You are on page 1of 19

FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION NOTES: This document is an attempt at a faithful transcription of the original document.

Special effort has been made to ensure that original spelling, line-breaks, and vocabulary are left intact, and when possible, similar fonts have been used. However, it contains original formatting and image scans. All rights are reserved except those specifically granted herein. LICENSE: You may distribute this document in whole, provided that you distribute the entire document including this disclaimer, attributions, transcriber forewords, etc., and also provided that you charge no money for the work excepting a nominal fee to cover the costs of the media on or in which it is distributed. You may not distribute this document in any for-pay or pricemetered medium without permission.

DEDICATION Special dedication to my spectacular wife Mylinda, my fantastic son Christopher, and my amazing daughter Allison. It continually fills me with awe that God has given you to me. I love you. -Kirk Lawson

LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTYS STATIONARY OFFICE, BY HARRISON AND SONS, PRINTERS IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY. (Wt. 15191 80,000 9 | 07H & S 1424) P 07 217

INSTRUCTION IN BAYONET FIGHTING.

(This chapter dealing with Bayonet Fighting is to be substituted for Chapter III, Appendix to the Training Manuals, 1905, and will be included in the next edition of that work.) 1. General Instructions for Bayonet Fighting. 1. The following instructions in bayonet fighting have been drawn up with the object of teaching men to use their bayonets with good effect in action. Some of the details, although they afford an excellent training for this result, are, however, more particularly adapted to competition fighting. It isowing to certain necessary restrictionsimpossible to draw up a system of fighting suitable only for the actual combat that will contain sufficient variety to ensure the required handiness and sufficient interest to encourage men to practise it; but the system here laid down is of as practical a nature for the actual fight as can be devised, and the acquirement of skill in it will ensure the necessary control of the weapon on the field of battle. 2. The use of the bayonet as a weapon of attack and defence is a necessary part of the instruction of the soldier trained to fight on foot. In teaching bayonet fighting individual instruction is essential; some of the preliminary lessons, however, can be given in small squads. The best way to give the required individual instruction is by the method of Instructor and Pupil, followed by two pupils opposing one another under the Instructors supervision, as is explained in the Assaulting lessons. (1424) A

2
To ensure individual instruction, it is desirable that not more than four pupils be given to each Instructor, and that the same Instructor should take the same pupils throughout their course. Every encouragement should be given to the men to practise bayonet fighting. 3. Leg work in small squads with dummy rifle and work at the wall pads (lessons iii, iv, and vi) should be practised frequently even by skilled fighters, and, if performed in an intelligent way with plenty of activity and ease of movement combined with rapidity and energy, should result in greatly improved fighting powers. 4. The following lessons are arranged in progressive order and, in the first instance, should be taught in the order in which they are laid down. Great importance should be attached to the Assaulting lessons, as it is by means of them that the men are given a combative spirit and are enabled to see step by step the fighting application of each detail which they are taught. They relieve the dulness of routine work, encourage the spirit of emulation, and give the men from an early stage of their instruction some idea of actual fighting, so that they are worked up to the final fighting stage almost unconsciously. The Assaulting lessons (lessons ix, xiii, xiv, and xvi) should therefore be frequently practised by all, including skilled fighters, and, when once they have been learned, should always form part of a days lesson. Pupils should not be allowed to practise the actual Assault until they have had plenty of practise in No. IV Assaulting Lesson (lesson xvi). 5. Suppleness, lightness, ease, and freedom of movement should be aimed at throughout the instruction, and all stiffness must be carefully avoided. It should be noted that stiffness is often acquired as a habit by keeping men too long in one position.

