“MILITAK WOCHEIsTBL ATT.” 
29th JUNE, 1892. 
COMPARISON OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REGULATIONS OF 
FOUR CONTINENTAL POWERS AS REGARDS THE ATTACK, 
TRANSLATED BY 
COLONEL LONSDALE HALE, late R.E. 
GERMANY. 
The German Regulations make a distinction between the “ Begegnungsgefecht ” 
(improvised fight) and tliat on a prepared position; in the latter case the attack 
being in conformity with a pre-arranged plan, and preceded by a deployment; in 
the former case the fight is developed from the march, the deployment of the 
main body being effected under the protection of the advanced guard. 
The attack is divided into three parts— 
1. Troops are thrown forward to open fire on the enemy as near to his position 
as the ground allows. 
2. Strong swarms of shooters work their way up to these troops and endea¬ 
vour to conquer the enemy by fire. The only prospect of success lies in obtaining 
this superiority of fire. 
3. When this superiority is attained, the shooting line, aided by supporting- 
troops arrived close at hand, advance to storm the position. This order will, as 
a rule, come from the highest commander, but the impulse (anstoss) for the 
attack may also proceed from the shooting line. 
The retreating enemy is pursued with fire after the capture of his position. 
An enveloping attack is recommended as conducive to success ; but this is not 
to proceed from the developed fighting line but must be arranged for beforehand. 
RUSSIA. 
The attack is divided into— 
1. Advance. 
2. Attack. 
From the deployment {JEnhoicklung der Gefechtsordnung )—about 2000 paces 
from the enemy—to the entry within the zone of strong hostile rifle fire—800 
paces from the enemy—the advance is continued along the whole front in quick 
time. Erom this point the attack is the object of all forward movements. The 
command has ascertained the position of the enemy, arranged the plan of attack, 
strengthened the shooting line, and given to all the troops the right direction in 
which to attack. 
11, VOL. XIX, 
77b 
