Military Instructors Manual by James P. Cole and Oliver Schoonmaker

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(c) The 265th Infantry, the sector from a point 100 yards east of the
_Peru Road_, and connecting with the trenches of the 266th Infantry,
to the _Sand Road_ exclusive.

(d) The Brigade Machine Gun Battalion will organize and maintain
strong points along line regimental reserves. The C.O. of this
organization will, at once, consult with the regimental commanders
relative to preparation of machine gun emplacements and probable need
for re-enforcements within their respective sectors.

(e) The Brigade Signalmen will establish telephonic communications
between Brigade and Regimental Headquarters.

4. (a) The regimental commanders and senior officers of the two
battalions, 267th Infantry, will at once report to the Chief Engineer
of the Division for plan of entrenchments in their respective sectors.

(b) Tools and materials for entrenching will be supplied at the trench
sites.

5. Messages to Brigade Headquarters near _Peru Road_, east Savoy
Hotel.

GOODRICH,
Brigadier General, Commanding.

Official Copy:
WM. KIRBY,
Major of Cavalry, U.S.R.,
Adjutant.

Copies to:
C.O., 265th Infantry.
C.O., 266th Infantry.
C.O., 1st and 2nd Battalions, 267th Infantry.
C.O., Brigade M.G. Co.
Headquarters, 101st Division.

HEADQUARTERS, 1ST BATTALION, 265TH INFANTRY
PLATTSBURG BARRACKS, N.Y.
OCT. 16, 1917.

FIELD ORDERS
No. 1.

Blue print of trenches; scale 24 inches equals 1 mile.

1. The enemy strongly occupies a line of trenches immediately _South_
of the _Chateaugay Branch Railroad_, the center of their line being
about opposite the center sector of our first line of trench, _Sand
Road-Target Range Fence_, their line of trenches being within 50 yards
of the railroad at that point, and then retiring slightly from the
railroad to the _East_ and _West_.

The 264th Infantry occupies the section of trenches directly to the
East of us and the 266th Infantry occupies the section of trenches
directly to the West of us.

2. This battalion will take up a defensive position in the nearly
completed line of trenches, _Sand Road-Target Range Fence_, and as
rapidly as possible complete the trench system in the following order
of work:
a. Deepen all trenches to at least three feet.
b. Construct latrines.
c. Provide cover.
d. Revet work previously done.

3. a. Front lines, _i.e._, fire, communicating and support trenches:
Company "B" will occupy the _East_ sector, _i.e._, _Sand Road_ to
_Belgium Boyau_, inclusive, including _Slum Boyau_ and the salient at
_South_ end Reserve Trench immediately in rear of _East_ end of
Support trench.

Company "C" will occupy the _Central_ sector, _i.e._, from _East_
sector (_Belgium Boyau_, exclusive), to _Cardona Boyau_, inclusive,
including _Poire Boyau_.

Company "A" will occupy the _West_ sector, _i.e._, from _Central_
sector (_Cardona Boyau_, exclusive), to and including salient near
_Southwest_ corner of _Target Range Fence_.

b. Reserve Line: Company "D" will occupy the line from the _Target
Range Fence_ on the _West_ to a point 165 yards _East_ of the _Verdun
Salient_, one-half of the Company occupying the sector, _Target Range
Fence_, to a point 75 yards _East_ of the _Rams Horn Boyau_, including
_Rams Horn Boyau_, and the other half of the Company occupying the
sector from a point 75 yards _East_ of the _Rams Horn Boyau_ to a
point 165 yards _East_ of the _Verdun Salient_.

c. Machine Guns: Headquarters, 1st Platoon and 1st Platoon Machine Gun
Company, will report to the Commanding Officer, Company "A," for
assignment to the shell craters (converted) and dugouts (constructed
for machine guns), four in all, in the _West_ sector.

Headquarters, 2nd Platoon and Third Section (2nd Platoon) Machine Gun
Company, will report to the Commanding Officer, Company "C," for
assignment to the shell crater (converted), and dugout (constructed
for machine gun), two in all, in the _Central_ sector. Fourth section
(2nd Platoon), Machine Gun Company, will report to the Commanding
Officer, Company "B," for assignment to the shell crater (converted),
two in all, in the _East_ sector.

d. Trench Mortars: Two trench mortars have been assigned to the
_Central_ sector and the Commanding officer, Company "C," is charged
with the construction of emplacements therefor and the manning of
them.

