Platoon columns are profitably used where the ground is so difficult
or cover is so limited as to make it desirable to take advantage of the
few favorable routes; no two platoons should march within the area of
burst of a single shrapnel (ordinarily about 20 yards wide). Squad
columns are of value principally in facilitating the advance over rough
or brush-grown ground; they afford no material advantage in securing
cover.
To deploy platoon or squad columns: 1. As skirmishers, 2. MARCH.
Skirmishers move to the right or left front and successively place
themselves in their original positions on the line.
[Illustration: PLATOON COLUMNS]
Being in platoon or squad columns: 1. Assemble, 2. MARCH.
The platoon or squad leaders signal assemble. The men of each platoon or
squad, as the case may be, advance and, moving to the right and left,
take their proper places in line, each unit assembling on the leading
element of the column and reforming in line. The platoon or squad
leaders conduct their units toward the element or point indicated by the
captain, and to their places in line; the company is reformed in line.
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