219. The advance in a succession of thin lines is used to cross a wide stretch swept, or likely to be swept, by artillery fire or heavy, long-range rifle fire which can not profitably be returned. Its purpose is the building up of a strong skirmish line preparatory to engaging in a fire fight. This method of advancing results in serious (though temporary) loss of control over the company. Its advantage lies in the fact that it offers a less definite target, hence is less likely to draw fire.
220. The above are suggestions. Other and better formations may be devised to fit particular cases. The best formation is the one which advances the line farthest with the least loss of men, time, and control.
_The Fire Attack._
221. The principles governing the advance of the firing line in attack are considered in the School of the Battalion.
When it becomes impracticable for the company to advance as a whole by ordinary means, it advances by rushes.
222. Being in skirmish line: 1. _By platoon_ (_two platoons, squad, four men_, etc.), _from the right (left)_, 2. _RUSH_.
The platoon leader on the indicated flank carefully arranges the details for a prompt and vigorous execution of the rush and puts it into effect as soon as practicable. If necessary, he designates the leader for the indicated fraction. When about to rush, he causes the men of the fraction to cease firing and to hold themselves flat, but in readiness to spring forward instantly. The leader of the rush (at the signal of the platoon leader, if the latter be not the leader of the rush) commands: _Follow me_, and, running at top speed, leads the fraction to the new line, where he halts it and causes it to open fire. The leader of the rush selects the new line if it has not been previously designated.
The first fraction having established itself on the new line, the next like fraction is sent forward by its platoon leader, without further command of the captain, and so on, successively, until the entire company is on the line established by the first rush.
If more than one platoon is to join in one rush, the junior platoon leader conforms to the action of the senior.
A part of the line having advanced, the captain may increase or decrease the size of the fractions to complete the movement.
223. When the company forms a part of the firing line, the rush of the company as a whole is conducted by the captain, as described for a platoon in the preceding paragraph. The captain leads the rush; platoon leaders lead their respective platoons; platoon guides follow the line to insure prompt and orderly execution of the advance.
224. When the foregoing method of rushing, by running, becomes impracticable, any method of advance that _brings the attack closer to the enemy_, such as crawling, should be employed.
For regulations governing the charge, see paragraphs 318 and 319.
_The Company in Support._
225. To enable it to follow or reach the firing line, the support adopts suitable formations, following the principles explained in paragraphs 212-218.
The support should be kept a.s.sembled as long as practicable. If after deploying a favorable opportunity arises to hold it for some time in close formation, it should be rea.s.sembled. It is redeployed when necessary.
226. The movements of the support as a whole and the dispatch of reenforcements from it to the firing line are controlled by the major.
A reenforcement of less than one platoon has little influence and will be avoided whenever practicable.
The captain of a company in support is constantly on the alert for the major"s signals or commands.
227. A reenforcement sent to the firing line joins it deployed as skirmishers. The leader of the reenforcement places it in an interval in the line, if one exists, and commands it thereafter as a unit. If no such suitable interval exists, the reenforcement is advanced with increased intervals between skirmishers; each man occupies the nearest interval in the firing line, and each then obeys the orders of the nearest squad leader and platoon leader.
228. A reenforcement joins the firing line as quickly as possible without exhausting the men.
229. The original platoon division of the companies in the firing line should be maintained and should not be broken up by the mingling of reenforcements.
Upon joining the firing line, officers and sergeants accompanying a reenforcement take over the duties of others of like grade who have been disabled, or distribute themselves so as best to exercise their normal functions. Conditions will vary and no rules can be prescribed.
It is essential that all a.s.sist in mastering the increasing difficulties of control.
_The Company Acting Alone._
230. In general, the company, when acting alone, is employed according to the principles applicable to the battalion acting alone; the captain employs platoons as the major employs companies, making due allowance for the difference in strength.
The support may be smaller in proportion or may be dispensed with.
231. The company must be well protected against surprise. Combat patrols on the flanks are specially important. Each leader of a flank platoon details a man to watch for the signals of the patrol or patrols on his flank.
FIRE.
232. Ordinarily pieces are loaded and extra ammunition is issued before the company deploys for combat.
In close order the company executes the firings at the command of the captain, who posts himself in rear of the center of the company.
Usually the firings in close order consist of saluting volleys only.
233. When the company is deployed, the men execute the firings at the command of their platoon leaders; the latter give such commands as are necessary to carry out the captain"s directions, and, from time to time, add such further commands as are necessary to continue, correct, and control the fire ordered.
234. The voice is generally inadequate for giving commands during fire and must be replaced by signals of such character that proper fire direction and control is a.s.sured. To attract attention, signals must usually be preceded by the whistle signal (short blast). A fraction of the firing line about to rush should, if practicable, avoid using the long blast signal as an aid to _cease firing_. Officers and men behind the firing line can not ordinarily move freely along the line, but must depend on mutual watchfulness and the proper use of the prescribed signals. All should post themselves so as to see their immediate superiors and subordinates.
235. The musicians a.s.sist the captain by observing the enemy, the target, and the fire effect, by transmitting commands or signals, and by watching for signals.
236. Firing with blank cartridges at an _outlined_ or _represented_ enemy at distances less than 100 yards is prohibited.
237. The effect of fire and the influence of the ground in relation thereto, and the individual and collective instruction in marksmanship, are treated in the Small-Arms Firing Manual.
_Ranges._
238. For convenience of reference ranges are cla.s.sified as follows:
0 to 600 yards, close range.
600 to 1,200 yards, effective range.
1,200 to 2,000 yards, long range.
2,000 yards and over, distant range.
239. The distance to the target must be determined as accurately as possible and the sights set accordingly. Aside from training and morale, this is the most important single factor in securing effective fire at the longer ranges.
240. Except in a deliberately prepared defensive position, the most accurate and only practicable method of determining the range will generally be to take the mean of several estimates.
Five or six officers or men, selected from the most accurate estimators in the company, are designated as _range estimators_ and are specially trained in estimating distances.
Whenever necessary and practicable, the captain a.s.sembles the range estimators, points out the target to them, and adopts the mean of their estimates. The range estimators then take their customary posts.
(_C.I.D.R., No. 17._)
_Cla.s.ses of Firing._