Chapter I: Foreword

It must be borne in mind that this book deals with principles and examples of methods of warfare, and not fixed rules. There are no fixed methods in warfare. Development in warfare means change of methods or the invention of new ones to overcome military difficulties. However, one must have knowledge of past and present methods to be ready for the next logical step of development.

HEADQUARTERS, FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, ILL.,

October 26, 1917.

From: MAJOR O. N. SOLBERT, C. of E.

To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army, through official channels.

Subject: Publication of Lectures.

I. Request authority to publish in pamphlet form lectures given at this camp on Trench Fighting.

Major, C. of E.]

_1st Indorsement_

OFFICE OF THE SENIOR INSTRUCTOR, FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, ILLINOIS,
OCTOBER 26, 1917.

TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER:

Earnestly recommending that the lectures referred to above be published in pamphlet form. I consider it most desirable that every graduate of this camp take these lectures with him, upon being commissioned. I do not believe that the best interests of the service will suffer, in any way by publishing these lectures.

Lt. Colonel, Infantry,
Senior Instructor.]

_2nd Indorsement_

HQ., THE FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, OCTOBER 26, 1917.

TO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, D. C.

I. Approved.

Colonel of Cavalry,
Commanding.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. O., OCTOBER 31, 1917.

TO HEADQUARTERS, THE FORT SHERIDAN TRAINING CAMP, FORT SHERIDAN, ILL.

Returned.

I. Approved.

By order of the Secretary of War:

Adjutant General.]

CONTENTS

Chapter I

Organization of the Company for Battle Formations

PAGE

=Specialists=—Organization of a Typical Company—=Use of
Specialists=—In the Defensive—In the Offensive—=Formations=—
Initial Formation—Close Order and March Formation—Approach
March—Skirmisher Line—Assaulting Formations—Composition of
Lines—=Drill Regulations= 1

Chapter II

Development of a Position from an Open Warfare Battle

=General Use of Fortifications=—Change from Battle Lines to
Trenches of a Position—=Division of a Position=—Different Lines
of a Sector—=Principles of Organization=—Flanking Fire—Field of
Fire—Location of Trenches—Compartments—Concealment—=Elements of
Organization=—Plan—Outline of First Line—Cover Trench—Advance
Posts—Loopholes—Traverses—Transversals—Support Trenches and
Redoubts—Boyaux and Communication Ditches—Accessory Defenses—
Command Posts 34

Chapter III

Sector and Trench Duties

=Plan of Defense=—Definition—Principles—Form of—=Details of Trench
Duty=—Guard Duties—Sentinels—Reconnoitering Patrols—Observers—
Attrition—Fighting Patrols and Raids—Arms, Equipment, and
Ammunition—Activities of the Troops—Reports—=Use of Infantry and
Artillery Weapons, and Liaison=—Machine Guns—Trench Mortars—
=Artillery Support=—Use—Barrage—Liaison—Instructions for
Sentinels—Watchers—Observers 62

Chapter IV

The Relief

=Definitions and Principles=—Kinds—=Preliminary Dispositions for
the Relief=—Time to Prepare—Preparation—Reconnaissance—=Relief
Orders=—General—Battalion—=Movement of the Relief=—Departure—
March to Rendezvous of Guides—Guides—March in the Boyaux—
=Occupation of the Position=—Duties after 104

Chapter V

Defense of a Position

=Hostile Attacks=—Kinds—=Surprise=—Precautions against—Maintenance
of Barbed Wire Entanglements—Service of Guard and Observation—
“Stand To” Exercises—=Attack in Force=—Revealing Symptoms—
Preventive Measures before—Perfecting Organization of Position—
Increase of Control and Discipline of Defense—Moral Preparation
of the Troops—Maintenance of the Garrison during the
Bombardment—Reply with Artillery Fire—=Defense of First Line
during Assault=—Duties of Watchers—Defenders of the First Line—
=Fighting in the Interior of the Position=—Defense of an Area—
The =Counterattack=—Troops Detailed for—Routes or Directions—
Form of—=Repair of Position= 123