Chapter VI: Part 6

_The Director_: “Captain Hall, based upon the decision reached in our ‘Estimate of the Situation’ and the discussion prior thereto, state your solution of the problem in detail.”

_Captain Hall_: “I give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION; then follow with: 1. With ball cartridges, 2. LOAD. After all pieces are loaded and locked, I give the command: 1. Order, 2. ARMS. I then give the command: AT EASE, and direct: ‘Give me your attention.’ I then issue my order as follows:

“Small Red forces are reported in the direction of (_c_) (indicating
the direction). Our brigade marches towards (_b_), by the
(_j_)—(_k_)—(_l_) road, which is —— miles to the —— of here. Our
battalion continues its mission as a right (left) flank guard. Our
company forms the advance guard. The company, less this platoon, is
the support and follows us at a distance of about 400 yards.

“‘This platoon forms the advance party.

“‘Sergeant Roberts (section leader, first section) with the first
squad will form the point. March by that road (indicating the road).
I will signal the direction as we go along. Precede the advance
party by about 200 yards.

“‘Private Allen (rifleman from front rank, second squad), act as
connecting file between the point and advance party.

“‘The remainder of the platoon will march in column of twos, one
file on each side of the road, at easy marching distances.

“‘Corporal Howard (section guide, second section), watch for signals
from the rear.

“‘I will march at the head of the advance party.

“‘You have about five minutes before the advance begins. Move out
with the point, Sergeant Roberts, get your distance and formation
and await my signal to start.

“‘Remainder of the platoon REST.’

“When the time for starting arrives I will give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION; and then follow with: 1. Right, 2. FACE; then: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH, and direct: ‘A file on each side of the road.’ I will then signal the point: FORWARD MARCH.”

_The Director_: “That is very good. Now I want each member of the class to write out the order of the platoon commander on his pad.”

Procedure

Each member of the class writes out the order of the advance party commander. When all have completed this the Director collects the work and distributes it, making sure that no member of the class receives his own solution back again.

One or more of the solutions are read aloud, and a discussion of any errors or points of importance is conducted. At the conclusion of this the Director inquires if there are any questions. He endeavors to answer any questions that may be asked, after which the class is ready to go ahead with the next situation.

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 1=

=Director’s Key=

1. Prepare copies of the problem and the situations, one for each
member of the class.

2. Conduct the class to the point on the road where it is intended
that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.

3. Make a short talk on the subject of advance guard duty: (_a_)
Formation of a column of troops on the march. (_b_) Description
of an advance guard. (_c_) Duties of advance guard: Security of
main body; gain information; push back small parties of the
enemy; check advance of enemy in force, clear road, etc. (_d_)
Distances. (_e_) Communication.

4. Distribute sheets bearing problem and Situation No. 1.

5. Read problem and question members of class on tactical situation.

6. Discuss flank guard.

7. Take up solution of problem: Inspection of platoon; when to load
pieces; get platoon away from company.

8. Estimate of the Situation: Mission; enemy; own troops; plans of
action; decision.

9. Discussion of Field Orders. Information of enemy and own troops;
plan of commander; tactical dispositions; administrative
arrangements; place of commander.

10. Final solution of problem: Commands of platoon commander; orders
of platoon commander; getting the platoon in march.

11. Have members of class write out orders of the platoon commander.
Collect solutions and redistribute them. Have several solutions
read and discussed.

* * * * *

Explanation

_The Director_: “In our solution to Situation No. 1, Captain Hall, in giving the order of the platoon commander said: ‘Sergeant Roberts, with the first squad, will form the point, etc.’ That was an eminently proper order. It did not go into details. He assumes that Sergeant Roberts is familiar with the methods of forming the point of an advance guard and conducting its operations.

“It is a very simple matter for the platoon commander to pass the order along to the sergeant in this manner. But unless the platoon commander knows how the work should be done he has no means of checking up and seeing to it that it is done properly.

“While it is not contemplated that any member of this class will ever be called upon to conduct the operations of the point of an advance guard, all should be familiar with what happens when he gives someone else an order to do so.”

Procedure

The Director passes out the papers containing Situation No. 2, reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to give their understanding of it.

The Problem

=Situation No. 2=:

You, Sergeant Roberts, have been designated to command the point, consisting of the first squad. Your men have been turned over to you by the platoon commander. You have been ordered to move out and get your distance and formation.

_Required_:

What do you do?

Procedure

_The Director_: “Captain Sands, what is a point?”

_Captain Sands_: “A point is an element of an advance guard that precedes the advance party.”

_The Director_: “That is right, and it is no more or less than a fighting patrol that is assigned a definite line of march. Its operations are conducted on that basis. It can afford to be bold and aggressive because the advance party is close at hand to back it up. What factors govern the formation of the point, Lieutenant Wallace?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “The point must have a formation that renders it the least vulnerable to hostile fire. This means dispersion. On the other hand, the dispersion should not be so great that the commander is not able to control its operations. I should say that a patrol formation, where the men march in pairs on opposite sides of the road, would be suitable.”

