Manual of Military Training Part 47

=767.= Against a man on foot, armed with a sword, be careful that the muzzle of the rifle is not grasped. All the swordsman's energies will be directed toward getting past the bayonet. Attack him with short stabbing thrusts, and keep him beyond striking distance of his weapon.

(56)

=768.= The adversary may attempt a greater extension in the thrust and lunge by quitting the grasp of his piece with the left hand and advancing the right as far as possible. When this is done, a sharp parry may cause him to lose control of his rifle, leaving him exposed to a counter-attack, which should follow promptly. (57)

=769.= Against odds a small number of men can fight to best advantage by grouping themselves so as to prevent their being attacked from behind. (58)

=770.= In fighting a mounted man armed with a saber every effort must be made to get on his near or left side, because here his reach is much shorter and his parries much weaker. If not possible to disable such an enemy, attack his horse and then renew the attack on the horseman. (59)

=771.= In receiving night attacks the a.s.sailant's movements can be best observed from the kneeling or p.r.o.ne position, as his approach generally brings him against the sky line. When he arrives within attacking distance rise quickly and lunge well forward at the middle of his body. (60)

VI. FENCING EXERCISES

=772.= Fencing exercises in two lines consist of combinations of thrusts, parries, and foot movements executed at command or at will, the opponent replying with suitable parries and returns. (61)

=773.= The instructor will inspect the entire fencing equipment before the exercise begins and a.s.sure himself that everything is in such condition as will prevent accidents. (62)

=774.= The men equip themselves and form in two lines at the order, facing each other, with intervals of about 4 paces between files and a distance of about 2 paces between lines. One line is designated as number 1; the other, number 2. Also as attack and defense. (63)

=775.= The opponents being at the order facing each other, the instructor commands: =SALUTE.=

Each man, with eyes on his opponent, carries the left hand smartly to the right side, palm of the hand down, thumb and fingers extended and joined, forearm horizontal, forefinger touching the bayonet. (Two) Drop the arm smartly by the side.

This salute is the fencing salute.

All fencing exercises and all fencing at will between individuals will begin and terminate with the formal courtesy of the fencing salute.

(64)

=776.= After the fencing salute has been rendered the instructor commands: =1. Fencing exercise, 2. GUARD.=

At the command =guard= each man comes to the position of =guard=, heretofore defined, bayonets crossed, each man's bayonet bearing lightly to the right against the corresponding portion of the opponent's bayonet. The position is known as the engage or engage right. (65)

=777.= Being at the =engage right: ENGAGE LEFT=.

The attack drops the point of his bayonet quickly until clear of his opponent's rifle and describes a semicircle with it upward and to the right; bayonets are crossed similarly as in the engaged position, each man's bayonet bearing lightly to the left against the corresponding portion of the opponent's bayonet. (66)

=778.= Being at =engage left: ENGAGE RIGHT=.

The attack quickly drops the point of his bayonet until clear of his opponent's rifle and describes a semicircle with it upward and to the left and =engages=. (67)

=779.= Being =engaged: ENGAGE LEFT AND RIGHT=.

The attack =engages left= and then immediately =engages right=. (68)

=780.= Being =engaged left: ENGAGE RIGHT AND LEFT=.

The attack =engages right= and then immediately =engages left=. (69)

=781. 1. Number one, ENGAGE RIGHT (LEFT); 2. Number two, COUNTER.=

Number one executes the movement ordered, as above; number two quickly drops the point of his bayonet and circles it upward to the original position. (70)

=782.= In all fencing while maintaining the pressure in the engage, a certain freedom of motion of the rifle is allowable, consisting of the play, or up-and-down motion, of one bayonet against the other. This is necessary to prevent the opponent from divining the intended attack.

It also prevents his using the point of contact as a pivot for his a.s.saults. In changing from one engage to the other the movement is controlled by the left hand, the right remaining stationary. (71)

=783.= After some exercise in =engage=, =engage left=, and =counter=, exercises will be given in the =a.s.saults=. (72)

a.s.sAULTS

=784.= The part of the body to be attacked will be designated by name as head, neck, chest, stomach, legs. No attacks will be made below the knees. The commands are given and the movements for each line are first explained thoroughly by the instructor; the execution begins at the command =a.s.sault=. Number one executes the attack, and number two parries; conversely, at command, number two attacks and number one parries. (73)

=785.= For convenience in instruction a.s.saults are divided into =simple attacks=, =counter-attacks=, =attack on the rifle=, and =feints=. (74)

SIMPLE ATTACKS

=786.= Success in these attacks depends on quickness of movement.

There are three simple attacks--the =straight=, the =disengagement=, and the =counter disengagement=. They are not preceded by a feint.

(75)

=787.= In the =straight= the bayonet is directed straight at an opening from the engaged position. Contact with the opponent's rifle may, or may not, be abandoned while making it. If the opening be high or low, contact with the rifle will usually be abandoned on commencing the attack. If the opening be near his guard, the light pressure used in the engage may be continued in the attack.

Example: Being at the =engage right=, =1. Number one=, at neck (head, chest, right leg, etc.), =thrust; 2. Number two, parry right; 3.

a.s.sAULT.= (76)

=788.= In the =disengagement= contact with the opponent's rifle is abandoned and the point of the bayonet is =circled under= or =over= his bayonet or rifle and directed into the opening attacked. This attack is delivered by one continuous spiral movement of the bayonet from the moment contact is abandoned.

Example: Being at the =engage right=, =1. Number one=, at stomach (left chest, left leg, etc.), =thrust, 2. Number two, parry left= (etc.); =3. a.s.sAULT.= (77)

=789.= In the =counter disengagement= a swift attack is made into the opening disclosed while the opponent is attempting to change the engagement of his rifle. It is delivered by one continuous spiral movement of the bayonet into the opening.

Example: Being at the =engage right=, =1. Number two, engage left; 2.

Number one=, at chest, =thrust; 3. Number two, parry left; 4.

a.s.sAULT.=

Number two initiates the movement, number one thrusts as soon as the opening is made, and number two then attempts to parry. (78)

=790.= A =counter-attack= or =return= is one made instantly after or in continuation of a parry. The parry should be as narrow as possible.

This makes it more difficult for the opponent to recover and counter parry. The counter-attack should also be made at, or just before, the full extension of the opponent's attack, as when it is so made, a simple extension of the arms will generally be sufficient to reach the opponent's body.

Example: Being at =engage=, =1. Number two=, at chest, =lunge; 2.

Number one, parry right=, and at stomach (chest, head, etc.), =thrust; 3. a.s.sAULT.= (79)

ATTACKS ON THE RIFLE

=791.= These movements are made for the purpose of forcing or disclosing an opening into which an attack can be made. They are the =press=, the =beat=, and the =twist=. (80)