USA > West Virginia > Report of the Adjutant General of West Virginia 1921 - 1922 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
(i) Training should be based on developing sound leadership in suc- cession in the squad and section, the platcon, the company and finally in the higher units. To this end commanders should be required to lead their respective units in person in the most energetic manner. As far as possible the integrity of these units should be preserved in quarters, on the march and in combat. In making details this principal should be rigorously enforced and responsibility for satisfactory per- formance should always rest with the leader of the unit concerned.
(j) As soon as proficiency in elementary methods is attained, the applicatory system of training should be employed. All tactical exercises should be based on an assumed situation and responsible officers will require their subordinates to dispose their troops in accordance with the situation assumed. The adoption of "normal methods" of attack or defense which limit the use of troops to fixed formations is prohibited.
33
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1922.]
(k) Each tactical exercise should be followed by a short critique to be conducted, if practicable, on the ground on which the exercise took place.
The necessary umpires should be designated by the commander of the next higher unit; the battalion commander for company problems, the regimental commander for battalion problems, etc.
(1) Physical Development. For the work that will be required of the men, physical strength and endurance are absolutely essential. The average man before being carefully trained is unfit for the work. Physi- cal training is more essential than in previous years. To attain this a man should first be put through a series of "setting up exercises" to loosen up the muscles and give him control of himself. This should be followed by more strenuous work, gradually increased and, when possible, should be had daily. Frequent short drills are better than the same time is long periods. Running, running in a crouching position, hurdling, running over rough ground in and out of trenches and holes, etc., is an essential part of the training. This in addition to the work in other drills.
All sports in which the combative element enters should be strongly encouraged, such as boxing, wrestling and football.
(m) Personal Hygiene and First Aid. These must be carefully taught. Regimental surgeons should supervise this instruction and see that it is properly done.
2. Duties of regimental, battalion and company commanders. The Instructor prepares schedules of training covering prescribed periods of time, and these will be published by the Adjutant General for the guidance of the unit commanders.
The duty of seeing that the prescribed instruction is carried out lies with the regimental commander and his field officers, and with this end in view they should personally observe the instruction which is being given to the companies. They should, however, carefully refrain from interfering with any legitimate methods which is producing results, remembering that no two men will proceed along exactly the same lines. By interference superiors not only destroy initiative, but also weaken the authority of the subordinate commander over his men. Interference is justified only when such commander fails to follow the course of instruction prescribed, displays ignorance, or shows such a lack of judgment in his methods as to render it certain that the results desired will not be accomplished. This does not mean that a suggestion from a superior officer should not be made or followed, but such suggestion should be carefully considered and only made when it is certain better results will follow its adoption.
3. Having received a schedule of instruction, the company commander should lay his plans covering all details of the subject not prescribed by higher authority. Recruits a and other ill-instructed men should be grouped together and assigned for instruction to a specially qualified officer or non-commissioned officer. The principles and methods as enunciated in Training Circular No. 8, War Department, 1918, on
34
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
Standards and Tests, and methods of instruction, Part II, as an aid in the quick training of infantry, should be impressed upon all subordinate commanders. Each drill should be governed by a schedule showing the subjects assigned to each group and the corresponding allowance of time.
The captain should supervise the instruction of the various groups, making necessary corrections and suggestions.
4. Normally, in the National Guard, armory drills cover a period of at least one and one-half hours, while field training should cover eight hours a day for not less than fifteen days; a total of one hundred ninety- two hours drills per year.
5. It is desirable that provision be made for a sand table, a map for map problems, and some device to serve as a target in instruction in fire direction. A rough sketch on paper or on a blackboard on a scale of about 12 inches to the mile will serve for map problems, but a relief map is the best device for practical instruction. A board arranged so that it can be raised and lowered and having painted on it a line of prone silhouettes makes a good target. Every headquarters, machine gun, and service company should have one or more wooden horses so constructed as to permit of saddling, bridling and harnessing.
6. It is deemed advisable to profit by all lessons of the late war, but it should be borne in mind that the present methods will be greatly changed before the next war. The future war is the war for which preparation should now be made.
