up; it will then concentrate and move up to support the latter, or pass through it to form a more advanced line."[A]
When this method of advance is used the machine guns working as independent sections should be used to hold important features, such as bridge-heads, defiles, passes, and villages in the line of observation. If positions are carefully selected whence effective fire can be brought to bear on points which the enemy must pass in close order, and the usual procedure as to cover, concealment, and range-taking is observed, the mounted troops may be spared much fatigue and given opportunities for resting men and horses.
USE OF MACHINE GUNS IN A RETREAT
During the battle the Protective Cavalry will be used in the way already described in the previous chapter, in which we also dealt with the Pursuit; we will therefore now see how they may be used to assist a Retreat.
"When retreat appears inevitable the routes to the rallying position should never be so close to the battlefield as to come at once under the fire of the enemy. It should be occupied as soon as possible by some portion of the artillery, and by complete infantry units. The cavalry and other mounted troops, aided by a strong force of artillery, will meanwhile check the enemy's advance, and the remainder of the force, with the
