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diff --git a/old/60197-0.txt b/old/60197-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index bd8c03d..0000000 --- a/old/60197-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2265 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Attack in Trench Warfare, by André Laffargue - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Attack in Trench Warfare - Impressions and Reflections of a Company Commander - -Author: André Laffargue - -Release Date: August 30, 2019 [EBook #60197] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ATTACK IN TRENCH WARFARE *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Brian Coe, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - The Attack in Trench Warfare - - Impressions and Reflections of a Company Commander - - - _By_ - - CAPT. ANDRÉ LAFFARGUE - _153d Infantry, French Army_ - - - Translated for the - INFANTRY JOURNAL - by an Officer of Infantry - - Washington: - THE UNITED STATES INFANTRY ASSOCIATION - 1916 - - - - - Copyright, 1916 - - U. S. INFANTRY ASSOCIATION - - - NATIONAL CAPITAL PRESS, INC., WASHINGTON, D. C. - - - - - INTRODUCTION. - - -It is probable that no book on any military topic published since the -outbreak of the present war has excited an interest and comment in -European military circles equal to that produced by the publication of -Captain Laffargue’s _Etude sur l’attaque dans la période actuelle de la -guerre_. It is, in fact, the first publication from the pen of a -military man dealing with the general and detailed aspects of the -tactics of the attack in trench warfare that has come to our attention. - -The methods of training of infantry units for this class of warfare and -the degree of careful preparation necessary for the attainment of any -measure of success are among the most important features of Captain -Laffargue’s study. The comparison which he makes between the conduct in -battle of two regiments of very different quality, brings out very -clearly the difference between real infantry and the cannon-fodder -variety which is too often considered adequate for war purposes. - -The fact that this study was so highly thought of by General Joffre that -he caused it to be published to the French Army before it was given out -for general publication, speaks for its excellence more eloquently than -any commendation which could otherwise be bestowed upon it. - - G. A. LYNCH, _Captain, Infantry_. - Editor of the INFANTRY JOURNAL. - - - - - THE ATTACK IN TRENCH WARFARE. - - Impressions and Reflections of a Company Commander.[1] - - By Captain André Laffargue, 153d Infantry (French). - - - - - I. - CHARACTER OF THE PRESENT ATTACK. - - -The attack at the present period has become one of siege warfare. We -must accept it as it is, study it, tax our wits to find special means to -prepare effectively for it and to orient the instruction of troops -entirely with this in view. - -The attack on all points of our front consists in breaking through -several lines of defense upon a depth of about three kilometres and in -preventing the enemy from holding on further back on new lines already -prepared or merely improvized. - -The attack is therefore an immense, unlimited, simultaneous assault on -all points of the front of attack, furiously pushed straight to the -front until all the enemy’s defenses are broken through. - -_The characteristic of this attack is that it is not progressive but is -an assault of a single rush; it must be accomplished in one day as -otherwise the enemy reforms, and the defense, with terrible engines of -sudden destruction, will later recover its supremacy over the attack, -which cannot quickly enough regain the mastery of this consuming fire._ -The whole series of frightful defenses cannot be nibbled at -successively; they must be swallowed whole at one stroke with one -decision. - -Therefore, the fight is an unlimited assault. In order to attempt the -assault, what is necessary? - -Assaulting troops—and all troops are far from being assaulting troops. - -An overwhelming superiority of fire all the time and not only at the -moment of assault. - -The possibility of rushing forth from a line of shelter a short distance -from the enemy, a condition equally to be sought for in any other phase -of the combat. - -In order that the assault may be unlimited, the sacrifice being resolved -upon, it must be pushed through to a finish and the enemy drowned under -successive waves, _calculating, however, that infantry units disappear -in the furnace of fire like handfuls of straw_. - -Is it possible to pierce the enemy’s lines? I firmly believe so since -the 9th of May[2]. But before that, this hypothesis seemed to me a mad -temerity. I had taken part in the Battle of Nancy and in the Battle of -Ypres where it appears that the Germans, after a terrifying deluge of -heavy projectiles during interminable days, tried to break through us, -which I certainly did not think possible, seeing the paltry and easily -shattered efforts of their infantry. In considering the forces put into -action which did not succeed in making us yield a foot, I believed in -the inviolability of the lines of defense. On the 9th of May, by a -single dash, our first wave submerged in one hour all the enemy’s -first-line defenses to a depth of several kilometres. - -The assault is extremely murderous; it is an implacable struggle in -which one or the other must fall and in which the engines of combat not -destroyed beforehand often make terrible havoc in the ranks of -unprotected assaulting troops. - -He who risks his life and does not wish to die but to succeed, becomes -at times ingenious. That is why I, who was part of the human canister -for more than nine months, have set about to consider the means of -saving the inestimable existence of so many humble comrades, or at least -to figure out how the sacrifice of their lives may result in victory. - - - - - II. - PREPARATION OF THE ATTACK. - - - FORMS OF THE GERMAN DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS. - -The German defensive organizations, as well as I have been able to -establish, appear to be in general as follows:[3] - -1. A continuous line of trenches over the whole front, comprising on a -limited depth two or three trenches, joined by numerous communicating -trenches (_boyaux_), and separated by 100 to 300 metres, each one often -protected by a wire entanglement. - -2. Centers of resistance, comprising large villages, woods, or immense -field works, consisting of a network of trenches which are very strongly -organized and in which machine guns under cupolas as well as pieces of -artillery are mounted. - -Such are, for example, the Labyrinth and _Ouvrages Blancs_ of Neuville. -These centers of resistance are separated by intervals of 800 to 1,500 -metres; they mutually flank each other, and their intervals are -generally guarded by closed works. - -3. A second line of defense, which is not always continuous. - - - PREPARATION BY THE ARTILLERY. - -In order to attack with minimum loss, the infantry-requires that the -artillery in its preparation carry through the following program: - -(_a_) _Destroy the wire entanglements._ - -(_b_) _Neutralize or destroy the defenders of the trenches._ - -(_c_) _Prevent the artillery from coming into action._ - -(_d_) _Prevent the bringing up of reserves._ - -(_e_) _Destroy the machine guns as soon as they reveal their positions._ - - - (_a_) _Destruction of the Wire Entanglement._ - -The 75 produces sufficient breaches in the wire entanglements for the -infantry to get through; in order to accomplish this, each piece remains -laid on the same point of the entanglement. But the infantry should not -expect the complete and continuous destruction of the entanglement: that -would require too many projectiles. - - -(_b_) _Neutralization or Destruction of the Defenders of the Trenches._ - -The Germans, whenever they can, dig very deep and well protected -shelters, in the interior of which they crowd themselves. The 75 has no -effect on these shelters, and the infantry of the attack, who are -delighted to see the parapets, the sand bags, planks, posts, etc., fly -into the air as if pulverized by the ripping detonations, are stupefied -on finding themselves greeted by a heavy fire as soon as they start out -of their trenches. In consequence of this, the infantry is convinced -that whenever the enemy has been able to construct deep shelters, an -assault is certain massacre, in spite of the prodigious expenditure of -75’s, unless other and more powerful means of destruction have been -employed. - -The aerial torpedo, on the contrary, seems to produce terrifying effects -on the defenders of the trenches; it has also considerable destructive -effect. This power is not always sufficient to break in the shelter -caverns, but it completely knocks to pieces the firing trenches, -produces cave-ins, blocks the openings of the shelters, and thus walls -in the occupants. By its formidable explosion, the extraordinary effects -of its blast, and the concussion that it induces in the ground, it -annihilates all energy in the defenders, who at every instant think -their last minute has come. - -In the sector of attack of my company on the 9th of May, a portion of -the trenches in front of the 3d and 4th Sections was severely pounded by -the fire of the 75 and especially by the aerial torpedoes, while the -remainder of the trenches in front of the 1st and 2d Sections suffered -only from the preparation by the 75. The difference was remarkable. -While the 1st and 2d Sections, hardly out of their parallel, saw the -enemy rise up and melted away under his suddenly opened rifle fire, and -especially under that of a machine gun, the 4th Section reached the -German trench, crossed it without hindrance, and continued on its way. -As for the 3d Section, it had been received by only a few shots and had -crossed the first trench in one rush, when it received some shots in the -back. Returning to the rear, the men found several dozen Germans -crouching in the deep shelters, absolutely all in and crying for mercy. -The cannonade had ceased, and in spite of the violent fusillade cracking -outside announcing an attack, they had not budged. Only a few had the -courage to shoot in the back from an opening the French soldiers who -passed close by. - -Conversations with numerous infantry officers have definitely convinced -me that the heaviest bombardment by 75’s alone is ineffective against -trenches organized during a long period. The heavy artillery has too -much dispersion, while the aerial torpedo, besides its considerable -destructive and demoralizing effects, is very accurate. - -Thus the preparation on the zone of the first trenches may be made -largely by means of aerial torpedoes. But it is necessary that the -torpedo guns be placed close together in a continuous line (at least one -to every 100 metres of trenches) and that each one have its zone clearly -defined. - -At Arras, these guns were not very numerous, and their preparation was -consequently only partial; in trying to pound several lines of trenches -at the same time, large spaces remained outside the effects of their -action, while certain corners were entirely demolished. - -In the artillery depots, very numerous gun crews should be organized -beforehand for the torpedo guns, and