In the assault practice the charge brings the man to the first "enemy" in a comparatively breathless condition, and the accuracy of the aim is tested by the disk, which can only be transfixed by a true ånd vigorous thrust.

b. For this practice, the men will be made to begin the assault from a trench, 6 or 7 feet deep, as well as from the open. 518. Thench system for assault practice.-A labyrinth of trenches, with dummies in varying positions with shell holes and obstacles of various sorts between the trenches, forms an excellent assault practice course. Assaults should be made from all four sides in order to give variety. The edges of the trenches should be protected by spars or balks anchored back, otherwise constant use will soon wear them out. Cinders scattered over the course will prevent the men from slipping. If gallows can not be erected, sack dummies should be placed on tripods or on end, as well as lying in trenches or on the parapet, with soft earth, free from stones, under them.

519. Combined tactics.-A combined bullet and bayonet course may be had by placing stationary or disappearing silhouette targets at a suitable distance from the end of the assault course, and causing the attackers to open fire upon them from a position in a trench or in the open at the finish of the bayonet assault. The ingenious instructor can arrange some very interesting and practical exercises by combining the tactics of the bayonet assault with those of other branches of infantry training.

520. Wooden-rifle combat.-Wooden-rifle combat, like boxing and wrestling, introduces into the training the most important element of personal contact, without which the true fighting spirit can not be properly developed. The work with the wooden rifles is very slow and easy at first, the men gradually working up speed until they come together at full tilt. Gloves, masks, and plastrons will always be worn, and the instructor will be responsible for the prevention of serious accidents. Men begin this combat practice with both standing still; then one advances at a walk while the other stands still; then both advance at a walk; then one man advances at a run while the other stands still, and, finally, both men advance at a run.

521. Success in wooden-rifle combat.—a. The soldier will win consistently in wood-rifle combat only as he has developed aggressiveness, skill, and speed through long and continuous training. In particular, the ability to score hits over an opponent will depend upon a lightninglike parry and thrust; upon the effective handling of the wooden rifle in close body-to-body

fighting; and upon the ability to see and avail himself quickly of any opening offered by his opponent.

b. In addition, the successful attack in individual combat is the one which most effectively conceals from the opponent the intended point of attack by the use of various feints, e. eg.:

(1) Disengage.—If the opponent's point is held high, drop the point of the bayonet slightly with the left hand and bring it up on the opposite side of opponent's piece, coming in at the same time. The point should go forward about a foot in the act of passing under the enemy rifle.

(2) Cutover.-If the opponent's point is held low, bring the piece to the opposite side by passing it over his.

(3) Cross step.—In charging in on an opponent, cross the rear foot over the leading one just before reaching effective range with the bayonet (i. e., 5 feet), thereby attacking him from one side or the other instead of directly from the front. This maneuver is similar to that of an open-field runner in football avoiding a tackler.

c. Footwork. The men will be given practice in advancing and closing rapidly with an enemy; in moving quickly short distances to either side and in dodging. However, the instructor must make certain that the instinct to close instantly with one's enemy is developed through these practices and that the bayonet fighter does not hold off and fence with his opponent.

522. Combat practice-rushing.-Two men will place themselves 20 yards apart, each at the guard position. At signal, they charge each other. Unless a clean, hard hit is made in 20 seconds, they will be separated and a hit counted. against each. Men should never be allowed to fight for more than one hit in any assault.

The men should be encouraged to hold the piece at the short guard. This compels in-fighting.

523. Common faults.-All tendencies to wildness will be rigorously checked. If during the rushing there appear any of the following mistakes, men who commit the errors are taken out and the instructor works with them individually until they recover their form:

a. Flagrant loss of aim or balance.

b. Light tapping touches.

c. Hitting with side of the bayonet.

d. Pushing with the rifle.

e. Useless parries or movements of the rifle.

f. Slowing up just before the shock.

524. Rushing in groups.—a. Let one man receive the assault of two or three others, placed one behind the other at 10 or 15 pace distance.

b. Let one man receive the assault of two others at 6-pace interval, converging upon his flank at 20-pace distance.

c. Let one man receive the assault of two others at 6-pace interval, converging upon him as they come.

d. Have men fight when one is in the trench and one on the parapet, and when both men are in a narrow trench.

e. Vary these formations in any way that may appear valuable and instructive.

525. Team fighting.—After the men have attained proficiency in individual combat, squad will be opposed to squad and platoon against platoon, as in paragraph 517, men being substituted for dummies.

526. Trench combat.-In trench combat, when the soldier comes to a turn in the trench, he makes a quick vault around the corner of the trench. As he lands, he has the rifle in the guard position (on the right side if the trench turned to the left; on the left side if it turned to the right) ready to beat the opponent's weapon aside or make a quick thrust. There is nothing to be gained by looking first, as it insures the enemy being ready. If a place is encountered along where one trench crosses another about at right angles, it is well to look first, as one man has no show if there is an enemy on each side of the entrance. If the soldier finds one side clear, he vaults into the other without delaying to lock. If two men approach such a trench, they approach as nearly on a line as the width of the trench will permit. One vaults to the right and the other to the left without stopping to find out first whether the trench is occupied.

527. Problems in wooden-rifle combat.-Any number of excellent combined problems may be worked out with woodenrifle combat equipment. In the solution of these problems a trench system must be had, umpires used, and it will often be necessary to arrange distinguishing marks for opposing sides. The following are some that will prove particularly interesting and instructive:

a. A detachment of Reds is ordered to attack a certain point in a quiet Blue front-line trench and capture one or more prisoners.

b. The conduct of Red detachment while driving a Blue detachment down Blue's communication trench to his second-line trench.

c. A Red patrol, equipped with bayonets and grenades, in no man's land at night, unexpectedly encounters a Blue patrol.

d. Reds have assaulted and taken a Blue position, and are engaged in consolidating it when Blues counterattack.

(1) Reds have plenty of ammunition.

(2) Reds have no ammunition.

NOTE. Reds may or may not have automatic rifle.)

e. Defending Reds to meet assaulting Blues with a countercharge.

SECTION IV

THE QUALIFICATION COURSE

528. General provisions.-a. Object.-The object of the qualification course is to establish a standard performance which approaches, in its demands upon the soldier's speed, accuracy, strength, and endurance, the demands made by actual bayonet combat, and which will serve as a measure of proficiency in handling the rifle and bayonet. The course brings out the use of the principal offensive movements of bayonet fighting under varying conditions. Good form is required to pierce the disks on the dummies while moving rapidly, and to execute the withdrawals properly. Good physical condition is a requisite in order to complete the course within the time limit without loss of form and accuracy.

b. Practice seasons.-The period of regular practice season is designated by the corps area or department commander upon the recommendation of the post commander. Only one trial for qualification by any one individual will be permitted in this

season.

The period of supplementary season is designated by the post or regimental commander. All persons required by regulations to demonstrate proficiency with the bayonet, who for any reason failed to do so or in so doing failed to qualify during the regular practice season, will run the course during the supplementary season. Only one trial for qualification by any one individual will be permitted in the supplementary season.

c. Minimum standard of proficiency.-In order to be classed as proficient in bayonet training, every infantry rifle company must qualify as bayonet expert at least 40 per cent of all persons who run the course during the regular practice season. Every such organization which fails to qualify 40 per cent of all persons who run the course during the regular practice season will be classed as deficient in bayonet training, and the