suppliments offensive small units

8/8/2019 Suppliments Offensive Small Units

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/suppliments-offensive-small-units 1/26

BOX DEC 10 !94gs»'5»' f\T A CIO"



THE GENERAL SERVICE SCHOOLS

LIBRARY

Class Number. __M_.9i1Q3?'8.15-

Accession Number:i£_™



WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, December 10,1917.

The following pamphlet, entitled "Supplement (Provisional) to

Instructions issued January 8, 1916, on the Offensive of Small

Units," is published for the information of all concerned.[062.1, A.G. O.]

op Secretaryorder the of War.BIDDLE,



TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page.

Supplement to instructions on the offensive of small units 7

Interiororganization of companies and conduct of the offensiveby small units 7

Reorganization of the infantry company 7

I.Composition of the fightingplatoon and halfplatoon. 8

11. Organization of fighting strength 10

111. Armament and equipment 10

Combat ammunition supply 10

Half platoon. 11

IV.Picked fighters 11

V. Individual instruction 11

—haracteristics of the new infantry armament:

Hand grenades



\

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

—Conduct of the fight Continued—The battalion Page.

Distribution 18—Plan of operations" "

Cleaning up of trenches 19—Machine-gun company

37-mm. gun 20

Plan of occupation of captured ground 21Reconnaissance of further objectives and foliowing-up a success 21—

Replenishment

(1) Supplies 22

(2) Ammunition and signal lights 23(3) Stores 23

SKETCHES ILLUSTRATINGDISPOSITION.—No. 1. Firstline company in attack formation with twoassaulting

platoons.—No. 2. First line company in attack formation with three assault

ing platoons.



SUPPLEMENT TO INSTRUCTIONS ON THE OFFENSIVE OF

SMALL UNITS.

INTERIOR ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES AND CON-

DUCT OF THE OFFENSIVE BY SMALL UNITS.

In order to secure a judicious training of the specialists of an

infantry company and their proper use in battle, they must begrouped and organized. Some modification, therefore, is now

required in the interior organization of the company.

As

aresult,

moreover,of

experiencegained

from the course ofevents, it is possible to issue precise rules for the specialists and forthe combat of small units in general, complimentary to the instruc-tions issued January 8, 1916,



8 OFFENSIVE OF SMALL UNITS.

I.COMPOSITION OF THE FIGHTING PLATOON ANDHALF PLATOON.

Theoretically, after losing the men normally assigned to dutiesout of ranks or permanently employed with the combat trains, theplatoon can present only the following strength:

Grand total for the company (table of war strength) 194

Men of the company (out of ranks) to be distributedasequally as possible—among the groups:

Captain's group

Supply corporal 1

Drummers and buglers 4

Cyclists 1

Signalers 2

Observers : 2

Pioneers 4Messengers

—4

Combat train group -First sergeant 1Mess corporal 1Captain's orderly 1Drivers 3

Cooks, tailors, cobblers 6—



9FFENSIVE OF SMALL UNITS.

The above considerations limit the maximum strength of thefighting half platoon to 1sergeant and 18 corporals and privates,and the minimum strength to 1 sergeant and 14 corporals andprivates; the excess of 4 men can be considered as an emergency

for filling up the minimum half platoon. (This strength willbe

constantly maintained by reinforcements.)—Automatic riflemen. Under such conditions is it proper to havetwo crews of automatic riflemen in each half platoon? We must

reply in the negative.

The limitof use of any weapon of great fire efficiency is reachedwhen that weapon requires for its supply a personnel which can

only be procured forit by

first impoverishing to a certain degreethe other indispensable fighting elements.If one wishes to preserve the absolutely necessary proportion of

soldiers armed with rifle, bayonet, and grenade, one is led tosupply the halfplatoon witha single automatic rifle(F. M.) mannedby one crew consisting of a corporal and 3 automatic riflemen, and

in addition put at the disposal of the company commander a reserve

of4 automatic rifles (F. M.), making an allowance of 12 autorifles foreach company. The present allowance being 16 autorifles, theexcess of 4 willbe turned over to the divisional center of instruction



TE OP SMALL UNITS.E OP SMALL UNITS.

