CONFIDENTIAL.

SPECIAL BRIGADE

NOTES FOR SECTION COMMANDERS

1. Make sure that the Infantry Brigade to whom you are attached, and also your Company Commander, know the position of your Section billets; and mark your Headquarters so that orderlies can find them easily.

• Thoroughly reconnoitre your line, and carefully site each emplacement, having regard to the general instructions issued to you by your Company Commander.  Take your Section serjeants with you.  Satisfy yourself that each emplacement conforms to the following requirements:-
• That, within the limits of wind direction for which the attack is planned, gas can be discharged without danger to other parts of the line;
• That the utmost possible use is made of saps, craters, etc;
• That emplacements are not sited too close to our own mine-shafts.

• Send in to your Company Commander a plan, on a scale of 1/2,500, showing the exact position of each emplacement.

• Report invariably to Brigade Headquarters on your way into the line.
• Take the earliest opportunity to train the men who will act as guides to carrying parties to find their way both by day and night.

• See that your men are told off into emplacement crews.

• See that each crew has its own set of pipes, spanners, etc., and that these are all tested beforehand; make each crew responsible for its own set. 

Each crew should also have a small supply of sand-bags.

• See that your men are all in possession of the allotted number of “Box” respirators or smoke helmets, and that these are thoroughly inspected before going into action.

• See that:-
• Cylinders are properly protected;
• Adequate precautions are taken to prevent noise both in carrying up pipes and in placing cylinders in position;
• Reserves of men are in position and under cover;
• Section serjeants are in the best positions for supervision;
• A written programme of the nature and time of discharge is prominent at each group. 

Ensure that your Senior Serjeant will take over command of the Section in the event of your becoming a casualty, and that he will write the necessary reports.

1. See that each emplacement has its own allotted number of smoke candles, and that all arrangements for lighting and discharging them are made and thoroughly understood by your men.

1. Arrange your work at all times so as to interfere as little as possible with the movements of infantry in the trenches.

1. Select your own position, which should be near a telephone, and see that all your men know it.

 Ascertain position of Infantry Company Commanders. 

See that arrangements are made for the distribution of zero time from the telephone dug-out to each of your emplacements.

1. See that the watches are evenly distributed along your front, and that they all show the correct official time.  (Note: Infantry time is frequently unreliable.  Corps time should be obtained beforehand through your O.C., Company.)

1. Report direct to the officer conducting the gas operation – the O.C., Special Brigade, if more than one Battalion is engaged – the velocity (in words, not figures) and direction of wind during the time preceding the attack, according to orders which will be issued to you; also any unusual circumstances affecting your work, very briefly.  When everything is in position and ready, report direct to the Officer referred to above – “ALL READY”. 

These reports should be written and handed to the operator at the nearest telephone.  They are to be signed you’re your name and rank. 

The Division in whose front you are working, and the time of dispatch of the telegram, should also be given.  Messages are to be marked “Priority”.

Separate “All ready” reports are to be sent to your Battalion Commander direct.

Specimens of such reports are given below:-

• To Colonel FOULKES         (ii) To Captain KENT

Advanced First Army           3^rd Division

All ready                                 S.W. four

From 2/Lt SMITH                  From 2/Lt JONES

21^st Division                          3^rd Division

2-0 a.m.                                  4-0 a.m.

1. Gas is not to be discharged from any emplacement where, owing to the direction of the wind at the time of discharge, it is clear that our own infantry will suffer.  Section Officers should be prepared to take the responsibility on their own shoulders in this matter, but if there is time they should report the action they propose taking to higher authority.  It should be remembered that at one period of the attack a discharge from certain emplacements may not be possible, but that it may become possible later on.  This can easily be ascertained from the course followed by the smoke.  (See also para.18).

1. Ascertain to the best of your ability the effect of the gas attack from the statements of our own wounded and of prisoners, and also from your own observations, if these can be made without undue risk.  This is of the greatest importance, as the procedure followed in subsequent discharges may have to be modified as the result of the information gained.

1. The greatest care is to be taken with printed Time Tables and written programmes, and they must all be destroyed immediately after the discharge of gas is finished.

1. The Time Table is to be adhered to as far as circumstances permit, but it is important that all the gas should be discharged if possible.  This may involve letting off a larger quantity at the same time towards the close of the operations  to make up for lost time.

All gas must be turned off punctually at scheduled time.

1. See that all valves are shut after discharge is finished, and that nuts, caps, etc., are replaced on cylinders.

• As soon after the battle as possible, send in to the Officer directing the gas operation a very brief report of a general nature on the main features of the attack.  Example:- “Gas discharge very satisfactory.  Ninety per cent emptied.  Infantry took trenches practically no opposition.”  At the earliest opportunity send in a more detailed account of the battle, in which the following points will be dealt with:-
• Front.  Give Division, Brigade and Regiment.
• Name of Officer.
• Wind; direction and velocity.
• Number of cylinders discharged, as well as the total number of

cylinders in your Section front.

• Smoke arrangements and their working.
• Time Table: zero (difficulty in getting, etc.).
• Enemy’s fire experienced, and its effects.
• Effects of gas –
• On our own men.
• On enemy’s fire and resistance.
• Reports of prisoners, wounded etc.
• Personnel: Behaviour; Casualties.
• Apparatus: Removal of; Defects in.

These reports should be sent in through your Company Commander.

• Prepare, as soon as possible, a nominal roll of casualties, and hand it to your Company Commander; also, in a separate report, any recommendations you wish to make.

• See that your men have instructions as to returning to Company billets after the attack, and as to what material they are to bring with them.

• Do not, in conversation with officers and men of other units, refer to any matter connected with the work, organization or stores of the Special Brigade, or to any details regarding preparations for the attack.

• Impress on your men the importance of secrecy at all times: also that if they are taken prisoner they are bound to divulge their rank and name only, and it should be a point of honour with them to give no further information of any kind.

C.W Foulkes

Colonel

O.C., Special Brigade.

April 20, 1916