Disposition in Depth.The assault has for its purpose the capture of the first hostile line, that is to say, the crossing of “No Man’s Land” and penetrating the enemy’s position. The assault is only the beginning of the combat. When the breach has been made in the enemy’s first line, the assaulting and reinforcing troops must continue the fighting in the interior for the conquest of the position. The direct object of the assault is to open the way for the attacking troops into the position. The attacking troops are disposed in depth in a series of echelons, so that during the advance each echelon is brought into the battle at the proper moment. This rule of formation in depth is followed without exception by every unit of whatever size.
_A Battalion Attack Formation (Distances in Yds.)_
The regiment forms with one or two assaulting battalions, and two or one battalion behind in reserve. The battalion has three or, better, only two assaulting companies and one or two companies with machine guns, in the second echelon as support. The company may have three, but more usually two, assaulting platoons with one or more reinforcing platoons in the second line.
Waves.The successive echelons have received the name “waves.” This designation is expressive but not clear, and causes mistakes.
First, waves may be formed by different dispositions: in deployed line or in line of small columns.
Secondly, the waves are not always composed of the same strength of troops or units, and consequently are not of the same disposition. The battalion commander will designate his first assaulting company as his first assaulting wave. Similarly, the company commander designates his assaulting platoons as the first wave; and the platoon leader, his first skirmish line as the first wave of the platoon.
ATTACKING COMPANY TWO PLATOONS IN THE FIRST LINE
Lastly, the real significance of the term “wave” lies in its application to the formation of the departure of the attack and during the first part of its advance into the interior of the hostile position. As soon as the assaulting echelons are held up by nests of resistance, they are obliged to halt while neighboring echelons on both flanks continue the advance. Also, reinforcing units will come up from behind to outflank such a nest. As soon as such a condition arises within the enemy’s position, the disposition of the troops in waves is lost and the fight is continued in the best formation possible under the circumstances.
Assaulting Companies.In an assaulting company, a certain number of platoons are placed in the first or assaulting line, and the rest in the second line as reinforcing platoons.
The assaulting platoons deploy usually in two lines of skirmishers, the different specialists being assigned to places in these lines depending upon their functions in the attack. The line of assaulting platoons is known as the line of combat. A third line of grenadiers follows closely behind the assaulting platoon, and may be called a part of it. These grenadiers are furnished by the reinforcing platoons and are known as trench cleaners. Their function does not begin until the hostile line is reached, and it is to clear out the trenches of the first line of the enemy while the assaulting troops continue their advance in the open ground.
ATTACKING COMPANY THREE PLATOONS IN THE FIRST LINE
The reinforcing platoons are either deployed in lines of skirmishers or lines of small columns. These platoons constitute the line of reinforcement and follow the advance of the assaulting platoons at a distance of about forty to sixty yards. The machine guns detailed to the assaulting companies by the chief of battalion are placed with the reinforcing platoons and are usually carried on the flanks.
Considering the battalion as the assaulting unit and adopting the term “wave” to designate each platoon, we may say that the company of the first echelon of the assault is disposed in two waves. The position of the captain is in front of the second wave between the two reinforcing platoons. His liaison group remains with him.
Supporting Companies.The supporting companies of an assaulting battalion constitute the second echelon. These companies, also, are formed in two waves. These waves are formed like those of the reinforcing platoons of the assaulting company, either in deployed lines or in lines of small columns. Usually the battalion has two companies in the first line and two in the second line. In other words, the battalion carries out theassault in two echelons of two waves each, the distance between the two echelons being from 200 to 300 yards.
In rear of the support companies and following their advance, are the remaining machine guns of the battalion and the 37 mm. platoon.
The position of the battalion commander with his liaison group is directly in front of the second echelon and between his support companies.
