V. Plan of Defense
1st Bn., 20th Inf., 43rd Div.,
Bn. Command Post,
29 Nov. 17, 2 o’clock p. m.
Field Orders
No. 10
Map.
Berry-au-Bac N. O.
1. Direction of Probable Attack. The enemy may possibly make a frontal attack starting from PLAINE and ENVER PASHA trenches and supporting it on the left from L’ENCLUME WOOD, or a flank attack starting from PLAINE redoubt for the purpose of striking our first line and ANSPACH trench from the rear by first penetrating the sector on our right.
2. Defense of the Center of Resistance. When the assault develops Cos. A. and C. in the first line, will maintain the defense of their own line by their own means. The two machine guns located at 6501 ANSPACH trench will be taken immediately to the right flank of Co. A, near POSTE DE NEMOURS and take up a position to fire to the north toward L’ENCLUME WOOD and to the east toward PLAINE redoubt. The C. O., Co. B, will place a platoon permanently in the ST. POL boyau at the junction of the ANSPACH trench, and, when the alarm is given will send it forward to occupy and hold the POSTE DE NEMOURS salient in support of the M. G. Platoon. When this platoon has moved forward, its place will be taken by 1 Platoon of Co. B, (located in ANSPACH trench between the ST. POL and BONNET PERSAN boyaux) which will protect the right flank.
3. Counterattack. The two remaining Platoons of Co. B are assigned to the commanders of Cos. A and C respectively for use in counterattack. One Platoon will employ the BONNET PERSAN boyau, the other the LIEVIN boyau. The Bn. Cmdg. will replace these two Platoons by two Platoons of Co. D, in the 520 M. trench.
4. Artillery Support. The supporting artillery will establish a barrage in No Man’s Land in front of the first line. The barrage will be called by the usual signal.
5. Supply. The counterattack and reinforcing Platoons will carry 5 grenades per man in addition to their regular equipment.
Major 20th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdg.
VI. Order for a Raid
Field Orders
No. 12
1st Bn., 80th Inf.,
Bn. Command Post,
10 Nov., ’17, 2 p. m.
1. At 3 o’clock a. m., 20 Nov., ’17, a raid will be carried out against the western salient of PLAINE TRENCH for the purpose of capturing prisoners.
2. The raiding party will consist of a lieutenant, 10 hand grenadiers, and 20 riflemen from Co. D, 80th Inf.
3. Two parties of grenadiers each will be furnished from the same Co. to protect the flanks of the raiding party on each side of the salient. The raiding party will penetrate the enemy’s first line by a frontal attack, capture the defenders of the salient and return directly by the same route. The raiding party will crawl into “No Man’s Land” in front of the PLAINE salient until it reaches the enemy’s barbed wire and will prepare detonators for the necessary breaches. The signal to explode the detonators and rush into the salient will be given by the leader of the raid by rocket. The raid will last ten minutes.
4. For ten minutes after the rocket signal the artillery will maintain a barrage on the flanks and in the rear of the PLAINE salient to protect the raiding party.
5. Co. C, which occupies the first line in front of the PLAINE salient, will provide a supply of 60 detonators, 200 hand grenades, and 3 signal rockets for use of the raiding party.
Major 80th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdr.