Lesson I.
Point of the bayonet directed at the base of the opponent’s throat, the rifle held easily and naturally with both hands, the barrel inclined slightly (about 30 degrees) to the left, the right hand at the height of the belt grasping the small of the stock, the left hand holding the rifle at the most convenient position in front of the rear sight, so that the left arm is only slightly bent; i.e., making an angle of about 150 degrees. The legs well separated in a natural position, such as a man walking might adopt on meeting with resistance; i.e., left knee slightly bent, right foot flat on the ground, with toe inclined to the right front.
The position should not be constrained in any way, but be one of aggression, alertness, and readiness to go forward for immediate attack (see Plate I).
COMMON FAULTS.
1. Leaning body back.
2. Left arm too much bent.
3. Right hand held too low and too far back.
4. Rifle grasped too rigidly, restraining all freedom of movement.
Assume the “order” in the easiest way without moving the feet.
“High port.” In this position the hands hold the rifle as in guard; the left wrist level with, and directly in front of, the left shoulder; the right hand above the right groin and on level with the belt.
When jumping ditches, surmounting obstacles, etc., this position of the rifle should be approximately maintained with the left hand alone, leaving the right hand free.
PLATE I.—“GUARD.”
Being in the position of guard, to execute “long thrust,” grasp the rifle firmly, vigorously deliver the thrust to the full extent of the left arm, butt running alongside and kept close to the right forearm; body inclined forward; left knee well bent; right leg braced, and weight of the body pressed well forward, with the fore part of the right foot, heel raised.
The chief power in a thrust is derived from the right arm with the weight of the body behind it, the left arm being used more to direct the point of the bayonet. The eye must be fixed on the object thrust at. In making thrusts other than straight to the front, the left foot should move in the same direction as that in which the thrust is made. During the later stages of this lesson the men should be practised in stepping forward with the rear foot when delivering the thrust.
COMMON FAULTS.
1. Rifle drawn back before delivering the thrust.
2. Butt of the rifle held as high as or against the right shoulder.
3. The eyes not directed on the object.
4. Left knee not sufficiently bent.
5. Body not thrust sufficiently forward.
REMARKS.
The “long thrust” is made against an opponent at a range of about four to five feet from the attacker’s eye.
To withdraw the bayonet after a long thrust has been delivered, draw the rifle straight back until the right hand is well behind the hip and immediately resume the guard. If the leverage or proximity to the object transfixed renders it necessary, the left hand must first be slipped up close to the stacking swivel and, when a pupil has reached that stage of delivering a thrust while advancing on a dummy, he will adopt this method.
After every thrust a rapid “withdrawal,” essential to quick work with the bayonet, should be practised before returning to the guard.
PROGRESSION.
First Practice:
PLATE II.—“LONG THRUST.”
Men should always be made to thrust at a target, e.g., at a named part of the body of the opposite man—“At the right eye; thrust, withdraw.” Oblique thrust should be practised by thrusting at the men to the right or left fronts.
PLATE III.—“WITHDRAWAL.”
As progress is attained, the pause between the thrust and the withdrawal should be shortened, until the men reach the stage when they withdraw and come to guard directly after making the thrust, judging their own time. They should be taught to thrust at two or more parts of the body.
To practise action against a retreating foe, first show the position of the kidneys (small of back, either side of the spine).
If possible, the point of the bayonet should be directed against an opponent’s throat, especially in hand-to-hand fighting. Other vulnerable and usually exposed parts are on the face, chest, lower abdomen, and thighs, and the region of the kidneys when the back is turned.
Four or six inches penetration is sufficient to incapacitate and allow for a quick withdrawal, whereas if a bayonet is driven home too far, it is often impossible to withdraw it. In such cases, a round should be fired to break the obstruction.
Second Practice:
The class working in pairs, with the instructor supervising, should be practised in thrusting in various directions: (1) at the opposite man’s hand, which he places in various positions on and off his body; (2) at thrusting rings, or balls of paper, tied to the end of sticks (see Plates VI, VII, VIII). This practice should be done without the word of command, so that the eye and brain may be trained.
Third Practice:
The men will be taught to transfix a disc or number painted on a dummy; first at a distance of about five feet from the dummy, i.e., the extreme range of the bayonet; then, after advancing three or more paces. The advance must be made in the most practical and natural way, and should be practised with either foot to the front when the thrust is delivered. The rifle must never be drawn back when making a long thrust in a forward movement. The impetus of the body and the forward stretching of the arms supply sufficient force.
The bayonet must be withdrawn immediately after the thrust has been delivered, and a forward threatening attitude be assumed to the side or beyond the dummy.
Unless the rifle is firmly gripped, it is liable to injure the hand.
To guard against accidents, the men must be at least five feet apart when the practice is carried out collectively.
The principles of this practice will be observed when thrusting at dummies in trenches, standing upright on the ground or suspended on gallows. They should be applied at first slowly and deliberately, for no attempt must be made to carry out the final assault practice before the men have been carefully instructed in, and have thoroughly mastered, the preliminary lessons.