control of mixed firing lines by word of command of an officer is the foundation of order and troop leading, and thus a prerequisite of success in the battles of the future. In a successful engagement, the evils above mentioned are less evident than during a reverse when troops unexpectedly suffer heavy losses or receive fire from the flank or rear. Troops formed into well-organized units can well stand such a test, but in an improvised organization, composed of fractions and men of different units, especially when their own officers are absent, such a crisis may lead to panic.
The following battle episode is very instructive: The 1st Battalion,
4th Infantry, deployed in line of company columns, advanced at Colombey
(14th August, 1870) under French shell and Chassepot fire. The morale
of the 3rd Company was visibly impaired by two shells which burst, one
after the other, in its ranks, placing 15-20 men out of action. "The men
began to hesitate; their steps grew shorter; and, as if impelled by an invisible
power, the company executed a half right turn, another half right
turn, then another and another. One would have thought the movement
was being executed at command. The column was now facing to the rear,
and although not running, not fleeing, it was moving back to the Brasserie
with suspiciously lengthening steps. The drummer, one Borchert, did
everything to bring the men to their senses; the non-commissioned officers
assisted bravely, but in vain; the column continued its movement to the
rear. Filled with shame and indignation, the perspiration pouring out of
every pore, I shouted to the men, repeatedly commanding: 'Company
. . . Forward!' But all in vain. At that moment the battalion commander—he
was called the 'marble statue' on account of his coolness—galloped
up on his bay, shouting: 'Look at the 5th Company over yonder;
see how far it has advanced.' Then another superior officer jumped in
front of the men with the words: 'Is there no officer here at all?' At
this instant I yelled again as if my life depended upon it: 'You men
belong to the color company; Company . . . Forward!' and the spell
was broken. As if on the parade ground the Grenadiers faced to the
front; obediently they executed my command: 'To the attack! Carry
arms . . . Forward!' and soon thereafter we again occupied our position
between the 2nd and 4th Companies."
The company lost many men as soon as it entered the fight, among them its company commander; then the two shells burst in rapid succession within its ranks, and this explains the temporary panic. The company lost a total of 86 men (including officers).[1]
- ↑ Retzlaff, Aus meinem Tagebuch.