7. The failure of men to carry out their orders implicitly in an attack means unnecessary heavy losses, if not absolute failure. It is found that only thoroughly disciplined troops can carry out a modern attack where every step must be taken in accordance with a careful schedule. The first great step then in fitting troops for service in war is to incul- cate this spirit of discipline.
This can be done:
(a) By every officer setting a proper example for those below him in rank, of promptly and cheerfully obeying orders and regulations, by a careful and exact performance of every duty and by exacting the same of all subordinates.
(b) Dress and military courtesies: If men are allowed to be sloppy and untidy in dress, slipshop and careless about rendering courtesies, the military spirit is lost and the command remains undisciplined.
(c) Precision and snap in drill: This must be insisted on. Move- ments must be executed exactly as prescribed. For example, in executing right front into line from column of squads, it must be insisted that the corporal so conduct his squad that it comes exactly to its place without closing in after halting; that the command halt is given as a foot strikes the ground; that pieces all come down together, etc. All other movements must be executed with the same prcision.
Never allow a movement to drag; "snap" is necessary; increase rather than decrease the cadence. Most close order drill is for disciplinary purposes. If done with precision and snap the object is attained; if
35
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1922.]
not, the more you have of it the worse the command. Men become confirmed in doing things only approximately as told.
The methods used in the recent training camps give splendid results in "snap" and precision in drill and should be utilized to fullest extent. The particulars are quickly stated as follows: The instructor directs "give command and execute (1) squad (2) halt" with correct cadence between "squad" and "halt," then adds in the proper cadence "command." The entire squad gives the command in unison "(1) squad (2) halt (3) one (4) two," all in perfect cadence and executing the movement with the count. The same system can be applied to all marching and to the manual of arms. This teaches not only the proper method of giving a command, but emphasizes strongly cadence, snap and precision.
(d) Leaders must know their work. There must be no hesitation, commands must be given correctly and with snap. Leaders must treat all subordinates with courtesy, correct reasonable mistakes without harshness, give clear and reasonable explanations, show men HOW. When men fail through persistent carelessness, in attention or wilfulness, then use as drastic measures as necessary. Leaders must insist that all subordinates do their work properly, but they must set the example themselves.
(e) Cultivate esprit de corps, pride in the organization, and in the subdivisions even to the smallest. Competitive contests between smaller units are of great advantage.
(f) The ultimate object of all instruction being field service efficiency field maneuvers and field firing should be considered as the culmination of previous training and the test of its thoroughness.
(g) The efficiency of the squad, including its leader, is the basis of efficiency and this efficiency in turn depends on the thoroughness of the training of individual members of this unit.
(h) The efficiency of every command depends on the efficiency of the units or teams composing it. As each team in a large command must be under the direct control of its immediate chief, it is evident that such chief should have all possible charge of the instruction of his team. Officers must, however, give personal attention to individual instruction and to that of the squad and platoon in order that the training may proceed along right lines and due progress be made. Authority and responsibility should exist in equal degree. From such a system there should result not only suitable instruction of the team, but also comrade- ship among the individual members, pride in the team as a unit and . that confidence and habit of command on the part of the leader so neces- sary to efficient leadership.
8. Drill movements are of two general classes-first, drills of pre- cision, and second, maneuver and combat exercises.
The precise movements of the manual of arms and close-order drill are not for the purpose of teaching men how to get about on the battle- field. They will hardly be used there at all. One of the principal objects is to train the soldiers' mind and bodies to HABITS of precise, unhesi-
36
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
tating obedience to the will of the leader so that in the stress of battle they will obey without conscious effort, mechanically, automatically, as the easiest and most natural line of action.
Maneuver and combat exercises are intended for instruction in the proper handling of troops in campaign and on the battlefield. There should be rigid adherence to orders and instructions.
9. It is hardly possible properly to conduct a drill or exercise without special forethought and preparation for that particular drill or exercise. After each drill or exercise the specific work for the next one should be announced, so that leaders may have time to prepare themselves.
The drill or exercise should be made interesting, not only by variety, which is necessary in order not to exhaust the soldier's attention by straining it too long on one subject, but also by comments on the part of leaders, continued throughout the drill and directed toward those elements whose performance is unusually good or bad.