not date only from the day before -and be at their first try out, as at Arras. - -The aerial torpedo, terrorizing the defenders in the interior of their -shelters, already neutralizes them in part; but the best plan of -eliminating the enemy is to destroy him. In order to destroy him, it is -necessary to force him to expose himself, to oblige him to come out to -become the prey of the iron hail. For this there are several means: - -Have the infantry advance during the preparation by the artillery; - -Simulate the attack; - -Finally a third method that can be transferred from the domain of fox -hunting to that of the war with Germany: smoke him out. - -The first plan is not applicable from first trenches as they are too -near the enemy; we shall speak of this again. - -In order to simulate an attack, interrupt the artillery fire suddenly -and _open rifle fire with a great deal of shouting_; the enemy hurries -out immediately to his combat positions; after several minutes’ waiting, -a violent rafale of 75. This is what we did from time to time when we -wished to make the Germans come out into their trenches so that we could -demolish some of them by artillery fire. At Arras, there was a brusque -interruption of artillery fire for ten minutes, but it was an absolute -and impressive silence. The Germans were not misled by it, and when the -interruption for the real attack came with its fusillade and noise, they -manned their trenches to meet it. - -As a third scheme _we have suffocating grenades and cartridges_, which -irritate the eyes and produce tears and render the neighborhood of the -spot where they fall untenable for several minutes. We could also have -projectiles of larger dimensions, containing materials giving off heavy, -suffocating gas. Thus this gas would creep over the ground, fall into -the bottom of the trenches, and enter the shelters, driving out the -occupants, who would then come under the fire of the high-explosive -shells. This gas, being, moreover, only suffocating, would afterwards -have the advantage of not incommoding our soldiers in their trench or -during the attack. - -While the heavy artillery may be replaced very advantageously by -torpedoes for the preparation on the continuous line of trenches, it may -be employed effectively against the centers of resistance, where its -more concentrated effects will not produce the simply superficial -disorganization of the 75, which leaves the cupolas of the machine guns -intact. - -The most important part to destroy in the centers of resistance _are the -edges_, for the attack breaks through easily enough in the intermediate -spaces but immediately comes under flanking fire. Moreover, a center of -resistance whose borders are disorganized, becomes a harmless island, -the attack of which by main strength would be terribly costly; for -instance, the Labyrinth, Neuville-Saint-Vaast, Carency, which were -passed by in less than an hour by groups arriving at the Cemetery of -Neuville, at the La Folie Woods, and at the first houses of Souchez. -_Therefore try especially to neutralize the borders_ by concentrating on -them the fire of batteries suitably placed with a view to following the -attack on the intervals. If one could put a _veil over the centers of -resistance_ to isolate them and obstruct the view of the flanking works, -the problem would be partly solved. It would then be necessary to have -projectiles giving off large quantities of heavy smoke, which would -spread out over the ground and dissipate very slowly. - -The intermediate works in the intervals are easy to take because of -their small dimensions. On the 9th of May, they were generally found -knocked to pieces. - - - (_c_) _Preparation against Artillery._ - -_The infantry urgently demands that the hostile artillery be put out of -action before the attack._ If the enemy artillery gets into action, the -troops, crowded into the trenches, _boyaux_,[4] and parallels, have to -suffer a painful bombardment, which causes losses and obliges everyone -to hunt cover—an inauspicious attitude for troops which will have -shortly to rush forward. Communications become difficult, the telephonic -connections are broken, everyone gets nervous and perturbed. On the -attack proper, artillery fire has an extraordinary disturbing effect; -the bullets of the rifles and machine guns cause disorder by the sudden -and serious losses they occasion, but the shells spread confusion almost -solely by the sight and the crash of explosions. On the 9th of May, we -hardly received any shells at all, not one during the attack itself, and -this contributed in a large degree to the magnificent _élan_ of the -first attacking waves. - -At Langemarck on the contrary, in a night attack on the trenches on the -4th of December, the unsilenced hostile artillery bombarded our trenches -of departure, and I had my second section dispersed through being -saluted by a rafale of shrapnel that had put the chief of section and -the file closers, _hors de combat_. - -In order to silence the hostile artillery, it seems that, knowing the -probable emplacement of the batteries, it would be necessary suddenly -and without warning to let loose on them a deluge of fire. The personnel -of these batteries not being continually at their firing positions, this -sudden tempest would surprise them and keep them inside their shelters. -In the midst of the confusion, the fire of the batteries which try to -get into action is much disturbed, impeded, and frequently interrupted. -On the 9th of May, the hostile artillery must have been completely -surprised and literally stupefied during the whole morning, for they -abandoned their infantry. Only a few pieces fired some hasty shots. - -In order to render the emplacements of the batteries completely -untenable, they might be overwhelmed with shells giving off clouds of -smoke and also asphyxiating shells; by this means the cannoneers would -be obliged to quit their pieces or serve them under extremely difficult -conditions. - -The aviators hovering over the hostile lines could complete the -preparation by indicating by means of luminous balls to the batteries on -watch the hostile batteries not yet silenced or which have come into -action. - - - (_d_) _Preparation against Reinforcements and Reserves._ - -In the second and third trenches, the garrison does not generally occupy -its firing positions; it is obliged to get to them in case of attack. As -long as the artillery preparation lasts, it does not budge from the -shelters; but as soon as the artillery ceases its fire, the garrison -hastily mans the positions. It is necessary then for the artillery to -extend its fire to the second and third lines and to continue this fire -while the infantry rushes the first line. The approach trenches and -their junctions should especially be swept. This has, moreover, the -advantage of keeping crouched in their holes the defenders of the first -line, who are not reassured by sensing the compact sheaves of the -terrible explosive passing close over their heads. The preparation on -the second line of defense is absolutely identical. - -It is next necessary to cut the battlefield in two and isolate the zone -of the first and second lines of defence, constantly manned by the -troops near their combat positions, from the zone of cantonment. It is a -matter of establishing an insuperable barrier. A barrier solely of -ordinary shell fire is extremely expensive. The Germans have more simply -solved the question by establishing a barrier of asphyxiating gas. They -have employed this extremely effective scheme, it seems, at Bagatelle in -the Argonne, on the 30th of June and the 1st and 2d of July. - -The bombardment of the cantonment by long-range heavy guns throws -disorder among the troops who are at rest. Suddenly surprised in the -most profound quietude, the alarm causes all the more flurry and -demoralization. Obliged to follow roads sprinkled here and there with -fragments, they thus arrive diminished in number on the field of battle. - - - (_e_) _Destruction of Machine Guns._ - -The weapon which inflicts the heaviest losses on infantry is the machine -gun, which uncovers itself suddenly and in a few seconds lays out the -assailants by ranks. It is therefore absolutely necessary to destroy -them before the attack or have the means of putting them out of action -as soon as they disclose themselves. - -During the days which precede the attack, a minute study of the hostile -trenches should be made by the infantry officers who have to attack -them, in concert with the artillery officers who pound the same -trenches; their study should bear especially upon the emplacements of -the hostile machine guns. - -The machine-gun emplacements are recognized in the continuous trenches -by the low horizontal loopholes much larger than ordinary loopholes. -They are generally quite easily recognized. Occasionally the machine -guns are in a little separate work which is quite characteristic. - -Even when they cannot be directly observed, machine-gun emplacements -should be pre-supposed in locations such as the following: - -1. In a re-entrant in the line. - -[Illustration] - -2. On the second line, particularly when it presents an elevated -position permitting a tier of fire over the first line. - -[Illustration] - -3. Squarely in front to obtain a flanking fire; in this case, they are -found in a small _boyau_ (branch trench) which leaves the principal -trench, and it is very difficult to see them from the front. - -[Illustration] - -Thus, in front of La Targette, in studying the position in profile and -having moved considerably toward the right for that purpose, I -discovered a machine-gun emplacement which completely enfiladed the -front of the German trenches for 600 metres. - -One generally believes he recognizes a very large number of machine-gun -emplacements; but it is infinitely better to mark the position of too -many than to overlook one of them; moreover, the Germans have in their -defensive organization an unsuspected number of them. - -_Means of Destroying the Machine Guns._—_Machine Guns of the -Trenches._—In the course of preparation by artillery, a very distinct -part of the program is reserved for the destruction of the machine-gun -nests. The destruction of the machine guns should not be commenced as -soon as they have been located, that is to say, often several days -before the final preparations, for the enemy would have ample time to -shift them. The 75 is employed to destroy the machine guns. -Unfortunately, on account of the dispersion, it does not perfectly -fulfil its rôle; its shots often fall to one side and a great number of -them are often necessary to find exactly the small space that holds the -machine gun. - -I recollect that before the attack of May 9, I fretted with impatience -and went continually to find the artillery observer, as I saw an -accursed rectangular loophole obstinately remain intact up to the end. -When we started forward, fire burst out from this loophole, and two -sections were wiped out. - -To destroy these machine guns, there would be needed not only cannon -placed at 1,500 metres, which have many other tasks, but cannon placed -in the trench itself. The _mountain 80_ seems to realize the desired -conditions of effectiveness and mobility. Hidden in the trench before -the preparation, it