Duties:
Paragraphs 42, 222, 252, 254, 255, 411, and 551, i.d.r., cover in general the corporal's duties.
The squad leader (Corporal) controls the fire of his squad, he must understand the duties of the private and in issuing his fire orders:
1 Receives his instructions from the platoon leader.
2 Points out indicated objective to his squad.
3 Takes as the squad target that portion of the platoon target which corresponds to the position of the squad in the platoon.
4 Announces sight setting.
5 Announces class and rate of fire.
6 When his squad is ready to fire looks toward the platoon leader and holds up his hand. At the platoon leader's signal to commence firing he sees that the squad opens fire.
Thereafter:
1 Makes all fire from the shoulder.
2 Makes all use ordered rate of fire.
3 Insures that all fire at designated objective.
4 Prevents slighting of invisible portions of the target for more visible parts.
5 Prevents men from changing fire to unauthorized targets not in the assigned front or sector.
6 Maintains constant observation to the front; when squad is firing, for effect of fire—when squad is not firing, for appearance of enemy.
7 Insures prompt obedience to orders to suspend and cease firing.
8 Makes men utilize ground to fullest extent for concealment in firing and advancing.
9 In sight-setting, changing sights and fixing bayonets, has front rank perform operation first (rear-rank men increasing rate of fire) and then the rear-rank follow while the front-rank men make up for loss of fire for the rear rank, thus insuring that the rate of fire for the squad does not fall off.
10 Prevents increasing vulnerability of squad while preparing for a rush, and rushes as soon after cease firing as possible.
11 When other squads of his platoon, are rushing, or the platoon which is covering the same target as is his platoon, is rushing he has his squad increase its rate of fire to make up for lost fire effect of the rushing element.
12 In rushing causes men to spring to feet running at full speed, all men to drop to the ground at the same time, and those who are in rear to crawl up to the line.
13 When re-enforcing the firing line, takes over the duties of disabled squad leaders. For this purpose his squad may drop into line at one place and he may move to the next squad on the right or left where there is a squad leader needed. If there are no vacancies caused by disabled squad leaders, he drops into line and assists the squad leaders who are there.
14 Prevents decreasing rate of fire when men are transmitting data to arriving supports.
15 Prevents wasting of ammunition.
16 Prevents use of 30 rounds in right pocket section of belts except on order of an officer.
17 Distributes ammunition of dead and wounded and ammunition brought up from the rear.
18 Prevents decreasing the rate of fire while ammunition is being distributed.
19 Looks to the rear only at his platoon leader's whistle "Attention." Pays no attention to any other except suspend firing.
20 Takes his position in rear of his squad when it is firing and remains there, where he can control its fire, and only crawls into line and adds his rifle when all control is lost. (Short ranges.)
21 To control his squad he does not walk up and down behind his squad but rolls along behind his line and keeps down.
22 Leads his squad in moving to the front or rear.
23 Must know thoroughly the drill regulation signals and have a good practical knowledge of the theory of fire.
24 In rushing, maintains the direction of advance of his squad so as not to blanket the fire of squads in his rear.
25 Takes advantage of every lull in the action and every favorable opportunity to reorganize his squad and get it more under control.
26 Checks every breach of fire discipline, abates excitement, and prevents any man from leaving the squad to go to the rear for any purpose whatsoever.
27 If called out of line to act as guide, notifies designated private (103, i.d.r.) to take command of squad.
XI. The Private.
Position:
Deployed in line: One man per yard (125, i.d.r.), unless a greater extension is directed in the order for deployment. (126, i.d.r.)
Duties:
(6, 42, 104, 133, 134, 138, 139, 149, 152–156, 203, 209, 233, 247, 251, 254, 255, 319, 354, 367, i.d.r., and 209, s.a.f.m.)
The individual soldier must be trained:
1 To recognize targets from description quickly.
2 To describe and define targets.
3 To use rear sight in describing targets.
4 To use horizontal and vertical clock systems, singly or in combination in describing target.
5 To set sights quickly and accurately as ordered.
6 To bring piece to shoulder, aim carefully and deliberately from habit, and to reload quickly.
7 To fire at the ordered rate. (Par. 18, Standard for Field Firing.)
8 To fire at the part of the designated objective which corresponds to his position in the firing line.
9 To continue firing in the designated sector and not to change therefrom unless ordered.
10 Not to slight invisible parts of the target for more visible ones.
11 To maintain constant observation to the front.
12 To utilize folds of ground for concealment in advancing and firing.
13 To select firing positions.
14 To understand effects of visibility and the selection of backgrounds.
15 To fire from all positions, from behind hillocks, trees, heaps of earth and rocks, depressions, gullies, ditches, doorways and windows.
16 To obey promptly orders to suspend and cease firing.
17 To ignore whistle signals, except suspend firing.
18 To watch closely for the expected target after having suspended firing.
19 To obey promptly all orders from his squad leader.
20 To drop into the nearest interval when reinforcing the firing line and obey the orders of the nearest squad leader.
21 To transmit firing data to men of the supports coming into the line rapidly and accurately, without decreasing his rate of fire.
22 To call for range and target when reinforcing the firing line.
23 To have confidence in his own ability to hit.
24 To a system of sight setting and fixing bayonets in order that there may be no cessation of fire in the unit during this operation.
25 To prepare for rushes without decreasing fire of the unit unduly.
26 To avoid unnecessary movement in preparing for rushes.
27 To spring forward at command "Rush" or "Follow Me" without preliminary rising.
28 To avoid bunching in rushing.
29 Not to swerve to the right or left in search of cover but to advance in a straight line, in order not to blanket the fire