Tactics and duties for trench fighting

by Georges Etienne Bertrand; Oscar N. Solbert

Perfecting the Organization of the Position. New lines are created. The number of continuous lines between strong points and successive lines for defense in depth are increased.

Old lines, which are enfiladed by the enemy or which do not give flanking fire, are rectified or abandoned for new ones. The number of boyaux and communicating ditches are multiplied to facilitate the bringing up of reinforcements.

New accessories of defense are constructed and the old ones strengthened. This is especially done in the interior of the position with respect to parallel and perpendicular barbed wire belts to divide the position into compartments capable of all-round defense.

Additional false works are created, to waste the enemy’s artillery fire, The art of camouflage is extensively used during this phase. New shelter accommodations and dugouts are constructed for the better protection of the garrison during the preliminary bombardment.

Increase of the Control and Discipline of the Defense. The guard and observation services are reinforced. Sentinels, observers, and patrols are held to a stricter account of their duties.

Machine gun leaders are particular to perfect the disposition of their guns in depth of the position for interior fighting. The sector for each gun emplacement is carefully verified. Dugouts serving as shelters for guns during the bombardment are strengthened.

The support artillery must constantly verify the settings of their barrages. Numerous exercises are carried out for the call of the barrage with rockets, so as to keep the artillery constantly on the alert.

Liaison must be assured by other means than the telephone as this latter system usually breaks down under severe and continuous shelling. When the telephone is out of order, chains of runners must be resorted to. In the ordinary life of the trenches runners are not used. For this reason, when an attack is expected, new chains of runners must be established.

Supplies in the depots must be kept up to contemplated requirements. Besides the regular depots of the sector, numerous small ones are now established for the better distribution of extra ammunition and for the supply of reinforcing and counterattack troops. Supply parties are detailed to carry up ammunition during the battle.