The Fire Attack
Categories: FIRE SUPERIORITYMilitary Handbooks: The Plattsburg Manual
The principles governing the advance of the firing line in attack are
considered in the chapters on Attack and Defense.
When it becomes impracticable for the company to advance as a whole by
ordinary means, it advances by rushes.
Being in skirmish line: 1. By platoon (two platoons, squad, four men,
etc.) from the right (left), 2. RUSH.
The platoon leader on the indicated flank
for a prompt and vigorous execution of the rush and puts it into effect
as soon as practicable. If necessary, he designates the leader for the
indicated fraction. When about to rush, he causes the men of the
fraction to cease firing and to hold themselves flat, but in readiness
to spring forward instantly. The leader of the rush (at the signal of
the platoon leader, if the latter be not the leader of the rush)
commands: Follow me, and running at top speed, leads the fraction to the
new line, where he halts it and causes it to open fire. The leader of
the rush selects the new line if it has not been previously designated.
The first fraction having established itself on the new line, the next
like fraction is sent forward by its platoon leader, without further
command of the captain, and so on, successively, until the entire
company is on the line established by the first rush.
If two or more platoons are ordered to rush, the senior platoon leader
takes charge of them, and the junior (or juniors) carries out the wishes
of the senior.
A part of the line having advanced, the captain may increase or decrease
the size of the fractions to complete the movement.
When the company forms a part of the firing line, the rush of the
company as a whole is conducted by the captain, as described for a
platoon in the preceding paragraph. The captain leads the rush; platoon
leaders lead their respective platoons, platoon guides follow the line
to insure prompt and orderly execution of the advance.
When the foregoing method of rushing, by running, becomes impracticable,
any method of advance that brings the attack closer to the enemy, such
as crawling, should be employed.
Quibbling over minor details shows a failure to grasp the big ideas.
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