unmasks itself during that operation; it takes under -direct fire like a rifle all the machine-gun shelters successively, -occupying itself with those alone and not leaving them until they are -all completely out of action. - -_Destruction of Machine Guns that may be set up outside the -Trenches._—On the 9th of May, the survivors of my company and of the -adjoining company, about eighty men, arrived at 11 o’clock[5] about 200 -metres from the cemetery of Neuville-Saint-Vaast. The cemetery being -unoccupied, the field of battle seemed void of Germans. In the distance, -the batteries were fleeing. Two machine guns remained in the mill; this -was the only resistance over an immense space, but it was sufficient. -Impossible for my men to advance; we signal the fact with difficulty to -the artillery, which from this time on is under open field conditions; -it opens fire a long time afterwards and mistakes the objective. Then -before the eyes of our furious men, abandoned by all because they were -too far to the front, the cemetery fills up with Germans. Four hours -afterwards, the 146th appears on the field and is mowed down by the -machine guns; the next day the 229th succeeds it; new repetition with a -slight and extremely costly advance. - -With these machine guns revealing themselves thus without our being able -to foresee their emplacement, and taking up positions to stop our -progress in a region no longer familiar to us, we must have the means of -suppressing them instantly. The field artillery is too far away; -communication hardly exists after passing beyond the extremity of the -telephone lines. The question is of the greatest importance and merits -study. It would be absolutely necessary that the first waves of attack -be followed, after the taking of the first lines of trenches, by light -guns, the 37 for example, drawn by their cannoneers. These independent -crews would be all eyes and ears to discover the machine guns and -destroy them immediately. There are enough officers or noncommissioned -officers of artillery to command them intelligently. - - - - - III. - FORM OF ATTACK.[6] - - -To create a complete gap, it is necessary: - -(_a_) _To take the first line of the hostile defense (zone of the first -trenches and centers of resistance)_; - -(_b_) _To take the second line of defense_; - -(_c_) _To prevent the enemy from reestablishing a barrier by the aid of -reinforcements brought up in haste beyond the zone already fortified._ - -To overcome successively these difficulties, one must have: - -(_a_) A first line of attack composed of several waves of assault with -(as an element of preparation) a formidable artillery (field, heavy, and -torpedo guns) minutely regulated. - -(_b_) A second line of attack as strong as the first, except perhaps in -front of the centers of resistance, sent straight to the front all in -one piece exactly like the first line. The same precise and effective -artillery preparation is not here present, but it is compensated for by -groups of light guns and machine guns destined rapidly to destroy all -resistance. Accompanying batteries (_batteries d’accompagnement_) start -as soon as the first trenches are taken. - -(_c_) A reserve without initial assignment, destined to reinforce any -point and conquer any irreducible or hindering resistance. This reserve -is entirely at the disposition of the superior commander, while the -first and second lines are no longer in his hands after they are in -their parallel of departure. On the 9th of May, this reserve was made up -of the troops which should have normally composed the second line of -attack, which did not exist. This explains the disastrous delay of its -engagement, which was furthermore very hesitating, because it tried to -maneuver before having broken through and waited for the mêlée to clear -away in order to maneuver. - -(_d_) Cavalry, auto-cannon, auto-machine guns, battalions of infantry on -automobiles with pioneer crews to clear the roads.—Large units, ready to -commence new combats, capable of being brought up within two or three -hours.—_Do not, after the hole has been pierced, depend any longer upon -the regiments who made it._ - - - RÔLE OF THE FIRST LINE.[7] - - - _Its Method of Action._ - -The first line is composed of two or three waves. The features of the -assault vary according to the distance to be crossed in getting at the -enemy. - -_Distance Less than 100 Metres._—The first wave, composed of entire -companies in line, the men at half-pace interval, rushes to the assault -without pause as soon as the artillery fire ceases. It should endeavor -to reach the enemy before he can get out of his shelters. It does not -generally have to fire, except perhaps at the last moment in order to -cross the entanglement if the enemy opens fire (see second case). - -_Distance Greater than 100 Metres._—Attack by waves of companies, in -which those in front are divided into two parts: - -1. A line of skirmishers at 5 paces, formed either by one section -deployed or by groups of skirmishers furnished by each section (calm and -resolute men). - -2. Fifty metres behind comes the line of attack, men in one rank, elbow -to elbow or at one pace; the company and section[8] commanders in front -of the line; four metres behind the line of attack, the rank formed by -the file closers. - -In this case, one cannot count on surprising the enemy; he will open a -more or less violent fire, especially during the crossing of the wire -entanglement. It is very illusory to imagine that any company is stoical -enough to allow itself to be fired on at point blank without replying -when it distinctly sees the enemy; it will be necessary to open fire, -and this will throw the assaulting line into disorder. - -The thin line of skirmishers is intended to give this protection by fire -in order that the line of attack may keep its elbow-to-elbow formation -without firing until almost the last. - -At Neuville-Saint-Vaast, I was obliged personally to act as a -skirmisher, and I have since then strongly felt that something was -lacking in our line of attack. We arrived at the first entanglement at -80 metres from the enemy without firing, but there on account of the -violence of the adverse fire, our fusillade broke out. I myself recall -that I marched straight ahead under the protection of my rifle. Every -time a “flat cap” raised up and aimed at me, I threw the rifle to my -shoulder rapidly; my shot came near enough to make him duck; I profited -by this short respite to advance into the wire or dash ahead some 20 -metres, always watching and firing whenever a “flat cap” reappeared. -Thus, emptying the magazine on the march, I was able to mount the -parapet of the German trench without having permitted the enemy to fire -a single aimed shot at me. If the man who marches unprotected in the -spaces swept by bullets scorns the danger, the one who is sheltered is -inclined to exaggerate toward the side of protection, and the men who -are in the trenches when the bullets pass cannot keep from instinctively -ducking. It is a sensation which the attack should take advantage of. - -The skirmishers should be calm and resolute men, and good shots (often -old reserve soldiers, well seasoned and less susceptible of losing their -nerve and intent upon preserving their own lives). - -They should each march upon a particular point of the hostile trench and -watch it closely. They open fire only when they get the order from the -company commander marching between the two echelons. - -This manner of making the assault strongly resembles that brought out by -De Wet in “Three Years of War.” It is the individual assault where each -soldier shows himself as a real fighter. - -_The March on the Line of Attack._—Each echelon starts out successively -at a single bound and moves at a walk (even in cadence, if it were -possible). It is curious to observe how much this pace conduces to cold -resolution and fierce scorn of the adversary. At Neuville, _all units -instinctively started at a walk_. Afterwards take the double time at -slow cadence, in order to maintain the cohesion; make several rushes, if -necessary, of 80 to 100 metres. They should not be multiplied, at the -risk of breaking the _élan_. - -When a great effort has been made to scorn the fire of the adversary, it -should not be destroyed by a change to an attitude signifying fear. - -At 60 metres from the enemy, break into charge. - -_The Alignment._—To march in line is a capital point, the importance of -which one must have experienced in tragic moments to tell how prodigious -is its influence. Moreover, the march in line is as old as war itself. -The alignment holds each in his place, carries along those who hesitate, -holds back the enthusiasts, and gives to everyone the warm and -irresistible feeling of mutual confidence. At Neuville, we marched at -first at a walk, then at a slow double time, aligned as on parade. I -constantly heard behind me through the rattling of the machine guns, the -epic, splendid shout of supreme encouragement running all along the -line, “Keep in line! Keep in line!” down to the humble reservist, C—, -who in spite of the bullets making gaps all about in the ranks, kept all -of his young and agitated comrades on the line. - -Thus rushing like a wall, we were irresistible. - -_Crossing the Wire Entanglements._—From the moment the entanglement is -reached, the period of charge and individual combat begins. The men can -no longer be kept from firing; each one tries to protect himself with -his own rifle. - -At Neuville, we arrived at a first entanglement at 80 metres from the -trenches almost in line and without firing. At the entanglement we lay -down, and fire was opened; each one crossed the entanglement -individually, lay down on the other side, and recommenced firing. The -line reformed without interruption of fire. I then wished to cease -firing in order to charge, but they did not hear me. Then I stood up, -ran alone toward the enemy, and seeing me thus, the company immediately -arose and dashed across the second entanglement. - -_Taking the Other Trenches._—The first trench taken, it should be -cleaned out, not a man capable of doing harm should be left behind; it -will not do to leave to others, for instance to the grenadiers, the task -of destroying those who can still harm us. At Neuville, we crossed the -first trench in one rush and marched on without stopping; it was then -that we were shot at from behind and obliged to turn back to massacre -them all. - -The first trench conquered, the line should be reformed lying down ten -metres beyond the trench. Each man arriving on this new line should open -fire against the defenders of the second trench. When the line is -reformed, it should start the attack again as before. - -The following trenches are crossed without interruption, always -advancing. - -For the first wave, _there is no limit_; let it go through as far as -possible. On the 9th of May, the first line ran without stopping as far -as the cemetery of Neuville, La Folie Woods, and the first houses of -Souchez. - -The second wave should start forward at the moment the first line -reaches the hostile trenches. If it starts sooner, it will unite with -the first at the entanglement and be involved in the fight for the first -trench; it will be broken up prematurely, and from the moment