CHAPTER IX

CAVALRY TACTICS 144-169 USES OF CAVALRY IN CAMPAIGN SUMMARIZED 144 Improper uses of cavalry. Division of the cavalry forces 144 Conservation of energies of men and horses. Night work 144 Wagons and pack trains with cavalry 144-145 Artillery, signal troops and mounted engineers with cavalry 145 Discretionary powers of the cavalry commander and nature of the instructions to be given him 145-146 Cavalry in masses seeks hostile cavalry 146 ARMY AND DIVISIONAL CAVALRY. Duties 146 Cavalry with advance, rear and flank guards, outposts and detachments 147 Cavalry in delaying actions 147 Independent cavalry. When employed 147-148 Principal duties of the independent cavalry. Range of its operations. Return to main camp at night 148 Contact with the enemy. Reports 148 Functions of cavalry and aeronautical services 149 Overthrow of hostile cavalry. How accomplished 149 Cavalry screen 149 Contact squadrons and strategic patrols 149-150 Means of transmitting information. Relay and collecting stations, etc. Field wireless equipment, automobiles, motorcycles, etc. 150 CAVALRY IN COMBAT 150-160 Methods of offensive action. Mounted charge, mounted and dismounted fire action 150-151 Dismounted fire action, when employed 151 Advantages of remaining mounted. Mounted reserve 151-152 Mounted reconnaissance 152 Horse holders. Mobility and immobility of horses. Coupling 152 Time required to dismount and to mount 152 Horse artillery, machine guns and mounted engineers with cavalry. Functions 152-153 Training of cavalry for pioneer work 153 CAVALRY vs. INFANTRY 153-155 Mounted attack on infantry, when practicable 153 The element of surprise 153 Dismounted action 153 Turning movements by cavalry. Delaying actions. Successive positions. Harrassing the flanks of a pursuing enemy 153 Mounted reserves and combat patrols 154 Security of led horses 154 Requirements of a delaying position 154 Time to withdraw. How close enemy may be allowed to approach. Provisions for withdrawal 154-155 CAVALRY vs. CAVALRY 155-160 Mounted action and element of surprise 155 Recall of detachments 155 Preparations for the charge 156 Ground scouts and combat patrols 156 Protection of the flanks 156 Dismounted fire action in support of mounted action. Machine guns and artillery fire 156-157 Division of troops for mounted action. Formations and gaits 157-158 Approach to position 157-158 Formation for and delivery of charge. The rally 158 Duties of support, reserve and dismounted troops 158-159 Distance at which charge should be launched 159 Wheeled vehicles and pack trains during combat 159 Carriage of extra ammunition and rations 159 Most favorable times for attacking cavalry, mounted 159-160 SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN CAVALRY COMBAT, FOR SMALL FORCES. Procedure and orders 160-164 THE CAVALRY SCREEN 164-165 Position and duties of cavalry screen 164-165 Offensive and defensive screens 165 Front covered by screen 165 Daily marching rates of cavalry and patrols 165 CAVALRY PATROLS 165-166 Classification and functions 165-166 Reconnoitering and screening patrols. Tactical and strategical patrols 165-166 Nature of information gathered. Distances from supporting troops, radii of action 165-166 Combat by patrols 166 Strength of patrols 166 LESSONS IN CAVALRY TACTICS FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 166-169