4. a. Dressing stations have been established in the _Butts_ of the
rifle range and in ravine on _O'Connell's Farm_.

b. Ammunition distributing points are located at _Plattsburg Barracks_
and _O'Connell's Farm_.

c. Regimental supply stations are located at _Saranac River_ (182),
intersection _Peru Road_ and _Rifle Range Road_, _Sand Hole in Rifle
Range_, _Sand Road_ on _O'Connell's Farm_, and _Ravine_ on
_O'Connell's Farm_.

5. Battalion Headquarters are located in dugout in _Support_ trench
(West Tremont), midway between _Rams Horn_ and _Poire Boyaux_, to
which place messages will be sent.

BOSCHEN,
Captain, 56th Infantry, Commanding.

Copies to:
C.O., 265th Infantry.
C.O., Companies A, B, C and D.
C.O., M.G. Company.
C.O., Headquarters Company.
R.S.O.

* * * * *

HDQTRS. 1ST BATT., 265TH INFTY.,
PLATTSBURG BCKS., N.Y., _Oct. 17, 1917._

FIELD ORDERS
No. 2

1. DISPOSITIONS:
a. The assignment of companies to sectors is as announced in
Field Orders No. 1, these headquarters.
b. Company commanders are charged with the details of occupation
of the trenches and the proper disposition of the
"specialists" (bombers, grenadiers, auto-riflemen, etc.),
directing particular attention to the active and passive
areas of their sectors.

2. FIELDS OF FIRE: Company commanders must arrange for and obtain
the best fields of fire in their own sectors, and provide
for protection of visible areas in adjoining sectors by
lateral fire.

3. IMPROVEMENTS OR CHANGES IN TRENCHES: Company commanders before
making any changes or improvements in trenches will render to
battalion headquarters brief recommendations of changes
desired. These recommendations will be submitted at 11.00
a.m. and 3.00 p.m., after which hours the battalion
commander will inspect and if deemed necessary will be
ordered.

4. ORGANIZATION FOR WATCHING AND OBSERVATION:
a. Each company commander will organize a system for watching
the enemy by day and will establish look-out posts for this
purpose; this system will be augmented at night by patrols
if necessary.
b. The watching of the enemy must be continuous and long
occupation of the sector will not warrant any laxity.

5. ORGANIZATION FOR SUPPLY:
a. Company commanders will make the necessary details for
obtaining supplies; these details to be in charge of Mess or
Supply Sergeants and will not exceed three squads for each
lettered company.
b. _Food_: Machine guns details and members of the Medical Corps
assigned to each sector are attached to the lettered
companies for rations.
c. Cooked food will be at the _Food Station_ at 6.00 a.m., 11.50
a.m. and 5.00 p.m. daily, and will be distributed at that
point.
d. Company commanders will detail the Mess Sergeant, with an
appropriate detail (about 2 squads) to proceed to _Food
Station_, which is located at the wire entanglement on the
_west_ side of the _Target Range_ about 400 yards _north of
Brigade Headquarters_.
e. The details mentioned above will proceed via trenches,
leaving same at junction of _Tipperary_ trench and _Rams
Horn_ boyau in the following order:
Co. D: Detail will clear junction _Rams Horn_ boyau and
_Tipperary_ trench at 5.40 a.m., 11.10 a.m. and 4.40 p.m.
Co. A: Detail will clear junction _Tremont_ trench, and
_Rams Horn_ boyau at 5.30 a.m., 11.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.,
proceeding via _Rams Horn_ boyau.
Co. B: Detail will clear junction _Tremont_ trench, and
_Poire_ boyau at 5.35 a.m., 11.05 a.m. and 4.55 p.m.,
proceeding via _Poire_ boyau and _Tipperary_ trench.
Co. C: Detail will clear junction _Tremont_ trench and _Slum_
boyau at 5.40 a.m., 11.10 a.m. and 4.40 p.m., proceeding via
_Slum_ boyau and _Tipperary_ trench.
f. These details will return to their respective sectors via
the indicated routes, moving in reverse order at five-minute
intervals, and company commanders will make necessary
arrangements for distribution of food within their
respective sectors.
g. Company commanders will cause the necessary police after each
meal to insure sanitary condition of trenches.
h. Food containers will be held in company until the next meal
hour when they will be returned to the _Food Station_.
i. _Water_: Water wagon will be at the _Food Station_ from 10.00
a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.
j. Containers for water will be furnished by Regimental Supply
Officer at the _Food Station_.
k. All men will carry full canteens of water when entering the
trenches.
l. Company commanders will detail the Mess Sergeant, with an
appropriate detail (about 2 squads), to proceed to the _Food
Station_ to procure water in containers; these details will
proceed via the routes indicated in paragraph 5, section "e":
Co. D, 2.00 p.m.; Co. A, 2.05 p.m.; Co. B, 2.10 p.m.; Co. C,
2.15 p.m.
m. These details will return to their respective sectors in
reverse order at five-minute intervals.
n. _Miscellaneous_: Details for obtaining tools, ammunition,
trench supplies, etc., will be arranged for as required.
o. Requisitions for miscellaneous supplies required will be
submitted by company commanders to the Regimental Supply
Officer not later than 3.00 p.m., October 17, 1917.

