Part 2

3. Every company will stand to arms daily half an hour before dawn, and half an hour before dusk and will remain so till dismissed by O. C. company.

4. The enemy's trenches are so close that it is very important for the men to have their rifle sights always at "normal," so that there will be no necessity to alter the sights in case of alarm.

5. By night all bayonets are to be fixed, and 50 per cent of the men on duty in the trenches are to be sitting on the firing platform with their rifles by their sides.

6. In case of an attack, especially at night, it should be impressed on the men that they should fire low; for one bullet that goes too low, at least 90 go too high. A bullet that goes too high is wasted, whereas a bullet that goes too low is a ricochet and is often more dangerous than any other kind of bullet.

7. Section commanders are responsible that the men under their command have sufficient standing room for the purpose of firing over the parapet. It is very important to insure that the men have a clear field of fire, and are able not only to see the enemy's trenches but also the ground in the immediate vicinity of their own trench. It is of the greatest importance to arrange that the men can fire comfortably from the parapet and that they can get the butt comfortably into the hollow of the shoulder when the rifle is resting on the parapet.

8. When making new trenches it should be impressed on the men that the parapet must be at least 5 feet thick at the top in order to be bullet proof.

9. If any part of the parapet requires repairing or altering, the matter should be reported at once by the section commander to his platoon sergeant, who will in turn report the matter to superior authority.

10. The general work of repairing the trenches, fatigues, etc., will be carried out either by day or by night according to company arrangements. Certain hours will be alloted for these tasks, and no man in the company is to be employed in any kind of work out of these hours, unless permission is obtained from O. C. company.

11. No man should ever leave his post in the trenches either by day or by night, without the permission of the N. C. O. in charge of that post.

12. As a general rule, by night there should be at least one sentry post to each ten yards of parapet.

13. By night double sentries should always be posted, if possible, and no sentry should be kept on duty for a longer period than 1 hour at a time. It should be so arranged that when one of the sentries is doing his last 1/2 hour on sentry, his comrade will be doing his first 1/2 on duty.

14. Sentries by night should always have their rifles resting on the parapet ready to fire at moment's notice.

15. As few sentries as possible should be posted by day, so as to give as much rest as possible to the remainder of the men.

16. By day any existing loop holes may be used by a sentry for observation purposes, but this is strictly prohibited at night, =when the sentry must look over the parapet=.

17. If a sentry is continually fired at, the section commander will take steps to post him in another position, but not far away from the original position.

18. By night arrangements must be made in each platoon for a N. C. O.[2] to be continually on duty for the purpose of visiting the sentries, etc., etc. He will report to his company officer at odd hours and to his platoon officer at even hours.

19. Cases have occurred of men going to sleep on sentry duty. This is the most serious crime a soldier can commit on active service. The G. O. C. has clearly stated that in future, if any man has been convicted by court-martial for this offense and sentenced to be shot, he will confirm the sentence. There is no excuse for a man going to sleep on sentry duty; if he is feeling too ill to perform this duty he should report the fact to the N. C. O. on duty of his platoon, who will in his turn report the matter to superior authority.

20. If an armed party of the enemy approaches the trench under a flag of truce, they should be ordered to halt at a distance and lay down their arms, and the matter should be reported at once to the O. C. company. If the party fails to halt when ordered to do so, or does not convey a flag of truce, they should immediately be fired upon. An unarmed party should be halted the same way at a distance, and the matter be reported to the O. C. company.

21. By night it is not necessary to challenge anyone in advance of the trenches, but fire should be opened at once. If, however, the company is sending out listening, working, or covering parties, these orders should be modified, and special instructions issued to meet the case.

22. Men will be specially picked from the company for listening patrols and as sharpshooters. These men will be given special privileges and their work is such that they will be afforded greater opportunities of being mentioned in dispatches.

23. It is the duty of officers and N. C. Os. to check men talking loudly during the night, as this practice makes it impossible for the sentries to hear any movement in front of the trenches. The Germans take advantage of this talking by the British soldier during the night to send listening patrols quite near to our trenches, and even build trenches on clear moonlight nights close to our lines without our knowledge.

24. All working parties must wear their equipment and carry their rifles, but when actually working they can lay these on the ground close to them.

25. All picks and shovels after use will be returned to the company store.

26. Ration parties and parties carrying material for repairs, etc., need not wear their equipment or carry rifles, but should be accompanied by a fully armed N. C. O. as an escort.

27. Not more than twenty men are to be away from the company at the same time. 1 N. C. O. and 4 men per platoon.

28. Every soldier must remember it is of the utmost importance to keep his rifle clean and in working order whilst in the trenches. His very life may depend upon this, as he is liable to be rushed at any moment, either by day or by night. The dirty rifle means probably a jammed one after the first round.

