1. Defense may be made in depth by all organizations, down to and including the platoon, or it may be made laterally.
2. The smallest active segment, be it only three men, must have a chief and a second in command, who is responsible for the proper upkeep and defense of the segment. All occupants of active segments must know all instructions which should be simple.
3. Any troops in charge of a portion of trench must never abandon it, no matter what happens, even if surrounded.
4. All ground lost must be retaken at once by immediate counter attack launched by the unit which lost the ground. As a matter of fact a counter attack is difficult for a platoon or company; it is really necessary for it to be made by a battalion.
5. Each company must provide for emplacements for mine throwers to be served by the artillery and for pneumatic guns to be served by their own men.
Instructions to be Issued by Battalion Commander.
1. Disposition of companies in sector assigned (best done by sketch showing sectors assigned to companies).
2. Special orders to companies (concerns field of fire to be obtained not only in own sector, but also in those adjoining it).
3. Improvement of defense. (Brief reports from company commanders to be followed by work being done on order of battalion commander after inspection.)
4. Organization of watching (not sentry duty) (by company commander under supervision of battalion commander).