- rupted by breathing spells. The men invariably assembled
when cover was reached. The losses were insignificant. The Russians also made use of a similar procedure after their first disastrous experiences. In many instances the platoons ran forward in single rank. "Change of gait and direction, as well as the use of loose irregular skirmish lines make it difficult for the artillery to hit anything." (Par. 450 German I. D. R.).
These formations made it possible to advance at a walk to within 3000 m. of a hostile position; beyond that an advance by rushes had to be resorted to, in which the attacking force avoided showing itself simultaneously in long lines. The simplest scheme might be to move forward in column of sections, each section in skirmish line. Formation "a" is well adapted for quickly crossing fire swept places, and when there is hope of re-forming the column subsequently. Formation "c" is suitable for quickly deploying from company column. However, the last-named formation no longer guarantees a proper leading of the company, and quite naturally does not absolutely prevent losses. After the Japanese 5th Brigade (Nambu) had taken possession of Yuhuntun[1] and the three houses during the night of March 6/7, 1905, the following dispositions for attack were made by the Russians about noon on the 7th: On the right, the 5th and 10th Rifle Regiments, in five lines, each consisting of one battalion (total depth of the formation 600 m.); in the center, the 123rd Infantry (Koslov) of which the companies of three battalions were deployed in single rank lines, each consisting of one company, with the men at intervals of from 3 to 5 paces, the companies in rear of each other at distances of 100 paces; the IVth Battalion, similarly formed, was posted in echelon to the left rear. The 124th
- ↑ v. Tettau, Achtzehn Monate mit Russlands Heeren in der Mandschurei, II, p. 334. Spaits, Mit Kasaken, p. 310. Col. Csicseries v. Bacsany, Unser neues Feldgeschüts, 1907, pp. 17 and 21.