Disposition of Assaulting Battalion in the Departure Trenches.We have seen that for an attack the ground is specially organized for this purpose and the attacking troops are disposed insuccessive parallelsorplaces d’armes. Usually this disposition is as follows:
Thetwo wavesof the assaulting companies are placed in the first and second parallels which under ordinary circumstances will be the fire trench and cover trench of the first defensive line.Consequently, the different lines of each wave will occupy the same parallel, but at the moment of the assault the successive departures of the lines will permit them to automatically gain the necessary distances to separate them in the advance across “No Man’s Land.”For example, let us assume that there are four lines (this is the maximum)placed in one parallel. The men are numbered from 1 to 4 in successive groups of four each. Each No. 1 man belongs to the first line; each No, 2, to the second line, and so on. The distance between similar numbers in the parallels is about four paces, giving the proper skirmish intervals to the line. At the given signal of the leader of the line, the No. 1’s go over the top. The No. 2’s follow at the prescribed distance ordered or at another signal given by their leader. The other lines follow similarly, so that the assaulting troops have the regulation interval in line and a prescribed (not always regulation) distance in depth.
The two waves of the support companies are placed in a third parallel orplace d’armes. This third parallel is usually an intermediate trench, or special work, executed for this purpose, located between the first and second defensive lines.
Machine guns and 37 mm. guns are located on the ground in relation to their places in the advance during the attack.
The battalions which are kept as reserves according to the plan of battle of the sector commander, are disposed inplaces d’armesorganized behind the parallels of departure. The colonel and his headquarters occupy acommand post directly behind the assaulting battalion from where he can witness the launching of the assault and the crossing of “No Man’s Land.”
Order of the Attack.The attacking troops take the disposition that has just been explained some days before the attack. This disposition is laid down in a paragraph of the Plan of Battle. Each leader of an attacking unit, with a map of the ground on which his area is specially outlined, must study his disposition on the ground previous to the arrival of his troops. Besides this, the leaders must pay special attention to the hostile position, verifying the direction of the attack, and identifying the successive objectives and the nests of resistance that will be encountered.
When the general who is in charge of the attack judges that the artillery preparation is sufficient, that the supply systems for the attack are properly organized, that all is ready and, in short, that the psychological moment has arrived, he gives his order for the attack.
Based upon the divisional order for the attack, the colonels, battalion commanders, and captains issue their own orders. The difference between the plan of battle and the order for the attack lies in the fact that thelatter fixes all the details of execution of the general operations laid down in the former. But also, the order for the attack contemplates the first measures to be taken as soon as the assault is carried out, especially the extension of the liaisons (telephone lines) and communications (boyaux) from the first parallel of departure up to the enemy’s position.
The order for the attack contains precise details of the following points:
Exact hour of the attack; or signal rocket for the same.
Details of the successive objectives; different resistances that will probably be encountered.
Time-table of the moving barrage and the rate of its advance.
Prolongation of the telephone lines; particular wires to be extended.
Prolongation of communications; boyaux to be built at night across “No Man’s Land”; units detailed for this purpose.
Supply of ammunition and water in the captured position; points of distribution.
Departure of the Assault[The hour (H)]. We have now arrived at the most important and critical moment of the battle, the hour (H) of launching of the assault. A few minutes before the hour (H) the men take the placesassigned them in the parallels with strict orders to remain there. Bayonets are fixed on the rifles. Useless movements and noise of any kind are prohibited. Each man holds himself in readiness awaiting the signal of his immediate chief. Each chief of unit himself ascertains that his men are in readiness and in good condition for the assault. He sends all wounded back to shelter. The leader must impress his men with the confidence that he knows his duty, that he has foreseen and is prepared to meet all circumstances of the coming battle; The value of troops at this moment depends upon their leaders.
Support Artillery.During the time just preceding the hour (H) all the artillery which does not execute counter-battery fire is employed to protect the assault. A part of this artillery is given to each of the assaulting battalions as support artillery. Liaison and observation detachments are sent by this artillery to the infantry battalions to which they are attached. These detachments have the same composition and rôle as explained in the defense of a position.
