Chapter 32
the posting of the necessary sentinels along the flanks of the position (during the day), with instructions covering the provisions contained in paragraph 9, sections "b" and "c."
10. REPORTS: a. Company commanders will submit by 1.00 p.m., October 18, 1917, a report showing the dispositions and plan of defense of their respective sectors. b. Frequent reports of information obtained and any change of conditions at the front will be made to battalion headquarters when necessary.
BOSCHEN, _Captain, 56th Infantry._ _Commanding._
Copies to: C.O. 265th Infty. C.O. Cos, A, B, C and D. C.O. M.G. Co. C.O., Hdq. Co. R.S.O.
Company Organization (in Detail):
Company Headquarters:
1 Captain, commanding company, 1 First Lieutenant (senior), second in command, 1 First Sergeant, armed with pistol, 1 Mess Sergeant, armed with rifle, 1 Supply Sergeant, armed with rifle, 1 Corporal, company clerk, armed with rifle, 4 Mechanics, armed with rifle, 5 Wagoners (from Supply Company), 4 Cooks, armed with rifle, 2 Buglers, armed with pistol, 4 Privates, first class, company agent and signalmen.
_Equipment_: 15 rifles, 5 pistols, 8 automatic rifles (for replacement), 40 trench knives (to be distributed as needed), 2 bicycles. Following from Supply Company: 1 rolling kitchen, 4-mule; 1 combat wagon, 4-mule; 1 ration and baggage wagon, 4-mule; 1 ration cart, 2-mule; 1 water cart, 2-mule; 16 mules, draft.
_4 Platoons, each organized as follows_ (numbered 1 to 4 in company):
Headquarters:
1 First Lieutenant; 1st and 4th Platoons commanded by First Lieutenants; 2nd and 3rd Platoons commanded by Second Lieutenants, armed with pistol.
1 Sergeant, assistant to platoon commander, armed with pistol and rifle.
_Equipment_: 1 rifle, 2 pistols.
1st SECTION: Bombers and rifle grenadiers:
1 Sergeant, armed with pistol and rifle,
3 Corporals, armed with pistol and rifle, 1 trained as rifle grenadier; remainder trained as bombers,
6 Privates, first class, 2 armed with pistol and rifle, and remainder with rifle only; 1 trained as rifle grenadier, and remainder as bombers.
12 Privates, armed with rifles; 4 trained as rifle grenadiers, remainder trained as bombers.
_Equipment_: 22 rifles, 6 pistols.
2nd SECTION: Riflemen: 2 Corporals, armed with pistols and rifles, 3 Privates, first class, armed with rifle, 7 Privates, armed with rifle, _Equipment_: 12 rifles, 2 pistols.
3rd SECTION: Riflemen: 2 Corporals, armed with pistol and rifle, 3 Privates, first class, armed with rifle, 7 Privates, armed with rifle. _Equipment_: 12 rifles, 2 pistols.
4th SECTION: Auto-riflemen: 1 Sergeant, armed with pistol and rifle, 1 Corporal, armed with pistol and rifle, 3 Privates, first class; 1 armed with rifle, 2 armed with pistols; auto-rifle gunners, including 1 extra, 6 Privates, armed with rifle. _Equipment_: 9 rifles, 4 pistols, 2 auto-rifles.
NOTE.--Sections numbered from 1 to 16 in company.
Personnel:
Commissioned:
Captain 1 First Lieutenants 3 Second Lieutenants 2 ---- Total 6 ====
Enlisted:
First Sergeant 1 Mess Sergeant 1 Supply Sergeant 1 Sergeants 12 Corporals 33 Mechanics 4 Wagoners (from Supply Company) (5) Cooks 4 Buglers 2 Privates, first class 64 Privates 128 ----- Total 250 =====
Equipment:
Rifles 239 Pistols 69 Auto rifles 16 Trench knives 40 Bicycles 2 From Supply Company: Rolling kitchen, 4-mule 1 Combat wagon, 4-mule 1 Ration and baggage wagon, 4-mule 1 Ration cart, 2-mule 1 Water cart, 2-mule 1 Mules, draft 16 ====
Trench Standing Orders.
