To attack with the bayonet effectively requires good direction, strength and quickness during a state of wild excitement and probably physical exhaustion. The limit of the range of a bayonet is about five feet (measured from the opponent’s eyes), but more often the killing is at close quarters, at a range of two feet or less, when troops are struggling corps À corps in trenches or darkness.

The bayonet is essentially an offensive weapon—go straight at an opponent with the point threatening his throat and deliver a thrust wherever an opening presents itself. If no opening is obvious, then create one by beating off the opponent’s weapon or making a “feint thrust” in order to make him uncover himself.

Hand-to-hand fighting with the bayonet is individual, which means that a man must think and act for himself and rely on his own resources and skill; but, as in games, he must play as one of a team and not for himself alone. In a bayonet assault all ranks go forward to kill or be killed, and only those who have developed skill and strength by constant training will be able to kill.

The spirit of the bayonet must be inculcated into all ranks, so that they go forward with that aggressive determination and confidence of superiority, born of continual practice, without which a bayonet assault will not be effective.

The technical points of bayonet fighting are extremely few and simple: the essence of bayonet training, and continuity of practice.

An important point to be kept in mind in bayonet training is the development of the individual by teaching him to think and act for himself. The simplest means of attaining this is to make men use their brains and eyes to the fullest extent by carrying out the practices, so far as possible, without words of command. This procedure develops individuality and confidence. Alertness and rapidity are qualities to be developed also.

As technique of bayonet fighting is so simple, long detail is quite unnecessary and makes the work monotonous. All instructions should be carried out on common-sense lines. It should seldom be necessary to give the detail of a “thrust” or “parry” more than two or three times, after which the classes should acquire the correct positions by practice. For this reason, a drill should rarely last more than thirty minutes. It should be remembered that nothing kills interest so easily as monotony.

The spirit of the bayonet is to be inculcated by describing the special features of bayonet and hand-to-hand fighting. The men must learn to practise bayonet fighting in the spirit and with the enthusiasm which animate them when training for their games, and to look upon their instructor as a trainer and helper.

Interest in the work is to be created by explaining the reasons for the various positions, the method of handling the rifle and bayonet, and the uses of the thrusts. Questions should be put to the men to find out whether they understand these reasons. When men realize the object of their work, they naturally take a greater interest in it.

Progression in bayonet training is regulated by obtaining: first, correct positions and good direction; then, quickness. Strength is the outcome of continual practice.

In order to encourage dash and gradually to strengthen the leg muscles, from the commencement of their training, classes should be frequently practised in charging short distances.