Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 210, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1917 — PLATOON AND SQUAD COLUMNS. [ARTICLE]

PLATOON AND SQUAD COLUMNS.

Having learned the principle of the advance as conducted by platoon or squad columns —the “succession of thin lines’’—it is now necessary to see how this is to be done. Being in skirmish line, at the command, “Platoon columns, march,” the platoon leaders move forward through the center of their respective platoons. When the company is deployed, the platoon leader is posted in the rear of the line, in order to control the fire of his men. Having moved through the center of his platoon, the men to the right of Rhe platoon leader (as he passes through the line) march to the left and follow him in single file; likewise, those on the left march to the right. This constitutes a double column of files, which is now conducted by the platoon leader. Platoon guides follow in the rear. .

The command, “Squad columns, march,” is executed in a similar way. Each squad’ leader moves to the front, and the members of his squad oblique toward him and follow in single file at easy marching distances. f To reiterate what was said in the last article, platoon columns are profitably used where the ground is so difficult and the cover so limited as to make it desirable to take advantage of a few favorable routes, and no, two platoons should march .within the area of a burst of a single shrapnel. Squad columns are of value principally in expediting progress over rough or brushgreen ground. To deploy platoon or squad columns, the command is, “As skirmishers, march.” Skirmishers then move to the right or left front successively and place themselves in their original positions in line. From platoon or squad columns, the company is thus assembled. At the command, “Assemble. march,” the platoon or squad leaders' signal “Assem-

ble” by moving the arm in quick circles above the head; at this, the men of each platoon or squad, as the case may be, advance, and moving to the right or left, take their proper places in line. Each unit assembles on the leading element of the column and re-forms in line. Platoon or squad leaders conduct their units toward the point indicated by the captain, and to their places in line. The company is reformed in line. * Another method whereby the advance may be accomplished by a “succession of thin lines” is as follows: The captain points out in advance the selected position to be occupied, which is generally from 100 to 250 yards to •the front, depending upon the terrain and the character of the hostile fire. The captain gives the command, “(Such numbers) forward, march!” The man designated by this number in each squad—“ No. 1” for examplemoves to the front until he reaches the new line. In this line, the original intervals are preserved as nearly as practicable. The next number in each squad is sent forward when the first has advanced a suitable distance —the distances between these thin advancing lines are purposely made irregular. Each,number halts upon arriving at the new line.

ADVANCING ACROSS WIDE STRETCHES EXPOSED TO FIRE. The advance in such a succession of thin lines as that described in the last article is used to progress across a wide stretch which is swept, or in danger of being swept, by artillery fire, or by long-range rifle fire. In short, this type of advance is undertaken in places exposed to a fire which it would be profitless to return. The advance by short rushes would both be costly (because of the comparative concentration of the men in the fire-swept area) and impracticable, since to return rifle fire against artillery wo’fld be futile. It would be almost equally futile against long-range rifle fire. However, when the thin lines have advanced, as was said before, from 100 to 250 yards, they may then be in a better position to return the fire. The purpose of this movement is .to build up a strong skirmish line at a point where it may engage in a fire fight, and to build it up with the minimum cost. -This method, while advantageous from certain standpoints, also has its drawbacks. Because, during the progress of the advance, there is almost entire loss of control over the company. Each individual Is left to his own initiative in reaching the new line, but unless otherwise specified, the advance is conducted at quick time, and there is a general uniformity of movement. Yet the seriousness of the loss of control depends very largely upon the previous training and discipline of the company. If this has been of the proper kind, and the company is sufficiently grounded in discipline, teamwork, and esprit de corps, it will continue to assert itself even when the man is proceeding across the exposed area alone.

It is precisely the same as with a back-field player on a football eleven: He is alone, his responsibility is single, generally speaking, but at that he never loses his consciousness of teamplay and the essential co-ordination of his efforts with those of the rest of his team. Against the possible disadvantage of a temporary loss of control over the company, moreover, is the more than compensating advantage that such an advance is less likely to draw fire. This is not only Important from the standpoint of casualties, but would in itself reduce the degree in which such control may be lost. In other words, it would be even more difficult to retain control over a deployed company which is subject to a withering fire than over a company advancing in a succession of thin lines, if the fire is scattering and ineffectual. .... The war in Europe has ill many Respects cancelled previous theories of combat. In view of such developments the regulations specifically state that other and better formations may be devised to fit particular cases. But this basic principle remains: “The best formation is the one which advances the line furthest with the least loss of men, time and control.” Training in the existing regulations for extended order work, therefore, schools the young soldier In the underlying purpose of the fire attack, and after comprehending this, he can much more easily adapt himself to any special methods which conditions may require.