3
6. When first practising the Assault after having taken lessons only, the pupil should not be discouraged because he cannot bring off his attacks, &c., exactly as he expects, but he should try again under the eye of an Instructor, think over the reasons of his want of success, and work on the principles which he has been taught. 7. Great attention should be devoted to developing quickness, energy, and rapidity of movement. It is especially important to insist on a good and very rapid attack pushed well home. A resolute attack of this nature has far more chance of success than one that is not pushed with the same determination, and, even if it be parried, the very determination and energy with which it was delivered frequently so upsets the adversary that he is unable to Return. A half-hearted attack is dangerous only to the attacker. The training must also aim at developing the power of making a quick recovery after an attack has failed, and a good parry and return, when attacked. If the instruction be made progressive and lessons taught in the order here given, with repetition whenever necessary, the men should become efficient in the use of the bayonet and acquire a practical knowledge of its use in the combat. 8. Bayonet lighting should never be taught as a parade exercise. When men are inspected in bayonet fighting, they should be seen at the Assault (Loose Play). 2. Lesson i. In this lesson the pupil should carry a wooden dummy rifle and wear a left hand glove. From the position of Order Arms, advance the left foot about 2 foot-lengths in the direction of the adversary, bending the knees well in doing so, at the sarge time cant the rifle to the front (bayonet leading) and seize (1424) A2

4
it with the left hand as far forward as can be conveniently managed, so as to ensure full control of the weapon, the right hand at the small. In this position the rifle should be held ON GUARD. well forward and covering the left side with the barrel turned slightly over towards the left and the point of the bayonet a little to the left of the central line, left arm sightly bent, the right hand rather in front of the body which should be erect, without being stiff, and balanced evenly between each leg, head and eyes turned towards the adversary, left foot pointing straight to the front and right foot to the right. Great importance should be attached to training men to assume an easy position on guard, free from all stiffness and constraint so as to be ready for instant movement; of the rifle and body. Allowance must therefore be made for the difference in build of individual men, and exact adherence to the typical position should not be required so long as the principles indicated above are adhered to, i.e., wide base for the feet, easy balance of the body, forward threatening position of the rifle covering the left side, and full control of the weapon. The principle of the foregoing remarks applies also to all the positions and movements in bayonet fighting. Without making a drill movement of it, the pupil should assume a position of rest REST. from this or any other position in the easiest way. Deliver the point as rapidly as possible as high as the adversarys breast to the full FIRST POINT. extent of both arms, reaching well forward in doing so and letting the rifle slide through the left hand.

5
Return on guard. Deliver the point as high as the breast with great rapidity as follows : The rifle should be started forward with both hands, then quitting with the left hand, which should be thrown well behind the body THROW POINT. to balance it, reach as far forward as possible with the right hand (back of the hand up) and lean the body well over the left thigh, straightening the right leg. The right heel may he slightly raised off the ground, but not the tread of the foot. It is important to teach men to deliver these points (whether with or without the lunge) to the utmost limit of their reach with rapidity, and without making any preliminary movement which would put the adversary on the alert and so enable him to parry it. ON GUARD. Return on guard. From the on guard position, carry the rifle sufficiently to the right front, straightening the left, arm in doing so, so as to beat off the RIGHT PARRY. adversarys rifle towards the right front. In forming the parry the wrist should not be bent nor the rifle twisted in the hand. From the position of Right Parry, slightly bend the left arm and carry the rifle sufficiently to the left front (high or low as the case may be), straightening the left arm in doing so, so as to beat off the adversarys rifle towards the left front, and in the case of the LEFT PARRY. low parry to the left front and downwards. (HIGH or LOW) The left parry should be made with the barrel of the rifle to the left without bending the wrist or twisting the rifle round in the ON GUARD.

6
hands. When forming the Left Parry low, care should be taken not to raise the right hand. The men should be taught later to form the parries from any position. The height at which the parries are made should, of course, vary according to the height of the adversarys attack. In teaching the parries the Instructor should at first illustrate them with the aid of an assistant who knows them. He should then take each pupil separately and, by holding his own weapon in the required position, show him a threatening attack and make him parry it, indicating the part to be defended, rather than the name of the parry. By this means the pupil is made to realise from the beginning exactly what he has to parry, and the necessity for it. Great care should be taken that the rifle is moved by the arms alone, working free of the body, which should be kept erect and steady; in other words, the body should not be thrown out of its normal position facing the adversary by following the movement of the rifle. 3. Lesson ii. Pupil in the on guard position, but without the rifle in his hands. Advance the left foot quietly but quickly (distance according to requirements), and ADVANCE. follow it immediately with the right, which should be moved an equal distance so as to resume the on guard position. This should be a stealthy movement. Pushing easily backward from the left foot, RETIRE. carry the right foot the required distance to the rear, followed by the left foot an equal distance.

