For Official Use Only
WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS
ADDENDA NO. 1
TO ENGINEER FIELD MANUAL
Reprint of pamphlet prepared by the General
Staff Headquarters, American Expeditionary
Forces, France, February, 1918.
Edited at the
WAR PLANS DIVISION
April, 1918
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Document No. 792.
Office of The Adjutant General.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Document No. 792.
Office of The Adjutant General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, April 29, 1918.
The following pamphlet entitled "Wire Entanglements," an
Addenda No. 1 to Engineer Field Manual, is published for the infor-
mation of all concerned. This pamphlet supersedes War Depart-
ment document No. 729, "Instructions on Wiring."
[082.1 A. G. O.]
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR,
PEYTON C. MARCH,
Major General, Acting Chief of StajJ.
OFFICIAL:
H. P. McCAIN,
The Adjutant General.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 5
Standard patterns 5
GENERAL PRINCIPLES 5
Location 5
Design 6
Construction '..... 6
NOTES ON MATERIAIS AND PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONS . ... 7
Barbed wire 7
Pickets 7
Wire cutters 8
Mauls 8
Ribardwire. . . 8
Method of making ribard wire 8
Method of preparing spirals of loose wire 9,
Man loads 9
TlME AND MEN REQUIRED 9
GENERAL RTLES FOR ALL DRILLS 10
Order of work. .- 10
Pickets 10
Running out wires 11
Fixing wires. 11
DESCRIPTION p* 1 THE STANDARD OBSTACLES 11
Ribardwire 12
Low (or knee-high) entanglement 12
Double apron fence 12
Portable wire obstacles 12
The knife rest 13
The ribard wire 13
The gooseberry 13
The hedgehog 13
DRILL I. For 50 yards standard double belt ribard wire . . 13
DRILL II. For 50 yards standard low (or knee-high) entangle-
ment 15
DRILL III. For 50 yards standard double apron fence .... 18
'Continued on next page)
664371
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued}
APPENDIX
PAGE
French high wire entanglement 20
DRILL IV. For 50 yards standard French high wire entangle-
ment 20
PLATE I. Enfilade of entanglement; caps in the belt of
wire; si/es of screw pickets . 23
PLATE II. Method of coiling rope on face of maul; frame-
work for making spirals; winch for making
spirals 24
PLATE III. Running out coil of wire; fixing wire on eyes of
screw picket 25
PLATE IV. Windlassing; large knife rest; method of block-
ing trench with knife rest 26
PLATE V. Barbed wire gooseberries; hedgehog 27
PLATE VI. Method of making ribard wire 28
PLATE VII. Standard double belt ribard wire 29
PLATE VIII. Standard low wire 30
PLATE IX. Standard double apron fence 31
PLATE X. Standard French high wire entanglement ... 32
WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS
ADDENDA NO. 1 TO ENGINEER FIELD MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
1. The object of these notes is to standardize the construction of
obstacles throughout the American Expeditionary Forces and to
limit the patterns taught and used. Such portions of previously
published works on wire entanglements, as conflict with these notes,
will not be used by the troops in France.
2. To insure that all training is directed to the same purpose, these
patterns of entanglements and the drills for erecting them will be
standard and will have the force of regulations. Units are forbidden
to adopt any other types without previous sanction. If any better
type or drill is discovered, the fact should be reported. The new
method will then be thoroughly tested and if found more satisfactory,
will be officially substituted for the old one, and all the units in
training will be so informed.
3. If the occasions demands it, these standard obstacles may be
modified to suit such conditions as may arise, due to lack of men,
materials, etc., but only by the substitution of smooth for barbed
wire, the use of wooden pickets for screw pickets, or the omission of
portions of the obstacle, such as one of the aprons of the apron fence.
Men trained according to the standard drills should be able to con-
struct the modified entanglements without special practice.
4. The following are the patterns adopted:
(1) Belts of ribard wire.
(2) Low wire entanglement.
(3) Double apron fence.
(4) French high wire entanglement.
(5) Portable wire obstacles.
Troops will be trained in the construction of the ribard wire, the
low wire entanglement, the double apron fence and portable wire
obstacles. The French high wire entanglement is included in this
book for the use of troops serving on the French front.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
5. Location.
Barbed wire entanglements should be located in accordance with
the following principles:
(a) They must be covered at every point by our own rifle or
machine gun fire, either frontal or enfilade. Special emphasis
must be laid on FLANQUEMENT, that principle which consists in so
siting the entanglement and machine gun positions in reference to
each other that the front of the entanglement is swept by the fire
from the machine guns. It is the most important consideration in
siting barbed wire entanglements (see Fig. I).'-
5
(6) They must not be too far from the trench, in order to be under
observation and control at all times, especially at night.
(c) They must not be too near our own trench, so as to prevent
enemy patrols bombing from outside of entanglement. This, in
conjunction with (6) above, fixes its location at a distance varying
generally from 30 to CO yards.
