Part 4

=8. COOPERATION BETWEEN ARTILLERY, INFANTRY, MACHINE-GUN COMPANIES, AND TRENCH MORTAR BATTERIES.=--The defense of any line depends largely on the cordial cooperation of all officers responsible for the different means of defense. Every opportunity is to be taken by officers of artillery, infantry, machine-gun companies, and trench mortar batteries of becoming personally acquainted with each other and gaining a knowledge of each other's methods. The Artillery liaison officer with a battalion is to be looked on as temporarily a member of battalion H. Q.

=9. PRECAUTIONS WHEN ONE OF OUR MINES IS EXPLODED.=--(_a_) In the event of one of our own mines being exploded, a clear space of 5 yards will be kept on either side of the mouth of the mine shaft.

(_b_) On any front where enemy mining exists, or is suspected, detailed schemes of action will be prepared, under the direction of the brigade commander, to deal with any case of a mine being blown within or without our trench line; and specially organized parties will be kept in immediate readiness for prompt occupation of the crater, where this is advisable (as in the case of a crater within or near our trench line), or for dealing with enemy action. All stores required for consolidation will be kept handy at a special dump in instant readiness and made up into man loads. The orders for action, down to the minutest detail, will be incorporated in the defense scheme and made known to every individual who may have to carry them out.

=10. RELIEFS.=--(_a_) =Reconnaissance.=--Prior to taking over a new line of trenches, the commanding officer, adjutant, and company commanders of battalions, and the commanders of M. G. Coys. and trench mortar batteries, will reconnoiter the trenches.

(_b_) =Points to be noted by company commanders.=--_The following, among others, are points to be specially noted by company commanders before taking over trenches_:

(i) Number of men holding line to be taken over and distribution.

(ii) Shelter accommodation.

(iii) Work being done and proposed.

(iv) Condition of the wire and defenses generally.

(v) Information as to the enemy, his habits, snipers, the work he is doing, etc.

(vi) Water supply.

(vii) Artillery support.

(viii) Communications.

(_c_) =Guides.=--(i) Arrangements will be made between the C. O.'s of incoming and outgoing battalions as to the rendezvous where guides will be provided by the latter to conduct the incoming troops to the trenches.

(ii) One guide per platoon, one for each company H. Q., and one for battalion H. Q. will be provided.

These guides must know the exact spot where they will meet the relieving troops and the best and safest way to the trenches.

(_d_) =Smoking and talking.=--After leaving the rendezvous there is to be no smoking or talking till arrival in the trenches.

(_e_) =Rate of march to trenches.=--The rate of marching to the trenches from billets will not exceed 2 miles an hour.

Strictest march discipline is to be enforced on the way to and from the trenches.

(_f_) =Procedure on arrival in trenches.=--(i) The troops being relieved will not leave the trenches until the relieving troops are in position and new sentries have been posted, all trench stores have been handed over and receipts received, and orders to move have been received from the company commander.

(ii) Platoon commanders will at once personally examine all firing positions and satisfy themselves that each man can fire on the foot of the nearest part of the wire entanglement.

(iii) They will examine the ammunition and grenade stores, vermorel sprayers, and antigas solution.

(iv) Battalion H. Q. will report to brigade H. Q. as soon as relief is completed.

When the relief is completed company commanders will report to that effect to battalion H. Q.

When shelters are some way behind the fire trench they should not be used during the first night of relief.

(v) Men will not be dismissed until the company commander has received reports from all his platoon commanders that everything is in order. On taking over trenches the garrison will "Stand to" at alarm posts before being dismissed.

_The following are some of the many questions a platoon commander should ask himself on taking over a trench and at frequent intervals afterwards_:

1. I am here for two purposes: To hold this line under all circumstances and to do as much damage as possible to the enemy. Am I doing all I can to make this line as strong as possible? Am I as _offensive_ as I might be with organized snipers, sniperscopes, rifle grenades, etc., and patrols?

