Fig. 37, par. 367.
Fig. 37, par. 367.
SQUAD FORMATIONS.
The formations of the squad for drill, march, or combat are as follows:
CLOSE ORDER.
368.(a)Line: The troopers are abreast of each other with intervals (Def.) of 6 inches (mounted) or 4 inches (dismounted) between troopers.
(b)Column of fours: The troopers of each four are arranged asin line. The fours follow successively one behind another with distances (Def.) between Successive fours of 4 feet, mounted, or 92 inches, dismounted. When a four includes less than four troopers it is anincomplete four. Places in an incomplete four are habitually filled in the following order: No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 1 (par. 374).
(c)Column of twos: The troopers of each two are arranged asin line, the twos following successively, one behind another, with distances between successive twos of 4 feet, mounted, or 40 inches, dismounted. If any two have but a single trooper the latter takes the position corresponding to the right trooper of the incomplete two (par. 374).
(d)Column of troopers: The troopers of each four follow successively, one behind another, with distances between consecutive troopers of 4 feet when mounted, or 14 inches when dismounted.
EXTENDED ORDER.
(e)Foragers: The troopers are abreast of each other, with intervals of 3 yards between troopers, unless some other interval be specially designated.
The dismounted formation corresponding toforagersisskirmishers. The interval between troopers in line of skirmishers is one-half pace unless some other interval be designated.
In the employment of a squad or other small detachment the designation of a greater interval than one-half pace is habitual rather than exceptional (par. 408).
In a line of skirmishers at one-half pace interval each man may be considered as occupying, including his interval, about 1 yard of front.
The squad may also be extended in depth as prescribed in par. 413.
Order in the Squad.
369.When it is said that a unit isin orderin any formation it is meant that the arrangement and condition of the component elements is such that the unit is ready to execute, in the accustomed manner, any movement that is intended to be executed from the formation in question. The conditions essential toorderin each formation of the squad are stated in paragraph 370. The squad,in line, for example, would not bein orderif the troopers did not know their numbers, for it could then execute no movement based upon the division into fours, twos, or troopers.
370.The squadin line,column of fours, orforagersisin orderwhen the troopers of each four are arranged, from right to left in the four, in the order of their respective numbers, and each knows his number.
The squadin column of twosisin orderwhen the twos of each four are next to each other in the column, odd numbers on the right, and each trooper knows his number.
When the two composed of 1 and 2 is in front, the column is said to beright in front; when the two composed of 3 and 4 is in front, the column is said to beleft in front.
The squadin column of troopersisin orderwhen the troopers of each four are next to one another in the column, are arrangedfrom front to rear in the order 1, 2, 3, 4, or 4, 3, 2, 1, and each trooper knows his number. When the order is 1, 2, 3, 4, the column is said to beright in front; when the order is 4, 3, 2, 1,left in front.
It is not necessary to order in the squad, in any of the above formations, that a particular trooper or troopers be in any designated four, nor that the fours have any special relative order from right to left or front to rear.
Guide of the Squad.
(see alsoDef.Base, and par. 326.)
371.At the original formation of the squadin line, the leader designates a trooper by name asguideof the squad. The guide of the squadin lineandforagersis habitually a trooper at or near the center of the squad; any trooper may, however, be designated as guide.
372.A trooper having once been designated as guide of the squad in line continues to act as such,in lineorforagers, until another trooper be specifically designated as guide. With a view, however, to avoiding possible doubt as to the identity of the guide, the leader at each change of formation that terminates in line or foragers habitually indicates the guide of the new formation.
373.To designate the guide the leader cautions: (So-and-so)THE GUIDE, and habitually places himself 3 yards in front of the trooper named if not already in that position. A trooper designated as guide will, at the time of the designation, raise his hand or weapon to a position vertically above his head, hold the position for a moment, and then lower his arm to his side without further command. The leader or his assistant may at any time cause the guide thus to indicate his identity to the other troopers by cautioning:GUIDE. The leader may change the guide of the squad in line at any time by indicatingdisregard(par. 990), placing himself in front of another trooper and designating the latter as guide in the manner prescribed above.
374.The base of the squad in each of the column formations is the leading element (four, two, or trooper, respectively).
The guide of the leading (base) element is also the guide of the squad. In each four No. 2 is the guide; in each two the right trooper (No. 1 or No. 3). In an incomplete four or two the position of the guide is always filled. The guide of each element in rear of the base follows in the trace of the guide of the base (leading) element at the prescribed distance.
375.Whenever in the execution of any movement a four or two moves to its new position by an oblique (or movement approximating an oblique) the trooper on the side toward which the oblique is made acts as guide of the element during the oblique. At all other times the guide in a four or two is as indicated in par. 374 unless specially otherwise stated.