7
Pushing sharply backward from the left foot, leap back lightly but rapidly, as far as JUMP. necessary, straight to the rear and at once resume the on guard position. The right foot is, as it were, chased backward by the left foot. Moving the right hand, right shoulder, and body rapidly forward, as directed for the Throw Point, and the left hand to the rear, advance the left foot about one foot-length to the front, moving it close to the ground, at LUNGE. the same time straightening the right leg. The left knee to be perpendicularly over the instep, the right heel (but not the tread of the foot) raised slightly from the ground, and the forward reach made as long as possible. The Lunge is described for use with the Throw Point, as it is usually so required. It may also be used with the First Point, but time should not as a rule be spent on practising it with the First Point. Return on guard by swinging the body ON GUARD. backward, and pushing off from the left foot. ADVANCE AND These movements, having been learned LUNGE. singly, may then be practised combined as RETIRE AND here given, the Jump from the Lunge being LUNGE. assisted by a vigorous backward swing of the LUNGE AND body. JUMP. The leg work is taught early in the course of instruction, with a view to making a man from the start as active as possible, agility and freedom of movement of the legs being of the utmost importance. 4. Lesson iii. Repeat lesson ii with the dummy rifle in the hands, taking care to keep the men alert, active, and full of life.

8
5. Lesson iv. With dummy rifle. Practise the First Point and the Throw Point, especially the latter, at Wall pad, without and with lunging, gradually teaching the pupil to increase is reach by increasing the distance from which he delivers his point. This is a very useful and important lesson in order to teach men to aim at and hit something with the point of the bayonet before being opposed to a living target. It also teaches them to judge their distance properly, and increases their reach, speed and energy. A wall pad can be made by hanging a padded jacket on the wall about the height of the breast of a man on guard. 6. Lesson v. Pupil with dummy rifle and left-hand glove. INSTRUCTOR throws hut his rifle gently as if he were going to make a Throw Point. PARRY AND PUPIL parries sharply, and immediately RETURN. returns with a First Point without actually hitting. Repeat in each line of attack (i.e., the line on which the attack is made with reference to the opponents weapon), taking care that pupil shows sufficient opening (in whatever line it may be) for Instructors attack. The use of the Throw Point and First Point should here be explained. In competition fighting the former is nearly always used in making an original attack, and frequently in a return after parrying, but the latter is seldom used except when returning after parrying, and then only if an opponent is near enough. 7. Lesson vi. Spring bayonets to be used in this and all subsequent lessons. Practise hitting Wall pad as in Lesson iv, but with spring

9
bayonets, paying special attention at first to making a good Throw Point, and afterwards a Throw Point and Jump. 8. Lesson vii. Instructor fully dressed with padded clothing. Pupil with spring bayonet, mask, and left-hand glove. INSTRUCTOR shows opening. PUPIL hits Instructor with Throw Point, DIRECT with or without lunge, Instructor making him ATTACK. hit well, and, later on, occasionally parrying and making pupil recover quickly. Repeat in each line of attack. 9. Lesson viii. Dressed as in lesson vii. INSTRUCTOR threatens attack on pupil. PARRY AND PUPIL parries the attack and returns, RETURN. hitting Instructor. Repeat in each line of attack. 10. Lesson ix. Two pupils facing each other fully dressed. ONE attacks direct in his own time, without any words of command, with Throw Point, doing his best to hit his opponent in NO. I the breast. ASSAULTING OTHER endeavours to parry the attack, LESSON. and, if he succeeds, to return at once, doing his best to hit his adversary before he is able to recover on guard. The above should be practised in each line of attack, taking care that Other starts by showing sufficient opening for the attack. (1424) A3

