The Monticellonian., 1917-09-14
SELFHELPS for the
NEW SOLDIER
By a United States Army Officer
s-'..
Copyright, 1917 py the Wheeler Syndicate, Incl
COMPANY ADVANCE. i.

Up to the point of encountering the
enemy's fire, 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 RAJ
vines. declivties, or breaks in the trees,
and of being at ali 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-
tinGe to advance without returning the
fire, depending upon the immediate cir
cumStanceS.
The use of "a succession of thin
lines" is a frequent matter of facili-
tating the advance. This reduces the
losses wisch 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 its 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
1t 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 adyanc-
ing in columns of single or double file,
with intervals between equal to the
intervals between the eenters 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
chine guns. for machine gun, if it had
Il comparatively unobStructed range,
could render the units entire front I'M
tenable, whether it were in squad col
amns. or We're advancing in line of
Skirmishers. Platoon columns, how
ever, moving as they do outside the
area of burst of single shrapnel
tabout 20 yards) may greatly reduce
the losses when under artillery fire, or
even under machine guns.
The choice of the method of advance
is made by the captain, or by the ma
jor, if the company is with battalion,
and will depend upon the conditions at
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 Il series of
lshes. If this is by squads, at COM
mand, the first squad Con the right
follows its corporal running at top
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 on
the line, following the command, by
platoon 1.-TWO platoons, squad or four
men) from the right GefD. rush." the
next fraction is sent forward by it's
platoon leader without further com
mand from the captain until the whole
company is on the line established by
the first rush