CHAPTER XI

COMBAT. ATTACK AND DEFENSE 204-247 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 204-205 Offensive and defensive tactics 204 Raw troops, how utilized 204 Passive defense--when to be adopted 204 Fire superiority keynote of success 204 Dispersion, complicated movements, half-hearted measures 204 Uncovering the line of retreat and main body 204-205 Concentration of forces. Detachments--when permissible 205 Containing and covering forces 205 Night attacks. Night movements--when advisable 205 Examination of terrain preliminary to attack. Use of maps 205 Attacks offering no chance of success 205 Reconnaissance during an action 205 Integrity of tactical units 205 FORMS OF ATTACK 205-209 Advantages and disadvantages of frontal and of enveloping attacks 206 Considerations influencing the decision as to form and direction of attack 206-207 Considerations influencing selection of flank to be enveloped 207 Best dispositions for attacking infantry the primary consideration 207 Envelopment of both hostile flanks 207 Combined frontal and enveloping attacks 208 Relative strengths of frontal and enveloping attacks 208 Density of firing line in attack 208 Strength of supports 208 Envelopment to be provided for in first deployment 208 Convergence of fire. Separation of frontal and enveloping attacks 209 ADVANCING TO THE ATTACK. Formation in approaching the position 209 Establishment of fire superiority 209 Conjunction of movement 209 Cover for advancing troops. Contact during advance 209 ASSIGNMENT OF FRONTS 210-211 Covering the defender’s line 210 Landmarks and guiding points. Routes 210 Extension of defender’s line to meet enveloping attack 210 Orders to the attacking columns 210-211 RESERVES 211-212 Need for reserves. The influence of their judicious use on the course of the action 211 Concentration of force at critical point 211 Relative strength of reserves in attack and in defense 211 Battalion supports. Regimental and brigade reserves 211 Employment of local reserves 211 Supports and reserves in defense. Position of the reserves. Division of reserves 211 Distances of supports and reserves from firing line 212 PROTECTION OF THE FLANKS 212-214 Necessity for protecting the flanks. Means employed 212 Obstacles and field of fire 212 Cavalry and mounted men on the flanks 212 Infantry flank combat patrols. Strength and duties 212-213 Duty of flank organization in providing protection 213 Supreme commander’s orders for flank protection 213 Reconnaissance to the front 213 Strength of flank combat patrols 213-214 Ammunition in combat trains. When and by whom issued. Time required for issue. Disposition of empty wagons of combat trains 214 Ammunition trains 214 Amount of ammunition available. How carried on the march 214 Expenditure of ammunition in attack and defense. Long range fire in attack and in defense 214-215 Economy of ammunition 215 INTRENCHMENTS, OBSTACLES, ETC. 215-217 Intrenchments in attack and in defense. Time required for construction. Objects of intrenchments in defense 215-216 Location and construction of firing and of support trenches. Communicating trenches 216 Duties of engineers in intrenching, removal of obstacles, etc. 216 Obstacles, nature and effect. Artificial obstacles 216-217 Location of obstacles 217 Obstacles to be covered by fire of defense 217 Measuring and marking ranges 217 FRONTAGES IN ATTACK AND IN DEFENSE 217-219 Density of the firing line. Strength of supports and reserves 219 THE ATTACK OF A POSITION BY A SMALL INFANTRY FORCE 219-225 Disposal of trains 220 Examination of terrain 220 Orders to subordinates 220 ATTACK ORDER FOR A SMALL FORCE 220-223 Routes to position 223 Issues of ammunition 223 Description of localities 223-224 Hostile artillery fire 224 Hostile reinforcements 224 Designation of enemy’s line 224 Engineers, signal and sanitary troops in attack 224 Dressing stations and slightly wounded stations 224-225 REMARKS CONCERNING AN ATTACK BY A REINFORCED BRIGADE 225-228 Reconnaissance and preliminary orders of the commander 225 Locating the enemy’s flanks 226 Considerations prior to attack 226 Assignment of regiments 226-227 Conjunction of holding and enveloping attacks 227 Provisions for the protection of the flanks 227 Duties of cavalry prior to and during the action 227 Dispositions of attacking artillery 227-228 Reserve, station and functions 228 Engineers, signal and sanitary troops and trains during the attack. Dressing stations. Empty ammunition wagons 228 Station of the supreme commander during the action 228 REMARKS CONCERNING ADVANCE GUARD ACTION 228-230 Occasions for committing the advance guard to action 228-229 Considerations influencing the decision as to action to be taken on meeting the enemy. Mission of the command as a whole 229 Advantages of frontal attack by advance guard 229 Pursuit of a defeated enemy 229-230 Supreme commander with advance guard 230 THE OCCUPATION OF A DEFENSIVE POSITION 230-236 Considerations prior to the occupation of a defensive position. Requirements of a position 230-231 Position in readiness, when to be assumed 231 Positions farther to front or rear. Rencontre engagements 231 Time that small forces can maintain themselves against larger 231-232 Effect of improvements in weapons on power of defense 232 Delaying and decisive actions 232 Posts of artillery in defense 232 Obstacles in front of position. Passages for counter attack 232 Probable direction of hostile attack. Posting the reserve 232 Division of defensive line into sections and assignment of troops 232-233 Use of machine guns in defense 232-233 Openings in the line 233 Detailed organization of sectors or sections 233 Density of firing line. Influence of terrain 233 Employment of large reserves in defense 233 Long range fire in defense 233 Delaying actions. Cavalry in delaying actions 233 Marking ranges and clearing field of fire 233-234 Preparation of position for defense 234 Disposal of empty wagons of combat trains 234 Direct fire by artillery in defense 234 Duties of the cavalry 234 Security to the front during the preparation and occupation of the position 234 Machine guns. “Dagger” batteries 234-235 Flank combat patrols. General and special measures for the security of the flanks 235 Security of the lines of retreat 235 Employment of reserves and engineers in the preparation of the position 235 Dressing station 235 Strong reserves characteristic of active defense 235 Advanced posts and advanced positions 235 THE COUNTER ATTACK 236-238 Eventual assumption of offensive 236 Employment of the general reserve 236 Concealment of troops for counter attack 236 Time and manner of delivering the counter attack 236-237 Supporting points in rear of line 237 Artillery of defense 237 Selection of terrain to favor counter attack 237 Suggestions as to the conduct of an active defense 237-238 Aggressive employment of large reserves by defense 237 Most favorable opportunity for a counter-stroke 238 ORDER FOR A FRONTAL ATTACK BY AN ADVANCE GUARD 238-242 ORDER FOR AN ENVELOPING ATTACK BY A REINFORCED BRIGADE 243-244 ORDER FOR THE OCCUPATION OF A DEFENSIVE POSITION 244-247