AC Cunningham Sabre And Bayonet 1906

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hitting distance. The closure of the left foot, only, may be made to avoid a low attack
and the foot again advanced to position.
(1) and (2), guard, Hep!
(1), advance passing right foot front;
(2), retreat passing left foot rear, Hep!
In the advance the right foot is passed to the front and right of the left, care being
taken not to assume a cramped position. In the retreat the left foot is carried to the rear
and left of right in the same manner. Follow with the other foot to position of guard.
The movements are used to quickly open or dose distance.
(1) and (2), guard, Hep!
(1), leap to front;
(2), leap to rear, Hep!
Spring forward or back on both feet being careful to retain guard and balance. The
movements are used as an element of surprise or to avoid reckless and unfamiliar
attacks.
General Remarks.
Distance. - The distance between opponents is very important. If too close, parries
are difficult and if very open, attacks are ineffective. The matter of distance is
complicated by the exposure of the left hand in the position of guard and in attack. The
safest working distance is with the bayonets engaged, and with a constant readiness to
advance or retreat.
Attacks.- Hits will seldom be made on an experienced opponent by direct attack,
and are more likely to be secured by a deception or counter-attack. The weight and
balance of a rifle with fixed bayonet are such that complicated and intricate movements
cannot be successfully attempted. The point of bayonet should be kept in the line of
attack as much and as nearly as possible. Cuts with the knife bayonet can be made very
strong and dangerous and their use in deceptions and counter-attacks will necessitate
parrying on the part of opponent. It is sometimes possible to press an opponent's piece
to one side and make a direct attack inside his line of guard. If the opponent uses a
system of defense in which the hand grips are not secure, or in which the piece is held
in insecure positions in attacks and parties, or the point moved much out of line, it is
not difficult to hit him on a deception or counter-attack, or even knock his piece from
his hands.
Defense.-Be always prepared for deceptions and counterattacks. Do not over
parry or parry too soon. Parry as much as possible when attacked, but be always ready
to retreat in necessity. Against an opponent of unusual strength use the short guard and
avoid engagement. Against a footman with a sabre be careful that the muzzle of your
piece is not grasped, and hold your point rather lower than usual. The swordsman's
object is to get inside your guard. Against a swordsman on a horse keep your point
about the height of his belt and use the high right and left parties for his cuts and
thrusts. Attack his horse at every opportunity. The horseman's strongest attack is on his
right side; if you can secure any other position you have a great advantage.
Practice Assault-Expertness in attack and defense with the fixed bayonet can only be
obtained by the practice assault. Light wooden pieces with very flexible practice
bayonets, covered with leather and having ball points are the only thing that can be
used with safety or comfort. Suitable masks, padding and gloves should be provided.
The practice assault develops originality and opponents should be allowed freedom of
position and motion within safe and reasonable limits.
Actual Combat-Against a single opponent the principles of attack and defense may be
fully applied. In the charge or melee, circumstances and judgment can alone indicate
the best proceeding, but a knowledge of the manual will be of great advantage.
CONCLUSION.
It is a noteworthy fact that the officers of our army and navy as a class are not
swordsmen. It is still more noteworthy that the cadets of the military and naval
academies take no interest in fencing, and were not a certain amount of instruction
compulsory, would never learn anything of it voluntarily. The few exceptions to this
rule make it the more marked, as those who do study it aspire to win temporary
distinction for themselves and their schools. The majority of those cadets who specialize
in fencing at their academies do not follow up the afterwards.
It seems strange at first thought that this should be a condition amongst a class of
men, part of whose personal equipment is a sword.
Upon analysis it becomes dear. The sword instruction at the national academies
begins with the French foil. The ambitions of the young men who begin this work are
great, but they quickly realize that only a very limited number will ever excel at this
sport, and then only after long and tedious application. Next follows an instinctive if
not a definite mental analysis that the foil is not a weapon of warfare, and its method of
use not applicable to any practical weapon. About the time the student has become
thoroughly indifferent to fencing there follows some instruction with the sabre.
Carrying on his analysis the student notes that the sabre he is instructed with has no
resemblance to the one he will later wear, and that the sword of the enlisted man
resembles neither of them. However little he may have learned of fencing, he has
learned enough to realize that his own sword and the sword of the cavalry man or the
cutlass of the blue jacket are not practical fencing tools.
Thus are spoiled a lot of fencers in the making and instead of turning out fair
swordsmen en masse, a very small percentage of temporary specialists are developed.
These conditions will never be bettered until both the officer and the enlisted man are
given a practical weapon and taught to use it in a practical way that will be of
permanent value to them, as an exercise in peace, and means of aggression and defense
in war. In the army such a movement has a fair start. In the navy it is still inert.
Is it not possible that these conditions largely account for the American officer's
tendency to regard the sabre as an obsolete weapon? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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