74. For convenience in instruction _a.s.saults_ are divided into _simple attacks_, _counter attacks_, _attacks on the rifle_, and _feints_.
SIMPLE ATTACKS.
75. Success in these attacks depends on quickness of movement. There are three simple attacks--the _straight_, the _disengagement_, and the _counter disengagement_. They are not preceded by a feint.
76. In the _straight_ the bayonet is directed straight at an opening from the engaged position. Contact with the opponent"s rifle may, or may not, be abandoned while making it. If the opening be high or low, contact with the rifle will usually be abandoned on commencing the attack. If the opening be near his guard, the light pressure used in the engage may be continued in the attack.
Example: Being at the _engage right_, 1. _Number one, at neck_ (head, chest, right leg, etc.), _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry right_; 3.
_a.s.sAULT_.
77. In the _disengagement_ contact with the opponent"s rifle is abandoned and the point of the bayonet is circled _under_ or _over_ his bayonet or rifle and directed into the opening attacked. This attack is delivered by one continuous spiral movement of the bayonet from the moment contact is abandoned.
Example: Being at the _engage right_, 1. _Number one_, at stomach (left chest, left leg, etc.), _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry left_ (etc.); 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
78. In the _counter disengagement_ a swift attack is made into the opening disclosed while the opponent is attempting to change the engagement of his rifle. It is delivered by one continuous spiral movement of the bayonet into the opening.
Example: Being at the _engage right_, 1. _Number two, engage left_; 2.
_Number one_, at chest, _thrust_; 3. _Number two, parry left_; 4.
_a.s.sAULT_.
Number two initiates the movement, number one thrusts as soon as the opening is made, and number two then attempts to parry.
79. A _counter attack_ or _return_ is one made instantly after or in continuation of a parry. The parry should be as narrow as possible.
This makes it more difficult for the opponent to recover and counter parry. The counter attack should also be made at, or just before, the full extension of the opponent"s attack, as when it is so made, a simple extension of the arms will generally be sufficient to reach the opponent"s body.
Example: Being at _engage_, 1. _Number two_, at chest, _lunge_; 2.
_Number one, parry right_, and at stomach (chest, head, etc.), _thrust_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
ATTACKS ON THE RIFLE.
80. These movements are made for the purpose of forcing or disclosing an opening into which an attack can be made. They are the _press_, the _beat_, and the _twist_.
81. In the _press_ the attack quickly presses against the opponent"s bayonet or rifle with his own and continues the pressure as the attack is delivered.
Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, press_, and at chest, _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry right_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
82. The attack by _disengagement_ is particularly effective following _the press_.
Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, press_, and at stomach, _thrust_; 2. _Number two, low parry left_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
83. The _beat_ is an attack in which a sharp blow is struck against the opponent"s rifle for the purpose of forcing him to expose an opening into which an attack immediately follows. It is used when there is but slight opposition or no contact of rifles.
Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, beat_, and at stomach (chest, etc.), _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry left_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
84. In the _twist_ the rifle is crossed over the opponent"s rifle or bayonet and his bayonet forced downward with a circular motion and a straight attack made into the opening. It requires superior strength on the part of the attack.
Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, twist_, and at stomach, _thrust_; 2. _Number two, low parry, left_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
FEINTS.
85. Feints are movements which threaten or simulate attacks and are made with a view to inducing an opening or parry that exposes the desired point of attack. They are either single or double, according to the number of such movements made by the attack.
86. In order that the attack may be changed quickly, as little force as possible is put into a feint.
Example: Being at the _engage_, _Number one, feint_ head _thrust_; at stomach, _lunge_; 2. _Number two, parry right and low parry right_; 3.
_a.s.sAULT_.
Number one executes the feint and then the attack. Number two executes both parries.
87. In double feints first one part of the body and then another is threatened and a third attacked.
Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, feint straight thrust_ at chest; _disengagement_ at chest; at stomach, _lunge_; 2. _Number two, parry right, parry left_, and _low parry left_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
88. An opening may be offered or procured by opposition, as in the _press_ or _beat_.
89. In fencing exercises every feint should at first be parried. When the defense is able to judge or divine the character of the attack the feint is not necessarily parried, but may be nullified by a counter feint.
90. A _counter feint_ is a feint following the opponent"s feint or following a parry of his attack and generally occurs in combined movements.
COMBINED MOVEMENTS.
91. When the men have become thoroughly familiar with the various foot movements, parries, guards, attacks, feints, etc., the instructor combines several of them and gives the commands in quick succession, increasing the rapidity and number of movements as the men become more skillful. Opponents will be changed frequently.
1. Example: Being at the _engage_, 1. _Number one, by disengagement_ at chest, _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry left, right step_ (left foot first), and _lunge_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
2. Example: Being at _engage left_, _Number one, press_ and _lunge_; 2. _Number two, parry right, left step_, and _thrust_; 3. _a.s.sAULT_.
3. Example: Being at the _engage_, _Number one, by disengagement_ at chest, _thrust_; 2. _Number two, parry left, front pa.s.s_, and at head _b.u.t.t strike_; 3. _Number one, right step_; 4. _a.s.sAULT_.
92. Examples 1 and 2 are typical of movements known as _cross counters_, and example No. 3 of movements known as _close counters_.
93. A _chancery_ is an attack by means of which the opponent is disarmed, which causes him to lose control of his rifle, or which disables his weapon.
94. When the different combinations are executed with sufficient skill the instructor will devise series of movements to be memorized and executed at the command _a.s.sault_. The accuracy and celerity of the movements will be carefully watched by the instructor, with a view to the correction of faulty execution.
95. It is not intended to restrict the number of movements, but to leave to the discretion of company commanders and the ingenuity of instructors the selection of such other exercises as accord with the object of the drill.
VII. FENCING AT WILL.
96. As satisfactory progress is made the instructor will proceed to the exercises at will, by which is meant a.s.saults between two men, each endeavoring to hit the other and to avoid being hit himself.
Fencing at will should not be allowed to degenerate into random attacks and defenses.
97. The instructor can supervise but one pair of combatants at a time.
Frequent changes should be made so that the men may learn different methods of attack and defense from each other.