[. ORGANIZAT]. ORGANIZAT] [ON OF FIGHTING STRENGTH.ON OF FIGHTING STRENGTH.

/hief ofhief sectionf section 1Sergeant fileergeant cloileclo •serser 1

First halfirst platoalf plato >n, sergeantn, sergeantSecond halfecond plaialf plai ;oon, sergeant.oon, 1ergeant. 1

chief ofhief hal:f hal: platoon 1latoon 12

Group 1.roup 1. Group 2.roup 2. Group 3.roup 3. Group 4.roup 4.

Minimuminimum Corporal...orporal 1.. 1 Corporal... 1orporal... 1 Corporal... 1orporal... 1 Corporal... 1orporal... 1f ightingghting Grenadier 6renadier 6 Autorifle- 1utorifle- 1 Av torifle- 1v torifle- 1 Grenadier 6renadier 6group.roup. riflemen(2iflemen(2 man.an. man.an. riflemen(2iflemen(2

of whichf which of whichf whichare

throw-rethrow-

arethrow

rethrow-ers).rs). ers).rs).

Ammuni- 2mmuni- 2 Ammuni- 2mmuni- 2tion car-ion car- tion carion car-riers.iers. riers.iers.Rifle grena-ifle 3rena- 3 Rifle grena-ifle 3rena- 3diers (V.diers (V . diers (V .iers (V .B.)..) . B.)..).

Total...otal... 7 7 II 7 7mergencyergency Grenadier 2renadier 2 Autorifle- 1utorifle- 1 Autorifle- 1utorifle- 1 Grenadier 2renadier 2

comprising 3omprising 3 riflemen.iflemen. man.an. man.an. riflemen.iflemen.corporals (4,orporals (4, Rifle grena-Rifle 1rena- 1 Rifle grena-ifle 1rena- 1less theess messhe mess dier V.ier B..B. dierV. B.ierV. B.corporal) fororporal) for orriflemanrrifleman or riflemanr riflemanthe entirehe entire ammun i-mmun i- ammun i-mmun i-




HALF PLATOON

Sergeant: Rifle, 56 cartridges. ;,6 grenades.

Automatic riflemen (insignia of rifle-Grenadier riflemen (insignia of man). Grenadiers (V. B.) (insigniagrenadier).

of grenadier).

Corporal: Rifle, 56 cartridges, 10 gre- Corporal: Rifle, 56 cartridges, D. A.M.,nades, ofwhich 2 are V. B. 4 clips for the autorifle (special car-

Throwers: Rifle, 56 cartridges; revolver, tridge pouch).27 cartridges; 12 grenades. Gunner: 4 clips in the 8 loaders' clip

Grenadier riflemen: Rifle, 88 cartridges, pockets, 4 in the special pouch.10 grenades, First ammunition carrier, 16 clips: 8 clips, ofwhich 2 are V.B.Note. The above figures on the ap- 1packet (of 64)in the haversack, 8 clips

portioning of ammunition for the grena- in the pouch.dier riflemen are onlyan indication, but

Secondammunition

carrier:12 clips

init is best to consider them rather as a the haversack, 1packet (of 64) in theminimum. cartridge bag.

Rifle grenadiers (V. B.): Each with 1tromblon and 12 V. B. grenades.

(a) The grenade belt willbe replaced by a grenade sack now being

developed.

(b) The throwers willbe supplied with a carbine and knife-bayonet instead of the rifle. This issue will be made withoutprevious requisition to the armies, according to the output of manu




CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW INFANTRY ARMAMENT.The following table shows the evolution of infantry armament

since the beginning of the war:

At beginning of war. Present time.

Rifle and bayonet Nearly totalpersonnel. ..Hand grenades Nil 32 grenadiers per company.

