British Army Skill At Arms Manual
A manual of arms was an instruction book for handling and using weapons in formation, whether in the field or on parade. Such manuals were especially important in the matchlock and flintlock eras, when loading and firing was a complex and lengthy process typically carried out in close order. When capitalized, the term has reference to one of several important manuals, such as the British Army manual of 1764, the manual of Frederick the Great or Von Steuben's Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, adopted by the Continental Army in 1777. The positions and evolutions contained in such manuals have become the standard for parade drill throughout most of the world.
British Army Field Manuals & Doctrine Publications Date(s) 1963-2004 Level of description Collection Extent and medium of the unit of description (quantity, bulk, or size) 21 boxes and 2 oversized files or 0.21m3 Context Name of creator(s) British Army. Administrative / Biographical history. Produced by the British Army as guides to various. This Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) builds on foundations laid by the highest Defence doctrine to provide the philosophy and principles for the British Army’s approach to operations. The philosophy and principles guide the practices and procedures that are found in tactical field manuals and other subordinate doctrine.
- The purpose of this British Army training manual is to provide soldiers with an understanding of how to use the skills they learn as part of small arms training. It includes visual training, judging distance and fire control. Topics: small arms training, british army, second world war, world war two, rifle, revolver, machine gun.
- The Manual Exercise, As ordered by his Majesty, In 1764. (Used by most military units in America until the Continentals went to Von Stueben's manual in 1777. Militia continued to use it until the end of the war. The style of the period was for the men to move exactly together, like a chorus line.
- The aim of the AACC is to prepare Royal Navy (RN), Army and Royal Air Force (RAF), and selected foreign, personnel for service with 3 Commando Brigade RM by developing the temperament, mental resolve, physical robustness and core military skills necessary in the demanding environment of expeditionary and littoral operations.
Typical examples of rules and procedures can be found in the 1764 manual.[1] It was used by both sides at the start of the American Revolution.
- Stance: stand straight, head right, shoulders square, stomach in, chest out, heels close, toes turned out a little.
- Holding the weapon: on the left shoulder, forefinger and thumb to the side of the stock, the other three holding the butt.
- Timing: each motion to be done on a count of 'one, two'.
Such manuals contain various evolutions, such as the twelve or so steps needed to load, ready and fire, and steps for fixing bayonets, forming line (for firing), column (for bayonet charges) or square (for repelling cavalry).
British Army Skill At Arms Manual 2020
A second example is the manual used for training of Union troops in 1861.[2] While not always dictating the stance (as reference is made to loading from horseback), specific instructions were given for drawing on command (specifically the rifle and pistol), loading, firing, cease-firing, inspecting and returning the weapons to their carrying position (slinging the carbine, or holstering the revolver).
Notes[edit]
- ^British Army manual of 1764, illustrated by Outwater's MilitiaArchived 2010-01-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^Worthington, T., Gen. 'MANUAL OF ARMS FOR THE SHARPS RIFLE, COLT REVOLVER AND SWORDS (1861)'. Applegate & Co. No. 43 Main Street. 1861. Retrieved 25 November 2012.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
There had been much tactical experimentation undertaken by the British Army during the Somme battles in the latter half of 1916. In addition, contemporary Divisional, Corps and Army files held at the National Archives, Kew reveal the extent of GHQ’s urgency to learn ‘lessons’ at that time. As a result, the winter of 1916-17 saw the production of new military manuals that would change tactical level warfare in the BEF.
One of them – SS143,Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action 1917, laid the foundations for the way the infantry would fight until the end of the war. Emphasis was placed upon infantry being able to fight its way forward independently of artillery support as a battle developed. At its heart was the belief that the advantages of different weapon types could be brought to bear on the enemy as and when needed. Consequently, the formations, preparation and training practised for the Battle of Arras were to be different to those used during attacks the previous year.
Training Manual 'SS143, Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action 1917'. Image is author's own (CC-BY-NC-SA)
In the place of a single line of riflemen, SS143 promotedthe self contained platoon comprising a small HQ and four sections of specialists. In simple terms, the attack was to be led forward by bomb and rifle sections, with the rifle grenade and Lewis gun sections following close behind. Upon contact with the enemy, the rifles and the bombers were to seek out the enemy flank and attack with fire, bayonet and bomb. The rifle grenadiers and Lewis gun team were to attempt to suppress the enemy, allowing the other sections to press home their attack.
This flexible use of arms also passed a degree of initiative to the junior officers down the chain of command. In order to encourage these developments, training regimes were to be based upon the following requirements:
(a) The Offensive Spirit. All ranks must be taught that their aim and object is to come to close quarters with the enemy as quickly as possible so as to be able to use the bayonet. This must become a second nature.
(b) Initiative. The matter of control by even Company leaders on the battlefield is now so difficult that the smaller formations i.e. platoon and section commanders must be trained to take the initiative, without waiting for orders.
(c) Confidence in Weapons, necessitating a high standard of skill at arms.
British Army Skill At Arms Manual
(d) Co-operation of Weapons is essential on the battlefield and the corollary of (c).
(e) Discipline is most necessary at all times, and particularly on the battlefield.
(f) Moral(sic) must be heightened by every possible means; confidence in leaders and weapons goes a long way towards it.
(g) Esprit de Corps. True soldierly spirit must be built up in sections and platoons. Each section should consider itself the best section in the platoon, and each platoon the best in the battalion.
One of the ways of fostering esprit de corps was through competition and during training schedules ‘Efficiency Competitions’were organised. Such contests were geared towards the development of weapon skills outlined in SS143, but also inter unit rivalry and a higher level of general fitness. Here are the activities in a competition organised by 112 Brigade in March 1917:
Although the battles of Arras, Third Ypres and Cambrai failed to produce the desired breakthrough on the Western Front in 1917, the basic principles enshrined in SS143 were sound. In conjunction with effective preparations, efficient staff work, and overwhelming artillery support, Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action 1917 provided a simple tactical blueprint that would play a part in the BEF’s victories in 1918.
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