Manual of Military Training Part 49

5. When it is necessary to stop the contest--for example, because of breaking of weapons or displacement of means of protection--take the position of the order.

6. When it is necessary to suspend the a.s.sault for any cause, it will not be resumed until the adversary is ready and in condition to defend himself.

7. Attacks directed at the crotch are prohibited in fencing.

8. Stepping out of bounds, when established, counts as a hit. (106)

SUGGESTIONS FOR FENCING AT WILL

=818.= When engaging in an a.s.sault, first study the adversary's position and proceed by false attacks, executed with speed, to discover, if possible, his instinctive parries. In order to draw the adversary out and induce him to expose that part of the body at which the attack is to be made, it is advisable to simulate an attack by a feint and then make the real attack. (107)

=819.= Return attacks should be frequently practiced, as they are difficult to parry, and the opponent is within easier reach and more exposed. The return can be made a continuation of the parry, as there is no previous warning of its delivery, although it should always be expected. Returns are made without lunging if the adversary can be reached by thrusts or cuts. (108)

=820.= Endeavor to overcome the tendency to make a return without knowing where it will hit. Making returns blindly is a bad habit and leads to instinctive returns--that is, habitual returns with certain attacks from certain parries--a fault which the skilled opponent will soon discover. (109)

=821.= Do not draw the rifle back preparatory to thrusting and lunging (110)

=822.= The purpose of fencing at will is to teach the soldier as many forms of simple, effective attacks and defenses as possible.

Complicated and intricate movements should not be attempted. (111)

HINTS FOR INSTRUCTORS

=823.= The influence of the instructor is great. He must be master of his weapon, not only to show the various movements, but also to lead in the exercises at will. He should stimulate the zeal of the men and arouse pleasure in the work. Officers should qualify themselves as instructors by fencing with each other. (112)

LESSONS OF THE EUROPEAN WAR

=824. Modification of our system of bayonet combat suggested.= The above gives, in toto, the system of bayonet exercises and combat at present prescribed by the War Department in the =Manual of the Bayonet=. However, the use of the bayonet in the present European war, which has given that weapon an importance and prominence heretofore unheard of, suggests, as indicated below, certain modifications of our system.

(a) _Attack not to be directed against chest._ The attack should be directed at the adversary's neck or stomach, and not against his chest; for, if the bayonet is driven into the chest, there will probably be difficulty in withdrawing it, and while your bayonet is being so held, imbedded in your adversary's chest, you are at the mercy of any other enemy soldier free to strike you.

(b) _Melee on parapet._ When the first wave of an attacking line reaches the enemy's trench, it is usually met outside the trench, the melee taking place on the parapet, and fortunate is the man who is skilled in handling his bayonet. Such a man has a much greater chance to live through the melee than the one who is not skillful in using his bayonet. In the excitement and confusion of this melee the greatest possible care must be taken not to stab some of your own men in the back.

(c) _Position of feet._ The British have been teaching their men to keep both feet pointing toward the enemy instead of having the right foot turned to the right, as in our system. Note the position of the feet in Figs. 15-18.

(d) _The "Short point" (or "Short thrust") and the "Jab."_ There are two attacks used by European troops which we might learn with profit.

They are the "Short point" (or "Short thrust") and the "Jab."

POSITION OF GUARD

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 14]

(e) _The short point (or short thrust)._ The _short point_ (or _short thrust_) is taken from the position of guard (Fig. 14), by slipping the left hand up to the grip of the bayonet, grasping it and the barrel, as shown in this figure:

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 15]

The rifle is then drawn back to the fullest extent of the right arm, thus:

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 16]

and a vigorous thrust is made at the objective (Fig. 15), immediately after which the bayonet is withdrawn vigorously, the left hand relaxed and the position of guard (Fig. 14) is resumed by pus.h.i.+ng the rifle smartly forward until the left hand is in its proper place.

It should be practiced on sand bags or other targets in positions at the height of the rifle, above it and below it.

(f) _The jab._ The jab is taken from the first position of the "Short point" (Fig. 15), by slipping the right hand up to the left as the rifle is drawn back to make the "Short thrust" (Fig. 17).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 17]

Then make a vigorous _upward_ thrust (Fig. 18) which should be aimed at the adversary's throat.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 18]

This may be practiced combined with the short thrust or the ordinary thrust. It may also be practiced with a run toward the target. It is a useful attack at close quarters.

(g) _The b.u.t.t._ The rifle b.u.t.t is used with great effect at close quarters, the blows being directed against an adversary's jaw or in the region of the heart.

(h) _Tripping adversary._ The men are taught how to trip up an enemy and how to use their knees in throwing their opponents off their balance.

(i) _Withdrawing the bayonet._ After driving the bayonet into an opponent, then the first consideration is to get it out of his body.

This may be done by slipping the left hand up to the bayonet grip and exerting a _vigorous_ pull, which is immediately followed by a return to the position of guard.

(j) _Points in training._ In the first stages of training, special attention is paid to a firm grip and proper handling of arms; then the greatest attention is given to "direction" when thrusting, lunging, and parrying.

Until these essentials have been thoroughly mastered, quickness should not be insisted upon.

Confidence comes after continued practice, and quickness and vigor will come with confidence.

After the men are taught to make all the attacks as individuals they should be given practice in them as groups.

Sandbags with discs marked on them to provide targets are used in instructing the British armies.

These bags are suspended from trees or trestles, or are put into trenches or pits, and are also placed on the ground.

An excellent scheme is used in teaching the men what the shock of a charge is like. The men are divided into two or more groups and are equipped with fencing outfits. One group is designated as the defense and is placed in trenches. The other groups are the attackers. They may be sent forward in waves or in one line. To make their advance more realistic they have to get over or around obstacles. To take in all phases the attackers are made stronger than the defense and the defense retires--whereupon the attackers endeavor to disable them by thrusting at the kidneys. Likewise the defense is made strong enough to drive off the offense.

In the charge the men are taught to run at the "High Port" (the rifle is held as in "Port arms," but is carried well above the head). The rifle is brought down to guard just before the enemy is met.

APPENDIX D

SEPTEMBER 15, 1917

INFANTRY DRILL REGULATIONS, 1911.

Paragraphs 120, 143, 146, 185, 187, 189, 194, 646, Infantry Drill Regulations, 1911, apply only to troops armed with the United States rifle, Model 1903. For troops armed with the United States rifle, Model 1917 (Enfield), the alternative paragraphs published herewith will govern.