QUESTIONS.
The following questions cover the principles of combat in open warfare. These principles have been supplemented rather than changed in the light of experience since 1914. In their original form, as given in this book, they still may be considered as fundamental. Compare them carefully with the treatment of the same topics in the larger works recommended. The questions are shaped to cover the topics supplemented.
1.—What is the difference between "trench warfare" and "open warfare"?
2.—What is meant by the "combat"?
3.—What are the two phases of the combat?
4.—What is the distinction between "the approach" and the "attack"?
5.—Why is maneuvering impossible under infantry fire?
6.—What is the purpose of the approach?
7.—How are orders issued?
8.—How is liaison secured?
9.—What were the original functions of combat patrols?
10.—When should close order be abandoned for deployment?
11.—At what distance from the enemy does deployment become imperative?
12.—What is the last formation to escape direct observation?
13.—What precautions may be taken against aeroplane observations?
14.—What is the difference between a registering fire and fire for effect?
15.—How may the German registering fire be recognized?
16.—What precaution may be taken against it and why is it effective?
17.—What preliminaries are necessary to open fire for effect?
18.—What is an easy way to recognize whether fire for effect may be expected?
19.—What five cases of fire may be distinguished?
20.—What is the burst area of a shrapnel shell?
21.—What is the safest protective formation against shrapnel?
22.—What is the difference between a shrapnel shell, a time-fuse high explosive shell and a percussion high explosive shell?
23.—What is the burst area of a time-fuse high explosive shell?
24.—What is the safest protective formation against it?
25.—What is the burst area of percussion high explosive shells, and what precautions can be taken against them?
26.—What is the safest protective formation against all types of shells?
27.—What objections may it be open to?
28.—What is the safest way and direction to go when under artillery fire?
29.—Why should small woods be avoided?
30.—In large woods, what precautions must be taken to secure a steady advance?
31.—How should the exit from a wood be made?
32.—Describe method of crossing a crest.
33.—What are good protective formations against cavalry and how is it repulsed?
34.—What elements have the mission to deal with cavalry patrols?
35.—What is meant by "the objective" in attack?
36.—What is the distinction between determining the objective and the position from which to start the attack?
37.—What is the distinction between "the approach" and getting into position for the attack?
38.—At what distance from the enemy does deployment as skirmishers become imperative?
39.—Describe method of advance toward positions for the attack.
40.—Where should the officers be during this advance?
41.—How is liaison (communication) secured between the various commands?
42.—What is meant by the fire attack?
44.—How is the time to fire determined?
45.—How are fire control and fire effect secured?
46.—How is the firing line advanced?
47.—How is it rectified?
48.—Why should care be taken not to have men out of breath?
49.—How should machine guns be made to contribute to the approach, the fire attack, the charge?
50.—How far should the company supports be from the firing line?
51.—Who commands them?
52.—How is the firing line reinforced?
53.—Describe the company supports going into the line to fill up a gap, to reinforce a section.
54.—Describe position and behavior of companies in support.
55.—What is the final stage of the whole attack?
56.—Who orders the charge and how is it made?
57.—What is the difference between the charge and the pursuit?
58.—What should be done with a newly conquered position?
59.—What is the first objective in attacking a wood?
60.—How does the aim of the troops on the wings differ from that of those in the center?
62.—Distinguish the different objectives in the attack of a village.
63.—Describe the attack to proceed through a defile in which the enemy is located.
64.—Describe the attack of a bridge.
65.—Why should night attacks be of limited scope?
66.—What special precautions should be taken?
67.—What is the largest unit advisable?
68.—How is surprise secured?
69.—Describe the methods of reconnaissance, advance and liaison for a night attack.
70.—Should the enemy's fire be answered in a night attack?
71.—What does the success of a night attack chiefly depend on?
72.—How should troops be distributed for the defense of woods and what is the function of each?
73.—Describe the distribution of troops for the defense of a village.
74.—How should the outskirts defense be organized?
75.—Describe the interior defense.
76.—How can a defile be kept open for an advance?
77.—How can a defile be safeguarded for a retreat?
78.—Give necessary orders for the blocking of a defile.
79.—Why should reconnoitering for counter attacks always be part of the organization for defense.