376.The guide of the squad habitually follows the leader at 3 yards distance, but the leader may designate a greater distance, in which case the guide marches accordingly.
377.When a guide temporarily isdirecting guide(par. 324), it is necessary that he continue accurately in the direction of march or in the direction indicated for him by the leader. This is an application of the marching upon fixed points prescribed in theSchool of the Trooper(par. 232).
Movements Executed by the Squad.
378.Any formation (close or extended order) prescribed for the squad may be taken directly from any otherclose-orderformation. Being in extended order the squad, to pass directly to close order, must execute the assembly or rally.
379.Subject to such modifications as are indicated under the respective paragraphs describing the movements, thedismounted squadexecutes, at the same commands as prescribed for the mounted squad, such movements as are not obviously inapplicable to dismounted duty. The execution of the dismounted movements will, where differences in the mounted and dismounted methods necessarily exist, be in accord with the principles explained in theSchool of the Trooper, Dismounted, corresponding changes in the details of execution being made.
380.The general principles regulating gait and pace for both mounted and dismounted movements are stated in pars. 333-339. Modifications of those principles, if any, are stated under the corresponding paragraphs in theSchool of the Squad.
Commands and Corresponding Arm Signals.
381.Following is a list of the principal commands employed in theSchool of the Squad, together with the corresponding arm signals, if any. The list includes only a few of the commands also found in theSchool of the Trooper(mounted or dismounted.) The commands are arranged alphabetically for convenient reference. The description of the signals will be found in par. 990.
Detailed Description of Movements, Close Order.
382. Being in line at a halt, to march to the front:1.Forward, 2.MARCH.
The leader moves forward, followed at a distance of 3 yards by the guide (par. 371). The other troopers conform to the march of the guide as explained in par. 367.
Being at a halt, to move forward at a trot or gallop, the commands are (par. 333): 1.Forward, trot, or 1.Forward, gallop; 2.MARCH.
Increases of gait are habitually made progressively (par. 239).
The march of the squad in line, dismounted, is conducted in accordance with the provisions of pars. 68-74.
383. Marching in line, to halt: 1.Squad, 2.HALT.
All halt at the second command.
The troopers, if not already aligned, align themselves without command on the guide as they halt (par. 364). Movement in the rank then ceases.
If marching at the trot or gallop, the gait is ordinarily decreased progressively, the halt being executed from the walk (par. 239).
384. Being in line at a halt, to march backward: 1.Backward, 2.MARCH.
All the troopers rein back (par. 280), regulating on the guide, who maintains his distance from the leader. The execution of the march backward as acollective movementis habitually limited to cases where the movement may be necessary; it is then executed for short distances only. It is not executed at an increased gait.
385. Being in line, to oblique and resume the original direction: 1.Troopers right (left) oblique, 2.MARCH.
Executed by each trooper as in par. 230. During the oblique march the right knee of each trooper should be just in rear of the left knee of the trooper on his fight; the trooper on the flank toward which the oblique is made acts temporarily without special indication as directing guide (Def.) of the squad. The line during the oblique march should beparallel to its original direction. The leader does not take position in front of the flank trooper during the oblique.
Halting the mounted squad while at the oblique should be avoided. If the squad has to be halted thus, the troopers upon halting turn their horses to the original front in so far as practicable.
To resume the original direction by similar means, the commands are: 1.Forward, 2.MARCH.
In executing the oblique by trooper, dismounted, each trooper preserves his relative position, keeping his shoulders parallel to those of the directing guide and so regulating his step that the rank may remain parallel to its original front. In resuming the original direction, the troopers half face to the left in marching, then move straight to the front. If athalf stepormark timewhile obliquing, the oblique march is resumed by the commands: 1Oblique, 2.MARCH.Should the halt be commanded while the squad is obliquing, the troopers halt faced to the front (fig.32).
Fig. 38, par. 385.
Fig. 38, par. 385.
386. Being in line, to turn to the right or left: 1.Right (left) turn, 2.MARCH; 3.Forward, 4.MARCH; or 3.Squad, 4.HALT.
The principle of the movement is explained in par. 329a-a.
The form of the third and fourth commands is determined by whether the turn is to terminate with the advance in line or with the halt.
In the turn the squad is led by its leader (par. 367) through a change of direction of 90°. The leader (and, therefore, the guide) are restricted not only to this particular change of direction but also to a particular arc or path during the turn (par. 387).
There is no special arm signal for theturnas such; but, as the turn is a change of direction, the signal for the latter movement is applicable. The signal for the change of direction does not in itself indicate the degree of the turn, but the leader's subsequent signal forward or halt indicates when the change of direction is to cease.
