P. 3,093. (All Rights Reserved).
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| [Chapter I]. | |
| The Importance of Careful Training in Night Operations | [1] |
| [Chapter II]. | |
| Elementary Instruction | [8] |
| Training of Vision | [8] |
| Training of Hearing | [9] |
| Finding Bearings | [10] |
| Moving in the Dark | [11] |
| General | [14] |
| [Chapter III]. | |
| General Remarks on Night Operations | [16] |
| Definitions | [16] |
| Importance of Careful Preparation | [17] |
| Plan of Operations | [20] |
| The Framing of Orders for Night Operations | [21] |
| Protection during Operations | [22] |
| Maintenance of Connection | [24] |
| Rifle Fire in Night Attacks | [25] |
| Caution necessary in planning Night Operations, but Resolution Essential in their Execution | [25] |
| Defence against Night Attacks | [26] |
| Passive Defence Useless | [26] |
| [Chapter IV]. | |
| Training a Company for Offensive Action | [29] |
| Instruction in Reconnaissance | [29] |
| Night Marches | [30] |
| Night Advances and Night Attacks | [32] |
| Guiding Troops across Country at Night | [37] |
| The Assault | [39] |
| Training for Defensive Action | [41] |
| Outposts | [41] |
| Position of Piquets at Night | [43] |
| Readiness for Action | [44] |
| Cover for Groups | [46] |
| Marking of Route to and from Piquets | [46] |
| Sentries Challenging | [46] |
| Sentries Firing | [47] |
| Action of Outposts in a Night Attack | [48] |
| [Chapter V]. | |
| Miscellaneous | [50] |
| Training and Employment of Scouts | [50] |
| Searchlights in Attack and in Defence | [53] |
| Flares, etc. | [54] |
| Hand Grenades | [55] |
| Luminous Discs | [56] |
| Pocket Electric Lamps | [56] |
| Connecting Ropes | [56] |
| Passing Fences | [57] |
| Entrenching by Night | [58] |
| Wire Entanglements | [59] |
| Halts at Night | [59] |
| Recognition of Friends at Night | [59] |
| Knowledge of the Moon and Stars | [60] |
| Constant Practice the only Means of acquiring Knowledge | [62] |
| Conclusion | [63] |
NIGHT OPERATIONS
FOR INFANTRY.
CHAPTER I.
The Importance of Careful Training in Night Operations.
Although in recent years there has been a marked increase in the practice of night operations, yet I doubt if the majority of officers have realized that the changing conditions of war tend to make night fighting a much more common occurrence in the future than it has been in the past. A brief study of the accounts of the Russo-Japanese War shows that, as time went on, both combatants evinced a growing tendency to resort to night attacks, and to employ in their execution forces of considerable strength; it is, therefore, reasonable to assume that in future wars similar circumstances will compel the adoption of similar methods. Moreover, if we consider the results which are likely to follow from the facilities for the acquisition and the rapid transmission of information offered by airships and wireless telegraphy respectively, and from the increased efficiency of fire-arms, we are compelled to realize that in all future wars operations carried out under cover of darkness, not only for the purpose of massing troops in a favourable position for further action, but also for the actual assault of particular localities, will become a matter of constant occurrence. Indeed, as a French officer, from whose book[A] I have gathered many hints on night training, points out, night fighting can no longer be regarded as something abnormal and exceptional, but as the power of fire-arms increases, so will combats in the dark become more frequent and necessary.
[A] “Guide pour le Chef d’une petité unité d’infanterie opérant la nuit, par Le Commandant Breveté Niessel.”