Field service pocket book, 1914 / General Staff, War Office.

Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Field service pocket book, 1914 / General Staff, War Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    106/372 (page 74)
    liminary order should state when and where tlie complete order will be issued. IIOUTINE Okders. 19. lloutine orders arc of precisedy the same nature in war as in peace. They deal with all matters not concerned with operations, such as discipiine, interior economy, itc. They will usually be issued daily at fixed hours—the earlier the better, and when stationary, never later than noon. At these hours commanders will ordinarily send an officer to the headquarters of their immediate superior. The officer will not only receive orders, but will also be prepared to give any information regarding the eommand to whieh he belongs, whicli the superior may n^quirc. Watches will be comiiared on this occasion. 20. Koutine orders not being of a confidential nature may be freely dis- tributed. Orders for Attack. 21. Orders for an attack will be framed in accordance with the rules laid down for Operation Orders, and whenever possible should be in writing. 22. The commander of a force and suborfiinate commanders will be guided by the following principles in framing orders for an attack :— (a) A definite objective or task should be a.ssigncd to each body of troops, the actual limits of frontage being specified as far as possible. Each body of troops thus assigned to a distinct tactical operation should be placed under one commander. (h) The direction of the attack to be made by each body of troops should be distinctly stated. (c) Most careful arrangements should be made to ensure that attacks intended to be simultaneous should be so in ri'ality. (d) The choice of the manner in which the task assigned to each body of troops is to be performed should be left to its commander. 23. Each commander who issues orders should assemble his subordinate commanders, if possible, in view of the ground over which the attack is to take place, explain his orders, and satisfy himself that they thoroughly understand their respective tasks. Orders for Night Attacks and Night Advances. 24. In framing orders for night operations, it may be necessary to deal with the following points in addition to those dealt with under “ Operation Orders ’’ and “ Orders for Attack ” ;— (а) Time of assembly at, departure from, and description of the i>osition of assembly. (б) Order of march, and formations on leaving the position of a.ssemblv. Distances and intervals. Maintenance of communication. (e) Compass bi-aring of the route. (rf) Time and duration of halts. (e) If possible, the position of the deployment should be described, and its distance from the position of assembly and from the point selected for attack notified. (/) Formation to be adopted at the position of deployment. (g) Special Instructions for the assault and the signal’for it. (h) Short description of the ground to be crossexi. (j) Description of the position to be assaulted. (/•) Conduct of troops during the advance. (l) Action in case the enemy opens Are. (m) Action, after the position is captured, to resist counter attack (n) Extent to which the captured position is to be fortified, and the detail of troops who arc to perform this duty. (o) Action of reserves or neighbouring troops ‘against po.sitions likely to enfilade the captured position. ill) Distinctive marks and watchword. (?) Place of the commander at the jiosition of assembly, during the march thence and at the position of deployment.