Tactics and duties for trench fighting

by Georges Etienne Bertrand; Oscar N. Solbert

(Formation of the Platoon)

Initial Formation. The initial formation of the platoon in sections of specialists as per diagram is almost self-explanatory. Each group of specialists is in this formation under the control of its leader ready for any maneuver.

The platoon is the attacking unit because it contains all the specialists required for the assault. The frontage of an offensive is composed of a series of platoons, each with a definite objective, and each with reinforcing platoons in depth following.

All other formations, whether for combat or ordinary march maneuvers, are based upon this initial formation.

Close Order and March Formations. From the initial formation, we pass to the close order formations, used for parade, roll call, or the march.

(a) First we have the company in line, which is the habitual formation for assembly.

(b) From the company in line is formed a column of fours, for marching. The squads that are complete execute “squads right or left,” while the remaining odd number of specialists in any section execute the easiest movement to bring them into column of fours, sometimes with blank files behind the rest of their section.

Approach March. The approach march is a name given to the formations that the platoon in section columns takes up to minimize casualties while crossing the zone of artillery fire.

These formations are taken up under the conditions of open warfare, or, in the case of reinforcements, following up an attack.

The formations may be in “Line of Section Columns” or “Double Line of Section Columns.” In the first case, each section may be in single file or in double column; or again the first and fourth platoon section may be in double column and the second and third sections in single file: In the “Double Line of Section Columns” any of the formations in the diagrams may be taken up, depending upon circumstances.

The interval between sections is variable, but usually the interval is such as to give room for the proper development into line of skirmishers.

Skirmishers. This formation of skirmishers is not taken up for the assault, but under similar conditions as that of the approach march—that is, for open warfare and for the advance of the reinforcing platoons behind an attack.

To form the skirmish line, each section column simply deploys into line, each man going either right or left front into line from the regular formation of double line of section column.

If you inspect the figure, you will see that this deployment into skirmish line gives practically the type formation of the first reinforcing platoon in the assaulting column.

Assaulting Formations. In the attack the platoon forms and goes forward in waves. A wave is not one line of men, but is composed usually of two or three lines.

The composition of the lines of the wave depends upon the duties and functions of the different specialists during the attack.

Let us recapitulate the functions of the specialists in order to show the reasons for their positions in the assaulting wave.

The First Line of the Assaulting Wave. In this line are the grenadiers, whose duty it is to clear the enemy out of the objective trenches. Here also are the A. M. R’s, employed to protect the flanks of the wave. When the wave is halted, the A. M. R’s must be available for instant use against any nest of resistance and must therefore be in the first line. They are also used in the captured trench to withstand an enemy’s counterattack, which may develop within five minutes after its capture.

The Second Line of the First Wave. We have here the rifle grenadiers who help the hand grenadiers break up the enemy’s resistance and clear the trenches of the enemy. This is done by fire of rifle grenades from the second line. Here, also, we have all the riflemen of the platoon, whose function it is to follow up the success of the specialists and drive the surviving hostile men out of the trenches with the bayonet.

Third Line of the First Wave. In this line we have the “trench cleaners” or “moppers-up.” These are hand grenadiers furnished by the reinforcing platoon and their function is to clear the enemy out of the trenches, both laterally and in depth of the position. The assaulting column remains above ground and continues across the position to the objective line of trenches, which is usually the limiting objective of the attack. The “trench cleaners” picket all entrances and exits of dugouts to allow none of the enemy to come out after the waves have passed and fire into the backs of the assaulting troops.

These three lines compose the first wave, and we see that the specialists are placed in the lines in the order of their duties.

Company Drill Regulations Adopted at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, R.O.T.C., in Lieu of No Existing Official Regulations

Company Organization

1. For the purposes of drill and maneuver, the regiment will be organized as follows:

(a) One training company, as at present constituted, will form two platoons.

(b) The new organization contemplates four platoons to the company. When, for training purposes, a complete company is necessary or desirable, companies will be combined.

