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} - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .right {text-align: right; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0em; - width: 50%; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -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) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>The Attack in Trench Warfare<br /> <br /> <span class='xlarge'>Impressions and Reflections of a Company Commander</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><em>By</em></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='large'>CAPT. ANDRÉ LAFFARGUE</span></div> - <div><em>153d Infantry, French Army</em></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='small'>Translated for the</span></div> - <div>INFANTRY JOURNAL</div> - <div><span class='small'>by an Officer of Infantry</span></div> - <div class='c003'>Washington:</div> - <div><span class='sc'>The United States Infantry Association</span></div> - <div>1916</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>Copyright, 1916</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='sc'>U. S. Infantry Association</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='xxsmall'>NATIONAL CAPITAL PRESS, INC., WASHINGTON, D. C.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 class='c005'>INTRODUCTION.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Etude sur l’attaque dans la -période actuelle de la guerre</span></i>. 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>G. A. Lynch</span>, <em>Captain, Infantry</em>.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Editor of the <span class='sc'>Infantry Journal</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span></div> -<div class='section ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>THE ATTACK IN TRENCH WARFARE.</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='xlarge'>Impressions and Reflections of a Company Commander.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c008'><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='large'>By Captain André Laffargue, 153d Infantry (French).</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>I.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Character of the Present Attack.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>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.</em> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>The whole series of frightful defenses cannot be nibbled at successively; -they must be swallowed whole at one stroke with one -decision.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Therefore, the fight is an unlimited assault. In order to attempt -the assault, what is necessary?</p> - -<p class='c007'>Assaulting troops—and all troops are far from being assaulting -troops.</p> - -<p class='c007'>An overwhelming superiority of fire all the time and not only -at the moment of assault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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, <em>calculating, however, that -infantry units disappear in the furnace of fire like handfuls of straw</em>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Is it possible to pierce the enemy’s lines? I firmly believe so -since the 9th of May<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c008'><sup>[2]</sup></a>. 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h2 class='c005'>II.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Preparation of the Attack.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c010'>FORMS OF THE GERMAN DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATIONS.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>The German defensive organizations, as well as I have been -able to establish, appear to be in general as follows:<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c008'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>1. A continuous line of trenches over the whole front, comprising -on a limited depth two or three trenches, joined by numerous -communicating trenches (<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>), and separated by 100 to 300 -metres, each one often protected by a wire entanglement.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Such are, for example, the Labyrinth and <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Ouvrages Blancs</span></i> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>3. A second line of defense, which is not always continuous.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>PREPARATION BY THE ARTILLERY.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>In order to attack with minimum loss, the infantry-requires -that the artillery in its preparation carry through the following -program:</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>a</em>) <em>Destroy the wire entanglements.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>b</em>) <em>Neutralize or destroy the defenders of the trenches.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>c</em>) <em>Prevent the artillery from coming into action.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>d</em>) <em>Prevent the bringing up of reserves.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>e</em>) <em>Destroy the machine guns as soon as they reveal their positions.</em></p> - -<h4 class='c012'>(<em>a</em>) <em>Destruction of the Wire Entanglement.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'>(<em>b</em>) <em>Neutralization or Destruction of the Defenders of the Trenches.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>The Germans, whenever they can, dig very deep and well protected -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>heavy artillery has too much dispersion, while the aerial torpedo, -besides its considerable destructive and demoralizing effects, is -very accurate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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:</p> - -<p class='c007'>Have the infantry advance during the preparation by the -artillery;</p> - -<p class='c007'>Simulate the attack;</p> - -<p class='c007'>Finally a third method that can be transferred from the domain -of fox hunting to that of the war with Germany: smoke him out.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first plan is not applicable from first trenches as they are -too near the enemy; we shall speak of this again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In order to simulate an attack, interrupt the artillery fire -suddenly and <em>open rifle fire with a great deal of shouting</em>; 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>As a third scheme <em>we have suffocating grenades and cartridges</em>, -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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The most important part to destroy in the centers of resistance -<em>are the edges</em>, 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. <em>Therefore try especially -to neutralize the borders</em> 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 <em>veil over the centers of resistance</em> -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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'>(<em>c</em>) <em>Preparation against Artillery.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'><em>The infantry urgently demands that the hostile artillery be put -out of action before the attack.</em> If the enemy artillery gets into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>action, the troops, crowded into the trenches, <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>,<a id='r4' /><a href='#f4' class='c008'><sup>[4]</sup></a> 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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élan</span></i> of the first -attacking waves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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, <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">hors de -combat</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span> - <h4 class='c012'>(<em>d</em>) <em>Preparation against Reinforcements and Reserves.</em></h4> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'>(<em>e</em>) <em>Destruction of Machine Guns.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even when they cannot be directly observed, machine-gun -emplacements should be pre-supposed in locations such as the -following:</p> - -<p class='c007'>1. In a re-entrant in the line.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_b_013a.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>2. On the second line, particularly when it presents an elevated -position permitting a tier of fire over the first line.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_b_013b.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>3. Squarely in front to obtain a flanking fire; in this case, they -are found in a small <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyau</span></i> (branch trench) which leaves the principal -trench, and it is very difficult to see them from the front.