The following outline gives a synopsis of information required in various paragraphs for Battalion Orders in Trench Warfare, followed by models of each.
Six orders are given in these models, viz.:
- I.
- Plan of Attack.
- II.
- Order for the Attack.
- III.
- Preliminary Order for a Relief.
- IV.
- March Order for Relief.
- V.
- Plan of Advance.
- VI.
- A Raid.
1. RÔle of Battalion, i. e., general description of offensive and whether battalion is in first line or reserve.
2. Zone of Attack. Accurate description of boundaries of hostile position to be attacked.
3. Objectives. Number of trenches to be assaulted and trench at which offensive will halt.
4. Disposition for the Attack. Companies in assaulting line—companies in support—apportionment of objectives to companies—distance between assaulting and supporting companies—disposition of M. G. Co. and 37 mm. gun—location of battalion C. O. during assault.
5. Disposition of Units in Parallels of Departure. Describe accurately trenches each unit will start from: e. g. Assaulting Cos.—first line and cover trenches. Supporting Cos.—intermediate trenches or places d’armes nearby starting points of battalion C. O., M. G. Co. and 37 mm. gun.
6. Direction of the Attack. Landmark to guide on, also compass direction.
7. Tactical Relation with Neighboring Units. Troops on flanks of battalion and responsibility for liaison therewith. Patrolling to establish connection if necessary.
8. Artillery Support during Attack. Barrage to start at hour H. Where and how long it will halt beyond the last objective.
9. Liaison during Attack. Usual liaison with artillery and aËroplanes—telephone lines to be established during attack—signals such as Bengal lights to show progress of assaulting companies.
10. Supply. Detachments (usually from supporting companies) to carry ammunition. Hour at which and points from which they will start.
11. Evacuation. Evacuation point for wounded and assembly point for prisoners.
Details not stated in this order. Time of attack—detailed instructions for barrage. Liaison to be established after attack—equipment to be taken. Information of the enemy not given as all officers have maps of enemy’s trenches as well as of their own trench system.
1. Time; i. e., hour H.
2. Further details of assault than given in previous order.
3. Further details concerning barrage, i. e., Halts to be made by barrage—rate of travel.
4. Liaison to be established after attack.
5. Supplies to be carried.
III. Preliminary Order for a Relief
(Issued night before reconnaissance; i. e. 24 to 36 hours before relief)
1. (Based on regimental order.) Battalion to be relieved—Sector.
General Description of Sector: Centers of resistance—troops in each—troops on right and left of sector—reserve-command post of Colonel, Command Post of artillery support Commander.
Note: Battalion needs know no more about artillery support than location of command post. Details as to location of guns are not given out.
2. Disposition of Battalion in Center. Accurate description of: First line and units occupying it—intermediate line and units occupying it—support line and units occupying it—Battalion Command post—stations of machine gun company—dressing station.
3. Hour at which usual reconnaissance will be completed—each officer to reconnoiter area assigned him in 2.
4. Hour at which Major will assume command of center of resistance.
IV. Order for the March of the Relief
(Issued after reconnaissance and several hours before relief starts)
1. Dispersion point fixed by Colonel—Battalion’s place in regiment—hour at which battalion clears dispersion point.
2. Relief to be made as per preceding order. Order of march of units in battalion. Routes to be followed and formation taken from dispersion point to point of rendezvous of guides.
3. Hour at which the guides will be at rendezvous. Location of rendezvous. Routes by which guides will conduct various units to their places.
4. Hour and place ration details will report to N. C. O. from battalion headquarters to go to kitchens for rations. Hour at which daily requests for material and ammunition will reach Major. Whether Major has depot to fill emergency requests.
5. Reports to be submitted by Captains. Usually written report upon occupation of area and daily reports submitted at same time as requests for material.
1. Direction and nature of probable attacks.
2. Plan of Defense of center. Duties of first line Companies. Orders for machine guns. Platoons to support machine guns.
3. Counterattack. Platoons for counterattack—their routes—reinforcing platoons to replace them.
4. Artillery Support. To establish barrage in “No Man’s Land” at usual (rocket) call.
5. Supply. Extra grenades or ammunition to be carried by counterattack or reinforcing platoons.
1. Date, hour, objective, and purpose of raid.
2. Composition of and company furnishing raiding party.
3. Assistance to Raiders—Details of Execution of Raid: e. g., Grenadiers to protect flanks. Objective. Direction of attack. Preparation of explosives to destroy enemy’s wire. Rocket signal for blowing up wire, rush of raiders and start of artillery or rifle grenade barrage. Duration of raid. Direction and return of raiders.
