It may happen that the barrage put up will so demoralize the enemy that the riflemen can advance before his machine guns are even put out of action. This operation allows the rifle men to get in with the bayonet, if the resistance is not sooner overcome.
When the different sections are getting to their places, they usually find enough shell holes or old trenches to obtain cover. They should not move as entire sections, but as small groups of three or four at a time.
8. After the encircling movement has once begun, the platoon commander loses all control, and the action is then conducted by the section, squad or team leaders. They must be trained to act on their own initiative, as further orders are rarely practicable.
The resistance will finally be overcome, either because the enemy will retreat or surrender under the menace of encirclement, or by the losses caused by our fire or by the attack at close range of our bombers or else by the final assault with the bayonet led by our riflemen.
It must be remembered that under an artillery barrage it is never possible to issue verbal orders, so the sections must be trained to understand and obey the arm signals of its officer, or more often to work without orders.
9. A sequence of command must be arranged in each section, squad and team down to the last man.
Remarks Regarding The Forming Of Wave From Close Order.
The sketch of deployment attached is an illustration of one of the formations that may be adopted. It is given as an example. Any other wave formation may be practically as easily formed up. The platoon commander simply calls out the squads he wants in the first line.
It must not be imagined that this transition from close order to extended is done in the field when actually under fire or as a result of surprise.