Page:Tactics (Balck 1915).djvu/118

 1st rush 132 m., about 30 rounds of ammunition per rifle 2nd "     58 "     "   15   "     "      "      "    " 3rd "     63 "     "   15   "     "      "      "    " 4th "     61 "     "   15   "     "      "      "    " 5th "     75 "     "   15   "     "      "      "    " 6th "    151 "     "    5   "     "      "      "    " 7th "    400 " -         940 m., about 95 rounds of ammunition per rifle

If we assume that three shots per minute were fired from each rifle, it follows that the attack consumed approximately 40-45 minutes.

Provisions of the Various Regulations Relative to the Advance by Rushes.

Germany. (Pars. 188. 189 and 337 I. D. R.). To advance by rushes, the following commands are given: (Such) '''Platoon (section, squad) Rush! Rise! March! March! At the command Rush!''' the skirmishers finish loading, lock pieces, close cartridge boxes, and prepare to rise. Skirmishers lying prone take the piece in the left hand, lean on the right, and draw the right knee as close to the body as possible without thereby raising the body from the ground. After a brief pause, during which these preparations are made, the platoon commander jumps up and at the same time commands: '''Rise! March! March!''' At this command the skirmishers jump up and rush forward. The length of the rush will rarely exceed 80 m. (Par. 337 German I. D. R.). While rushes should, as a rule, be as long as possible, short rushes, which are designed to leave the enemy no time for firing, should also be practiced. The principal thing is that skirmishers rise promptly and simultaneously and that they rush forward rapidly. The rush is terminated by the command "Position"; the sight setting is changed when necessary and fire opened without further preliminaries. Frequently the new firing position may be indicated before the rush is made.

Austria. Rushes are as a rule made by platoons. "The length of the rushes depends upon the character of the ground and the tactical situation, as well as upon the physical condition of the men. They serve as an expedient for reaching the next firing position."

France. Rushes are made, without fixed rules, from cover to cover (par bonds successifs).