Rifle grenades do 16 grenadiers per company. lAutomatic rifles -.do 8 per company.Machineguns 2 per company 8per 3 companies.37-mm. guns Nil 1per battalion.

iThe soldiers armed with the VivenBessieres tromblon for riflegrenades willhavemany occasions, notablyduring the course ofan assault, touse their rifleand bayonet.

Furthermore, inthe formation for combat they are generally placed in line with theriflemen. It is for these reasons that they are, with their ammunition carriers,

divided between the two groups of riflemen.

HAND GRENADES.

On the defensive, can produce an excellent short-range barrage.

Inthe hands of fearless, expert, and well-provided grenadiers, they

provide for the establishment of centers

ofresistance which are diffi-

cult to destroy, and which willafford protection to important fea

tures of the defensive line, such as salients, machine guns, outletscommunication trenches, etc. Allexcept awkward men should




On the offensive, the rifle grenade lengthens the zone covered by

the hand grenade, and willreach an underground enemy at a con-siderable distance.

In the numerous local fights where artillerysupport is unobtain-

able the rifle grenade supplies its place in the accurate bombard-ment of the enemy's centers of resistance. Itcuts offhostile groups

which are being attacked by hand grenades and prevents theirretreat or reinforcement. Finally, it is most efficacious against

hostile counter attack.

In all situations, but more particularly in the offensive, it paysto employ concentration of fire with this weapon.

AUTOMATICRIFLES. >

CHARACTERISTICS .(1) Extreme mobility.

(2) Reliable effect at short distances. The fire is kept low auto-

matically.

(3) Fairly good effect at medium distances.

(4) Considerable flexibilityof control. Sweeping fire can be car-ried out withfacility. A change of objective can be made instantly.

(5) Fire possible when in movement. Under certain circum-



14 OFFENSIVE OF SMALL UNITS,

37-MM. GUN

CHARACTERISTICS.

(1) Enough mobilityto enable it to accompany the infantry at

all stages of the fight.

(2) Extreme accuracy.

(3)Ease of

adjustment.

(4) Effective range up to 1,600 yards.

(5) Adapted to fire from a masked positionThe effects of the shell resemble those of a grenade, but itwill

penetrate two or three rows of sandbags, a timber shelter or a steelplate before bursting.

This weapon is built to destroy any visible machine guns by direct

fire.Itwillalso give good results against troops taken in enfilade.

Experience shows that this gun can seldom be used in theinfantry

"wave," as itis immediately spotted and destroyed.

RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW COMPANY

ARMAMENT.

The best results willonlybe obtained from the newly-constituted

companies, provided three primary conditions are fulfilled:



15FFENSIVE OF SMALL TJNITS.

Arms of high efficiency are only effective when in the hands ofdisciplined and courageous experts, under officers with accurate

knowledge of the weapons. Allmust get the idea out of theirheadsthat specialists are a race apart, whose roleindailylifeand inbattleis different from that of their comrades. These all liveand fight inthe same ranks and in close union with the riflemen. Their

trainingonly is specialized.

Aa this war goes on, the method of fighting is being continuallymodified; itis the duty of everyone to followthis evolution, and to

take immediate advantage of every advance. With equal courage

on either side, the best trained wins.

The present-day company, withall its weapons and a proportion

of machine guns in support, can produce a far greater volume offire than could the same unit at the beginning of the war.

The difference is noticeable at medium ranges, and is striking atranges under 200 yards. In the defensive the company can nowhang on to its ground much more firmly whileawaiting the protec-

tion of artillery barrage. This last property is particularly valuable

to infantry during the period when, after the capture ofan objective,the artillery has not yet obtained sufficiently exact knowledge ofthe situation to enable it to afford support.




— "-4s an assaulting unit. (a) The firstline, generally called "wave,

usually consists of the Ist half platoon (grenadiers and automaticriflemen).

The grenadiers deal withbodies of the enemy sheltering in trenchesand shell holes.

The automatic riflemen direct their fire on any who show themselves, whether running back oradvancing to counter attack.(b) The second line (or "wave") is formed by the 2d half pla-

toon. The V. B. rifle grenadiers use their plunging fire to form abarrage either in front of the line they hold, or in rear of the lineattacked; they may also bring fire to bear on the enemy under coverwho are too far off to be dealt withby the

handgrenade.

