manual for commanders of infantry platoons. - US Army Combined ...

158 NABNUAL FORI CONXIANDERS OF INFANTRY PLATOONS.
SJR~PRISE.
An attack.ling force wTiillattain the greater results in p~rop~ortion
as its aiction is unexpectedl by the enemy. The advantage
of surprise sbould alwa~ys be sought for. Surprise is obtained
by a~combinaltion o~ftwo essentiazl concitions-sec~clrcc in p~repanration
and cclcrity in execution.
SECIJLUTY.
On thle other hand, wre m1ust avoid being surprised. It; is a
fundamllental (Inty of tbe commaznder to provide for tile security
of his men in every direction in ~which the enemy mayg applear.
The above principles liave been true in all1 ages. It is (lifficult
to follow~ all of theml, but -when, in exceptional cascs, we nrce
comlpelledl to violate one 'of tbiem, it should be dlone only for thc
purpose of applying-the others mzore perfectly.
CHAPTER II.
NO~T~ES ON ORGAN~.~I~`ZclATION.
THE ARM~Y couPS.
An armlly corp~s consists of the general heazdquarters,~ the
troops, and the addministrative dlepacrtments. The headqlcuarters
includes the general officer commllandingr the corps, staff, anl
artillery stalff, an engineer staff, andc the commanders or heads
of the various a~dm~ninistrative departments (supply, sanitary,
vet~erinary, pay', post office, provost, and judge advocate). The
tfroops ~include the infantry divisions, the corps artillery (xvhi~ch
includes trench artillery, light artillery, and heavy artillery),.
the corps cavalry (a regim~ent), some companies of corps enginzeers,
an ner-o sqluadron, and a balloon company.
The a2dmi~nistrative departments are -those of the following
organizations and services: The artillery park, including the
artillery andl the infazntry ammunition trains; the engineer
tralan, including the corps engineer park, the searchlight sec'