Chapter XIII

COMBAT--ATTACK AND DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE,
WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION, RENCONTRE, DELAYING
ACTION, PURSUIT, NIGHT ATTACKS, MACHINE GUNS 277-307
Mountain ranges, deserts and rivers as obstacles 277
ATTACK AND DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE 277-288
Use of existing bridges and fords,
hasty bridges and ferries 277-278
METHODS OF ATTACK OF A RIVER LINE. Turning movement.
Turning movement combined with holding attack.
Frontal attacks at one or more points 278-279
Object of feint attack 279
Conditions to be fulfilled by feint 279-280
Conditions to be fulfilled by main attack 280-281
Necessity of deceiving the defender 281
Counter attack by the defender 281
CONDUCT OF THE ATTACK 281-283
Reconnaissance. Seizure of bridges 281
Outpost troops, cavalry and artillery 281-282
Time for attack. Night movements 281
Camping prior to attack 281
Artillery positions in attack of a river line 281-282
Machine guns. Position fire by infantry 282
Duties of the outpost 282
Launching the feint and main attack 282
Demonstrations on flank by cavalry. Pursuit 282
Position of reserve 283
Engineer reconnaissance. Construction of crossings 283
DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE 284
General dispositions for and essential elements of
a river line defense 284
Alternative plans for defense. Counter attacks 284
Prompt detection of enemy’s intentions 284
Need of mobile reserves 284
Aerial reconnaissance 284
ORDERS FOR ATTACK OF A RIVER LINE 285-288
WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION 288-295
Occasions for withdrawal 288
Difficulty of withdrawing troops committed to an action 288-289
Sacrifice of a portion of the command to save the remainder 289
Withdrawal under cover of darkness 289
Intrenching the advanced position in attack 289
Removal of trains, ambulance company and wounded 289
Requirements of supporting position to be occupied
by the reserves 289-290
Masking fire of supporting position 290
Flank positions 290
Long range fire. Cover. Getaway 290
Distance to rear of supporting position 290
Artillery fire during withdrawal. Withdrawal of artillery.
Ammunition trains 291
General rule for withdrawal 291
Order of withdrawal of troops and conditions influencing same 291
Rendezvous positions for retiring troops 292
Stream crossings 292
Utilization of several lines of retreat 292
Successive supporting positions to cover withdrawal 292
Formation of and troops for rear guard 292
Cavalry and signal troops 292-293
Transmission of orders 293
EXAMPLES OF VERBAL ORDERS FOR A WITHDRAWAL FROM ACTION 293-295
RENCONTRE OR MEETING ENGAGEMENT 295-297
Advantages of prompt action. Seizing the initiative 295
Reconnaissance prior to attack 295
Greatest possible force to be launched at enemy 296
Direction of deployment and of attack.
Machine guns and artillery 296
General duties of an advance guard. Proper strength
and distance from main body 296-297
Maneuvering zone for main body 296
Place of the supreme commander on the march 297
DELAYING ACTION 297-300
Offensive and defensive tactics in delaying actions 297
Use of long thin lines and weak supports 297
Necessity for a secure line of retreat 297
Delay of enemy, how accomplished 297
Necessity for good field of fire at mid and long ranges 297-298
Occupation of the geographical crest 298
Relative difficulty of withdrawing infantry and cavalry 298
Deceiving the enemy as to the strength of the position.
Risk involved 298
Assumption of the offensive. Obstacles 298-299
Number of successive positions to be occupied 299
Advantages of a determined stand 299
Danger of decisive engagement 299
Selection and preparation of delaying positions 299
Tendency of troops to break straight to rear 299
Flank positions. Distance between positions.
Step by step defensive. Rallying 299
Demolitions. Ambuscades 299
Line of an unfordable stream as a delaying position 300
Seizure of a position well to the front.
Orderly occupation of the position 300
Artillery and machine guns in delaying actions 300
Issue of ammunition for delaying actions 300
PURSUIT 300-302
Energetic pursuit necessary to reap fruits of victory 300
Fresh troops necessary for pursuit 301
Prompt initiation of pursuit 301
Cavalry, horse artillery and motor cars 301
Continuous contact with enemy 301
Gaining the flanks and rear 301
Seizure of bridges and defiles 301
Pursuit on a broad front 301
ORDER FOR A PURSUIT 301-302
NIGHT ATTACKS 302-304
Essential features of night attacks 302-303
Simplicity of plan 303
Importance of preliminary reconnaissance 303
Infantry, cavalry and artillery in night attacks 303
Badges and watchwords 303
Depth of attacking formations. Formed reserves 303
Night attacks by large and by small forces 303
Assembly for attack 303
Precautions to insure surprise of the enemy 303-304
Point of attack. False attacks and demonstrations 304
Rendezvous for assembly after the attack 304
Collection of scattered forces in case of failure 304
Time for delivery of attack 304
Night attack of a bridge head 304
Protection against night attacks. Field of fire 304
Artificial illumination. Alarm signals. Obstacles.
Close ranges for fire 304
Use of the bayonet. Machine guns 304
MACHINE GUNS. 304-307
Extensive use in modern warfare 304
Effective ranges and rates of fire.
Need for skilled operators 304-305
Pack and motor transport 305
Chief purpose of machine guns 305
Ammunition supply. Most favorable targets 305
Artillery vs. machine guns 305-306
Offensive and defensive use. Mobility 305-306
Immobilization of machine guns 305
Dispersion of guns 306
Supports for machine guns 306
SPECIAL CASES IN WHICH MACHINE GUNS MAY
BE EFFECTIVELY EMPLOYED 306-307