The following is a method for extending men to dig by night a traversed and recessed fire trench which is not already traced:

1. Detailing a covering party to guard against sudden attack.

2. Extension of the remainder to two paces.

3. Number quietly down the line by 4s.

4. Nos. 1 and 4 stop 2 paces back (these men then become traverse men).

5. Nos. 2 and 4 drive in their picks (half way between themselves and left-hand neighbors and in line with their toes).

6. Front rank to mark out tasks (Nos. 2 and 3 commence from the pick between them and mark out 7½ feet each way, that is, 2½ pick-handles’ distance).

7. Rear rank mark out tasks (commencing from pick between Nos. 1 and 4 to end of each recess).

As soon as this is done the men commence work, the officer going down the line at once to check any errors before they have gone too far. While this may sound very complicated it will be found that after a little training the men become accustomed to it and it is a very simple matter. This method renders unnecessary the giving of many orders in the dark once the men are extended, and prevents a great amount of confusion. There will always be a slight amount of readjustment of the work, such as the widening of traverses, etc., but it is easily done after the work has been started and even after the trench has been dug to some depth.