Chapter IX: Part 9

“The mistake of giving sentinels too many orders and instructions should be carefully avoided. If their minds are burdened with too many details, they are likely to become hesitating, timid and confused. The controlling idea is that they should know where to look for the enemy and what to do if they see him.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hall, having in mind what I have just said, what orders would you give your sentinels?”

_Captain Hall_: “I would give them the following orders:

“‘You have all the information of the enemy and our own troops.

“‘You are double sentinel post No. 1 of outguard No. 2 of support
No. 1. Outguard No. 1 is —— (point out location). Outguard No. 3 is
—— (point out location). Information of the exact location of the
sentinel posts will be given to you later.

“‘This road leads to ——. That trail leads in the direction of ——.
That —— is known as the ——.

(Note—Locate and name other important topographical features in
view.)

“‘If you see the enemy, signal to me at the outguard.

“‘The countersign will be given to you later.’”

_The Director_: “I think that covers the orders for your sentinel very well. The big idea is that we should not burden them with too many things to think about. We will omit the written solution of this part of the problem.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “There are certain rules for the guidance of a sentinel on post with which all officers and soldiers should be familiar. They must be scrupulously observed under all circumstances. They are:

“1. He must watch and listen without betraying his presence. Observation is the first consideration and concealment of secondary importance.

“2. He must not smoke, and matches must not be lighted at night.

“3. Such conversation as is absolutely necessary must be conducted in subdued tones.

“4. He must not have any arms or accoutrements that will glitter in the sunlight.

“5. Except at night and in foggy weather, the bayonet must be kept in the scabbard.

“6. Persons arrested are ordinarily held at the post until a patrol comes out to take charge of them.

“7. He will not allow his vigilance to be disturbed by the requirements of military etiquette. He pays no compliments and does not salute officers unless addressed by them.

“8. Everything that he observes with respect to the enemy must be communicated to the outguard commander, especial care being taken to report promptly all indication of the enemy’s approach. If he is satisfied that the enemy is advancing to attack, the alarm may be given by firing. When immediate alarm is not necessary, firing should be avoided.

“There is nothing that so irritates troops as needless outpost firing at night, when they need rest. Needless firing, besides alarming the outpost troops, and possibly those of the main body, gives information to the enemy of the location of the line of observation, from which he is able to deduce the position of the outguards. It should be an invariable rule that sentinels do not fire except as a last resort. There is never any necessity for it except when the covering patrols are being driven in and are being hard pressed, in which case the sentinel may fire to assist in covering the withdrawal, if such action is absolutely necessary. Night firing is of little value in any event. It is only effective for very short distances, and should be discouraged by every possible means.”

* * * * *

=Outpost= =Card No. 5=

=Director’s Key=

1. Location of Sentinel Posts. By day. At night. Obstacles. Field of
view.

2. Conduct class to place where sentinel post is to be established.

3. Discuss location of post.

4. Hand out Situation No. 5. Read and discuss it.

5. Orders for sentinels: Information of enemy and own troops; number
of post; identify support and outguard; countersigns; too many
orders.

6. Proceed with verbal solution of problem.

7. Explain rules for guidance of sentinels: Watch and listen; smoke;
matches; conversation; arms; vigilance; etiquette; report of
observations; night firing.

* * * * *

Procedure

The class is now conducted to the location of outguard No. 1.

Explanation

_The Director_: “After sufficient time has elapsed for the outguards to get into position and post their sentinels the support commander makes an inspection of the elements of his support. In this inspection any or all of the following questions may be presented for consideration.

“1. Is the outguard located at the best place to cover the sector of the front allotted to it? Is there a good field of fire over the ground by which the enemy may approach?

“2. Are the sentinels so located that they can observe all approaches? Are they well instructed in their duties? Do they know what to do if they should see the enemy?

“3. Have provisions been made for rapid communication between sentinels and the outguard? Has communication been established with adjoining outguards and sentinels and with the support?

“4. Have fire positions been prepared for all riflemen, the automatic rifleman and the rifle grenadier? Are the men well supplied with ammunition?

“5. Are all the men familiar with the plans for defense? Do they know what to do in case the enemy attacks?

“6. Have necessary arrangements been made for patrolling?

“7. Have necessary arrangements been made for messing?

“In the course of the inspection the support commander will make such changes in the dispositions as may be necessary and will give such instructions as he may deem desirable for the proper conduct of the duty with which the support is charged.

