3 
gradually strengthen the shooting line in order to give the necessary amount of 
fire. The reinforcements should either prolong the line or enter it, never cause 
it to close. Detachments will be told off to fire on the supports and reserves, 
whilst the others reply to the fire of the enemy’s shooting line. By the time 
the enemy is arrived at 400 metres (430 yards) from the position, ordinarily the 
supports will have been absorbed in the shooting line, and the defence will be 
continued with the aid of the companies in reserve. The counter-attack is car¬ 
ried out by the companies in reserve. If the attack fails, the pursuit is continued 
by fire, and the defence prepare to assume strongly the offensive. If the attack 
succeeds, the companies are disengaged under the protection of the fire of closed 
detachments, and collect at some spot determined beforehand by the Battalion 
Commander. 
COMPARISON. 
All four regulations bring forward prominently as the main principles the 
utilisation of fire and the judicious use of ground. As regards the former, the 
Russians develop fire gradually; the Trench, on the contrary, orders fire to open 
as soon as the enemy can be hit; the Germans act according to their own 
Musketry Regulations. The Austrians use fire mainly at medium and short 
ranges, and only at long ranges when the ammunition is sufficient and the target 
large. All the regulations, with the exception of the Germans, recommend the 
constant employment of volley firing. As regards the choice of the position and 
the measures for strengthening it, the regulations are in accord, as also in respect 
to the division into sections, diminution of depths, section reserves in readiness 
in covered positions, a sufficiency of troops for the occupation of the position 
when the line of attack is known, and an independent main reserve, if possible, 
behind a flank. On the last point, the Germans emphasise the advantage of a 
simultaneous flank advance, and expressly lays stress on the fact that it is wrong 
to hold back the main reserve to protect the retreat instead of employing it in 
the fight. 
The Trench reject in toto the passive defence, and insist always on the 
offensive. The Germans and Austrians only if a decisive success is intended. 
The Russians on the order of the Commander if the assailant is to be shattered. 
Trom the foregoing it is evident that the four regulations are practically in 
accord as regards the attack and defence; success depends, therefore, on which 
troops are best led, trained, and disciplined. 
