Middletown transcript., 1917-09-15
SELFHELPS for the
NEW SOLDIER
By United States Army Officer
COMPANY ADVANCE.

Up W tIle point cl euCOuutcEluS tllc
enemy's fire, a company advances into
an engagement in close ORDER whether
for attack or defense. The usual for
nation, because of its mobility, is the
column of squads. The column of
squads has the double advantage of af
fording convenient front for pro-
crossing along roads and through COM
paratively narrow spaces, such as ra-
vines, declivities, or breaks in the trees,
and of being at all times convertible
into any other formation desired. The
company is deployed upon reaching
the zone of hostile fire for the protec-
ton of the men, but it may then con-
tinue to advance without returning the
fire, depending upon the immediate cir
cumstances.
The use of "a succession of thin
lines" is frequent matter of facili-
tating the advance. This reduces the
losses which would otherwise be in
Cured if the company were deployed
by greatly diminishing the man-front
offered to the enemy and proportion
ately increasing the intervals between
individuals. Thus, if the enemy knew
that a unit was advancing, and had
reason to believe from the apparent
extent of it's front that it was deployed,
he would probably spread his fire ac-
cordingly.
At all events, if the unit were ap-
preaching under cover, or partial cover,
he would be compelled to assume that
it is deployed if he had indications of
the width of the front, in order to cover
the whole area with his fire. Mean
while, the company might be advanc-
ing in columns of single or double file,
with intervals between equal to the
intervals between the centers of squads
or platoons in deployment.
This succession of thin lines, known
as platoon or squad columns" may
otherwise facilitate the advance by al
lowing for the passage of the com.
pany through rough or bushy territory
it also affords a better opportunity to
take advantage of cover. The two lat
ter factors are perhaps more impor-
tant than the first with the squad, at
least if the advance is against ma
comparatively unobstructed range
could render the units entire front un-
tenable, whether it were in squad col
umns, or were advancing in line OF
skirmishers. Platoon columns, how
ever, moving as they do outside the
of c;n ri ch q
(about 20 yards) may greatly reduce
the losses when under artillery fire, OF
even under machine guns.
The choice of the method of advance
I is made by the captain, or by the ma,
I jor, if the company is with battalion
and will depend upon the conditions al
! hand. If it develops that the deplOy'
ment itself is premature, it is generally
! found best to assemble the company
and proceed in close order.
Advancing in the fire attack, as we
have already seen, may be accom-
| plished by sending forward deployed
! squads or platOons in q series OF
rushes. If this is by squads, at com
mand, the first squad Con the rigN)
follows its corporal, running at tor
speed to the point indicated by the
captain, where it halts and finds cover
usually fiat on the ground.
When the first fraction of the com
pany has thus established itself OF
the line, following the command, "By
platoon (two platoons, squad or foul
men) from the right Qeft, rush." the
next fraction is sent forward by it:
platoon leader without further com
mand from the captain until the whole
company is on the line established b!
the first rush.