“Having completed this inspection he will return to the support and make his report to the outpost commander. This report may be made in the form of a message and must contain information as to the location of the main body of the support, the location of each of the outguards, their strength and disposition, the extent of patrolling contemplated, and finally the place where messages are to be sent is indicated. A report such as this received from each support and detached post commander gives the outpost commander detailed information regarding the disposition of the entire outpost upon which he may base his report to the commander of the main body.

“When practicable the report is accompanied by a rough sketch showing the dispositions of the support.”

Procedure

While at the location of outguard No. 1, the Director will point out the location of the outguard and the sentinels and question various members of the class regarding these locations and the instructions under which the outguard is operating.

The class is then conducted to the location of outguard No. 3, and the same procedure is gone through with.[14]

The class is then conducted to the position of the support, and Situation No. 6 is distributed.

The Problem

=Situation No. 6=:

You, Lieutenant M, have completed the inspection of your outguards and returned to your support.

_Required_:

Write out the body of the report that you would send back to the outpost commander.

Procedure

_The Director_: “We have been over the entire front covered by our support and made a detailed inspection of the dispositions, rearranged them where it was necessary and given instructions that will insure efficient outpost service. We have now returned to the position of the support. Word has been sent out to withdraw the covering troops. It is now up to Lieutenant M to make his report to the outpost commander. I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant M and to write out on his pad the body of the report that he would send in.”

The members of the class write out the report. When this is done they are collected and redistributed as indicated heretofore. Members of the class are required to read the solutions and comment on them.

* * * * *

=Outpost= =Card No. 6=

=Director’s Key=

1. Conduct class to location of outguard No. 1.

2. Explain method of inspection of line of outguards by support
commander. Considerations that will come up: Location of
outguard; location of sentinel posts; arrangements for
communication; fire positions; men familiar with plans for
defense; patroling; messing; changes in dispositions.

3. Report and sketch.

4. Conduct class to outguard No. 3. Discuss dispositions.

5. Conduct class to support. Pass out Situation No. 6. Write out
report of support commander.

* * * * *

_Terrain Exercise No. 8._
A Visiting Patrol

The Problem

=Special Situation=:

A blue force operating in hostile country halts at (_a_) and establishes an outpost along the line (_b_). Support No. 2 is located at (_c_) with outguard No. 1 at (_d_); outguard No. 2 at (_e_) and outguard No. 3 at (_f_).

=Situation No. 1=:

You, Lieutenant A are in command of Support No. 2, consisting of your platoon and located at this point. The first section furnishes the outguards and the platoon (less 1st Section) the main body of the support. You have made the inspection of your line of observation and sent your report to the company commander.

_Required_:

What arrangements do you make for visiting patrols?

Explanation of Letter Symbols

(_a_) The location of the bivouac of the main body of the Blue force. This should be located at a central point with reference to the outpost line.

(_b_) Designate the general line of the Blue outpost.

(_c_) The location of Support No. 2. It should be located at a central point with reference to the line of outguards. (_d_)-(_e_)-(_f_) The location of the three outguards posted from Support No. 2.

In fitting this exercise to the ground the location of the outguards should be selected first. Care should be taken to so locate them that the ground is suitable for illustrating the tactical features that are to be brought out and discussed in the Terrain Exercise. The location of Support No. 2 should then be selected and finally that of the Blue main body. If you have had a previous Terrain Exercise covering the subject of outposts it may be convenient and advantageous to base this Terrain Exercise on the same situation and covering the same ground.

Procedure

The class is conducted to (_c_), the location of Support No. 2.

The Director distributes the sheets containing the Special Situation and Situation No. 1, reads them aloud to the class and makes such explanation as may be necessary. One or more members of the class may be called upon to state his understanding of the situation.

Explanation

_The Director_: “It is fully realized that no member of this class will ever be called upon to conduct the operations of a visiting patrol. You will, however, have to order your non-commissioned officers to do so and you must have a knowledge of how it should be gone about and whether the duty is being properly performed.

“The military text-books usually tell you that a visiting patrol consists of a non-commissioned officer and two or three men that make the rounds along the outpost line of observation at night. That is about all. It is assumed that the subject is so simple that you just naturally know it and there is nothing further to be explained. Such is not the case and before we have completed this exercise we will demonstrate it to you. Another good test of the proposition is this: Take your non-commissioned officers out on a Terrain Exercise and give them the situations that we will have today. See how many of them get away with it. I am sure you will be surprised at the results, especially with the men who have had no previous preparation for the exercise.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what is a visiting patrol?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “It is a patrol consisting of a non-commissioned officer and two or three men. It is sent out from the support at intervals during the night to keep up communication between the elements of the outpost.”

_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, tell us just how the visiting patrol makes its rounds.”