(d) They must be concealed as much as possible from the enemy's
observation, both terrestrial and aerial, especially from his ground
artillery observation stations. Full advantage should be taken of
depressions in the ground, tall grass, woods and reverse slopes.
(e) The belt of wire should, as far as possible, avoid paralleling the
fire trench; and in addition should be irregular in width and height.
The first consideration will prevent the enemy artillery from ranging
on the trenches to destroy the entanglement; the second, from know-
ing definitely when the wire has been destroyed.
Special precaution must be taken in locating the entanglement to
avoid indicating the manner in which the ground is occupied. The
location of the ground should be supervised by an engineer officer
or other officer detailed for that purpose in order that it may be made
to conform to the general organization of the ground prescribed by
the commander.
6. Design:
The following principles govern the design of the entanglements:
(a) Within limits a broad, thin entanglement is better than a
narrow, thick one; the former being just as effective, and less liable
to destruction by artillery fire, as well as less visible, especially in
aerial photographs.
(6) Two belts of entanglements, separated by a space of from
10 to 50 yards, are better than the same amount of entanglement in
one belt.
(c) The entanglement must be well supported and anchored to
the ground by means of pickets and posts, so as to be difficult to
flatten out or drag aside.
(d) It must have sufficient barbed wire to prevent easy penetra-
tion. Some loose tangled wire in the entanglement is difficult to
clear aside after the wire is cut.
(e) It should be simple in design in order to be built rapidly and
quietly at night in close proximity to the enemy.
(/) The entanglement should be provided with blinded gaps for
passage of our men. The gap usually left is about 12 feet in every
50 yards. The actual number will depend largely upon the tactical
situation, the activity of the sector, how heavily the line is held, and
who has the offensive. Means to block these gaps must be at hand
(see Fig. 2).
(g) It should present in its first stages an obstacle, behind which
the wiring party can work under protection and which can be added
to and improved as desired.
7. Construction:
(a) The entanglement is constructed generally by the infantry
under the supervision of infantry officers.
(6) The best men should be selected for the wiring party proper.
(~) In case the entanglement is to be erected in close proximitv
to the enemy, patrols should be sent out in front to protect the
working party. Men not working should lie on the ground.
(d) Rapidity of construction depends on:
( 1) Simplicity of design.
(2) Confidence of men in handling wire.
(3) Careful organization of parties and material.
(e) Points to remember in working out drill:
(1) Use as few men as possible, scattered, not bunched.
(2) See that groups work in echelon in same direction, and never
cross paths.
(3) As far as possible, do not work on enemy side of obstacle.
(4) Use a simple pattern so arranged that no group will have to
step over wire previously laid by another group.
NOTES ON MATERIALS AND PRELIMINARY
PREPARATIONS
8. Barbed wire:
(a) Length. The length of wire on a reel varies from 50 yards to
100 yards. Reels will, if possible, be issued in standard 50-yanl
lengths. *
(b) Weight. The weight including drum is about 28 pounds for
the 100-yard reel, and 15 pounds for the 50-yard reel.
(c) Marking. End of Wire. The plain wire securing a reel of
barbed wire must be cut, and a piece of sandbag or white cloth tie; I
to the running ends in order that there will be no difficulty in finding
it at night; also the pieces of tin on the wooden drums must be broken
off to prevent noise. All this must be done before material is t-ikeu
out for work.
9. Pickets:
(a) Wooden.
Long. Short.
Length 5 ft. 2^ ft.
Diameter 3 to 3}4 in. 2}^ to 3 in.
(b) Screw. (See Fig. 3.)
Long. Medium. Short.
Length 5 ft, 3^ ft. 1 1 A ft.
Diameter '. ^ in. ^ in. flJ in.
Weight Long 9 Ibs. Short 6 Ibs. Anchorage 3 Ibs.
(c) Angle iron (British type).
Length 5 ft. 10^ in. and 3 ft. 6 in.
Weight 10 Ibs. and 6 Ibs.
((/) For carrying, all bundles of screw and iron pickets should be
wrapped round with a sand bag and secured in at least two places
by a turn of plain wire with the ends twisted together. Enough end
to this wire must always be left so that it can be untwisted by hand
without pliers.
(e) Bundles of long wooden pickets should be tied together in at
least two places with plain wire. Short wooden pickets are best
carried in sand bags, eight in each bag; two bags are tied together
and slung over the shoulder.
10. Wire cutters:
It very seldom occurs that there are enough wire cutters to give a
pair to every man in a wiring party (party consists of not more than
25 men). If stores have been properly prepared beforehand, there
is no necessity for more than two pairs to each party, which should
be carried for use in emergency.
11. Mauls:
Should be prepared with coiled rope fastened on end to deaden
sound (Fig. 4). Where rope is not available, sandbags should be
carried to place on head of pickets.
12. " Ribard wire:"
(a) This entanglement is copied from the French. It consists of
a framework of heavy steel wire rings spaced 3 feet 4 inches apart
and connected by barbed wire.
