Trench Warfare.

General Principles.


1. Defense may be made in depth by all organizations, down to and
including the platoon, or it may be made laterally.

2. The smallest active segment, be it only three men, must have a
chief and a second in command, who is responsible for the proper
upkeep and defense of the segment. All occupants of active segments
must know all instructions which should be simple.

3. Any troops in charge of a portion of trench must never abandon it,
no matter what happens, even if surrounded.

4. All ground lost must be retaken at once by immediate counter attack
launched by the unit which lost the ground. As a matter of fact a
counter attack is difficult for a platoon or company; it is really
necessary for it to be made by a battalion.

5. Each company must provide for emplacements for mine throwers to be
served by the artillery and for pneumatic guns to be served by their
own men.


Instructions to be Issued by Battalion Commander.

1. Disposition of companies in sector assigned (best done by sketch
showing sectors assigned to companies).