Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 eBook

United States Department of War
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917.

Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 eBook

United States Department of War
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917.

47.  Not more than three movements will be used in any combination.  The instructor should first indicate the number of movements that are to be combined as TWO MOVEMENTS or THREE MOVEMENTS.  The execution is determined by one command of execution, and the position of guard is taken upon the completion of the last movement only.

EXAMPLES.

Front pass and LUNGE.

Right step and THRUST.

Left step and low parry RIGHT.

Rear pass, parry left and LUNGE.

Lunge and cut RIGHT.

Parry right and parry HIGH.

Butt strike and cut DOWN.

Thrust and parry HIGH.

Parry high and LUNGE.

Advance, thrust and cut RIGHT.

Right step, parry left and cut DOWN.

To the left, butt strike and cut DOWN.

To the right rear, cut down and butt STRIKE.

48.  Attacks against dummies will be practiced.  The approach will be made against the dummies both in quick time and double time.

V. PRACTICAL BAYONET COMBAT.

49.  The principles of practical bayonet combat should be taught as far as possible during the progress of instruction in bayonet exercise.

50.  The soldier must be continually impressed with the extreme importance of the offensive due to its moral effect.  Should an attack fail, it should be followed immediately by another attack before the opponent has an opportunity to assume the offensive.  Keep the opponent on the defensive.  If, due to circumstances, it is necessary to take the defensive, constantly watch for an opportunity to assume the offensive and take immediate advantage of it.

51.  Observe the ground with a view to obtaining the best footing.  Time for this will generally be too limited to permit more than a single hasty glance.

52.  In personal combat watch the opponent’s eyes if they can be plainly seen, and do not fix the eyes on his weapon nor upon the point of your attack.  If his eyes can not be plainly seen, as in night attacks, watch the movements of his weapon and of his body.

53.  Keep the body well covered and deliver attacks vigorously.  The point of the bayonet should always be kept as nearly as possible in the line of attack.  The less the rifle is moved upward, downward, to the right, or to the left, the better prepared the soldier is for attack or defense.

54.  Constantly watch for a chance to attack the opponent’s left hand.  His position of guard will not differ materially from that described in paragraph 24.  If his bayonet is without a cutting edge, he will be at a great disadvantage.

55.  The butt is used for close and sudden attacks.  It is particularly useful in riot duty.  From the position of port arms a sentry can strike a severe blow with the butt of the rifle.

56.  Against a man on foot, armed with a sword, be careful that the muzzle of the rifle is not grasped.  All the swordsman’s energies will be directed toward getting past the bayonet.  Attack him with short, stabbing thrusts, and keep him beyond striking distance of his weapon.

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Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.