(b) Its chief advantages are its low degree of visibility; the fact
that it can be made up behind the line and carried out to its place;
that it is resilient and therefore hard to destroy with artillery, or
crush by a weight thrown upon it; and that it is rapid and simple of
construction.
(c) After twisting the "Ribard" cylinder (see paragraph 13e) into
a compact coil, bind with white tracing tape in three places. The
coils must not be bound with wire as this binding may be difficult
to find at night.
(d) A "Ribard" coil is a one man load in narrow trenches. Across
country one can carry two, or at a pinch, three coils strung on a stick
over his back.
(e) Two men are required to untw r ist and place a "Ribard" coil.
13. Method of making "Ribard" wire (Plate VI):
(a) Make a wooden table 4 feet square, describe a circle 3 feet
4 inches in diameter on the surface, and drive nails as shown on
diagram (Fig. 15).
(b) With heavy steel smooth wire, 3/16 to ^ inches in diameter,
make a circle of two turns around the nails. Bind tightly at several
points on the circumference. W T ith light smooth wire, about 1/16
inch in diameter inscribe two equilateral triangles in the circle as
shown in Fig. 16, binding tightly at the points "S" and "J."
(c) Build a wooden frame 3 ft. 4 in. high, 21 ft. 8 in. long. Make
cuts in the frame, or make cleats to hold the circles (Fig. 17).
(d) Place the circles in the frame, and connect the points of the
triangles by three diagonal barbed wires as, AA', BB', CC' or D'D",
E'E", F'F". Connect the six points of the inscribed star by hori-
zontal barbed wires; a, b, c, d, e,f. Bind the horizontals and diago-
nals to each circle, and the diagonals where they cross with smooth
wire ligaments (Fig. 18).
(e) Take the entanglement out of the frame. One man grasps
one end, another the other end; both twist strongly to the right, ap-
proaching each other at the same time. The cylinder rolls up to a
small bundle. Place it on theground, compress it with the feet, and
bind with three ligaments, preferably white tracing tape. It is now
a coil which can be transported to the front, and there unrolled for
use.
(/) Two men work at each table making circles. Three men work
at each frame wiring the cylinder together.
(g) Average time per cylinder is twenty minutes. Wire required:
Barbed, 70 yards; heavy steel wire, 50 yards; light smooth wire, 40
yards. Short lengths, of smaller wire.
14. Method of preparing spirals of loose wire:
(a) The task of throwing loose wire into an entanglement is a
long and tedious one. It is made very much easier and quicker if the
wire is coiled in a spiral beforehand.
(6) To do this, drive in two 3-foot stakes, 3 feet apart, and two
more at right angles to them 1 foot 6 inches apart as shown in
Fig. 5. Then wind 75 yards of barbed wire around this diamond-
shaped framework, gradually working it up the stakes in a spiral.
Finally, take the spiral off the stakes, and tie it together in four
places with plain wire.
(c) A spiral thus made can be easily carried on his shoulder by a
man in a trench.
(d) If spirals are needed in large quantities, a winch, as shown
in Fig. 6, is useful and saves time and labor.
15. Man loads (Convenient Approximations):
A rerage
Number, trial weight.
Wooden pickets (long) 4
Wooden pickets (short) 16
Screw pickets (long) 4 36 Ibs.
Screw pickets (medium) 6 36 Ibs.
Angle iron pickets (long) 4 45 Ibs.
Angle iron pickets (short) 6 27 Ibs.
Barbed wire 1 00 yard reel 1 28 Ibs.
Barbed wire 50 yard reel 2 30 Ibs.
Loose wire spirals 1 20 Ibs.
Ribard wire coils 1 25 Ibs.
Anchorage pickets 8 26 Ibs.
TIME AND MEN REQUIRED
16. The following table showing time and men required to con-
struct the different standard entanglements is based on the
assumption of work under the following conditions, with good
average parties, not picked men:
(a) Stores are taken up by a separate carrying party as far as fire
trench only.
(6) The entanglement is erected 40 to 50 yards from fire trench;
stores have, therefore, to be carried out that distance by wiring
party.
(e) Men work equipped to meet attacks.
Table:
Y\~iring Carrying
party.
party.
Average
Average
Pattern and Length
time by
daylight.
time by
night.
X.C.O.
Men.
N.C.O.
Men.
50 yards double belt of ribard
wire
1
10
1
21
15 rnin.
25-35 m.
50 yards low or knee-high
wire. . .
1
7
1
17
30 min.
1-1 Ji hrs.
5 yards double apron fence .
1
9
1
15
30 min.
M-l hr.
50 yards French high wire
entan^ement
2
34
1
25
15 min.
y 2 -H hr.
