[ From Militär Wochenblatt.]
Translated by H. G. Dresel, Lieutenant, U. S. N.*
The instructions of January 3, 1889, for battle exercises of the French infantry have received certain modifications, and now stand substantially as follows:
In the attack, the firing will be delayed as long as possible; on the defensive, the fire will be opened vigorously as soon as it promises to become effective; in both cases, however, the available supply of ammunition must be considered, and a sufficient supply be withheld for the decisive moment. Before rapid fire or magazine fire is resorted to, effective results will be secured more by accuracy in aiming than by increasing the intensity of fire.
The chief of battalion will indicate the objective, and also that part of the enemy's line against which the fire will prove most effective. In case he fails to do this, or when conditions are suddenly changed, such duty devolves upon the
chiefs of companies. They will designate the object, determine the distance, regulate the method of firing, number of rounds and commencement or cessation of firing. The chiefs of sections, together with the petty officers, will pay personal attention to the proper setting of the sights and the minute observance of the orders of the chief of company.
In battle the aim will be directed at the foot of the object. For distances under 600 meters the sights will be set for 400 meters when the fire is directed at troops standing or marching ; for distance under 800 meters, against cavalry, the sights will be set for 600 meters.
Volley firing is to be employed as long as possible in the attack as well as in the defense, and care taken to prevent desultory firing at will. Volleys by sections will be the rule; but volleys by platoons may be resorted to when overwhelming effect is possible or when closely massed troops offer a good target. If the enemy be driven from his position, volleys will prove most effectual in the pursuit and in preserving control over the men.
In general, volley firing is practicable against troops at distances not exceeding:—800 meters, at a line equal to the front of a squad of skirmishers; 1000 meters, at a line of the front of a half-section; 1200 meters, at a line of the front of a section or a piece of artillery; 1500 meters, at greater lines, columns of platoons, columns of companies, artillery or cavalry; 2000 meters at massed bodies of troops. These rules are not arbitrary, but admit of such departures as circumstances may dictate. Individual firing or fire at will, which is difficult of control, which, unlike volley firing, can be less easily concentrated, and which presents obstacles to an effective fire discipline, recommends itself, however, at short ranges when exposed to a vigorous fire from the enemy, with no time to resort to the more deliberate volley firing.
Rapid fire will be reserved for decisive moments.
Magazine fire is only employed by direct command from officers.
The magazines are to be filled before the battle formation. During the engagement, the expended cartridges are to be replaced in the magazines whenever opportunity offers.
Every troop of infantry must have its scouts. They are indispensable. The use of smokeless powder, the increased accuracy of the modern rifle, the flat trajectories, and the rapidity of fire, by hiding the enemy from view and by enormously increasing the fire-swept zone, have made the employment of cavalry scouts and patrols almost impossible. Only well organized and experienced infantry scouts, capable of taking advantage of every form of cover offered will be able to creep near enough to reconnoiter the enemy's position or to guard against surprises. Provided that the complement permits it, each company will have 32 scouts in time of war, 16 in times of peace. Two scouts will be assigned to each group, but only one at a time to be sent out on active duty. The scouts should all be properly qualified for efficiently performing their work. The chief of battalion, or, in a company acting independently, the chief of company will determine whether the whole number or a part only of the scouts are to be sent out, and he will appoint a leader to take charge. Fundamentally they act only for their own company, but in exceptional cases they may act in combination with the scouts of the other companies of the battalion. The distance that they advance ahead of the main body will depend upon circumstances, but constant communication must be kept up with the main body, which preferably will supply files for these lines of communication. The scouts of two companies may support each other. In the field they will be afforded all possible relief and lightening of their camp duties. The qualifications of scouts will be entered upon their discharge papers. Their special education for this work will receive the particular attention of the chief of battalion. He will appoint an officer for this instruction, who will be assisted by a competent subordinate and two corporals in solving the proposed problem.
The rules for battle exercise of the company differ according as the company acts independently or forms part of a battalion, according as it is acting offensively or defensively. One particular point to be borne in mind is,—that the resolve to win is the best surety for ultimate success. The doctrine that "attack solely will secure victory" should be the basis of all military education and development.