_Captain Hastings_: “Let us say that the patrol is to start out from our support No. 2, which is located at this point. The patrol will go out to the right and touch upon the left outguard of Support No. 1; then pass along our own line of observation to the right outguard of Support No. 3 and then come back here.”

_The Director_: “Yes, that is the general procedure. The details of how the patrol is to do all of this is what we are interested in and that is what will be brought out in this Terrain Exercise. Lieutenant Wallace, what do you understand to be the specific duties of a visiting patrol?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “Included in the duties of visiting patrols may be enumerated:

“1. They bring back information of incidents that may occur along the line of observation and form a medium of exchange of information between the various elements of the outpost.

“2. In a measure, they prevent the unobserved approach of the enemy between sentinel posts. When the enemy is very active there is constant patrolling between the observation posts.

“3. They drive off small patrols.

“4. They take charge of detained persons and conduct them back to the support.”

_The Director_: “That is very good. Now, Lieutenant Ralston, suppose you were Lieutenant A, commanding Support No. 2. What instructions would you give regarding your visiting patrols?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “The visiting patrol is a night institution. There is little necessity for its employment in the day time, but I would not wait until dark to give my instructions regarding it. I would give orders:

“‘There is no further information of the enemy and our own troops.

“‘The second section will furnish the visiting patrols for tonight.

“‘Corporal Black, with the 4th Squad, will conduct the visiting
patrols at 8 and 10 o’clock p. m.

“‘Corporal Canes, with the 5th Squad, will conduct the visiting
patrols at 12 midnight and 2 o’clock a. m.

“‘Corporal Dorr with the 6th Squad, will conduct the visiting
patrols at 4 and 6 o’clock a. m.

“‘Patrol leaders will go over the route of their patrols before
dark.

“‘Messages to support, here.’”

_The Director_: “I think you have covered the necessary points.

“Are there any questions by any member of the class? If so, now is the time to clear them up.”

* * * * *

=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 1=

=Director’s Key=

1. Assemble the class at (_c_) the location of Support No. 2.

2. Distribute sheets bearing the Special Situation and Situation No.
1. Read and explain. Have members of the class state their
understanding of the problem.

3. Explain that no member of class will ever be required to conduct a
visiting patrol, but it is necessary for them to know how it
should be done. Definition of visiting patrol. Test by taking N.
C. O.’s on Terrain Exercise.

4. Solution: What is visiting patrol. How it makes rounds. Duties.
Orders given for visiting patrols. Any questions.

* * * * *

The Problem

=Situation No. 2:=

You, Corporal Canes, have been designated to conduct the visiting patrol that is to go out at 12 o’clock midnight and at 2 o’clock a. m. You have been given your squad to form the reliefs.

_Required_:

What do you do?

Procedure

The Director distributes the sheets bearing Situation No. 2 to the members of the class, reads it aloud and makes such explanations as may be necessary.

Explanation

_The Director_: “Now I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Corporal Canes. Put yourself in his place and consider what you would do under the orders you have received from the support commander. We are going to work these situations out in detail to show you how it ought to be done. Then when you are a support commander and give an order for your visiting patrols, you will know just how each Corporal should go about his job.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, what would you do?”

_Captain Harvey_: “I would get the men of my squad together and while they are assembling I would size up the situation and determine just what orders I am going to give. When the men are together I would give them their orders:

“‘Manley, Harrison and Kline will be the first visiting patrol.

“‘Oliver, Hasker and Payne will be the second visiting patrol.

“‘We go out at 12 and 2 o’clock tonight. Be ready at those hours.

“‘I am going over the route of the patrol before dark.

“‘Dismissed.’

“I do not think of anything else to say at this time.”

_The Director_: “Captain Hodges, have you any criticism to make of Captain Harvey’s order?”

_Captain Hodges_: “Yes, sir. In the first place, he has left out several things that ought to be told to the men. He has not provided any instructions for one man of the squad. He has not made it clear just which patrol each man belongs to. He has not told the men what equipment they are to carry with them.”

_The Director_: “To what do you attribute these omissions?”

_Captain Hodges_: “Well, sir, I could not say. The thing that appeals to me is that if I were one of the men I would want to know about them.”

_The Director_: “I think, if you will all reflect, that the underlying trouble with Captain Harvey’s order is that he has not followed our five paragraph order. Had he done so, I am sure he would not have omitted these essentials. Now I am going to have Captain Harvey give the order again and follow the five paragraph order system and see how he comes out. Your first paragraph would be ‘Information of the enemy and our supporting troops.’ All right, Captain Harvey, what would your first paragraph contain?”