_The Director_: “What should be the distances between the men?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “Twenty to 25 yards. That distance would provide the necessary dispersion, and at the same time there would be sufficient compactness to insure control.”

_The Director_: “Where will the point commander march, Lieutenant Ralston?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “He should march at the head of the point.”

_The Director_: “Do you agree with that statement, Captain Harvey?”

_Captain Harvey_: “No, sir; I do not. It seems to me that the commander should be free to go wherever he is needed. He should not be tied down to any one place.”

_The Director_: “I agree with you. There are other reasons why he should not habitually march at the head of the point. In the first place, the man at the head of the point must always be on the lookout for the enemy, and if the point commander is the man his whole attention will be devoted to that task and there will be very little leadership exercised in the point. Again, we do not want to take a chance on our point commander becoming a casualty unnecessarily. He has been placed in command, presumably because he is the best man fitted for the job. He knows the plans for the day’s work better than any of the other men. If he becomes a casualty on the first few shots, there may be no one to take his place without some confusion and delay. If the point commander marches a little distance back, say in the second or even third pair, he will be sufficiently close to the front to perform his duty. I prefer to have him in the second pair. Before leaving this subject of the formation of the point I would like your opinion, Captain Hughes, on the question of deploying the men in a line of skirmishers at extended intervals.”

_Captain Hughes_: “That might be all right after the enemy is encountered, but I would not do it on an ordinary march. In the first place, it would be rough going for the men off on the flanks of the road, and they could not keep up. If the rate of march is held down to keep abreast of them, the progress of the main body will be delayed. In the next place, if the intervals are too much extended, the point commander will not be able to control the operations and will not have his men where he wants them at the critical moment.”

_The Director_: “Your reasons seem to be logical and possess merit. Before going further I want to say a few words about the operations of a point.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “The main idea to be instilled into the minds of the members of a point is that it must keep moving. It positively must not stop until absolutely compelled to do so by the fire of the enemy.

“When the enemy is encountered the point commander will have to size up the situation quickly and take the necessary action which invariably includes getting information back to the advance party commander.

“The men must look to the leader for instructions and guidance and await his orders.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Hastings, what elements are included in the orders of a point commander to the members of his point?”

_Lieutenant Hastings_: “They are the elements included in every field order. The point commander must be sure that every man has all the available information of the enemy and our own supporting troops. In this case they were given all of this by the platoon commander, and it is not necessary for Sergeant Roberts to repeat it. That is paragraph 1 of the order. The point commander must then announce his plans, in general terms, and that constitutes paragraph 2. Then comes the formation of the point and giving each man his instructions as to where he is to march in the formation—paragraph 3. He must now arrange for communication and follow with the place where he, himself, is to march. That completes the order.”

_The Director_: “Now, Captain Harvey, let us assume that you are Sergeant Roberts. Your squad is standing here on the road ready to move out. Let us hear the exact orders that you would give them.”

_Captain Harvey_: “I will take post in front of the squad and command: 1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION.

“I will then address the men as follows:

“‘You heard what the lieutenant said about the enemy and our
supporting troops.

“‘We are going out as the point.

“‘Crane and Hanson (both riflemen), march on the right and left of
the road, respectively. Keep about abreast of each other.

“‘Pendleton (rifle grenadier), follow Crane and Hanson at a distance
of about 25 yards. March on the right side of the road.

“‘Alley (rifleman) and Stone (carrier for the automatic rifleman),
follow Pendleton at 25 yards distance—Stone on left, Alley on right
of road. Stone, watch the country to the east and Alley, watch the
country to the west.

“‘Patrick (automatic rifleman) and Corporal Smith follow Alley and
Stone at a distance of about 25 yards—Patrick on the right, Corporal
Smith on the left of road.

“‘Bailey (rifleman), follow Patrick and Corporal Smith at a distance
of about 25 yards and watch for signals from the advance party.

“‘I will march with Pendleton on the left side of the road.

“‘Move out.’”

Procedure

_The Director_: “Are there any questions?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “Yes, sir. I would like to ask why Captain Harvey places the automatic rifleman so far back in the formation?”

_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, will you please explain your reasons?”

_Captain Harvey_: “If the point encounters the enemy, we would want to conduct a little reconnaissance before committing the automatic rifleman to action. If he is any farther to the front, he is most likely to get involved early in the encounter and perhaps in a position hastily chosen, where his weapon could not produce his maximum effect. The automatic rifle has the fire power of several rifles, and we want to take advantage of this fact. We must therefore get the weapon into the position where it can be done, and this cannot usually be determined with the first few shots of an advance guard meeting engagement.”

