Part 5

(iii) On the alarm being given, all bodies of troops or transport on the move will halt, and all working parties cease work until the gas cloud has passed.

(iv) Should the gas cloud be unaccompanied by an infantry attack, the message "Gas attack, trench ________________," but not the S. O. S. signal, will be sent.

(v) Should an infantry attack develop, the normal procedure of S. O. S. will be carried out.

(vi) Troops in the front line not affected by gas must be warned to be prepared to bring a cross fire to bear on the enemy when he attempts to advance against a gassed portion of the trench.

(vii) If a relief is in progress, units should stand steady as far as possible until the gas cloud has passed.

(viii) Supports, and parties bringing up ammunition and grenades, will only be moved up if the tactical situation demands.

(ix) The blanket doorways of protected dugouts will be properly adjusted.

(x) Men in charge of combustibles and fans will prepare to use them as soon as the gas cloud has passed, so as to admit of helmets being removed.

(xi) Helmets will not be removed after a gas attack until permission has been given by the company commander, who will ascertain from officers and N. C. O.'s trained at the divisional gas school that it is safe to do so. Trenches will be fanned clear of gas with fans and sandbags.

(xii) In order to guard against the danger of a subsequent gas cloud, all ranks, as soon as the gas is clear and permission has been received to remove their masks, will replace them in the "_alert_" position.

A SHARP LOOKOUT WILL BE MAINTAINED AS LONG AS THE WIND CONTINUES IN A DANGEROUS QUARTER, AND MEN WILL SLEEP ON THE FIRE STEP, WITHIN REACH OF A SENTRY. A SUBSEQUENT GAS CLOUD IS ALWAYS LIKELY.

(xiii) Dugouts will not be entered for at least four hours after a gas attack, and should be ventilated freely. Ventilation (natural or by means of fires and antigas fans) is the only sure method of clearing a dugout. If dugouts have to be entered owing to heavy shelling, this should be done with the utmost caution, and gas helmets put on at the slightest trace of gas. The clearing of dugouts should not be carried out by men who have been even slightly affected by gas. Dugouts can be efficiently ventilated by means of a small fire burning in the center of a dugout or cellar for 20 minutes. This method has been proved by experiments to be effective, but should be employed with due regard to the danger of smoke being visible to the enemy. Dry wood or other combustibles will be kept in readiness for the purpose.

(xiv) Special arrangements will be made by corps for warning the civil authorities who are responsible for the protection and warning of all civilians within the corps area.

=21. ACTION AFTER ENEMY GAS ATTACK.=--(i) Smoking will be prohibited for a period of three hours after the gas has ceased.

(ii) After a gas attack troops in the front trenches will be relieved of all fatigue and carrying work for 24 hours by sending up working parties from companies in rear. Horses should not be worked for a similar period if it can be avoided.

(iii) No man suffering from effects of gas will be permitted to walk to the dressing station.

(iv) Rifles and machine guns should be cleaned immediately after a gas attack; oil cleaning will prevent corrosion for 12 hours, but the first available opportunity should be taken to clean all parts in boiling water containing a little soda.

=22. ACTION DURING GAS SHELL BOMBARDMENT.=--(i) Small box respirators will be put on in the shelled area.

(ii) In the event of a sudden and intense bombardment with gas shell a local alarm will be given in the front-line system of trenches by orderlies; in reserve trenches and battery positions this local alarm may be given by French shunters' horns. In order to avoid false alarms of a gas attack the French shunters' horns should not be used in Infantry front-line trenches.

(iii) All dugouts in the vicinity will be visited and any sleeping men aroused.

=23. DISCIPLINE WITH REGARD TO CARRYING SMALL BOX RESPIRATORS.=--Small box respirators will always be carried within 2 miles of the front line (_i.e._, in advance of the line ELVERDINGHE--VLAMERTINGHE--DICKEBUSH--KEMMEL HILL--NEUVE EGLISE--NIEPPE--LAVENTIE) whatever the direction of the wind is. P. H. helmets will always be carried in corps areas whatever the direction of the wind is.

="WIND-DANGEROUS" period.=--Orders as to the position in which the above are worn in "_wind-dangerous_" period are contained in section 19.

="WIND-SAFE" period.=--When the wind is safe working parties during work and at the discretion of the officer in command may take off their box respirators, provided the latter are placed conveniently at hand for use in case of a sudden gas-shell attack or change of the wind.

The P. H. helmet will always be carried.

=24. VERMOREL SPRAYERS.=--(_a_) Vermorel sprayers form part of trench stores. They are provided for spraying the blankets of gas-proof dugouts and shelters.

(_b_) They will be stored in the gas-proof dugout or in a protected position close at hand.

(_c_) They must be kept one-third full of water. Six gallons of the solution given below to be used in them must be kept in corked jars or petrol tins close to each sprayer. It must not be kept in the sprayer owing to its corrosive nature, and after solution has been used the sprayer must be washed out with water:

Water.--3 gallons (one large bucket);

Sodium thiosulphate (hypo).--1-1/2 lbs. (3/4 mess tin);

Sodium carbonate (washing soda).--3 lbs. (one piled mess tin).

(_d_) Vermorel sprayers will be in charge of company gas N. C. O.'s, who will detail and train men in their care and use and superintend all spraying. The blankets on all gas-protected dugouts will be inspected and sprayed at the commencement of a wind-dangerous period and as often as is necessary to keep them in a moist condition during it.

(_e_) Company gas N. C. O.'s will take over Vermorel sprayers from outgoing N. C. O.'s.

(_f_) Vermorel sprayers in the line will on no account be used for clearing gas from trenches or dugouts after an attack. Against the present gas used by the enemy these chemicals have no effect, and Ayrton fans and fires are the means to be used.

