BATTALION, BRIGADE, AND DIVISION DRILL.

BATTALION DRILL.

91. General Rules.

1. Object of battalion drill.—The instruction of the soldier is brought to a conclusion in the ranks of the company. It is necessary, however, that the companies should be drilled in battalion in order that the officers commanding companies may learn to work in unison.

2. Application of company drill.—Battalion movements are carried out by combination of companies, moving as described in Company Drill.

3. Mounted officers.—The commanding officer, the second in command, and the adjutant will be mounted.

When the battalion is acting independently, the commanding officer, accompanied by the adjutant, who will act as his orderly officer, will place himself where he can best exercise supervision.

When the battalion is in brigade in column or quarter column the commanding officer will be ten paces in advance of the centre of the leading company, the adjutant being one-and-a-half horse’s lengths in rear, and half a horse’s length to the right of the commanding officer.

In all movements the second in command will be responsible for the direction and covering; he (and the serjeant-major, if no ammunition carts are present) will generally assist the commanding officer. If a third field officer be present he should generally assist the second in command, unless detailed by the commanding officer for any other purpose.

When a battalion is on the move, the second in command will place himself in a position from which he can best superintend the direction of the advance and the covering of the squad commanders on the directing flanks.

4. Ranks will be changed as in Company Drill, S. 63.

5. Except where laid down, the double march is not to be used by companies during the interior movements of a battalion, unless ordered by the commanding officer.

6. If companies move into column or quarter column from both flanks they will pass each other left arm to left arm.

7. In order to practise the battalion in brigade movements, and to give the field officers experience in handling several companies, the battalion will occasionally be divided into two battalions, each of four companies, or of eight companies in single rank.

8. In action, in high wind, and at all times when indistinctly heard, the commanding officer should indicate his orders by signal, where possible (S. 49); such signals should be repeated by as many officers and non-commissioned officers as may be necessary to ensure the transmission of the order.

In battalion movements the orders given by the commanding officer are printed in CAPITALS; those by officers commanding companies in italics. The cautions may be applied to either the right or the left flank although only the former is referred to.

9. Where cautions and commands are given for formations to, or from, one flank only, the same rule applies when forming to, or from the other flank, which will also be practised.

10. Fire action should be practised as directed in S. 72, para. 1.

11. The principles laid down in company drill, S. 60 (3), (4) and (5), apply equally to battalion drill.

12. Companies will be told off again when a change of formation alters their relative position.

92. Formations.

1. The following formations will be employed in battalion drill:—

Against an enemy armed with the breech-loader, close order formations in battalion and brigade are applicable only for assembly, for marches and during the preparatory stages of the fight.

2. Attacks by savages armed with spears and swords must, however, usually be met in close order; and for this purpose, in addition to the formations mentioned in para. 1, the following will be practised, but only by troops which are likely to be called upon to take part in such warfare:—

93. A battalion in quarter column. Plate VI.

The companies of a battalion, after having been inspected on their private parades or in column, will form up in quarter column as shown in Plate VI. On the commanding officer’s order TELL OFF BY COMPANIES, the companies will be numbered from the leading company. When the companies are numbered, the commanding officer will divide the battalion thus:—

If the number of companies is uneven, the right half-battalion will be stronger by one company than the left.

Unless otherwise ordered a battalion in quarter column will assemble and move by the left.

The machine guns, drums and band, mules, wagons and stretcher bearers will usually be on the outer flank of the battalion, as when in column, see Plate VII (cyclist sections, if present, will be in rear of machine guns).

The second in command will be four paces from the centre of the directing flank of the leading half-battalion.

If a third field officer be present, he will be four paces from the centre of the directing flank of the rear half-battalion.

The position of the company commanders and serjeant-major are shown in Plate VI.

When ranks are changed, the second in command will gain his position by moving round in rear of the battalion. Company commanders will move in rear of their companies. Company officers and section commanders and supernumeraries will act as in S. 63.

94. Movements in quarter column.

95. A quarter column wheeling.

2. A quarter column moving in fours will wheel as in 1, the leading fours of each company wheeling in the same manner as the leading company in 1, the sections of fours in rear making a partial turn outwards and following round after the leading fours, the leading squad commanders changing to the inner flank if not there already.

96. A battalion at the halt opening to column from quarter column.

When halted in column the second in command will be four paces from the centre of the directing flank of the leading half-battalion; a third field officer, if present, will be four paces from the centre of the directing flank of the rear half battalion.

The position of the company officers and section commanders will be as when in company; the machine guns, drums and band, &c., will be on the outer flank, see Plate VII.