_Captain Harvey_: “Well, sir, the men know everything that I do regarding the enemy and our own troops. They all heard the Lieutenants order when he established the support. So I would say:

“‘There is no further information of the enemy or our supporting
troops.’”

_The Director_: “You have stated it exactly in your last sentence. Now for your plan.”

_Captain Harvey_: “My plan would be to have the squad furnish two of the visiting patrols—I see what you mean.

“‘Our squad will furnish two visiting patrols tonight.’”

_The Director_: “Now comes the disposition of troops and orders for each element.”

_Captain Harvey_: “I would divide up the squad as I did in my previous order and provide for that extra man that Captain Hodges spoke of. He is my Automatic Rifleman. I would say:

“‘Manley, Harrison and Kline will be visiting patrol No. 1. It will
go out at 12 o’clock midnight.

“‘Oliver, Hasker and Payne will be visiting patrol No. 2. It will go
out at 2 o’clock a. m.

“‘Bailey (automatic rifleman) will be supernumerary.’”

_The Director_: “The next is your administrative arrangements, paragraph 4 of an order. What would you include in that?”

_Captain Harvey_: “The equipment to be carried. I would say:

“‘Rifle and belts of ammunition only will be carried. The bayonet
will be fixed. The scabbard and canteen will be left here.’

I would not want the men to carry anything that is not absolutely essential.”

_The Director_: “You are right. The members of the visiting patrol travel light. They do not want to be hampered with equipment that is not necessary. Above all, they do not want anything with them that will rattle and make a noise. They leave the bayonet scabbard at the post of the support because if they wear it on the belt it will be dangling between the men’s legs and interfere with their freedom of movement. They will probably not need any water on this short march so I see no objection to leaving the canteen behind, although, on the other hand, I can see no objection to carrying it. That is a mere matter of opinion. The bayonets are fixed so as to have them ready for hand to hand night fighting in case it is required. A great deal of the night work will be done with the bayonet. Rifle fire is effective only for short distances due to inability to see the target for any distance. Now, Captain Harvey, how do you conclude your order?”

_Captain Harvey_: “In the usual manner by telling the men where messages are to be brought, I would say:

“‘Messages will be brought back to the support, here.’”

That concludes the order. I see my error and will profit by it in the future.”

_Captain James_: “There is one point in the order that I did not understand. Captain Harvey detailed his automatic rifleman as ‘supernumerary.’ Just what does he mean by that.”

_The Director_: “He means that he is an extra man not specifically detailed with either patrol. But, if for any reason, one of the other men is unable to go on the patrol when the time comes the supernumerary will take his place. Do you see the point now?”

_Captain James_: “Yes, sir.”

_The Director_: “I hope you all now realize how far astray you can go in issuing tactical orders if you fail to follow the five paragraph system. On the other hand, I hope you have observed how simple it is to include all of the essential elements in an order if you do follow the system. You here see the system applied to the most insignificant element in the domain of tactics, the visiting patrol. You see how nicely it fits. If you were issuing an order for a division of 20,000 men you would see how well it works there. I hope you will all stick to this plan of issuing orders. You positively cannot go far wrong if you will. If there are no further questions we will proceed.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “Corporal Canes will now dismiss the squad and the men will go about getting ready for their night work. Corporal Canes will go over the route that he is to conduct the patrol tonight. He will proceed to the right parallel to and in rear of the line of outguards to the left outguard of Support No. 1; thence along our own line of observation to Outguard No. 1 of Support No. 3; and then back to the support. He will note the route carefully and mark it if necessary. He will especially note the approaches to the outguard posts and arrange for recognition signals with the outguard commanders.”

Procedure

_The Director_: “Let us assume that it is now 11.50 p. m. The obscurity is such that a man may see another at a distance of about 12 yards. Corporal Canes has been awakened by the support sentinel. He is up and getting ready to start with his patrol. Captain James, you are now Corporal Canes. What would you do?”

_Captain James_: “I would wake Manley, Harrison and Kline and say to them:

“‘It is time to make our 12 o’clock patrol. Get up. You have about 5
minutes to get ready.’

“At 11:55 I would have the patrol fall in for inspection. I would inspect the men to see if they had the proper equipment and make sure that each man is fully awake. I would then give the command:

“‘With ball cartridges. 2. LOAD.’

“I am now ready to start.”

_The Director_: “All right. It is now 12 o’clock. Give the orders for the start.”

_Captain James_: “I would say:

“‘Manley, you will lead; I will follow at a distance of 8 yards;
Harrison, you follow me at 10 yards; Kline you follow Harrison at 12
yards. Move out.’

