Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1917 — MORE COMPANY DEPLOYMENTS. [ARTICLE]

MORE COMPANY DEPLOYMENTS.

When the company is in column of squads, to form the skirmish line to the front, the command w’ould be, “As skirmishers, guide right (left or center), MARCH !” If then marching, the corporal of the base squad deploys it and moves straight to the front; ifr at a halt, he deploys it without advancing. If the guide be right (left), the other corporals move to the left (right) front, and in succession from the base place their squads on the line. If the guide be center, the corporals in front of the center squad move to the right; if at a halt, to the rear. The corporals in the rear of the center squall move to the left front, and each, in succession from the base, places his squad on the line. The company may also be deployed in an oblique direction, whether in line or in column of squads. The captain points out the desired direction, and the corporal of the base squad moves in the direction indicated. other corporals, with their squads, conform. To form the skirmish line to the flank or rear, the line or column of squads is turned by squads to the flank or rear; it is then deployed as described. The intervals between the men are increased or diminished as already described in the school of the squad, althaugh it may be necessary to add to the preparatory command, “Guide right (left or center).” To assemble a company deployed as skirmishers, the captain either designates or takes his post in front of the element, on which the company is to assemble. At the command, “Assemble, march,” the men move promptly toward the designated point and the company is reformed in line. If it Is to be assembled by platoons, the platoons are first conducted to the designated point by the platoon leaders, and the company is re-rormed in line,

The platoons individually may be assembled by the command, “Platoons, assembly, march!” This is then executed by each platoon as described for the company. Btft it may also be desired to assemble certain platoons, one or more, and this may be accomplished by the command, “Such platoon(s) — that is “The first and second platoons,” or “Lieutenant Blank’s platoon” ■ —“Assembly, march.” The movement. as said above, is then executed by the designated platoon or platoons as described for the company. It must be admitted' that deploymentsby the company are at first confusing to the new soldier. But if he attends strictly to his corporal, and remembers his instruction in skirmishing for the squad, he will have no difficulty. All that devolves upon him will be to do his individual share, and -Fhis, i n pra etieally all eases, is confined to what he has learned in the school of the squad. It is for his noncommissioned officers to handle the squad in a way to conform with the rest of the platoon or company. Nevertheless, the new soldier —the intelligent American soldier —will want to know why he is called upon to execute certain movements, as well as how to negotiate them. This he can readily learn if, while performing his own duties to the best of his ability, he keeps a close eye upon the composite movement around him.