. When the trenches are finally reached and a lodgment effected there will be great overcrowding. ”

“ You will see, from time to time, the eye of the enemy observer who shows himself at the loophole, or any other activity that it is capable of being observed from the outside. The observer watching through the field glasses will soon become so familiar with the appearance of the opposing trenches that he will be able to detect immediately any alteration in the obstacles, or changes that may be made, such as the establishment of new listening or observation posts, new sap heads, machine-gun emplacements, etc. ”

“ The first phase of the attack is the artillery preparation. In order that the infantry may make the attack with a minimum of losses, the artillery must have destroyed the wire entanglements and obstacles that obstruct the advance, or at least have sufficiently breached them to permit their being negotiated. The destruction of these obstacles is never complete. It would require too great an expenditure of ammunition. The infantry occupying the hostile trenches [Pg 163] must be simply overwhelmed with artillery fire so that they will be unable to man the parapets when the assault is launched. ”

“ The next step towards efficiency is the development of accuracy of throwing. For short distances it may be lobbed from the shoulder by a motion similar to "putting the shot." Stick grenades may be thrown for a short distance like throwing a dart. In the trenches the grenade should be thrown with an overhand motion like the bowler of a cricket ball, as there is danger of exploding them by knocking the hand against the back of the trench.
The men should be taught to throw from all positions—standing, sitting, kneeling and prone. ”

“ Butt Strikes can be used only under certain conditions and in certain positions. If the soldier acquires absolute control of his weapon under these conditions he will be able to adapt himself to all other phases of close in fighting. For example, when a man is gripped by an opponent, so that neither the point nor the butt can be used, the knee brought up against the crotch or the heel [Pg 202] stamped on the instep may momentarily disable him and make him release his hold. When wrestling the opponent may be tripped by forcing his weight on to one leg and then kicking that leg from under him. ”

“ The sections of the enemy's line that we are to cover with our fire have all been pointed out and each of us is familiar with same. We have located the enemy's loopholes and are doing our best to keep them under fire. ”

“ The men work in pairs, the two bayonet men together; the two carriers behind the thrower; the two barricaders sufficiently far to the rear to be protected by a corner of solid earth. The squad leader must of necessity go where his presence is necessary. Usually he stays as near the grenade thrower as possible.
When the enemy's grenadier parties are also very active in the sector, the distances between pairs are extended so that no more than two men are exposed in any one bay or traverse leg. ”

“ When an assault follows the gas attack the men should wear the smoke helmets for at least 30 minutes after the dissemination has ceased; in fact they must not be removed until the order to do so is given by the officer commanding the attack. You will appreciate that the enemy's machine gunners may have better protection than the men in the bays of the trenches. ”

“ The loopholes, both observation and firing, are arranged slantwise in the parapet so that the observer does not look straight to his front nor does the firer fire in that direction.
An aiming rack constructed so as to resist the recoil of the rifle and not derange its aim on firing may be arranged near the observation loophole. When the enemy exposes himself all that is necessary is a press on the trigger and the bullet goes straight to its mark. ”

“ In order to save time a second line may be started from the starting line when the first has passed beyond the fire trench and towards the supervision trench.
After the men have been taken through a thorough course of training in the individual instruction, problems should be devised in which a squad assaults a section [Pg 225] of the trench system under the direction of the squad leader. This is followed by exercises conducted by the platoon leader, the strength of the platoon being as many squads as can be employed at one time on the front of the section of trench system available. ”

“ Should the grenade with a time fuse be dropped in the act of throwing, there is time to pick it up and throw it out of the trench before it explodes. Under no circumstances must it be allowed to explode in the trench.
Communication throughout the squad in action should be maintained at all times. System is required to insure the throwers having a supply of grenades on hand all the [Pg 111] time and that casualties are promptly replaced.
Quick action is essential to success. Crawling and stalking give the enemy what he is waiting for. ”

“ Any tendency towards carelessness and slackness must be corrected at once and all the men must be impressed with the fact that a practice assault that is not carried out with quickness, vigor and determination is worse than useless. ”

“ The infantryman will always be called upon to construct the trench which he is to occupy. Each company is provided with portable tools, which the men carry, and each infantry regiment is provided with tools for the purpose. The digging tools consist of picks and shovels.
When it has been decided to locate fire trenches along a certain line officers will lay out the cutting lines and mark them with tape or otherwise. A company will be assigned for the construction of a definite section of the trench. ”

“ One of the best methods of training a command in the final assault is to construct a section of trench, forming a course, over which the training may be conducted. The edges of the trenches should be protected by logs anchored back in the parapets or solid ground. Constant use will soon wear them down if this precaution is not taken. Cinders placed on the course are a great advantage, for they prevent the men from slipping. ”

“ Grasp with both hands, the left at a convenient place above the rear sight so that the left arm is only slightly bent; right hand at the small of the stock and held just in front of the navel. The rifle is held naturally and easily, without constraint, barrel inclined slightly to the left. At the same time the left foot is carried forward to a point in a natural position such as a man walking might adopt on meeting with resistance. The left knee is slightly bent, right leg straight and braced. The right foot is flat on the ground with the toe inclined to the right front. ”