(9) Danger points.
(10) All available information of the enemy; his habits,
location of his snipers, what work he is doing.
(11) The ways and means of liaison, both lateral and from
front to rear.
To the success of this reconnaissance, the closest
co-operation between all officers of the companies
relieving and relieved, is indispensable.
2. The march from billets
to the trenches:
(a) Transportation, by auto-trucks and wagons,
is utilized
to a point as near the lines as possible,
to carry the
packs of the men, the auto rifles, extra
ammunition and
other heavy equipment. When the
distance is great the
men themselves should be carried by auto-truck;
this
saves time and fatigue. The men
will carry rifles loaded
and locked, full cartridge belts, gas
masks, and all
other lighter equipment, with rations
for 24 hours at
least. Grenades will be secured
in the trenches.
Electric torches will be carried by company
and platoon
commanders.
(b) The strictest discipline must be maintained.
On arrival
within sight of the enemy, noise and
smoking (or other
lights) will be prohibited.
(c) Guides, from the company to be relieved,
will meet the
relieving company promptly at a point
definitely agreed
upon in advance.
3. The march through the
boyaux (communicating trenches):
(a) Distance; often as much three or four
miles.
(b) Order of march: company in single
file, captain at the
head; each platoon leader at the head
of his platoon; a
non-commissioned officer at rear of each
platoon.
(c) The column must be kept closed up.
Each man must consider
himself a connecting file, guiding on
the head, and
behave accordingly. A guide should
accompany the
commander of the last platoon.
(d) Rate of march: roughly, about 40
yards per minute. It
takes 250 men about 20 minutes to pass
a given point.
(e) Route and right of way:
The first line and support trenches will
never be used
as roads. Separate boyaux should,
if possible, be
assigned to the troops relieving and
relieved. In no
case will one company cross the path
of another. In case
of two columns meeting, one moving forward,
the other to
the rear, the former has the right of
way.
4. No man of the unit in
occupation will leave his post until
he has actually been relieved and has transmitted
all orders
and information relative to that post.
5. Liaison must be established,
immediately on arrival, with the
units on the flanks and with headquarters
in the rear.
Captains must make sure that their runners
are thoroughly
acquainted with the routes of communication.
6. As soon as relief is
accomplished both captains will report
that fact to their respective commanders.
7. The relieving commander
then inspects his trenches. He
ascertains that all his watchers are at their
posts and that
the balance of his men know their posts and
duties and are
prepared to assume them quickly.


