GOING INTO THE TRENCHES
Platoons generally enter by not more than two sections at a time, thus minimizing the danger from shell fire and delay at entrance to communication trenches.
Before leaving billets, platoon commanders should explain fully to sergeants and sections commanders the extent of trench to be taken over and the steps to be taken in case they are caught by shelling or rapid fire going up to the trenches. Arrangements should also be made that if casualties occur among the soldiers, relief will proceed as arranged.
IN THE FIRING LINE
On relieving the fire trenches, the men should make no noise, and rifles must be carried so that they do not show over the parapet. This is necessary even if enemy’s trenches are at a distance, as there is always the possibility of a listening or observation post being quite near.
Each man should pair off with one of the party occupying the trench and find out from him any points which may be useful.
A commander should consult the officer or N. C. O. in charge of the outgoing party and obtain the fullest information possible in connection with the position.
Particular points on which information should be obtained from the outgoing officer are generally: (a) behavior of enemy during period preceding relief and any point in their line requiring special information, such as enemy may have cut wire as though preparing to attack; (b) machine gun implacement may be suspected at some particular point; (c) anything ascertained by patrols about ground between firing lines, thus avoiding unnecessary reconnoissance; (d) any standing arrangement for patrols at night, including point at which wire can best be passed, ground to be patrolled, or place where they can lie under cover; (e) any parts of trench from which it is not safe to fire. Such positions are apt to occur in winding trenches, and are not always recognizable in the dark; (f) special features of trench, recent improvements, work not completed, dangerous points (on which enemy machine guns are trained at night), useful loopholes for observation; (g) places from which wood and water can be safely obtained; (h) amount of ammunition, number of picks, shovels and empty sandbags in that section of the line.