_The Director_: “Those are very good reasons—ones which I believe all the members of this class will remember when it comes to training their own non-commissioned officers. Are there any other questions?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “Why did Captain Harvey omit to designate a second in command?”

_The Director_: “The succession in military command is determined by seniority. Corporal Smith is the next senior and will automatically assume command. If there were no non-commissioned officer with the squad, Sergeant Roberts would have designated one of the privates as second in command. Any other questions? (_Pause._) There appear to be none. I wish you would ask questions to bring out points that are not fully understood. It is by a discussion of these points that we arrive at a reasonable solution of these problems. Now, a few remarks before we pass on to the next situation.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “When you come to the training of your own men you cannot be too particular about insisting upon their learning the form of tactical orders and the language to be used in expressing their contents. It takes long practice to be able to do this without getting confused and omitting essentials.

“When a non-commissioned officer takes charge of a detachment for any tactical duty and gives his instructions in a clear and concise manner, leaving nothing to be guessed at, he inspires the confidence of his men. They realize immediately that there is someone at the helm who knows his business and they cheerfully respond. Noncommissioned officers should be practiced in stating the instructions that they would have to give under the various tactical situations that they may be called upon to handle. There is no surer way to gain that confidence so necessary to military efficiency.[6]

“If there are no further questions we will proceed with the problem.”

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 2=

=Director’s Key=

1. Explain necessity for learning the details of tactics.

2. Hand out Situation No. 2. Have members of class explain their
understanding of it.

3. The Point. What it is. Formation. Distances. Dispersion.

4. Where commander marches.

5. Deployment of point as skirmishers.

6. Operations of point.

7. Elements of the order for the point.

8. Solution. Issue of orders.

9. Position of automatic rifleman in formation.

10. Second in command.

11. Training of men.

* * * * *

Procedure

The class is now conducted forward along the route of march of the advance guard for a distance of several hundred yards. The distance should be such that the class will at least be beyond the sight of the starting point in the Terrain Exercise, so that entirely new terrain will be available. There should be a considerable stretch of road ahead in sight so that the various elements of the advance guard could be seen if they were actually on the road.

The class is halted and the Director passes out the slips containing Situation No. 3.

The Problem

=Situation No. 3=:

It is assumed that the advance guard has been marching for a period of two hours.

You, Captain A, marching at the head of the support of the advance guard, have reached this point. Nothing has occurred to change the initial formation of the advance guard.

_Required_:

Point out the formation and location of the various elements of the advance guard at this moment.

Procedure

A few minutes are allowed the members of the class to look over the situation and get their new bearings. The Director reads the situation aloud and inquires whether there are any questions, which he endeavors to answer.

Explanation

_The Director_: “You will note that the situation indicates that the advance guard is assumed to have been marching for two hours. This would make the distance we have marched a little more than 5 miles. As a matter of fact, we have only come a few hundred yards from our starting point. You will have to draw on your imagination in this matter, disregard all things behind you, and consider only those to the front. It would consume too much time to actually go the distance assumed and it is not necessary to do so, for we are now on new terrain, which serves our purpose equally as well as if we were the full distance of 5 miles farther to the front.”

Procedure

_The Director_: “What are the several elements of the advance guard, Lieutenant Williams?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “First, we have the point, which is the small body of men farthest to the front; next, we have a connecting file between the point and the advance party; next comes the advance party, then the connecting files between the advance party and the support, and finally the support, which is right here on the road.”

_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what is the strength and disposition of these several elements of the advance guard?”

_Captain Hastings_: “The point is composed of one complete squad commanded by a sergeant. It is in patrol formation, marching on the road with a distance of about 20 to 25 yards between each pair of men. The point precedes the advance party by a distance of about 150 to 200 yards. The connecting file between that point and advance party marches so that he can keep both of these bodies in sight. He has no fixed place where he is to march—”

_Lieutenant Wallace_ (_interrupting_): “Right there is a point that I want to bring up. I can conceive of a situation where the connecting file could not keep both bodies in sight all the time—for example, on a winding road or in hilly country. What does he do in that case?”

_The Director_: “Under those circumstances the commander of the advance party would have to send out a sufficient number of men for this duty, so as to insure communication being kept up at all times. It is simply a problem to be solved by the advance party commander. Captain Hastings, proceed with your discussion.”

_Captain Hastings_: “Next comes the advance party composed of the first platoon, less one squad and connecting file, commanded by Lieutenant W. It is marching with a column of files on each side of the road at easy marching distances. The connecting files between the advance party and support march so that they can keep both bodies in communication with each other all the time. The distance between the advance party and support is about 400 yards. Now comes the support, composed of the company, less the first platoon and connecting files with the advance party, which marches in a column of squads on the road. Following is the main body of the battalion, at a distance of about 500 yards.”