4. Duration and location of barrage.
5. Supplies. Raid is generally made by men from an organization in rear (support or reserve). Captain of first line company provides the material: Grenades, tools, explosives, rockets, etc.
I. Plan of Attack
1st Bn. 3rd Inf. 47th Div.,
Bn. Command Post,
1 Nov. 17, 2 p. m.
Field Orders
No. 7
Map
Berry-Au-Bac, N. O.
1. RÔle. In the attack this Bn. will be in the first line. It will attack the west slope of the ENCLUME WOOD in a general offensive in conjunction with the Bns. on both flanks.
2. Zone of Attack. The zone of attack will be limited as follows: On the left by the road from TEMPLE FARM to CORBENY (exclusive), on the right by the imaginary line marked by the points, boyau ST. POL, point 6909 (first German line), point 7109 (cover trench, first line) hill 69.2 point 7216 (German support line) and topographical point 78.8, all these points inclusive.
3. Objectives. 1st. First German line, Plaine trench. 2nd. Cover trench, ENVER PASHA trench. 3rd. Support trenches, L’ENCLUME trench on the east and MARTEAU trench on the west.
On this last objective the assaulting companies will halt, maintaining contact with the enemy by means of contact patrols, especially on the right front towards the FORGERON WOOD and the west edge of the L’ENCLUME WOOD.
4. Disposition for the Attack. The Bn. will attack with two Cos. in the assaulting line and two Cos. in support. Assaulting Cos. (A and B) will take the usual assaulting disposition. Each Co. will be reinforced by a M. G. platoon.
The zones of action of the assaulting Cos. will be divided by the line: Point 6502 (ANSPACH trench), point 6606 (in the BONNET PERSAN WOOD), and the boyau PARSEVAL from point 6712 to point 6919. All these points to be included by the left Co.
The distance between assaulting Cos. (A & B), and supporting Cos. (C & D) will be 300 yards.
The remaining sections of M. G. Co. and the 37 mm. gun will follow the left supporting Co. (C) at 100 yards.
The Bn. C. O. will be located in front of the reinforcing companies to the left of the center, on the general axis of march, the boyau PARSEVAL.
5. Disposition of Units in Parallel of Departure. The assaulting Cos. will use for their parallels of departure the fire and cover line trenches between the boyau ST. POL and LIEVIN (inc.).
The supporting Cos. will use for their parallels of departure the ANSPACH trench, and the places d’armes built in rear of this trench and on each side of the boyau ST. OMER and ST. POL.
The Bn. C. O. with his headquarters, will start from the point of intersection of the ANSPACH trench and the ST. OMER boyau.
The M. G. reserve and 37 mm. gun are located in the 520 M. trench.
6. Direction of the Attack. The general direction of the attack is on the R. R. station at south edge of CORBENY, compass direction N. 10° E.
7. Tactical Relation with Neighboring Units. Left: connecting with 2nd Bn. 3rd Inf. on the road. Permanent liaison will be assured by the assaulting Cos.
Right: connection with 2nd Inf. at the points 6909 and 7216.
The right supporting Co. will take a formation in echelon with the right element refused, this latter element establishing connection with the troops to the right during the advance.
Reconnoitering patrols will also establish connection with the troops on the right in the L’ENCLUME WOOD.
8. Artillery Support during Attack. The assaulting waves will be protected by a moving barrage which will start at the hour (H). The moving barrage will halt and remain on the line 200 yards beyond the last objective at the hour (H plus 50 minutes).
9. Liaison during Attack. Usual liaison with the artillery and airplanes (rockets and flags).
As soon as the assaulting Cos. arrive in or halt before the third objective, a telephone liaison will be established between the Co. commanders and the Bn. commander.
A Bengal line of fire will be lighted by the assaulting Cos. when they reach the 2nd and the 3rd objectives.
10. Supply. Each supporting Co. will send a party often men to the TEMPLE FARM as supply detachments. These detachments will start with ammunition supply at the hour (H plus 1 hour) for the command posts of the assaulting Cos. in the captured position.
11. Evacuation. Evacuation point for wounded will be at RIVOLI CENTER (northeast edge of DE BEAU MARAIS WOOD). Assembly point for prisoners will be at TEMPLE FARM.
Major, 3rd Inf.,
Bn. Comdr.
II. Order for the Attack
1st. Bn. 3rd Inf. 47th Div.,
Bn. Command Post,
4 Nov. 17. 7 p. m.
Field Orders
No. 8
Map.