In the turn, as in any case of the march in line, the leader, subject to the restrictions just indicated, regulates the direction and gait of march, the guide conforms to the movements of the leader, and all the other troopers regulate their alignmentand interval on the guide. The rate of march of the leader and the guide should not be so rapid as to make it impracticable for the troopers on the marching flank of the squad to preserve their alignment on the guide during the turn. The guide moves in thetrace of the leader during the turn, as well as before and after the turn. When the turn is executed by themarching squadthe leader gives the command after he has begun to change direction and at the moment when the guide arrives at thepoint where the leader straightened his horse in the new direction(par. 471). When executed from ahaltthe second command can not be given as above indicated. The leader in that case begins to turn at the command of execution, while the guide, instead of beginning the actual turn at once, moves forward so as to move, during the turn,in the trace of the leader(par. 367).
In executing the turn dismounted the leader so regulates the length of step of the guide that thetrooper on the marching flankcan keep the regular step corresponding to the gait at which the turn is made. The other troopers lengthen or shorten the step accordingly, maintaining the cadence and their alignment and interval with respect to the guide. If the turn be terminated by the commands: 3.Forward, 4.MARCH, all the troopers resume the regular step at the fourth command.
387.In executing the turn in asquadorplatoon, the leader, followed by the guide, so turns on the arc of a circle that the pivot trooper, inconforming to the guide's movements, marches on the arc of a circle whose radius varies with the gait of the guide, this radius being 2 yards at a walk, 4 yards at a trot, and 6 yards at a gallop. When the turn is executed dismounted the corresponding radius, in either quick or double time, is 1 yard.
388.At the command: 1.Right (left) half turn, 2.MARCH; 3.Forward, 4.MARCH; or 3.Squad, 4.HALT, a change of direction of 45° may be made in accordance with the principles explained in pars. 386 and 387. The arm signal for the half turn follows the rule indicated for the full turn (par. 386).
389.In all movements in these regulations in the course of whichfours,twos, ortroopersexecute a turn or half turn this last movement is made by each element in accordance with theprinciples explained in pars. 386 and 387, except that the commands 3.Forward, 4.MARCH, are omitted and each element continues the march in the new direction, upon completion of the turn, unless the commands: 3.Squad, 4.HALT, are given. The guide of a four in the turn is always No. 2; the guide of a two the right trooper.
390.Where only a slight change in the direction of march is desired; it is habitually accomplished by leading without any special command or signal therefor. The leader may caution:INCLINE TO THE RIGHT (LEFT). The execution of this movement, like that of the turn, is a special case of leading applied to the march in line. The leader slightly alters the direction of march, the guide conforms to the leader's movements, and the other troopers conform to the movements of the guide.
391. Being in line, to form column of fours to a flank: 1.Fours right (left), 2.MARCH.
Fig. 39, par. 391.
Fig. 39, par. 391.
The fours move simultaneously, each executing right turn and taking up the march in the new direction (par. 389). No. 2 of the four on the flank toward which the movement is executed is the guide upon whom the other Nos. 2 regulate during the movement (par. 326), as well as the guide of the resulting column (par. 374). The leader promptly takes position in front of the guide (par. 325). Gaits are regulated as in par. 337d-d.
The movement dismountedis executed on the same principles except that No. 2 of each four regulates his step and path as indicated for the dismounted turn (pars. 386, 387). (Fig.33.)
392. Column of twosis not formed directly to a flank from line. Column of twos may be formed to thefrontas explained in pars. 393 and 403, and the head of the column be at once marched in any desired direction. The same principle regulates the formation ofcolumn of troopersto a flank.
393. Being in column of fours, to form column of twos or troopers:
(a) To form column of twos: 1.Right (left) by twos, 2.MARCH.
The right two of the leading four is the base. The other twos enter the column successively, the right two of each four being followed immediately by the left two of the same four, the left two obliquing to enter the column (par. 331). All distances are 4 feet (par. 368). Gaits are regulated as in movements from line into column (par. 337-a, c).
(b)Column of troopersis formed on the same principles at the commands: 1.Right (left) by trooper, 2.MARCH.The right trooper of the leading four is the base.
Column of troopers from column of twos is formed by the same commands as from column of fours and in accordance with the same principles.
The movements described in this paragraph are among those referred to in par. 468-b.
394.In executing any movement by which a column; of twos or troopers is formed, a four composed of less than three troopers (par. 368b-b) acts temporarily as a two—on the right of the four if the column of twos is formedright in front(par. 370); on the left of the four if the column of twos is formedleft in front. When the column of fours is re-formed the troopers take their proper places in column as indicated in par.368b-b.