(a) There must be a definite and progressive plan and schedule of instruction. Every course of instruction should embrace certain definitely prescribed subjects and be for a definite period in order to unify instruc- tion, prevent unnecessary repetition and use the available time to the best advantage. On the completion of the prescribed course of theoretical instruction all study should not cease, but sufficient post-graduate work should follow to broaden the student's professional horizon and keep him in touch with new methods and ideas.
(b) Officers and noncommissioned officers of each grade should be competent to take up the duties of the next higher grade. Military efficiency can only be attained through competent and instructed officers and noncommissioned officers.
(c) Lectures are valuable aids in military training. Those to enlisted men should be about one-half hour long; to officers they may be longer. The number of lectures on any particular subject will depend upon its nature. They should be delivered by those specially qualified on the particular subjects. The lecture meetings should be as informal as is consistent with discipline; questions and discussions should be arranged. The appropriate use of maps, diagrams and illustrations, including moving pictures, is advantageous.
A list of general subjects for lectures is given hereafter. (Page 21.)
10. Every officer who intends to perfect himself as an officer of the National Guard should be familiar with the following texts:
1-Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates and Waldron's Platoon Training, Parts I and II.
2-Field Service Regulations, corrected to April, 1917.
3-Military Law.
4-Military Hygiene and First Aid.
5-Document 882, War Department, Military Protection.
6-Small Arms Firing Manual.
7-Army Regulations, corrected to 1917, and Changes.
8-Special Regulations No. 57, Company Administration, A. G. O.
NOTE: The forms enumerated in Section VIII, War Department
37
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1922.]
Special Regulations, No. 57, 1919, should be mastered by all officers of the National Guard.
The above can well be considered a basic course for all officers of the National Guard. From this point the different arms should branch off into their proper special courses of instruction.
A. FOR INFANTRY.
11. A thoroughly trained infantry soldier today is an expert with the rifle, rifle grenade, hand grenade, automatic rifle, machine gun, bayonet and gas, and the more thorough his training in these specialties, the greater his value to the organization. The sister arm, artillery, batters and destroys, while the infantry advances, seizes and holds.
RIFLE COMPANIES.
Infantry Drill Regulations (provisional) 1919, Part I and II.
MACHINE-GUN COMPANIES.
Provisional Machine-gun Firing Manual, Document 615.
Document No. 856, Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, and Section 49, Chapters 2, 4, 6, and Section 22.
Technical Training Handbook, Browning Automatic Rifle Model 1918, Document 853.
Manual of the Automatic Rifle (Chauchat). Part III only, pages 17 to 40, inclusive.
FOR REFERENCE AND ADDITIONAL STUDY-INFANTRY OFFICERS.
Musketry, Document 631, W. D.
Small Arms Firing Manual, corrected to 1917.
Manual Heavy Artillery, No. 728, W. D.
Manual Interior Guard Duty.
Manual for Commanders Infantry Platoon, Document 626, W. D.
Light Trench Mortars, No. 811, W. D.
Hand Bombers, Rifle Grenadiers, No. 823, W. D.
Grenade Training Manual, No. 734, W. D.
Gas Warfare, Parts II, III and IV, Document 705, W. D.
Program of Training in Gas Defense, No. 686, W. D.
Training Circular. Document 844, No. 8, W. D.
Rules for Land Warfare.
Army Regulations.
Manual Physical Drill.
Engineering Field Manual. (Preferably Engineer Field Notes, A. E. F.) Training Manual, Infantry, No. 18.
Part III, Document 872, W. D.
Engineering Training Manual, Appendix 1, and Appendix 2 (paper work).
12. Infantry officers can not be too well informed concerning artillery. Each officer of infantry should know the aid which his own artillery can render and the limitations of that aid. He should also be informed
38
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
of the opposition which the enemy's artillery will be capable of develop- ing. Infantry officers should carefully study the system of fire used by the enemy and then endeavor by suitable formations and movements to minimize the loss of their own troops while under enemy artillery fire. In other words, they must outguess the enemy's artillery officers while making use of every advantage offered by their own artillery. Similar conditions exist whenever any other arm is associated with infantry, such as cavalry, tank corps, machine-guns, aeroplanes, etc.