Notes:
(1) The size of the carrying parties should be regulated so that
wiring party will not be delayed by lack of material. The carrying
parties given above can carry at one trip sufficient stores for fifty
yards of entanglement. If more than 50 yards are to be con-
structed, say 200 yards, four times as many men must carry. How-
ever, if the material dump is close, and the round trip from the
dump to the work can be made in a short time, say one hour, it may
be possible to make two trips, and cut the carrying party in half.
For instance, if the entanglement chosen is the double apron fence,
requiring thirty minutes to each 50 yards, total time for the 200
yards, two hours, and the dump is one hour round trip away, the
SO
necessary material can be carried by 1 N. C. O. and ( '*) or
men. In other words, the size of the carrying party will vary with
the length of the entanglement to be built and with the distance of the
material dump from the work.
(2) For long lengths of entanglement (over 100 yards), a small
additional carrying party of three or four men is formed to supply
the wiring party with material from front line trench, and also to fill
places left vacant by casualties.
GENERAL RULES FOR ALL DRILLS
17. Order of work:
In the following drills, all men have been given a number, and the
tasks should be initiated in the order in which the men are numbered,
and should be carried through in echelon, so that the men doing
different tasks will not be in each other's way.
18. Pickets:
(a) Spacing. The N. C. O. determines the location of the pickets
in one row by means of pacing; the pickets are located in the other
rows by eye in the intervals.
(6) Laying out. Pickets should always be carried under the left
arm and placed on the ground with the right hand, and in such a way
10
that the end of the screw, or the point of the picket, faces the enemy,
indicating the spot at which the picket is to be erected.
(c) Erection. Screw pickets must be screwed in so that the loops
are parallel to the length of the entanglement, and the top loop
points in the direction from which the men are working, i. e., toward
the starting point. (This rule is essential in order to facilitate
placing wires.)
(d) Anchor pickets. Wooden pickets, used as holdfasts, should be
driven in roughly at right angles to the stay wire that is attached
to them, but screw anchorage pickets must be put is the direction of
this stay wire or they will be drawn in the direction of the strain.
19. Running out wires:
In running out barbed wire, two men work together; one man
holds the reel and the other stretches the wire and fastens it to the
pickets. The stake on which the reel is carried must be small
enough so that the coil revolves easily on it, and it must be held so
that the wire runs from underneath the reel, and not from the top,
for, if held the latter way, the wire tends to rise into the man's face
(Fig. .7).
20. Fixing wires:
(a) Men fixing the wires must always work facing the enemy.
(b) To fix wire in top eye of screw picket: Pull the standing end
taut and slip the wire up into the eye, turn the running end up over
the eye, thus threading the wire in the eye. Then take a turn with
the running end around the picket below the eye (see Fig. 8).
(c) To fix the wire in lower eye of screw pickets when there is
already a wire in the top eye:
(1) Pull the standing end taut and slip the wire up into the eye
Then take the bight on the running end, pass it around the picket
above the eye, then finish off by taking a turn with the bight on the
running end (see Fig. 9).
(2) If one eye is on the opposite side of the pickets from the others,
the wire must be forced down into the eye, and the bight on the run-
ning end passed around the picket under the eye.
Notes:
The above rules (b) and (c) apply whichever way the wire men are
working, from right to left, or left to right, and if carried out, the wire
will be firmly fixed in the eye, and cannot slip up or down the
picket; also, if one bay is cut, the wire in the bays on either side
remains taut, and does not slip through the eyes.
(d) To fix the wire to wooden pickets, take two turns around the
picket, the second turn binding the first turn. (Staples are not used
as the above method is quieter and faster.)
(e) To fix one wire to another, adjacent to it, a short length of
smooth w r ire may be used, or the two wires may be twisted together
by means of a rack stick, used as shown in Fig. 10. This method is
known as " windlassing."
DESCRIPTION OF THE STANDARD OBSTACLES
The addition of loose wire and a trip wire certainly make the entan-
glement more efficient, and it can be made as quickly as the French
11
wire itself can be erected. The organization of the wiring party is
so arranged that two spare men can do this. If circumstances
therefore demand that the trip wire and the loose wire should be
omitted, the organization of the rest of the party is not affected.
I. RIBARD WIRE.
21. This is a rapid entanglement consisting of two parallel rows
of pickets, 6 feet between rows, with horizontal wire along the top
of each row. Under each of these fences are placed seven ribard
cylinders wired, together end to end, anchored to the ground with
iron staples, and windlassed to the horizontal wire along the top.
It combines high speed with value as an obstacle and resistance to
artillery fire.
22. The double belt is given as the standard, but it is obvious that
more belts may be laid when thought necessary.
II. Low (OR KNEE-HIGH) ENTANGLEMENT.
23. This entanglement consists of three rows of medium pickets,
a horizontal wire along the top of each row, one diagonal wire in
each of the two bays formed by the three rows, and finally loose wire
thrown into the bays.
24. It is not a very effective entanglement, but its chief value lies
in the fact that it is not conspicuous. It is the slowest entanglement,
to erect at night, if screw pickets are used, as the latter are very hard
to find. This difficulty can be overcome by laying down a spun yarn
line or tracing tape.
