CANADIAN CORPS TRENCH ORDERS.

1. DUTIES.—(a) One officer per company and one N. C. O. per platoon will always be on duty.

(b) By night the officer and N. C. O. on duty will frequently patrol the trench line to see that the sentries are alert and to inquire whether they have any information to report about the enemy.[1]

(d) The length of each tour of duty will depend on the number of officers and N. C. O.'s available in the company. Normally each tour should be, by night 2 hours, by day 4 hours, day commencing at morning "stand to," and by night commencing at evening "stand to." In inclement weather it may be advisable to reduce the tour to 1 hour.

(e) N. C. O.'s after posting sentries will report "All correct" or otherwise to the officer on duty.

(f) The officer on duty will be responsible for sending in the reports required by battalion headquarters, unless there is anything unusual to report, when this duty will be performed by the company commander.

(g) Men will be warned for duty by the platoon N. C. O. on duty. This will be done at evening "stand to."

(h) On being detailed for duty a man will be informed at which hours he will come on duty.

(i) When possible to do so, notice boards will be placed in each section's trench, on which will be pinned daily all orders regarding working parties, and a list of the men in the section, giving the times at which they will come on sentry and other duty.

(j) Except under special circumstances, such, for instance, as a sentry being killed or wounded, no sentry will be relieved by another man unless the relief is properly carried out in the presence of a N. C. O.

2. SENTRIES—By night.—(a) Sentries will be posted every 2 hours, except under bad weather conditions, when the length of the tour of sentry duty may be reduced.

(b) From evening "stand to" till morning "stand to" one sentry to every four men will be posted. If wiring or digging parties are out in front, or listening posts are numerous, this number may be reduced.

(d) Every sentry is to be regularly posted by a N. C. O., who will explain to him his duties and the front to be watched, and ascertain that the sentry and his relief are aware of the position of the section and platoon commanders, the sentries on either side, and whether there are any patrols or working parties out in front. Should there be salients in the line, the sentry will be carefully instructed, so as to avoid any possibility of him firing toward his own trenches.

(e) By night or in places which have the reputation of being dangerous, i.e., where enemy are suspected of mining, advanced posts, etc., no man should ever be posted alone. There should either be a double sentry post or the next relief should rest within kicking distance of the sentry.

By day.—(f) The number of sentries required depends on the proximity of the enemy's trench line and whether a good view to the front can be obtained; normally one to every four days is sufficient.

(g) Every sentry will be provided with a periscope.

(h) Well-protected "look-out" posts for sentries will be built along the front trench line.

(i) Sending out of patrols.—Patrols will never be sent out without definite orders as to what is required of them. Patrols will go out via a listening post (if such exist). All listening posts will be warned of the strength of the patrol and the approximate hour of departure and return. Word will be passed quietly along the line of sentries that a patrol is out in front.

(j) As little challenging as possible will be done by sentries, and then only in a low tone of voice.

3. RIFLES, EQUIPMENT, AND AMMUNITION.—(a) Carrying and wearing of.—Equipment will always be worn by men in front trenches.

(b) Ration and carrying parties, orderlies, etc., will wear bandoliers and carry rifles.

(c) Parties at work between the front-line and reserve trenches may be permitted to "pile" or "ground" arms. Wiring and digging parties out in front of the fire trench will sling the rifle.

(d) Loading of rifles.—Except when it is necessary to shoot, a round will never be kept in the chamber. Cut-offs will always be "in" and the safety catch "back."

(e) The magazine will be kept charged with five rounds.

(f) Bayonets will always be fixed in front-line trenches.

(g) Care of rifles.—Rifles and ammunition will be inspected at morning and evening "stand to," and rapid loading will also be practiced.

(h) Covered rifle racks will be constructed in each bay where rifles will be kept. Breech covers will be kept on the rifles.

(i) In very cold weather sentries will occasionally work the bolt of the rifle to prevent the striker becoming frozen. For the same reason, in cold weather men will sleep with their rifles close to the body.

(j) All loading will be from pouch or bandolier; no ammunition must ever be placed on ground or parapet.