that it is -no longer a separate mass, it cannot be considered as a reinforcement. - -While the first wave drives straight ahead, and can do nothing against -the surprises of the enemy, the second and third waves, warned by what -happens to the first, can thus take certain precautions without -diminishing their _élan_, such as obliquing the sections that would be -exposed to the fire of machine guns not yet out of action. - -The reinforcement by successive waves of entire companies leads to a -vexatious mixture of units. It is necessary that the surviving officers -and noncommissioned officers group around them men of their own company -but not miscellaneous units. - - - _Instruction of the First Line._ - -The assault being the most severe phase of the combat, it is necessary, -in order to face it and push it through, that the will of each -individual be transformed largely by habits and reflexes. Therefore, -hold each day an assault exercise over ground which resembles in detail -that over which the real assault will have to be made. - -The points which should be borne in mind are as follows: - -_The Alignment._—Be particularly strict on this question; its extreme -importance is recognized. See that the line is extremely well dressed -during the execution of the rushes. - -_The Charge._—The company, kept in line, is thus led to a short distance -from the enemy and there released. Then all together along the whole -line, lower the bayonets to the height of the waist; this has an -extremely impressive effect. - -The charge should be frenzied and furious, and this the men should well -understand. - -_The File Closers._—The file closers should form a rank four metres -behind the line, repeating the commands, watching especially the -alignment, and maintaining each man in his place by calling to him by -name. One can hardly realize the effectiveness of these personal -observations in the midst of the bullets. We have no file closers; our -noncommissioned officers have a general tendency to run out in front -like the bravest soldiers to get into the individual fight, forgetting -their men; their training and duties as file closers should receive -constant attention during the exercises in the assault. - -_Taking the Next Trenches._—_Pursuit over Free Ground._—Generally in -assaulting exercises, everything stops after the first trench is taken; -everyone is out of breath, and only a few men here and there, generally -noncommissioned officers, try to push on shouting, but soon, being -absolutely alone, they have to lie down panting and spent. This is what -always happens in our battalion exercises. - -The exercise means nothing unless there is impressed on the mind of -everyone the deep-rooted idea of routing all the defenders in one sweep. -Each man should know that after having crossed the first trench, he -should go on a few paces, lie down, open fire on the hostile groups who -occupy the second trench, then get ready to start forward as before, and -charge again with the same vigor in spite of fatigue. - -We always did this in our exercises, and it was done the same way on the -9th of May. I know men who were shot in the back by German wounded after -having crossed the first trench to reform beyond it as had been -prescribed. In spite of frightful gaps, a line of men kneeling was, -however, reformed beyond the conquered trench and by its fire drove the -defenders of the second trench back into their holes. - -As long as there remains a trench to conquer, _prohibit absolutely all -advance through the boyaux_ (communicating trenches); always reform in -line. But the trenches having been taken, the zone of open ground is -reached where the enemy will try to reestablish some resistance here and -there; it will be necessary to advance with more precaution _and to try -and creep through inside his lines and throw him into disorder by -surprise_. Form in each section patrols, each one having at least one -noncommissioned officer; they should be trained to start out -spontaneously as soon as the defenses of the enemy have been passed, and -to spread out in front of the company, trying to creep through the -_boyaux_ to get possession of important points without being seen. These -patrols, equipped with revolvers and grenades, should be practised in -exercises involving combats in _boyaux_. - -_Skirmish Formation._—In close combat, men fight much more by shooting -at point blank and very often from the hip than with the bayonet. The -man should therefore be trained to use his rifle in close fighting. - -First teach him to watch that part of the parapet and the loopholes on -which he marches in order to forestall the shots of the enemy; then to -aim rapidly, throwing the piece to the shoulder to get the first shot at -the enemy who is aiming at him; begin by bringing up the piece and -aiming slowly, and then increase the rapidity of movement; the man -should observe each time where his line of sight strikes. He should have -his magazine filled for hand-to-hand fighting and know how to refill it -lying down or while running. Thanks to this precaution, after having -emptied my magazine at the first entanglement, I was able to hold my own -with full magazine against three Germans who got in my way. - - - RÔLE OF THE SECOND LINE, THE “REINFORCEMENTS.”[9] - - - _Its Method of Action._ - -The most important question concerning the penetration of the enemy’s -line is perhaps the action of the reinforcements (_renforts_), and as -that action has always fallen short, we have never been able to attain -the victory which has seemed so nearly within our reach. - -The inertia of the second line and its expenditure without effect arise -from two causes. - -To take the first trenches is a task relatively easy; the artillery -preparation is minutely regulated; the terrain is well known, and the -attack is therefore free and open and is pushed through without -reservation. But when the first lines have been crossed, one enters -thenceforth into the domain of the unknown, one is on the lookout for -ambushes and apprehends an unexpected trap at each step; this -disquietude slows up the march and quickly transforms into a surprise -the least activity of the enemy. A resistance which starts up suddenly -intimidates and paralyses the second line immediately, because the fear -of the enemy leads to exaggeration of his strength and the mental -disturbance prevents locating and estimating him rapidly. In addition, -the reinforcements have during long hours of waiting been subjected to a -very demoralizing artillery fire. - -All these causes so influence the second line that when it goes into -action, it attacks without spirit and soon stops. - -The second cause arises, as I have previously mentioned, from a faulty -conception of the action of the second line. - -In place of having a second line of attack analogous to the first, -coming into the fight in one body and marching straight on to the -assigned objectives, the superior commander uses these troops as -reinforcements, which he throws in at the point where he judges their -employment necessary. _Now it is impossible for this commander to see -clearly in the mêlée, he must wait a long time for the situation to -unravel, and as it is necessary for him to be properly informed to send -in his reinforcements opportunely, they always arrive too late._ Having -generally received orders which are ill defined and not having been able -to prepare beforehand for the rôle that falls to them, their attitude is -necessarily weak and hesitating.[10] - -It is absolutely necessary to keep pushing on in a brutal, preconceived, -and almost unintelligent manner until the last link is broken, otherwise -hostile reinforcements will suddenly arrive and shatter the supreme -effort. - -_Choice of Troops for the Second Line._—This line being subject to the -severe trial of bombardment and of the rifle fire directed on the first -line sweeping the ground behind, and being obliged to act with as much -decision as the troops of the first line, it should be particularly well -officered and be composed of troops of excellent spirit; now it often -happens that less reliable troops are placed in this line, and far from -pushing the first line forward, they stop short of it. - -_Location of the Troops of the Second Line. The Moment for Putting Them -in Action._—During the preparation, the troops of the second line await -their turn in the shelters which open into the approach _boyaux_. It -would be very advantageous if they could be placed as close as possible -to the parallel of departure[11] in order to profit from the more or -less complete protection against hostile artillery fire which comes from -being close to the hostile trenches; but in general this will not be -possible, except where the German and French trenches are separated by a -considerable distance; in this case, there will be enough space between -the parallel of departure and the old trench to install several support -trenches. - -When the first line has entirely departed, the units of the second line -take their place in the parallel of departure and form there. _While not -waiting there too long, it is absolutely necessary that the second-line -troops entirely separate their effort from the effort of the troops -preceding them._ They should start forward when the latter have almost -taken the first zone of defense. A premature departure would mix their -action with that of the first waves, and they would be absorbed in the -same combat. Thus prematurely consumed and broken up, they would be -incapable of continuing their action and would add nothing to the effort -of the preceding troops. - -_Taking the Formation for Combat._—The units of the second line should -take their combat formation from the parallel of departure and from -there be oriented on a well fixed objective; in fact, they risk coming -unexpectedly under fire and should be ready for it at any time. There -is, moreover, a reason of a moral order for it, which has been very -often tested out. When taking the formation for combat, that is to say, -when getting ready to fight the enemy before even having seen him, it -seems that each one becomes imbued with a cold and silent resolution, -which is alone irresistible. Taking formation under the pressure of -danger, however, seems more like a check, and there comes out of it a -demoralizing sensation of sudden fear and disorder. - -_Formation._—The conditions which the formation should fulfil are the -following: to be supple in order to adapt itself immediately to the -exigencies of the situation; to be as invulnerable as possible so that -it may escape the effects of a sudden destructive fire. - -For a company, the formation seems to be that of two lines about 150 -metres apart, the skirmishers three or four paces apart, the company -commander marching between the two lines so that he can see what the -first line sees without being entirely involved in its combat. - -The march has been generally conducted in small columns at deploying -intervals, as it seems that this formation is the more supple and -permits of a better utilization of the terrain. This is true only in -time of peace, but in war one must deploy a long time before the bullets -arrive. - -_March and Use of Ground._—Each company marches _at a walk_ straight -toward its objective and _in line_ as