“I think that order would get the patrol under way.”

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Baker, have you any criticism of the formation proposed by Captain James?”

_Lieutenant Baker_: “Yes, sir. It seems to me that here is one instance where the patrol commander should actually lead the patrol himself. He knows the route that is to be taken and no other member of the patrol knows it. He is the man that knows the recognition signals with the outguard commanders. I think there is every reason why he should physically lead the patrol.”

_The Director_: “I think so, too, and feel that Captain James will when he considers the situation. Now then, this new disposition will change the orders somewhat. Lieutenant Baker how would you state the orders now?”

_Lieutenant Baker_: “I would say:

“‘I will lead. Manley, you follow me at a distance of about 8 yards.
Harrison, follow Manley at a distance of about 10 yards; Kline will
follow Harrison at a distance of about 10 yards.

“‘Keep the man ahead of you in sight at all times.

“‘Manley, you will be second in command.

“‘Follow me.’”

_The Director_: “I think this order will get our patrol under way in the proper formation. I hope you see and understand the necessity for going into the minute details of these situations. Herein lies one of the greatest values of the Terrain Exercise. It not only teaches the student of Minor Tactics the principles, but affords practice in giving the orders to meet the various situations and fixes all indelibly on the mind. When you conduct a Terrain Exercise yourself you cannot be too particular about going into the details of every situation.”

* * * * *

=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 2=

=Director’s Key=

1. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 2. Each member of class
is now Corporal Canes. Explain why this Terrain Exercise is
given to officers.

2. Orders for squad. Failure to use five paragraph order. Information
of enemy and own troops. Plan of commander. Tactical
dispositions and order for each element; detail each patrol,
time of going out, supernumerary, equipment—only rifle and belt
of ammunition, no bayonets, canteen, messages.

3. Meaning of supernumerary.

4. Necessity for following five paragraph order system.

5. Men get ready for patrol duty before dark. Corporal Canes goes over
route of the patrol.

6. State special situation. Now 11:50 p. m. Ready to start. Formation
of patrol. Corporal leads. Load rifles.

7. Orders for patrol:—Formation, communication, second in command.

8. Explain necessity for going into details. Great value of Terrain
Exercise.

* * * * *

The Problem

=Situation No. 3=:

You, Corporal Canes, the leading man of your visiting patrol, have arrived at this point. Outguard No. 1 is right there (indicate); the double sentinel post is there (indicate).

_Required_:

What do you do?

Procedure

The class is conducted to the point selected for Situation No. 3, which should be located between the outguard and the sentinel post if practicable. The Director reads the situation aloud and points out the position of the outguard and that of the sentinels posted from the outguard.

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hall, let us assume you are Corporal Canes. You have arrived right here, the other members of your patrol are in the original formation behind you. Now just what would you do under the circumstances?”

_Captain Hall_: “I would go to the sentinel post and ask the men.”

_The Director_: “Wait a minute. Let us not go too fast on this proposition. You have the other men of your patrol with you. What are you going to do with them?”

_Captain Hall_: “That’s right. I would have to tell them what to do. I would say to Manley in a low tone;

“‘Have the patrol halt and remain in place.’

Which means the men would halt where they are and stay there until I return.”

_The Director_: “We will assume that you have halted the patrol. Would you go to the sentinel post without first notifying the outguard that you are going to do so?”

_Captain Hall_: “No, sir. I had forgotten about that. I would go to the outguard and tell the outguard commander that I am going out to see his sentinels and would get him to come along with me.”

_The Director_: “Reflect a moment. Remember, yours is not the only visiting patrol that comes along the route tonight. There is one every two hours. The outguard commander has to be up every two hours to post his reliefs. The support commander has arranged his visiting patrols so that they will come along the line of observation when the sentinels on post are about in the middle of their tour. If you get the outguard commander out at this time, he will be up practically all night and will not be fit for much service tomorrow. I do not think you would insist on seeing the outguard commander unless he happened to be awake at this particular time. It would be sufficient to tell the outguard sentinel what you are going to do.”

_Captain Hall_: “I would go to the outguard and notify the man on duty there that I am going out to the sentinel.”

_The Director_: “Don’t go too fast. What I want to bring out at this time is just how you are going to approach the post of the outguard. Tell us in detail how you would do it.”

_Captain Hall_: “I will go up to this point. (Captain Hall advances to the point indicated). I will call in a low tone of voice ‘Visiting patrol.’ If I get no response I will advance a little closer and repeat my recognition signal and would continue until I am recognized. When the man on duty hears my call he will probably say to me ‘Give the countersign.’ I will give the countersign in a low tone of voice. He will tell me to advance and I will then go to the post of the outguard.”