395.The squad in column offours,twos, ortroopersis marched to the front, halted, marched backward, marched in an oblique direction, and marched again to the original front by the same commands as the squad in line, each element of the column conforming to the principles indicated for the squad in line (pars. 329, 374).
396. Being in column of fours, twos, or troopers, to change direction.
The movement is executed as explained in par. 329, the fours (twos, troopers) successively changing on the same ground, the guide of each element moving in the trace of the leader.
In changing direction in column of fours,mounted, the guide of each rear four slightly diminishes thepacewhen 4feet from the turning point, correspondingly increasing the pace during the actual change of direction so as to have the proper distance of 4 feet from the fournextin front when the turn is completed. This provision does not apply to the corresponding dismounted movement, nor to the column of twos, or troopers.
To indicate, for any column, a change of direction of 90° or 45°, the leader may command, respectively: 1.Column, right (left), or 1.Column half right (left); 2.MARCH.
The leader may indicate a slight change of direction by the caution:INCLINE TO THE RIGHT.
The dismounted execution of the change of direction conforms in each element of the column to the modifications noted in pars. 386 and 387 for the execution of the turn dismounted. The leader regulates the length of his own step accordingly during his actual change of direction, and the guide of each successive element does the same when he reaches the turning point.
397. Being in column of fours, twos, or troopers, to form line to the front: 1.Right (left) front into line, 2.MARCH.
Fig. 40, par. 397.
Fig. 40, par. 397.
The leading element (four, two, or trooper) of the column is the base of the movement and moves forward.
Each element in rear of the base, leaves the column by a movement approximating a right oblique and proceeds (par. 375) to a place abreast of the leading element, the elements taking successively, from left to right in the new line, positions in the same order as that in which they previously appeared from head to rear in the column.
The guide of the leading element, when the movement begins, acts as directing guide (Def.) of the squad from the moment the leader starts to his new position until he indicates the guide of the new line (pars. 326, 373) when all regulate on the latter guide.
Gaits are regulated as in pars. 337-a,b. (Fig.34.)
This is one of the movements referred to in par. 468-b.
In the dismounted execution of the movement at quick time the leader commands: 1.Squad, 2.HALT, as soon as the leading element has advanced to the point where it is desired that the line shall form (par. 339-a,b,c). Only the leading (base) element halts at the command, each rear element halting as it arrives on the line (par. 337f-f). If executed while marching in double time, the leader similarly commands: 1.Quick time, 2.MARCH, the reduced gait being taken successively by the elements as they reach their positions (par. 337f-f). If marching in quick time, anddouble timebe included in the command, the command for the increased gait applies only to the rear elements (par. 337f-f).
398.To prevent the inversion of twos or troopers in their respective fours the squad incolumn of twos or column of troopersshould form line to the left front when the squad is right in front (par. 370), and vice versa.
399. Being in column of twos or troopers, to form column of fours: 1.Column, 2.MARCH.(SeeDef.Column.)
Fig. 41, par. 399.
Fig. 41, par. 399.
The leading element is the base and follows the leader.
If in column of twosthe rear two of the leading four obliques at a correspondingly faster gait (par. 335) and takes its proper place abreast of, and to theright or leftof, the leading two of that four, so that the troopers of the four shall appear from right to left, in the order of their respective numbers. All the other twos take up a correspondingly faster gait than the leading two, and the fours form successively from head to rear in the column in the manner indicated above (par. 331). The leading two of each four, other than the leading four, takes the gait of the head of the column (or halts) when at 4 feet from the corresponding two of the four next in front. In each four the rear two begins to oblique as the leading two of that four approaches the position where it decreases the gait (or halts).
The leader takes position in front of the guide of the column (No. 2).
Gaits are further regulated as in movements from column into line (par. 337-a,b).
Column of fours, from column of troopersis formed by the same commands and in accordance with the same principles.
Column of twos from column of troopersis formed in a similar manner at the commands: 1.Column of twos, 2.MARCH.The column of twos will be right in front or left in front (par. 370), according as the column of troopers was right in front or left in front prior to the movement.
In the dismounted execution of the above movements in quick time the leader habitually commands: 1.Squad, 2.HALT, immediately following the command of execution (par. 339-b,c). Only the leading element halts (par. 339f-f), each of the rear elements halting when it reaches its prescribed position in the column. If executed indouble timethe leader similarly follows the command of execution by the command forquick time(par. 339-b,c), which is successively taken by the elements, as above. If marching inquick time, anddouble timebe commanded, only the rear elements take the increased gait, each takingquick timeon arriving in its place. (Fig.41.)
