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Plate 35.-The use of scouts in night marches, showing notes used to keep on route.

(d) 100 yards, group of houses on right side of road.

(e) 600 yards, crossroads; take direction 78°.

(2) The instructor has the class go over a poorly defined route in the daytime, make notes, and go over the same route at night using these notes.

24. Action on night attack.-a. Principles.-The leading unit of each column acts as a covering detachment. It is usually preceded by a patrol of scouts. The advance will usually be affected by short rushes, scouts reconnoitering at each halt for the next advance. Halts should be of the shortest possible duration, for rapidity is an essential element of the success of a night attack. As soon as a hostile post is discovered, it is rushed with fixed bayonets.

b. Application.—(1) The platoon leader should have with him two scouts with compasses.

(2) The platoon should be preceded by a patrol of scouts who can answer the challenge of an enemy sentry. The platoon leader successively indicates to the leader of this patrol the point-ordinarily 50 to 75 yards away-which he wants reconnoitered for the next bound.

(3) The scouts with bayonets fixed move forward aggressively, keeping in the shadows and working to the flank of the point to be reconnoitered. If it is unoccupied. the scout leader by a prearranged sound signal notifies the platoon leader who then brings up the platoon and indicates the next point to be reconnoitered.

(4) If the scouts are challenged or fired on, they answer the challenge and immediately rush the enemy. At the same time the platoon commander leads a bayonet assault of the leading squad or two to assist in wiping out the enemy post.

c. Instruction.--(1) The instructor has his unit practice in the daytime with the same short distances that would govern at night the execution of the above method of advance.

(2) The instructor designates part of his unit as the enemy, arms them with blank cartridges and flares, and repeats the above method at night.

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25. General system of instruction.-Instruction of scouts in patrol work should be carried on progressively. The scout should first be instructed in his duties as a member of a patrol and in giving and recognizing the signals by which control is maintained. He should then be taught the principles which govern the formations of patrol in different situations. He should then be instructed in the duties of patrol leading. Finally, he should be given patrol problems in which, acting either as leader or as a member of a patrol, he must apply the principles he has been taught.

PATROL OF SCOUTS PRECEDES THE COLUMN AND AT EACH HALT RECONNOITERS FOR THE NEXT ADVANCE.

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26. Signals.-a. Principles.—On account of the short distances separating them, members of patrols ordinarily communicate with one another quietly by word of mouth. On other occasions, as when one man is sent to a distant point, the arm signals prescroibed in TR 125-52 (Chapter X) and other simple prearranged signals should be used. The following should be known to all members of patrols:

b. Application. (1) Enemy in sight in small numbers.-Hold the rifle above the head horizontally.

(2) Enemy in force.-Lower the rifle from and return it repeatedly to the position given above. For communicating with the units from which they are sent out, it will often be advantageous to equip patrols with signal lamps.

27. Formations.—a. Principles.—All patrol formations should provide for a point, flank protection, and a get-away man. It is the duty of point and flankers to protect the patrol from surprise and to give timely warning of the enemy. If the point comes to an open space, it should proceed under cover (moving to the flank if necessary) and reconnoiter before signaling the patrol to advance. Flankers should take care of woods or other points on the flanks in a similar way. The get-away man protects the rear, stays out of any fire fight, and, if the patrol is overwhelmed, returns to report its fate to his commander.

b. Application.-(1) In the open near the enemy. The following methods should be adopted when crossing open spaces in the enemy's view:

(a) Pick the next stopping place before each advance.

(b) Move by rushes.

(c) One man moves at a time.

(d) All movements are made at a run.

(e) Each man remains absolutely still in observation after getting down. He keeps head and heels on the ground.

(2) Through woods. To determine if woods are occupied, a few men should form a thin skirmish line covering the main part of the patrol which follows in single file. Otherwise, the patrol keeps together with proper proIn jungles, swamps, or canebrakes a patrol may be forced to use a trail. The formation should then be a column of files with point and connecting file ahead, the men of the main part of the patrol about 5 paces apart, and a get-away man in rear.

vision for protection.

(3) In a ravine.-Going through a ravine, the patrol should be staggered, should keep close to the sides, and, when near the enemy, advance one man at a time.

(4) Approaching a skyline.-When it is necessary for a patrol to approach a skyline, one man should go ahead. He should take off his hat or helmet and crawl to a point on the crest where the skyline is broken. The other members of the patrol should cover his advance from concealed positions. (See Pl. 38.)

(5) Approaching a house.-Before approaching a house the patrol should watch for signs of the enemy for a time from concealed positions. One man then should go forward cautiously by the best covered means of approach. He should never go directly up to the door of the house, but keep close to the wall as he approaches it, and stick his rifle or pistol in ahead of him. The other members of the patrol cover his advance from concealed positions, ready to open fire to protect him if necessary. The following points should be noted about a house: (See Pl. 39.)

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