The sprayers at medical aid posts are provided with a chemical solution which will clear any gas that may have entered their protected posts.

=25. SANITATION.=--(_a_) The importance of strict attention to sanitation will be impressed on all ranks.

(_b_) The commanding officer is responsible for sanitation in his unit, and the medical officer will advise him in sanitary matters, making frequent inspection of cook houses, latrines, refuse pits, and water arrangements. Under the medical officer latrines and refuse pits will be attended to by the regimental sanitary men and water duties by the R. A. M. C. details attached.

(_c_) Latrines will be constructed in trenches leading from communication trenches. Where the bucket system is employed, chloride of lime or creosol will be freely used. The soil will be removed at night and buried in a deep pit at least 100 yards from the trenches; these pits will be filled in when nearly full and labeled.

(_d_) Empty tins and other refuse will be collected in receptacles kept for the purpose in the trenches, and returning carrying parties will be used to carry these back to the incinerators in rear.

=26. RATIONS AND COOKING.=--(_a_) Ration parties from the support and reserve trenches will be made up in complete units.

(_b_) The company quartermaster sergeant will accompany the ration parties for his company and report his arrival to the company commander.

(_c_) Great care is to be taken that ration and carrying parties make as little noise as possible.

(_d_) Where cooking is done individually, definite times should be allocated for the purpose.

(_e_) Unused rations will be returned to the quartermaster.

(_f_) Waste in any form will be discouraged.

(_g_) Arrangements should be made to insure that soup or some hot drink is available for the men between midnight and 4 a. m.

(_h_) All cooking places and appliances will be kept scrupulously clean and inspected daily by an officer.

=27. CARE OF GRENADES.=--(_a_) Grenades in the trenches will be kept in waterproof boxes placed in recesses in the parapet.

(_b_) The brigade bombing officer will frequently inspect all grenades and posts, and will see that the proper number of grenades is kept up in each post and store; that they are protected from weather; that a sufficient number of bombers are present and understand their duties; that the grenades are in good condition; and that waistcoats or carriers are available.

=28. STEEL HELMETS.=--Steel helmets will be worn at all times in the trenches (including all communicating trenches). In addition, they will be worn elsewhere than in the trenches as may be ordered from time to time by divisional or brigade headquarters.

=29. RUM.=--(_a_) Rum will be issued by an officer, who will see that each individual drinks it in his presence.

(_b_) It is not to be issued in the trenches after "Stand down" in the evening or before "Stand down" in the morning, except with the special permission of the battalion commander.

(_c_) Men undergoing punishment for drunkenness will receive no issue of rum for fourteen days after the offense unless it is necessary for medical reasons.

=30. CHILLED FEET AND FROSTBITE.=--1. These conditions are caused by--

(_a_) Prolonged standing in cold water and mud;

(_b_) The continued wearing of wet socks, boots, and puttees;

(_c_) Constriction of the lower limbs.

2. They can be prevented or diminished by--

(_a_) The wearing of long gum boots;

(_b_) Improvements to trenches and provision of dry standings, and warmth;

(_c_) Reduction of time spent in the trenches as far as the military situation permits;

(_d_) Good battalion arrangements to insure that men enter the trenches warmly clad with dry boots, socks, and trousers, and with the skin well rubbed with whale oil or antifrostbite grease;

(_e_) Taking to the trenches a pair of ankle boots, in addition to the long gum boots, and changing from one into the other when possible, at the same time putting on a pair of dry socks.

N. B.--The effect from being wet through from perspiration is just as bad as that from water. Therefore, change your socks.

(_f_) Taking exercise. Work is the best specific against trench feet. Men who are kept moving are kept warm, with their blood circulating properly, and do not get trench feet.

(_g_) Providing warm food at least once a day in the trenches and shelter.

=3. Commanding officers will be held personally responsible that the following instructions are implicitly carried out under the strictest supervision by officers=:

(_a_) Previous to a tour of trench duty, men's feet will be well rubbed with oil or grease and dry socks put on. It is not sufficient to apply the oil or grease, it must be _thoroughly rubbed in until the skin is dry_.

(_b_) In addition to those worn, another pair of socks will be carried by each man and used as directed in section 30, paragraph 2 (_e_).

(_c_) Battalion arrangements will be made for the reissue of one dry pair of socks to each man daily in the trenches.

(_d_) Puttees are never to be worn with long gum boots. Socks can be prevented from creeping down under the sole of the foot by fastening them to the trousers by means of safety pins. On no account will anything in the form of a garter be worn, as it impedes circulation of the blood.

(_e_) Hot food will be provided at least once a day for men in trenches. Hot boxes will be available for carrying this.

(_f_) When the feet are affected on no account is hot water to be used, nor are they to be put near a fire.

(_g_) Regimental rest posts are to be instituted in close proximity to the trenches, where attention can properly be given to men who show signs of exposure.

(_h_) On return from the trenches the long gum boots are to be dried inside.

=4. Divisional or brigade arrangements for=: (_a_) Provision of the necessary accommodation for the washing and drying of socks in large numbers, and their supply, to battalions in the front line, in exchange for wet ones.

(_b_) Drying and brushing of clothes.

5. Long gum boots are issued solely for the use of men in the trenches, either in the forward or backward lines. They are not to be issued to or used by men under any other conditions.

Trancribers note:

The following printers errors have been corrected, otherwise spelling is as in the original.

sperior/superior certatin/certain sumbitted/submitted

Words, letters surrounded by equal signs were bold in the original.

End of Project Gutenberg's Specimens of British Trench Orders, by Anonymous