Scouting, patroling and musketry. Complete course of practical training for small infantry units

Front matter

REGULAR ARMY

GENERAL H. B. FISKE “ A most exhaustive and yet in every way practical text.

Its arrangement is logical and its language clear and easily understood. The many excel¬ lent sketches add greatly to ease of acquisition of a proper mental picture of how war is made.”

Preface

^Correct military training is based upon the requirements of battle. The most important element in battle is the small infantry unit in the aggregate. Upon the morale and training of these small units, and the skill and devotion of their leaders, the issue of battle chiefly depends. Accordingly the combat training of the small infantry units is the essence of any proper course of military instruction.

The training of the infantry includes four phases, all closely related to each other, to-wit: Physical, disciplinary, technical and tactical. Infantry drill and physical training are the means of physical and disciplinary instruction. Technical training is that which makes the officer and the soldier familiar with the character¬ istics and expert in the use of weapons. For the small infantry unit these weapons include the rifle and bayonet, automatic rifle and grenades. The technique of these weapons is covered in the courses in rifle marksmanship and other courses in infantry weapons.

His muscles having been hardened by physical exercise and his mind and body trained and disciplined by drill to prompt and intelligent obedience, and being familiar with his weapons, the soldier must next learn to play his part as a member of the team in combat.

Teamwork of an organization in combat is known as Tactics, which is the culmi¬ nation of the course in combat training. That part of Tactics which pertains to the conduct of the individual soldier and the fire units (infantry squad and section) is included in the courses in Scouting, Patroling and Musketry, set forth in this volume. The Tactics of the platoon and larger units are covered in the course in Tactics, proper.

The infantry soldier must know how to perform the duties of a scout, how to play his part as a member of a patrol, and how to combine fire and movement in combat, whether attack or defense. He must know how to move, take cover, observe, report what he sees, locate a target, point it out to others, how to direct, control and distribute his fire in accordance with the commands of his leader, etc.

Non-commissioned officers and junior officers must know how to lead their men in battle, and how to train them in the performance of their duties.

In this volume the simple principles governing the conduct of the individual and the fire units in combat, are set forth in plain language, and illustrated wherever necessary by diagrams and perspectives. They can be readily comprehended by any man of sufficient intelligence to make a good infantry soldier. The duties of the soldier and his leaders in combat are carefully explained and illustrated, answering the pertinent questions: “ What must I do? ” and “ How do I do it? ”

The practical exercises, forming the most important part of the course, have been carefully selected from amongst those which have been tested and proven successful in the actual training of troops.

The method of instruction followed in this text, both in the individual training of the scout and the combined training of the patrol or fire unit (in Musketry), is what is known as the applicatory system. This system is now generally recognized as the best method of tactical training, and is employed in the armies of all civilized

nations. „

As applied to this course the applicatory system will cover the following a. The principles involved will be stated and carefully explained and their prac¬ tical application discussed. .

b. Practical demonstrations of the application of the principles will be given, showing the student how each duty of the scout, patrol, or fire unit is performed.

SCOUTING, PATROLING AND MUSKETRY

The demonstration should be carefully prepared and described in detail as it progresses.

c. The demonstrations will be followed by simple exercises in which the student himself will perform the actions and show the application of the principles taught.

d. Having been sufficiently practiced the student (soldier or leader) should then be given a test to make certain that he is thoroughly conversant with his duties.

Practice should take place under the supervision of the instructor and no mistakes should go uncorrected. It is important that the instructor insist on perfect execu¬ tion of all movements for bad habits acquired in training will not disappear in combat.

No course of instruction can be regarded as complete which does not include these four elements in order:

a. Explanation.

b. Demonstration.

c. Practice.

d. Test.

For example, the student is first instructed as to the necessity for crawling and how to crawl. The proper method of crawling is then demonstrated in his presence. The student is then required to practice the crawl and finally to crawl in the presence of his instructor, thus indicating what he has learned of the subject.