When advancing through the enemy's country a company must protect itself against surprise by its scouts and flankers. With a strength of 200 rifles, its front will occupy an extent of about 150 meters. When forming part of a battalion and the order to advance is given, the chief of company will send out his scouts ahead, in the direction indicated by the chief of battalion; as soon as they have gained the proper distance, about 500 meters on level ground, the main body advances. The scouts remain actively engaged, advancing towards the front until the company has gained the objective point previously determined upon, where the chief of company will at once have every rifle in readiness. The advance will be conducted rapidly, the company will take advantage of all cover offered by the nature and conformation of the ground to be traversed. Should the ground be open, the company will break into columns of sections or columns of platoons, with as great intervals between subdivisions as circumstances will allow. Should the enemy's fire cause considerable losses with such formations, to be expected at a distance of 1300 meters, the company will deploy into extended order, the guide being taken from the center with proper intervals. If no longer practicable to advance without firing, halt and open fire by volleys. The advance to be continued, however, as soon as possible. When within 400 meters of the enemy bayonets will be fixed and rapid fire ordered. If the enemy does not fall back, advance by short rushes, halt and keep up the rapid fire. When within 300 meters of the enemy and the latter continues to hold his position the fighting line will be reinforced by the supports, rapid fire is kept up until the charge is ordered, when officers and petty officers will place themselves ahead of the line and with the order "charge" will lead the assault. If, however, the chief of company judges that by a bold attack he can drive the enemy from his position, he will order the charge without waiting for the supports to arrive on the line. The position having been captured rapid fire will be directed at the retreating enemy. Should the attack be repulsed, the chief of company will rally his company as quickly as possible and renew the attempt; less loss will be sustained by such proceeding than if retreat were begun. The rally by sections will be the rule in such cases; if the men have become scattered or much mixed they will rally about the nearest officer or petty officer. The chief of company has no definite part in line; an aid and two orderlies will serve to carry his orders and to keep the chief of battalion informed of the state of the ammunition supply. In the deployment, section leaders will post themselves ahead of their sections; when fire is opened they take post in rear of their respective sections.
When the company is acting independently, the chief of company will see to the protection of his flanks and place in reserve a certain number of his men ready for any possible exigencies which may arise in battle.
The defense must always be vigorous, never passive. When forming part of a battalion the company may occupy a front of 200 meters. As soon as the position selected for defense is reached, the chief of company sends out the scouts, makes provisions for efficient ammunition supply, will personally reconnoiter the surroundings, will strengthen the position as much as possible by construction of defensive works, will assign each subdivision to the place it is to occupy, and will impress upon each the work it is expected to perform. As a rule, he will bring every rifle into play. The engagement will be opened by volley firing as soon as it will prove effective. The fire of certain subdivisions or parts of the line may be directed at the enemy's reserves. Counter attacks against the advancing enemy will be made by the reserve companies. If the enemy be repulsed energetic fire will be directed at his retreat; the company will at once assume the offensive. Should it become necessary to retreat, it will be conducted under the protective fire of the troops held in reserve to a position previously designated by the chief of battalion. Without definite orders, a position will never be abandoned except in the last extremity after the most stubborn resistance has failed.
When a company acts independently the same general principles will obtain, but the chief of company will always keep a part of his command in reserve.
The fighting line of a battalion on the offensive will be composed of one or more, generally two companies, the remaining companies being held in reserve. With a strength of 800 rifles in the battalion, the fighting line will occupy a front not to exceed 300 meters, regardless of the intervals from neighboring battalions. The attack of a battalion forming part of a larger body of troops is generally prepared for by artillery fire. When the chief of battalion has received the order to advance he will collect his chiefs of companies, chief of scouts, and possibly all of his officers about him and will give his directions and general instructions. If the advance is across covered or uneven ground, the companies on the fighting line will follow the same principles laid down for a company acting independently. The reserves follow under cover; circumstances will determine when and in what formation they will be sent to the front by the chief of battalion. Across open country the battalion will advance in extended double column with large intervals between echelons. The forward companies will advance the same as companies acting independently, separated by intervals of 30 meters. The rear companies follow at a distance of 400 or 500 meters. The battalions will now continue to advance straight towards the objective, the subsequent proceedings being the same as those laid down for the company.
The chief of battalion takes post at a point from which he can best observe and keep in communication with the chiefs of companies by orderlies; he will have control of everything; he will preserve concerted action and unbroken connection, but will permit independent action if by this means the general results can be furthered.
Mounted officers will dismount when the scouts are sent forward.
The remaining portions of the official instructions received no material change.
* These instructions differ but slightly in principle fomr those issued in 1891 by the Bureau of Navaigation for use in the United States Navy.