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_b_013c.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>Thus, in front of La Targette, in studying the position in profile -and having moved considerably toward the right for that purpose, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>I discovered a machine-gun emplacement which completely -enfiladed the front of the German trenches for 600 metres.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Means of Destroying the Machine Guns.</em>—<em>Machine Guns of the -Trenches.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <em>mountain 80</em> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Destruction of Machine Guns that may be set up outside the -Trenches.</em>—On the 9th of May, the survivors of my company and -of the adjoining company, about eighty men, arrived at 11 o’clock<a id='r5' /><a href='#f5' class='c008'><sup>[5]</sup></a> -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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>III.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Form of Attack.</span><a id='r6' /><a href='#f6' class='c008'><sup>[6]</sup></a></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>To create a complete gap, it is necessary:</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>a</em>) <em>To take the first line of the hostile defense (zone of the first -trenches and centers of resistance)</em>;</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>b</em>) <em>To take the second line of defense</em>;</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>c</em>) <em>To prevent the enemy from reestablishing a barrier by the -aid of reinforcements brought up in haste beyond the zone already -fortified.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>To overcome successively these difficulties, one must have:</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>a</em>) 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>b</em>) 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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>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 (<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">batteries -d’accompagnement</span></i>) start as soon as the first trenches are taken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>c</em>) 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>(<em>d</em>) 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.—<em>Do not, after the hole has -been pierced, depend any longer upon the regiments who made it.</em></p> - -<h3 class='c010'>RÔLE OF THE FIRST LINE.<a id='r7' /><a href='#f7' class='c008'><sup>[7]</sup></a></h3> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Its Method of Action.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Distance Less than 100 Metres.</em>—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).</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Distance Greater than 100 Metres.</em>—Attack by waves of companies, -in which those in front are divided into two parts:</p> - -<p class='c007'>1. A line of skirmishers at 5 paces, formed either by one section -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>deployed or by groups of skirmishers furnished by each section -(calm and resolute men).</p> - -<p class='c007'>2. Fifty metres behind comes the line of attack, men in one rank, -elbow to elbow or at one pace; the company and section<a id='r8' /><a href='#f8' class='c008'><sup>[8]</sup></a> commanders -in front of the line; four metres behind the line of attack, -the rank formed by the file closers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The skirmishers should be calm and resolute men, and good shots -(often old reserve soldiers, well seasoned and less susceptible -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>of losing their nerve and intent upon preserving their own lives).</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>The March on the Line of Attack.</em>—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, <em>all units instinctively started at a walk</em>. 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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élan</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At 60 metres from the enemy, break into charge.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>The Alignment.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus rushing like a wall, we were irresistible.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Crossing the Wire Entanglements.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Neuville, we arrived at a first entanglement at 80 metres -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Taking the Other Trenches.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following trenches are crossed without interruption, always -advancing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For the first wave, <em>there is no limit</em>; 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élan</span></i>, such as obliquing the -sections that would be exposed to the fire of machine guns not -yet out of action.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The reinforcement by successive waves of entire companies -leads to a vexatious mixture of units. It is necessary that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>surviving officers and noncommissioned officers group around -them men of their own company but not miscellaneous units.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Instruction of the First Line.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The points which should be borne in mind are as follows:</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>The Alignment.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>The Charge.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The charge should be frenzied and furious, and this the men -should well understand.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>The File Closers.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Taking the Next Trenches.</em>—<em>Pursuit over Free Ground.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As long as there remains a trench to conquer, <em>prohibit absolutely -all advance through the <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></em> (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 <em>and to try and creep through inside his lines and -throw him into disorder by surprise</em>. 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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i> to get possession of -important points without being seen. These patrols, equipped -with revolvers and grenades, should be practised in exercises -involving combats in <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Skirmish Formation.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span> - <h3 class='c010'>RÔLE OF THE SECOND LINE, THE “REINFORCEMENTS.”<a id='r9' /><a href='#f9' class='c008'><sup>[9]</sup></a></h3> -</div> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Its Method of Action.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>The most important question concerning the penetration of the -enemy’s line is perhaps the action of the reinforcements (<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">renforts</span></i>), -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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The inertia of the second line and its expenditure without effect -arise from two causes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All these causes so influence the second line that when it goes -into action, it attacks without spirit and soon stops.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The second cause arises, as I have previously mentioned, from a -faulty conception of the action of the second line.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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. <em>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.</em> Having generally received orders which are ill defined -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>and not having been able to prepare beforehand for the rôle -that falls to them, their attitude is necessarily weak and hesitating.<a id='r10' /><a href='#f10' class='c008'><sup>[10]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Choice of Troops for the Second Line.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Location of the Troops of the Second Line. The Moment for -Putting Them in Action.