Supply of ammunition and water; advanced supply points.
Evacuation of the wounded; dressing stations, routes of evacuation, auto ambulance points. Also, routes of evacuation for prisoners and assembling points for same.
This plan of battle is so drawn up that it may be executed any later day that may be designated in the order for the attack.
Preparation of the Men for the Attack. The work of fitting their men physically, professionally, and morally for the task before them devolves upon the leaders of all ranks. By a system of relief, the men of the garrison get short periods of rest behind the sector to shake off the atmosphere of the trenches. Continuous instruction of both men and officers in the basic principles of fighting should be carried on at all times. The moral training of the men depends to a great extent upon the officers. The leaders, by example and encouraging words, should instill into their soldiers that fighting spirit which makes for success in battle.
II. The Assault
Formations for the Assault
Disposition in Depth. The assault has for its purpose the capture of the first hostile line, that is to say, the crossing of “No Man’s Land” and penetrating the enemy’s position. The assault is only the beginning of the combat. When the breach has been made in the enemy’s first line, the assaulting and reinforcing troops must continue the fighting in the interior for the conquest of the position. The direct object of the assault is to open the way for the attacking troops into the position. The attacking troops are disposed in depth in a series of echelons, so that during the advance each echelon is brought into the battle at the proper moment. This rule of formation in depth is followed without exception by every unit of whatever size.
The regiment forms with one or two assaulting battalions, and two or one battalion behind in reserve. The battalion has three or, better, only two assaulting companies and one or two companies with machine guns, in the second echelon as support. The company may have three, but more usually two, assaulting platoons with one or more reinforcing platoons in the second line.
Waves. The successive echelons have received the name “waves.” This designation is expressive but not clear, and causes mistakes.