29. The first duty of a soldier, therefore, is to clean his rifle every morning as soon as there is sufficient light to enable him to do so; an hour will be appointed by O. C. company for this purpose. The platoon sergeant will be responsible that section commanders superintend this work, and inspect the rifles of their section. Any man who is found with a dirty rifle will be made a prisoner.

30. All rifles by day to be in racks, except those used by the sentries, and arrangements should be made by section commanders to improvise racks if they are not provided.

31. Great care is to be exercised to keep the trenches clean and in a sanitary condition. Platoon commanders will be responsible for the latrines in their section of the trenches. Any man fouling the trenches will be severely dealt with. No water is to be taken for drinking or cooking purposes except from the water cart or tanks provided for this purpose. Disregard of this regulation will probably cause an outbreak of typhoid or dysentery amongst the men of the company.

32. Stretcher bearers will be stationed at a place appointed by the C. O. If a man is wounded, information should be sent at once to these stretcher bearers, whose duty it is to carry wounded to the aid post or dressing station.

Men should not be taken from the firing line for this purpose.

33. No soldier is to be buried nearer than 300 yards from the trenches.

34. In each platoon a N. C. O. will be detailed for duty by day. This N. C. O. will do no night duty, but will get a full night's rest. His duties are to post the day sentries and to see that they are alert and carrying out their duties correctly. He will be generally responsible for the cleanliness of his lines and will frequently visit the latrines. It is part of his duties to see that any loose ammunition lying about is collected.

35. The platoon sergeant will always send, if possible, a N. C. O.[2] to draw the rations, and this N. C. O. will be responsible for their safe delivery. This especially applies to the issue of coke. The C. S. M. will, prior to his day of relief from the trenches, always collect the articles of trench equipment supplied for his company and make out a list of the same. These articles will be handed over to the company sergeant major of the relieving company.

36. The system of passing down messages by word of mouth, man to man, must not be used. If an officer or N. C. O. has anything important to report he should do so in writing. If there is no time to do this, a special messenger should be intrusted with a verbal message which should afterwards be confirmed in writing.

37. Special instructions have been issued as to precautions against gas. These are to be strictly followed.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 2: An acting N. C. O. will not be employed on this duty.]

BRIGADE STANDING ORDERS FOR THE TRENCHES.

=1. RELIEFS.=--(_a_) When a battalion is taking over a new line of trenches the company commanders will invariably visit the trenches on the day previous to that on which the relief takes place. They will gain as much information as possible from the company commanders they are relieving.

(_b_) An officer of each company should proceed in advance to the trenches on the day of the relief to take over, during daylight, all trench stores, ammunition, etc. Mutual receipts for these will be signed.

(_c_) Machine gunners, bombers, snipers, and signalers will not be relieved on the same day as companies. They should proceed to the trenches 24 hours before their battalions, and take over their posts during daylight.

(_d_) The strictest march discipline will be maintained by all parties proceeding to or from the trenches. An officer will march in rear of each company to ensure that it is properly closed up.

(_e_) Reliefs will be carried out as quietly as possible. No smoking or lights will be allowed after reaching a point to be decided on by battalion commanders.

(_f_) Guides at the rate of one per platoon, machine gun, or bombing post will invariably be arranged for by brigade headquarters when battalions proceed to the trenches. Likewise, when battalions are being relieved, a similar number of guides will be detailed by them to meet relieving units.

(_g_) On taking over a line of trenches a company commander will at once get in touch with the companies on his right and left; he will ascertain the position of the nearest supporting troops, of the reserve ammunition, of any machine guns or bombing posts, and of his battalion headquarters; he will ascertain the best and quickest means of obtaining artillery support, and he will have all wires, including the artillery wire, if there is one, tested. When his platoons have taken over, and he is satisfied that all is correct, he will inform his commanding officer by telephone that the relief of his company is complete.

(_h_) The actual relief of trenches should be carried out in the following manner:

The platoon being relieved gets on the firing step.

The relieving platoon files in behind and halts. On the word "pass," which will be given quietly, being passed along, the relieved and relieving platoons will change places. The company commander of the relieving company will then supervise the posting of sentries by his platoon commanders. He will satisfy himself that each post is properly relieved and that the orders for the post are correctly handed over. The greatest care and attention to detail are necessary in this.

The exact frontage for which each platoon commander is responsible will be clearly defined.

Before dismissing his company the company commander will ensure that each man has an alarm post from which he can use his rifle freely and fire at the bottom of our own wire entanglements. Each man must also know the position of company headquarters, the reserve ammunition, and latrines. Every company commander in the front line will have control of the grenadiers employed on his front.

(_i_) Within 24 hours of taking over a new line of trenches a company commander will forward a report on his trenches as follows:

Garrison of trench.

Field of fire.

Distance from enemy's trench.

General condition of trench.