2. Do I connect up all right with the platoons on my right and left? Do I know the position of my nearest support?

3. Does every man know his firing position, and can he fire from it, over the parapet, at the foot of the wire?

4. Where are my S. A. A. and bomb stores? Are they under cover from the weather?

5. Do all my men know their duties in case of attack--bombers especially?

6. Are all my rifles and ammunition clean and in good order? Have all the men got rifle covers? Are the magazines kept charged?

7. Is my wire strong enough?

8. Are my parapets and traverses bullet proof everywhere?

9. Where are my sally ports and gaps in my wire?

10. Where are my listening posts? Are my listening patrols properly detailed?

11. What points in front particularly require patrolling at night?

12. Are my sentries in their right places? Are they properly posted by N. C. O.'s? Have they received proper instructions?

13. Have I got the S. O. S. message in my pocket, and do I know the orders regarding its use?

14. Are the trenches as clean and as sanitary as they might be? Are live rounds and cases properly collected? Are my bags for refuse and empties in position?

15. Are my trenches as dry as I might make them?

16. Am I doing all I can to prevent my men getting "trench feet"?

17. How can I prevent my parapets and dugouts from falling in?

18. Have I carefully studied the ground in front and noted all places where Germans expose themselves or are likely to do so? Have I taken advantage of suitable spots in the ground in front of my parapet or behind my trenches to make "snipers'" lairs, besides making loopholes in the parapet?

19. Have my men always got their box respirators on them, and are they in good order?

20. Are the arrangements, in case of gas attack complete and known to all ranks?

21. Are the orders as to wearing equipment carried out?

22. Are my men using wood from the defenses as firewood?

23. Are my men drinking water from any but authorized sources? Are the arrangements for cooking and the care of rations as clean and sanitary as they can be made? Are dugouts and shelters kept clean and tidy?

24. I am here for two purposes: To hold this line under all circumstances, and to do as much damage as possible to the enemy. Am I doing all I can to make this line as strong as possible? Am I as _offensive_ as I might be with organized snipers, sniperscopes, rifle grenades, etc., and patrols?

=11. WIRING.=--(_a_) Each company will have a party of 1 N. C. O. and 6 men who will be specially trained in wiring. They will go out nightly and repair and improve the wire along the company front. The definite duty allotted to trained wirers will not preclude the use of other men to increase the amount of wire along the front.

(_b_) The wire defenses of the front must be such as to preclude the enemy from throwing bombs into our trench from the outer edge of our wire. The nearest wire to our parapet should be 30 yards from it, and should be 20 yards at least in depth.

=12. ORGANIZATION OF WORK ON DEFENSES.=--(_a_) The Infantry brigade commander is responsible for the maintenance of the front line system of trenches, under direction of the division and with the advice and assistance of the field company commander.

(_b_) One field company will usually be allotted to each brigade area for work under the C. R. E.

(_c_) The O. C. field company will act as technical adviser to the Infantry brigadiers, and with his officers will visit frequently the front line trenches and other trenches in the area, and be responsible for the technical quality of the work done in them; if necessary he will supply R. E. personnel for supervision, but this will be done sparingly, for the Infantry should be trained to do all ordinary maintenance and repair work, such as repairing wire, rebuilding of parapets, fixing U frames and revetment hurdles, construction of ordinary dugouts, keeping trenches drained, etc., without R. E. assistance or supervision, leaving the R. E. free for work requiring technical skill, such as--

New works. Concrete dugouts and machine-gun emplacements. Main drainage, etc.

(_d_) The pioneers will be employed under the C. R. E. on special jobs under their own officers, such as--

Construction of new trenches. Repair of communication trenches. Preparation of camps, etc.

(_e_) The battalion commander is responsible for all work done in his subsector, and is, under the brigade commander, responsible for drawing up a time-table allotting hours for work, rest, and meals. Time-tables will be submitted in the first instance to brigade H. Q. for approval, and will then remain in force till altered, any alteration being submitted in the same way as the original.