</em>—During the preparation, the troops of the -second line await their turn in the shelters which open into the -approach <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>. It would be very advantageous if they could -be placed as close as possible to the parallel of departure<a id='r11' /><a href='#f11' class='c008'><sup>[11]</sup></a> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>When the first line has entirely departed, the units of the second -line take their place in the parallel of departure and form there. -<em>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.</em> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Taking the Formation for Combat.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Formation.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>March and Use of Ground.</em>—Each company marches <em>at a walk</em> -straight toward its objective and <em>in line</em> as long as it is not subjected -to direct fire; it thus avoids the irregularities which arise -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>from the anxiety to make use of the ground, when from now on, -only one anxiety should prevail, that of routing the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is generally a tendency to try to make use of the hostile -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Combat of Units of the Second Line.</em>—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:</p> - -<p class='c007'>To master a well-defined zone up to a certain point;</p> - -<p class='c007'>To master the borders of a center of resistance on the flank of -troops that have pushed into the intervals.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Eventually they may at certain points receive the order to -throw back a counter-offensive and to pursue.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <em>the assault -without hesitation</em>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Two cases are presented according to the distance that separates -the fractions of the halted first line from the hostile resistance:</p> - -<p class='c007'>1. Distance less than 200 metres:</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <em>in line</em> and carries along the first.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>2. Distance more than 200 metres—Progression and Assault:</p> - -<p class='c007'>The new difficulty is to build up at assaulting distance from the -enemy a line of assault in a sort of parallel of departure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The second and third waves follow and imitate the movements -of the first.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Machine Guns and Light Cannon.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Location of the Machine-Gun and Gun Crews during the Assault.</em>—These -detachments follow the last waves of the first line, and they -therefore are not directly taken under fire and can profit by the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>indications of the fight of the first line and so be in a way to act -effectively when the second line comes into action.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Machine Guns.</em>—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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <em>with a -few automatic rifles</em>.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Light Cannon.</em>—We have spoken of the rôle of light cannon -in the paragraph relating to the destruction of machine guns.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Instruction of Units of the Second Line.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élan</span></i> which one -tries to develop in all assaulting troops.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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:</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>To create a sort of parallel of departure at assaulting distance</em>;</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>To obtain superiority of fire by all means at their disposal.</em></p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span><em>First Case.</em>—We reach the first line, halted under cover at 150 -metres from the enemy; this is a case of organizing a long-distance -assault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Attention should be focussed on the following points:</p> - -<p class='c007'>1. Reestablishment of Order and Calm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>2. Gaining Superiority of Fire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It can be obtained in the two following ways:</p> - -<p class='c007'>The execution of an intense fire by the whole line;</p> - -<p class='c007'>The execution of a slow, deadly, and precise fire by the best -shots, well concealed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In addition if possible, get a small group to the front or on the -flank, who will protect a forward movement by their fire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>3. Execution of the Assault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“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.”</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>The movement should be simultaneous and without warning -to the enemy; the following suggestions are made:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Prepare to rush, look toward Lieutenant X, hide your bayonets.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From the moment of the charge, each man rushes on the enemy -and fires if necessary.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Second Case.</em>—The units of the first line have been stopped at -more than 200 metres from the enemy, say at 500 metres.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Move forward, executing short, rapid rushes without firing, in -thin lines which are united at assaulting distance from the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“In thin lines by half section, at 100 metres distance by short -rushes: 1st and 3d Sections, forward.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He personally goes out with the first line to select the emplacement -where he will halt it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The construction of the parallel of departure is accomplished -as has been indicated above.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Instruction of the Machine-Gun Sections.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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).</p> - -<p class='c007'>Therefore train them to get used to picking out cover, however -insignificant, as a position for a machine gun and to utilize the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>ground skilfully and rush rapidly with the matériel in order to -make themselves invisible or indiscernible;</p> - -<p class='c007'>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;</p> - -<p class='c007'>To keep still and try to be forgotten until the moment of assault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The crews of the light guns should be attached to the infantry -and learn to cooperate with it instead of being independent.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Exercises to Develop the Spirit of Decision in the Second Line.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>In front of any resistance whatever, the units of the second line -should have but two ideas:</p> - -<p class='c007'>To take positions rapidly for the assault;</p> - -<p class='c007'>To assault.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The dispositions for the assault are:</p> - -<p class='c007'>The creation or adaptation of a line of a shelter at assaulting -distance;</p> - -<p class='c007'>The rapid gaining of superiority of fire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>By representing the enemy and having him fire blank cartridges, -one becomes accustomed to making rapid reconnaissance of resistances.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>IV.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Preparation of the Troops for Penetration.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>The battle of today, since the last evolution of the war, is only -a succession of assaults. The assault being the hardest and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>THE COHESION.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">... Mais par un prompt renfort</span></div> - <div class='line'><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Nous nous vîmes trois mille en arrivant au port</span></div> - <div class='line'><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Tant à nous voir marcher en <em>si bel équipage</em></span></div> - <div class='line'><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Les plus épouvantés reprenaient de courage.</span>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>This is what our battalion commander often quoted to us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The trench produces cohesion in the <em>small group</em>, the period of -exercise the <em>cohesion in the organization</em>.