Military Instructors Manual Part 34

Flank protection and reconnaissance.

Fire Superiority: Must be gained early and maintained.

Frontage of Units: Depth in formation for combat rather than extension of line.

Reserves:

Fresh troops must be on hand to

(1) Give fire line impetus.

(2) To penetrate enemy lines.

(3) To fill gaps and help reorganization.

(4) To meet counter attacks.

Plan of Action: Mission of army is to win battle.

Offensive action must be the rule.

When enemy is near every available means must be taken to gain information, in order to prepare for deployment.

Offensive Combat: The attack develops into 2 parts.

(1) a.s.saulting hostile position at selected points.

(2) Threaten or a.s.sault all other parts of enemy line in order to hold enemy from reinforcing operations.

Enveloping Attack: Advantage of converging fire upon position.

Holding Attack: An attack for holding enemy in one place, while a.s.saults made at another point.

a.s.saults: The local concentrated offensive.

Pursuit: Only by energetic pursuit can the full fruit of victory be gleaned.

Its purpose is to cause the greatest loss in personnel and morale possible cavalry and artillery active.

Defensive Combat: Pa.s.sive defense--to gain time, or to hold certain points pending results in other parts of the line.

Defense seeking a favorable decision--a parrying of blows while seeking a favorable opening.

Counter attack the crisis of this form.

Counter attack--made by launching reserves at the flank, while the enemy is fully committed to the attack.

Defensive Positions: Requisites: Clear field of fire.

Flanks naturally secure.

Extent of ground suitable to strength of force.

Effective corps for reserves.

Good lines of retreat.

Good communication.

Position in Readiness: A position intended to resist the advance of an enemy in the immediate vicinity information of whose movements is not full enough to warrant definite action.

Withdrawal From Action: Troops most readily disengaged from the enemy should be withdrawn first.

Demands highest order of skill in troop leadership.

Covering Positions--those positions chosen to cover the retreating force.

Retreat--a step by step opposition to the enemy's advance on a prearranged plan.

Delaying actions: 1. Advance delayed as long as possible, consistent with safe withdrawal.

2. Delayers must hold position.

Night Combat: Offensive advisable.

1. Where fire superiority is impossible by day.

2. To avoid heavy losses by advance to a.s.saulting position by day.

3. To capture posts or patrols.

4. To surprise for moral effect.

Defensive: Obstacles in front of position.

Trenches heavily manned and supports drawn close.

Shelter: Troops under canvas--in camp.

Troops on ground without canvas--bivouac.

Troops in huts or villages--cantonment.

Tactical considerations are paramount in the selection of camp sites in the theater of operations.

Selection of Camp Site: 1. Suitably large to accommodate command.

2. Water supply sufficient and accessible.

3. Good roads to and in camp.

4. Wood and gra.s.s forage near at hand.

5. Sandy subsoil for drainage.

6. Hot weather shade--cold protection.

To maintain the efficiency of a command, troops must have adequate shelter.

Sanitary Considerations Around Camp: Latrines on opposite side of camp from kitchens.

Short camps, straddle trenches.

Long camps, trenches 2 by 6 by 12 with seats.

Have latrines screened.

Burn the trenches out daily and keep covered.

Wash boxes and paint with tar.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON F.S.R.

1. How are the land forces of the U.S. organized?

_Ans_.--The _Mobile Army_ consisting of Regular Army, organized land militia when called to Federal service, drafted army, volunteers and the field artillery and the _Coast Artillery._

Basis of organization is the Division composed of all arms and self-sufficient. Several divisions may be grouped into a field army, to which are attached field army troops. These are organized into a brigade for purpose of supply and administration when necessary through numbers.

Coast Artillery is charged with the care and use of land and coast fortifications, including submarine mines and torpedo defenses.

2. What is the object of collecting military information?

_Ans_.--To enable the War Department to decide upon the size of army or expedition, the proportions of different arms, the character of clothing, equipment, etc., needed for any operation.

Information collected by the Gen. Staff in time of peace should include geography, physical resources, and military strength of the various nations.