The following table is an example:

_Instructions for working party._

[To be used by all officers requiring or detailing a working party.]

Working party from___________________________________________________

Officers__________________________ O. R.______________________________

Rendezvous________________________ Time______________________________

Guide will be furnished by___________________________________________

Tools_____________________________

_____________________________ To be drawn from__________________

_____________________________

Stores____________________________

____________________________ To be drawn from__________________

____________________________

Instructions on the work from________________________________________

Time party will stop work____________________________________________

Whether haversack rations are to be brought__________________________

(_f_) All work on the fire trench should be carried out by the garrison of the trench, assisted, if necessary, by the garrison of the support and the reserve trenches.

(_g_) All work in rear of the fire trenches will be carried out by the garrison of the support and reserve trenches.

(_h_) Efficiency of work depends, firstly, on _organization_, and, secondly, on _supervision_. Without these, effort is wasted and work is unsatisfactory.

(_i_) _Organization_ demands forethought. Every officer charged with the execution of any work must--

(i) Think out beforehand exactly how it is to be performed, and how many men are necessary to carry it out, including any carrying parties that may be wanted.

(ii) Appoint a place and time (if this is not already fixed by routine) for the assembly of the party.

(iii) Ensure that the necessary tools are forthcoming, and that they are either brought by the party to the place of assembly, or are available for them there.

(iv) Ensure that the necessary materials are at hand or arrange for their conveyance to the place of work by the working party or by a separate carrying party before the working party arrives there.

(v) Parade the working party at the place of assembly, and tell each individual off to his task, or, in the case of larger parties, tell off their respective tasks, and appoint a N. C. O. or soldier in each squad to be responsible for the work.

(_j_) _Supervision_ demands energy and watchfulness. The officer charged with the execution of the work will always personally supervise it. Working parties will, as far as possible, be detailed by companies, platoons, or sections, and will be accompanied by all officers and N. C. O.'s belonging to them, who will remain with the party and be responsible for the continuance and direction of the work of their own men during its execution.

(_k_) Unless work has to be performed with equipment on, jackets should be taken off (except in inclement weather) while men are actually working and put on at once when they stop.

(_l_) The best work is obtained from men when they are given certain definite tasks, proportionate to the time they are to work, and allowed to fall out when the task is finished. If this can not be done, a fair task must be exacted and men who idle given extra tasks after the rest are dismissed.

(_m_) A working party which is too big for the task in hand is worse than one which is too small, since one man who has no job generally makes several others idle.

(_n_) All officers and other ranks must be made to understand that working is as useful and important as fighting; that good work deserves as much credit as good fighting, and that bad work brings discredit on himself and his battalion.

(_o_) A covering party will be provided for digging and wiring parties outside the front trenches. When such parties are being employed an adequate garrison will be left in the front trench.

(_p_) The word "fatigue" will never be employed in connection with work in the trenches or other defences.

=13. LOG BOOKS.=--Each company commander in front line or support trenches will keep a log book (Army Book 136) in which will be entered--

(i) Work done;

(ii) Number of men working;

(iii) Hours worked;

(iv) Information obtained from patrols, sentries, or other sources, as to the enemy, his habits, and his trenches.

_The above will be entered daily._

(v) Work projected or ordered, in order of importance;

(vi) A list of trench stores.

The log book will be inspected daily by the battalion commander and frequently by the brigade staff.

=14. UNDERCUTTING TRENCH SIDES.=--(_a_) The undercutting of trench sides to make shelters is forbidden.

(_b_) When shelters are made the required space from the ground level downwards will be cut out, and a roof, supported on reliable posts, will be made.

=15. COMMUNICATIONS.=--(_a_) Artillery lines will be laid on the north and west sides of trenches. Infantry lines on south and east.

(_b_) The Infantry brigade signal officer will exercise general supervision over all lines in the brigade area, and will notify Artillery brigades when any Artillery lines require attention or relaying. He will assist the Artillery whenever it may be possible to do so.

