CHAPTER I
Organization
The normal organization of an intrenched position includes the following elements from front to rear:
1. In front of the position and at a variable distance from the first line fire trench there is a line of wire entanglements. (See Obstacles, p. 4.)
2. Close up to the wire entanglements there is an intrenched post known as the "listening post," which is connected with the first line fire trench by a zigzag communicating trench. (See Listening Posts, p. 18.)
3. Then comes the first line fire trench with attached machine-gun emplacements at convenient points. (See Fire Trench and Machine-Gun Emplacements, pp. 24 and 44.)
4. The fire trench is so narrow that lateral communication along it is effected only with difficulty. In order to provide a passageway a communication or supervision trench is provided a few yards in rear of the fire trench. Passageways lead from this communication trench to the fire trench and to the dugouts located along it.
5. At a variable distance in rear of the fire trench (100 to 200 yards) the emplacements for bomb-throwing apparatus and trench mortars are located. These are connected up laterally by a communication trench which joins with the main communication trench running from front to rear through the position. (See Emplacements for Trench Mortars, p. 41.)
6. From 100 to 400 yards to the rear of the first line fire trench, and generally parallel to it, is the supporting trench or cover for the supports. This trench is invariably provided with strong overhead cover and a system of dugouts for the protection of the troops. (See Cover for Supports, p. 48.)
7. This whole arrangement of trenches is connected throughout from front to rear, and laterally, by a system of zigzag communication trenches.