CHAPTER VI

MARCHES. CHANGE OF DIRECTION OF MARCH. CAMPS AND BIVOUACS 83-94 ARRANGEMENT OF TROOPS ON THE MARCH 83-84 Marches in peace time 83 Intermingling of foot and mounted troops 83 Auto truck trains 83 Artillery and trains. Protection of long columns of wagons 83 Handling of trains on the march 83-84 Separation of trains and troops 84 Passage of defiles 85 Alternation of organizations in column on successive days 85 Advance guards, rear guards and leading troops 85 Distribution of troops in camp. Camping in column 85 Independent mission for cavalry. Prospects of combat, and tactical use of cavalry 85 Place of the supreme commander 85-86 Distances between elements in a flank march 86 TIMES OF STARTING FOR FOOT AND MOUNTED TROOPS AND TRAINS 86-87 Early starting 86 Late arrivals in camp 87 Night marches 87-89 Movements by rail 87 Movements by motor car 87 TABLE OF TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET 88 MANNER OF STARTING THE MARCH 88-89 Initial point 88 Regulation of march. End of a day’s march 89 LENGTH AND SPEED OF MARCHES 89-90 Forced marches. Marches by green troops. Progressive increase in length of marches. Marches by large and small bodies 89 Halts 89 Days of rest 89 Speed of infantry, mixed troops, artillery and trains 90 TABLE OF RATES OF MARCH OF DIFFERENT ARMS 90 Elongation 90 Limiting depths of fords 90 Selection of route 90 Effects of temperature on marching troops 91 Artillery and trains in double column 91 CHANGE IN DIRECTION OF MARCH 91-92 Reasons for change of direction. “Marching to the sound of the guns” 91 “Containing” a hostile force 91 Manner of changing direction. Use of a flank guard 91-92 Safety of trains in changing direction 92 EXAMPLE OF ORDER FOR CHANGE OF DIRECTION OF MARCH 92-93 CAMPS AND BIVOUACS 93-94 When to bivouac 93 Time of issue of halt order. Arrangements for distribution of troops in camp 93 Requirements of a camp site 93-94 Assignment with reference to convenience of arrival and departure. Camping in column 94 Use of buildings for shelter. Billeting 94