The artillery support holds under its fire that part of the hostile line assigned to its infantry battalion. A violent fire is especially directed against the enemy’s first line,the objective of the assault. Protected by this fire, the assaulting battalion moves forward. For a few moments after the launching of the first waves over the top, this fire remains on the enemy’s first line. The protective barrage is then lifted and is established on the hostile second line, where it also remains for a certain time, according to the barrage time-table, and so on.
Departure of the First Echelon(Assaulting Companies). At the precise moment or signal the first wave of an assaulting company jumps out of its parallel of departure, the different lines of which it is composed being formed as previously explained. In a similar manner, as soon as the first wave is launched, the second wave goes over the top of its parallel. All the different lines of the different assaulting companies advance straight to the front towards their first objective. The rate of advance, although not a run, is as rapid as the circumstances of the torn up ground of “No Man’s Land” will permit, at the same time maintenance of the formations being paramount. Success depends upon the proper location of the specialists in the formations of the waves, and this order must not be lost in the confusion that results from too much speed.
The result is that all the lines of the assaulting companies start almost at the same time from the two parallels of departure, and with shorter distances between the lines than that called for by regulation. This formation is not a drawback, but, on the contrary, works to better advantage. The first and most important thing to avoid at this time is the defensive barrage of the watchful enemy. This is established as soon as he is aware of the assault. If the reinforcing line follows closely behind the line of combat, it has a better chance of passing the danger zone before the enemy’s barrage is established. A company caught under the enemy’s barrage will lose, on an average, fifty per cent. of its effectives. Also, the assaulting companies must arrive in the first hostile line as quickly as possible behind their own barrage. The assaulting platoons, who set the pace, should arrive there almost “as soon as the barrage lifts.” Troops that arrive at this opportune moment will surprise the enemy in his shelters or in the act of taking his place on the firing line. It is better to risk losing a few lives by your own barrage than to give the enemy time to man his first line.
Finally, the regulation distances between the different lines and waves will be attainedduring the progress after passing the enemy’s first line.
Departure of the Second Echelon(Supporting Companies). When the first echelon, or assaulting companies, have crossed “No Man’s Land,” the battalion commander usually launches the second echelon, or supporting companies. By this time, the battalion commander will have an impression of the assault, and the distance which separates the two echelons is at this moment the one usually required (200 to 300 yards). In order to avoid the enemy’s barrage and to profit by any lull in his fire, the battalion commander chooses the exact moment for the departure of the second echelon.
Advance of the Reserves.As soon as all the waves of the assaulting battalion have penetrated the enemy’s position, the reserve battalions of the regiment leave theirplaces d’armesand move forward through boyaux to the first parallels of departure. In this position they await the order of the colonel to advance into the enemy’s position to join the combat for its conquest. The colonel awaits the first report from his assaulting battalion before giving the order for the advance of the reserves.
III. Fighting in the Interior of the
Position and Exploitation
Principle of the Fighting.The fundamental principle of the fighting in the interior of the position is that each attacking unit from the division down to the battalion receives a definite objective. This objective is usually an area containing the lines of the hostile position with precise flanking limits. The farthest line in the objective area must be gained by the units at all costs. Beyond this last objective, strong reconnaissance parties and patrols are sent to keep contact with the enemy.
Usually the attacking regiments, which carry out the struggle in the interior of the position, are assigned the mission to capture the third or covering line of the artillery. The continuation of the struggle beyond this line and the capturing of the enemy’s guns is what is called “the tactical exploitation of the success.” The troops that carry out this operation are the reserves of the division held out for this particular purpose. The plan of battle does not include orders for this action.
Details of the Interior Fighting.Let us follow an attacking regiment in its progress inthe interior of a hostile position, and consider the use of the different echelons of which it is composed: assaulting companies, reinforcing companies, and reserves.
