When a soldier finds himself a little behind, or before, the other men of his squad, he must be taught to recover his place in the rank gradually, and not to rush to it.
28. The Diagonal March. (Plate I, Fig. 1.)
| Right—Incline. | When the squad is on the march in line, and is required to move in a diagonal direction to the right, the command Right—Incline will be given, upon which the men will turn half right, and move diagonally in that direction, each regulating his pace so that his own shoulders are parallel with the shoulders of the man on his right. This man’s head should conceal the heads of the other men towards the right. The right hand man will direct, and must therefore pay particular attention to the direction and pace. |
| Left—Incline. | When it is intended to resume the original direction, the word Left—Incline will be given, on which every man will move forward in the original direction without checking his pace. |
The Diagonal March.
The diagonal march may, if necessary, be taught from the halt.
If the diagonal march has been properly performed, the squad when halted, or after the words Left—Incline, will be found to be in a line parallel to its original position.
The diagonal march will also be practised in double time.
29. Changing Direction. (Plate I, Fig. 2.)
| At the Halt. Right—Form (or Half Right—Form). | 1. From the Halt.—On the word Form, the right-hand man will make a full turn, and the remainder a partial turn in the required direction. |
| Quick—March. | On the word March, all except the right-hand man will step off; and, glancing to the right, will move by the shortest line to their places on the new alignment, halt, and take up their dressing independently. |