long as it is not subjected to -direct fire; it thus avoids the irregularities which arise from the -anxiety to make use of the ground, when from now on, only one anxiety -should prevail, that of routing the enemy. - -There is generally a tendency to try to make use of the hostile _boyaux_ -and trenches as lines of advance. Even if they should permit approach by -surprise and without loss, they divide up the company and break the -formations for attack; furthermore an extraordinary difficulty is -experienced in leaving them when the bullets whistle and the moment -comes for getting out on the open field. - -I shall always remember Fonquevillers, where I persisted in following -with my company a narrow approach which brought me near the enemy, and I -know that we had much trouble in leaving it. I have often thought since -that it would have been preferable to take a combat position in a hollow -road a little further to the rear parallel to the enemy’s front, at 400 -metres. - -_Combat of Units of the Second Line._—The units of the first line, -having made their effort, have been finally stopped on the whole front -by a series of resistances. The troops of the second line have received -as their mission only the two following objects: - -To master a well-defined zone up to a certain point; - -To master the borders of a center of resistance on the flank of troops -that have pushed into the intervals. - -Eventually they may at certain points receive the order to throw back a -counter-offensive and to pursue. - -When the troops of the second line arrive in the proximity of the troops -of the first line who have been stopped, there should be no idea of -maneuvering nor of consultation, but as in the case of the first enemy -trench, they must carry through _the assault without hesitation_. - -Two cases are presented according to the distance that separates the -fractions of the halted first line from the hostile resistance: - -1. Distance less than 200 metres: - -If the stopped first line can maintain itself at the limit of its -progression, it is generally not in an open field. Its line will serve -as a parallel of departure for the units of the second line. These units -at first try to reach the line of shelter where they will be formed. -Their assaulting formation results from the march formation, and the -waves will be composed of half companies. - -The first wave rushes out of cover at the double to at least half the -distance and opens fire; fire being opened, the second wave rushes _in -line_ and carries along the first. - -Here the firing cannot be prevented, as artillery support, now faulty, -has to be replaced by rifle fire, to which is joined the fire of machine -guns and light cannon, which alone can make possible so fearful an -assault. - -2. Distance more than 200 metres—Progression and Assault: - -The new difficulty is to build up at assaulting distance from the enemy -a line of assault in a sort of parallel of departure. - -To arrive at assaulting distance, advance by thin lines formed by -halving the skirmish lines already deployed; these lines, at least 100 -metres apart, advance successively by alternate rushes, then unite on -the line designated as the starting point for the assault. - -A natural parallel of departure may exist or may partially exist, or it -may not exist at all. In the second case, the line of shelters must be -adapted, and in the third case it must be created in order to be able to -stay a few moments at a short distance from the enemy without being -destroyed. To facilitate this extremely difficult and dangerous -construction, it is a good thing to have each man fill a sand bag at the -last shelter and put in some stones, which, while not bulky, stop the -bullets. Each man makes his rushes with his sand bag, which protects him -partially during the halts. Having reached the line fixed upon for the -parallel, this sand bag serves him as a cover, which he has only to -complete rapidly. Each man then enlarges his shelter so as to -accommodate near comrades. - -The first wave, reformed at the assaulting distance, makes the assault -as before. At times, the losses and the confusion of units may lead to -an assault by entire companies. - -The second and third waves follow and imitate the movements of the -first. - - - _Machine Guns and Light Cannon._ - -The artillery can only give the second line a support which is often -partial and not very effective; its action must be replaced at whatever -cost by other means, such as machine guns for sweeping the hostile -firing line and light cannon to instantly destroy the hostile machine -guns. - -_Location of the Machine-Gun and Gun Crews during the Assault._—These -detachments follow the last waves of the first line, and they therefore -are not directly taken under fire and can profit by the indications of -the fight of the first line and so be in a way to act effectively when -the second line comes into action. - -_Machine Guns._—The machine gun is an element of attack and the most -terrible arm of close fighting. However, it is employed in the attack -only to man the positions taken or to support the infantry elements from -a distance. This is nonsense: to give it such a rôle, one could never -have trembled with rage and impotence at a few paces from the enemy, -whom he could not get at. - -The machine gun should be pushed as far as possible in front of the -halted line of fire. If it remains behind or abreast of the fighting -line, its field of fire is generally blocked or masked by the slightest -movement; in advance of the line, it will enable the infantry line to -advance for some time under the cover of its fire; it is the tooth of -the attack. It can move forward, its crew of a few men can creep along -the smallest pathway, and a shell hole is sufficient for its shelter; in -the skirmish chain a whole ditch is necessary. Will it lack ammunition, -having only the boxes that the gun crew carries sometimes incomplete? -No, for it has only to fire on rare occasions, for example, at the -moment of assault. If it is taken, what does that matter—we will take -ten from the enemy. The problem would be much simplified _with a few -automatic rifles_. - -_Light Cannon._—We have spoken of the rôle of light cannon in the -paragraph relating to the destruction of machine guns. - - - _Instruction of Units of the Second Line._ - -This instruction proposes to create the reflex of immediately attacking -all resistance that appears and of developing presence of mind by -inventing sudden incidents requiring the taking of a rapid decision. In -a word, to add a spirit of prompt decision in the troops of the second -line to the irresistible _élan_ which one tries to develop in all -assaulting troops. - -The troops of the second line when facing a resistance should have only -one idea: to assault as soon as possible and for that purpose to try to -bring about the two following conditions: - -_To create a sort of parallel of departure at assaulting distance_; - -_To obtain superiority of fire by all means at their disposal._ - -We will study by means of examples the two preceding cases cited. Troops -of the second line should know them by heart, because all cases resemble -them more or less. - -_First Case._—We reach the first line, halted under cover at 150 metres -from the enemy; this is a case of organizing a long-distance assault. - -Attention should be focussed on the following points: - -1. Reestablishment of Order and Calm. - -The line of cover is an extemporized parallel, the men are crowded into -uncomfortable positions, several units are mixed. These are conditions -likely to create disorder, the worst enemy of the assault. Think well as -long as you are under cover because amid the bullets you march straight -ahead without thinking. Transmit simple indications from man to man and -orders to the chiefs of section by note. - -Have all cease firing except the best shots; firing unnerves and -distracts the noncommissioned officers and soldiers. On the contrary, -silence is at once a mark of order; it impresses the men who collect -themselves and make the appeal for a supreme resolution to their inner -selves. - -2. Gaining Superiority of Fire. - -It can be obtained in the two following ways: - -The execution of an intense fire by the whole line; - -The execution of a slow, deadly, and precise fire by the best shots, -well concealed. - -The men are under cover, consequently it is possible to avoid the first -plan, which is noisy and not particularly effective but which -circumstances beyond our control sometimes make necessary. - -The best shots are designated by the chiefs of section. They construct -masks in front of themselves, behind which they fire obliquely, that is -to say, under excellent conditions of security and calm. They locate an -adversary, keep aiming at him and firing each time that he appears, and -they go successively from right to left. This method is very effective; -the enemy does not dare to fire any more, and it soon seems as if his -trench were empty. - -In addition if possible, get a small group to the front or on the flank, -who will protect a forward movement by their fire. - -3. Execution of the Assault. - -“The first and second sections will move out under command of Lieutenant -X and will make a rush of 80 metres. Open fire after the rush.” - -The movement should be simultaneous and without warning to the enemy; -the following suggestions are made: - -“Prepare to rush, look toward Lieutenant X, hide your bayonets.” - -The movement having been executed by the first echelon and fire opened, -the second echelon rushes in its turn, aligned at a quick pace, then at -double time, and carries along the first. - -From the moment of the charge, each man rushes on the enemy and fires if -necessary. - -_Second Case._—The units of the first line have been stopped at more -than 200 metres from the enemy, say at 500 metres. - -Move forward, executing short, rapid rushes without firing, in thin -lines which are united at assaulting distance from the enemy. - -The formation of successive lines for rushing is extremely simple. The -company having arrived at a sheltered line beyond which extends an open -space, the company commander commands: - -“In thin lines by half section, at 100 metres distance by short rushes: -1st and 3d Sections, forward.” - -He personally goes out with the first line to select the emplacement -where he will halt it. - -Each of the 1st and 3d Sections sends out two squads (1, 3, 9, 11). The -men immediately take 6 pace intervals. This forms the first line, which -is followed by a second, and so on, the rushes of each line alternating -with those of the preceding one. - -The construction of the parallel of departure is accomplished as has -been indicated above. - - - _Instruction of the Machine-Gun Sections._ - -The machine-gun sections should participate in the exercises with the -infantry. They should be accustomed to grasp the idea of the situation -rapidly and to replace the fire of the attacking infantry either by -taking a position in rear or on the flanks which will permit them to -fire up to the end of the action without being hindered by the movement -to the front, or by going squarely out in advance of the halted line. - -This last case should be particularly studied; the Germans have shown it -to us, and it is therefore