'THAT YOU 20
Taken from Die Infantry School publication on Musketry, and new
Training :Vgulations, are the following notes on duties of various
men in combat, and combat generally:
DUTIES OF SCOUTS: (a) Scouts (one or two from each squad/ move
out in front of their squad from 50 yards (at night, in woods or fog)
* to 150 or more yards (in day time'' at the command, ’’Scouts Out#”
(t) They keep at wide intervals from each other so as to offer a
poor target;
They move by bounds, one scout running forward, while the other
watches The ground ahead, eady to protect the first scout by firing at
any enemy who appears;
$d) They take advantage of cover, provided this does not take too
long, and they cross open places' at a run;
(e) The distance they are ahead of their squad or seation changes
all the time, according to he ground and position of the enemy. They
keep far enough ahead to discover the enemy before he could fire on
their squad or section at close range, but close enough to their own
outfit not to loose touch with it;
(f) They open fire at once on enemy machine guns or "strong pointsS
which they locate# They use tracer bullets to point these out to their
own outfit so they can locate then and fire at them.
(g) They form the nucleus on which to build up a firing line;
(h) They form the advance elements in filtering into and enlarging
any gaps found in the enemy line.
(i) The leader of each pair of scouts watches the platoon 3ieader
for signals, '.flien the direction of advance of the platoon changes, the
scouts rejoin the platoon.
FORMATIONS; Remember that against the enemy*s aimed fire, a line
of skirmisheris is the safest formation. Against unaimed fire, snail
columns are the safest. Enemy fire from the flank against a line of
skirmishers has the same effect as from the front against a column.
^ence if the worst aimed fire is from a fldnk, a squad column is safest.
Across open spaces subject to intense fire, infiltration or rushes
by squads at extended intervals are usually the be so methods. The method
of advancing by squad rushes is very tiring and should only be used for
short distances.
Squad columns is usually th-o best formation for advancing along a
covered way such as a small guliv or ditch.
DUTIES OF PLATOON SERGEANT: (a) Takes the place of platoon leader
if the platoon leader i3 wounded or killed;
(b) Keeps touch between platoon leader and rear section;
(c) Prevents rear section from nixing with leading section too soon;
* (d) directs the action of rear section when so ordered by platoon
leader, or when the situation requires it.
b DUTIES OF SECTION LEADER: (a) Controls movement and fire of section,
assists platoon leader in uiaintjL&ning paper direction of attack; $b) Ob
serves target and effect of fire; (c) Regulates rate of fire; (d) Sets
an example by his bearing, pace and aggressiveness; (e) Leads 'idle section
when it rushes as a whole; (h) Supports adjacent sectio-13 by flanking
fire.
NOTE: Later issues of this publication will tell duties of Squad
^eaders and others. Keep these sheets and study then over in case you
have not the Training Regulations.