2. A battalion in column will move either in fours or by the diagonal march, on the same principles and on the same words of command as from quarter column. S. 94.

97. A battalion in column on the march closing to quarter column.

3. Should it be necessary to form quarter column from column from the halt, the command in 1 will be followed by the words, REMAINDER, QUICK—MARCH, when the leading company will stand fast, the remainder will act on the same principle as in 1.

4. Quarter column will usually be formed on the leading company.

98. A battalion in column or quarter column advancing in fours, or vice versâ.

If companies are to advance in fours simultaneously, the battalion commander will give the command FORM FOURS, RIGHT, COMPANIES, LEFT—WHEEL.

2. Column from column of fours on the march.—If the column is to be reformed immediately on clearing the defile, the caution will be IN SUCCESSION ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, on which the company commanders will act as in S. 68, each company successively forming into column.

Column may also be formed when the whole has cleared the defile, on the battalion commander’s order ON THE LEFT FORM COMPANIES, FORWARD, companies acting as in S. 68.

3. Column of fours from quarter column from the halt.—The battalion commander will give the caution IN SUCCESSION ADVANCE IN FOURS FROM THE RIGHT OF COMPANIES, on which the commander of the leading company will give the command Form fours, right, left wheel, Quick—march, each company in rear being moved off in a similar manner as soon as its front is clear. If on the march the quarter column must be halted before defiling.

4. Quarter column from column of fours on the march.—Quarter column will be formed from column of fours by first forming column as in 2, and then forming quarter column as in S. 97 (2).

5. Column or quarter column from column of fours on the march.—A battalion moving in fours may form quarter column or column on the leading company facing at right angles to the line of advance, on the caution AT THE HALT, FACING RIGHT, COLUMN (or QUARTER COLUMN) ON THE LEADING COMPANY, on which the leading company will be at once halted and turned to its right by its commander, the remaining companies forming in rear of it.

Note.—When in column of fours on the march, drums and band will be twenty paces in front of the leading company; mules will follow in rear of the companies to which they are attached; machine guns, stretcher bearers, carts and wagons will be in rear of the battalion; the whole in the above order. Cyclist section, if present, will precede the machine guns. The second in command will usually be in rear of the battalion. The adjutant will accompany the commanding officer, who will be between the band and the leading company. The serjeant-major will be in front of the leading company.

99. A battalion in column changing direction.

100. Movements in line, or lines, of company columns from column or quarter column.

1. These are of very great importance, as particularly applicable to the vicinity of the battlefield, and should therefore be practised on broken ground. They enable full advantage to be taken of cover afforded by folds in the ground, &c., and admit of rapid extension into lines of skirmishers.

2. One, two, or three lines may be formed, at varying distances and intervals, with a different number of companies in each, if desired.

3. The battalion forms a line, or lines, of company columns, preparatory to advancing to the attack, or when exposed to distant artillery fire. The precision of such movements will depend almost entirely on the clearness and completeness of the explanations and orders given by the commanding officer. The commanding officer will usually assemble the company commanders, and will inform them of the number of lines to be formed, and the relative positions of their companies; he will then issue his instructions and assign an objective. Companies will be moved into their positions on the battalion commanders order MOVE.

This formation may also be carried out on the command LINE OF COMPANY COLUMNS AT —— PACES INTERVAL, or LINES OF COMPANY COLUMNS ON NOS. ——; AT —— PACES INTERVAL, AT —— PACES DISTANCE. In the case of one line, the right companies will move to the right and the left companies to the left of the leading company; in the case of two or more lines, companies will similarly move to the right or left of the named company in front of them. Distances will be usually be obtained by advancing the leading line or lines. In moving into position company column will be formed on the march as soon as space is available S. 67 (4).

4. A company of direction will be named, and an objective pointed out on which the line (or lines) will march.

5. Changes of direction during such movements should be practised, and fire should be opened on some named object.

6. Attention must be paid to the maintenance of direction, interval, and distance, and there must be no increase or decrease of the original frontage assigned to the battalion. In broken ground companies may deviate to one flank or the other to avoid obstacles or to take advantage of cover, and they may change their formations in order to adapt them to the ground; but they must resume their intervals as soon as the ground permits.

7. The duties of the second in command during these movements will be assigned by the commanding officer.

8. The machine guns, band, ammunition carts, &c., will follow in rear of the battalion, unless they receive other orders.

9. The battalion should also be constantly practised in various formations of a similar nature to those described in this section, cautions being extemporised for the purpose.

10. In all formations of this character scouts will cover the movement and protect the flanks.

101. When dispersed, re-assembling.

Each company will be assembled by its commander, and will then be moved into any formation ordered by the commanding officer. This should be frequently practised. On the signal to close, a company on which the battalion is to be formed will be indicated by the commander. Each company commander will then assemble his company and move it into its position.