possible; I know that it is very effective -(25th of August at Crevic). - -Therefore train them to get used to picking out cover, however -insignificant, as a position for a machine gun and to utilize the ground -skilfully and rush rapidly with the matériel in order to make themselves -invisible or indiscernible; - -To arrange shelter rapidly, to create a mask in front, and arrange for -oblique fire, in order that the personnel may not be rapidly destroyed; - -To keep still and try to be forgotten until the moment of assault. - -The crews of the light guns should be attached to the infantry and learn -to cooperate with it instead of being independent. - - - _Exercises to Develop the Spirit of Decision in the Second Line._ - -In front of any resistance whatever, the units of the second line should -have but two ideas: - -To take positions rapidly for the assault; - -To assault. - -The dispositions for the assault are: - -The creation or adaptation of a line of a shelter at assaulting -distance; - -The rapid gaining of superiority of fire. - -All the work of maneuver is reduced to the realization of these two -ideas. It is a question of applying in slightly varying circumstances -the two classic studies above indicated, and one should know them -perfectly. - -To develop presence of mind in the noncommissioned officers and -suppleness in the organization, situations analogous to those formerly -used on the drill ground such as, “Cavalry to the right—in rear” should -be devised. - -Choose a parallel of departure and have the troops of the second line -take their formation and march on the objectives designated in advance. -Suddenly call out, “Enemy resistance on such a line, our first elements -are stopped at such a point ... hostile machine guns in such a region.” -Then everybody, infantry, machine guns, light canon, instantly take up -their dispositions. - -By representing the enemy and having him fire blank cartridges, one -becomes accustomed to making rapid reconnaissance of resistances. - - - - - IV. - PREPARATION OF THE TROOPS FOR PENETRATION. - - -The battle of today, since the last evolution of the war, is only a -succession of assaults. The assault being the hardest and most murderous -phase of the combat, before which the attack generally breaks down, we -should only undertake it with assaulting troops. All troops are far from -being assaulting troops; they need a well established cohesion and a -special training. - -In nine months of campaign, I have only twice had a company really -capable of delivering the assault: that of the active regiment, which -was eager to charge at whatever cost at Morhange, and that of -Neuville-Saint-Vaast, toward which during the assault, I turned but -twice—when we started and when I fell. - - - THE COHESION. - -In order that an organization may be capable of reaching the enemy, it -is necessary for each man to be thoroughly convinced that his neighbor -will march at his side and not abandon him; he should not have to turn -around to see whether his comrade is coming. This requires a solidly -established cohesion. Cohesion is very difficult to obtain with the -continual renewal of men and noncommissioned officers; to cement it -well, the men must have lived long together and have borne the same -hardships during which are strengthened the sentiments of solidarity and -affection which create in the company invisible bonds, stronger than all -discipline and the only ones capable of resisting the fierce egoism of -the battlefield. - -The company must also have been tried out by experiences severe enough -for everyone to be able to estimate what his leaders and neighbors are -worth under circumstances where borrowed masks fall off. Thus habit, -friendship, and confidence make no difference in the appearance of a -company; it is the battle alone that unveils these qualities in their -full staunchness and value. - -The company of the 9th of May had been in existence at least four -months, that is, the last considerable reinforcements had been present -about four months. We had indeed received newer recruits, but they were -not sufficient to change the spirit of the company. We had lived in the -Belgian trench where the material side of the situation could not have -been more miserable. Without having suffered serious losses, we had been -at times very roughly used, so that all the men had an idea of the -trials of war. - -Thus trench life is an excellent school for cohesion, but a company -which moves forward directly from trench life would not be capable of -attacking as we should like. Trench life is deteriorating and destroys -in the mind of the man the idea that he belongs to a unit, to an -organization. It should be completed by a period of exercises. - -During the period of exercises, the work should be toward cohesion by -establishing an exact discipline, difficult to obtain in the trenches, -by punctually requiring the marks of respect, and by paying close -attention to the uniform and personal appearance. All these details have -a prime moral importance; nothing is more demoralizing for the soldier -than to see around him his comrades badly dressed and negligent in their -duty; he evidently finds at times that this is more convenient but at -heart he lacks confidence because he well knows that in this troop of -Bohemians, without faith or order, everyone will go his own way in the -moment of danger. The daily aspect of a company, carefully uniformed and -well disciplined, gives him, on the contrary, a feeling of reassurance -and confidence. - - “... Mais par un prompt renfort - Nous nous vîmes trois mille en arrivant au port - Tant à nous voir marcher en _si bel équipage_ - Les plus épouvantés reprenaient de courage.” - -This is what our battalion commander often quoted to us. - -Combat exercises by entire units, close-order drill, and passing in -review which should always close an exercise session, contribute to -develop the sentiment, which becomes blunted in the trenches, that the -soldier belongs to a unit, compact and articulate. - -The trench produces cohesion in the _small group_, the period of -exercise the _cohesion in the organization_. - - - THE OFFENSIVE SPIRIT. - -In order to rush headlong at the enemy out in the open, where at any -moment shot and shell may do its worst, one must have an exuberance of -energy. This increase of courage exists only among troops who have for a -long time been able to accumulate reserves of moral force. A unit that -has recently made a bloody effort is incapable of delivering a _furious -and unlimited assault_, such as we wish for. It might with trouble take -a line of trenches and there hastily take cover. The supply of energy is -used up quickly and comes back very slowly; the memory of the terrible -dangers must be dulled. In a combat, the expenditure of energy is at -once physical and nervous, but rather nervous than physical. Now the -mistake is often made of thinking that an organization is in fighting -condition when it has again taken on a good appearance and seems in -excellent form. A few nights of sleep and a few days of good food are -sufficient to restore the physique, but the nerve cells are reformed -with all the slowness that is characteristic of them. How many times, -some days after bloody fights which have left me weak and emaciated, -have I found myself in a state of flourishing health almost shameful for -a soldier, and felt at the same time a faltering courage at heart! - -To try to attack with troops already dejected or insufficiently -recovered is to march to meet a certain and bloody defeat. It is -sufficient to see the troops with which the attempts to break through at -Neuville in the month of June were made and their result, known in -advance by the discouraged officers. The almost destroyed regiments that -had made the magnificent attacks of May 9 and had occupied the conquered -ground under the worst bombardments until the 25th, had been reorganized -with dispirited officers and noncommissioned officers, and were the -sorriest soldiers that one could see—men recalled after having been -formerly rejected, incompletely instructed, and of rather mediocre -spirit. The few survivors of the splendid days of May, instead of being -exalted by the memory of these exploits, had retained the memory of the -massacre which had left them almost alone among their former officers -and two hundred comrades. Two weeks rest and a new attack with the -painful result which covered the famous regiments with unmerited shame; -companies hesitating to leave their trenches, officers obliged to drive -their men, the slaughter of abandoned noncommissioned officers. - -Therefore do not attack except with troops that have not made a bloody -effort for a long time and who have been able to recuperate their supply -of energy. - -The second condition under which troops attack without thought of -sparing themselves is when they truly feel that the action in which they -are going to engage is worth the immense sacrifice of life. Each man -down to the most humble feels conscious that his existence is of -inestimable value, that it represents many efforts, many troubles, and -many affections. The infantry soldier has so many and many occasions to -die that he only gives himself up to it on real occasions, and this calm -and conscientious self-denial which irritates those who would like to -find the troops ever responsive to their orders is of a supreme -grandeur. When one has seen the death and suffering of the soldier at -close range, one ties to him as to one’s self and does not expose him -for every whim. The soldier understands this thoroughly, and when he is -told that it is “_pour la Patrie_,” he then goes in for all he is worth, -and so it is that the chief who has not stormed and fumed in vain is -rewarded for his wisdom. - -The coming of the generals who know how to talk to the men who will meet -their death with simplicity and conviction, has a profound and decisive -influence on the open-hearted mass of infantrymen. Handling soldiers was -formerly the greatest accomplishment of commanders, who did not confine -themselves to the brief and abstract formulas of their orders. _Today as -formerly, the word of the great chief, rational and assured, is graven -in ineffaceable letters in the hearts of the combatants._ Beyond the -chief, the soldier clearly sees his native country, whose supreme will -still claims the sacrifice, and in himself he feels his courage harden. - -Toward the 15th of April, returning from Belgium, our regiment passed in -review before General F—, our former Corps Commander, who assembled the -officers and said to them: “We are going to attempt another -maneuver ..., the waiting has come to an end, we are going after them -..., we have today cannon and ammunition in abundance, we will crush -their shelters, we will destroy their machine guns.... Then the infantry -will be launched and will crush them; after the first ones, there will -be others ..., then others ...; if we do not succeed, we shall have no -one to blame but ourselves.” These words sank into the hearts of the -company officers, and they repeated them with conviction to their -soldiers, and the latter heard them so well that they surpassed all that -could have been expected; they are not the ones whom General F— might -blame. - -Thus the troops see