10
In this lesson each man knows exactly what his opponent is going to do, and there must he no attempt to deceive each other. The attack must be made, in the line indicated only, with great speed and determination, and both pupils must do their best to hit. 11. Lesson x. When two adversaries are engaged in one line and one of them carries the point of this weapon into another line he is said to DISENGAGE. disengage. If, in addition, the man who changes the line delivers a point as he disengages he is said to make a point with disengage. A feint is a false or pretended attack made by a movement of the weapon and body with the intention of causing the adversary to believe that a determined attack is about to be delivered, while in reality it is not so. The object of making a feint is to compel the adversary to form a parry to protect the line threatened and so uncover some other part of his body, thereby making an opening for the real attack. The feint should be made by inclining the body and weapon slightly but energetically FEINTS forward so as to simulate a direct attack. If the feint is made really well the adversary will at once form a parry, and it is while he is forming this parry that a point with disengage should be made at the part of the body he uncovers in trying to parry the feint. In attacking with a feint it is very important (when the actual movements have once been

11
thoroughly learned) not to dwell on the feint, but (anticipating the parry that the adversary will form) to disengage immediately, so as to hit him with the point while he is making the parry. It should be noted that a feint to be of any use must be made with such impression that it conveys to the adversarys mind a firm conviction that it is a real attack and so compels him to form the necessary parry to meet it. A good feint must, therefore, be answered by the adversary parrying or partially parrying it. In this lesson the disengage and the feints should be explained and illustrated by the Instructor, with the help of an assistant, before teaching the pupil to execute them practically as described in the next lesson. 12. Lesson xi. INSTRUCTOR shows opening. PUPIL feints at opening and (as Instructor parries) disengages and hits. ATTACK WITH The feint should be made with the rifle held FEINT. firmly in both hands and the disengage commenced in the same way, quitting with the left hand as the Throw Point is delivered. Repeat in each line of attack. 13. Lesson xii. INSTRUCTOR feints at pupil, and on his parrying, disengages and threatens to hit pupil with the point. PARRY AND PUPIL answerers feint with parry (or rather RETURN. a partial parry), and then parries the threatened point and returns, hitting Instructor. Repeat in each line of attack.

12
14. Lesson xiii. Two pupils facing each other fully dressed. ONE attacks with feint and immediately disengages and endeavours to hit adversary NO. II with point. ASSAULTING OTHER answers feint with partial parry LESSON. and then parries the point and returns, endeavouring to hit. Both must try their best to hit, and Other must always show sufficient opening for One to feint at. 15. Lesson xiv. Two pupils facing each other fully dressed. NO. III ONE attacks either direct or with feint. ASSAULTING OTHER parries and returns (acting LESSON according to whether the attack is direct or (direct or with feint), trying his best to hit with the with feint). return if he is able to parry successfully. One has for the first time the choice of two things when attacking, and Other has to be on the alert to act accordingly. It is, therefore, a most important lesson, as it gives scope for developing the true fighting instinct. 16. Lesson xv. The Beat is used to knock the adversarys rifle out of the way, so as to make an opening for a direct point. The Beat is here used as a feint, so as to make the adversary think you are going to make a direct point, and the disengage is then made so as to deceive his resistance; the beat should not, therefore., be too strong.

BEAT AND POINT. BEAT AND DISENGAGE.

13
THROW POINT AND PASS FORWARD. Attack with Throw Point and pass the right foot quickly forward in front of the left so as to increase the reach. This is used against an adversary who gets or keeps too far away to be reached by an ordinary point. Made with right foot forward, point of bayonet on ground, and butt of rifle held well up. This is extremely useful after a pass forward has failed to hit the adversary. Delivered as a Throw Point at adversarys head, but with the hand held high, and the body raised higher than usual. Delivered as a Throw Point by ducking the body to the left front, placing the left hand on the ground, and directing the point upward at the adversarys waist. Without raising the right hand more than 2 or 3 inches, make a slight circular sweep with the muzzle of the rifle downwards to the right front, sufficient only to take off the attack. This is effective only against a very low point, but, as it exposes the defender considerably, and is easy to deceive, it should seldom be used.

EXTRA PARRY.

HIGHT POINT.

LOW POINT.

LOW RIGHT PARRY.