102. Inspection of a battalion.

(a) In close order.

1. A regular battalion will be inspected in some of the movements prescribed for savage warfare, particular attention being paid to fire discipline when in close order. The inspection of a regular battalion in close order formations will be more searching than for a battalion of auxiliary forces. A few movements in lines of columns, preparatory to a. tactical exercise, will be a sufficient test of the drill of one of these latter battalions.

2. In close order movements particular attention should be directed to the following:—

(b) In attack and defence.

3. The inspection will invariably take the form of a tactical scheme, set by the inspecting officer and given out on the ground, in which the enemy will be represented by another battalion or part of a battalion, or by a company or section with flags.

4 The inspecting officer will pay particular attention to the following:—

BRIGADE AND DIVISION DRILL.

103. General Rules.

1. Movements in brigade and division are practised in order to accustom the battalions to assemble rapidly and without confusion; and to train them to march in mass, without losing distance or interval.

2. The brigade or division commander may give his orders verbally, but on service and at manœuvres orders may be written, and the object of every important movement or formation should invariably be explained to the battalion commanders, and, in case of a division, to the brigadiers.

3. Instructions given by the commander of a parade will be passed by commanding and mounted officers, who are responsible that they are distinctly conveyed to, and understood by, the next unit.

On receiving their instructions, commanding officers will give all necessary orders and be prepared to march off their battalions together on the signal or order of the brigadier. The cautions and commands given by commanding officers will be as in Battalion Drill.

When the progress of an order is interrupted, commanding officers will conform, as quickly as possible, to the movement they see in execution.

4. Intervals and distances of thirty paces between battalions and brigades, and sixty between divisions, will be preserved in all formations, unless otherwise ordered.

5. A battalion will always be named to direct, the remaining battalions preserving their intervals from that battalion.

6. In brigade and division drill, battalions will be in quarter column unless otherwise ordered.

7. In all interior movements of a brigade, battalions will move to their places by the shortest lines, moving, when possible, by the diagonal march.

8. Division drill.—The principles laid down for brigade drill are equally applicable to division drill.

104. A brigade wheeling from mass into line of battalions and vice versâ.

A brigade can be wheeled into line of battalions from mass and vice versâ, by the battalions wheeling as in Battalion Drill, 95.

The above movements may be performed either at the halt or on the move.

105. A mass deploying into line of battalions and vice versâ.

The battalion which is the point of formation stands fast. The remaining battalions will be moved by their commanding officers by the shortest line to the spot where their inner flank will rest, this spot being marked by the second in command.

If the deployment is in an oblique direction, the battalion of formation will be formed on the required alignment by its commanding officer, in accordance with the instructions of the brigadier. The deployment will then be carried out as already described.

Mass will be formed from line of battalions in a similar manner.

In forming mass on a central battalion, the battalions on the right and left will pass into mass left arm to left arm.

A line of battalions changing position.

A line of battalions will change position on a flank battalion as follows:—The battalion of formation will be wheeled into the required alignment, the others forming on it, the seconds in command marking the spots where the inner flanks will rest.

106. Marching in line of battalions either in column or quarter column.

When a brigade marches in line of battalions, a battalion of direction will be named. The remaining battalions will march by their inner flanks, the seconds in command riding on the flank next to the regulating battalion, and notifying to the commanding officers whether interval is being correctly kept or not. Signals should be agreed on for this purpose; the commanding officer should watch for them, and direct the movement of the battalion accordingly.

When it is necessary to advance in echelon of battalions, intervals will be preserved on the principles described in 117.

FORMATIONS APPLICABLE TO SAVAGE WARFARE.

107. General Rules.

1. The following formations, i.e., line, echelon, and square, are suitable against attacks of ill-armed savages. They will occasionally be practised, but only by troops likely to take part in such warfare.

2. The battalion forms or deploys into line, echelon or square in order to come into action, and these movements must therefore be executed as rapidly as is compatible with steadiness. The main object is to develop a broad front of fire, and enable every man to use his rifle with effect.

3. When a movement is to be executed as rapidly as possible, the commanding officer will order it to be performed at the double.

4. The combination of fire-tactics and drill movements is of the greatest importance in savage warfare, and should be constantly practised; the fire unit will usually be the section.

5. Company commanders will employ whatever description of fire the circumstances may require.

108. A battalion in line.

1. Arrangement of companies.—Each company will be in line, as in Company Drill, the captains will be three paces in front of the centre of their companies; when firing, three paces in rear.

