CHAPTER VI. 



FIELD SERVICE. 



Section 1. Principles of training. 



Inaction gives everj^ advantage to the enemy. 



The offensive alone gives decisive results. 



A quick and energetic offensive minimizes losses. 



An advance against the enemy's position once entered upon 

 must be continued. To go back under fire is to die. 



The best way to hold down the fire of the enemy and to 

 diminish his power to inflict losses is to bring the position he 

 occupies under well-conducted and continued fire. 



Present as small a target as possible to the enemy by utiliz- 

 ing every bit of cover the ground affords. 



Individual skill in marksmanship is an advantage in battle 

 only when united with fire discipline and control. 



Constant movement to the front lessens the effect of the 

 enemy's fire. Modern battles fought in the open show that the 

 heaviest losses are in the mid and long ranges. When close 

 range is reached the losses diminish rapidly. 



The best protection against artillery fire is a constant but 

 irregular movement to the front. When close to the enemy's 

 position his fire is least effective. 



A knowledge of how to use the bayonet and the will to use 

 it must often be the deciding factors in battle. 



Finally : 



In training we can not go far wrong or fail to accomplish 

 the best results if we keep before our minds the spirit as well 

 as the wording of paragraph 352 of the Infantry Drill Regu- 

 lations : " The duties of infantry are many and difficult. 

 All infantry must bo fit to cope with all conditions that may 

 arise. Modern war requires but one kind of infantry — good 

 infantry." Cavalry, dismounted, should be as efficient as 

 infantry under all conditions of service. 