III. DOUBLE APRON FENCE.
25. This entanglement consists of four horizontal strands on the
fence, and three, including the trip wire, on each apron.
26. Taking into consideration the following points:
(a) Effectiveness.
(b) Amount of preparation required beforehand.
(c) Size of the carrying party.
(d) Rapidity and simplicity of erection.
The double apron fence is undoubtedly one of the best patterns
of entanglement yet evolved, and tands up against shell fire or
Bangalore torpedoes as well as any other pattern. For very rapid
work over long lengths, the back apron was often omitted at the
beginning of the war, and the entanglement thus modified was found
amply sufficient to hold up the most determined enemy attacks.
The value of the entanglement lies chiefly in the front apron which
should never be omitted. The men work behind the wire the whole
time, and there is no stepping over wires previously erected.
27. Belts of double apron fences form an excellent framework for
a wide obstacle; ribard wire, gooseberries, or loose wire can be
thrown in between the bays for thickening purposes.
IV. PORTABLE WIRE OBSTACLES.
(See Plates IV and V.)
28. These special forms consist of various different shapes of
framework upon which is strung barbed wire. They are used:
12
(a) To block gaps in the entanglement.
(b) To throw out in front of the trenches as an emergency obstacle.
(c) To block up narrow streets in defended villages, and trenches
leading toward the enemy.
(d) To make emergency repairs to entanglements partially
destroyed by the enemy's fire.
29. The principal forms are:
(a) The knife rest.
(6) The ribard wire.
(c) The gooseberry.
(rf) The hedge hog.
30. The knife rest:
This obstacle consists of a framework of wood or iron, upon which
is strung barbed wire. The iron framework is collapsible and hence
easier to transport as well as being more difficult to see and stronger
than the wooden type. In shape, the framework of the knife rest is
of the same appearance as a common saw-buck. It is the most often
used of the portable obstacles (see Fig. 11 for a diagram of a
wooden knife rest, and Fig. 12 for a drawing showing one method of
blocking a trench).
31. The ribarb wire:
This entanglement has been described in paragraphs 21 and 22.
The cylinders are much used for closing gaps, blocking trenches, and
for hasty repair to existing entanglements.
32. The gooseberry:
It consists of barbed wire balls connected by spirals of the same
material. It is used principally to block trenches. For this pur-
pose the balls should be made with a diameter slightly greater than
that of the trench in order that, when jammed into place, they will
be more difficult to remove (see Fig. 13).
33. The hedgehog:
This form has a wooden framework consisting of two crosspieces
nailed together at right angles and a third nailed at right angles to the
plane of the other two (see Fig. 14) . It is used in the same situation
as the gooseberry.
DRIIL I.
Drill for 50 Yards Standard Double Belt Ribard Wire.
Material:
(1) Four bundles containing four long screw pickets each.
(2) One bundle containing four anchorage pickets.
(3) Fourteen coils ribard wire.
(4) Two coils barbed wire.
(5) Thirty-two staples.
(6) Twenty-four strips No. 8 plain wire, 8 inches long.
Wiring party:
One N. C. O. and ten men. The N. C. O, carries cutting pliers;
Nos. 1 and 2 each carry twelve wire strips; Nos. 9 and 10 each carry
sixteen staples. All carry windlassing sticks. Gloves as desired.
Carrying party:
One N. C. O. and twenty-one men.
13
1
3
II
11,
an
II
.2
I!
Detail:
(1) The N. C. O. leads out whole party to the head of the work,
and all numbers undo their bundles.
(2) The N. C. O. indicates to No. 1 where to lay down first anchor-
age pickets of the two belts. He then paces out and indicates to
Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 where to lay their long pickets, and to No. 1
where to lay the anchor pickets at the other end of the belts. Each
number then screws in his own four pickets.
(3) Parties C and D bring out two Ribard coils each on the first
trip. On the second trip Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 each bring out one coil,
and No. 10 brings out a coil of barbed wire. All undo their bundles
and make ready for .erection.
(4) Each pair, beginning with Nos. 1 and 2, and ending with
Nos. 9 and 10, carries out and places on the front line of pickets one
Ribard coil, extending it to its full length and dropping over the
line of pickets. Nos. 1 and 2 start wiring the coils together, end to
end, working from left to right, No. 1 on the enemy side, No. 2 on
our side. Nos. 3 and 4 and Nos 5 and 6 bring up two more coils and
place them on the front line.
(5) Meanwhile Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 have placed two coils on the
second line. Then parties B, C, and D place four more coils on the
second line. Party D starts stapling down the first belt, placing
staples at each end and in the center of each coil. Party B runs the
horizontal wire along the top of the pickets of the first belt. No. 3
runs out the barbed wire coil, No. 4 fixes the end to the head anchor-
age picket, and, pulling the wire taut, fixes it to the top of each long
picket, finally finishing off on the end anchorage picket. No. 5
windlasses the coils up to the horizontal wire at points about one foot
on either side of the pickets and at points about midway between
them.