2. Correction of intervals.—After forming into line the intervals will be corrected by the company commanders. The right centre company, or in deployment the first formed company, of the battalion should remain unmoved.

3. A battalion in line moves and dresses by the centre unless otherwise ordered.

4. The battalion in line will be formed up on the same principle as in Plate IX Ceremonial, with the exception that the second in command will be six paces in rear of the centre of the battalion, and the adjutant will accompany the commanding officer.

5. In deployments into line, or in changing position, the second in command will mark the inner flank, and the adjutant the outer flank of the battalion; in deployments outwards the second in command will mark the left, and the adjutant the right flank of the battalion.

109. A quarter column or column deploying into line.

Deployments will be made on the leading company of a battalion.

2. To both flanks.—The deployment will be made on the principle above described. The command will be DEPLOY OUTWARDS, ONE COMPANY (or TWO, or MORE COMPANIES) TO THE RIGHT, REMAINDER FORM FOURS, OUTWARDS. QUICK—MARCH. The company or companies, next in succession from the front, will move to the named flank.

3. In an oblique direction.—On the battalion commander’s caution, QUARTER (HALF or THREE QUARTERS) RIGHT preceding the caution in 1 or 2, the Company of Formation Will Be Formed on the required alignment by its commander in accordance with the instructions of the commanding officer. The deployment will then be carried out as already described.

4. On the March.—A battalion may be ordered to deploy while advancing towards an intended alignment, on the command as in 1, 2, or 3, the leading company being halted and, if necessary, formed in the required direction by its commander when the remainder have formed fours and turned towards their position in line.

A battalion moving in column or quarter column to a flank in fours may deploy in the direction towards which it is moving. On the caution, FACING RIGHT, DEPLOY, the company on the right will be halted by its commander and turned to its right, the remaining companies will continue to move forward and will deploy into line as in 1. This movement may also be performed in an oblique direction as in 3.

5. To ensure the alignment being kept clear, companies will be formed or halted four paces in rear of it.

110. Marching in line.

2. Marching with changed ranks.—The second in command, on the words ABOUT TURN, will pass through the ranks in order to superintend the direction, the files opposite him making way by covering the files on their right and left, after turning about.

111. A line changing position, from the halt, on a flank company.

112. A battalion in line forming column or quarter column.

2. If it is desired to form at an angle to the alignment, the caution QUARTER (or HALF or THREE-QUARTERS) RIGHT will precede the caution in 1, on which the company will be formed in the required direction by order of its commander, the remainder then receiving the executive command to form fours and turn in the required direction.

3. If it is desired to form by the right, the words BY THE RIGHT should follow the words COLUMN OR QUARTER COLUMN.

113. A line passing obstacles, or moving over broken ground.

A line will pass obstacles by the commander of the company encountering the obstacle forming his company into company column or column of fours. In broken ground, or in line movements of any length the whole battalion may break into fours. The command will be FORM FOURS, RIGHT, COMPANIES LEFT WHEEL, NO. — WILL DIRECT. The squad commanders, if not already there, will change to that flank of the fours which is nearer the company of direction. The second in command will lead the battalion on the directing flank of company of direction.

A line may be reformed on the command ON THE LEFT, FORM COMPANIES, FORWARD, when companies will act as in S. 68.

114. A line forming column to the right or left.

A column forming into line to the right or left.

3. The movements in 1 and 2 may also be performed at the halt.

115. A line advancing in column.

116. A quarter column on the march forming line to a flank.

117. Echelon movements, from line, column or quarter column.

In certain circumstances it may be desirable to advance or retire in echelon from any named company or companies. The commanding officer will give instructions as to the number of companies to be formed in echelon, and the distance or distances to be preserved between them; and on his caution ADVANCE (or ABOUT TURN, ADVANCE) IN ECHELON AT — PACES DISTANCE FROM THE RIGHT, or No. — or Nos. — —, the named company or companies will advance by order of their commanders, and the remainder, if necessary, will be moved into their places by the shortest route, and will march by the inner flank.

A battalion in column or quarter column suddenly threatened will be required to develop a maximum fire with the least possible delay; this will be accomplished by forming echelon. On the command ECHELON TO THE RIGHT, REMAINDER FORM FOURS RIGHT, DOUBLE—MARCH, the leading company will stand fast; the remainder will move in echelon direct to a flank, being halted and turned to the front by their commander on reaching their position.

Echelon may also be formed outwards on the command ECHELON OUTWARDS, REMAINDER FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE—MARCH, left or even-numbered companies forming to the left, and right or odd-numbered companies forming to the right, the leading company standing fast.

