Infantry training, 1905

by Great Britain. War Office

In certain circumstances it may be desirable to advance or retire in echelon from any named company or companies. The commanding officer will give instructions as to the number of companies to be formed in echelon, and the distance or distances to be preserved between them; and on his caution ADVANCE (or ABOUT TURN, ADVANCE) IN ECHELON AT — PACES DISTANCE FROM THE RIGHT, or No. — or Nos. — —, the named company or companies will advance by order of their commanders, and the remainder, if necessary, will be moved into their places by the shortest route, and will march by the inner flank.

A battalion in column or quarter column suddenly threatened will be required to develop a maximum fire with the least possible delay; this will be accomplished by forming echelon. On the command ECHELON TO THE RIGHT, REMAINDER FORM FOURS RIGHT, DOUBLE—MARCH, the leading company will stand fast; the remainder will move in echelon direct to a flank, being halted and turned to the front by their commander on reaching their position.

Echelon may also be formed outwards on the command ECHELON OUTWARDS, REMAINDER FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE—MARCH, left or even-numbered companies forming to the left, and right or odd-numbered companies forming to the right, the leading company standing fast.

Echelon may be formed on a centre company on the command ECHELON FROM NO. —, COMPANIES IN FRONT TO THE RIGHT, COMPANIES IN REAR TO THE LEFT, FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE—MARCH.

Line or column will be reformed on the same principles, the caution being LINE ON NO. —, or COLUMN or QUARTER COLUMN ON NO. —, on which the named company if in movement, will be halted.

118. Meeting an attack by cavalry or swordsmen.

When a battalion in line is threatened by cavalry or swordsmen in force, it may sometimes be desirable to dress back the threatened flank and to dress up the unmenaced flank, the battalion commander giving the order BACK, NO. —, UP, NO. —.

119. Formation of Squares.

1. In savage warfare, it may often be necessary to form a square two deep. This can be formed from line on the two centre companies, the companies further to the flanks forming the side faces, and the flank companies the rear face, all, except the companies nearest the two centre companies, moving into position by fours. On the caution ON THE TWO CENTRE COMPANIES FORM—SQUARE, the commanders of the two centre companies will take post for firing. Nos. 3 and 6 will turn about, and at the halt right and left form at the double, and turn about by order of their commanders. The remaining companies, by order of their commanders, will form fours inwards, and the commanders of the two centre companies will order their companies to fix bayonets. Nos. 2, 7 will then be moved at the double to the points where their flanks will rest in square, on the left or right form up at the halt, turn about. Nos. 1 and 8 will halt and turn to the left and right respectively to form the rear face. The company officers and supernumeraries who are outside will pass into the square. Each company as it reaches its position will be ordered to fix bayonets. The company commanders will give orders as to firing, subject to directions from the commanding officer.

If there are an odd number of companies, that next to the right flank company should double inside the square, form column of half-companies, and fix bayonets.