13. Basis of Infantry Training. The training of infantry is based on the subjects covered in Infantry Drill Regulations (I. D. R.), Field Service Regulations (F. S. R.), Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates (M. N. C. O.), Small Arms Firing Manual (S. A. F. M.), and Manual Physical Training (M. P. T.), and in pamphlets issued from time to time by the War Department in accordance with developments in the art of war.
14. TRAINING PLAN. ALL COMPANIES.
(1) Recruit Instruction :
(a) Articles of War.
(b) Military Discipline and Courtesy.
(c) Arms, Uniform and Equipment.
(d) Personal Hygiene and Care of Feet. First Aid.
(e) School of the Soldier.
(f) School of the Squad.
(g) Setting-up Exercises, Recruit Instruction.
(h) Orders for Sentinels.
(i) Preliminary Instruction, Target Practice.
RIFLE COMPANY.
(2) Squad Instruction :. . .
(a) Test of Recruits by Squad Leaders in Subjects (1) above (b) to (1), inclusive.
(b) Setting-up Exercises, "Trained Soldiers" Instruction.
(c) School of the Squad.
(d) Shelter Tent Pitching.
(e) Bayonet Exercises and Bayonet Combat.
(f) Whistle and Arm Signals.
(g) Color Sentinels, Countersigns and Paroles, Compliment from Guard, Guarding Prisoners and Flags.
(h) Sighting Drills.
(i) Position and Aiming Drills.
(j) Making Triangles.
(k) Target Practice.
(1) Musketry Duties of the Squad and Squad Leader, involving Target Designation, Distribution of Fire on Target, Fire Disclipline, Fire, Direction and Fire Control.
39
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1922.]
(m) First aid to the wounded.
(3) Platoon Instruction:
(a) Test of squads by platoon leaders on subjects Par. (2) above, (c), (d), (e), (f), (1), (m).
(b) Drill, close order.
(c) Drill, in open.
(d) Musketry duties of Platoon and Platoon Leader, involving: Target designation.
Finding Range.
Distribution of fire.
Fire discipline.
Fire direction.
Fire control. Communications.
(e) Marching, Running, Bayonet Fighting, Rapid Loading and Aiming, etc.
(f) Automatic Rifle.
(g) Rifle Grenades.
(h) Rifle Trenches.
(i) Individual Cooking.
(j) Training in Trench Warfare.
(4) Company Instruction:
(a) Test of squads in subjects Par. (2) above, (c), (d), (f), (1), (m).
(b) Test of platoons in subjects Par. (3) above, (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (i) and (j).
(c) School of the Company, Close Order.
(d) Musketry duties of the Company, involving: Target designation. Finding of Range.
Distribution of fire.
Fire discipline.
Fire direction.
Fire control. Communications.
(e) Marching and camping.
(f) Range Practice, Known Distance, Small-arms Firing Courses.
(g) Field Service.
(h) Company Inspection.
(i) Commander, Sergeant and Corporal of the Guard.
(j) Guard Mounting.
(k) Physical Training and Swimming.
(1) Company Training in Trench Warfare.
15. Drill. Drill, close and combat order, must be thoroughly taught. Precision and snap are essential.
40
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
In the combat order care must be taken to carefully explain the reasons for what is done. After the mechanism of combat order is thoroughly learned, such exercise should then be the solution of a tactical problem, at first against an imaginary foe and later, units working against each other. In the second case the next higher commander should prepare the problem and act as umpire.
After every exercise there must be a critique, all errors pointed out, good work commended and the reasons for the comments should be given.
16. Intrenching. Earth work is an almost daily occurrence in the soldier's life. A successful attack may often be of no value unless men can promptly get cover by intrenching and at all times lives will be unnecessarily lost if men cannot efficiently use intrenching tools. Many, if not most of our men, have never used a pick and shovel. All must be taught to use them efficiently under the varying conditions that may arise, as when close together, stooping, etc.