Echelon may be formed on a centre company on the command ECHELON FROM NO. —, COMPANIES IN FRONT TO THE RIGHT, COMPANIES IN REAR TO THE LEFT, FORM FOURS OUTWARDS, DOUBLE—MARCH.

Line or column will be reformed on the same principles, the caution being LINE ON NO. —, or COLUMN or QUARTER COLUMN ON NO. —, on which the named company if in movement, will be halted.

118. Meeting an attack by cavalry or swordsmen.

When a battalion in line is threatened by cavalry or swordsmen in force, it may sometimes be desirable to dress back the threatened flank and to dress up the unmenaced flank, the battalion commander giving the order BACK, NO. —, UP, NO. —.

119. Formation of Squares.

1. In savage warfare, it may often be necessary to form a square two deep. This can be formed from line on the two centre companies, the companies further to the flanks forming the side faces, and the flank companies the rear face, all, except the companies nearest the two centre companies, moving into position by fours. On the caution ON THE TWO CENTRE COMPANIES FORM—SQUARE, the commanders of the two centre companies will take post for firing. Nos. 3 and 6 will turn about, and at the halt right and left form at the double, and turn about by order of their commanders. The remaining companies, by order of their commanders, will form fours inwards, and the commanders of the two centre companies will order their companies to fix bayonets. Nos. 2, 7 will then be moved at the double to the points where their flanks will rest in square, on the left or right form up at the halt, turn about. Nos. 1 and 8 will halt and turn to the left and right respectively to form the rear face. The company officers and supernumeraries who are outside will pass into the square. Each company as it reaches its position will be ordered to fix bayonets. The company commanders will give orders as to firing, subject to directions from the commanding officer.

If there are an odd number of companies, that next to the right flank company should double inside the square, form column of half-companies, and fix bayonets.

Line may be reformed by reversing the above movements. On the command REFORM—LINE, the company commanders will give the order to unfix bayonets, and form or march their companies on to the original alignment at the double; Nos. 3 and 6 receiving the word Left and Right Form respectively, the remainder forming fours.

2. Square will be formed from column as follows:—On the word FORM—SQUARE, the leading company, if on the march will be halted, and bayonets will be fixed. The remainder will be moved at the double by order of their commanders, and those which are to form the side faces will be formed successively to the right and left, the last company forming the rear face. Each company as it reaches its position will be ordered to fix bayonets. If there is an uneven number of companies in the battalion, the rear company but one will form company column on the march, halt inside the square and fix bayonets.

Column will be reformed by reversing the above movements. On the caution FORM COLUMN, bayonets will be unfixed, and the companies forming the side faces will be turned about by their commanders. The company in rear will then step off at the double by word of its commander, while the commander of the next company will give the word Right—Form, Double—March; the remaining companies will move off in succession. If the number of companies be uneven, the rear company but one, which will turn about with the side faces, will follow the rear company and re-form company on the march. The second in command will mark the point where the flank of the last company of the column will rest, and when the company reaches this point, its commander will order it to halt and turn about. The remaining companies will be halted and turned about at company distance from the company preceding.

3. A square may be moved in any direction, the commanding officer indicating the direction in which the square is to move. On the command THE SQUARE WILL ADVANCE—SLOPE ARMS, SIDE FACES, FORM—FOURS INWARDS the officer or officers commanding the company, or companies, facing in the opposite direction, will turn it, or them, about. The flank to direct should be named before the order QUICK MARCH is given. On the command BATTALION—HALT, the side faces will turn outwards and the company or companies which are to form the rear face will turn about.

BRIGADE DRILL.

120. Deployments.

Lines of battalions in quarter column or in column, at any interval, will deploy into line, each battalion in succession following the procedure in S. 109, and commencing its deployment on reaching a point thirty paces from the mounted officer on the outer flank of the battalion next to it in line.

If a brigade in mass is to deploy into line, the leading battalion will deploy at once; the remaining battalions will move by the shortest lines to the points where their inner flanks are to rest in the line, and will then deploy in the usual manner.

121. Marching in line.

When a brigade is required to march in line, each battalion will march by its centre. A mounted officer of each battalion, not directing, will ride on the inner flank to ensure that the correct interval is maintained.

122. A brigade in line advancing in columns, or quarter columns.

Line of columns or of quarter columns will be formed as in S. 112.

123. A brigade forming square.

For the protection of a convoy, or wounded men, it may be necessary to form brigade square. The angles of a square are its weak points; in order, therefore, to obtain the greatest amount of resistance to resolute savages, the flanks of battalions should not meet at an angle. The square may move in any direction on the same principles as a battalion square.