2. For a training company of two platoons, the 2nd in command (sergeant) of the first platoon is the right guide; the 2nd in command of the 2nd platoon is the left guide.

3. The platoons, in line or column, are arranged as at present.

4. The usual arrangement of a company for attack is to place two platoons in the 1st wave and two in the 2nd wave. The two platoons in the 1st wave are known as the assaulting platoons; the two in the 2nd wave, as the reinforcing platoons. The normal distance between the assaulting and reinforcing platoon is about 65 yards. Sometimes three platoons are placed in the 1st wave and one in the 2nd wave.

5. The first wave is followed, at a distance of 15 yards, by the hand grenadiers of the reinforcing platoon, who are sent forward by the commander of the reinforcing platoon to act as trench cleaners or moppers-up for the first wave. Fifty yards behind these is the remainder of the reinforcing platoon. There are no “moppers-up” for the reinforcing platoon.

6. The captain of a company has four liaison agents constantly with him, one being furnished from and for each platoon. They march immediately in rear of the captain.

7. The post of the captain is between the 1st and 2nd waves.

Platoon Organization

1. The composition of a platoon is as follows:

1 Lieutenant (1st and 4th platoons under 1st Lieutenants).

(2nd and 3rd platoons under 2nd Lieutenants).

1 Sergeant (2nd in command, assistant to platoon leader).

First Section—(Grenadiers).

1 Sergeant—Section Sergeant.

2 Corporals and 12 Privates—Hand Grenadiers.

1 Corporal and 6 Privates—Rifle Grenadiers.

Second Section—(Riflemen).

2 Corporals and 10 Privates—Riflemen.

Third Section—(Riflemen).

2 Corporals and 10 Privates—Riflemen.

Fourth Section—(Automatic Rifle).

1 Sergeant—Charge of 1 gun crew.

1 Corporal—Charge of 1 gun crew.

3 Privates, 1st Class—Gunners—1 in charge of each gun and 1 in reserve.

6 Privates—Ammunition Carriers.

2. All platoons are alike in numbers, organization, and armament.

3. When the platoon is in column of squads or in line, the post of the platoon leader is as at present. When in line of section columns he is normally in front of the right center section, although he may be in front of some other section if he sees fit. In attack formation he is in the center of his platoon between his first and second lines.

4. When the platoon is in line, the post of the 2nd in command is in rear of the center of his platoon. In line of section columns he is in front of the 3rd section. In attack formation he is in rear of the fight center of the second line.

Platoon Movements

1.

1. The 1st Section (Grenadier Section) contains 15 rifle grenadiers (including the section sergeant) and 7 hand grenadiers. When in column of squads, the rifle grenadiers march as a squad, in rear of the hand grenadiers. The 1st Section constitutes 3 squads, each having the No. 3 in the rear rank as a blank file. The Section Sergeant marches abreast of the rear rank of the 2nd squad of his section. Line is formed by executing squads right or left.

2. The 2nd Section (Riflemen Section) contains 10 privates and 2 corporals. One corporal has charge of 7 men, the other of 3 men. When in column of squads, the section forms one complete squad and the front rank of another. Corporals are number four. To form line at the command “Squads left (right),” the complete squad executes “Squad left”; of the half squad the Nos. 3 and 4 execute “Twos left”; the Nos. 1 and 2 likewise execute “Twos left,” thus placing themselves in rear of Nos. 3 and 4. To form column from line at the command “Squads right,” the Nos. 3 and 4 of the incomplete squad move forward two paces, execute “Twos right,” and place themselves in rear of Nos. 3 and 4 of the preceding squad; Nos. 1 and 2 move forward two paces, execute “Twos right,” and place themselves in rear of Nos. 1 and 2 of the preceding squad.

