Patrols are used to provide the necessary security against surprise.
Being in skirmish line: 1. Platoon columns, 2. MARCH.
The platoon leaders move forward through the center of their respective platoons: men to the right of the platoon leader march to the left and follow him in file; those to the left march in like manner to the right; each platoon leader thus conducts the march of his platoon in double column of files; platoon guides follow in the
rear of their respective platoons to insure prompt and orderly execution of the advance.
Being in skirmish line: 1. Squad columns, 2. MARCH. See preceding page.
Each squad leader moves to the front; the members of each squad oblique toward and follow their squad leader in single file at easy marching distances.
Platoon columns are profitably used where the ground is so difficult or cover is so limited as to make it desirable to take advantage of the few favorable routes; no two platoons should march within the area of burst of a single shrapnel (ordinarily about 20 yards wide). Squad columns are of value principally in facilitating the advance over rough or brush-grown ground; they afford no material advantage in securing cover.