The volume as a whole is designed to meet the needs of all soldiers who wish to familiarize themselves with their duties in combat; and of all officers and non¬ commissioned officers who desire to fit themselves for successful leadership, and to prepare and conduct practical courses of training for their commands.

The subjects included in this course are of fundamental and paramount impor¬ tance in the combat training of Infantry.

For the Authors,

P. S. Bond.

Table Of Contents

SCOUTING AND PATROLING.

SCOUTING.

Chapter I. Introduction

Importance of information.

Sources and means of information. The intelligence service. .. Aerial reconnaissance .

Scouting and patroling by small units.

Importance of the scout.

Development of successful scouts .

Qualifications and selection of scouts.

Equipment .

Duties of scouts. ......

QUESTIONNAIRE.

Chapter II. Concealment By Day

PRINCIPLES OF CONCEALMENT.

Additional precautions as to concealment.

Individual movement .

The prone position .

To rise .

To move at a. run .

To take the prone position from a run, with ride .

To take the prone position from a run, without ride .

To take the prone position from a walk, or halt, with ride .

To take the prone position from a walk, or halt, without ride.. .

To creep .

To crawl .

Swimming .

The advance by bounds.

Conduct if captured .

QUESTIONNAIRE .

Chapter III. Concealment By Night

Precautions as to concealment by night.

MOVEMENT BY NIGHT.

Routes for night movement.

Advance by bounds.

Scouting in a trench area.

Passage of obstacles.

QUESTIONNAIRE.

Chapter IV. Use Of Compass And Field Glass

Direction—Bearing and Azimuth.

THE COMPASS .

Description of the compass.

Use of the compass.

1. To determine the direction of magnetic north .

2. To dnd the azimuth (bearing) of any object from the obser¬

ver's position .

By day.

By night .

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3. To lay out a given course from a given point on the terrain .. 28

4. To follow a course by night . 28

5. To orient a map . 28

6. To measure an azimuth or lay out a direction on the map . ... 30

Direction without a compass. 3 °

Trees . 3 °

Sun . 3 °

Sun and watch . 3 °

Stars . 3 1

Moon . 3 1

Wind . S 1

Blazing a trail . 3 2

Landmarks .. 3 2

FIELD GLASSES . 3 2

Adjustments of the field glass. 32

Adjusting the focus . 3 2

Adjusting the inter pupillary distance . 32

Use of field glasses. 32

Chapter V. Observation By Day And Night. 33

OBSERVATION BY DAY. 34

Selection of observation posts. . 34

Moving to the observation posts. . 34

Searching ground from observation post. 36

Accuracy of observation . 36

Interpretation of signs and trails. 36

OBSERVATION BY NIGHT. 38

Chapter VI. Messages . 39

Importance of messages and reports. 39

Forms of messages. 39

1. The serial number of the message . 39

2. The place from which the message is sent . 39

3. The date and hour at zvhich the message is sent . 40

4. The name of the person to whom sent . 40

5. A description of the objects or events zvhich form the subject

of the message . 41

6. The exact locality at zvhich an event occurs or an object is

7. The time at which an event occurs . 41

8. A resume of previous messages . 41

9. A statement of the next move of the scout or patrol . 41

10. The signature and rank of the sender . 41

Wording of messages . 43

Terrain nomenclature . 43

Chapter VII. Scouts In Offensive Combat. 44

The scout pair. 44

The approach march. 44

FUNCTIONS OF THE SCOUTS DURING THE ATTACK. ...!. 44

Maintaining the direction of advance. 47

Reconnoitering suspicious localities. 47

Maintaining contact. Signals and messages. 48

III Reconnaissance of a wood

Drawing the hostile fire.

Seizing a fire position.

Security during a halt.

Scouts of support and reserve units .

QUESTIONNAIRE .

Chapter VIII. Scouts In Defensive Combat

Functions of the scouts in a defensive position..

OBSERVATION IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION. .. .

The scout pair as observers ..

Organization and conduct of the observation post. .