6. ORGANIZATION FOR LIAISON:
a. The Signal Officer will establish necessary telephonic
communications.
b. Each organization will detail one runner to report to the
battalion commander at regimental headquarters at 8.00 a.m.
c. Four runners will be detailed for duty with each company
headquarters and one runner will be detailed for duty with
each platoon headquarters. These runners should be lightly
equipped and wear a distinctive mark.
d. At least two men per section must be able to act as guides to
all company headquarters of the battalion.
e. Verbal messages will not be sent by runners; all messages
must be written.
f. Company commanders, or their representatives, will report
daily at battalion headquarters at 5.00 p.m.
g. There must be accurate communication between platoons in
company, and companies in battalion, in order to insure
co-ordinated action.

7. DEFENSE:
a. Immediately after the occupation of the trenches, company
commanders will make a careful estimate of all tactical
situations presented in their sectors and will plan for a
stubborn defense. Care must be exercised in providing for
defense in depth and lateral defense. The front line
trenches of each sector will be held until actually entered
by the enemy, and no sector will be abandoned until the
occupants are actually forced out.
b. The main line of resistance will be the support trenches
(_Tremont_) and special attention must be given to the
preparation for defense. If the front line trenches of any
sector be captured by the enemy there will be no withdrawal
from any other sector of the front line trenches for the
purpose of establishing a continuous line in the support
trench.
c. The company commander of the reserve will organize parties
for counterattacks and these parties will be held in
readiness at convenient points to insure prompt movement to
the front.
d. Continuous occupation of the trenches without fire action
must not cause a feeling of security and result in being
surprised by the enemy.

8. STAND TO: "Stand to" will take place at 5.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.,
daily. At this formation every available man will be
present. Rifles, ammunition, equipment, clothing, etc., will
be inspected. Rapid loading will be practiced. The firing
position of every man will be tested to see whether he can
hit the bottom edge of our wire. Gas helmets and respirators
will be inspected if worn. After "stand to" in the morning
and before "stand to" in the evening rifles will be
thoroughly cleaned and oiled.

9. TRENCH ORDERS:
a. Current "Trench Standing Orders" recently published from
Brigade Headquarters are in force.
b. During the occupation of the trenches it will be assumed
that, the trenches are under the observation and fire of the
enemy and all movement in the trenches will be conducted
accordingly. All movements of troops, either individuals or
groups, will be via the trenches at all times.
c. No one will be allowed to go overland between trenches or to
enter the trenches by the flank. All persons will enter the
trenches from the reserve trenches and no visitors will be
allowed in the trenches except on passes issued from the
Regimental Headquarters.
d. Commanding officers, Companies A and B, are responsible for
the posting of the necessary sentinels along the flanks of
the position (during the day), with instructions covering the
provisions contained in paragraph 9, sections "b" and "c."

10. REPORTS:
a. Company commanders will submit by 1.00 p.m., October 18,
1917, a report showing the dispositions and plan of defense
of their respective sectors.
b. Frequent reports of information obtained and any change of
conditions at the front will be made to battalion
headquarters when necessary.

BOSCHEN,
_Captain, 56th Infantry._
_Commanding._

Copies to:
C.O. 265th Infty.
C.O. Cos, A, B, C and D.
C.O. M.G. Co.
C.O., Hdq. Co.
R.S.O.