80.—Describe repulse of a night attack.
81.—Is an attack ever advisable without previous reconnaissance?
82.—Explain the importance of understanding the exact objective in a counterattack.
83.—What is the best time to launch a counter attack?
84.—What precautions must be taken to secure the success of a counter attack?
85.—What is a good motto under all conditions, but especially in the attack?
Appendix.
A Division Front in
Trench Warfare.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE I.
The following may be considered a standard scheme of distribution of troops, for trench warfare, in a fully developed trench system.
An infantry division is composed of two brigades, each brigade of two regiments, each regiment of three battalions. Each brigade thus has six battalions, each battalion numbering 1026 officers and men, normally divided into four companies.
One battalion occupies about 1000 yards in ordinary trench warfare. As reliefs must be frequent, three battalions of each brigade will be on duty, while the other three are in rest-billets, at least two miles back of the trenches.
Two of the battalions on duty occupy the trenches, the third is stationed about a mile back, in reserve.
A brigade can therefore hold about 2000 yards of trenches: two battalions in front line trenches, one battalion in reserve, and three battalions in rest billets.
Hence a division (two brigades) will hold a front of about 4000 yards.
Within each 1000 yards front, the distribution may be as follows:
Three platoons of Companies A, B, and C occupy the dugouts of the cover trench and of the support trench and post sentinels by roster in the fire trench.
Platoon No. 4 of each company occupy the dugouts of the reserve trench, together with the entire Company D.
Platoons and companies then relieve one another according to roster, a platoon of each company and an entire company, in turn, enjoying comparative rest in the reserve trench even during the stay of the battalion in the trenches.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE II.
The following is a description of the back areas of a divisional sector in which there has been no great changes since 1915. There are still several hundred miles of such sectors.
The line at the top marks the beginning of the trench-system described in Plate I. being the entrance to the communication trenches.
Road a, b, with the river c, d, run at the bottom of a small valley surrounded by hills of about 80 ft. elevation. A branch of the river runs from c. to e. and a railroad beside it, along road h, i, and crossing road j, k. A good size village is at D, a smaller one at C, hamlets at A and B. The latter are about one mile back of the trenches, village C. about two miles and village D. between three and four.
Hamlets A and B have probably been heavily bombarded at the time line was established and have been evacuated by the civilians. Village C. has received shells, but, if there has been no big attack in the sector, is in fair shape and some of the inhabitants remain. Village D. may also have suffered from shells but probably most of the inhabitants remain. Such villages may be clusters of farms or of cottages, depending upon the region. If village is made up of cottages, farm houses will be found along the roads at frequent intervals. The fields are likely to be under cultivation almost as far as road k, l.
Villages A, B, C are used to billet the battalion in reserve of each brigade. Village D. and the nearest villages further back are used as rest-billets by the battalions of the brigades who will relieve those in the trenches.
Near or in villages A, B and C or near hill E and G are located the transports of the infantry battalions in the trenches. Supplies are sent daily to the trenches from this headquarters of the quartermaster and transport officer.
Somewhere along road k, l, or about hills E and G are hidden in gun pits the batteries of field artillery attached to the division. The men live in dugouts alongside. The camps for the horses, wagons and supply headquarters of these batteries are hidden in the woods or on the further slopes of hills E, F, G.
In village D are very likely located the Brigades' headquarters and such services as the Field Ambulance and the Divisional Supply Departments. The Y. M. C. A. recreation centers, divisional theatre, football fields, army canteens etc., are also located in village D or just back of it. If the houses in the villages do not provide enough billets, huts and tents are erected. Otherwise the officers are billeted in the houses of the inhabitants and the men in the barns.
The Divisional Headquarters, the Ammunition Column, the Artillery Brigade Headquarters, the Engineers, the Ammunition Dumps, etc., are strung out in the villages and along the roads just back of village D. The heavier artillery is also posted back of this line.
In sectors that have been the scenes of offensives the several elements remain in the same relation, but as the villages have been obliterated, shelters must be provided. [The Editor.]
Transcriber's Note: To see larger versions of these diagrams, click on the diagram.
PLATE I—DIVISION FRONT—4000 yards (Trench System)
PLATE II—DIVISION FRONT (Back Areas)