Bayonet Training Manual Used by the British Forces

by Anonymous

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The bayonet must be withdrawn immediately after the thrust has been delivered, and a forward threatening attitude be assumed to the side or beyond the dummy.