[S] Runners: Attached to 3d Section and 7th Squad. With Platoon commander when company is in extended order formation.

Deployments.

General Principles:

(a) The following plans for deployment are not to be regarded as rigid. The positions of the various squads depends upon tactical considerations.

(b) The platoon in attack will be used only for accomplishment of its offensive mission. Moppers-up, additional carriers, etc., will be furnished by other organizations.

  1. Being in line, to form single skirmish line to the front.
    1. 1. As skirmishers (so many) paces, guide right (left or center). 2. March.
    2. Executed as described in pars. 206 and 208, i.d.r.
    3. Normal interval to be ordered, 4 or 5 paces.
    4. This formation to be regarded as exceptional.
  2. Being in column of squads, to form single skirmish line. Same command as in (A). Executed as described in para 207 and 208, i.d.r.
  3. Being in line to form double skirmish line to the front (i.e., to take the "Formation for Attack" in the diagram.)
    1. 1. In two lines. 2. As skirmishers (so many) paces, guide right (left or center). 3 March.
    2. Executed according to the principles in pars. 206 and 208, i.d.r., except that at the command March the even-numbered squads stand fast while the odd-numbered squads form the first line by deploying on the base squad as in the case of deployment in single line. Similarly, the even-numbered squads form the second line by deploying on their base squad after the odd-numbered squads have moved forward about 20 paces.


  7. Being in line or column of squads to deploy in line of squad columns in one or two lines. Use same commands and execute in same manner as described in (A), (B), (C), except that in the command "Squad Columns" is substituted for "as skirmishers," and in the execution each corporal on approaching the line forms his squad in "squad column" instead of deploying it as skirmishers.

  8. E.G. 1. In two lines—2. Squad columns (so many) paces, Guide right (left or center)—3. March.
    This gives a "Formation of Approach" as the French describe it, or as an "Artillery Formation" as the British describe it; which may be used directly or indirectly (by means of echelons) for advancing when not liable to infantry fire.
  9. Being in above formation to vary the intervals.
    1. Squad columns (so many) paces, 2. Guide right (left or center). Executed in the same manner as similar movement described in i.d.r. 126.

General Principles of the Platoon Formation in the Assault of Fortified Positions in Trenches. (Points of Resistance, Etc.).

1. The platoon is now a complete fighting unit within itself. It contains riflemen, bombers, auto-riflemen, and rifle grenadiers. With this combination the platoon commander has, under his immediate control, all the different kinds of fire available to the infantry.

2. This formation was developed so that the platoon commander could meet the different contingencies that arise from being opposed by points of resistance in a "Trench-to-Trench" attack or the "Semi-Open-Warfare;" that is the secondary stage of a push.