(_c_) All essential lines should be buried to a depth of at least 6 feet. Lines in the communication trenches should be reduced to a minimum.

(_d_) Lines will be clearly labeled at every hundred yards and at every junction with another line.

(_e_) All lines will be carefully patrolled at least once daily.

(_f_) One telephonist will always be on duty.

(_g_) Telephone communication to battalion headquarters and the company on each flank will be frequently tested.

(_h_) All "dead" lines will be reeled up at once.

(_i_) Every man is to know the position of his platoon commander's shelter and of the company headquarters.

(_j_) At least two men per section of the support and reserve companies must be able to act as guides to all the company headquarters of the battalion.

(_k_) All officers must know the shortest route from their own headquarters to those of the company on their flanks and to their own battalion headquarters.

(_l_) It is most important to maintain always visual signaling communications from the front line as far back as brigade headquarters. Brigade signal officers will be responsible to brigades that this is done. One message by day and one by night will be sent daily over each visual signaling route. These will be checked by the brigade staff at least once a week to insure that they are transmitted promptly and accurately.

(_m_) Pigeons when relieved by fresh ones will be flown back, each with a test message to brigade headquarters. Times taken from battalion headquarters to brigade headquarters will be checked in each case by the brigade signal officer, and once a week at least by the brigade staff.

(_n_) The brigade signal section while with the brigade forms an integral part of brigade headquarters. The brigade commander is responsible to higher authority for the communications within his brigade sector and must have full knowledge of them. He exercises control over his signals through the brigade signal officer. It is the duty of the brigade signal officer to bring to the notice of the brigade commander, as well as of the officer commanding divisional signal company, any defects which exist or any improvements which can be made.

=16. RATION PARTIES FOUND FROM FRONT TRENCHES.=--Usually rations and stores will be carried up to the trenches by supports and reserves. If this is not possible, and it is necessary that men from the front trenches have to be employed, not more than 10 per cent of the men in the firing line are to be away from the trenches at the same time.

=17. FIRING AT AEROPLANES.=--Will not be permitted except by order of an officer.

=18. RIFLES, EQUIPMENT, AND AMMUNITION (Carrying and wearing of).=--(_a_) Equipment will always be worn in the front trenches. Haversacks, water bottles, packs, and entrenching tools need not be worn. In the support and reserve trenches equipment will be worn at the discretion of the brigade commander.

(_b_) Ration and carrying parties, orderlies, etc., will wear equipment and carry rifles unless otherwise ordered in special cases by an officer. Permission to discard equipment, and particularly to discard arms, should be sparingly given.

(_c_) _Loading of rifles._--Except when it is necessary to shoot, a round will _never_ be kept in the chamber. Cut-offs will always be "in" and the safety catch "back."

(_d_) The magazine will be kept charged with five rounds.

(_e_) In the fire trenches, bayonets will be fixed at night.

(_f_) _Care of rifles._--All rifles and ammunition will be inspected by an officer at least twice a day, viz, at morning and evening "Stand to." They must be kept scrupulously clean at _all_ times, and any mud or grit removed _at once_ without waiting for the next inspection. Breech covers will always be kept on rifles, and so fixed that they can be immediately cast loose. Each platoon will have its full complement of "breech clearers" in charge of men fully instructed in their use.

(_g_) Noncommissioned officers and men in firing line and support will at all times be in possession of their rifles and bayonets. The rifles of men in support reserve trenches or dugouts may be placed in protected racks, so that they can be seized quickly. Not more than six will be in one rack.

(_h_) In very cold weather sentries will occasionally work the bolt of the rifle to prevent the striker becoming frozen.

(_i_) On no account is the rifle to be used for the purpose of carrying camp kettles and other loads.

(_j_) Ammunition boxes in the trenches will be examined frequently to see if the lids work easily. They will not be needlessly broken into. Each box will be placed on its side in a recess, protected from the weather, with the lid facing outwards, and with the broader end of the wooden lid uppermost.

(_k_) Every man will have 120 rounds in his possession.

