The flanks of a firing line can be bent back only when that line is not exposed to hostile infantry fire. The threatened wing should never be bent forward since that interferes with the fire of adjacent units. The task of repulsing an attack directed against a flank had best be left to the supports in rear of the flanks. The German Cavalry Drill Regulations (par. 349) state, that toward the end of a fight the bulk of the supports and reserves will have been absorbed by the firing line; that the fire that such a line could direct toward a flank would be insignificant; and that at any rate a new firing line could not be formed within a short time; and, therefore, that a charge against its flank would be advantageous. This statement should be a warning for us always to retain echelons or machine guns in rear of the flanks. The most critical situation for infantry is that in which it is charged by cavalry while retiring defeated under hostile fire with no supports available to repulse the attack. A halt means annihilation; it must be left to each individual to save himself as best he can.
During the battle of Scheinovo, three companies of the 11th Russian
Rifle Regiment made an unsuccessful attack and had to retreat under the
pursuing fire of the Turks, while Turkish cavalry began to charge their
left flank. When only 200-300 m. from the Turks, the 4th Company, which
was most seriously threatened, halted and formed square as if on the
parade ground. During this maneuver, all the officers and many non-*commissioned
officers were either killed or wounded. The heavy losses of
the battalion (50%) may, in the main, be ascribed to this halt under the
most violent fire of the enemy.[1]
When the cavalry charge comes more from the front,
however, the hostile infantry and artillery will have to stop
firing, and it may then be possible to rally or re-form the
defeated force, provided the men will heed their leaders.
Units in close order can deploy quickly toward the front or flank for the purpose of firing. However, they will be able to fire in close order only when not themselves subjected to hostile fire. The front and flanks of a body of infantry in proper
- ↑ Kuropatkin-Krahmer, Kritische Rückblicke auf den Russisch-Türkischen Krieg, I, p. 166.
