First Army No. 448 (G): Some of the Many Questions a Platoon Commander Should Ask Himself on Taking Over a Trench, and at Intervals Afterwards

General Officer Commanding, First Army (Lieutenant-General Sir Douglas Haig / General Sir Henry Rawlinson)

Published by Issued under authority of the General Officer Commanding, First Army, (Western Front), 1915

About this Item

A pocket sized ready reference work issued to Platoon Commanders on the Western Front. Staple-bound self-wraps 11x14cm. 8pp printed on blue card by H&S in a run of 10,000 copies, dated 12/15 in their code. Good, dulled with staining to the front, staples rusting. The First Army was formed out of the British Expeditionary Force in December 1914 from the I, IV and Indian Corps under Lieutenant-General Douglas Haig. (General Henry Rawlinson replaced Haig on 22 December 1915 when he was promoted to Commander-in-Chief BEF). In the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (March 1915), the First Army succeeded in capturing the village and advancing 2km with around 7,000 British and 4,200 Indian lives lost. Analysis in the immediate aftermath found the German trenches to be vulnerable to well planned attack, the First Army's command system disintegrated quickly and its telephone system was vulnerable, subordinates failed to grasp Haig's intentions, movements along communication trenches were delayed, units in need of assistance did not receive it, etc. This booklet, issued following those experiences, asks 37 questions. The first two in capital letters, and the last repeating the first are broad in nature: "1 and 37. I am here for two purposes - to do as much damage as possible to the enemy and to hold my part of the line at all costs. Am I doing everything possible to ensure my being able to do this? // 2. Do I worry the enemy as much as I might do, and are the sniper-scopes, rifle grenades, catapults and patrols at my disposal organised in the best way to effect this purpose?". The rest focus on strengthening the line, counter-attack, support, positions, unnecessary exposure, sentries, messages to HQ, knowledge of duties, snipers, absolute silence and relief, navigation, telephone location, intelligence gathering, approaching the enemy, SOS and gas messages, gas attack, smoke and tube helmets, bullet proofing, defensive wiring, drainage, ability to effect repairs without help from the Royal Engineers, weather proof sleeping arrangements, hygiene, bomb and ammunition stores, maintenance, trench feet, wearing required equipment, use of notice boards and other non-stores items as firewood, authorised drinking water sources, knowing every NCOs name and them knowing yours, sufficient sleep, periscopes, and issuing rum. This looks to be extremely rare, with Worldcat and Library Hub listing later editions c1916-17 including by the US Army. It was part of a series with other booklets covering questions before an attack, and when the object of an attack has been gained.

Seller Inventory # 5787

Bibliographic Details

• Title: First Army No. 448 (G): Some of the Many Questions a Platoon Commander Should Ask Himself on Taking Over a Trench, and at Intervals Afterwards
• Publisher: Issued under authority of the General Officer Commanding, First Army, (Western Front)
• Publication Date: 1915
• Language: English
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Good