Lesson V.
METHODS OF INJURING AN OPPONENT.
It should be impressed upon the class that, although a man’s thrust has missed or has been parried or his bayonet has been broken, he can, as attacker, still maintain his advantage by injuring his opponent in one of the following ways:
Butt Stroke I:
Swing the butt up at the opponent’s crotch, ribs, forearm, etc., using a half-arm blow or advancing the rear foot.
Butt Stroke II:
If the opponent jumps back so that the first butt stroke misses, the rifle will come into horizontal position over the left shoulder, butt leading; the attacker will then step in with the rear foot and dash the butt into his opponent’s face.
If the opponent retires still farther out of distance, the attacker again closes up and slashes his bayonet down on his opponent’s head or neck.
PLATE VII.—“BUTT STROKE I.”
If the thrust has been parried, the butt can be used effectively by crashing it down on the opponent’s head with an over-arm blow, advancing the rear foot. When the opponent is out of distance, Butt Stroke III can again be used.
In individual fighting, the butt can also be used horizontally against the opponent’s ribs, forearm, etc. This method is impossible in trench fighting or in an attack, owing to the horizontal sweep of the bayonet to the attacker’s left.
It should be clearly understood that the butt must not be employed when it is possible to use the bayonet effectively.
Butt Stroke I is essentially a half-arm blow from the shoulder, keeping the elbow rigid, and it can therefore be successfully employed only when the right hand is grasping the rifle at the small of the butt.
PLATE VIII.—“BUTT STROKE IV.”
Butt strokes can be used only in certain circumstances and positions, but if men acquire absolute control of their weapons under these conditions they will be able to adapt themselves to all other phases of in-fighting. For instance, when a man is gripped by an opponent so that neither the thrust nor the butt can be used, the knee brought up against the crotch or the heel stamped on the instep may momentarily disable him and make him release his hold.
When wrestling, the opponent can be tripped by forcing his weight on to one leg and kicking that leg away from under him, or any other wrestler’s trip; e.g., “back heel.”
The above methods will only temporarily disable an enemy, who must be killed with the bayonet, etc.
Practice:
When the classes have been shown the methods of using the butt and the knees, they should be practised on the padded stick; e.g., fix several discs on a dummy; make a thrust at one; use the knee on another, low down; jab a third, and so on.
Light but still sufficiently-strong dummies should be used for practice with the butt, in order to avoid damage to it.
It is apparent that bayonet fighting as taught for trench warfare abroad lacks all the niceties of the art of bayonet fencing prescribed in our manual. In bayonet fighting no “fouls” are known. The only rule to follow is: “Get after your man, put him out of action by any means at your command.”
CHAPTER III
The Tactical Application of the Bayonet.
A bayonet assault should preferably be made under cover of fire, surprise, or darkness. In these circumstances, the prospect of success is greatest, for a bayonet is useless at any range except hand-to-hand.
At night, all these covers can be utilized.
On the other hand, confusion is inherent in fighting by night, consequently the execution of a successful night attack with the bayonet requires considerable and lengthy training. Units should be frequently practised in night work with the bayonet.
The bayonet is essentially a weapon of offense, which must be used with skill and vigor, otherwise it has but little effect. To await passively an opportunity of using the bayonet entails defeat, since an approaching enemy will merely stand out of bayonet range and shoot down the defenders.
PLATE VIIIA.—TYPE OF SIMPLE “FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE” COURSE.
It is attacked both ways, and the positions of the trench sack dummies are varied.
In an assault, the enemy should be killed with the bayonet. Firing should be avoided, for in the mix-up a bullet, after passing through an opponent’s body, may kill a friend who happens to be in the line of fire.
FINAL ASSAULT PRACTICE.
This practice is to be carried out only after the men have been thoroughly trained in all the preliminary lessons and have acquired complete control of their weapons, otherwise injury to rifles and bayonets will result from improper application of the methods laid down in the foregoing instruction.
The Final Assault Practice must approximate as nearly as possible to the conditions of actual fighting.
Nervous tension, due to the anticipation of an attack, reacting on the body, as well as the dash across the open and the final dash at the enemy, combine to tire an assaulting party. It is only by their physical fitness and superior skill in the use of the bayonet that they can overcome a comparatively fresh foe.
