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Show Winning With the Bayonet CopjTisht. 191?. by PuKic L-dc-r Co. THERE is no question of the fact that Heinie does not like the bayonet. bayo-net. It doesn't suit his temperament. The British, on the other hand, have always led the world with this weapon. wea-pon. They invented the kind of bayonet bayo-net we are now using, which bears little resemblance to the old-style instrument. in-strument. It is a one-edged knife with a handle, attachable to the rifle muzzle, and in form suggests a likeness like-ness to the short sword of the ancient Roman legionary. At close quarters this bayonet may often be employed to greater advantage advan-tage as a knife, chiefly for thrusting, as the Roman soldier used his favorite weapon. It is held low and thrust upward at the enemy's vitals a scrt of Jab that is hard to ward off. Use of the bayonet as a knife is an important part of the instruction given our fighting men while in training. train-ing. But all the rules of bayonet practice now accepted for the American, Ameri-can, infantry are copied from the British Brit-ish "manual." which is the textbook of final authority on the subject. It was the British ho developed the system of bayonet instruction by the utilization of "dummies," which are usually sacks stuffed as solidly as potable with straw or shavings, and sometimes streng Lhened by the introduction of wooden sticks to counterfeit coun-terfeit human bones. In practice work tnese a ummies are suspended frnm overhead horizontal horizon-tal poles or attached to stakes driven into the ground. Most commonly they occupy trenches, which infantrymen under training ferociously attack. It is the business of the attackers to stab rhs dummies swiftly in vital parts, which are sometimes indicated by painted spots or attached disks. One of the points most difficult ts teach the average recruit is that he must not thrust too hard. The vital parts of the human body are easily, penetrated; it is successful aim that is important. If the bayonet passes clear through the adversary's body It cannot easily be withdrawn, and in, the meantime, while trying to wrench it loose, the soldier is helpless against a second or third enemy. The bayonet (and the same rule applies ap-plies to its use as a knife) must never be drawn back for a thrust. It must always be held in edvar.ee of the body, counting upon the impetus of the charge and the forward stretching of the arms to plant it in the enezav'm carcass. If it sticks fast it may usually us-ually be released by tiring the gun, nhich breaks the bones that hold it. A jab at Heinle's throat is at ones the most disconcerting and, if well-aimed, well-aimed, the most immediately disabling of thrusts. It will at least force him back, giving a chance for a thrust at some other vital part. If he turns tail a puncture In the kidneys will finish him. The Hun, it is likely, has a bayonet of his own. It is a deadly kind of dueling. Skillful fencing may win. tke combat. But no foul is barred. The business is one of killing; and muscle, quickness, presence of mind and steadiness of nerve in the midst of wild excitement are the qualities ..demanded. |