(6) Nos. 7 and 8 place the last coil on the second line. No. 6
carries a coil of barbed wire to the head of the second belt and fixes
the end to the head anchorage picket. He is then joined by Nos.
7 and 8, and the three run the horizontal wire of the second belt, No.
6 running out the coil, No. 7 fixing the wire, and No. 8 windlassing.
(7) Party A wires together the coils of the second belt, as soon as
it finishes the first, working the same as before. Party D staples
down the first belt and then the second.
Notes:
(1) To prepare Ribard coils for erection, two men seize the ends
and, twisting in opposite directions, straighten it out.
(2) If wooden or angle iron pickets are used, the N. C. O. and
No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, and No. 4 and No. 5 work together; the
N. C. O., Nos. 2 and 4 holding up the pickets while Nos. 1, 3, and
5 drive them in.
DRILL II.
Drill for 50 Yards Length Standard Low (or Knee-high) Wire
Entanglement.
Materials:
(1) Nine bundles containing six medium pickets each.
(2) Two coils (100 yards) and three coils (50 yards) barbed wire.
(3) Four spirals.
15
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1st Task.
Carry
it 3 bundles pickets
2 coils (100 yards)
barbed wire.
Carry
it 3 bundles pickets
three coils (50 yards)
barbed wire.
Carry
t 3 bundles pickets
and 4 spirals.
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16
Detail:
(1) The N. C. O. leads out the whole party and gets all his stores
dumped in some convenient spot behind or near the head of the task.
Each party is responsible for its own stores as detailed above; A
being the larger party will be ready first.
(2) When ready, the N. C. O., followed by Nos. 1, 2 and 3, paces
out and indicates to No. 1 where to lay pickets. As soon as No. 1 has
finished his bundle he screws in 6 pickets. The N. C. O. then
follows the same procedure with Nos. 2 and 3.
(3) As soon as the N. C. O. has thus laid out his center line of
pickets, he returns to the head of the task and supervises the laying
of the outer and inner line of pickets by B and C parties.
(4) As soon as A party has finished its pickets, it returns to the
head of the work and puts on the diagonal in the outer bay. No. 1
runs out the coil, only No. 2 fixes wire on the outer line of pickets,
and No. 3 fixes the wire on the center line of pickets.
(5) As soon as B party has finished its pickets, it returns to the
head of the work and puts the horizontal wire on the outer line.of
pickets; No. 4 running out the coil and No. 5 fixing the wire on the
pickets.
(G) As soon as C party has finished its pickets, it throws the spiral
wire into the outer bay, two spirals in each 50 yards bay.
(7) When B party has finished the horizontal wire on the outer
line of pickets it comes back to the head of the work, and puts the
horizontal wire on the center line of pickets. Similarly A party and
C party return to the head of the work and repeat the operations
stated in paragraphs 4 and 6 in the home bay.
(8) Finally B party puts the horizontal wire on the inner line of
pickets.
Notes:
(1) The best men should be in A party and the next best should be
in B party.
(2) Three men are put in A party as it has by far the most difficult
task to perform. If this is not done it will be found that the other
parties are continually waiting.
(3) From Paragraph 5 it can be seen that B party has to work in
front of the diagonal wire laid by A party; but B party having a
much easier task will overtake them and reach the end of the work
first. It automatically begins the horizontal wire on the center line
of pickets before A party is ready to start on the diagonal wire on the
inner bay.
(4) If the loose wire is not made up in spirals, three men should
be put in C party, as it is slow work to uncoil the wire and throw it
in loose.
(5) All low wire entanglements are slow at night owing to the
difficulty of seeing the pickets. If circumstances permit of tracing
tape or spun yarn being laid down along the center line of pickets,
this difficulty may be to a great extent overcome, and all parties get
their direction automatically. If tracing tape is used, it can and
must be taken up after the entanglement is finished.
(6) No change in the drill is necessary if wooden or angle iron
pickets are used.
17
DRILL III.
Drill for 50 Yards Standard Double Apron Fence.
Materials:
(}) Four bundles containing four (long) pickets each.
(2) Four bundles containing eight anchorage pickets each.
(3) Fourteen coils (50 yards) barbed wire or two ceils (100 yards)
and ten coils (50 yards).
Wiring Party:
One N. C. O. and nine men. The N. C. O. carries cutting pliers
and each of the party a windlassing stick. Gloves as desired.
Carrying Party:
One N. C. O. and fifteen men.
Tasks:
Party.
Nos.
1 st Task.
2nd Task.
3rd Task.
4th Task.
5th Task.
N. C. 0.
Direction and supervision.
A
1
2
3
Carry out
3 bundles
pickets.
Screw
in long
pickets.
Front
diagonal
wire.
Bottom
wire
on fence.
Rear
diagonal
wire.