Whether every man has a post from which he can fire at the bottom of our own wire entanglements.

Number of efficient loopholes.

Whether the parapet is bullet proof throughout.

Whether sufficient traverses.

State of our wire.

State of enemy's wire.

Drainage.

Number of boxes of reserve ammunition.

Number of bombing posts and of bombs with each.

Number of rounds of VERY pistol ammunition.

Number of VERMOREL sprayers.

Number of gongs.

A rough sketch showing the position of bombers' posts, machine guns, grenade stores, and reserve ammunition should accompany the report.

(_j_) Before handing over trenches, officers commanding companies will draw up a statement containing all available information on the following points:

Our own trenches and wire.

The enemy's trenches and wire.

Habits of the enemy.

Any part of trench which receives more than ordinary attention from the enemy's guns.

Number of bombing posts and bombs at each.

Number of machine guns on company's front.

Work in hand or contemplated.

What artillery covers the front, and how it is best and quickest obtained.

A list of trench stores, ammunition, etc., will also be drawn up ready for handing over. All stores should be carefully stacked in a convenient place. Ammunition, VERY lights, sandbags, etc., sufficient for at least 24 hours consumption, should invariably be handed over to the relieving unit.

(_k_) The following constitute trench stores and will be handed over on relief:

S. A. A. Shovels. Picks. Loophole plates. Balers. Fixed rifle batteries. Sniperscope rifles. Braziers. Catapults. Grenade throwers. Rifle racks. Rifle grenade firing stands. Hand grenades. Rifle grenades. VERY pistol cartridges. Gongs, bells, and alarms. VERMOREL sprayers. Pumps. Reserve rations.

The following will not be handed over:

VERY pistols. Pistols, illuminating, 1-1/2 inch. Telescopic rifles. Periscopes. Telephones.

Battalion entrenching tools will not be taken to the trenches. Should the existing tools in the trenches be considered insufficient, application should be made to brigade headquarters for a further supply.

=2. SENTRIES.=--As a general rule, the following numbers of sentries will be posted:

_By day._--One sentry for every 3 bays, exclusive of bombers, snipers, and machine gunners.

_By night, in a fog or snowstorm._--One double sentry for each bay, exclusive of bombers and machine gunners.

Sentries will invariably be posted and relieved by a N. C. O. under the orders of the platoon commander.

It must be recognized that no fixed rules can be laid down as regards the number of sentries that are necessary and battalion commanders will use their discretion in the matter. The number required will depend on the proximity of the enemy, the tactical situation, and, above all, on the state of our own wire entanglements.

=3. OFFICER AND N. C. Os. OF THE "WATCH."=--In every company in the firing line the company commander will arrange for his officers to take it in turns to be on "watch" throughout the twenty-four hours.

Likewise in each platoon the platoon commander will detail a N. C. O. of the watch.

The officer and N. C. Os. of the watch will visit all sentries, bombing posts, and machine guns within the area of their command once every hour by day and by night.

At night the officer of the watch will carry a VERY pistol. VERY lights should be used sparingly, as they are often difficult to obtain.

The time when lights are most required is when the Germans are not sending any up.

=4. STANDING TO ARMS.=--Troops will always stand to arms one hour before daylight and one hour before dark. They will remain under arms in the first instance until the enemy's lines are visible, and in the second instance until darkness comes on. At these hours company commanders will arrange for the inspection of arms, ammunition, and equipment by platoon commanders. The latter will satisfy themselves that each man is in possession of two smoke helmets; ammunition will be made up to 120 rounds per rifle when troops stand to arms.

Whenever men stand to arms company commanders will order the parapet to be manned to insure that every man has a post from which he can fire at the bottom of our own wire.

At the inspection of rifles at the hours of standing to arms platoon commanders will satisfy themselves that the bolt action is working freely. A thorough inspection of arms will be held at midday, at which hour men will be washed and shaved.

=5. GAS ATTACKS.=--(i) It is to be impressed on all ranks that the smoke helmet issued to them affords complete protection against all forms of gas used by the enemy.

(ii) All ranks will invariably carry on their persons smoke helmets. Instruction is to be given in the method of adjusting smoke helmets rapidly, condemned helmets being used for this purpose.

(iii) Smoke helmets will be inspected at morning and evening "stand to."

(iv) The direction of the wind will be studied and special precautions taken when it favors a gas attack by the enemy.

(v) On the first sign of gas, whether it is detected by sight or smell, the sentries will sound the alarm gongs and bells which are hung up at intervals throughout the trenches. On hearing this alarm every officer and man will at once adjust his smoke helmet and fall in on his alarm post. Nobody will remain in dugouts. To make certain of the warning reaching everybody the order "Put on smoke helmets" will be passed from man to man throughout the trenches held by the ---- division.

