Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 | Page 6

section of the
battle field. Exception: Fix bayonet. (See par. 318.)
The following bugle signals are used in exceptional cases on the battle
field. Their principal uses are in field exercises and practice firing.

Commence firing: Officers charged with fire direction and control open
fire as soon as practicable. When given to a firing line, the signal is
equivalent to fire at will.
Cease firing: All parts of the line execute cease firing at once.
These signals are not used by units smaller than a regiment, except
when such unit is independent or detached from its regiment.
Whistle Signals.
42. Attention to orders. A short blast of the whistle. This signal is used
on the march or in combat when necessary to fix the attention of troops,
or of their commanders or leaders, preparatory to giving commands,
orders, or signals.
When the firing line is firing, each squad leader suspends firing and
fixes his attention at a short blast of his platoon leader's whistle. The
platoon leader's subsequent commands or signals are repeated and
enforced by the squad leader. If a squad leader's attention is attracted
by a whistle other than that of his platoon leader, or if there are no
orders or commands to convey to his squad he resumes firing at once.
Suspend firing. A long blast of the whistle.
All other whistle signals are prohibited.
(C.I.D.R., No. 15.)
Arm Signals.
43. The following arm signals are prescribed. In making signals either
arm may be used. Officers who receive signals on the firing line "repeat
back" at once to prevent misunderstanding.
Forward, march. Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold
the arm horizontally, thrusting it in direction of march.
This signal is also used to execute quick time from double time.

Halt. Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust the hand upward and hold
the arm vertically.
Double time, march. Carry the hand to the shoulder; rapidly thrust the
hand upward the full extent of the arm several times.
Squads right, march. Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it to
a vertical position above the head and swing it several times between
the vertical and horizontal positions.
Squads left, march. Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it
downward to the side and swing it several times between the downward
and horizontal positions.
Squads right about, march (if in close order) or, To the rear, march (if
in skirmish line). Extend the arm vertically above the head; carry it
laterally downward to the side and swing it several times between the
vertical and downward positions.
Change direction or Column right (left), march. The hand on the side
toward which the change of direction is to be made is carried across the
body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal; then swing in a
horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new direction.
As skirmishers, march. Raise both arms laterally until horizontal.
As skirmishers, guide center, march. Raise both arms laterally until
horizontal; swing both simultaneously upward until vertical and return
to the horizontal; repeat several times.
As skirmishers, guide right (left), march. Raise both arms laterally until
horizontal; hold the arm on the side of the guide steadily in the
horizontal position; swing the other upward until vertical and return it
to the horizontal; repeat several times.
Assemble, march. Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and describe
horizontal circles.

Range, or Change elevation. To announce range, extend the arm
toward the leaders or men for whom the signal is intended, fist closed;
by keeping the fist closed battle sight is indicated; by opening and
closing the fist, expose thumb and fingers to a number equal to the
hundreds of yards; to add 50 yards describe a short horizontal line with
forefinger. To change elevation, indicate the amount of increase or
decrease by fingers as above; point upward to indicate increase and
downward to indicate decrease.
What range are you using? or What is the range? Extend the arms
toward the person addressed, one hand open, palm to the front, resting
on the other hand, fist closed.
Are you ready? or I am ready. Raise the hand, fingers extended and
joined, palm toward the person addressed.
Commence firing. Move the arm extended in full length, hand palm
down, several times through a horizontal arc in front of the body.
Fire faster. Execute rapidly the signal "Commence firing."
Fire slower. Execute slowly the signal "Commence firing."
To swing the cone of fire to the right, or left. Extend the arm in full
length to the front, palm to the right (left); swing the arm to right (left),
and point in the direction of the new target.
Fix bayonet. Simulate the movement of the right hand in "Fix bayonet"
(par. 95).
Suspend firing. Raise and hold the forearm steadily in