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, what provisions are made for flank protection?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I do not think that any flank protection is necessary at this time. No considerable body of the enemy will get between our column and the main body of our brigade. If they did they would be doomed to destruction. On the other flank the country is open, so that no patrols are needed in that direction. I do not believe in wearing men out on flank patrol duty when there is no necessity for it.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “That is exactly the point that I wanted to bring out. There is no necessity for wearing men out on flank patrol duty beating their way over rough country and climbing fences, when they accomplish no useful purpose. Never send out a flank patrol unless there is some sound tactical reason for it. Then when the time comes and there is necessity for patrols, your men will be found ready to put forth superhuman efforts, if need be, to help you accomplish your mission. If you are in contact with the enemy, or there is immediate danger of such contact, flank patrols may be necessary and a commander should not hesitate to send them out. On the solution of these small tactical problems, that confront a commander in actual service, will determine your success or failure as a leader. You must ever keep in mind that it is a combination of these small tactical situations that go to make up the big military operations on which the fate of a nation may depend.”

Procedure

_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to make a rough sketch of the road occupied by the advance guard and show on it the dispositions of the advance guard.”

Some 10 or 15 minutes should be allowed for this. After the sketches are completed they should be collected and passed back to the members of the class—taking care to see that no man gets his own solution back again. The members of the class should be invited to make any criticism of the sketch he has in his possession and following this the next situation should be proceeded with.

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 3=

=Director’s Key=

1. Conduct the class to the place where the situation is to be taken
up for solution.

2. Hand out Situation No. 3. Read Situation aloud.

3. Explain why Situation is taken up at this point instead of five
miles farther on.

4. Proceed with problem: Elements of the advance guard; strength and
disposition of the elements of the advance guard; connecting
files; flank protection.

5. Explain flank patrols.

6. Make sketch of road showing the formation of the advance guard.

* * * * *

Procedure

The class is now conducted to the point selected for the next tactical situation. This should be several hundred yards in advance of the point where Situation No. 3 was staged. The slips bearing Situation No. 4 are passed out to members of the class.

The Problem

=Situation No. 4=:

You, Sergeant Roberts, have arrived at this point. The two leading men of the point (Crane and Hanson) are about 25 yards ahead of you. The remaining members of the point are on the road behind you. At this moment both Crane and Hanson take cover and point in the direction of ——. You join them and observe about a squad of the enemy on foot (_moving around in the woods—describe just what the enemy is doing_). They apparently have just arrived and have not seen you. Several horses are being led to the rear.

_Required_:

What do you, Sergeant Roberts, do?

Procedure

The Director reads the situation aloud and points out the location of the enemy.

Explanation

_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Sergeant Roberts. The incidents contained in the situation have transpired just as indicated. You were marching along the road; you saw Crane and Hanson take cover and point in the direction of the enemy; you joined them here; you see the enemy (_explain what the enemy is doing_). It is now up to you to make a decision as to what you are going to do and proceed to do it. Before going into the solution of the problem I want to make a few remarks on the conduct of the operations of a point.

“The real work of the advance guard begins when it gets in contact with the enemy. All formation and all operations are designed to insure success when this event happens. The point is the first element that meets the enemy and success or failure may depend upon what is done by this small body. The big idea is that we must get the jump on the enemy. We must lead and make him follow. In other words, we must take the offensive for it is only by offensive action that military success is gained.

“The commander of the point of an advance guard must be on the lookout for the enemy all the time. He must continually look ahead and dope out what he is going to do if the enemy should suddenly appear in this or that place.

“Sergeant Roberts has been doing this very thing and the proper action is plain to him. Let us see if it is plain to you.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, when you saw Crane and Hanson take cover, what is the first thing you would have done?”

_Captain Harvey_: “I would join Crane and Hanson immediately just as the situation indicates.”

_The Director_: “Would you have done anything before going forward?”

_Captain Harvey_: “Well, sir, I would want to see for myself just what is going on before I took any definite action.”

_The Director_: “Would you have done anything else, Captain Hodges?”

_Captain Hodges_: “Yes, sir. I would have signaled the rest of the point ‘DOWN’ so as to give them warning that the enemy is in sight. I will tell Pendleton ‘Signal back. Enemy in sight,’ because Lieutenant W will want to know immediately why the point has halted, and this will give him the information. Then I would go to the front and join Crane and Hanson.”

_The Director_: “Those are the points I wanted to bring out. You see them, Captain Harvey, do you not?”

_Captain Harvey_: “Yes, sir.”

_The Director_: “Now, Captain Harvey, let us take up your solution again. Let us say that you have joined Crane and Hanson. Just what are you going to do?”

_Captain Harvey_: “I would open fire on the enemy immediately. Then get the rest of the point up and have them join in the firing.”

_The Director_: “Do you agree with that procedure, Captain Hodges?”

