Training for the Trenches / A Practical Handbook Based upon Personal Experience During the First Two Years of the War in France

by Leslie Vickers

Then again there is the gas, which has now come to be used as a definite part of an offensive. Gas is conveyed to the trenches in large drums, under pressure, and at the proper moment is liberated in waves against the enemy. It should be in the hands of trained men who can be trusted not to liberate it a moment before the time comes.

While gas has proved very effective under certain circumstances—and almost decided the fate of Calais early in 1915—yet it is obviously dependent upon the weather and especially the wind. Even if the direction of the wind is correct for the use of gas, the kind of wind may not be suitable at the moment. The wind must not be high nor squally, but needs to be low and gentle, just sufficient to carry the gas across to the opposing trenches without dissipating it on the journey. Then again it must be remembered that it can seldom reach the gunners who may open up intensive fire on the trenches from which it is being liberated, burst the drums and make the place untenable. Of course all the men who are employed in liberating gas should be warned to have their helmets in position to guard against these emergencies, and also against leaks in the drums. Gas masks must be tested daily to see that they do not admit any of this deadly poison.

In addition to these preparations, a good many reconnaissance parties must be sent night after night out into No Man's Land to map it thoroughly, place directing boards there, dig small saps to facilitate an advance, and learn the condition of what remains of the enemy wire. This work is difficult and dangerous, and must be given to trustworthy, brave, resourceful men. For it must be remembered that the enemy will probably come out into this neutral territory at night to try and learn the plans of the opposing side, just as they are trying to learn his plans. Many bloody conflicts have taken place out there under cover of darkness when the patrol from one side has entered into conflict with the patrol from the other.

Those in charge of the attack will arrange that at a specified time the bombardment will cease, and the men leap over the parapets. This time is usually arranged for, say, one minute after six, or thirteen minutes after eight—some time which the enemy cannot guess accurately. During the final awful ten minutes, the finishing touches are given to rifles and bombs and revolvers. Then exactly at the appointed time the electric buzzers in the trenches sound the signal to advance. The first man over the parapet is always an officer. Unlike the Germans, we do not drive our men but expect them to follow us, and this accounts in part for the very severe casualties that have been suffered by British officers.

Where the distance between trenches is short, say, a couple of hundred yards, it is covered as fast as men can run. It is a veritable race with death; for the enemy must not be allowed to recover from the bombardment in time to get his machine guns up into position again before the infantry arrives before his trenches. The attacking infantry must throw themselves down into the trenches and begin work at once with bomb and bayonet. Since the enemy has adopted the plan of having his dugouts deep down in the earth, it is a little easier to reach him before he is able to emerge. In this work bombs are most effective. All of the enemy communicating trenches must be effectively barricaded or protected by bombers and riflemen to keep him from bringing up any reserves and thus taking the attacking force from a flank. In an attack of this kind the ground cannot be covered too rapidly, and no thought must be given to cover.

But when attacks have to be made over long distances, the plan is either to dig out saps that will reach to within a reasonable charging distance of the enemy, or else have the infantry proceed at a moderate and steady pace, so as not to arrive at their objective winded and useless for bayonet work. The principle of having sectional rushes while neighbouring sections open rapid fire will be found useful.

The German method of advance is characterised by the close order formation, the British by the open order formation. The German training is such that he cannot act independently to any very great degree, but needs to feel the support of another strong arm near him, if possible touching him. They attack in waves of men packed so closely together that it is impossible to miss them if you get a shot at them at all, and of course they are ideal marks for machine guns. But in the British and French armies men are trained to be self-reliant and to advance even when they seem to be alone. An interval of three paces is usually maintained between individuals, and that renders them less of a target for marksmen. They are also trained to take command of other men should their officers or non-commissioned officers be put out of action.

Should any of the enemy wires be still intact, they must be cut by the first comers so as not to hold up the main attack. This is done by ordinary wire cutters—which every man is supposed to carry as part of his equipment—or else by a new device that is attached to certain rifles. By means of this a number of the wires are caught together and then when the rifle is fired the bullet cuts them and a passage through is made.