- ments and of higher units, have authority to order the men to
remove their packs. In issuing such an order they should bear in mind the disadvantages which may result from leaving the packs behind. When knapsacks are removed, the ammunition and iron rations should be taken from them. Overcoats, cooking utensils, canteens, bread bags, and intrenching tools remain on the men." (Par. 301 German I. D. R.).
According to the French Manual of Field Engineering, the skirmishers, especially when intrenching, may utilize the knapsack as cover.
In a defeat knapsacks will frequently be lost. Thus the Russians, after the second battle of Plevna, and Frossard's Corps, after the battle of Spicheren, lost their knapsacks with camp equipment and iron rations, and, in consequence thereof, suffered great hardships during the succeeding days. On the other hand, during their retreat, the 43rd, 44th and 45th Infantry Regiments of the Ist Army Corps managed to recover without trouble the packs which they had removed before entering the battle of Trautenau.
The infantry of the Xth Army Corps had left its knapsacks behind on
August 8th, 1870, and did not get them again until the early part of September.
The knapsacks were not hauled on wagons after the organizations,
but were left at the railroad station of St. Ingbert. On August 6th,
1870, the Würtemberg Field Brigade had left its knapsacks in a bivouac
near Reimersweiler at the risk of never seeing them again. Among other
reasons, General v. d. Tann considered it impossible for the 2nd Bavarian
Division to advance beyond Wörth, because the organizations might perhaps
thereby have been separated for several days from their baggage,
which they had left behind between Preuschdorf and Görsdorf.
When knapsacks are removed, a detachment will have to
be left behind to guard them, otherwise they may be robbed
of their contents.[1] The troops always consider the trip to the
rear to get the baggage a special hardship; wagons will very
rarely be available for this purpose, as after great battles all
the wagons in the entire neighborhood will be requisitioned for
transporting the wounded, and as supply wagons will, as a rule,
not be at hand.
- ↑ This was neglected by the 20th and 35th Infantries, on August 16th, 1870.
