HOW BATTLES ARE INFLUENCED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-44
Commander's influence by his Orders and by his employment of Reserves—Subordinates must "bring to fruit the scheme of the higher command"—The "fog of battle"—Information—Co-operation (on grand scale at First Battle of the Marne; on minor scale at Gneudecourt)—Fire Tactics—Value of withholding fire (Heights of Abraham; Bunker Hill; Fredericksburg; Retreat from Mons)—Enfilade and Reverse Fire (The Bluff in Ypres Salient)—Movement—Advancing under Fire—Withdrawing under Fire in "Delaying Action"—Holding on (Untimely surrender at Soissons; Stubborn defence at First and Second Battles of Ypres; Trônes Wood; Bourlon Village; Polygon Wood; Givenchy)—Covering Fire—Fire and Movement inseparably associated.
TYPES OF BATTLE ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45-50
Three distinct systems—The Defensive Battle seldom effects positive results (Gettysburg; Fredericksburg)—The Offensive Battle (Marlborough; Frederick the Great; Napoleon; Wellington; Grant; Franco-Prussian War; Battle of Blenheim described)—The Defensive-Offensive Battle (Marengo; Austerlitz; Dresden; Vittoria; Orthez; Toulouse; Waterloo; Final Battles of the Great War; Battle of Waterloo described)—Opportunities for "restoring" the battle (Antietam)—Chancellorsville a great Defensive-Offensive Battle—Passing from the "guard" to the "thrust" (Second Battle of the Marne).
THE ATTACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-69
Culminating point of all manoeuvres—Quick decision required
or "Position Warfare" will supervene—Second Battle of the
Somme—Methods of Attack—Two plans—Decisive blow on
pre-determined spot or in direction ascertained by
fighting—Strength of the Attack—Disposition of the
Troops—Forward Body, Supports and Local Reserves—General
Reserve—The Commander's Plans—The Position of Assembly
(Banks's single column defeated by Forrest in Red River
Valley)—The Attacking Force (St. Privat; Plevna)—The Decisive
Attack—Advantages and Disadvantages of Frontal and Flank
Attacks—Decisive Attack must be followed up (Gettysburg;
Chattanooga)—Detailing the Units—Artillery in Attack
(Verneville; Colenso; mobility and protection of modern
Artillery)—Cavalry in Attack (Appomattox and Paardeberg;
Ramadie; Bagdadieh; Gaines's Mill; Gettysburg; First Battle
of Cambrai; Battle of Amiens; Second Battle of Le Cateau;
Archangel Front; Battle of the Sambre)—Royal Engineers—Medical
Arrangements—Supply—Commander's Position—Battle
Reports—Reorganisation and Pursuit ("Success must be followed
up until the enemy's power is ruined.")
FORMATION OF INFANTRY FOR THE ATTACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70-75
The Platoon (Square and Diamond Formations; Ground Scouts;
Flank Scouts; Behind a Barrage)—The Platoon Commander
("Appreciating the situation")—The Company—The Company
Commander—The Battalion—The Battalion Commander (Personal
examples; Monchy le Preux; Battle of Cambrai; Second
Battle of the Somme).
{xi}