(vi) The officers in command of the trenches opposite the section of the enemy's line from which the gas is proceeding will send the S. O. S. call to the artillery, and will order rapid fire to be opened on the enemy trenches. Neighboring sectors of defense will be at once warned.

(vii) When the gas cloud is sufficiently thick to hide the enemy's front parapets, machine guns and rifles will open fire in short bursts on fixed lines covering the enemy's trenches, in order to inflict casualties, pierce gas tubes, and break up the density of the enemy's gas cloud.

(viii) Garrisons of trenches on the flanks of the front threatened will be prepared to open a flanking fire on the enemy should he attempt to advance from his front line.

(ix) As soon as the S. O. S. call has been sent to the artillery, messages will be sent to brigade H. Q. and the artillery "Gas trench(es)________________________________."

(x) Rifle bolts and machine-gun crank handles to be worked backwards and forwards while gas is about, to prevent the gas from impairing the action.

(xi) Vermorel sprayers to be used in trenches and dugouts in the affected area as soon as the gas has passed over, in order that gas helmets may be taken off.

(xii) Measures will be taken to prevent stragglers.

=6. FIXING OF BAYONETS.=--Bayonets will always be fixed during the hours of darkness, during a snowstorm, or thick mist, or when the proximity of the enemy renders this course advisable.

=7. COUNTER ATTACKS.=--As soon as possible after taking over a new line battalion commanders will draw up and submit to brigade headquarters their scheme for counter attacking the enemy should he gain possession of any part of their line.

In framing this scheme it must be borne in mind that in every line of trenches there are certain points which would be of value to the enemy if captured by him, whereas there are others which would be of little use to him.

Should the enemy attack and occupy any portion of our trenches he will be immediately counter attacked and driven out by the nearest body of troops. All ranks must clearly understand that counter attacks made at once and without hesitation will usually be sucessful, even if made by small numbers, but that a counter attack, once the enemy has been given time to establish himself, is a very difficult and costly operation.

=8. MINES.=--Should the enemy fire a mine in or near our trenches the crater thus formed will be immediately occupied by the nearest troops. This order will be made known to all ranks.

=9. FIRING BY DAY AND NIGHT.=--By day men will only fire when a target offers itself. If the enemy is in the habit of showing himself at any particular point, the attention of the platoon commander should be drawn to it. The latter will inform the battalion sniping officer, who will tell off a sniper's post to watch the spot.

By night all firing must be organized. If the enemy is believed to be working on his trenches or wire, the company commander will give directions to his platoon commanders to fire five rounds rapid at certain stated times. He will first ascertain that no patrols from neighboring companies will be out at these hours.

A certain number of fixed rifles will be placed in every trench and fired by the sentries. These rifles will be laid on certain selected spots.

Indiscriminate firing by day or night is forbidden.

If the enemy attacks, rapid fire will be opened without waiting for orders.

=10. COMPANY MEETINGS.=--Officers commanding companies will hold meetings of their platoon commanders and N. C. Os. each evening in the trenches. Only a few officers and N. C. Os. should be present at each meeting. At these meetings the following points should be discussed:

Work required to place our trenches in a better state of defense and to improve the comfort of the men.

Work to be done during the next 24 hours.

It is essential that all work which has to be carried out at night is explained to all noncommissioned officers in daylight.

Any alterations noticed in the enemy's trenches or wire.

What steps can be taken to annoy and harass the enemy.

Action in case of attack.

=11. WORK ON TRENCHES.=--Work on trenches should as far as possible be carried out during daylight.

=12. GARRISONS OF TRENCHES.=--It is an invariable rule that during daylight the front-line trenches should be held as lightly as is compatible with safety. At night the garrison must be strengthened.

The actual strength of garrisons will be governed by the tactical situation and by the number of support and communicating trenches at hand.

With proper support and communicating trenches only sentries and snipers should be in the front-line trenches during daylight. To these will be added bombers if there are any old communicating trenches leading to the enemy's lines or if the proximity of the enemy demands their presence.

=13. DISCIPLINE.=--(_a_) Sleeping in the front line trenches will not be allowed unless there is an absence of support trenches.

(_b_) No dugouts will be constructed without the permission of the battalion commander. All dugouts must be made splinter proof. Work on them will not be commenced until sufficient material is at hand. If it can be avoided dugouts will not be constructed in the fire trenches.

(_c_) No man will leave the trenches without permission from an officer. This order will be made known to all ranks.

(_d_) Cooking should not take place in the front-line trenches. Whenever possible cooking will be done under company arrangements in order that the men may have their meals at regular hours.

Washing and shaving should be carried out in support trenches when possible.

(_e_) All parties moving within the trench area will be correctly marched by an officer or N. C. O.

(_f_) Orderly room should be held daily in the trenches unless circumstances render this impossible.

(_g_) Sentries are strictly forbidden to wear any covering over the ears.