clearly the object, but the moral preparation would -be insufficient if the man felt himself incapable of accomplishing it. -Each day the officers should instil in the troops the idea of the effort -and show them how it may be realized; there are even questions -concerning the instinct of preservation that it is well to bring into -play. Thus instead of fearing the ordeal, the man little by little gets -accustomed to the idea of facing it. - -It remains now to complete and exalt the offensive spirit by an intense -period of appropriate exercises. Trench life has a tendency to kill the -offensive spirit of the troops. They think only of protecting -themselves, they are always under cover, they circulate in the _boyaux_, -and all this creates a horror of the open ground. Daily experiences, -such as not being able to show one’s head without running the risk of -receiving a bullet in the face, create a very acute sensation of danger. -They dare no longer stir, and to attack the terrible trenches of the -enemy which one cannot look at even for a second seems a mad and -irrealizable project. The service in the trenches creates terror of the -hostile trench. - - - _The Man Must Be Put into Forward Movement_ - -Make him run, jump, and rush in the open spaces; let him get intoxicated -with air and movement; the attitude creates the mentality. As soon as he -has lost the habit of hanging his head and hunching his back, he has -also lost his exaggerated prudence and the fear of unsheltered spaces. - -At the cantonments at Fiefs and Berles, where we passed a fortnight -before the 9th of May, the afternoons were entirely given up to sport. -We organized “field days” in the woods, obstacle races, and the men, -recruits and old reservists, galloped through these spring days with -absolutely unbounded animation. To give the men the habit of moving -without anxiety over open ground where the bullets whistled, I took -advantage of the nights when we were working on saps and parallels to -make them march in patrols a short distance in front of the lines. If I -saw that the workmen were thinking of crouching down, I made them stand -up for a while; as for me, I fortified myself by walking up and down in -front of the working party. - -We wished for an irresistible assault and therefore tried to inculcate -in the men the instinct of hand-to-hand fighting, at which they -ordinarily hesitate with the result that the close combat is stopped for -days and months at a few score metres from the enemy. We had bayonet -fencing, but it was a demoniacal fencing, the fencing of the chargers of -Froeschwiller. - -The fencing exercises, carried out by the company to prepare for the -attack, were as follows: first, a brief review of the movements, then -immediately fencing on the run; the men were formed at a few paces -intervals and then started on a run; it was “Halt! Thrust! Thrust -again!” They started again, climbed the embankments, lunged and relunged -furiously; they got winded, so much the worse.... “Right face!” and -everyone ran to the right, descended the slope stabbing and stabbing -again, getting excited and feverish, the officers and sergeants -galloping more furiously than the rest. - -Afterwards fencing with the dummy. We had stuffed sacks full of straw -and made them smaller each day to make a smaller target and oblige the -men to be more accurate in their thrusts. - -Each man attacked the dummy individually, shouting with all the frenzy -of which his imagination was capable, and those who attacked the best, -with the greatest _élan_, went over it again to show their comrades how -to do it. It was no play, they knew enough of the Germans to believe -them in front of them, and I recall that among those from Gascony, -Toulouse, and Provence, who formed the basis of the company, some -shouted with frenzy, “Piquo, Piquo!” - -In order to give more movement, the exercise against the dummy was -arranged in the following manner: - -In a quite tangled wood, we established obstacles by cutting down bushes -over a course of 80 metres. Then here and there we placed the dummies. -Thus on a fairly short course the man was obliged to run, jump, bend -down, attack, and this in every manner, for we placed the dummies in -such a way that the man had to combine his attack with right face, left -face, face to the rear, or with crossing an obstacle. This exercise -particularly interested the men, and as we measured the time taken by -each one to run the course, in a few days it had developed in an -astonishing manner their agility and suppleness, and gave nerve to those -who had none. I know that as concerns myself the knowledge of having -covered the course in the shortest time, in addition to other -experiences, contributed greatly to developing my confidence in my vigor -and my good legs, which were the most precious of my offensive qualities -on the 9th of May. - -Afterwards we attacked in groups and then passed to charges by section. -Here we sought, while giving the greatest impulsion and fury possible, -to maintain cohesion and give to each one the confidence of the touch of -elbows, and to the enemy the terrifying impression of a wall that -nothing could stop. We marched at charging pace,[12] aligned, with a -lengthened and furious step—not restrained and without conviction—up to -50 metres; then we charged, lowering the bayonets in a single movement -to the height of the waist. - -We were working to get the charge of the skirmishers and Zouaves at -Froeschwiller; now we have had it with loss of the majority of our -officers over three successive trenches on two kilometres of a single -rush to the cemetery of Neuville-Saint-Vaast. - - - - - V. - MATERIAL PREPARATION OF THE TROOPS. - - -The fight does not consist in getting killed but in getting out of it by -thrashing the enemy. Therefore do not go at it in a hurly-burly fashion; -one should be careless only about the inevitable fatality over which one -can have no influence. Let us prepare our business down to the slightest -details in order to conquer and live. - - - KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUND. - - - _Maps._ - -Before the attack, the physiognomy of the terrain and of the enemy’s -defenses should be well impressed on the memory. The position should be -known not only from the front but in profile. This study is of the -greatest importance, particularly _for the troops of the second line_, -because the greatest cause of stoppage in an offensive against a -fortified position is the incomplete knowledge of the position. One is -afraid, in advancing, of falling into an ambush. The company commanders, -particularly those of the first line, should indicate to their chiefs of -section the successive points of direction for their sections, so that -each one will be aware of the obstacles he will have to cross. The men -should likewise know the ground well. I used to require them to study -the future sector of attack, giving them the principal points to watch -when they went on guard in the trench. - -If on the 4th of December we had known the terrain of attack before the -night engagement instead of not having the slightest notion of it, we -would not have awaited the dawn at the first German trench for fear of -falling into a wasps’ nest, and we should have taken not only the second -but the third trench and made many prisoners. - -Very detailed maps are distributed before the attack to company -commanders and to chiefs of section, but one should try to complete them -oneself by attentive and repeated observation of one’s sector. Before -the attack of the 9th of May, I had recopied for each noncommissioned -officer the part of my map concerning the zone of attack of the company, -entering on it all known information. - - - _Matériel._ - -Real superiority over the enemy is obtained by superiority of weapons; -courage cannot make up for destruction, one must tax one’s brain to -furnish the men with matériel which may be useful to them. - -_Grenades._—Every grenadier or member of a patrol should carry five -grenades; each man should have one, not to throw himself but so that it -may be possible to get a certain number of them together in case of -need. If a fight with grenades is foreseen in a region cut up with -trenches or _boyaux_ or in a town, the supply should be increased. - -Furnish suffocating grenades, especially to patrols going into _boyaux_. - -Familiarize everyone a long time beforehand, if possible, with the -handling of the different grenades. On the 8th of May, I sent 5 -kilometres for suffocating grenades, which I had just heard of, in order -to be acquainted with the effects of this useful weapon. Have hooks -prepared, fixed to the left wrist, for the purpose of lighting the -friction grenades by hand. - -Revolvers and knives are indispensable for the fight in the _boyaux_. - -Have individual sand bags to establish a rapid barrier in the _boyaux_ -or to build up a line of cover such as we have before described. - -Also the Filloux apparatus, with the use of which the men should be -familiar. - -_Equipment._—Keep the lightened knapsack, which will be of service -against a possible bombardment of the conquered position (lesson of -Langemark, December 4). Fold the blanket on the inside of the knapsack -to form a padding against fragments. - - - - - VI. - DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSIOGNOMY OF THE ATTACK.[13] - - - ACTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK. - -The artillery preparation, roaring on the horizon like a furious storm, -ceases sharply, and a tragic silence falls over the field of battle. The -infantry leaves its parallels in a single movement, at a walk, -magnificently aligned, crowned with the scintillation of thousands of -bayonets. Then the hostile trenches burst out suddenly with fire, the -fusillade rattles immediately, madly, dominated by the pitiless rattling -of the machine guns. The wave of assailants thins out, entire units -disappear, mowed down. Some lie down and advance no further, while -others, better commanded, march ahead in spite of all. Some, more -favored, find themselves in places where the artillery preparation has -cleared the enemy out. They reach the first trench, and hand-to-hand -fighting commences. - -The second wave arrives in its turn, avoids the zone of destruction, -plunges into the parts where the resistance has weakened, and thus the -first trench, split up into enveloped sections, is definitely submerged -by the second wave. They form beyond the captured trench and start -forward again; but it is a disorganized combat by groups in the midst of -shots and bullets which cross each other in every direction. The second -trench is assaulted, certain parts are conquered through which the flood -of assailants spreads out while desperate groups resist stubbornly in -some redoubts. - -Now in the first line of attack, there is no more order, the dead cover -the ground passed over, here mowed down by ranks, there hung in clusters -on the wire entanglements, or forming a crown on top of the parapets, or -sown here and there by the scattering of the hand-to-hand fights; the -wounded flow back in numbers to the rear, isolated soldiers are -scattered in all corners for the most diverse reasons; even -organizations are stopped in the conquered trenches by their chiefs who -find that they have