newly formed front, it would be a mistake for him to attack successively with the different units.
Whether the troops holding the enemy in front participate in the assault during an enveloping movement, depends upon circumstances. They may frequently better ensure the success of the attack by delivering an enfilading fire than by advancing. The commander should, at any rate, not lose sight of this advantage. If both groups (the enveloping and the holding group) advance to the decisive attack, they should do so simultaneously. The group holding the enemy in front must resist the temptation of moving to the front before the envelopment can become effective.[1]
The attack on Ste. Marie aux Chênes, on August 18th, 1870,[2] and
that made by the 37th Infantry Brigade on Ladon[3] are models worthy of
imitation. "The brigade commander personally directed Lieutenant-Colonel
v. Hagen (commanding the troops holding the enemy in front) to have
the signal 'forward double time' sounded as soon as he could see the
skirmishers of the 78th Infantry coming over the heights to the right
front."
At Gorni Dubniac, on October 30th, 1877, the scheme of designating the moment for attack by means of artillery salvos, failed. During the attack on Scheinovo, on January 9th, 1878, the simultaneous advance of Prince Mirski's troops was regulated by the clock.
If the attacker desires to deliver an effective blow against
the enemy's flank, a considerable interval must be left between
the troops charged with the holding attack [secondary attack]
and those detailed to make the flank attack, when the envelopment
is initiated. (Par. 393 German I. D. R.). The width of
this gap is increased to a seemingly dangerous degree by the
range of modern weapons, but real danger is not to be apprehended
as a counter-attack of the defender exposes both of
his flanks to an enveloping attack. If the enveloping group
- ↑ Consult Der 18. August, pp. 377, 561 and 590. In regard to the attack made by the Guard and the Saxons and the premature attack made by the Guard at St Privat.
- ↑ The 1st Infantry Division of the Guard received orders "to form for attack against St. Privat, but not to attack that village before the expected arrival of the Saxon Corps." Der 18. August, pp. 167 and 288.
- ↑ Hönig, Gefechtsbilder, III, pp. 58 and 49.
