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Protection from and localization of artillery fire must be provided by the internal construction of the trench rather than by a position that protects but also restricts the field of fire. There are frequently found in front of a firing line small areas of ground which are not covered by direct fire from your trench. A flanking fire frequently can cover these areas, but in spite of this, they must be watched constantly by means of listening posts or concealed observation posts, which may be hidden by the banks of rivers, hedges, ruined houses, or whatever natural existing concealment renders observation possible.

At night, it is a safe principle to support listening posts by automatic rifles, trip wires with noise making arrangements attached to them as common sense under the circumstances dictates. Great care and caution must always be taken to prevent the discovery of these listening posts by the enemy, and when discovered, alternative posts should be made or greater care taken for the protection of the men occupying these posts, such as overhead protection by mesh wire against bombing, and the upkeep of a small supply of bombs and close-range weapons in the post. The important trenches on the front having been located with a view of protecting the immediate front and with due regard to their relation, tactically, to the other trenches already located, the connecting trenches obviously must be subservient to the more important ones. Every endeavor must be made to avoid enfilade fires in the flanks, to give and to receive mutual support, and in particular to support those flanks which are not protected otherwise.