(k) Disposal of rifles, equipment, and ammunition.—Wounded and men going sick will, if able to walk, wear their equipment and carry their rifles. The rifles and equipment of men unable to carry them and also those of dead men will be sent back to the dressing station. All other rifles, however badly damaged, and equipment damaged or not required will be sent back to the quartermaster. Damaged cartridges and empty cases will be collected and returned to the quartermaster under company arrangements.

(l) Ammunition.—Every man will have 170 rounds in his possession.

(m) Platoon commanders will report at evening "stand to" whether their ammunition is correct or otherwise.

4. "STAND TO."—"Stand to" will take place 1 hour before daylight and 1 hour before dusk. At this parade every available man will be present. Rifles, ammunition, equipment, clothing, etc., will be inspected. Rapid loading will be practiced. The firing position of every man will be tested, to see whether he can hit the bottom edge of our wire. Gas helmets and respirators will be inspected in accordance with the orders in force. Orders will be issued and steps taken to see that the men understand them. After "stand to" in the morning and before "stand to" in the evening rifles will be thoroughly cleaned and oiled.

5. CARE OF BOMBS AND GRENADES.—(a) Only a small percentage of bombs will be kept in the front trenches. These will be kept in a well-protected and dry bomb receptacle.

(b) Bomb stores will be built in the end of communication trenches in the support line.

(d) The battalion grenadier officer will make frequent inspection of all bombs and grenades.

(e) The alarm posts for grenadiers will be close to where the bomb stores are placed.

(f) No one, other than a grenadier, will interfere with the bombs and grenades.

(g) Ammunition boxes in the trenches will be examined frequently to see if the lids work easily.

6. MACHINE GUNS.—(a) The concealment and protection of machine-gun emplacements is important—for this reason, except in case of emergency, machine guns will not be fired from their regular emplacements.

(b) Unless emplacements are well concealed, guns will not be mounted except between evening and morning "stand to."

(d) Before dusk, while there is still sufficient light, each gun will be laid on some particular spot either in or behind the enemy's front line.

(e) Range cards will be prepared and kept with each gun.

(f) Machine guns in the front line should be reduced to a minimum sufficient to cover the front.

7. FIRING AT AEROPLANES.—Firing at aeroplanes will not be permitted except by order of an officer.

8. UNDERCUTTING TRENCH SIDES.—(a) The undercutting of trench sides to make shelters is forbidden.

(b) When shelters are made the required space from the ground level downward will be cut out and a roof supported on reliable posts will be made.

9. SANITATION.—(a) The importance of strict attention to sanitation should be impressed on all ranks.

(b) Empty tins or other refuse will be collected in receptacles kept for the purpose in the trenches and buried in a refuse pit.

(c) Latrines will be constructed in trenches leading from communication trenches. Where the bucket system is employed, chloride of lime or creosol will be freely used. The soil will be removed at night and buried in a deep pit well away from the trenches; these pits will be filled in when nearly full and labeled.

(d) The commanding officer is responsible for sanitation in his unit and the medical officer will advise him in sanitary matters, making daily inspections of latrines, refuse pits, and water arrangements. Under the medical officer latrines and refuse pits will be attended to by the regimental sanitary men and water duties by the R. A. M. C. details attached.

10. TIME-TABLES AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK.—(a) A time-table will be drawn up by each company commander. In this time-table he will allot hours of work, rest, and meals.

(b) Working parties will be properly organized. Definite tasks will be allotted. Each commander of a working party should know what work is expected from his party before the hour appointed to commence, so that no time is wasted in getting to work.

(c) Unless it can not be avoided, men should never be taken for sentry duty without having had a reasonable period of rest, and when this becomes necessary a report should be made to the C. O.

11. LOG BOOKS AND TRENCH STORE BOOKS.—(a) Each company commander will keep a log book in which will be entered up daily the work done. This log book will be handed over from one commander to another on relief.

(b) A trench store book will also be kept in which will be entered up all trench stores issued to the company. On relief, the incoming company commander will give a receipt to the outgoing commander for all trench stores taken over.

12. COMMUNICATIONS.—(a) Artillery lines will be laid on one side of a trench. Infantry lines on the opposite side.

(b) The Infantry brigade signal officer will exercise general supervision over all lines in the brigade area, and will notify the orderly officer of the Artillery brigade when any Artillery lines require attention or relaying. He will assist the Artillery whenever it may be possible to do so.