1. Duties.--A. One officer per company and one non-commissioned officer per platoon will always be on duty. During their tour of duty they will not be in their dugouts. They will frequently visit all trenches occupied by their units. Every listening post will be visited at least once by an officer during his tour of duty.
B. The officer and non-commissioned officer on duty will, when his tour of duty is completed, turn over to the officer or non-commissioned officer relieving him all orders, a report of the work in progress, if any, and any other information of use.
C. At night the officer and non-commissioned officer on duty will frequently patrol the trench line, to see that the sentries are alert and to receive any reports they may desire to make.
D. The-non-commissioned officer coming on duty will go round and post new sentinels with the non-commissioned officer coming off duty.
E. The length of the tour of duty will depend upon the number of officers and non-commissioned officers on duty. Normally each tour should be, by night, two hours; by day, four hours. This may be modified, however, so that all officers and non-commissioned officers will have an equal amount of this duty while in the trenches.
F. Non-commissioned officers, after posting sentinels, will report "all is well" or otherwise to the officers on duty.
G. No man will be detailed for a duty in the trench without being given suitable warning of this duty and be informed at which hour he will come on duty.
H. The Company Commander will be responsible for sending any report required by Battalion Headquarters.
2. Sentries.--A. The number of sentry posts required will depend on the assumed propinquity or distance of the enemy, strength of obstacles, ease with which sentry posts can be re-enforced and other local conditions. Normally by day this should be one sentinel for each platoon and at night three double sentinels for each platoon. There must be sentries enough to insure alarm being given promptly in case of attack and that local resistance is sufficient until help can arrive.
B. The next relief will remain within an easy distance of the sentry on post, usually in shelters provided for this purpose.
C. Every sentry is to be regularly posted by a non-commissioned officer who will explain to him his duties and ascertain that the sentry is aware of the position of the section and platoon commanders and of the sentries on either side, and whether there are any patrols or working parties out in front.
D. Every sentinel will report when an officer passes his post, "All is well," or otherwise.
E. Every sentinel by day will be provided with a head-cover to blend with the ground (this may be improvised), and while observing the ground to the front will remain perfectly still. An empty sand bag or some other suitable material may be utilized for this purpose.
3. Patrols.--A. It is the duty of all the troops holding the front lines to establish a command of the ground in front of their parapet up to the enemy's wire. This can be done by extended and constant patrolling by night and reconnaissance by day so that the ground is thoroughly well known to as large a portion as possible of officers and men and so no enemy can move or remain in his front by night or day without detection. One of the particular duties of these patrols is to observe the condition of the wire entanglements.
B. Every patrol must have definite orders as to its mission; broadly speaking, patrols may be divided into two classes: (1) reconnoitering patrols, (2) fighting patrols.
C. The first duty of reconnoitering patrols is to obtain the information for which they are sent out. They fight only in self-defense or if any especially favorable opportunity arises to inflict loss upon the enemy without prejudice to their mission. They usually consist of two to six men, under an officer or non-commissioned officer.
D. Fighting patrols are sent out for the express purpose of causing loss or damage to the enemies by such means as engaging the enemy's patrols or working parties, or by raiding saps, listening posts or trenches. For identification purposes they should always endeavor to secure at least one prisoner. Their strength depends upon the resistance they are likely to meet with.
E. Company commanders are responsible for the orders given to patrols, subject to any instructions which may be issued by higher authority. They are also responsible that all troops, whom it concerns, including companies on both flanks, are warned when and where patrols will be out, length of time they will be out, and of the points to which they will return.
F. Information gained by patrols is of little value unless transmitted quickly to those whom it concerns. Patrol reports will be made out by the commander of the patrol immediately upon his return and sent at once to the company commander unless orders to the contrary have been given.
