Second.  Never lose touch with your squad.  Every individual, as well as every unit, should always be acting under the control of some higher commander.  This is necessary if there is to be any unity of action.  Therefore if you lose your squad, or it becomes broken up, join the first squad you can find and obey your new squad leader as loyally and as cheerfully as you did your own.

Infantry approaches the battle field in columns of squads.  While yet several miles from the enemy’s position the troops may come under artillery fire.  On green men entering upon their fight, the sound of the projectile whistling through the air, the noise, flash, and smoke on the burst of the shrapnel, and the hum of the various pieces thereafter, all produce a very terrifying effect, but old soldiers soon learn to pay little attention to this, as the danger is not great.

As the troops advance, the column breaks up into smaller columns, which form on an irregular line with more or less interval between.  As the advance continues each column breaks up into smaller columns until finally a line of skirmishers is formed.

Firing is delayed as long as possible for three reasons, viz:  (a) At the extreme ranges little damage can be done on the enemy, and ineffective firing always encourages him; (b) halting to fire delays the advance, and the great object to be accomplished is to close in on the enemy where you can meet him on better terms; (c) plenty of ammunition will be required at the decisive stage of the fight, and it is very difficult to send extra ammunition up to the firing line.  Therefore never fire until ordered to do so, and then never fire more than the number of rounds designated.  Never fire after the command “cease firing” is given.

Ammunition in the bandoleers will ordinarily be expended first.  Thirty rounds in the right pocket section of the belt will be held as a reserve, to be expended only when ordered by an officer.

Soon, however, it will be necessary to halt and open fire on the enemy in order to cause him some loss, to make his riflemen keep down in their trenches, and to make them fire wildly.  It is probable that at this time and until you arrive much closer you will not see any of the enemy to fire at.  You may not even see any trenches nor know just where the enemy is.  Your higher officers, however, with their field glasses and the messages they receive, will know.  Each company will be assigned a certain front to cover with its fire.  Therefore be careful to fix your sights at the designated range and fire only at the designated target.  This means team work in firing, which is one of the most important elements of success.