ve been
committed to the Attack he should assume control of the supporting
sections and move with them. If his platoon is in support, he will
thus be with the forward sections before the platoon is involved in the
fight. The success of Infantry in the Attack depends not only on dash,
control, and leading, but upon the intelligent co-operation of support
commanders, who must keep themselves acquainted with the course of the
battle by intelligent observation and will thus possess an
"appreciation of the situation" before involving their men in action,
and can direct the supports to the right spot at the right time, to
influence the battle by fire and by movement, without hesitation or
delay.

THE COMPANY.--The normal distribution of the company, when acting with
other companies of the battalion, is two platoons forward and two in
support. To meet the expectation of a stubborn resistance, or to cover
an unusually extensive frontage, three platoons may be forward, with
one in support; and where information as to the enemy's dispositions is
lacking, but strong opposition is unlikely, one platoon may be forward
with three in support, thus enabling the company commander to use any
or all the supports to influence the attack on obtaining information as
to the point in the enemy's position which offers the best prospect of
success. When the frontage allotted to a company is above the normal,
the leading platoons should not endeavour to cover the whole front, but
gaps should be left between them; otherwise the men will be so widely
extended as to deprive the leaders of the power of control.

When a company is acting independently, the normal formation will be
two platoons forward, with one in support, and one in reserve.

THE COMPANY COMMANDER.--The company commander will allot the tasks and
the frontages of his {73} platoons and give orders as to their
distribution, and must state where he will be himself during the
Attack. His position will be determined by the necessity of keeping
informed throughout the Attack of the situation and of the progress of
his platoons, and he is responsible that all essential information on
these points is passed back to the battalion commander. He must also
keep in touch with companies on his flanks, sending out patrols for
this purpose, if necessary; and must use every opportunity afforded by
the fire or smoke provided by other units or arms to get forward or
round the enemy's flanks. H