These should be practiced in the intervals of trench service when the battalion is in rest billets.
Their theory should be thoroughly mastered by all on whom may devolve responsibility.
We shall study here the two principal phases of the combat: the approach and the attack, from the point of view of the company commander.
We shall also consider the Combat from the standpoint of the Defense.
110.--All maneuvering at close range impossible.
In the attack, the infantry can proceed only straight ahead. Under infantry fire all maneuvering is impossible. Therefore by "approach" is meant all maneuvering preparatory to the attack: It brings the troops directly in front of and as near as possible to the objective.
PRELIMINARY DISPOSITIONS TO START THE APPROACH.
The company commander will receive his orders from the battalion commander.
a) make sure that the men are fully equipped and provided with full allotment of ammunition;
b) appoint and parade connecting files (runners) to await orders.
The company commander having received his orders from the battalion commander, will then call his subordinates and issue his own orders accordingly, including the formation to be adopted.
He will make sure that there are combat patrols on the exposed flank or flanks and to the front and rear if need be.
It is well to have combat patrols detach automatically. It may be understood, once for all, that, without further orders, the first squad will cover in front, the second to the right, the third to the left, the fourth to the rear, whenever needed. Still, the officer in charge should make sure that this arrangement is carried out.
A combat patrol, if not a full advance guard, will thus always precede a unit and be the first to take contact with the enemy.
The officers serve as guides to their units, until deployment, a mounted officer in liaison with the advance guard or advanced combat patrol checking up the itinerary.
116.--Keep Close Order as long as possible.
The advance of a company into an engagement is conducted in close order, preferably columns of squads, until possible observation by the enemy or encountering of hostile fire makes it advisable to deploy.
Deployment should not be premature and should always follow upon the conditions arising during the progress of the advance.