Reports of observation.

Locating the observation post. Concealment.

Equipment of the observation post .

SNIPING.

Functions of snipers.

Snipers* posts. Location. Concealment.

Organizing the sector.

Designating targets.

Duties of the rifleman.

Telescopic sights .

Records and reports. Reliefs.

Locating the hostile snipers.

QUESTIONNAIRE.

Chapter IX. Listening Posts

Location of listening posts. Concealment and cover

Scouts as listeners .

Interpretation and location of sounds heard at night

Recording the observations.

Reading compass at night .

Guides.

QUESTIONNAIRE.

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PATROLING.

Chapter X

GENERAL PRINCIPLES. TACTICAL USE OF PATROLS

Definition of patrol .

Classes of patrols.

Information and security patrols .

Strategic and tactical patrols .

Importance of patroling.

TACTICAL USE OF PATROLS.

Advance guards .

Rear and dank guards .

Outposts .

Attack .

Defense .

Withdrawal .

Summary .

QUESTIONNAIRE .

Chapter XI. Day Patroling

Responsibilities of commanders .

63 63 63 63

64 64 64 64

IV SCOUTING AND PATROLING

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Number of patrols required. 65

Radius of action of a patrol . 65

Strength . 65

Composition . 66

Leader . 66

CHAPTER XII. Plans and orders . 67 *

The mission . 68

The enemy . 69

Friendly troops . 69

The terrain . 69

Rendezvous points . 7 °

Route of return . 7 °

Chapter XIII. Selection Of A Route From The Map. 71

Situation . 7 1

Picking the route . 7 1

Bounds of advance . 73

Preparation of sketch . 74

Map reading. 74

Contours . 74

Visibility problems . 74

Profiles . 74

Use of rubber band in solving visibility problems . 74

Summary of information derived from a map. 76

CHAPTER XIV. Equipment of the patrol. 77

Equipment of the leader . 77

Organization and formations. 77

Duties of various elements . 78

Distances and intervals . 78

Authorized arm signals. 79

Action of the patrol leader before the start. 82

Inspection of the patrol . 82

Orders of the patrol leader . 82

Reports made before starting . 83

CHAPTER XV. Approaching a suspicious locality . 85

Crossing an open space . 85

Moving up a valley . 85

Approaching a skyline or crest . 85

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Crossing a bridge or ford . 86

Approaching and reconnoitering a building . 86

Approaching a wood . 92

Passing through and reconnoitering a wood . 92

Passing through a village . 92

Reconnoitering a village . 92

Security during halts . 92

Interviewing local inhabitants. 92

Observation and reconnaissance. 94

What to observe .. 94

Bridges . 94

Fords . 94

Towns . 94

Buildings . 94

Railroads . 94

Roads . 94

Water supply .' 94

Camp sites . 95

Combat by information patrols. 95

Chapter XVI. Night Patroling. 96

Necessity for night patroling. 96

Reconnaissance by night. 96

Night combat patrols. 96

Mission, number, strength, composition and leaders of night

patrols . 97

Mission. 97

Equipment of the patrol. 98

Weapons . 98

Clothing . 98

Shoes . 98

Equipment of the leader . 98

CHAPTER XVII. NIGHT PATROLING (Continued). 99

Organization and formations. 99

Typical formation . 99

Distances and intervals . 99

Control. Signals . 99

Difficulty of control by night . 99

Simple formations. Pre-arranged plans . 99

Sound signals . 100

'Action of the patrol leader before the start. 100

Inspecting wire entanglements. 101

Formation of the patrol . 102

Locating the gaps . 102

Inspecting hostile entanglements . 102

Reconnoitering special localities. 102

VI

CHAPTER XVIII. NIGHT PATROLING (Continued)

Listening patrols .

Example .

Capturing enemy patrols.

Silent raids .

Example of a silent raid .

Combat by night.

Pre-arranged plans in case of attack ..

Conduct in case of defeat .

QUESTIONNAIRE .