(c) Lines will be laid as low as possible, preferably not more than 9 inches from the bottom of the trench. They will be picketed into grooves cut into the side of the trench, the pickets being securely driven in at every reentrant bend and at every 10 yards along the straight.

(d) Lines will be clearly labeled at every 100 yards and at every junction with another line.

(e) All lines will be carefully patrolled at least once daily.

(f) One telephonist will always be on duty.

(g) Telephone communication to battalion headquarters and the company on each flank will be frequently tested.

(h) All "dead" lines will be reeled up at once.

(i) Every man is to know the position of his platoon commander's shelter and the company headquarters.

(j) At least two men per section of the support and reserve companies must be able to act as guides to all the company headquarters of the battalion.

(k) All officers must know the shortest route from their own headquarters to those of the company on their flanks and to their own battalion headquarters.

(l) It is the duty of every officer or man to fasten any loose wire that he may see which has become temporarily detached.

13. ALERTNESS.—Anything seen or heard in connection with the enemy, such as movements of individuals, transport wagons, troops, working parties, etc., is to be reported to the nearest officer.

14. RUM.—(a) Rum will always be kept under the personal charge of the company commander.

(b) The best time for a rum issue is in the early morning.

(c) No issue of rum will be made except in the presence of an officer; any rum left over will be handed back to the charge of the company commander.

(d) Men undergoing punishment for drunkenness will receive no issue of rum for 14 days after the offense, unless it is necessary for medical reasons.

15. ARRANGEMENTS IN CASE OF ATTACK.—(a) Company commanders will insure that all ranks know what to do in case of bombardment, gas, or attack by the enemy. They will occasionally test their arrangements by practicing an alarm.

(b) All officers' servants, grenadiers, orderlies, etc., will have duties allotted to them in case of attack.

16. WORKING PARTIES.—(a) All work on a fire trench will be carried out by the garrison of the trench, assisted, if necessary, by the garrison of the support and reserve trenches.

(b) All work in rear of fire trenches will be carried out by the garrison of the support and reserve trenches.

(c) If possible, working parties will consist of complete units, i.e., section, platoon, or company. Each unit will be commanded by its own commander.

(d) Even when working under engineer supervision, Infantry officers in charge of working parties will be responsible that the work done satisfies tactical requirements.

17. WORKING PARTIES OUTSIDE THE FRONT TRENCH.—(a) A covering party will always be provided for digging and wiring parties outside the front trenches.

18. PRECAUTION WHEN ONE OF OUR MINES IS EXPLODED.—In the event of one of our own mines being exploded, a clear space of 5 yards will be kept on either side of the mouth of the mine shaft.

19. RATION PARTIES WHEN FOUND FROM FRONT TRENCHES.—Usually, rations and stores will be carried up to the trenches by supports and reserves. If this is not possible and it is necessary that men from the front trenches have to be employed, not more than 10 per cent of the men in the firing line are to be away from the trenches at the same time.

20. RATIONS AND COOKING.—(a) Ration parties from the support and reserve trenches will be made up in complete units as in 16 (c).

(b) The company quartermaster sergeant will accompany the ration parties for his company and report his arrival to the company commanders.

(d) Cooking, if possible, will be done behind the front-line trenches and should be concentrated by sections or companies. Steps must be taken to ensure that as little smoke as possible is made by the cooks' fires.

(e) Unused rations will be returned to the quartermaster.

(f) Waste in any form will be discouraged.

(g) Arrangements should be made to ensure that soup or some hot drink should be available for the men between midnight and 4 a. m.

21. VERMOREL SPRAYERS.—(a) Vermorel sprayers form part of trench stores. They are provided for clearing gas out of trenches and shelters after an attack, and for respraying helmets if necessary during a prolonged gas attack.

(b) They will be distributed at easily accessible points in the trenches and protected from shell fire.

(c) They must be kept one-third full of water. Six gallons of the following solution to be used in them must be kept in corked rum jars close to each sprayer. It must not be kept in the sprayers owing to its corrosive nature:

Water, 3 gallons (one large bucket).
Sodium thiosulphate (hypo), 6 lbs. (two piled mess tins).
Sodium carbonate (washing soda), 2 lbs. (one mess tin).