Company Organization (in Detail):

Company Headquarters:

1 Captain, commanding company,
1 First Lieutenant (senior), second in command,
1 First Sergeant, armed with pistol,
1 Mess Sergeant, armed with rifle,
1 Supply Sergeant, armed with rifle,
1 Corporal, company clerk, armed with rifle,
4 Mechanics, armed with rifle,
5 Wagoners (from Supply Company),
4 Cooks, armed with rifle,
2 Buglers, armed with pistol,
4 Privates, first class, company agent and signalmen.

_Equipment_: 15 rifles, 5 pistols, 8 automatic rifles (for
replacement), 40 trench knives (to be distributed as needed), 2
bicycles. Following from Supply Company: 1 rolling kitchen,
4-mule; 1 combat wagon, 4-mule; 1 ration and baggage wagon,
4-mule; 1 ration cart, 2-mule; 1 water cart, 2-mule; 16 mules,
draft.

_4 Platoons, each organized as follows_ (numbered 1 to 4 in company):

Headquarters:

1 First Lieutenant; 1st and 4th Platoons commanded by First
Lieutenants; 2nd and 3rd Platoons commanded by Second
Lieutenants, armed with pistol.

1 Sergeant, assistant to platoon commander, armed with pistol and
rifle.

_Equipment_: 1 rifle, 2 pistols.

1st SECTION: Bombers and rifle grenadiers:

1 Sergeant, armed with pistol and rifle,

3 Corporals, armed with pistol and rifle, 1 trained as rifle
grenadier; remainder trained as bombers,

6 Privates, first class, 2 armed with pistol and rifle, and
remainder with rifle only; 1 trained as rifle grenadier, and
remainder as bombers.

12 Privates, armed with rifles; 4 trained as rifle grenadiers,
remainder trained as bombers.

_Equipment_: 22 rifles, 6 pistols.

2nd SECTION: Riflemen:
2 Corporals, armed with pistols and rifles,
3 Privates, first class, armed with rifle,
7 Privates, armed with rifle,
_Equipment_: 12 rifles, 2 pistols.

3rd SECTION: Riflemen:
2 Corporals, armed with pistol and rifle,
3 Privates, first class, armed with rifle,
7 Privates, armed with rifle.
_Equipment_: 12 rifles, 2 pistols.

4th SECTION: Auto-riflemen:
1 Sergeant, armed with pistol and rifle,
1 Corporal, armed with pistol and rifle,
3 Privates, first class; 1 armed with rifle, 2 armed with pistols;
auto-rifle gunners, including 1 extra,
6 Privates, armed with rifle.
_Equipment_: 9 rifles, 4 pistols, 2 auto-rifles.

NOTE.--Sections numbered from 1 to 16 in company.

Personnel:

Commissioned:

Captain 1
First Lieutenants 3
Second Lieutenants 2
----
Total 6
====

Enlisted:

First Sergeant 1
Mess Sergeant 1
Supply Sergeant 1
Sergeants 12
Corporals 33
Mechanics 4
Wagoners (from Supply Company) (5)
Cooks 4
Buglers 2
Privates, first class 64
Privates 128
-----
Total 250
=====

Equipment:

Rifles 239
Pistols 69
Auto rifles 16
Trench knives 40
Bicycles 2
From Supply Company:
Rolling kitchen, 4-mule 1
Combat wagon, 4-mule 1
Ration and baggage wagon, 4-mule 1
Ration cart, 2-mule 1
Water cart, 2-mule 1
Mules, draft 16
====

Trench Standing Orders.

1. Duties.--A. One officer per company and one non-commissioned
officer per platoon will always be on duty. During their tour of duty
they will not be in their dugouts. They will frequently visit all
trenches occupied by their units. Every listening post will be visited
at least once by an officer during his tour of duty.

B. The officer and non-commissioned officer on duty will, when his
tour of duty is completed, turn over to the officer or
non-commissioned officer relieving him all orders, a report of the
work in progress, if any, and any other information of use.

C. At night the officer and non-commissioned officer on duty will
frequently patrol the trench line, to see that the sentries are alert
and to receive any reports they may desire to make.

D. The-non-commissioned officer coming on duty will go round and post
new sentinels with the non-commissioned officer coming off duty.

E. The length of the tour of duty will depend upon the number of
officers and non-commissioned officers on duty. Normally each tour
should be, by night, two hours; by day, four hours. This may be
modified, however, so that all officers and non-commissioned officers
will have an equal amount of this duty while in the trenches.

