Bayonet Training Manual Used by the British Forces

by Anonymous

The spirit of the bayonet must be inculcated into all ranks, so that they go forward with that aggressive determination and confidence of superiority, born of continual practice, without which a bayonet assault will not be effective.

The technical points of bayonet fighting are extremely few and simple: the essence of bayonet training, and continuity of practice.

An important point to be kept in mind in bayonet training is the development of the individual by teaching him to think and act for himself. The simplest means of attaining this is to make men use their brains and eyes to the fullest extent by carrying out the practices, so far as possible, without words of command. This procedure develops individuality and confidence. Alertness and rapidity are qualities to be developed also.

As technique of bayonet fighting is so simple, long detail is quite unnecessary and makes the work monotonous. All instructions should be carried out on common-sense lines. It should seldom be necessary to give the detail of a “thrust” or “parry” more than two or three times, after which the classes should acquire the correct positions by practice. For this reason, a drill should rarely last more than thirty minutes. It should be remembered that nothing kills interest so easily as monotony.

The spirit of the bayonet is to be inculcated by describing the special features of bayonet and hand-to-hand fighting. The men must learn to practise bayonet fighting in the spirit and with the enthusiasm which animate them when training for their games, and to look upon their instructor as a trainer and helper.

Interest in the work is to be created by explaining the reasons for the various positions, the method of handling the rifle and bayonet, and the uses of the thrusts. Questions should be put to the men to find out whether they understand these reasons. When men realize the object of their work, they naturally take a greater interest in it.

Progression in bayonet training is regulated by obtaining: first, correct positions and good direction; then, quickness. Strength is the outcome of continual practice.

In order to encourage dash and gradually to strengthen the leg muscles, from the commencement of their training, classes should be frequently practised in charging short distances.