(d) Each company will have a squad of men in charge of an N. C. O. trained in the care and use of sprayers.

(e) On taking over trenches, the N. C. O. in charge of sprayers will take over from the outgoing N. C. O. and will see that each is in order and provided with solution.

(f) A man will be told off to each sprayer; he will be responsible for testing it every day, and in case of a gas attack he will stand by to use it when ordered.

RELIEFS.

22. GENERAL.—(a) Prior to taking over a new line of trenches the commanding officer, adjutant, machine-gun officer, signaling officer, and company commanders will reconnoiter the trenches.

(b) Machine guns will not be relieved at the same time as the infantry.

23. POINTS TO BE NOTED BY COMPANY COMMANDERS.—(a) Number of men holding line to be taken over and distribution.

(b) Shelter accommodation.

(c) Work being done and proposed. To ensure a continuity of work an officer of the incoming battalion should go over line in daylight.

(d) Condition of the wire and defenses generally.

(e) Information as to the enemy, his habits, snipers, the work he is doing, &c.

(f) Water supply.

(g) Artillery support.

(h) Communications.

(i) Dangerous points.

(j) Lines of advance to be used in a counter attack.

(k) Position of "shell trenches" or "feathers," or other cover from enemy artillery fire.

24. GUIDES.—(a) Arrangements will be made between the C. O. of relieving and about to be relieved battalions as to places where guides will be provided by the latter to conduct the incoming troops to the trenches.

(b) One guide per platoon, one for each company headquarters, and one for battalion headquarters will be provided.

These guides must know the exact spot where they will meet the relieving troops and the best and safest way to the trenches.

25. SMOKING AND TALKING.—After leaving the rendezvous there is to be no smoking or talking till arrival in the trenches.

26. RATE OF MARCH TO TRENCHES.—The rate of marching to the trenches from billets will not exceed 2 miles an hour.

27. PROCEDURE ON ARRIVAL IN TRENCHES.—(a) The troops being relieved will not leave the trenches until all trench stores have been handed over and receipts received, all the relieving troops are in position, and new sentries have been posted and orders to move have been received from the company commander.

(b) Platoon commanders will at once personally examine all firing positions and satisfy themselves that each man can fire on the foot of the nearest part of the wire entanglement.

(d) When the relief is completed O. C. companies will report to that effect to battalion headquarters.

(e) Men will not be dismissed till the O. C. company has received reports from all his platoon commanders that everything is in order.

28. ENGINEERS.—(a) To insure continuity of work a few sappers should live permanently in the trenches.

(b) Daily requisitions for engineering material required will be forwarded by company commanders to battalion headquarters.

(c) The battalion commander will apply to the field company for the material required through the brigade headquarters and will arrange for carrying parties to take it in.

29. PREVENTION OF CHILLED FEET AND FROSTBITE.—(a) Before marching to trenches, feet and legs will be washed and rubbed with antifrostbite grease or whale oil under platoon supervision. Boots should be large enough for two pairs of socks, and puttees must be put on loosely.

(b) The march to the trenches will be in ankle boots, every man will carry two pairs of spare socks, spare grease, and towel.

(c) On arrival at the trenches, take off ankle boots and wet socks, dry and grease feet, put on dry socks, gum boots (trench stores) or paper stockings and ankle boots.

(d) During the tour in the trenches, circulation must be kept up by movement; the restriction of the circulation of the lower limbs is the principal cause of chilled feet.

(e) Boots and puttees will be removed at least once in every 24 hours, feet and legs will be dried, rubbed, and greased, and dry socks put on.

(f) Gum boots will be taken off before troops march out on relief and will be handed over as trench stores to the relieving unit.

(g) On arrival in billets, feet will be washed and rubbed; dry socks, hot drinks, and food will be provided under battalion arrangements.

(h) Warming braziers made from 3 and 5 gallon oil drums will be provided, and a daily allowance of 2 lbs. coke and ½ lb. charcoal per man in the trenches. An extra pea-soup, tea, and sugar ration will also be issued.

(i) C. O.'s are responsible that all trench pumps on charge are kept in good repair and made use of to the fullest extent. The drier the trenches are the fewer will be the cases of chilled feet.

C. H. Harrington,
B. G. G. S., Canadian Corps.
October 21, 1915.