1. Directions of the probable attacks. 2. Defense of the first line, or line of resistance. The outline of the first line. Location and mission of the troops in the first line. Employment of machine guns. 3. Counterattacks. Units which are used for the purpose. Directions or trenches to be used in the counterattack. Depots of grenades and sandbags for the counterattack. 4. Artillery support. Composition of this artillery. Establishing of the front of barrage. Infantry-artillery liaison. 5. Liaisons and supply during the hostile attack.
Details of Trench Duty
Guard Duties (Security). Security is obtained by the use of sentinels and patrols.
Sentinels must not be confused with observers, watchers, or snipers. Observers belong to the information service of the sector and are not on duty at night. Snipers operate only in the daytime. The watchers of the different lines give the alarm in case of an attack, and are on duty both day and night. Sentinels are posted in the first line or in advanced posts. Their work and number will depend upon the proximity of the enemy, the tactical situation, and above all upon the conditions of the wire entanglements out in front.
At night, one sentinel is posted, say, for example, every 10 yards in the fire trench of the first line. During the day, only enough sentinels are posted so that all parts of “No Man’s Land” can be observed. This will allow a maximum number of men to rest.
In the firing line, the sentinels work in three reliefs. When not on guard duty, they sleep. The remainder of the garrison in the cover trench, however, are available for work, for patrols, and to furnish supply parties. Sentinels should have their rifles resting on the parapet close at hand, ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
By day, the sentinels use a periscope or observe through a loophole. This practice is, however, strictly prohibited at night, when a, sentinel must observe over the parapet. As little challenging as possible is done, and then only in a very low tone.
Reconnoitering Patrols are the best means for security against attack. Every night the commanders of the support points or the centers of resistance send out patrols in front of the firing line. The strength of a patrol must be sufficient to carry back a wounded man, i. e., the number should be five, six, or more. The success of a patrol depends entirely upon the leader. He must be clever, daring, and observant, and the rest of the patrol is simply his bodyguard. He himself must observe the objective of the mission of the patrol.
Patrols should never be sent out without definite orders as to their mission. Such may be, for example, a reconnaissance of the enemy’s lines, to discover if the enemy has cut passages in his wire belt preparatory to an attack, to examine their own wire entanglements, etc.
The route of the patrol must be exactly determined; also the hour of departure and return designated. Word is passed along the line of sentinels that a patrol is out in front with the necessary information about the same. The preparation for a night patrol must be made during daylight.