Berry Au Bac N. O.
1. In accordance with Field Orders #7, these headquarters, the attack will be made at the hour (H).
2. The three objectives of the attack are: 1st, PLAINE trench; 2nd, ENVER PASHA trench; 3rd, L’ENCLUME and MARTEAU trenches.
For the capture of these three objectives the plan of the Bn. commander is as follows:
The assaulting Cos., after taking the 1st and 2nd objectives will proceed to the attack of the 3rd objective, while the mopping up parties clean up the captured trenches. As the assaulting Cos. leave the 2nd objective, the Bn. commander will give the order for the supporting Cos. to start, in order that they will reach the 2nd objective at the same time the assaulting Cos. reach the 3rd. In case the assaulting Cos. are compelled to stop before reaching the 3rd objective, the Bn. commander will use the supporting Cos. to outflank the nest of resistance expected to be encountered in L’ENCLUME wood.
3. The moving barrage will halt 10 minutes immediately in rear of the 2nd objective and 10 minutes on the 3rd objective. With the exception of these halts the barrage will move at a uniform rate of 20 yards per minute.
4. As soon as the Bn. commander reaches the point 6919 a telephone liaison will be established from the starting point in the ANSPACH trench to point 6919.
From point 6919 a signal liaison will be established with the artillery observation post in the EDMOND BUTTE.
5. The supply detachments will carry 400 hand grenades, 50 illuminating and 50 signal rockets.
Major 3rd Inf.,
Bn. Comdr.
III. Preliminary Order for a Relief
Order for the Occupation of a Center of Resistance
3rd Bn. 80th Inf.
1 Nov. 17. 6 p. m.
1. In accordance with orders of the regimental commander, the 80th Inf. will relieve the 132nd Inf. in the TEMPLE sector during the night 2–3 Nov. 17.
In this sector two Bns. are in the first line in the centers of resistance BONNET PERSAN WOOD and PINS BUTTE.
The 3rd Bn. 80th Inf. will occupy the BONNET PERSAN WOOD center, which is limited on the east by the ST. POL boyau (inclusive) and on the west by the TEMPLE FARM-CORBENY road (exclusive) which road is the dividing line between the two centers.
Adjoining units:
On the right the 45th Inf., occupying EPINAL sector.
On the left the 1st Bn., 80th Inf., occupying PINS BUTTE center.
In reserve, 2nd Bn., 80th Inf., in the BEAU MARAIS WOOD.
Command post of the regimental commander (sector commander), TEMPLE FARM.
Command post of the artillery support commander (72nd A. C.), EDMOND BUTTE.
2. Disposition of the Bn. in the BONNET PERSAN WOOD center.
In the first line: Co. A in the firing and doubling trench (Baden trench) between the ST. POL and BONNET PERSAN boyaux (both inclusive), Co. C in the same firing and doubling trench between the BONNET PERSAN boyau (exclusive) and the LIEVIN boyau (inclusive).
In the intermediate line (ANSPACH trench): Co. B and the detachment of pioneers.
In the support line (520 M trench): Co. D and Bn. Hq.
Command post of the Bn. Cmdr. (Commander of the center), Command post of ST. OMER (in the ST. OMER boyau).
Three sections of the M. G. Co. will relieve same numbered sections of the relieved Co. in the different lines of the center. The remainder of the M. G. Co. with the 37 mm. gun will be kept as Bn. reserve in the 520 M trench.
Dressing station: in the 520 M trench at the intersection with ST. OMER boyau.
3. The reconnaissance for the relief will be made early in the morning of 2 Nov. 17 (usual composition) and will be completed at 10 a. m. Each officer will reconnoiter the area assigned to him in this order.
4. After the relief the Bn. Cmdr. will assume command of the center at 6 a. m. 3 Nov. 17.
Major 80th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdr.
IV. Order for the March of the Relief
3rd Bn., 80th Inf.,
2 Nov. 17.—12 o’clock noon.
1. In accordance with orders of Regimental Commander, the dispersion point of the regiment for entering the TEMPLE FARM sector will be PONTAVERS. This Bn. will be the first Bn. to leave. It will clear PONTAVERS at 5 p. m.
2. The occupation of the BONNET PERSAN WOOD center will be made in accordance with Field Orders No. 5, these headquarters. The order of march of the Bn. will be: Co. A, Co. C, Bn. Hq., C. B., Dtch. Pioneers, Co. D, Mach. Gun Co., and 37 mm. gun.