Assaulting Companies.The advance of the assaulting platoons regulates the advance of all the successive elements. These platoons, after crossing the first hostile line, continue their movement without hesitation. The rate of advance is, of course, variable with the difficulties of the ground and the strength of the hostile organization. For this reason it cannot be very rapid. The pace of the leading elements of the assaulting column is foreseen in the plan of battle (depends upon the strength of the enemy’s position), and this becomes the rate of advance of the moving barrage. If no unforeseen and serious resistance is encountered, the assaulting platoons will be able to keep up with their protective barrage. Sometimes, however, they may halt for a moment in their progress under cover of some shelter to regain their alignment.
As a part of the assaulting platoon comes the trench-cleaner detachment. The trench cleaners are armed with hand grenades and trench knives. Their function is to enter the hostile trenches taken and, profiting by the surprise effect of the attack, to vanquishthe last resistance and to make prisoners of the defenders still in the dugouts. They pay special attention to picketing all entrances, exits, and shafts of dugouts so that detachments of the enemy cannot come out and fire into the rear of the waves that have already crossed. If the different lines of the hostile platoon are very far apart, the number of trench cleaners is increased, a detachment dropping off in each line.
As long as the assaulting platoons do not meet resistance, the reinforcing platoons follow the former at the regulation distance to avoid mixing of the different waves of the attack. If, however, the assaulting platoons suffer severe losses, and are unable to continue the progress, the reinforcing platoon, either by order of the captain or upon the initiative of its leader, moves up and reinforces the combat line. Its function then becomes the same as that of the assaulting platoon.
Again, if a gap should occur in the combat line, due to losses or extension of the front, the reinforcing platoon moves in that direction and fills the gap. In general, the tactics of the reinforcing platoon are always to assure continuity of progress by outflanking resistances that have stopped the advance of the platoon in front.
The machine guns attached to an assaulting unit follow and protect the flanks. When halted they fire on retreating hostile troops and on special points of resistance. Their special use, however, is against counterattacks.
Reinforcing Companies.The reinforcing companies, with the machine gun reserve and 37 mm. gun of the assaulting battalion, after they have penetrated the hostile position, follow the progress of the assaulting waves at the prescribed distance. They advance in line of small columns but make use of any cover that the ground affords to minimize losses from hostile fire. During this advance, their mission is to rally all the elements of the assaulting companies and push them forward; and also to watch out for the flanks, pushing out to protect them on their own initiative if necessary. But when the line of combat is held up by resistance the supporting companies are maneuvered by order of the battalion commander. Naturally, the whole line of combat will not progress uniformly. Certain assaulting platoons will be held up by nests of resistance, while others in the intervals will carry on with less interruption. Reinforcing platoons and support companies are maneuvered to outflank such nests of resistance and to fill the resulting gaps in the combat line.
MANEUVERS AGAINST A NEST OF RESISTANCE
Let us take a concrete example of an assaulting company followed by a supporting company held up by a nest of resistance (a ravine, reverse slope, or woods strongly organized with machine guns) and follow the movements of the reinforcing platoons and supporting company. (Examine the diagram showing maneuvers against a nest of resistance in connection with the following explanation.) The first figure shows the formation of the four platoons of an assaulting company advancing in the interior of a position followed by a supporting company. The 1st and 2nd are the assaulting platoons, and the 3rd and 4th the reinforcing platoons. The supporting company follows in double column of platoons. The second figure shows the 1st assaulting platoon held up by a nest of resistance with the 3rd or reinforcing platoon moved up on the right flank. Platoons2and4of the same company carry on, and this movement results in a gap in the line of combat between the 2nd and 3rd platoons. The third figure shows the 1st and 2nd platoons of the supporting company moved up in this gap, and the 3rd and 4th platoons acting as reserves. The nest of resistance is thus attacked from the front and flank and the continuity of the combat line maintained.When a nest of resistance is encountered the attacking troops must not accumulate in front, as this will multiply the losses. The line of combat will attack the front of a nest of resistance while the successive reinforcing and supporting waves maneuver against its flanks. The battalion commander will use all the weapons at his disposal as machine guns, 37 mm. guns, and rifle grenades to reduce the nest of resistance. If this method fails he will have to call on the artillery for help, but this necessitates a modification of the artillery barrage time-table.
