Chapter VI

MARCHES. CHANGE OF DIRECTION
OF MARCH. CAMPS AND BIVOUACS 83-94
ARRANGEMENT OF TROOPS ON THE MARCH 83-84
Marches in peace time 83
Intermingling of foot and mounted troops 83
Auto truck trains 83
Artillery and trains. Protection of long columns of wagons 83
Handling of trains on the march 83-84
Separation of trains and troops 84
Passage of defiles 85
Alternation of organizations in column on successive days 85
Advance guards, rear guards and leading troops 85
Distribution of troops in camp. Camping in column 85
Independent mission for cavalry. Prospects of combat,
and tactical use of cavalry 85
Place of the supreme commander 85-86
Distances between elements in a flank march 86
TIMES OF STARTING FOR FOOT AND MOUNTED TROOPS AND TRAINS 86-87
Early starting 86
Late arrivals in camp 87
Night marches 87-89
Movements by rail 87
Movements by motor car 87
TABLE OF TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET 88
MANNER OF STARTING THE MARCH 88-89
Initial point 88
Regulation of march. End of a day’s march 89
LENGTH AND SPEED OF MARCHES 89-90
Forced marches. Marches by green troops.
Progressive increase in length of marches.
Marches by large and small bodies 89
Halts 89
Days of rest 89
Speed of infantry, mixed troops, artillery and trains 90
TABLE OF RATES OF MARCH OF DIFFERENT ARMS 90
Elongation 90
Limiting depths of fords 90
Selection of route 90
Effects of temperature on marching troops 91
Artillery and trains in double column 91
CHANGE IN DIRECTION OF MARCH 91-92
Reasons for change of direction.
“Marching to the sound of the guns” 91
“Containing” a hostile force 91
Manner of changing direction. Use of a flank guard 91-92
Safety of trains in changing direction 92
EXAMPLE OF ORDER FOR CHANGE OF DIRECTION OF MARCH 92-93
CAMPS AND BIVOUACS 93-94
When to bivouac 93
Time of issue of halt order. Arrangements for
distribution of troops in camp 93
Requirements of a camp site 93-94
Assignment with reference to convenience of arrival and
departure. Camping in column 94
Use of buildings for shelter. Billeting 94