_Captain Hodges_: “Not entirely, sir. I appreciate the necessity for opening fire right away so as to get the jump on the enemy, but I think we should get as many rifles up as possible before opening fire and disclosing our position to the enemy. I would try to get the whole point in position to fire before opening up, if I could. I would first make provision for Crane and Hanson to open fire by giving them firing data: ‘Range: —— yards. Target: enemy at (_describe location of target briefly_). Hold your fire.’ I would then signal the other members of the point to come up and, as they arrive, indicate the location of the target and announce the range to them.”

_Captain Jones_: “That solution seems to me to be all right if the enemy will remain inactive until all of this is done, but suppose he does not do so. Suppose he discovers us. Suppose he opens fire himself. Suppose he starts to retreat. Suppose he keeps coming along towards us.”

_Captain Hodges_: “I am coming to all of that. I would keep the enemy under observation. If he does anything that should cause us to open fire before all of the squad is up, I would open up with every rifle that is in position to fire. I would take no chances on the enemy getting the jump on me. It will only take a minute or two to get the men into position, and I think I am justified in delaying that long.”

_Captain Jones_: “I would make mighty certain that I did not wait too long before opening fire.”

_The Director_: “I think Captain Jones is right in his contentions, but I agree with Captain Hodges’ solution to get as many men as possible up on the line before opening fire. Of course, if the enemy does anything that would warrant opening fire before all the men are up, it should be done.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “The advantage of waiting until all the rifles are on the line is that, as soon as these men are fired on, they will probably try to make their get-away. They will furnish a target for only a few seconds. If our point can inflict sufficient casualties, they may fall back and abandon the attempt at further reconnaissance, especially if they can down the patrol leader. If the leading men of the point open fire, by the time the last man gets up, the enemy will be well under way and there will be no target to fire at. If the enemy returns the fire, they at once reveal themselves, and Sergeant Roberts will do well to be seeking out other detachments in the vicinity. A reconnoitering patrol does not fire on an occasion of this kind unless it is surprised and forced to do so in self-defense. It has a much better chance of accomplishing its mission of securing information by avoiding combat. If this small body of the enemy open fire, it may be reasonably assumed that they are being backed up by other troops or have accomplished their mission of finding out the strength and composition of our forces and have turned themselves into a fighting patrol and open fire to delay us and thus give information to their own troops that we are advancing in force. If they immediately try to make a get-away, it will indicate that they are a reconnoitering patrol and will probably try to work around to the flanks of the column to get information of our main body. On the other hand, they will know that we are not a reconnoitering patrol as soon as we open fire. They know that we are backed up by other troops.

“You now see the elements involved in this simple situation. You see the responsibility that devolves upon non-commissioned officers when they are placed in the position of Sergeant Roberts. To know what to do and how to do it requires training and close attention to detail. Probably any of us could blunder through a situation of this kind, but it takes a man trained in military tactics to make his decisions quickly, to act upon them promptly and take advantage of the fleeting moments to inflict damage on the enemy. These are the things that we study to become proficient in. These are the things that we must teach our non-commissioned officers if we are to have confidence in their ability to meet tactical situations that confront them, with judgment and decision. And there is no royal road to success along this line. The knowledge required can be attained only by thorough study and practice.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Baker, suppose the enemy does something which, in your judgment, requires fire to be opened before the whole point is up and in position, would you join in the firing yourself?”

_Lieutenant Baker_: “No, sir. I would not. I estimate that I would have plenty to do to direct the fire of the other men; to search the country to see if any other parties of the enemy were in our front, and to keep the advance party commander advised of what is going on at the front.”

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Barney, let us assume that you were able to get all of the men on the line before opening fire and were able to open as a surprise to the enemy. He takes cover and returns the fire. What further action would you take?”

_Lieutenant Barney_: “I would keep on firing. I would signal the advance party commander to send up some reinforcements.”

_The Director_: “Do you agree with that solution, Lieutenant Hunt?”

_Lieutenant Hunt_: “No, sir. I would go after him. I cannot run him out of his position by fire action alone. I would immediately start filtering my men forward while keeping up a heavy fire with the other man.”[7]

_The Director_: “Captain Hall, give us Sergeant Roberts’ solution to the situation.”

_Captain Hall_: “I will signal the members of the point ‘Down,’ and tell Pendleton to signal the advance party commander ‘Enemy in sight.’ I will then join Crane and Hanson. I will locate the enemy, give Crane and Hanson firing data and order them to hold their fire. I will signal the other members of the point to come up, and as they arrive on the line I will give them the range and indicate the target. When all are ready I will open fire on the enemy. Should the enemy do anything to warrant it I will open fire immediately, with all the rifles on the line. I will search the landscape for other parties of the enemy. As soon as I open fire I will take steps to advance and close with the enemy and drive him off.”[8]

The members of the class should not be required to make a written solution to this situation.

After all questions have been answered the class is ready to proceed to the solution of the next situation.