17. Minor Tactics. Minor tactics for infantry must receive very careful attention. Experience has proven its great importance. While battles cover long fronts and are carried on by large bodies, locally there constantly arise minor combats, "strong points" that must be captured by a platoon, company or battalion. Flanks that must be covered by small units up to a battalion.
Outpost, patrolling, advance and rear guard work are important.
To properly teach minor tactics requires much careful work.
18. "Bullet and Bayonet." The rifle and the bayonet are the principal weapons of the infantry soldier. He will be trained to a high degree of skill as a marksman, both on the target range and in field firing. An aggressive spirit must be developed until the soldier feels himself, as a bayonet fighter, invincible in battle.
The soldier's practice must be such as to make proper aiming and trigger pull a fixed habit, for only when such is the case will he do it properly under the stress of battle. Position and aiming drill is im- portant and if possible should be taken from ten to fifteen minutes daily. The training in rapid loading is important. Gallery practice should begin as soon as the men are far enough advanced. This drill is im- portant in that it stimulates interest, forms fixed habits and offers a means whereby the preliminary instruction can be checked. The regular course of target practice should be held. Every opportunity should be grasped to have as much target practice as possible.
The bayonet is almost as important as the bullet. Bayonet fighting must be carefully taught. The aggressive spirit must be inculcated and the man impressed with the idea that he is superior to the enemy in bayonet fighting. Much practice must be given in running the offensive course, combining the "bullet and bayonet". Aim to secure speed and accuracy.
19. Automatic Rifles. One of the most important infantry weapons is the automatic rifle. The men armed with the automatic rifle should be highly trained in its nomenclature, mechanism, tactical use, etc. All
41
REPORT OF ADJUTANT GENERAL
1922.]
the other men in the company should know how to load and fire an automatic rifle. A correct tactical use of automatic rifles in conjunction with the other company arms is essential. The men armed with the automatic rifle should be of sturdy build on account of the weight of the ammunition.
20. Rifle Grenades. All men should be familiar with the method of firing rifle grenades, and the tactical use of this class of fire. The rifle grenadiers should be highly trained and made to appreciate that the maximum tactical efficiency can only be attained in the proper co-opera- tion with the other groups in the platoon. The rifle grenadiers should be of sturdy build on account of the weight of the ammunition.
21. Grenades. All the men should have some practice throw- ing grenades. Too much time should not be given to this work; it is of secondary importance. In peace time grenade practice will be confined to work with dummies except where experienced instructors are available and safety devices perfected.
22. Signals. All officers and noncommissioned officers of a company must know the signals prescribed in paragraphs 43 to 47 inclusive, Infantry Drill Regulations.
23. Noncommissioned Officers. Warfare makes a heavy demand on the infantry noncommissioned officers and requires in them a higher standard of efficiency and training. The time available to develop them, particularly the sergeants, is very short and therefore intensified means must be employed to secure the desired results.
To give sergeants the proper prestige, their position should be elevated in every possible way by segregation, by privileges, by participation in the administration and training of their units, etc., in order that they may be made to feel the responsibility and obligation imposed on them and so that other enlisted men will appreciate and recognize their authority and power to command.
Special courses of instruction, theoretical and practical, should be created for them from the beginning and consistently maintained through- out the period of instruction.
24. Methods of Training. A method of training the technical groups of the companies has been created which makes the battalion the basis of training instead of the company. A suitable number of officers and noncommissioned officers are selected from the battalion as a corps of instructors for the subjects selected for battalion instruction, viz .: bayonet and physical training, automatic rifles, rifle grenades, musketry, grenades and field engineering. The companies of the battalion or their technical groups receive in turn instruction in the specialty from the corps of instructors in charge of that subject.
This system enables the battalion commanders to select the most competent officers and noncommissioned officers from the entire battalion to conduct the training of any given specialty and it results in giving all the companies the highest degree of training of which the instructing personnel of the battalion is capable. As well, a uniformity of training
ยท
42
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
[W. VA.
is obtained for all the companies, which is most desirable. Wherever a battalion is stationed together it is recommended that instruction by battalion be imparted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.