On arrival each sentry is to have a periscope, the whole company to stand at arms, and each platoon to have its own ammunition reserve and all men know where this is. It is of the greatest importance that every detail and portion of trench taken over be known, and also the adjoining trenches as far as they affect the trenches held. Accurate sketches of the trench should be made, and periscopes, prismatic compasses and ruled notebooks are required. General scale is roughly ¼ inch to 10 yards. Drains must be watched and every effort made to keep trenches dry. When large trench mortar batteries of the enemy are active, men must be told off to watch for these bombs, as they are easily seen, and many casualties may be prevented by timely warning of their coming.
The fire trenches should contain as few men as possible, and work should be done at night, the men resting by day.
SNIPING
Each company generally has specially selected men told off as snipers. Strict discipline is necessary. They are generally on duty by day and excused from night work, and it is the rule that they are either told off to a definite post or given what is known as a roving commission. These men must be expert in building loopholes of all kinds by day or night, use of telescopic sights, periscopes, etc., the selection and judging of good sniping positions, either for use in front or behind fire trenches; expert in judging distances, in aiming and trigger pressing, in laying fixed rifles for night firing, and in the fixing and laying of rifle batteries.
PATROLS
Patrolling both day and night is of great importance, and generally during the night each unit holding a front line sends out several small patrols which frequently obtain information of great value and at the same time counter the enemy’s efforts in this direction.
These patrols generally consist of an officer and four to six men, according to the job in view. Sometimes on highly important work, it is three officers and sufficient orderlies to carry any valuable information obtained quickly back to a pre-arranged headquarters.
Bombs, revolvers and trench daggers are the only weapons of any value on these patrols. They frequently carry out small operations, such as raiding parties, cutting out parties, etc., obtaining from prisoners taken in this way information as to what enemy troops are opposing them in the line.