Details of the Relief.If the two units have the same number of men, the relieving of one unit by the other is simple enough. But often the relief is complicated by the fact that either the extent of front or the number of effectives is different. In such a case, the officers of the two units must settle, during the reconnaissance, upon the necessary modifications for an effective and expeditious relief.
When the company arrives at the commandpost of the captain, the platoons are relieved from right to left in the first line, then in the cover trench in the same order. If there is a platoon in the support line this is next relieved.
In the first line, the relief of the platoons is executed in two parts. First of all, the sentinels, observers, watchers, men in the listening posts, and the N. C. O. of the watch are relieved. When this is done, the remaining men of the platoon are relieved. The men of the old platoon occupy their places at “Stand To.” The relieving platoon files in and steps up on the firing step. At the command “Pass” which is given quietly, the old and new platoons change places.
Each retiring leader, of whatever command he may be, hands over his orders and information to the corresponding leader who relieves him. For example, one platoon leader will turn over to the other all information concerning guard duty, defense of the line, condition of the barbed wire entanglements, patrolling, and shelter accommodations. This must be executed rapidly but with precision.
The platoon relieved assembles at the entrance to the boyau, and leaves the trenches under the chief of platoon. This is not done, however, until the platoon leader has reported to his captain, by means of his guides, theexecution of the relief. The old captain fixes a point for the assembling of his platoons, but this point must be far enough to the rear to avoid blocking of the boyaux and out of reach of hostile grenade and trench mortar fire.
In the meantime, at the command post of the support point, the new captain acquaints himself with all information and orders pertaining to the support point from the old captain. When this is finished he telephones the command post of the center of resistance the completion of the relief, and asks if his predecessor may retire. The relieved company then takes up the march, following the prescribed route up to the assembly point of the battalion.
It may be stated here that the relieved units must leave their trenches in as clean and sanitary a condition as possible. The work of clearing up the shelters and latrines must be thoroughly done before the arrival of the new units. Depots must be left in good condition and contain the amount of supplies called for by regulations. The platoon commander is responsible that his men do not forget, tools and cooking utensils in the trenches.
Duties after the Relief.In each supportpoint, the new captain immediately establishes liaison with the command posts of the neighboring units to right and left. Communication between the captain and his battalion commander is obtained by means of the two messengers detailed to the battalion for that purpose and who now return to their company.
When the battalion commander has received the information from all his captains that the relief of his area is finished, he reports the same by telephone to his colonel. A confirmation of this report will be made the next morning in his daily written report which will cover the following points:
The general condition of the relief.
Hour of completion of the relief.
Casualties during the relief.
Living conditions in the trenches.
Requests for tactical modifications (new dispositions of the garrison).
The relief finished, the battalion commander must also establish his liaison laterally and to the front and rear, but especially with his artillery support, by means of the artillery N. C. O. detailed to his area for that purpose.
Finally, the battalion commander investigates and perfects the organization of the food supply.
In the sector headquarters, the new sector commander will find on file all records, reports, orders, and detailed information concerning all the elements of defense of the sector. The sector file will contain the following documents:
Plan of organization.
Plan of defense.
Files of information concerning:
Machine guns.
Trench mortars.
Artillery support (table of barrages and other fires).
Liaison (telephones, runners, signalling, etc.).
Supply and evacuation.
Measures to combat gas attacks.
Besides these are the files of the different reports:
Sector daily reports (kept by the adjutant).
Intelligence reports (kept by the intelligence officer).
Construction reports (kept by the engineer officer).
Maps, sketches, and aëroplane photographs (kept by int. officer).
Inventory of the sector depot (kept by engineer officer).
Any officer of the sector, as for example a machine gun officer, has access to this file to more thoroughly acquaint himself for the execution of his duties.