The march from PONTAVERS to HALTE will be via the CORBENY road in column of squads with 200 yards distance between cos. From HALTE to point of rendezvous of the guides the Bn. will march along the right of R. R. track in column of twos with 200 yards distance between cos.
3. The usual guides will be sent from the relieved Bn. to be at the point of rendezvous by 6 o’clock p. m. The point of rendezvous of the guides will be south of EDMOND BUTTE at the intersection of the CORBENY road and the R. R. track.
From this point the cos. will be conducted by the guides to their respective positions in the trenches. Cos. A, B, and Pioneer Dtch. will use for their route the ST. POL boyau. Cos. C, D, Bn. Hq., M. G. Co. and 37 mm. gun will use for their route the ST. OMER boyau.
4. At 7 o’clock p. m. each night on and after 3 Nov. 17, the ration details from each organization will report at the point of rendezvous of the guides to a N. C. O. from Bn. Hq. who will conduct them to the kitchens at PONTAVERS for rations. Requests for material and ammunition will be sent to the Bn. Cmdr. every morning to reach him before 6:30 o’clock a. m. Emergency requests made at other times will be filled as far as possible from the Bn. Cmdr’s depot.
5. Company commanders will make a written report to Bn. Cmdr. as soon as they have occupied their areas, and thereafter will make daily reports to be submitted with their requests of material.
Major 80th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdr.
V. Plan of Defense
1st Bn., 20th Inf., 43rd Div.,
Bn. Command Post,
29 Nov. 17, 2 o’clock p. m.
Field Orders
No. 10
Map.
Berry-au-Bac N. O.
1. Direction of Probable Attack. The enemy may possibly make a frontal attack starting from PLAINE and ENVER PASHA trenches and supporting it on the left from L’ENCLUME WOOD, or a flank attack starting from PLAINE redoubt for the purpose of striking our first line and ANSPACH trench from the rear by first penetrating the sector on our right.
2. Defense of the Center of Resistance. When the assault develops Cos. A. and C. in the first line, will maintain the defense of their own line by their own means. The two machine guns located at 6501 ANSPACH trench will be taken immediately to the right flank of Co. A, near POSTE DE NEMOURS and take up a position to fire to the north toward L’ENCLUME WOOD and to the east toward PLAINE redoubt. The C. O., Co. B, will place a platoon permanently in the ST. POL boyau at the junction of the ANSPACH trench, and, when the alarm is given will send it forward to occupy and hold the POSTE DE NEMOURS salient in support of the M. G. Platoon. When this platoon has moved forward, its place will be taken by 1 Platoon of Co. B, (located in ANSPACH trench between the ST. POL and BONNET PERSAN boyaux) which will protect the right flank.
3. Counterattack. The two remaining Platoons of Co. B are assigned to the commanders of Cos. A and C respectively for use in counterattack. One Platoon will employ the BONNET PERSAN boyau, the other the LIEVIN boyau. The Bn. Cmdg. will replace these two Platoons by two Platoons of Co. D, in the 520 M. trench.
4. Artillery Support. The supporting artillery will establish a barrage in No Man’s Land in front of the first line. The barrage will be called by the usual signal.
5. Supply. The counterattack and reinforcing Platoons will carry 5 grenades per man in addition to their regular equipment.
Major 20th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdg.
VI. Order for a Raid
1st Bn., 80th Inf.,
Bn. Command Post,
10 Nov., ’17, 2 p. m.
1. At 3 o’clock a. m., 20 Nov., ’17, a raid will be carried out against the western salient of PLAINE TRENCH for the purpose of capturing prisoners.
2. The raiding party will consist of a lieutenant, 10 hand grenadiers, and 20 riflemen from Co. D, 80th Inf.
3. Two parties of grenadiers each will be furnished from the same Co. to protect the flanks of the raiding party on each side of the salient. The raiding party will penetrate the enemy’s first line by a frontal attack, capture the defenders of the salient and return directly by the same route. The raiding party will crawl into “No Man’s Land” in front of the PLAINE salient until it reaches the enemy’s barbed wire and will prepare detonators for the necessary breaches. The signal to explode the detonators and rush into the salient will be given by the leader of the raid by rocket. The raid will last ten minutes.
4. For ten minutes after the rocket signal the artillery will maintain a barrage on the flanks and in the rear of the PLAINE salient to protect the raiding party.
5. Co. C, which occupies the first line in front of the PLAINE salient, will provide a supply of 60 detonators, 200 hand grenades, and 3 signal rockets for use of the raiding party.
Major 80th Inf.,
Bn. Cmdr.