Therefore, quick aim and good direction of the bayonet when moving rapidly or even when surmounting obstacles, accurate delivery of a thrust and sufficient strength and vigor to penetrate clothing and equipment, the clean withdrawal of the bayonet—which requires no small effort, especially should it be fixed by the bone—are of the greatest importance, and need the same careful attention and constant practice as are devoted to obtaining efficiency with the rifle.
In the Final Assault Practice, the charge brings the men to the first trench in a fairly exhausted condition, and the accuracy of the aim is tested by the disc, which can be perforated only by a true and vigorous thrust and a clean withdrawal.
PLATE VIIIB.—EXAMPLE OF SHORT COMMUNICATION TRENCHES.
Which should form part of the usual Final Assault Practice Course, where, owing to the lack of ground, a “labyrinth” for daily practice with the bayonet in the confined space of a trench cannot be constructed within a convenient distance. On arrival in France drafts are tested in trench bayonet work.
For this practice, the men should be made to begin the assault from a trench six to seven feet deep, as well as from the open, and they should not cheer until close up to the enemy.
A reproduction of a labyrinth of trenches with dummies in the dugouts, and shelters between the trenches, forms an excellent Final Assault Practice Course. Assaults should be made from all four sides, in order to give variety. The edges of the trenches should be revetted, otherwise constant use will soon wear them out. Cinders scattered over the course prevent the men from slipping. If gallows cannot be erected, sack dummies should be placed on tripods or on end, as well as lying in trenches, or on parapets, with soft earth free from stones under them. The number, length, and construction of trenches are regulated by the available ground and by the ingenuity of the instructors.
PLATE VIIIC.—TYPE OF “NURSERY” LABYRINTH.
The positions of the sack dummies are frequently changed: containing dummies, and the men practised in clearing such.
The ground between the trenches is pitted with “craters” “cramped” grounds as well as in clearing the trenches.
Extremely interesting and practical schemes in trench warfare can be arranged by combining the Final Assault Practice with other branches of training; e.g., bombing, laying sand-bags, entrenching.
Competitions can be arranged by allotting marks for: (1) number of discs transfixed and carried on a bayonet; (2) time taken for signal to charge until the last man of the team passes the finishing post; and (3) form.
Competitions should never be carried out until the men have completed their lessons in bayonet training and thoroughly mastered the handling of the bayonet in the Final Assault Practice.
CHAPTER IV
Tactical Principles to be Observed During Bayonet Training.
METHOD OF CARRYING RIFLE WITH BAYONET FIXED.
QUICK SHORT ADVANCE (IN THE OPEN).
The rifle will be held at the “High Port.” This position is suitable for close formation, minimizes risk of accidents when surmounting obstacles, and can be maintained with the left hand alone, allowing free use of the right when necessary.
LONG ADVANCE (CLOSE FORMATION).
The rifle will be slung over the left shoulder, sling to the front and perpendicular to the ground. This is a safe method of carrying the rifle and allowing the free use of both hands.
LONG ADVANCE (OPEN ORDER).
The rifle will be carried at the trail.
THE ASSAULT.
The importance of discipline and organized control throughout the conduct of a bayonet assault can not be over-emphasized. It must be remembered that in this, as in all other military operations, success can be achieved only through the closest coöperation of all concerned; and that, while individual initiative is not to be discouraged, it must be strictly subordinated to the intention of the leader of the assaulting party.
Men should be shown by demonstration that it is in their own interests to pay attention to this point, and that the failure of an enterprise can usually be traced to the lack of this close coöperation.
During training, the following general principles will be observed:
1. All members of the attacking party must leave the trench or rise from cover simultaneously. In addition to the advantages of surprise, needless casualties are thereby avoided.
2. The first stage, especially of a long advance, will be slow and steady—not faster than the pace of the slowest man. Such an advance has a decided moral effect on the enemy, makes certain of the maximum shock at the moment of impact, and at the same time allows the attacking force to reach its objective without undue exhaustion. On the other hand, if the assault is allowed to develop without control and in a haphazard fashion, the moral effect of a steady, resistless wall of men is lost, and the defenders may be given time to dispose of their opponents in detail.
Bayonet control in the attack is just as important and fully as practicable as fire control, and it depends altogether on discipline, which must be taught by close-order work, and on thorough technical instruction in the use of the bayonet. Tactical bayonet control will then follow without much difficulty, provided the instructor has done his work properly.