Rôle of the Artillery during the Attack.During the attack the artillery carries out the following different fires:
Counter-battery fire.
Protective fire on the flanks of the attack.
Accompaniment or barrage fire.
The first two fires are executed by a part of the artillery directly under the chief of artillery of the division, who in turn is under the control of the general.
The third kind of fire is executed by the support artillery, detailed to the different assaulting battalions as in the defensive organization. The action of this artillery directly interests each infantry chief of area, to whom are sent liaison detachments and observers(an officer, N. C. O.’s, and artillery orderlies). This third kind of fire is the only one that we will consider in detail.
Principle of the Accompaniment Fire.During the progress of the attack the support artillery establishes a moving barrage in front of the advancing infantry. This barrage travels by bounds. It remains for a certain time on each defensive line and at intervals between them so as to thoroughly sweep the intervening ground. The time-table, or rate of this moving barrage, is laid down in the plan of action of the artillery. The infantry leaders of course are acquainted with this time-table.
Other Means of Controlling the Barrage.The moving barrage may also be advanced successively by order of the commanding general according to information received from the leading elements of the assaulting battalion, from the artillery or aëroplane observers.
Calls may be made directly from the line of combat by rockets, or other means of liaison. With reference to the barrage there are two uses of rockets; one is for calling the barrage in the defensive, and the other is calling for an advance of the barrage during the attack. It may be remarked that it is impossible tocall for a decrease in range of the barrage as this, of course, would be dangerous to your own troops. It is better to decrease the rate of advance of the barrage rather than to have it move too quickly and risk abandoning the infantry.
Lastly, the preceding means for controlling the barrage can be employed in conjunction. That is to say, a time-table for the barrage is adhered to during the first part of the advance when the positions of the hostile lines are well known, while during the last part, when the infantry’s progress is not so regular and the ground is not so well known, each advance of the barrage may be called for by rocket, as each resistance met with is disposed of. If an assaulting battalion meets a resistance which it cannot reduce by its own means, it must call upon the support artillery for help. To do this, the artillery must halt its barrage and for an interval the time-table is not in effect. Such an emergency calls for a special action on the part of the support artillery, and also for the intervention of any other artillery at the disposal of the general. This particular action of the artillery may be called for automatically by rocket or by the other means of liaison. The rôle of the officer and N. C. O. of the artillery liaison detachment is to givethe artillery the precise technical information necessary in such a case to establish its fire on a nest of resistance. This action of halting the barrage and giving the artillery a new objective is exceptional and delicate to execute. As soon as the resistance is reduced, the time-table is resumed.
Liaisons During the Attack.The proper co-ordination of all the foreseen developments of the attack lies in a good system of liaison. There must be leadership liaison for the transmission of orders and reports, and infantry-artillery liaison for the proper co-operation of the two arms. The means of liaison in the offensive are the same as those considered in the defensive organization. The principle of their use is the same but made more difficult by the progress of the different attacking echelons. It is the duty of all leaders to foresee the establishment of liaison for the engagement in their plan of battle, and also for the prolongation of these means with the advance of the attacking troops.
The means of liaison are:
Telephone lines (for leadership in artillery. They are lengthened from the parallel of departure to the interior of the enemy’s position.)
Signal communication (established fromthe enemy’s position to a central point in the rear).
Rockets (precise signification of each kind laid down in orders).
Carried pigeons (headquarters that are to carry these laid down in orders).
Detachment of special runners (essential to be established between all units).
Aviation.During the advance, a particular system of liaison is established with the air service. Each division has at its disposal a certain number of accompanying planes that fly low and follow the assaulting battalions. Their duty is to establish communication between the leading elements of the advancing infantry, and the artillery, and the commanding general. The infantry signal to these airplanes by means of rockets and Bengal fires, and the planes in turn communicate with the artillery and the commanding general by means of wireless.