4. Stand To.--A. "Stand to" will take place one-half hour after a relief has been posted and one-half hour before being relieved. At this parade every available man will be present. Rifles, equipment, clothing, etc., will be inspected. Firing steps will be tested as soon as practicable after reliefs have been posted to see that each man can fire on the foot of the nearest part of the wire entanglement which he is required to cover by his fire. The same procedure will be gone through at the "stand to" one-half hour before being relieved. Other "stand tos" may be ordered in the discretion of the company commander. These should be sufficiently often to insure that every man turns out promptly and knows his place in case of attack.
5. Machine Guns.--A. The concealment of machine gun emplacements is important. Consequently, it is only at night or in case of attack that machine gun crews will occupy their defense emplacements. At night guns should take up other position than their defense emplacements and fire a stated number of rounds in order to test out the guns and mislead the enemy as to their numbers and real emplacements, after which they will at once go back to their defense emplacements.
B. The guns and their crews will be tactically under the orders of the company commander in whose sector they are located, but no alteration will be made by him in their disposition or arcs of fire; he will, however, bring before the senior machine gun instructor any suggestions for improvements in machine gun dispositions for defense.
C. Two men per gun will always be on duty with the guns.
D. Range cards will be prepared and kept with each gun.
E. Officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of guns will remain in close proximity to the guns. They will frequently inspect their guns, emplacements, etc. They are responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of the emplacements.
F. Machine gun commanders are responsible for guns always being ready for action, and that emplacements are clear of all material except such as is required for the service of the guns; that embrasures or loopholes are kept clear of all obstructions which may interfere with fire or view.
6. Reliefs.--A. Reconnaisance. Prior to taking over the line of trenches the company commander, accompanied by his senior First Lieutenant and First Sergeant, will reconnoiter the trenches.
B. Points to be noted by the company commanders. The following points will be specially noted by company commanders before taking over trenches:
1. Plan of occupation (number of men holding lines to be taken over, their distribution and duties). 2. Shelter accommodations. 3. Work being done and proposed. 4. Conditions of the wire and defenses generally. 5. Information as to the enemy, his habits, snipers, and the work he is doing, etc. 6. Water supply. 7. Artillery support. 8. Communications. 9. Danger points. 10. Location and condition of stores. 11. Liaison.
7. Guides.--A. Arrangements will be made between the company commanders of the incoming and outgoing companies as to the rendezvous where guides will be provided by the latter to conduct the incoming troops to the trenches.
B. One guide per platoon, one for each company and one for battalion headquarters will be provided. These guides must know the exact spot where they will meet the relief troops and the best way to conduct the units to the particular section of the trench they will occupy.
8. Smoking and Talking.--A. After leaving the rendezvous there will be no smoking and talking until arrival in trenches. Strictest march discipline will be enforced on the way to and from the trenches.
9. Procedure on Arrival at Trenches.--A. The troops being relieved will not leave the trenches until the relieving troops are in position and the new sentries have been posted, all trench stores have been handed over and receipted for, and orders to move have been received from the Company Commander.
B. Platoon commanders will at once personally see that all sentinels are properly posted, that the non-commissioned officer is on duty, that every man knows his place in case of attack, and that both flanks of his platoon are in liaison with the adjoining platoon.
C. When reliefs are completed, Platoon Commanders will report to that effect to the Company Commander.
D. Men will not be dismissed until the Company Commander has received the reports from all of his Platoon Commanders that everything is in order.
10. Log Books.--A. Each Company Commander will keep a log book in which will be entered:
1. Work done. 2. Number of men working. 3. Hours worked. 4. Any information obtained from sentries, patrols, or other sources.
They will also enter in this book a list of any trench stores that come into their possession.
11. Equipment.--A. Equipment will be worn in the front trenches. Haversacks, packs, and trench tools need not be worn, these will be left in the shelters. In support and reserve trenches, they will be worn at the discretion of the Company Commander.
