CHAPTER V[1]

[1]: This chapter reprinted fromInfantry Journal.

Use and Improvement of Natural Cover

A screen or maskconsists of hedges, crops, underbrush, etc., which hide the rifleman without, however, protecting him from fire.

Cover or shelterconsists of walls, earthworks, etc., which protect the rifleman from fire.

On the battlefield, natural features that screen and shelter should be utilized as much as possible, as they possess the following advantages over artificial works:

(a) Their organization demands less work.

(b) Concealment is easier.

They possess, however, certain disadvantages:

(a) The protection is sometimes so excellent that, morally as well as materially, it becomes difficult to leave the shelter. Example: quarries with obstructed exits. Therefore, good judgment must be exercised in the selection.

(b) Some of them are too visible. Example: large hedges. In this case their range can be easily found.

As a general rule, do not occupy them uniformly and do not change the appearance of the organized parts.

Organization of the cover:

To organize the cover which protects troops from fire, construct suitable positions for firing and resting. To utilize the screens which merely hide the troops without protecting them from fire, dig trenches behind these screens in the following manner:

(a) Choose the points which give the best field of fire.

(b) Construct cover for firing.

The constructions are usually "individual" in the first period of work; afterwards, they are organized "collectively." The covers are: (1) for riflemen lying down, (2) for riflemen sitting down, and (3) for riflemen standing up.

Individual Organization of Natural Cover

Examples of hasty individual cover behind trees, bushes, or branches:

(a) Fallen tree (logs or branches), the height of which is at a maximum of 1 foot above the ground:

Plate27a.—Use of the cover without improvement.

Plate27b.—First period.

Plate27c.—Second period.Progressive improvement of the cover.

(b) Fallen tree, the top of which is more than 1 foot above the ground.

Plate27d.—First period.

Plate27e.—Second period.

Plate27f.—Third period.

Wood which does not afford sufficient protection against bullets must be reinforced by earth at the right and against the cover 1 foot behind.Plates 27d, 27e, and 27f show the progressive improvement of the cover.

Plate27g.—Sharp ridges, furrows, or top of a crest at the end of a gentle slope.

Examples of hasty individual covers behind a furrow, a crest, a heap of sand or earth:

Dig the ground as near as possible to crestAof the furrow in the manner indicated for the cover installed behind a fallen tree more than 1 foot high.

Plate27h.—Narrow furrows.

Use the earth excavated between furrowsAandBto build up the earth between furrowsBandCand fill up furrowC; continue afterwards as for the sharp ridge.

Plate27i.—Low wall of earth, or earth and sand heaps, more than 2 feet high (two methods,AorB).

(A) Lower the height about 8 inches; throw the earth forward. Dig a trench as indicated in the figure.

(B) Make a loophole in the pile of earth, showing oneself as little as possible. Improve the firing position by making a place for the right leg and an elbow rest.

Examples of hasty shelters (individual) arranged behind a large stone or heap of stones:

A heap of stones, the top of which is 1 foot at a maximum above the ground:

Plate27j.—First period.

Plate27k.—Second period.

General Organization of Natural Cover

This consists in connecting up and coordinating the individual work under the direction of the squad commander. The work should be carried out on the lines adopted for the individual work; and the rules prescribed for the construction of artificial cover (profiles, depths, various shelters)should be followed as far as possible. In arranging the cover, the squads should utilize the natural features of the terrain.

Plate27l.—Arrangement for a mound of earth.

Plate27m.—Arrangement for a dry ditch.

Plate27n.—Arrangement for a sunken road defended on the side towards the enemy.

Plate27o.—Arrangement for a sunken road defended from the rear.

Ditches full of water, drains, streams:

Plate27p.—Arrangement of a large ditch.

Plate27q.—Arrangement of a ditch full of water.

Ordinary roads, road and railroad embankments, and sunken roads:

Plate27r.—Arrangement of an ordinary road defended on the side toward the enemy.

Plate27s.—Same defended from the rear.

Plate27t.—Road embankment, defended from the rear.

Plate27u.—Arrangement of a railroad embankment.

Plate27v.—Arrangement of a sunken road.

Hedges and woods:

Dig a trench behind the hedge and throw the earth against it; make openings in the hedge tofacilitate view and fire (Plate 27w). If the hedge is low, deepen the trench, but make the parapet lower than the hedge which masks it.

Plate27w.—Arrangement of a hedge.

Plate27x.—Arrangement of the edge of a wood.

Avoid destroying the natural appearance of the wood; do not cut the trees and brush on a certain depth, but cut off branches where necessary toobtain a field of fire. Behind this strip cut the brush and small trees so as to make a path 3 to 4 yards wide. Construct a trench behind the mask of trees. The parapet can be raised up to 2 or even 3 feet. Construct abatis on the parts of the border of the wood, where it will not interfere with the fire.

Walls:

Plate27y.—Arrangement of a wall 2 feet 8 inches high.

Plate27z.—Arrangement of a wall 8 feet high.

Plate28.—Arrangement of a wall more than 8 feet high without making loopholes.

Plate28a.—Arrangement of an iron fence built on a low wall.

Back to Index Next