_The Director_: “Those are the details I wanted to bring out. And that is the value of the Terrain Exercise. We come out here and learn to do the things that we must do in actual campaign when we do not have to pay for the mistakes with our own lives or the lives of our men. You have to draw upon your imagination to picture the situation that confronts you. You have to use your gray matter to figure out and decide just what you are going to do. Finally, you have to draw upon your power of speech to put your decision into words and express it in a clear and intelligent manner.

“When you get up to the outguard you find that the outguard commander is asleep. You decide not to awaken him. You tell the man on duty that you are going to the sentinel post. Now Lieutenant Barry I want you to tell us and show us just how you do it.”

_Lieutenant Barry_: “I would proceed cautiously in the direction of the sentinel post. When I figure I am within hearing distance I will give the recognition signal. The sentinel will give me the return signal and I will know everything is all right and be free to go up to him.”

_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I do not understand this recognition signal proposition. Can the director enlighten us on that?”

Explanation

_The Director_: “Yes, we will go into that in a few minutes. Before doing so I wish to review and consider in detail this comparatively simple proposition of approaching a sentinel post at night. You must remember that the line of observation of an outpost is a ‘spooky’ place at night and that outpost sentinels are as easily flushed as a pheasant. Their nerves are strung to the breaking point. In every shadow an enemy lurks. They soon learn to take no chances. It becomes the rule to shoot first and challenge afterwards. If one makes a practice of running headlong into sentinel posts on dark nights he may get away with it a few times, but you are taking serious chances and the game will finally get you. Having these things in mind, let us review the process of approaching the sentinel post.

“1. The patrol leader halts his patrol some little distance from the post. He gives the orders for the other members to stand fast until he returns. He then goes to the outguard and notifies them that he is going out to the sentinel. There is no necessity for any other person than the patrol commander going up to the post. If others go it makes just that much more confusion and adds that much more chance for lurking scouts to locate the post and get information.

“2. The patrol leader advances towards the post and when he is near enough he calls in a low tone, ‘Visiting patrol,’ and continues to call until he is recognized. We never approach a sentinel post from the front at night and, if it can be avoided, never from a flank, always from the rear.

“3. When the sentinel discovers the presence of the patrol leader he will verify his identity by calling upon him for the countersign. Corporal Canes gives the countersign, and the sentinel directs him to advance.

“This countersign is the recognition signal that Lieutenant Hunt asked about. It may be given by word of mouth. It may consist of whistling a few bars of some familiar service call. It may be made by tapping with the knuckles on the stock of the rifle. The number of taps to represent a number, for example: The countersign or recognition signal is 22-33. Corporal Canes would approach the sentinel post and strike his rifle, tap, tap (pause) tap, tap. The sentinel will answer in the same manner tap, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap, tap. He would then know that he had been recognized as a friend and proceed to the post. If the sentinel discovered Corporal Canes first he would keep him under observation and when he is close enough to hear would challenge him, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap. Corporal Cane’s answer would be tap, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap, tap. The system is interchangeable. The first number may be said to be the challenge or inquiry signal and the second number the recognition.

“It is not well, however, to confine ourselves to any one set of signals or method of identification. They should be changed frequently, so that the enemy will never know what system is being used on any particular night.

“When the countersign is a word it should be spoken in a very low tone of voice for fear of betraying it to the enemy’s scouts who may be near by. History is replete with incidents of disaster to covering detachments arising from the enemy’s knowledge of the countersign.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Now, Lieutenant Hunt, let us assume that you are at the sentinel post and ready to make your inspection. Just what would you say to him?”

_Lieutenant Hunt_: “Well, sir, I am free to confess that I do not know just what I would say, but I would make a stab at something.”

_The Director_: “That is just the point. Our text-books are here deficient again. They assume that this is so simple that we just naturally know what to do and what to say. Have you ever seen in any text book, any where, detailed instructions as to just how to inspect a sentinel on post. They say: ‘The officer of the day will inspect.’ I should like for you to be in a concealed position and hear some ‘Officer of the day’ make his inspection of a sentinel. Try it sometime and see the results.