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 4=

=Director’s Key=

1. Conduct the class to the point where the situation is to be taken
up for solution.

2. Hand out Situation No. 4. Read situation aloud and explain it.
Explain action of point, when enemy encountered.

3. Solution: Signal Down. Information to advance party commander. Join
leading men. When open fire. Firing data.

4. Explain action of reconnoitering and fighting patrols. Necessity
for the training of N. C. O.’s.

5. Solution of problem.

* * * * *

Procedure

The Director now passes out slips, bearing Situation No. 5, to the members of the class.

The Problem

=Situation No. 5=:

When the point opened fire the enemy retreated under cover of the woods (or such cover as is actually available). They did not return the fire. You, Sergeant Roberts, observe two riderless horses galloping through the woods.

_Required_:

What action do you take?

Procedure

When the members of the class have had a chance to get their bearings the Director reads the situation aloud and points out the direction in which the enemy retreated and where the riderless horses are at this time.

Solution

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what is your estimate of the enemy?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “I should say he forms a reconnoitering patrol sent out to secure information about our movements. He has not yet gained the information he desires or he would have given us a fight. Again, had he been the advance element of a larger body he would have engaged our point and by now we would begin to see evidences of the troops following him.”

_The Director_: “Is there any member of the class who does not agree with the views just expressed?”

_Captain Hastings_: “I agree with them in the main, but it seems to me that the enemy would have opened fire if for no other purpose than to make trouble for us and cause delay to our troops.”

_The Director_: “We must always give the enemy credit for being up to his job. The moment we opened fire the leader of that patrol knew that he had encountered a fighting element of our forces. If he stops to engage in a fight, he knows that every minute that passes makes it just that much more difficult for him to make his get-away. He knows that we are going to close on him right away and he will not get the information he has been sent out to secure. You must always remember that a reconnoitering patrol does not fight except when it is forced to do so in self-defense, or when it has secured all the information it wants, has sent it back, and then turns itself into a fighting patrol to delay the advance of the enemy. Are there any other points to bring up about the mission of the enemy?

“Lieutenant Wallace, you are assumed to be Sergeant Roberts. What do you do now?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would form up my point in the original order of march and move out along the road. We would take up the double-time until we get our proper distance.”

_The Director_: “Would you do anything else?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would send two members of the point out to the place where the enemy was to see if we could get an identification.”

_The Director_: “Do you agree with that procedure, Lieutenant Ralston?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “Our battalion commander would want an identification if it is possible to get one, and it seems to me that something should be done at once to secure it.”

_The Director_: “I agree with you entirely that an identification is desirable, but it is not the job of the point to get it. Members of the point do not go off on excursions to the flank. They keep plugging along on the line of march. If flank patrols are to be sent out, they must come from the advance party or the support. I cannot conceive of any circumstances that would warrant sending two members of the point off on patrol duty. Now, Lieutenant Ralston, assuming that it is desirable to get an identification, what would you, as point commander, do?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would send a message back to Lieutenant Wallace, who is with the advance party.”

_The Director_: “By whom would you send this message?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “By Private Bailey, the rear man of the point.”

_The Director_: “Now state the exact message that you would send back.”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would fall back to where Bailey is marching. I would say to him:

“‘Bailey, you go back to Lieutenant Wallace. Tell him that we fired
on an enemy reconnoitering patrol of about one squad. Show him where
they were. Tell him that they did not return the fire. That when we
opened fire they withdrew. That there are probably two dead or
wounded men in the woods. Rejoin the point when you can.’

“I would then double-time up to the point. As I pass Corporal Smith I would say: ‘Watch for signals from the advance party.’”

_Captain Harvey_: “That solution seems to be all right, but don’t you think Lieutenant Wallace would come forward to the point when it halted? In that case he would know all about the situation, and it would not be necessary to send the message back to him.”

_The Director_: “I am very glad you brought up that point, Captain Harvey. No; I do not think Lieutenant Wallace would leave his advance party at such a critical moment. In my opinion it would be absolutely wrong if he did. In the first place, he has no business up with the point. Sergeant Roberts is either capable of handling it or he is not so. If he is, he should be let alone to solve his own problem; if he is not capable, he should be relieved. On advance guard duty the commander of each element will have plenty to do if he sticks to his own job and does not go molesting that of someone else.”

Procedure

The class should now be conducted 200 or 300 yards farther along the road. It is here halted and the Director states: The point has now gotten into formation and is continuing the advance. A message has been sent back to the advance party commander as indicated in our solution a few minutes ago. At this moment you see about six mounted men of the enemy off in that direction (points out the location toward the flank).

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hodges, how do you size up the situation now?”

_Captain Hodges_: “I estimate that the mounted men are the survivors of the patrol that we fired on. They are working around to the flank of the column to secure information of the strength and composition of our main body. Having this information, it is my job to get it back to the advance party commander as soon as possible in order that proper measures may be taken to beat off the enemy patrol and keep him from getting the information he wants. I would send a verbal message back by Alley, who is marching just behind me in the point.”

