e men on the firing line than the enemy and then some
more if necessary. Local supports are used if required. Having gained
fire superiority, the advance by rushes commences, but each rush must
leave behind or have in front of it enough rifles to maintain fire
superiority. This determines the size of the rush. You cannot lose this
fire superiority and advance; and once it is lost, hours may be required
to regain it. The number of men in each rush will usually decrease as
the enemy's position is approached. If the firing line is stopped, if
fire superiority is lost and cannot be regained, the firing line
intrenches and holds on until darkness or until a favorable turn in the
situation develops. It is suicidal to turn back. During the advance,
supports move up as close to the firing line as cover will permit,
adopting those formations best suited to keep down losses. They may be
as close as fifty yards to the firing line. They should not be as far as
500 yards in rear of it.

THE CHARGE

There can be no rule to tell you when to charge. It may be from 25 to
400 yards. The common sense (tactical instinct) of the senior ranking
officer on the firing line must tell him the psychological moment to
order the charge. That moment will be when your fire has broken down the
enemy's fire, broken his resistance, and destroyed his morale. The
artillery increases its range. The firing line and remaining supports
fix bayonets. The former increases the rate of fire, the latter rush
forward under the protection of this fire, join the firing line and give
it the necessary impetus. Together they rush at the enemy's position. No
restraint is placed upon their ardor. Confidence in their ability to use
the bayonet gives the charging troops the promise of success. If the
charge is successful, the nearest formed bodies are sent instantly in
pursuit and under cover of them the commands are reorganized, order
restored, and arrangements made to resist a counter attack. If the
charge is unsuccessful the artillery or any formed troops in rear cover
the withdrawal.

THE THEORY OF THE DEFENSIVE

The defensive is divided into the purely passive defense and the active
defense.

The passive defense seeks merely to delay the enemy. The results can
never be other than negative. It is usually for the purpose of gaining
time and most frequently used by a rear guard. Since the idea of taking
up the offensive is absent, no strong reserves are