Plate 45a.—Trench showing wire overhead cover and wire trapdoor obstacle. Machicoulis gallery in background.
Any observations of enemy activities, of any nature whatever, are reported immediately so that they may be passed on to the commander whose unit is manning the trenches directly opposite the same.
Loopholes should be screened at the rear by a sandbag split and hung over them. They should be carefully concealed to prevent their location being discovered by the enemy. There must be no alteration in the parapet where they are located.
Snipers
The enemy's sojourn in the trenches should be made as disagreeable to him as possible. He must be kept continually on the alert. Our operations must be made a constant menace to him. It is in this way that casualties are effected and he is gradually worn out. One of the best methods of accomplishing all of the above is the employment of snipers, who are specially selected and trained in this branch of trench warfare.
The snipers are on duty all day, but they have their nights in bed. They conduct their operations in pairs and are given a definite post to occupy and in exceptional cases may be given a roving commission. The advantage of having the same men regularly on the same post is that they learn thoroughly the appearance of every square foot of the ground included in their area of observation and are able immediately to note any change that may take place. They soon learn where to look for the enemy and in fact learn the habits, etc., of the enemy occupying their sphere of observation.