_The Director_: “Now, let us assume that I am Private Alley. Give me the message that you would send back.”

_Captain Hodges_: “I would fall back to where Alley is marching, and as we walk along say to him:

“‘You see those mounted men over there? They are the patrol we fired
on. Go back to Lieutenant W and show him where you saw them. Tell
him they are working around our flank to get in touch with the main
body. Come back to the point when you can.’”

_The Director_: “I think that will cover the situation. Are there any questions?”

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 5=

=Director’s Key=

1. Hand out slips bearing situation No. 5. Read situation and point
out places mentioned.

2. Estimate of situation. Reconnoitering patrol. Action of enemy.

3. Action taken by point commander. Get point in formation and on
road.

4. Sending out patrol from point.

5. Message to advance party commander. State message.

6. State verbally problem re enemy on the flank. Make solution. Send
message back to Lieutenant W.

* * * * *

Procedure

The slips bearing Special Situation No. 6 are passed out to the members of the class.

The Problem

=Situation No. 6=:

You, Lieutenant W, with the advance party, have arrived at this point. Private Alley comes to you with a message from Sergeant Roberts and points out the place where the enemy was a few minutes ago. You already have the message from Sergeant Roberts delivered by Private Bailey.

_Required_:

What action do you, Lieutenant W, take?

Procedure

The Director reads the situation and explains that each member of the class is to now consider himself as being Lieutenant W.

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Jones, what would you do under the circumstances?”

_Captain Jones_: “In the first place, the enemy’s patrol is trying to work around our flank to get in touch with our main body. The question to my mind is: Is it the job of the advance party to try and prevent this? We can hardly be expected to send patrols from the advance party so far afield. It will require a patrol of at least a squad, and probably two of them, to accomplish such a mission. It would seem to me that the task should be left to the support. I would, therefore, get word back to the advance guard commander of what is going on and he would send out the necessary patrols. In the next place, it will be necessary to investigate the place where the enemy was when our point fired on him and secure an identification if possible. This is close-in reconnaissance and may be undertaken by the advance party. I would send a patrol of three men under a corporal for the purpose.”

_The Director_: “How would you get the message back to Captain A?”

_Captain Hodges_: “Private Alley has been with the point. He has seen all that has taken place up there. I would send him back with the message to Captain A. In order that Sergeant Roberts may know what action is being taken I would send Bailey to him with a message.”

_Captain Jones_: “Would you make these written or verbal messages?”

_Captain Hodges_: “They would be verbal messages.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “This is a point I want to bring out. The platoon commander will seldom have time to write messages. He must depend upon his men, and especially his runners, to see for themselves what is going on so that when it is desired to send information back all the platoon commander has to do is to turn to one of his runners, give him a few words of a message, and the runner is off to make his report. He will not only carry the message, but he will give accurate information of what is going on. The careful training of runners will repay the trouble in large dividends when the time comes.

“In the present situation I think it would be well for Lieutenant F to send one of his trained runners back to the captain with Private Bailey so that he can hear the captain’s orders and see just what he does to meet the situation. The runners will then return to Lieutenant W and tell him about it.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Now, Captain Hodges, let us assume that you are going to send Private Alley back with the message; just what instructions would you give him?”

_Captain Hodges_: “I would say to Private Alley:

“‘You go back to the captain. Repeat your message to him. Tell him
about what happened at the point during the halt. Tell him I am
sending a patrol to investigate the place where the enemy was fired
on.’

“I would adopt the Director’s suggestion and send one of my runners with Private Alley. I would say to him:

“‘You go with Private Alley to the captain. See what he does to meet
the situation, hear his orders, and bring back information of all
this to me.’”

_The Director_: “That appears to cover the situation very well. Lieutenant Baker, what message would you send to Sergeant Roberts?”

_Lieutenant Baker_: “I would say to Private Bailey, who was present when I gave Private Alley his instructions:

“‘Go to Sergeant Roberts and tell him what I have done to meet the
situation.’”

_The Director_: “Let us assume that you have selected Corporal Jansen as the patrol commander to investigate the place where the enemy was fired on. Corporal Jansen has reported to you. What orders do you give him, Captain Hall?”

_Captain Hall_: “As we march along I would say to Corporal Jansen:

“‘You have heard the message just brought back by Private Bailey.
Take the front rank of your squad and reconnoiter the edge of that
wood (pointing). An enemy identification is especially desired.
Report the facts to the battalion commander when he comes up. Rejoin
the advance party when you can.’”

_The Director_: “I think these orders cover the situation admirably. I hope you all now appreciate the multitude of little problems that come up for solution in the course of a tour of advance guard duty.”

