This might be a bit specific, but I was wondering who led the common grunt in the trenches. The ones that called cease fire when battle was over, generally commanded everyone, etc.
I found a video here that shows the type I'm talking about. He's in the back before they go over the trench, telling everyone to march forward, don't turn back, what have you.
I am writing something on the battle of the Somme, and know Douglas Haig was involved, but he seems like (from what I read) a higher up that wouldn't be fighting with his men. All I could find in research was that Lieutenant-Colonels were the highest rank in a brigade, but that is too vague for me, and doesn't sound right.
If anyone has any info it's much appreciated!
It is very important to understand chain of command, as well as the organisational break down of fighting units. The core of fighting troops was based around the battalion (aprox 1200 men) and typically led by a Lt. Colonel. Higher organisations such as Brigade, Corps and Army were very large formations, led by respective levels of General Officers who, due to the nature of directing such large bodies typically did not enter battle directly. Formations below the Battalion level were the Company (usually four to a Bn) led by a Major or Captain; this further divided into Platoons (3-4 per company) led by a Lieutenant and the Section (4 per platoon) which was led by a Corporal.