Meeting of the guides, hour and point of rendezvous, function of the guides of the relieved battalions.
Movement of headquarters, and rendezvous of the messengers that each company sends to headquarters to establish liaison.
Order of supply.
Additional details (result of the reconnaissance).
Departure. Before departure, each company is inspected by its company commander, who must see that each man has his canteen full, his rations for the day, a full supply of cartridges, the magazine of his rifle loaded (no cartridges in the chamber), and his gas mask in good condition. In winter the relieving troops will find a supply of blankets and trench boots in the sector. Usually each man should carry an extra supply of cartridges above that laid down by regulation, and two sandbags. There should be a certain number of flashlights and candles to the company (each corporal carrying a minimum of two candles). Just previous to departure or entraining the battalion commander himself makes a general inspection of his unit.
III. Movement of the Relief
March to the Rendezvous Point of the Guides. Usually the regiment marches, but it is sometimes transported in motor trucks, up to a point in the rear of the sector, called the point of dispersion, from which the different battalions branch off successively to go to their respective areas. This practice avoids the crossing of units. A short meal may be had by the regiment at the point of dispersion. The distance of this point behind the sector and the time of arrival of the relieving unit must be carefully calculated so that the relief may be finished early enough to permit the unit relieved to get out of sight of the enemy before daylight.
When the battalions leave the rendezvous point, each company sends to the battalion headquarters two messengers for the purpose of liaison. The units now follow the prescribed itineraries up to the rendezvous point where the guides are met.
Guides. During the reconnaissance, the company to be relieved details certain men to act as guides for the incoming company. An average of two guides is furnished for each platoon, one for each company headquarters, and one for each battalion headquarters. These guides await the arrival of the different units at a certain point called the rendezvous point of the guides. Usually this point is at the entrance of the boyau. As several guides are usually grouped at the same rendezvous point, they must be alert to meet the unit to which they are assigned. A non-commissioned officer of the retiring battalion is in charge of this group and he is responsible that each guide finds his unit. Each guide, of course, must know the best and safest route by which to conduct the unit to the position it must occupy.
March in the Boyaux. From the rendezvous point, the companies continue their march in the boyaux which are assigned to them. One guide leads each platoon while the second guide brings up its rear. The leading guide must inform the platoon commander of the different points of interest that are passed, such as each line of the sector, regimental or battalion command posts, depots, water points, etc.