* * * * *

=Advance Guard= =Card No. 6=

=Director’s Key=

1. Hand out slips bearing Situation No. 6. Explain that each man is
now to consider himself as being Lieutenant W.

2. Discussion of enemy patrol. Reconnaissance from advance party—from
support.

3. Messages sent back by Sergeant Roberts.

4. Relay messages to Captain A.

5. Training of runners and messengers.

6. Messages of Lieutenant W to Captain A and Sergeant Roberts.

7. Orders for patrol to investigate place where enemy was fired on.

* * * * *

Procedure

The class is now conducted along the route of march, for a distance of several hundred yards, to a place where entirely new terrain is available and where the lay of the land is such that a march outpost may be established.

The class is halted and the Director passes out the slips bearing Situation No. 7.

The Problem

=Situation No. 7=:

It is assumed that the advance guard has been marching for two hours since the march was resumed after the enemy patrol was encountered. During this time enemy scouts have been observed from time to time, but they have not attempted to interfere with the march of the column.

You, Captain A, are marching at the head of the support. When you arrive at this point the signal “HALT” is received from the rear. You halt and relay the signal forward. A moment later the battalion adjutant joins you and states: “The column will halt for one hour. The major directs that the advance guard provide for the security of the command for that time.”

_Required_:

What action do you, Captain A, take?

Procedure

The Director reads the situation aloud and makes any explanation that may appear to him to be necessary.

Explanation

_The Director_: “When a column on the march halts for any considerable length of time the advance guard continues its covering duty by forming march outposts. These are simply patrols sent out to the front and flanks, a certain distance, where they halt and remain there until ordered to continue the march or until they are recalled.

“The advance party usually furnishes these patrols which are sent out on the routes by which the enemy may approach. The support is posted at some central point from which it may readily reinforce any group that may be threatened by the enemy.

“In a situation like this the question always comes up as to how the advance guard commander will issue his orders for the establishment of the march outposts—that is, whether he will do it by a message to the several elements or whether he will issue an order and have copies made and sent out.

“If the message system is employed, the advance guard commander will have to include the new information of the enemy and our own troops and give the order to the element. All of this is accomplished by issuing a simple five paragraph order and sending it out. This is more expeditious than message writing. The commander has all the information he requires, and he is given definite instructions as to what he, himself, is to do. The order method is favored.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hall, how do you size up the situation?”

_Captain Hall_: “The mission of the advance guard now is to continue to provide protection to the main body by establishing a march outpost. Enemy scouts have been observed from time to time, but they have not interfered with the march. We have no information regarding any considerable force of the enemy.

“Our main body is halted and will remain so for at least an hour. Our advance guard is so disposed that it will be able to take up its new formation without confusion. The advance party can cover the main road and, in general, the head of the column. Our patrols, of which I assume there are two on the exposed flank, will form march outguards and protect that flank. I would send out another patrol of one squad to cover the other flank and prevent enemy scouts from working around there and observing the main body.

“My decision is to form a march outpost.”

_The Director_: “What Captain Hall has said constitutes Captain A’s ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ These are the points that would flash through his mind as soon as he gets the information that the halt is to be made. Lieutenant Barry, what is now necessary to put the decision into effect?”

_Lieutenant Barry_: “It is necessary to issue an order.”

_The Director_: “How would you go about this?”

_Lieutenant Barry_: “I would assemble the two platoon commanders, the platoon sergeants and the first sergeant, and have them write down my order in their message books. This would give me a sufficient number of copies for all purposes.”

_The Director_: “This shows the necessity for a company commander having some means whereby several copies of an order may be made by a duplicating process—carbon paper. I believe the plan of having the first sergeant or a clerk carry a duplicating book would solve the problem. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, you may dictate Captain A’s order.”

_Lieutenant Hunt_: “In order to save a repetition and at the same time let all of the company with the support know what is going on I would have the men give me their attention. My order would be:

“‘There is no further information of the enemy. Our battalion halts
for one hour.

“‘The advance guard will establish march outposts.

“‘The advance party will be posted on the main road and cover the
head of the column.

“‘The two flank patrols on the —— flank will be posted as march
outguards and cover that flank.

“‘Sergeant Hamilton with the Fourth Squad, 2nd Platoon, will
establish a march outguard on the —— flank in the vicinity (point
out location) and cover the —— flank of the column. The support will
be posted here.

“‘Messages to Support.’”

_The Director_: “That seems to cover the situation. Now, how would you get this order out to all the people to whom it should go?”

_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would send it to Lieutenant W by a runner. I would send it out to the flank patrols by the section guide of the 3rd Platoon and direct him to make an inspection of the dispositions out there so as to make sure they are in position to carry out their mission. I would send it to the battalion commander by a runner.”

_The Director_: “So much for the distribution of the order. What would you do now, Lieutenant Barry?”

_Lieutenant Barry_: “I would now see that Sergeant Hamilton gets started on his mission, and then I would post sentinels at the support to watch out for signals from the various detachments that are out.”

_The Director_: “I believe that would meet the situation very well.”

Explanation