Bayonet Training Manual Used by the British Forces :: CHAPTER IV Tactical Principles to be Observed During Bayonet Training.

CHAPTER IV Tactical Principles to be Observed During Bayonet Training.

METHOD OF CARRYING RIFLE WITH BAYONET FIXED.

QUICK SHORT ADVANCE (IN THE OPEN).

The rifle will be held at the “High Port.” This position is suitable for close formation, minimizes risk of accidents when surmounting obstacles, and can be maintained with the left hand alone, allowing free use of the right when necessary.

LONG ADVANCE (CLOSE FORMATION).

The rifle will be slung over the left shoulder, sling to the front and perpendicular to the ground. This is a safe method of carrying the rifle and allowing the free use of both hands.

LONG ADVANCE (OPEN ORDER).

The rifle will be carried at the trail.

THE ASSAULT.

The importance of discipline and organized control throughout the conduct of a bayonet assault can not be over-emphasized. It must be remembered that in this, as in all other military operations, success can be achieved only through the closest coÖperation of all concerned; and that, while individual initiative is not to be discouraged, it must be strictly subordinated to the intention of the leader of the assaulting party.

Men should be shown by demonstration that it is in their own interests to pay attention to this point, and that the failure of an enterprise can usually be traced to the lack of this close coÖperation.During training, the following general principles will be observed:

1. All members of the attacking party must leave the trench or rise from cover simultaneously. In addition to the advantages of surprise, needless casualties are thereby avoided.

2. The first stage, especially of a long advance, will be slow and steady—not faster than the pace of the slowest man. Such an advance has a decided moral effect on the enemy, makes certain of the maximum shock at the moment of impact, and at the same time allows the attacking force to reach its objective without undue exhaustion. On the other hand, if the assault is allowed to develop without control and in a haphazard fashion, the moral effect of a steady, resistless wall of men is lost, and the defenders may be given time to dispose of their opponents in detail.

Bayonet control in the attack is just as important and fully as practicable as fire control, and it depends altogether on discipline, which must be taught by close-order work, and on thorough technical instruction in the use of the bayonet. Tactical bayonet control will then follow without much difficulty, provided the instructor has done his work properly.

The actual charge will not be made over a greater distance than twenty paces. Within the last ten yards, and before closing with the enemy, the rifle will be brought to the threatening, yet defensive, guard position. Line will, as far as possible, be maintained until actual contact with the enemy is gained.

As soon as the enemy’s position has been carried, and prior to any attack on a further position, or any other operation whatsoever, every precaution must be taken against a counter-attack. In trench warfare, indiscriminate pursuit with the bayonet must never be allowed unless orders to that effect have been given by the leader of the assaulting party. The attacking troops are not so fresh as the enemy, and experience has shown that unorganized pursuit lends itself to ambush and casualties from machine-gun fire. In most cases the work of immediate pursuit is better done by the supporting artillery, the infantry assisting by rapid fire on the retreating enemy.

ASSAULT PRACTICE.

A useful form of Final Assault Practice which can be adapted to a variety of combat exercises is described in following paragraphs. The following materials are assumed:

“A.” Communicating trenches leading to a fire trench with an open space in front.

“B.” An occupied enemy-trench.

“C.” Gallows with dummies, representing the enemy.

(1) retiring from “B” or
(2) coming up in support of “B” or
(3) making a counter-attack on the captured trench “B.”

PLATE IX.—EACH DUMMY MUST BE REGARDED AS AN ACTUAL ARMED OPPONENT.1. The attacking party makes a controlled assault on “A,” which is cleared of the enemy.

2. It then re-formed and an assault is launched on “B,” after taking which

3. “C” is regarded in one or other of the above ways, and action taken accordingly.

Throughout the training, men must be constantly practised in:

1. The recognized method of carrying the rifle with bayonet fixed.

2. Rapid advance out of deep trenches.

3. Control and maintenance of line and opening fire during an advance.

4. Using the bayonet with effect in the cramped space of communicating and fire trenches.

5. Re-forming and opening of fire after the assault.

6. Acting as leaders of attacking party.

Instructors should endeavor by every means in their power to arouse the interest and imagination of their men during the assault practice. The special phase of the combat which is to be carried out in the exercise should invariably be explained beforehand. Each dummy must be regarded as an actual armed opponent, and each line of dummies as an enemy line attacking, defending, or retiring, and be disposed of accordingly.

Any tendency toward carelessness or slackness must be instantly checked, and it should be impressed on all ranks that a practice assault which is not carried out with the necessary quickness, vigor, and determination is worse than useless.

Lack of imagination, which allows men and their leaders to violate the most elementary principles of tactics in practice assaults against dummies, can lead only to disaster in a real assault against an enemy.

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