67.  Being at ENGAGE LEFT:  ENGAGE RIGHT.

The attack quickly drops the point of his bayonet until clear of his opponent’s rifle and describes a semicircle with it upward and to the left and engages.

68.  Being engaged:  ENGAGE LEFT AND RIGHT.

The attack ENGAGE LEFT and then immediately ENGAGES RIGHT.

69.  Being engaged left:  ENGAGE RIGHT AND LEFT.

The attack ENGAGES RIGHT and then immediately ENGAGES LEFT.

70. 1.  Number one, ENGAGE RIGHT (LEFT); 2.  Number two, COUNTER.

Number one executes the movement ordered, as above; number two quickly drops the point of his bayonet and circles it upward to the original position.

71.  In all fencing while maintaining the pressure in the engage a certain freedom of motion of the rifle is allowable, consisting of the play, or up-and-down motion, of one bayonet against the other.  This is necessary to prevent the opponent from divining the intended attack.  It also prevents his using the point of contact as a pivot for his assaults.  In charging from one engage to the other the movement is controlled by the left hand, the right remaining stationary.

72.  After some exercise in ENGAGE, ENGAGE LEFT, and COUNTER, exercises will be given in the assaults.

ASSAULTS.

73.  The part of the body to be attacked will be designated by name, as head, neck, chest, stomach, legs.  No attacks will be made below the knees.  The commands are given and the movements for each line are first explained thoroughly by the instructor; the execution begins at the command ASSAULT.  Number one executes the attack, and number two parries; conversely, at command, number two attacks and number one parries.

74.  For convenience in instruction ASSAULTS are divided into SIMPLE ATTACKS, COUNTER ATTACKS, ATTACKS ON THE RIFLE, and FEINTS.

SIMPLE ATTACKS.

75.  Success in these attacks depends on quickness of movement.  There are three simple attacks—­the STRAIGHT, the DISENGAGEMENT, and the COUNTER DISENGAGEMENT.  They are not preceded by a feint.

76.  In the STRAIGHT the bayonet is directed straight at an opening from the engaged position.  Contact with the opponent’s rifle may or may not be abandoned while making it.  If the opening be high or low, contact with the rifle will usually be abandoned on commencing the attack.  If the opening be near his guard, the light pressure used in the engage may be continued in the attack.

Example:  Being at the ENGAGE RIGHT, 1.  Number one, at neck (head, chest, right leg, etc.), thrust; 2.  Number two, parry right; 3.  ASSAULT.

77.  In the DISENGAGEMENT contact with the opponent’s rifle is abandoned and the point of the bayonet is circled under or over his bayonet or rifle and directed into the opening attacked.  This attack is delivered by one continuous spiral movement of the bayonet from the moment contact is abandoned.