Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 Part 53

98. The contest should begin with simple, careful movements, with a view to forming a correct opinion of the adversary; afterwards everything will depend on coolness, rapid and correct execution of the movements and quick perception of the adversary's intentions.

99. Continual retreat from the adversary's attack and frequent dodging to escape attacks should be avoided. The offensive should be continually encouraged.

100. In fencing at will, when no commands are given, opponents facing each other at the position of order arms, salute. They then immediately and simultaneously a.s.sume the position of guard, rifles engaged. Neither man may take the position of guard before his opponent has completed his salute. The choice of position is decided before the salute.

101. The opponents being about two paces apart and the fencing salute having been rendered, the instructor commands, _At will_, 2.

_a.s.sAULT_, after which either party has the right to attack. To interrupt the contest the instructor will command _HALT_, at which the combatants will immediately come to the order. To terminate the contest the instructor will command, 1. _Halt_, 2. _SALUTE_, at which the combatants will immediately come to the order, salute, and remove their masks.

102. When men have acquired confidence in fencing at will, one opponent should be required to advance upon the other in quick time at _charge bayonet_, from a distance not to exceed 10 yards, and deliver an attack. As soon as a hit is made by either opponent the instructor commands, _HALT_, and the a.s.sault terminates. Opponents alternate in a.s.saulting. The a.s.sailant is likewise required to advance at double time from a distance not exceeding 20 yards and at a run from a distance not exceeding 30 yards.

103. The instructor will closely observe the contest and decide doubtful points. He will at once stop the contest upon the slightest indication of temper. After conclusion of the combat he will comment on the action of both parties, point out errors and deficiencies and explain how they may be avoided in the future.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Par. 104.]

104. As additional instruction, the men may be permitted to wield the rifle left handed, that is on the left side of the body, left hand at the small Of the stock. Many men will be able to use this method to advantage. It is also of value in case the left hand is wounded.

105. After men have fenced in pairs, practice should be given in fencing between groups, equally and unequally divided. When practicable, intrenchments will be used in fencing of this character.

In group fencing it will be necessary to have a sufficient number of umpires to decide hits. An individual receiving a hit is withdrawn at once from the bout, which is decided in favor of the group having the numerical superiority at the end. The fencing salute is not required in group fencing.

RULES FOR FENCING AT WILL.

106. 1. Hits on the legs below the knees will not be counted. No hit counts unless, in the opinion of the instructor, it has sufficient force to disable.

2. Upon receiving a hit, call out "hit."

3. After receiving a fair hit a counter attack is not permitted. A position of engage is taken.

4. A second or third hit in a combined attack will be counted only when the first hit was not called.

5. When it is necessary to stop the contest--for example, because of breaking of weapons or displacement of means of protection--take the position of the order.

6. When it is necessary to suspend the a.s.sault for any cause, it will not be resumed until the adversary is ready and in condition to defend himself.

7. Attacks directed at the crotch are prohibited in fencing.

8. Stepping out of bounds, when established, counts as a hit.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FENCING AT WILL.

107. When engaging in an a.s.sault, first study the adversary's position and proceed by false attacks, executed with speed, to discover, if possible, his instinctive parries. In order to draw the adversary out and induce him to expose that part of the body at which the attack is to be made, it is advisable to simulate an attack by a feint and then make the real attack.

108. Return attacks should be frequently practiced, as they are difficult to parry, and the opponent is within easier reach and more exposed. The return can be made a continuation of the parry, as there is no previous warning of its delivery although it should always be expected. Returns are made without lunging if the adversary can be reached by thrusts or cuts.

109. Endeavor to overcome the tendency to make a return without knowing where it will hit. Making returns blindly is a bad habit and leads to instinctive returns--that is, habitual returns with certain attacks from certain parries--a fault which the skilled opponent will soon discover.

110. Do not draw the rifle back preparatory to thrusting and lunging.

111. The purpose of fencing at will is to teach the soldier as many forms of simple, effective attacks and defenses as possible.

Complicated and intricate movements should not be attempted.

HINTS FOR INSTRUCTORS.

112. The influence of the instructor is great. He must be master of his weapon, not only to show the various movements, but also to lead in the exercises at will. He should stimulate the zeal of the men and arouse pleasure in the work. Officers should qualify themselves as instructors by fencing with each other.

113. The character of each man, his bodily conformation, and his degree of skill must always be taken into account. When the instructor is demonstrating the combinations, feints, returns, and parries the rapidity of his attack should be regulated by the skill of the pupil and no more force than is necessary should be used. If the pupil exposes himself too much in the feints and parries the instructor will, by an attack, convince him of his error; but if these returns be too swiftly or too strongly made the pupil will become overcautious and the precision of his attack will be impaired. The object is to teach the pupil, not to give exhibitions of superior skill.

114. Occasionally the instructor should leave himself uncovered and fail to parry, in order to teach the pupil to take quick advantage of such opportunities.

VIII. COMPEt.i.tIONS.

115. In compet.i.tions between different organizations none but skillful fencers will be allowed to partic.i.p.ate.

116. In contests between two men judges may a.s.sign values to hits as follows:

------------------------------------------------- | Thrusts | | b.u.t.t | and | Cuts. | of | lunges. | | rifle.

------------------------------------------------- Stomach | 4 | | 1 Chest | 3 | | Head | 3 | 2 | 3 Neck | 2 | 2 | 2 Legs | 1 | 1 | Arms and hands | 1 | 1 | -------------------------------------------------

Stepping out of bounds, 4 points.

117. When superiority between two men is decided by bouts, each bout will be decided by itself, i.e., points won in one bout can not be carried over to another.

118. Details other than those mentioned above will be arranged by the officials of the compet.i.tion.

[C.I.D.R. 20.]

INFANTRY DRILL REGULATIONS.

CHANGES } WAR DEPARTMENT, No. 20 } WASHINGTON, _August 18, 1917_.

Paragraph 150 and paragraph 150 of Appendix A, Infantry Drill Regulations (corrected to Apr. 15, 1917), are changed as follows, to correct error made in printing that edition:

150. (Page 47.) _CEASE FIRING._

Firing stops; pieces not already there are brought to the position of load; those not loaded are loaded; sights are laid, pieces are locked and brought to the order.

_Cease firing_ is used for long pauses to prepare for changes of position, or to steady the men. (_C.I.D.R. No. 20, August 18, 1917._)

[300.73, A.G.O.]

150. (Page 220, Appendix A.) _CEASE FIRING._