done enough and that it is high time to get out of -the trouble. But beyond this immense dispersion, some heroic groups, -weak nuclei of many companies, led by ardent leaders, make their way -further into the hostile territory. They suddenly appear, urged into a -gallop over the trenches; magnified ten times by the imagination of the -enemy who loses his head, they run beyond into the open fields, -receiving some shots here and there but surprised at the emptiness of -the field of battle. Behind them, the combat of extermination continues -in places, but nothing follows, only some groups of stragglers and -wounded are returning. Then these foremost parties feel their weakness -and count their numbers; the emptiness, the silence, the invisible -resistance impress them, they scent the ambush and soon stop. - -In front of the centers of resistance, the fight is hard and murderous; -they have taken one or two trenches, carried the first houses, but the -organizations are dissolved in the interminable individual fighting in -the _boyaux_ or ruins; here the progress has been inappreciable in spite -of enormous losses. - -Thus the first line has made its effort; in the centers of resistance, -it has scarcely gotten a good hold on the exterior borders; in the -intervals, on the contrary, it has expanded widely like a wave which had -broken through a dike at one point. But it has been stopped, out of -breath, in front of the second line of defense, whose resistance is -organizing, or it has been nailed to its place by flanking fire from the -still unconquered centers of resistance; it is composed from now on of -weak groups of real fighters, just strong enough to mark out here and -there the limits of the conquered ground, and of a multitude of isolated -individuals and entire units which are scattered over the whole zone of -attack. - -This has all lasted perhaps less than an hour. - - - ACTION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK. - -With the enemy all is disorder, the batteries flee at a gallop before -the tide which has carried away all the obstacles prepared long ago and -judged impregnable; all confidence disappears; the adversary, feeling -his resistance giving way around him, no longer dares to hold out -desperately, from now on the least thing induces him to turn tail. -However, at some points reserves have come up, have manned their -positions of the second line, and have attempted some timid offensive -returns. Machine guns, rapidly brought up, are installed and fire with -utmost rapidity to prevent access to the undefended zones and to gain -time. The tottering resistance tries to hold on; now, one more great -brutal push along the whole front like the attack of the first line, and -then will come a total rout. - -It is then that the second line appears; starting out in its turn from -the parallel, it advances by immense and successive waves of thin lines, -calm and unshakable among the rafales of shells and random bullets. - -Already numerous detachments of machine guns and light cannon have -preceded it. Creeping through, following up the first line, they have -been able to unravel the situation and to discern the points where the -resistance tries to hold out and which must be immediately swept. The -light cannon orient themselves directly on the rattling of the machine -guns, which they endeavor to overwhelm with a shower of their small -shells. - -The “accompanying batteries” have started as soon as the first trenches -are taken and are soon oriented by the signals of the special _agents de -liaison_, artillerists who follow the infantry. The remainder of the -artillery cuts off the approaches by a barrier of asphyxiating shells -and carries its fire on to the second line, marked out according to the -directing plan. - -Thus the second line arrives close up to the advanced elements of the -first line under cover of sufficient fire. The second line pushes -straight to the front on the objectives fixed long before and which -should claim its whole attention. - -Certain of the units have a mission to blind the centers of resistance -by finishing up the conquest of their exterior borders, while the great -majority are absorbed in the intervals, instead of halting and -exhausting themselves by playing the enemy’s game in his inextricable -points of support. - -To quote an expression of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” modifying it -slightly: a center of resistance is a filter into which one can pour -battalions and regiments, and it will yield only a few drops. - -The organizations passing through the intervals arrive in front of the -second line of defense, which is not generally occupied continuously. -They run against lively and sudden resistances, or _else encounter empty -spaces through which they boldly penetrate_, pushing straight on always -to the front without being intimidated by the silence or distracted by -the resistance on the right or left. The units stopped rapidly organize -the assault and attack by main force like the first waves of the attack -without trying to maneuver, a temptation of weakness and indecision. -Here again there is hesitation: units held up by only a semblance of -resistance or trying to avoid it; others, having approached to -assaulting distance, dig in and dare not go forward openly into a -supreme charge; others are turned away from their objective to get into -another combat, which absorbs them. - -However, the second line of hostile defense finds itself in its turn -disabled; broken in and considerably passed by in certain localities, -vigorously assailed on all points where a resistance is hastily -improvized, it is soon split up into islands and surrounded on all -sides. - -The points of support, as in the case of the first trench, are left to -one side and merely isolated by the capture of their borders. - - - ACTION OF THE RESERVES. - -We are now nearly in open ground; we must still definitely clear away -the last resistance to which the hostile reinforcements now coming up in -haste would cling and soon convert into an insuperable barrier if we -give them a few hours’ respite. - -It is for this purpose that we employ the reserves. - -Informed by officers of _liaison_, who are not afraid to traverse the -battlefield to find out how things are going on and who do not abandon -the troops to their own resources until tardy reports come in, the -superior commander directs his reserves to the precise points where they -are most needed. - -Thus the last resistances, which the second attacking line, occupied -with marching straight ahead, was not able to encircle, are definitely -shattered by the reserves. - - - _Exploitation of the Success._ - -Finally, we have arrived in the zone of open country, the gigantic -assault of 5 or 6 kilometres is ended. Now it will be the surprise, the -rapidity of movements, the skill of maneuver which will gradually -produce panic. - -The enemy, pushed back, overthrown, broken through in the intervals -between the points of support where he tries to hold on, will soon no -longer find a position where he dare make a stand; he will be -irresistibly drawn into the rout as the menacing cry “the French!” -re-echoes in an infinitely increasing volume. - -But it will then no longer be a question of breaking through, we must -rest after the assault. - -[Illustration: - - DISPOSITIONS OF THE ATTACKING TROOPS ON THE FRONT OF A DIVISION. - - Pl. I -] - -[Illustration: - - EXAMPLE OF A GERMAN DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATION. - - Pl. II -] - -[Illustration: - - ACTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK. - - Pl. III -] - -[Illustration: - - ACTION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK. - - Pl. IV -] - -[Illustration: - - ACTION OF RESERVE BATTALIONS. _Zone Definitely Cleared._ - - Pl. V -] - ------ - -Footnote 1: - - Etude sur l’attaque dans la période actuelle de la guerre—Impressions - et réflexions d’un commandant de compagnie; Paris, Librairie Blon, - 1916. Communicated to the French Army by the Commander-in-Chief. - Translated for the INFANTRY JOURNAL by an officer of infantry. - -Footnote 2: - - The great French offensive on Neuville-Saint-Vaast north of - Arras.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 3: - - See Plate II at end of this article. - -Footnote 4: - - Communicating trenches. - -Footnote 5: - - The assault commenced at 10 o’clock.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 6: - - See Plate I at end of this article. - -Footnote 7: - - See Plate III at end of this article. - -Footnote 8: - - The French company has four sections, but no platoons except for - administration.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 9: - - The word reinforcement (_renforts_) is defective for designating the - second line, but it is the current and popular word that is used among - the troops to designate whatever comes after the first line of - attack.—See Plate IV at end of this article. - -Footnote 10: - - The author’s language may not be clear, but the point he wishes to - bring out is that the first line of attack, consisting of several - waves, will be entirely occupied in taking the first zone of defense; - then and not until this is almost accomplished will the second line, - complete in itself, like the first line assault over the same ground, - each unit as in the first line having a pre-arranged objective; this - second line not to be used by the superior commander for any but the - preconceived program. Behind this second line are held as reserve - other bodies of troops under the direct orders of the superior - commander for employment against any resistance that the first and - second lines have failed to take. Behind all this are the general - reserves, several hours in rear, ready to march through the breach to - the pursuit and to new battlefields beyond.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 11: - - When an attack is planned, numerous saps are run out to the front from - the main firing trenches. The night before the attack, a parallel is - broken out connecting the sap heads, and this parallel is amply - provided with short ladders. Just before the artillery preparation is - to cease, this parallel is filled with the companies detailed for the - assault, and as the artillery ceases, the waves rush in succession up - the ladders and to the front. Thus the name parallel of departure. Of - course, to provide for the successive waves, not only the parallel, - but the saps and the main trenches are filled with men who move up - into the parallel as fast as room is made.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 12: - - Thirty inches, 140 per minute.—TRANSLATOR. - -Footnote 13: - - See Plates at end of this article. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 2. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as - printed. - 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Attack in Trench Warfare, by André Laffargue - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ATTACK IN TRENCH WARFARE *** - -***** This file should be named 60197-0.txt or 60197-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/1/9/60197/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Brian Coe, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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