We use cookies on this website.
By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings,
you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy
and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Summary: Training exercises for US troops under British (possibly XI Corps) supervision, Western Front, early 1918.
Description: Sergeants of a British drill squad train US soldiers who carry British equipment and include a group of WACs. The Americans are put through bayonet practice against sandbags and parrying against a live opponent, and shown how to defend against a bayonet thrust using a knife. They go over an obstacle assault course, firing from a trench, rushing the next trench and bayoneting the sacks inside it, then firing again (some people play dead to add realism). They are shown how to deploy a Lewis machine gun, including the procedure if the machine-gunner is shot and the number 3 has to take over. In a formalised open-air classroom setting the Lewis is stripped and tabletop maintenance carried out. The men practise fire-and-movement tactics from scrape trenches while wearing gasmasks, smoke being laid down to simulate the barrage. Finally they practise ordinary physical exercises.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Corps 11 (regiment/service)
United States Army & American Expeditionary Force (regiment/service)
United States Army & [infantry] (regiment/service)
United States Army & Women's Army Corps (regiment/service)
Keywords: training, United States military - combat (object name)
weapons, British - smallarm: Lewis machine gun & [United States] (object name)
01/3(4-15).8 (event)
France (geography)
