Approach March. The approach march is a name given to the formations that the platoon in section columns takes up to minimize casualties while crossing the zone of artillery fire.
These formations are taken up under the conditions of open warfare, or, in the case of reinforcements, following up an attack.
The formations may be in “Line of Section Columns” or “Double Line of Section Columns.” In the first case, each section may be in single file or in double column; or again the first and fourth platoon section may be in double column and the second and third sections in single file: In the “Double Line of Section Columns” any of the formations in the diagrams may be taken up, depending upon circumstances.
The interval between sections is variable, but usually the interval is such as to give room for the proper development into line of skirmishers.
Skirmishers. This formation of skirmishers is not taken up for the assault, but under similar conditions as that of the approach march—that is, for open warfare and for the advance of the reinforcing platoons behind an attack.
To form the skirmish line, each section column simply deploys into line, each man going either right or left front into line from the regular formation of double line of section column.
If you inspect the figure, you will see that this deployment into skirmish line gives practically the type formation of the first reinforcing platoon in the assaulting column.
Assaulting Formations. In the attack the platoon forms and goes forward in waves. A wave is not one line of men, but is composed usually of two or three lines.
