Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 Part 3

When the firing line is firing, each squad leader suspends firing and fixes his attention at a _short blast_ of his platoon leader's whistle. The platoon leader's subsequent commands or signals are repeated and enforced by the squad leader. If a squad leader's attention is attracted by a whistle other than that of his platoon leader, or if there are no orders or commands to convey to his squad he resumes firing at once.

_Suspend firing._ A _long blast_ of the whistle.

All other whistle signals are prohibited.

(_C.I.D.R., No. 15._)

_Arm Signals._

43. The following arm signals are prescribed. In making signals either arm may be used. Officers who receive signals on the firing line "repeat back" at once to prevent misunderstanding.

_Forward, march._ Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold the arm horizontally, thrusting it in direction of march.

This signal is also used to execute quick time from double time.

_Halt._ Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust the hand upward and hold the arm vertically.

_Double time, march._ Carry the hand to the shoulder; rapidly thrust the hand upward the full extent of the arm several times.

_Squads right, march._ Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it to a vertical position above the head and swing it several times between the vertical and horizontal positions.

_Squads left, march._ Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it downward to the side and swing it several times between the downward and horizontal positions.

_Squads right about, march_ (if in close order) or, _To the rear, march_ (if in skirmish line). Extend the arm vertically above the head; carry it laterally downward to the side and swing it several times between the vertical and downward positions.

_Change direction_ or _Column right (left), march._ The hand on the side toward which the change of direction is to be made is carried across the body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal; then swing in a horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new direction.

_As skirmishers, march._ Raise both arms laterally until horizontal.

_As skirmishers, guide center, march._ Raise both arms laterally until horizontal; swing both simultaneously upward until vertical and return to the horizontal; repeat several times.

_As skirmishers, guide right (left), march._ Raise both arms laterally until horizontal; hold the arm on the side of the guide steadily in the horizontal position; swing the other upward until vertical and return it to the horizontal; repeat several times.

_a.s.semble, march._ Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and describe horizontal circles.

_Range_, or _Change elevation._ To announce _range_, extend the arm toward the leaders or men for whom the signal is intended, fist closed; by keeping the fist closed battle sight is indicated; by opening and closing the fist, expose thumb and fingers to a number equal to the hundreds of yards; to add 50 yards describe a short horizontal line with forefinger. _To change elevation_, indicate the _amount of increase_ or _decrease_ by fingers as above; point upward to indicate increase and downward to indicate decrease.

_What range are you using?_ or _What is the range?_ Extend the arms toward the person addressed, one hand open, palm to the front, resting on the other hand, fist closed.

_Are you ready?_ or _I am ready._ Raise the hand, fingers extended and joined, palm toward the person addressed.

_Commence firing._ Move the arm extended in full length, hand palm down, several times through a horizontal arc in front of the body.

_Fire faster._ Execute rapidly the signal "Commence firing."

_Fire slower._ Execute slowly the signal "Commence firing."

_To swing the cone of fire to the right, or left._ Extend the arm in full length to the front, palm to the right (left); swing the arm to right (left), and point in the direction of the new target.

_Fix bayonet._ Simulate the movement of the right hand in "Fix bayonet" (par. 95).

_Suspend firing._ Raise and hold the forearm steadily in a horizontal position in front of the forehead, palm of the hand to the front.

_Cease firing._ Raise the forearm as in _suspend firing_ and swing it up and down several times in front of the face.

_Platoon._ Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; describe small circles with the hand. (See par. 44.)

_Squad._ Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; swing the hand up and down from the wrist. (See par. 44.)

_Rush._ Same as _double time_. (_C.I.D.R., Nos. 2 and 14._)

44. The signals _platoon_ and _squad_ are intended primarily for communication between the captain and his platoon leaders. The signal _platoon_ or _squad_ indicates that the platoon commander is to cause the signal which follows to be executed by platoon or squad.

_Flag Signals._

45. The signal flags described below are carried by the company musicians in the field.

In a regiment in which it is impracticable to make the permanent battalion division alphabetically, the flags of a battalion are as shown; flags are a.s.signed to the companies alphabetically, within their respective battalions, in the order given below.

First battalion: Company A. Red field, white square.

Company B. Red field, blue square.

Company C. Red field, white diagonals.

Company D. Red field, blue diagonals.

Second battalion: Company E. White field, red square.

Company F. White field, blue square.

Company G. White field, red diagonals.

Company H. White field, blue diagonals.

Third battalion: Company I. Blue field, red square.

Company K. Blue field, white square.

Company L. Blue field, red diagonals.

Company M. Blue field, white diagonals.

46. In addition to their use in visual signaling, these flags serve to mark the a.s.sembly point of the company when disorganized by combat, and to mark the location of the company in bivouac and elsewhere, when such use is desirable.

47. (1) For communication between the firing line and the reserve or commander in the rear, the subjoined signals (Signal Corps codes) are prescribed and should be memorized. In transmission, their concealment from the enemy's view should be insured. In the absence of signal flags, the headdress or other subst.i.tute may be used.

--------------+--------------------------------+--------------------------- Letter of |If signaled from the rear to |If signaled from the firing alphabet. | the firing line. | line to the rear.

--------------+--------------------------------+--------------------------- AM |Ammunition going forward. |Ammunition required.

CCC |Charge (mandatory at all times).|Am about to charge if no | | instructions to the | | contrary.

CF |Cease firing. |Cease firing.

DT |Double time or "rush". |Double time or "rush".

F |Commence firing. |Commence firing.

FB |Fix bayonets. |Fix bayonets.

FL |Artillery fire is causing us |Artillery fire is causing | losses. | us losses.

G |Move forward. |Preparing to move forward.