(_l_) Platoon commanders will report at "Stand to" whether their ammunition is correct or otherwise.

(_m_) Except in cases of emergency no bandoliers will be issued to men in the trenches.

(_n_) _Disposal of rifles, equipment, and ammunition._--Men wounded and going sick will, if able to walk, wear their equipment and carry their rifles. The rifles and equipment of men unable to carry them, and also those of dead men, will be sent back to the dressing station. All rifles, however, badly damaged, and equipment damaged or not required, will be sent back to the quartermaster. Damaged cartridges and empty cases will be collected in sacks hung up in the trenches for the purpose and returned to the quartermaster.

=19. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST GAS ATTACK.=--When "_Wind dangerous_" is ordered, the following arrangements will be carried out:

(i) All small box respirators and P. H. helmets will be carefully inspected; such inspections will be carried out daily during the "_Wind dangerous_" period.

(ii) Within a mile of the front line the small box respirator will be worn in the "_Alert_" position on the chest with flap unbuttoned, but protecting the respirator from the wet.

(_a_) The small box respirator will be worn in the "_Alert_" position outside all clothing.

(_b_) Nothing will be carried slung across the body in such a way as to interfere with the adjustment of the box respirator.

(iii) Where for any reason a man is not in possession of a small box respirator, he will wear his P. H. helmet pinned to the shirt in the "_Alert_" position.

(iv) The chin strap of the steel helmet will on no account be worn under the chin to impede the adjustment of the mask.

(v) Detached parties of men moving within a mile of the front line will strictly observe the precautions laid down in (ii), (iii), and (iv). Commanding officers will be held responsible that this is done.

(vi) The duties of sentries are:

(_a_) To give warning;

(_b_) To adjust immediately the curtains of gas-proof dugouts.

(vii) All working parties east of the line POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES will have a sentry posted to give instant warning of a gas attack.

(viii) A sentry will be posted at each Strombos horn or similar alarm and instructed in its use.

(ix) A sentry will be posted at every tunnel dugout or other dugout holding more than 10 men.

(x) A sentry will be posted to each group of two or three small dugouts.

(xi) A sentry will be posted on each headquarters, signal office, and independent body of men east of the line POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES.

(xii) Men sleeping in rearward lines, works, or rest billets where they are allowed to take off their equipment will sleep with their small box respirators round their necks, and must know exactly where their P. H. helmet is to be found.

(xiii) Company gas N. C. O.'s will report to company headquarters in readiness to assist the company commander should a gas attack occur.

(xiv) Medical officers will be responsible that a proper proportion of the ammonia capsules issued to them are with stretcher bearers in the front line in readiness for their immediate use after a gas attack.

(xv) Company gas N. C. O.'s will inspect daily all antigas apparatus--Strombos horns, flapper fans, vacuum bulbs, and stores of combustibles for clearing dugouts. They will see that gas-proof dugouts are kept in good order and the curtains sprayed.

(xvi) An officer on duty will be detailed from each company in reserve, except resting battalions.

(xvii) Commanders of units in billets east of the line POPERINGHE--BAILLEUL--ESTAIRES will organize a system of giving the alarm and rousing the men in cellars or houses.

=20. ACTION DURING ENEMY GAS ATTACK.=--In the event of an enemy gas attack the following action will be taken:

(i) The alarm will at once be given by all means available; by telephone, gongs, Strombos horns, and, if necessary, by orderly, and in accordance with paras. (iv) and (v).

(ii) THERE SHOULD BE AS LITTLE MOVEMENT AND TALKING AS POSSIBLE. All ranks will at once adjust their small box respirators. In front lines, and wherever the tactical situation demands, they will stand to arms. In rear lines, where there are large gas-proof dugouts, there is no objection, provided the tactical situation allows it, to men, with the exception of sentries and officers and N. C. O.'s on duty, remaining in the gas-proof dugouts. In any case small box respirators will be adjusted immediately the alarm is given and before the men leave the dugout.