17. Lesson xvi. Two pupils facing each other fully dressed. NO. IV ONE attacks with anything that has been ASSAULTING taught; OTHER parries and returns. LESSON. This lesson is the final stage before commencing the regular Assault (or Loose Play), one pupil only being allowed to

14
commence the attack until told to change about. Both must, however, try to hit, and the Instructor should encourage great speed and determination in the attack above all things, and insist on the pupils acknowledging when they are hit. 18. Lesson xvii. Repeat and revise all that has been taught as required, and then, after the pupils have acquired some skill at the actual Assault, teach the following : When it is found that an opponent RETURN WITH frequently parries an ordinary return, teach DISENGAGE. the pupil to return with a disengage. A time thrust is a thrust delivered at an opponent while he is making a feint or preparing to make an attack of any sort. It TIME THRUST. is impossible to time a direct attack. The time thrust should, therefore, be used very sparingly. Against an adversary who constantly tries to time a draw or decoy attack (i.e., a DRAW FOR pretended attack) is useful with a view to TIME THRUST. inducing him to time, in order that you may parry the time and immediately hit him with a return. 19. Organization of the Instruction in Bayonet Fighting. Company Officers. Company officers are responsible for the training of their men in bayonet fighting. They must therefore be efficient instructors. N.C.O.s in Possession of Gymnastic Certificates. Certificated gymnastic instructors will be made use of to assist in instructing young officers and other regimental N .C.O.s,

15
Non-Commissioned Officers. (Other than certificated gymnastic instructors.) All regimental N.C.O.s will be instructed in the methods of giving the bayonet fighting lessons. The best of these N.C.O.s will be selected to assist in the training of recruits. The Recruit. All recruits will be put through a course of instruction in bayonet fighting, which should consist of 12 attendances of one hour each. The instruction should be conducted on the lines indicated in the following syllabus, which should, however, be modified as necessary to meet requirements : 1st day ... Lessons i, ii, iii. 2nd ,, ... ,, i, ii, iii, iv. 3rd ,, ... ,, iv, v, and then repeat iii. 4th ,, ... ,, vi, vii, viii, and then repeat iii. 5th ,, ... ,, vii and viii combined, ix, and repeat iii and vi if required. 6th ,, ... ,, vii and viii combined, ix, and repeat iii and vi if required. 7th ,, ... ,, x, xi, xii. 8th ,, ... ,, xi, xii, xiii. 9th ,, ... ,, vii and viii combined, xi and xii combined, xiv. 10th ,, ... ,, vii and viii combined, xi and xii combined, xv, xiv. 11th ,, ... ,, xv, xvi, and Assault. 12th ,, ... ,, Assault and repeat any lessons that may be required. It is better not to teach lesson xvii in the recruits course or until the men have acquired some skill in the actual Assault.

16
The recruit should be inspected at the conclusion of the course. The instructors for recruits should be changed as seldom as possible. Trained Soldiers. The trained soldier will go through a short annual refresher course of bayonet fighting during the winter months on the same lines as the recruit, under the direction of his company officers. The duration of the course and the lessons given will be regulated according to the degree of proficiency of the individual. 20. The Practical Use of the Bayonet. A long and unwieldy weapon is a distinct disadvantage, and all the chances are in favour of the man who has the handiest weapon and knows how to use it. The following are a few practical hints for using the bayonet in action : (a) On nearing the enemy, the rifle should be grasped with both hands, in the same place as when on guard, and carried easily in front of the body so as not to interfere with the running, the speed of which should also be increased. (b) On getting to close quarters, select an opponent straight in front of you, and drive home a determined attack with the point of the bayonet, continuing 1he forward rush so as to close with him whether you are successful in bayoneting him or not. A determined attack of this nature with a sharp weapon is likely to cause the opponent to waver, and so give an opening for hitting him. If, however, you fail to actually wound him, your impetus and proximity should prevent him from damaging you. (c) If your opponent obviously commences an attack on you before you actually deliver your attack, your weapon

17
will be under sufficient control to enable you to parry and then immediately return at him. (d) By closing with an adversary, you bear him down with the force of your movement and prevent him from damaging you and, even if you are unable to incapacitate him at once, your companions will be at hand to assist you. (e) All manuvring for an opening when in actual contact on the field of battle is not only out of place but impossible; but a determined attack, combined with a feeling of mastery over your weapon, offers every chance of success.

You might also like