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>THE OFFENSIVE SPIRIT.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>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 <em>furious and unlimited assault</em>, 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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>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!</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>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 “<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pour la Patrie</span></i>,” 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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. <em>Today as formerly, -the word of the great chief, rational and assured, is graven in -ineffaceable letters in the hearts of the combatants.</em> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>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 -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>, 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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>The Man Must Be Put into Forward Movement</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élan</span></i>, 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!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In order to give more movement, the exercise against the -dummy was arranged in the following manner:</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>charging pace,<a id='r12' /><a href='#f12' class='c008'><sup>[12]</sup></a> 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>V.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Material Preparation of the Troops.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>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.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUND.</h3> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Maps.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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 <em>for the troops -of the second line</em>, 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Matériel.</span></i></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Grenades.</em>—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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i> or in a town, the supply -should be increased.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Furnish suffocating grenades, especially to patrols going into -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Revolvers and knives are indispensable for the fight in the -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Have individual sand bags to establish a rapid barrier in the -<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i> or to build up a line of cover such as we have before described.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Also the Filloux apparatus, with the use of which the men should -be familiar.</p> - -<p class='c007'><em>Equipment.</em>—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.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span> - <h2 class='c005'>VI.<br /> <span class='large'><span class='sc'>Development and Physiognomy of the Attack.</span><a id='r13' /><a href='#f13' class='c008'><sup>[13]</sup></a></span></h2> -</div> - -<h3 class='c010'>ACTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">boyaux</span></i> or ruins; here the progress has -been inappreciable in spite of enormous losses.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This has all lasted perhaps less than an hour.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>ACTION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>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 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>push along the whole front like the attack of the first line, and -then will come a total rout.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The “accompanying batteries” have started as soon as the -first trenches are taken and are soon oriented by the signals of the -special <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">agents de liaison</span></i>, 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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 <em>else encounter empty spaces through which they boldly penetrate</em>, -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, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h3 class='c010'>ACTION OF THE RESERVES.</h3> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is for this purpose that we employ the reserves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Informed by officers of <em>liaison</em>, 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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<h4 class='c012'><em>Exploitation of the Success.</em></h4> - -<p class='c011'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>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.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But it will then no longer be a question of breaking through, we -must rest after the assault.</p> -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/i_c_fig1.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>DISPOSITIONS OF THE ATTACKING TROOPS ON THE FRONT OF A DIVISION.<br /><br /><span class='right'>Pl. I</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_c_fig2.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>EXAMPLE OF A GERMAN DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATION.<br /><br /><span class='right'>Pl. II</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_c_fig3.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>ACTION OF THE FIRST LINE OF ATTACK.<br /><br /><span class='right'>Pl. III</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_c_fig4.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>ACTION OF THE SECOND LINE OF ATTACK.<br /><br /><span class='right'>Pl. IV</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_c_fig5.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>ACTION OF RESERVE BATTALIONS. <em>Zone Definitely Cleared.</em><br /><br /><span class='right'>Pl. V</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class='c014' /> -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Etude sur l’attaque dans la période actuelle de la guerre—Impressions -et réflexions d’un commandant de compagnie; Paris, Librairie Blon, 1916.</span> -Communicated to the French Army by the Commander-in-Chief. Translated -for the <span class='sc'>Infantry Journal</span> by an officer of infantry.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f2'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. The great French offensive on Neuville-Saint-Vaast north of Arras.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f3'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. See Plate II at end of this article.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f4'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. Communicating trenches.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f5'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. The assault commenced at 10 o’clock.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f6'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. See Plate I at end of this article.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f7'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. See Plate III at end of this article.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f8'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. The French company has four sections, but no platoons except for -administration.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f9'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. The word reinforcement (<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">renforts</span></i>) 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.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f10'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. 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.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f11'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. 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.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f12'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. Thirty inches, 140 per minute.—<span class='sc'>Translator.</span></p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f13'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. See Plates at end of this article.</p> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</h2> -</div> - <ol class='ol_1 c002'> - <li>Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - - </li> - <li>Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -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-h.htm or 60197-h.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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