The riflemen followup the first "wave" and use their rifles andbayonets to settle the fights commenced by their comrades.

The platoon commander moves with the second line between hisrifleman groups.

The distance between two "waves" varies from 10 to 15 paces.

Under certain circumstances there may be reason to place rifle

"men in the first "wave, particularly when the front of the platoonis greater than the normal. Itis then advisable to employ them by

groups to joinup with the automatic-rifle group.



OFFENSIVE OF SMALL UNITS. 17

(one or two platoons less any detailed as "cleaning up" party) formone or two "waves" according to strength, denominated reinforc"ing or manoeuvring "waves.

The company commander moves at the head of the last mentioned. Reinforcing platoons follow the "cleaning up wave" at a

distance of about 40 to 50 paces.—Plan of

operations.The success of an attack

dependson the accuracy with which it is carried ou,t. A commander should draw up

his plans in such a manner as to ensure accuracy of execution.The plan of operations is based on:(1) The r6le assigned to the unit.(2) The obstacles to be overcome in order to ensure success.(3) The means at the disposal of the unit.

(a) The r6le of the unit and any supplementary means whichmay be placed at its disposal are detailed in the battalion commander's operation orders.

(6) The obstacles to be overcome are known nowadays in almostcomplete detail, thanks to excellent methods of observation andthe information placed at the disposal of the troops by the staff

(?'. c., intelligence reports on the enemy's defenses day by day,photographs, large scale plans, sketches, and information fromvarious sources).




(5) Lines of attack of different units and their compass bearings.(6) Distance between different echelons.

(7) Position of company commander.(8) Time the assault is to start.

(9) Method by which the artilleryfire is to be timed to conform

withprogress of

theinfantry.

(10) How the platoon and company commanders are to keepeach other informed of their respective positions, especially the use of signaling devices (rockets, lights, etc.).

(11) Methods of communication withneighboring units.(12) The method to be adopted to mark out the front occupied

either at some particular time or on some line agreed upon,

or as required.

(13) The occupation of the captured position, and following up

the success obtained.(14) Outfittobe taken.(15) Supply of ammunition, including V. B. rifle grenades, and

ammunition for automatic rifles and machine guns.

Whether to be supplied under company or battalionarrangements; where these supplies will be drawn or

delivered.




(4) Occupation of the position won.(5) Reconnaissance of a further objective, and followingup the

advantage gained.

(6) Replenishment of ammunition, etc.

(7) Liaisons." —Cleaning up"

oftrenches. This is an extremely important

operation, and must be carried out methodically and speedily.Courageous men are required and very energetic commanders.

The "cleaning-up" scheme is drawn up by the battalion com

mander according to instructions issued by the regimental commander. It is founded on aeroplane photographs, which showup the principal dugouts of the enemy. With this assistance

the battalion commander fixes the strength necessary to "cleanup" each group of duguots, details the unit to furnish the detachments, and the duties of the latter when the "cleaning up"

is completed. As a rule, "cleaning-up" parties l are made up ofgrenadier groups reenforced by riflemen; they are always under the

command of N.C. O.'s.

In some cases the strength of a party may be half a platoon or aplatoon, and sometimes a complete company may be detailed to

"clean up" some point d'appui of particular importance. "Clean




(a) At the opening of the attack the machine guns of battalionsin the first line follow their battalions. They willbe distributedat the discretion of the battalion commander, chiefly with a viewto their installation on the captured front. The machine guns ofthe battalions in second line are placed, to begin with, on the frontfrom which the attack starts. Placed at selected points affording

good fields of fire, they may be employed to advantage in covering

the flanks of the first-line battalions by directing a stream of fire onany intervals which may occur between them, or more particularlyon the outer flanks of the battalions on the wings of the whole force.When the shape of the ground permits, it is also desirable to bring

these machine guns into action against the enemy's second or third

lines, his communication trenches, orany machine guns which showthemselves. But allnecessary precautions must be taken to avoidhitting or obstructing our own troops.

