First position of return saber, dismounted, with officers

saber

vertical, edge to the left. At the same time unhook and lower the scabbard with the left hand and grasp it at the

Second position of return saber, dismounted, with officers' saber upper band. At the command Saber, drop the point to the rear and pass the blade across and along the left arm. Turn the head slightly to the left, fixing the eyes on the opening of the scabbard, raise the right hand, insert and

return the blade.

Free the wrist from the saber knot, turn the head to the front and drop the right hand by the side.

Hook up the scabbard with the left hand and drop the left hand by the side.

b. Mounted.-The movement is executed in the same manner as to return saber dismounted, except the left hand is not used.

412. General rules for officers armed with the saber.-a. In general, officers armed with the saber, on all duties under arms, draw and return saber without waiting for command. All commands to troops under arms dismounted are ordinarily given with the saber drawn.

b. An officer commanding a unit armed with the saber habitually draws saber before causing his command to draw saber and habitually returns saber after having caused his command to return saber. Officers of a commanders' staff draw and return saber with him. All other officers draw and return saber with the men in ranks.

c. When a command is at order arms, officers with the saber drawn take habitually the position of order saber.

d. Being at present saber, should the next command be order arms, officers with the saber drawn execute order saber. If the command be other than order arms, they execute and retain the position of carry saber until the next command order arms. e. An officer with saber drawn habitually assumes the position of carry saber under the following conditions:

(1) When officially addressing or being officially addressed by an officer senior to himself.

(2) When in ranks, at the preparatory command for marching. (3) When in ranks, on the approach of an inspector.

(4) When in formation, before and while giving commands to his unit.

(5) Preparatory to returning saber.

(6) While marching at attention.

(7) While changing position at quick time.

f. In marching in double time, the saber is carried diagonally across the breast, edge to the front, the left hand steadying the scabbard.

413. Every officer and warrant officer must be as expert in the manual of the saber as is the enlisted man armed with the rifle, in the Manual of Arms. This expertness is only acquired by training and practice. An officer who is clumsy or uncertain in handling his saber does not inspire confidence in his men as to his professional attainments or stimulate enthusiasm for excellence on their part.

SKETCHING AND MAP READING

an

ition of a map.-A map is a representation of the earth or any portion of it. It is different from picture in that the physical features are repre dard symbols or "conventional signs," which to the map reader.

415. Military maps.-Military maps are graphic representations of limited portions of the earth's surface for the purpose of showing relative location and elevation of features in the terrain which are of military importance. The larger the scale the more features are depicted and the greater the detail and accuracy of those represented. Nothing is shown that is not of value from the military viewpoint. Therefore, everything mapped is of importance.

416. Reading military maps.-To read a military map intelligently the user must readily interpret every line and symbol of the map and visualize the lay of the land. To do this the meaning of the "conventional signs" must be learned. The list of these conventional signs is found in Training Regulations 190-10. In map study it should be available and each new sign looked up as one would consult a dictionary when meeting a new word.

417. Scope.--Training Regulations 190-5 states the elementary principles of map reading, including distances, directions, elevations, visibility, and coordinates. In Section VIII is given the specific directions for performing the various operations which the average map reader must solve. Section IX gives a series of typical jobs for training in map reading.

418. Use, care, and issue of maps.-In military operations the demand for maps always exceeds the supply. Consequently every care should be exercised to avoid wastage. They should be rolled and folded only when absolutely necessary, and then in bellows form. In the field they should be carried in rainproof folders with celluloid front.

419. Maps and mapping.-Army Regulations 100-5 states the basic principles underlying the classification, making, reproduction, issue, and use of special and standard maps. It assigns the procurement, supply, distribution, and reproduction of maps to the Corps of Engineers. It states the specifications governing standard maps, including the scales and titles, and the type of map projection and grid system for use on all military maps of the United States.

420. Application.-Every officer and noncommissioned officer, as well as the personnel of intelligence platoons, should be able to make position and road sketches and readily and accurately read a military map. To do this requires a thorough grounding in the basic elements, some dexterity in drawing, and considerable accuracy in measurements-whether by estimation or pacing on the ground or with the ruler on the map. These qualifications should be acquired in schools during the armory period. The cited training regulations must therefore be available for this work.