3. The personnel, numbers and movements of the 3rd Section are identical with those of the 2nd.

4. The 4th Section (Automatic Rifle Section) contains 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 9 privates (total of 11). One complete squad is formed and 2 privates are left over who march in rear of Nos. 1 and 4 of the squad. The corporal is No. 4 of the front rank. No. 3, front and rear rank, are the gunners. The sergeant marches abreast of the rear rank of the squad in the line of file-closers; when line is formed, the two men left over form one additional file on the left (right) of their sections. In forming for attack formation, the No. 4 of the two men left over attaches himself to the front rank gun crew and goes with them; the No. 1, to the rear rank gun crew. The sergeant remains with his gun crew if the guns are separated, or assumes charge of both when together.

5. If the training company contains more men than are necessary to fill the platoons as indicated above, such additional men will be carried as riflemen and attached to the second and third sections of the platoons.

II

1. To form line of section columns from line.

The left file of each section moves straight to the front, followed by the file next on its right, and this in turn by the other files of the section. The section sergeants of the 1st and 4th sections place themselves at the head of their respective sections.

2. To form line of section columns in columns of twos or fours.

“Half-squads (squads) right front into line.”

3. To form line from line of section columns.

“Sections, right front into line.”

4. To form column of squads from line of section columns.

First form line of section columns in column of squads—then “Column of squads—1st (4th) section forward (column right or left).”

5. To form line of section columns from column of squads.

The left file of the leading section moves straight to the front, followed by the remaining files of the squad, then by the left file of the second squad, etc. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sections oblique to the right (left) in column of squads to section interval and, when in rear of their place, form column of files. The section may thus be marched in echelon, or line may be formed by halting the leading section, or the sections in rear may be double-timed to the line established by the leading section.

6. To form line of section columns to the flank, command:

“Sections, column left (right).”

“Line of section columns.”

7. Frequently, for convenience in maneuvering, the platoon leader may, when in line of section columns, wish to form only two columns from his four columns. In such event he will command:

“Double sections, 1st and 4th sections forward.”

One rifle section will follow the first section. The other rifle section, the 4th section. The rifle sections in such formation are always in rear of the specialist sections.

8. Intervals between sections or double sections are opened and closed by the command:

“To —— spaces extend (close).”

III

1. Attack formation is taken up from line of section columns only.

2. The attack formation is always in two lines. The two lines constitute a wave.

3. Hand grenadiers and automatic riflemen are always in the first line. The riflemen and rifle grenadiers are always in the second line in the assaulting platoon. Rifle grenadiers may be posted in the center of the second line, or on either flank, as the platoon leader directs. Similarly the automatic riflemen may be in the center, on either flank, or divided between center and flank of the first line, as the platoon leader may direct.

4. The 1st and 2nd lines are separated by a distance of 20 paces.

5. To pass from line of section columns to attack formation, the platoon leader commands:

“Form for attack at (place). Automatic rifles to center (left flank) (right flank) (both flanks) (left and center). Rifle grenadiers to center (left) (right).”

Only the automatic riflemen and grenadiers need be designated. The remaining men accommodate themselves to their movements.

At the above command the 2nd and 3rd sections stand fast until the 1st and 4th sections have cleared their front. They then move to their places led by the corporal at the head of their respective sections.

This movement will be executed at first in quick time; as men become more proficient, in double time and at a run.

IV

1. The arrangement of specialists in the reinforcing platoon differs somewhat from the assaulting platoon. The hand grenadiers of the reinforcing platoon are sent forward in two squads to follow in rear of the 2nd line of the first wave at a distance of about 15 yards. The two squads are abreast of each other, the section sergeant between them.

2. The rifle grenadiers of the reinforcing platoon are then moved up into the 1st line.

3. The riflemen of the reinforcing platoon remain in the 2nd line.

4. The position of the platoon leader of the reinforcing platoon is in front of the center of the 1st line. The position of the 2nd in command is the same as in the assaulting platoon.

CHAPTER II
DEVELOPMENT OF A POSITION FROM AN OPEN WARFARE BATTLE

General Use of Fortifications. The first use of fortifications, whether hasty or permanent, is to give shelter against hostile fire. The more deliberate use of fortifications is to increase the holding or fighting power of troops by the proper employment of the natural defensive features of the ground and by artificial devices.