(b) Specially prepared blank forms upon which to record information gained by observation.
(c) Field glasses, maps and sketches, and panoramic views of the ground in front, both visible and invisible from the observation posts.
(d) A telephone connecting the post with the nearest command post (center of resistance or sector).
The observers in these posts are directly under command of the intelligence officers of the regiment and are of a special personnel. They must be thoroughly familiar with the regulations of the posts, maps, panorama, etc.
The intelligence officer collects and coordinates all information gathered in the sector. Every morning he turns in a consolidated report made up from the information in the captains’ daily reports and from the records of the sector observatories. (In order to avoid confusion of the different daily reports these information records are kept on two different colored blanks, red and blue alternating each day.)
The report of the intelligence officer is signed by the colonel and sent on to the brigade headquarters. From the data of his complete report the intelligence officer very often must verify certain information by the use of patrols. For this purpose he makes a request upon the colonel for special patrols.
Information is gathered from both airplanes and ground observatories. From ground observatories it is attempted to obtain the following data;
1. To ascertain the intentions of the enemy.
2. To properly prosecute attrition of the enemy’s works.
Attrition. By the word attrition in fighting is meant the gradual destruction of the enemy’s morale and strength, and demolition, little by little, of the enemy’s position. Trench warfare is not a rest or simply a time for guard duty. It is a phase of the battle in which you must do as much damage to the enemy as possible.