B
4
5
Carry out
2 bundles
anchorage
pickets.
Screw
in front
anchorage
pickets.
Front trip
wire.
2nd wire
on fence.
Top hori-
zontal wire
on rear
apron.
C
6
7
Carry out
2 bundles
anchorage
pickets.
Screw
in rear
anchorage
pickets.
2nd hori-
zontal wire
on front
apron.
3rd wire
on fence.
2nd hori-
zontal \vire
on rear .
apron.
D
8
9
Carry out 1 bundle of
pickets and 14 coils
barbed wire.
Top
horizontal
wire on front
apron.
Top wire
on fence.
Trip wire
on rear
apron.
Details:
(1) The N. C. O. leads out the whole party to the head of the work
and A, B, and C parties undo their bundles, when ready. The
N. C. O. paces out and indicates to A party where to lay its pickets,
commencing with No. 1 and finishing with No. 8. Having done this,
the N. C. O. returns to the head of the work, picks up the fourth
bundle which D party has brought out, walks back again, and lays
out this bundle; all numbers of A party, as they .finish four pickets,
join the N. C. O. and screw in these last four pickets.
(2) Meanwhile B and C parties, getting the direction from the
center line of the long pickets, lay out and screw in the whole of the
anchorage pickets, No. 4 being responsible for the anchorage picket
at the head of the work, and No. 7 for the anchorage picket at the
end of the work. Each number of both parties lays out and screws in
his own bundle of pickets.
18
(3) Meanwhile D party brings out the remainder of the stores
nnd dumps them at any convenient spot indicated by the N. C. O.
This means that each man has to do four journeys.
(4) As soon as A party has finished its pickets it returns to the
head of the work and puts on the front diagonal wire. No. 1 runs
out the coil, No. 2 fixes the wire on the pickets, and No. 3 fixes the
wire oh the anchorage pickets.
(5) As B, C, and D parties finish their second task (see tasks)
they return to the head of the work and put the horizontal wire on
the aprons. Nos. 4, 6, and 8 respectively run out the coils, while
Nos. 5, 7, and 9 windlass the wires on the diagonal wire. In doing
this Nos. 5, 7, and 9 should not step over the diagonal wire, but walk
round the posts, lifting their wire over the posts, and then down into
position on the diagonal wire.
(6) As they finish each task the various parties return to the head
of the work and carry on with the next task in the order given.
Notes:
(1) The best men should be put in A party and the next best in B
party; the next best in C party, and the last in D party.
(2) Three men are put in A party, as it has by far the most
difficult task to do.
(3) All men work behind the wire the whole time.
(4) Nos. 1 and 2 must be careful to put the diagonal wire on fairly
slack; it automatically gets tightened up when the horizontal wires
are windlassed on.
(5) All diagonal wires and apron 'wires are begun and finished on
the end anchorage pickets. The horizontal strands on the fence are
not taken down to the end anchorage pickets.
(6) If wooden or angle iron pickets are used, Nos. 1 and 2 and No.
3 and the N. C. O. work together, No. 2 and the N. C. O. holding
up the pickets while Nos. 1 and 3 maul them in.
APPENDIX
FRENCH HIGH WIRE ENTANGLEMENT (SEE PLATE X)
1. This entanglement consists of two parallel rows of pickets
staggered. On these rows are strung three fences, two parallel to
the front and one zig-zag connecting the two rows. Each fence con-
sists of two horizontal and two diagonal wires.
2. Among the advantages of this pattern of wire may be listed the
following:
(a) Men work in succession and in the same direction from a
flank.
(6) Men are not bunched and never have to step over wjre pre-
viously strung.
(c) Men never have to work on the enemy side of the wire.
(d) Presents very quickly a complete obstacle which is always
between the wiring party and the enemy and which may be added to
as desired.
3. This pattern is regarded as especially important since trenches
to be occupied by the American, troops have in front of them at the
present time large quantities of thi& entanglement which must con-
stantly be repaired. It has generally been employed by the French
in belts 10 yards wide. The pattern is one that lends itself very
readily to deepening the entanglement as far as desired.
DRTI.L IV.
Drill for 50 Yards French High Wire Entanglement.
Materials:
(1) Thirteen bundles containing four long screw pickets each.
(2) Twenty-one coils of barbed wire, 50 yards each.
(3) Nine anchorage pickets.
Wiring Party:
Two N. C. O.'s. and thirty-four men. The N. C. O.'s. carry
cutting pliers. All numbers carry windlassing sticks. Gloves as
desired.
Carrying Party:
One N. C. O. and twenty-five men.
20
Tasks:
Party.
Nos.
1st Task.
2nd Task.
3rd Task.
N. C. O.
Traces first line.
Supervision
of front panel.
Supervision
of rear panel.
N. C. O.
Carries out one
bundle of pickets
traces rear line.
Supervision
of zig-zag panel.
Supervision
of anchorage
pickets and wires.