(b) When the attack is under way the battalion commander sends

allorpart of his machine guns to positions which have been pointedout beforehand, and which offer the best facilities for securing the

groundwon either

byhis ow n

battalionor

those on either side.(c) To keep a secure hold on ground whenitis captured the fullestpossible use should be made of the various weapons, viz, machine




To avoid the destruction of the gun, itshould onlybe brought intoaction at the last moment.

(b) During the course of the attach the 37-mm. gun goes forwardwhen it can be of no further use in its initialposition or when it isrequired by the infantry to destroy some center of resistance.

Its movements must be provided for in the operation order,

On account of its vulnerability, itis never placed in the first"waves," but may accompany the battalion commander.

Its use is to destroy machine-gun emplacements or clean out fireor communication trenches when opportunities occur to enfiladethem. Its employment too close to its target is to be avoided.Masked fire should be used as much as possible.

(c) Occupation of the captured position.

—The 37-mm. gun helpsto secure a firm hold of a position won, in the same manner as a ma

chine gun.

It is placed so as to bring fire (oblique for preference) to bear onthe probable lines of approach of enemy counter attacks. It isalways advantageous to arrange to have more than one maskedemplacement, so as to prevent the gun being easily spotted by theenemy's artillery.

—Plan of occupation of the captured ground. Itis based on the

regimental



22 OFFENSIVE OF SMALE UNITS.

Contact is regained and the fresh position reconnoitered by

patrols detached from the first-line troops as soon as they reach

the captured position.

Their objectives are indicated in the orders for the attack.

These patrols are composed of grenadiers and automatic rifle

men strengthened by riflemen, who make their way rapidly

toward their objectives. They occupy these objectives and form

the skeleton of a fresh line to be occupied and organized asquickly as possible.

Full advantage should immediately be taken of any gaps in

the enemy's defenses.Enterprising infantry will always find opportunities of com-

pleting an initial success by the seizure of points d'appui whose

reduction would cost them dear the following day. It is par

ticularly important to seize immediately any point which the

enemy has abandoned.The limiting of objectives does not imply the suppression of

initiative.

The battalion commander must not lose sight of the fact thatsuccesses are not attained by the infantry alone, but by combi

nation with the artillery. Further progress, therefore, must be




served provision depots may also be established at company

headquarters. Solidified alcohol will be issued to the men for

heating food. —(2) Ammunition and signal lights. These are drawn from

advanced depots, each containing all descriptions of ammuni

tion that can be asked for.

The development of the specialist services, leading as it does

to a great consumption of weighty and bulky stores, makes the

careful organization of the replenishment system of vital necessity.

A convenient arrangement is to make up ammunition into—lots, each containing a proportion of

(a) Rifle ammunition.(6) Machine-gun and automatic rifle ammunition, hand

grenades.

(c) V. B. rifle grenades.

(d) Rounds for 37-mm. gun.

(c) Rockets and signal lights.

(/) Illuminating rockets.(g) Sandbags (for carrying stores).

When ammunition is demanded one complete lo t is sent up in



Sk4&cA>N?l

I*7 LINE CV IN ATTACK FORMATION WITH 3 ASSAULTING PLATOONS

FRONTAGE 220 YARDS

GGG AAAS/GG AAA GG G-^---r- GGCGGGGGG AAA S. A AA A RRRRRRRRR«>

c I cC i C (Rifleman Croup ofx

c8 P. C 20 paiefi P.C. second h platoon )

rrrprrrrr Crgrg rg rg C rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr , rrrrr Crgrgrg rg C rrrrrrgrgC

fr4* S2 15 pa^es S2S 23$ Cleaning up parties GGGG GGGG (Grenadier GrougofN?2Se<{[ GGGG GGGG Cleaning up\u2666J (Grenadier Groap of a Cy. parties.