B. Ration and carrying parties will wear equipment and carry rifles unless otherwise ordered.
C. Pieces will be assumed to be loaded and locked at all times.
D. In the firing trenches bayonets will be fixed at night.
E. Non-commissioned officers and men of the firing line will at all times be in possession of their rifles and bayonets. The rifles of men in the support and reserve trenches or dugouts will be where they can be quickly seized, even in the dark.
12. Stretcher Bearers.--A. Stretcher bearers will be stationed at a point designated by the Company Commander.
13. Discipline.--A. Sleeping in the firing trenches will not be permitted.
B. No man will enter the firing trench, except in discharge of his duty, unless so ordered by his Company or Platoon Commander.
C. Sentries will remain standing unless the height of the parapet renders this impossible.
D. Saluting and standing at attention, etc., will be as carefully adhered to as when in camp except that sentinel will not let this interfere with their duties.
14. Rations and Cooking.--A. Cooking will be done in the rear of the reserve at a point to be designated.
B. Company Quartermaster Sergeants will accompany ration parties, which will be limited in size to the actual needs for bringing up cooked rations from the point where cooking is done, to the trenches. At no time should this exceed ten per cent of the effective strength of the unit from which sent.
C. Care will be taken that as little noise as possible be made by these carrying parties.
15. Sanitation.--A. The importance of strict attention to sanitation will be impressed upon all ranks.
B. The commanding officer of each unit is responsible for sanitation in his sector. He will make frequent inspections of latrines, refuse pits and trenches to ascertain that no unsanitary conditions exist.
C. Latrines will be constructed in the trenches, excreta kept covered at all times and such disinfectants as may be provided will be used at regular intervals. When filled within eighteen inches of the top, pits will be filled with earth and labeled.
D. Urinal cans will be provided and men required to use these cans and contents will be emptied as often as necessary into deep pits at least one hundred yards from the trenches. Empty tin cans, particles of food and other refuse will be collected in receptacles kept in the trenches for that purpose and carried to the rear and buried in pits. This is usually done at night.
Emergency Dumps for Companies (Material).
1. Any large shell crater will do for these or holes can be dug 10' x 10,' x 5' deep.
CONTENTS OF DUMP.
10 rolls barbed wire. 8 coils French accordion wire. 30 long screw stakes. 50 short screw stakes. 4 prepared wire blocks (gooseberries).
STORES FOR COMPANY.
100 very flares. 6 S.O.S. rockets. 2 verminal sprayers. 1 strombos horn. (gas alarm) rubber boots. periscopes. 200 revolver ammunition. 1 log book. 1 set maps. 1 set air photos. 1 defense scheme.
2. These are taken over and signed for. Each dugout must have a gas blanket and some form of gas alarm (usually empty shell case.)
STORES AT BATTALION HEADQUARTERS.
1 strombos horn. 2 verminal sprayers. 300 very flares. 20 S.O.S. rockets. 500 revolver ammunition. 50 ground flares.
Conclusion.
The present army of the United States had its inception at Plattsburg in 1915. The first regiment of the Business Mens' Training Camp will go down in history as the first chapter of preparedness.
The training camps of 1916, not only at Plattsburg, but at various other places throughout the United States, constituted the second chapter.
We are just finishing chapter three in the officers' training camps of 1917.
This book brings together the essential points of the instruction given at the second and probably the last of the officers' training camps at Plattsburg, in such a way that an officer may refresh his memory when he is about to take up with his men any of the subjects covered.
It is hardly necessary to add that no attempt has been made to cover fully any branch of the work. The bibliography provides for further study and the books in it should be at every officer's command.
As the war progresses many changes will be made; not only will methods change but some branches now considered essential may be cast aside as useless.
Nothing but work can make the pages of any military book have real meaning. This book gives what are now considered the essentials of military training. If it has brought to the conscientious officer points he might otherwise have forgotten to the detriment of his command, it will have served its purpose.
Bibliography.