A
1
2
3
Carry out 12
bundles of pickets.
Sets pickets
of front panel.
Place anchor pickets
and anchor wires.
B
4
5
6
Set pickets of rear panel.
C
7
8
Screw in pickets
of front panel.
^ Screw in anchor
pickets aand windlass
anchor wires.
D
9
10
Screw in pickets
of rear panel.
Screw in anchor
pickets and windlass
anchor wires.
E
11
12
String bottom horizontal wire front
panel.
13
14
Carry out
twenty-one
coils of wire.
String bottom diagonal wire front pane!.
15
16
String top diagonal wire front panel.
17
18
String top horizontal wire front panel.
P
19
20
String bottom horizontal wire zig-zag
panel.
21
22
String bottom diagonal wire zig-zag panel.
23
24
String top diagonal wire zig-zag panel.
25
26
String top horizontal wire zig-zag panel.
G
27
28
String bottom horizontal wire rear panel.
29
30
String bottom diagonal wire rear panel.
31
32
String top diagonal wire rear panel.
33
String top horizontal wire rear panel.
34
Carries out nine
anchor pickets.
21
Detail:
(1) The senior N. C. O. leads the whole party to the head of the
work and all numbers undo their bundles.
(2) The senior N. C. O. paces the front panel of the entanglement,
and marks points where pickets are to be placed. Party A follows
him, fixing pickets lightly in the ground. Party C screws the pickets
in.
(3) The junior N. C. O. and parties B and D set the rear panel
of pickets in the same manner.
(4) Of party E, numbers 11 and 12 string the bottom horizontal
of the front panel; 13 and 14 the bottom diagonal; 15 and 16 the top
diagonal; and 17 and. 18 the top horizontal.
(5) Party F string the zig-zag panel and party G the rear panel in
the same manner, corresponding numbers executing corresponding
tasks.
() Party A places anchorage pickets and anchor wires. Parties
C and D screw in anchorage pickets and windlass anchor wires.
(7) Wires are loosely strung. Each wire is wrapped around the
post and around those wires which precede it. f
(8) It is to be noted that when, men finish their tasks, they get
under cover. When halted temporarily in their work, they lie
down.
Notes:
(1) If a deeper belt is needed, a third row of posts may be added
and so on as far as desired, always stringing the zig-zag panel first
and the rear panel second.
Time of construction of three row entanglement (4 yards depth)
20 minutes; of six-row entanglement (10 yards depth) \}/ hours.
Same detail does all the work.
(2) If wooden or angle iron pickets are used, numbers 7 and 9 hold
the posts while numbers 8 and 10 maul them in.
(3) When wooden posts are used, care must be taken to make two
complete turns of the wire, the second turn binding the first.
(4) Nine anchorage pickets have been set down in the drill, one
to each end picket and the rest spaced equally between. More or
less can be used as circumstances decree; the extra pickets to be
carried by numbers 33 and 34; and placed by the same numbers, and
in the same manner as the nine now described.
PL AT P. I
Enfilade fire from machine gun support not
Fig. 7. - ENFILADE OF ENTANGLEMENT.
Weight about G Ibs. ^' Weight about 6 lb. <;
Fig. 3. SCREW PICKET FOR BARBED WIRE ENTANGLEMENT.
PLATE II
Face of maul . Sideview of maul.
Fig. 4. - COILCO ROPE ON MAUL
Perspective riew.
Fiff. 5. FRAMEWORK FOR
MAKING SPIRALS.
Fig. 6. WINCH FOR MAKING SPIRALS.
PLATE III
Wrong.
i 7 RIGHT NQ WRONG WAY OF BUNKING OUT I COIL OF BARBED WIRE.
Running end
Running end.
Top ey with wire forced 2nd Operation. Running end turned Wire threaded in eye an*
up hito it. over towards the end of the loop. a round turn taken below
die eye.
Fig. 8, *,.b, c. - METHOD OF FJSTEHING BARBED WIRE ON PICKET.
Running pd.
end..
Wire forced up into a lower eye of picket Bight finished off on the running end.
nd the bight taken round the picket above the eye.
Fif. 9. - METHOD OF FASTENIN6 BARBED WIRE ON PICKET.
PLATE
This end up and over.
Trip wire.
This end do\\a aud under.
- 10. - WINOUSSING WIRE.
11. -- URGE KNIFE REST (WOOD).
, >yi nutiiltii'liBfcjj
Kaifc lU-sl in fij-st position. Knife Rest in second position.
Fig. 12. - METHOD OF BLOCKING TRENCH WITH KNIFE REST.
PLATE V
Fig. 13. BARBED WIRE GOOSEBERRIES.
Fig. 14. - HEDGEHOG.
PIATB VI
RIBARD WIRE
4*
Fig. 15.
Fif. 16.
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PLATE VII
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Photomount
Pamphlet
Binder
Gay lord Bros.
Makers
Stockton, Calif.
PAT. JAN. 21. 1908
YC
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