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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:
P
RINTED
FOR
H
IS
M
AJESTY
’
S
S
TATIONARY
O
FFICE
,
BY HARRISON AND SONS,
P
RINTERS
IN
O
RDINARY
TO
H
IS
M
AJESTY
.
(Wt. 15191 80,000 9 | 07—H & S 1424)
P07
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 is—owing to
certain necessary restrictions—impossible 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
Instructor’s 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 uncon-
sciously. 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 day’s 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 determina-
tion, 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
½ 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)
A
2
4
O
N
G
UARD
.
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
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.
R
EST
.
Without making a drill movement of it,
the pupil should assume a position of rest
from this or any other position in the easiest
way.
F
IRST
P
OINT
.
Deliver the point as rapidly as possible as
high as the adversary’s breast to the full
extent of both arms, reaching well forward in
doing so and letting the rifle slide through
the left hand.
5
O
N
G
UARD
.
Return on guard.
T
HROW
P
OINT
.
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
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.
O
N
G
UARD
.
Return on guard.
R
IGHT
P
ARRY
.
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
adversary’s rifle towards the right front. In
forming the parry the wrist should not be
bent nor the rifle twisted in the hand.
L
EFT
P
ARRY
.
(H
IGH
or L
OW
)
From the position of Right Parry, slightly
bend the left arm and carry the rifle suffi-
ciently 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 adversary’s rifle
towards the left front, and in the case of the
low parry to the left front and downwards.
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
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 adversary’s attack.
In teaching the parries the Instructor should at first illus-
trate 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.
A
DVANCE
.
Advance the left foot quietly but quickly
(distance according to requirements), and
follow it immediately with the right, which
should be moved an equal distance so as to
resume the on guard position.
R
ETIRE
.
This should be a stealthy movement.
Pushing easily backward from the left foot,
carry the right foot the required distance to
the rear, followed by the left foot an equal
distance.
7
J
UMP
.
Pushing sharply backward from the left
foot, leap back lightly but rapidly, as far as
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.
L
UNGE
.
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
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.
O
N
G
UARD
.
Return on guard by swinging the body
backward, and pushing off from the left foot.
A
DVANCE
AND
L
UNGE
.
R
ETIRE
AND
L
UNGE
.
L
UNGE
AND
J
UMP
.
These movements, having been learned
singly, may then be practised combined as
here given, the Jump from the Lunge being
assisted by a vigorous backward swing of the
body.
The leg work is taught early in the course of instruction,
with a view to making a man from the start as active as pos-
sible, 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 dis-
tance 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.
P
ARRY
AND
R
ETURN
.
I
NSTRUCTOR
throws hut his rifle gently as
if he were going to make a Throw Point.
P
UPIL
parries sharply, and immediately
“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 opponent’s weapon), taking
care that pupil shows sufficient opening (in whatever line it
may be) for Instructor’s 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.
D
IRECT
A
TTACK
.
I
NSTRUCTOR
shows opening.
P
UPIL
hits Instructor with Throw Point,
with or without lunge, Instructor making him
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.
P
ARRY
AND
R
ETURN
.
I
NSTRUCTOR
threatens attack on pupil.
P
UPIL
parries the attack and “returns,”
hitting Instructor.
Repeat in each line of attack.
§ 10. Lesson ix.
Two pupils facing each other fully dressed.
N
O
. I
A
SSAULTING
L
ESSON
.
“O
NE
” attacks direct in his own time,
without any words of command, with Throw
Point, doing his best to hit his opponent in
the breast.
“O
THER
” endeavours to parry the attack,
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)
A
3
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.
D
ISENGAGE
.
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.”
If, in addition, the man who changes the
line delivers a point as he disengages he is
said to make a “point with disengage.”
F
EINTS
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
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 adversary’s mind a firm con-
viction 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.
A
TTACK
WITH
F
EINT
.
I
NSTRUCTOR
shows opening.
P
UPIL
feints at opening and (as Instructor
parries) disengages and hits.
The feint should be made with the rifle held
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.
P
ARRY
AND
R
ETURN
.
I
NSTRUCTOR
feints at pupil, and on his
parrying, disengages and threatens to hit
pupil with the point.
P
UPIL
answerers feint with parry (or rather
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.
N
O
. II
A
SSAULTING
L
ESSON
.
“O
NE
” attacks with feint and immediately
disengages and endeavours to hit adversary
with point.
“O
THER
” answers feint with partial parry
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.
N
O
. III
A
SSAULTING
L
ESSON
(direct or
with feint).
“O
NE
” attacks either direct or with feint.
“O
THER
” parries and returns (acting
according to whether the attack is direct or
with feint), trying his best to hit with the
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 accord-
ingly. It is, therefore, a most important lesson, as it gives
scope for developing the true fighting instinct.
§ 16. Lesson xv.
B
EAT
AND
P
OINT
.
The Beat is used to knock the adversary’s
rifle out of the way, so as to make an opening
for a direct point.
B
EAT
AND
D
ISENGAGE
.
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.
13
T
HROW
P
OINT
AND
P
ASS
F
ORWARD
.
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.
E
XTRA
P
ARRY
.
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.
H
IGHT
P
OINT
.
Delivered as a Throw Point at adversary’s
head, but with the hand held high, and the
body raised higher than usual.
L
OW
P
OINT
.
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 adversary’s waist.
L
OW
R
IGHT
P
ARRY
.
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.
§ 17. Lesson xvi.
Two pupils facing each other fully dressed.
N
O
. IV
A
SSAULTING
L
ESSON
.
“O
NE
” attacks with anything that has been
taught; “O
THER
” parries and returns.
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 :—
R
ETURN
WITH
D
ISENGAGE
.
When it is found that an opponent
frequently parries an ordinary return, teach
the pupil to return with a disengage.
T
IME
T
HRUST
.
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
is impossible to time a direct attack. The
time thrust should, therefore, be used very
sparingly.
D
RAW
FOR
T
IME
T
HRUST
.
Against an adversary who constantly tries
to “time” a draw or decoy attack (i.e., a
pretended attack) is useful with a view to
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 recruit’s 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 inter-
fere 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 manœuvring for an opening when in actual contact
on the field of battle is not only out of place but impos-
sible; but a determined attack, combined with a
feeling of mastery over your weapon, offers every
chance of success.