400. Being in column of fours, twos, or troopers, to form line to a flank: 1.Fours right (left), 2.MARCH.
Each, four turns to the right (par. 389). Each rear four regulates on the leading four until the fours unite in line (par.326), when, unless the leader halts the squad, all take up the march in the new directionwithout further command, regulating on the new guide (pars. 325, 372). If the squad is to form line without advancing in the new direction, the leader gives the preparatory indication for the halt immediately following the second command, so as to add the command halt as the four unite in line.
In an emergencya similar movement may be executed fromcolumns of twosat the commands: 1.Twos right (left), 2.MARCH.Loss ofordermay result. In the absence of other indication, intervals are closed toward the guide (par. 372). A similar movement executed from column of troopers results in a line of foragers, which may be assembled or rallied to form line (pars. 414, 416).
Gaits are regulated as in par. 337d-d.(Fig.36.)
Fig. 42, par. 400.
Fig. 42, par. 400.
401. Being in line, to face or march the line to the rear: 1.Fours right (left) about, 2.MARCH.
When the movement is executed bysignalthe elements of the column always turn to theleftabout. The oral commandfours right aboutis not accompanied by an arm signal.
Each four turns 180 degrees in the direction indicated (par. 389). The leader, passing around a flank of the squad, promptly takes position in front of the guide so as to lead the squad in the new direction (pars. 325, 372).
To face to the rear, the squad is halted as the fours unite in line.
The modifications incident to the execution of the dismounted movement are indicated in par. 391.
Gaits are regulated as in par. 337d-d.
A dismounted squad may also be marched a short distance to the rear by theoralcommand and methods indicated in par. 82.
402. Being in column of fours, twos, or troopers, to face or march the column to the rear: 1.Fours (twos, troopers), right (left) about, 2.MARCH.
The provision in the preceding paragraph regarding the execution of the movement by signal applies equally to this paragraph. Each four (two, trooper) turns 180 degrees in the direction indicated (par. 389). The leader promptly takesposition in front of the guide of the column (par. 325). (Fig.37.)
Fig. 43, par. 402.
Fig. 43, par. 402.
Fig. 44, par. 403a (a).
Fig. 44, par. 403a (a).
403. Being in line to form column of fours, twos, or troopers to the front: 1.Right (left) by fours (twos, troopers), 2.MARCH.
The formation is a successive one. The right element (four, two, or trooper, according to the command) is the base; it moves forward and follows the leader, becoming the leading element of the column.
(a) In forming column of fours each four to the left of the base successively obliques to the right (par. 385) at the gait of the base as soon as it has sufficient space, and resumes the direct march so as to enter the column at 4 feet distance. To avoid losing distance the oblique must be begun in each four when the heads of its horses are opposite the croups of the horses of the four on its right. Gaits are regulated as in pars. 387-a,c. (Fig.44.)
(b) In forming column of twos or troopers only the elements of the right four move in the manner indicated above. Each of the other elements successively turns to the right (par. 389) and then, after advancing in the new direction, turns to theleft so as to enter the column at 4 feet distance (par. 331). Gaits are regulated as in pars. 337-a,c. The movements described in (a) and (b) are among those referred to in par. 468-b. (Fig.45.)
(c)Right (left) by foursis ordinarily unsuited to execution in groups of any size. Should it be necessary to break to the front from theflankof such a unit, column of fours to the front may be formed by executingfours right (left)and then changing the direction of march of the head of the column. The oral commands: 1.Fours right (left), column left (right), 2.MARCH, and 1.Fours right (left), column half left (right), 2.MARCH, are authorized for this purpose. Gaits are regulated as in par. 337d-d.
(d) For cases that arenot suitably met by (a) or (c) of this paragraphthe commands: 1.Right (left) forward, fours right (left), 2.MARCH, are authorized. The right four is the base and moves forward following the leader, who promptly takes position in front of the guide of the column (pars. 325, 374). The second four from the right starts to move as in fours right (par. 391), its guide decreasing the pace until the right four has partly cleared the second four, when the latter four, by a movement approximating an oblique, enters the column so as to follow in the trace of the leading (original right) four at 4 feet distance. The other fours executefoursright(each slightly decreasing the pace during the turn), and thencolumn left, so as to follow the second four at the proper distance. The fours move simultaneously and, except as noted above, all at the same gait (par. 337d-d).
In the execution of the movement dismounted the right four moves forward; the remainder of the squad executesfours right, column left, and follows the right (leading) four at 92 inches distance. The right four takes four short steps just after it, clears the four next on its left, then resumes the full step. (Fig.46.)