50 paces

N? 2. Platoon N? 4 PlatoonCy CommanderP.C. P.C

AAA Crgrgrg rg c aa A a AAAAAAA Crgrg rq rgCI -Q—

GGGG^GGGS, ZOpa^ed S,

f RRRRRRRRR RR R RRRRR RR ± X RRRR RRRR RR R Rg RR RR c c c

s2s 2 s2s 2

EXPLANATIONS.

G Grenadier. AQA Auto-riflemen Corp/ PCG Corp/. R Rifleman C Carrier. S, Sergt. of I?P 'APlatoon

- Qrq Rifle Grenade man. Platoon Commander.

cA Automotic Rifleman R Rifleman CorpL S2S 2

" ••

Z^'/zPlMoon

© Company Commander

31303°— 15. (To follow pjge 2.i.j Mo.1

Sketch N? 2.



IST LINE CV IN ATTACK FORMATION WITH 3 ASSAULTING PLATOONS

(FRONTAGE 280 TO 330 YARDS)

IG

iSq

A A G A R

5

R3

Cleaning Parties

p.c

G

iGroup No-4 Seo.

R

G

l6roupofaCoV

R

iGroup

of 2nd line

rgs.c

rg ff

i roup

Reinforcing Section(N?4-Section)

Cy. Commander

<3Sc7 J&P

R

EXPLANATIONS

G.A.R.

Grenadiers

Automatic RiflemanRifleman

rg

P.C

Rifle Grenade men.

Platoon Commander.

R Runners

31309°— 18. (To follow page 23.) No. 2

P. Pioneers.I

SI<*UeKN?3.



BATTALION IN ATTACK FORMATION (FRONTAGE 4-4O TO 550 YARDS.'

N? 2 Company.

A G G A G G A G G AJfe sq V* sq /2 scj /2 sq.

'20pacesrg R J lR .rg. R R ri R R r,g R

ii\spacc9

i G G

JJL 6

i«4

<% 4 e5i_

GroupoftfHPlat

A

C*Cdr.

A

Group ofNoJPlat tto.3Cy

rtii

20 paces

R iR fl

I-f

iSpa^s

CleQn'mj parties G G<?n?^ /V?3Hat. W3 Cy.Jw

Groopof/i92 PtetH93 Cy

\u25a0

Distance # about00B'*CJ?!?*

At M.G.Cy 200yards to N? 3 Cy

fi*4-Ptel N?3P/e£ N?2 P/at. N9iP/at.0 Cy.•

Cdr

k"

\u25a0

A A A A

w?3 Irq h I<S teR R R R R R R

m 37mm. gun.i|i Cy. .|»

51309°— 18. (To follow page 23.) No. 3



ATf 4 Sk±uK

PLAN SHOWING ACTION OF CLEANING UP PARTIES OFTENBATTALION IN ATTACK FORMATION SHOWN IN SKETCH N?3.

3r^ Line^ Line

<2°.? Line°.? Line\u25a0<u25a0< -^^-^^X^LHi->^^-^^X^LHi->

I II

I II

| tt

£^̂Supportupport

— ----I _, f;»*., f;»*.~^^^^Trenchrench >

BC

•_ A-

UJJ

a-—^ -^-- j^^-—^ -^-- j^^u0084^ J\u0084^

Inlinenline I\u25a0"*u25a0"*A I

I I

> II

Assaultingssaulting P/atoons/atoonso/}/V°/}/V° / ICompanyompany

ii

ii

i

'AssaultingAssaulting toonsoons|iioff A?? 2 iCompanyompany

I

iI I

I I

Cleaningleaning PartiesartiesA D

T

ii

ii

i»

A

i!!I

5

i

<

ii>

i

1

I

I

C

ti

I

»

Reinforcingeinforcing Platoonslatoonsoff /V?V?ICompanyompany t

ii

rtpanytpany

Vatoonsatoonseinforcingeinforcing ioffN?3?3 Cotot

i ri I

i

i

II

Cleaning PartiesC C

I I I N9\3Cy % \ I I f I t31303*—18. (To follow page 23.) No. 4

suppliments offensive small units

Documents