The actual charge will not be made over a greater distance than twenty paces. Within the last ten yards, and before closing with the enemy, the rifle will be brought to the threatening, yet defensive, guard position. Line will, as far as possible, be maintained until actual contact with the enemy is gained.
As soon as the enemy’s position has been carried, and prior to any attack on a further position, or any other operation whatsoever, every precaution must be taken against a counter-attack. In trench warfare, indiscriminate pursuit with the bayonet must never be allowed unless orders to that effect have been given by the leader of the assaulting party. The attacking troops are not so fresh as the enemy, and experience has shown that unorganized pursuit lends itself to ambush and casualties from machine-gun fire. In most cases the work of immediate pursuit is better done by the supporting artillery, the infantry assisting by rapid fire on the retreating enemy.
ASSAULT PRACTICE.
A useful form of Final Assault Practice which can be adapted to a variety of combat exercises is described in following paragraphs. The following materials are assumed:
“A.” Communicating trenches leading to a fire trench with an open space in front.
“B.” An occupied enemy-trench.
“C.” Gallows with dummies, representing the enemy.
(1) retiring from “B” or
(2) coming up in support of “B” or
(3) making a counter-attack on the captured trench “B.”
PLATE IX.—EACH DUMMY MUST BE REGARDED AS AN ACTUAL ARMED OPPONENT.
1. The attacking party makes a controlled assault on “A,” which is cleared of the enemy.
2. It then re-formed and an assault is launched on “B,” after taking which
3. “C” is regarded in one or other of the above ways, and action taken accordingly.
Throughout the training, men must be constantly practised in:
1. The recognized method of carrying the rifle with bayonet fixed.
2. Rapid advance out of deep trenches.
3. Control and maintenance of line and opening fire during an advance.
4. Using the bayonet with effect in the cramped space of communicating and fire trenches.
5. Re-forming and opening of fire after the assault.
6. Acting as leaders of attacking party.
Instructors should endeavor by every means in their power to arouse the interest and imagination of their men during the assault practice. The special phase of the combat which is to be carried out in the exercise should invariably be explained beforehand. Each dummy must be regarded as an actual armed opponent, and each line of dummies as an enemy line attacking, defending, or retiring, and be disposed of accordingly.
Any tendency toward carelessness or slackness must be instantly checked, and it should be impressed on all ranks that a practice assault which is not carried out with the necessary quickness, vigor, and determination is worse than useless.
Lack of imagination, which allows men and their leaders to violate the most elementary principles of tactics in practice assaults against dummies, can lead only to disaster in a real assault against an enemy.
CHAPTER V
General Instructions for Bayonet Training Practice.
1. “Guard,” “withdrawals,” “thrusts,” “parries,” and the “jab” will be taught first with the left, then with the right foot forward.
2. The position from which the “short thrust” is made is shown in Plate IV. All short thrusts will be practised from this position. Except after a thrust into a dummy, make a momentary pause in this position so as to break men of the habit of drawing back the rifle from the guard before making the thrust.
3. From the outset squads will be frequently practised in charging for short distances in the open as a strengthening exercise for the legs and a quickening exercise.
4. A target at which to thrust will always be named when working by word of command; it will be indicated by the position of hand when working in class and be clearly marked on all dummies.
5. When working in ranks, the distance apart must be sufficient to avoid all danger of accident when the thrusts are being made. When thrusts have been made advancing, the ranks will change position by coming to the high port, doubling past each other right shoulder to right shoulder and turning about. When working against dummies, men will always continue the movement past the dummy, which they will leave on their right.
6. The “withdrawal,” once taught, will be made after each thrust. After a thrust advancing rear foot or on the advance, the hand will always be moved up the rifle, but in the first and second practices, since the arm and body are already stretched to their full extent, and the left hand cannot move farther forward, the hand will be shifted after the withdrawal from the long thrust.
7. All sticks must be padded at one end.
8. In the third practice, the thrusts will also be practised deliberately and progressively on dummies placed, as a preparation for the Final Assault Course, in positions of increasing difficulty; e.g., on parapets and steps of shallow trenches, and in fire and communicating trenches.
9. Scabbards will not be removed from the bayonet except for thrusting at dummies.
CHAPTER VI
Progressive Program of Instruction.
1. Intervals, distances, positions.
2. Explain hand-to-hand fighting, and inculcate the spirit of the bayonet.