Describes "the organization and operation of the railway-operating battalion upon a railway operated by the Military Railway Service. Its purpose is to assist military railway officers in the training and operation of their units and to guide command and staff officers charged with their employment."

"This manual prescribes the duties to be performed in the service of the piece [8-inch gun M1 and 240-mm howitzer M1] by the personnel normally assigned to one howitzer of gun section of the firing battery and by other firing battery personnel." Covers both the 8-inch gun M1 and the 240-mm howitzer M1. Prescribes duties to be performed in the service of both pieces of artillery.

This guide is "published for the information and guidance of all concerned" (p. ii) about the proper protocol of transporting sick and wounded war victims. According to the Foreward, "It includes a description of the common methods and means of transporting patients on land, sea, and in the air, and is appropriately illustrated" (p. iii); the descriptions include manual, motor ambulance, rail, water, and air transportation.

"The scope of the manual includes discussion and illustration of organization, equipment, training, and methods of employment of the mechanized cavalry reconnaissance troop and its components, designed to simplify and speed training and to facilitate understanding of basic doctrine."

"This manual describes field fortification methods and gives details of construction of entrenchments, emplacements, and shelters. It also outlines the principles of terrain appreciation which apply to field fortifications, and explains how to combine individual field fortifications into a unified system by means of organization of the ground."