“During the time that Corporal Canes is with him the sentinel will not cease his vigilance. The inspection will be conducted in a low conversational tone. ‘I am Corporal Canes of visiting patrol No. 3 from Support No. 2.’ ‘What is the number of your post?’ ‘What is the number of your outguard?’ ‘Where is it located?’ ‘Do you know the location of the sentinel posts to your right and left?’ ‘In what direction is the enemy?’ ‘Where does that road (trail) lead to?’ ‘Do you know what that light is (pointing)?’ ‘Have you observed any signs of the enemy since you have been on post?’ ‘What is the countersign (recognition signal) tonight?’ ‘What would you do if you saw any signs of the enemy out in front?’ ‘How would you alarm the outguard?’ ‘I have no information of the enemy on this immediate front.’ ‘When I was at outguard No. 3 of Support No. 1 the outguard commander told me that an enemy scout had been picked up near the Outguard No. 1 of their support about an hour ago?’ ‘Notify your outguard commander when you are relieved that I was here at —— o’clock.’

“These are some of the things that would be included in the inspection by the patrol commander.

“Corporal Canes would now go back to the outguard and tell the man on duty that he is going on with the patrol. If, in his inspection of the sentinel on post, anything happened that the outguard commander should know about Corporal Canes would wake him and tell him about it. He will then join the other members of the patrol and proceed along the route selected before dark.”

(Note.—To give the Terrain Exercise added interest it may be well to
send two of the members of the class ahead to represent sentinel
post No. 2 and one to represent the outguard. They will take post in
the normal location of those elements of the line of observation.
Then have four members of the class represent the visiting patrol.
Have the leader conduct them just as he would under actual service
conditions. Make the approach to outguard No. 2 in the same manner
as indicated herein and carry out all the details of the situation.)

* * * * *

=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 3=

=Director’s Key=

1. Conduct class to point near location of Outguard No. 1.

2. Distribute Situation No. 3. Point out location of the outguard and
Sentinel Post.

3. Details of approach to outguard. Halt patrol. Recognition signal.
Do not disturb outguard commander. Explain necessity for
details.

4. Approach sentinel post. Necessity for caution.

5. Review problem up to this point. Explain recognition signals.

6. Corporal Canes inspection of the sentinel. Identify himself to
sentinel. Number of post, outguard, location. Posts on right and
left. Road lead to. Light. Any signs of enemy. What he would do
if he saw enemy. How alarm outguard. Give sentinel any news.
Notify outguard commander of time of inspection.

7. Corporal Canes goes back to outguard and then joins patrol.

8. Send members of class out to represent Outguard No. 2 and sentinels
posted from it. Detail a patrol from among class and conduct it
to Outguard No. 2.

* * * * *

Procedure

On completion of the problem at Outguard No. 2 the class is conducted to a point somewhere between Outguard No. 2 and Outguard No. 3 where the following situation is distributed:

The Problem

=Situation No. 4=:

The Visiting Patrol has arrived at this point. You, Corporal Canes, are right here (indicate). You hear a slight noise in that direction (indicate). In a moment you see the dim outline of a man. He is armed with a rifle which he seems to be carrying at the position of “High Port.” He is stooping forward and moving very cautiously towards you. Apparently he has not seen you.

_Required_:

What action do you take?

Procedure

The Director will read the situation aloud and indicate where Corporal Canes is and where the man is.

(Note.—The place selected for this situation should be chosen with
great care. It should preferably be in a woods with some underbrush
and some cleared places. The place where the patrol is located when
the situation is given out should preferably be at the near edge of
one of these clearings.)

Explanation

_The Director_: “Now I want each member of the class to visualize the situation as it exists. You are reminded that it is supposed to be night and you should base your decisions and actions on that assumption.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what would you do?”

_Captain Hastings_: “Am I to understand that the man approaching is one of our own force or one of the enemy?”

_The Director_: “That is one of the points of the problem. You do not know yet whether he is a friend or enemy. It is dark and impossible to tell. You merely see the outlines of a man. He is crouching. Has his rifle at a ‘High Port’ which places it in readiness for instant action.”

_Captain Hastings_: “I would not want to shoot one of our own men. I guess I would halt and wait and see what he is going to do.”

_The Director_: “The moment you let the man take the lead you are just one lap behind him in decision and action. If you do something and take the lead yourself he will have to make his decisions rapidly and base his action on what you do. Never lose the opportunity to put your opponent in that hole. As far as can be seen, you now have the drop on the man. Don’t make a blunder and lose the advantage. Of all tactical offenses, indecision and inaction are the most to be condemned.

“Lieutenant Wallace, how do you size up the situation?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “Well, sir, I would hate to make the mistake of killing one of our own men. But I consider that no man of this outpost has any business running around between the lines at this time of the night unless he is a member of a patrol. If such is the case the sentinel at No. 2 Outguard would have known about that and told me. So, I suppose if it came to the point of killing him, he would be paid for. Next, I do not know whether the man is alone or whether there are others with him. Up to this time I have only seen one man, and it is not likely that one man of the enemy would be wandering around in our lines alone. Considering the possibility of his being one of our men, I would give him just one chance.”

