CHAPTER XIII

COMBAT--ATTACK AND DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE, WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION, RENCONTRE, DELAYING ACTION, PURSUIT, NIGHT ATTACKS, MACHINE GUNS 277-307 Mountain ranges, deserts and rivers as obstacles 277 ATTACK AND DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE 277-288 Use of existing bridges and fords, hasty bridges and ferries 277-278 METHODS OF ATTACK OF A RIVER LINE. Turning movement. Turning movement combined with holding attack. Frontal attacks at one or more points 278-279 Object of feint attack 279 Conditions to be fulfilled by feint 279-280 Conditions to be fulfilled by main attack 280-281 Necessity of deceiving the defender 281 Counter attack by the defender 281 CONDUCT OF THE ATTACK 281-283 Reconnaissance. Seizure of bridges 281 Outpost troops, cavalry and artillery 281-282 Time for attack. Night movements 281 Camping prior to attack 281 Artillery positions in attack of a river line 281-282 Machine guns. Position fire by infantry 282 Duties of the outpost 282 Launching the feint and main attack 282 Demonstrations on flank by cavalry. Pursuit 282 Position of reserve 283 Engineer reconnaissance. Construction of crossings 283 DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE 284 General dispositions for and essential elements of a river line defense 284 Alternative plans for defense. Counter attacks 284 Prompt detection of enemy’s intentions 284 Need of mobile reserves 284 Aerial reconnaissance 284 ORDERS FOR ATTACK OF A RIVER LINE 285-288 WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION 288-295 Occasions for withdrawal 288 Difficulty of withdrawing troops committed to an action 288-289 Sacrifice of a portion of the command to save the remainder 289 Withdrawal under cover of darkness 289 Intrenching the advanced position in attack 289 Removal of trains, ambulance company and wounded 289 Requirements of supporting position to be occupied by the reserves 289-290 Masking fire of supporting position 290 Flank positions 290 Long range fire. Cover. Getaway 290 Distance to rear of supporting position 290 Artillery fire during withdrawal. Withdrawal of artillery. Ammunition trains 291 General rule for withdrawal 291 Order of withdrawal of troops and conditions influencing same 291 Rendezvous positions for retiring troops 292 Stream crossings 292 Utilization of several lines of retreat 292 Successive supporting positions to cover withdrawal 292 Formation of and troops for rear guard 292 Cavalry and signal troops 292-293 Transmission of orders 293 EXAMPLES OF VERBAL ORDERS FOR A WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION 293-295 RENCONTRE OR MEETING ENGAGEMENT 295-297 Advantages of prompt action. Seizing the initiative 295 Reconnaissance prior to attack 295 Greatest possible force to be launched at enemy 296 Direction of deployment and of attack. Machine guns and artillery 296 General duties of an advance guard. Proper strength and distance from main body 296-297 Maneuvering zone for main body 296 Place of the supreme commander on the march 297 DELAYING ACTION 297-300 Offensive and defensive tactics in delaying actions 297 Use of long thin lines and weak supports 297 Necessity for a secure line of retreat 297 Delay of enemy, how accomplished 297 Necessity for good field of fire at mid and long ranges 297-298 Occupation of the geographical crest 298 Relative difficulty of withdrawing infantry and cavalry 298 Deceiving the enemy as to the strength of the position. Risk involved 298 Assumption of the offensive. Obstacles 298-299 Number of successive positions to be occupied 299 Advantages of a determined stand 299 Danger of decisive engagement 299 Selection and preparation of delaying positions 299 Tendency of troops to break straight to rear 299 Flank positions. Distance between positions. Step by step defensive. Rallying 299 Demolitions. Ambuscades 299 Line of an unfordable stream as a delaying position 300 Seizure of a position well to the front. Orderly occupation of the position 300 Artillery and machine guns in delaying actions 300 Issue of ammunition for delaying actions 300 PURSUIT 300-302 Energetic pursuit necessary to reap fruits of victory 300 Fresh troops necessary for pursuit 301 Prompt initiation of pursuit 301 Cavalry, horse artillery and motor cars 301 Continuous contact with enemy 301 Gaining the flanks and rear 301 Seizure of bridges and defiles 301 Pursuit on a broad front 301 ORDER FOR A PURSUIT 301-302 NIGHT ATTACKS 302-304 Essential features of night attacks 302-303 Simplicity of plan 303 Importance of preliminary reconnaissance 303 Infantry, cavalry and artillery in night attacks 303 Badges and watchwords 303 Depth of attacking formations. Formed reserves 303 Night attacks by large and by small forces 303 Assembly for attack 303 Precautions to insure surprise of the enemy 303-304 Point of attack. False attacks and demonstrations 304 Rendezvous for assembly after the attack 304 Collection of scattered forces in case of failure 304 Time for delivery of attack 304 Night attack of a bridge head 304 Protection against night attacks. Field of fire 304 Artificial illumination. Alarm signals. Obstacles. Close ranges for fire 304 Use of the bayonet. Machine guns 304 MACHINE GUNS. 304-307 Extensive use in modern warfare 304 Effective ranges and rates of fire. Need for skilled operators 304-305 Pack and motor transport 305 Chief purpose of machine guns 305 Ammunition supply. Most favorable targets 305 Artillery vs. machine guns 305-306 Offensive and defensive use. Mobility 305-306 Immobilization of machine guns 305 Dispersion of guns 306 Supports for machine guns 306 SPECIAL CASES IN WHICH MACHINE GUNS MAY BE EFFECTIVELY EMPLOYED 306-307