If companies are to advance in fours simultaneously, the battalion commander will give the command FORM FOURS, RIGHT, COMPANIES, LEFT—WHEEL.

2. Column from column of fours on the march.—If the column is to be reformed immediately on clearing the defile, the caution will be IN SUCCESSION ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, on which the company commanders will act as in S. 68, each company successively forming into column.

Column may also be formed when the whole has cleared the defile, on the battalion commander’s order ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, FORWARD, companies acting as in S. 68.

3. Column of fours from quarter column from the halt.—The battalion commander will give the caution IN SUCCESSION ADVANCE IN FOURS FROM THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES, on which the commander of the leading company will give the command Form fours, right, left wheel, Quick—march, each company in rear being moved off in a similar manner as soon as its front is clear. If on the march the quarter column must be halted before defiling.

4. Quarter column from column of fours on the march.—Quarter column will be formed from column of fours by first forming column as in 2, and then forming quarter column as in S. 97 (2).

5. Column or quarter column from column of fours on the march.—A battalion moving in fours may form quarter column or column on the leading company facing at right angles to the line of advance, on the caution AT THE HALT, FACING RIGHT, COLUMN (or QUARTER COLUMN) ON THE LEADING COMPANY, on which the leading company will be at once halted and turned to its right by its commander, the remaining companies forming in rear of it.

Note.—When in column of fours on the march, drums and band will be twenty paces in front of the leading company; mules will follow in rear of the companies to which they are attached; machine guns, stretcher bearers, carts and wagons will be in rear of the battalion; the whole in the above order. Cyclist section, if present, will precede the machine guns. The second in command will usually be in rear of the battalion. The adjutant will accompany the commanding officer, who will be between the band and the leading company. The serjeant-major will be in front of the leading company.

99. A battalion in column changing direction.

CHANGE DIRECTION RIGHT.On the battalion commander’s caution, each company commander will successively form his company round the same point by giving the command Right form followed by Forward, by the Left, as soon as the formation of his company is complete. S. 66.

100. Movements in line, or lines, of company columns from column or quarter column.