F. Non-commissioned officers, after posting sentinels, will report
"all is well" or otherwise to the officers on duty.

G. No man will be detailed for a duty in the trench without being
given suitable warning of this duty and be informed at which hour he
will come on duty.

H. The Company Commander will be responsible for sending any report
required by Battalion Headquarters.

2. Sentries.--A. The number of sentry posts required will depend on
the assumed propinquity or distance of the enemy, strength of
obstacles, ease with which sentry posts can be re-enforced and other
local conditions. Normally by day this should be one sentinel for each
platoon and at night three double sentinels for each platoon. There
must be sentries enough to insure alarm being given promptly in case
of attack and that local resistance is sufficient until help can
arrive.

B. The next relief will remain within an easy distance of the sentry
on post, usually in shelters provided for this purpose.

C. Every sentry is to be regularly posted by a non-commissioned
officer who will explain to him his duties and ascertain that the
sentry is aware of the position of the section and platoon commanders
and of the sentries on either side, and whether there are any patrols
or working parties out in front.

D. Every sentinel will report when an officer passes his post, "All is
well," or otherwise.

E. Every sentinel by day will be provided with a head-cover to blend
with the ground (this may be improvised), and while observing the
ground to the front will remain perfectly still. An empty sand bag or
some other suitable material may be utilized for this purpose.

3. Patrols.--A. It is the duty of all the troops holding the front
lines to establish a command of the ground in front of their parapet
up to the enemy's wire. This can be done by extended and constant
patrolling by night and reconnaissance by day so that the ground is
thoroughly well known to as large a portion as possible of officers
and men and so no enemy can move or remain in his front by night or
day without detection. One of the particular duties of these patrols
is to observe the condition of the wire entanglements.

B. Every patrol must have definite orders as to its mission; broadly
speaking, patrols may be divided into two classes: (1) reconnoitering
patrols, (2) fighting patrols.

C. The first duty of reconnoitering patrols is to obtain the
information for which they are sent out. They fight only in
self-defense or if any especially favorable opportunity arises to
inflict loss upon the enemy without prejudice to their mission. They
usually consist of two to six men, under an officer or
non-commissioned officer.

D. Fighting patrols are sent out for the express purpose of causing
loss or damage to the enemies by such means as engaging the enemy's
patrols or working parties, or by raiding saps, listening posts or
trenches. For identification purposes they should always endeavor to
secure at least one prisoner. Their strength depends upon the
resistance they are likely to meet with.

E. Company commanders are responsible for the orders given to patrols,
subject to any instructions which may be issued by higher authority.
They are also responsible that all troops, whom it concerns, including
companies on both flanks, are warned when and where patrols will be
out, length of time they will be out, and of the points to which they
will return.

F. Information gained by patrols is of little value unless transmitted
quickly to those whom it concerns. Patrol reports will be made out by
the commander of the patrol immediately upon his return and sent at
once to the company commander unless orders to the contrary have been
given.

4. Stand To.--A. "Stand to" will take place one-half hour after a
relief has been posted and one-half hour before being relieved. At
this parade every available man will be present. Rifles, equipment,
clothing, etc., will be inspected. Firing steps will be tested as soon
as practicable after reliefs have been posted to see that each man can
fire on the foot of the nearest part of the wire entanglement which he
is required to cover by his fire. The same procedure will be gone
through at the "stand to" one-half hour before being relieved. Other
"stand tos" may be ordered in the discretion of the company commander.
These should be sufficiently often to insure that every man turns out
promptly and knows his place in case of attack.

5. Machine Guns.--A. The concealment of machine gun emplacements is
important. Consequently, it is only at night or in case of attack that
machine gun crews will occupy their defense emplacements. At night
guns should take up other position than their defense emplacements and
fire a stated number of rounds in order to test out the guns and
mislead the enemy as to their numbers and real emplacements, after
which they will at once go back to their defense emplacements.

B. The guns and their crews will be tactically under the orders of the
company commander in whose sector they are located, but no alteration
will be made by him in their disposition or arcs of fire; he will,
however, bring before the senior machine gun instructor any
suggestions for improvements in machine gun dispositions for defense.

C. Two men per gun will always be on duty with the guns.

D. Range cards will be prepared and kept with each gun.

E. Officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of guns will
remain in close proximity to the guns. They will frequently inspect
their guns, emplacements, etc. They are responsible for cleanliness
and maintenance of the emplacements.

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