_The Director_: “That is a very good estimate of the situation. Now arrive at a decision as to what you are going to do and tell us about it.”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would halt and crouch down. The other members of the patrol seeing me do this would follow my action without any orders. Without making any noise I would unlock my piece and aim it at the approaching man. As soon as he arrived at a point where I could see him sufficiently in the dark to make sure of hitting him if it were necessary to fire I would call out in a tone loud enough for him to hear and understand that I meant business: ‘Halt! Drop that Rifle! Throw up your hands!’ If there was the least hesitation on his part or any move to use his rifle I would fire. In other words, if he did not drop his rifle instantly and throw up his hands, I would shoot him. If he obeyed my orders, I would call to him in a low tone, ‘I have the drop on you. Do as I say, or I will fire. Walk five steps towards me and halt.’ I would wait a few seconds to see if there were any more men behind him and then call to Manley and Harrison to join me at the edge of the clearing. While I still covered him and with my rifle, I would say:

“‘Manley, you go out and search the man. Take any arms that he may
have. Keep out of my way, so I can fire if necessary. Now get his
rifle.’

I now have the man a prisoner, and....”

_The Director_: “Wait a moment. That is as far as I want you to go at this time. I think you have covered the situation very well.

“Lieutenant Ralston, it develops that the man is one of the enemy. You have him a prisoner. What are you going to do now?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would post Manley and Harrison to guard against surprise. I would have Kline join me. Before the prisoner had a chance to get over his confusion and collect his thoughts I would try to get some information from him.”

_The Director_: “What questions would you ask him?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would ask him:

“‘What outfit do you belong to?

“‘What are you doing in our lines?

“‘Are there any other men of your outfit around here?

“‘What is your name and rank?’”

Explanation

_The Director_: “I hope you have all noted the dispositions that Lieutenant Ralston made. He posted two men to guard against surprise, for there may be more of the enemy in the vicinity. It is fair to assume that this man is not out alone at this time of the night. The remaining man of the patrol is right here with Corporal Canes while he is questioning the prisoner. He has him here for a purpose. Kline will take the prisoner back to the support and having been present at the examination, if he does give any information Kline will know all about it and can tell the support commander in case the man changes his statements after recovering his composure.

“It is one of the duties of a visiting patrol to pick up persons found in the lines. It is of importance that they be captured and every precaution towards that end should be taken. Make it a rule that persons wandering about in the outpost line have no business to be there and take no chances on them getting away.”

* * * * *

=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 4=

=Director’s Key=

1. Conduct class to a point between outguard No. 2 and No. 3.

2. Distribute Situation No. 4, read and explain.

3. Remind class that it is supposed to be night.

4. Enemy or friend. Size up the situation.

5. Action. Halt. Cover man with rifle. Call on him to Halt. Drop
rifle. Hold up hands. Effect capture.

6. Disposition of Patrol of guard against surprise.

7. Question prisoner.

8. Explain dispositions. Kline to take prisoner back. Duty of visiting
patrol to pick up strangers on outpost line.

* * * * *

The Problem

=Situation No. 5=:

You question the prisoner. He refuses to give any information. Stands mute. To your question “What are you doing in our lines?” he answers “Lost.”

_Required_:

What action do you, Corporal Canes, take?

Procedure

The Director distributes Situation No. 5 and makes such explanation so as may be necessary.

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, what would you do?”

_Captain Harvey_: “I am going back to the support in a few minutes now, so I think I would take the prisoner along with me.”

_The Director_: “Captain Hodges, what do you think about that?”

_Captain Hodges_: “I would not want to be bothered with him. Besides we may run into some more enemy scouts any time and this man would be in the way and might make his escape. I would take no chances. I would send him back to the support commander at once.”

_Captain James_: “Why not send him over to outguard No. 2 for the time being?”

_Captain Hodges_: “That might be all right. But if I were a support commander and one of my visiting patrols picked up a prisoner, like we have, I should want to see him as soon as practicable. I think it would be much better to send him directly back to the support. The support commander can question him and make his plans for finding out where the other scouts of the patrol to which he probably belongs, are.”

_The Director_: “That is the point that I wish to bring out. In the first place, the Outguard Commander will have no time to question the man. He will have to busy himself immediately making arrangements to send out patrols in his immediate vicinity to see if he can find any other members of the enemy’s forces. It is not likely that the man is running around in our lines alone. There are others with him. Corporal Canes would send the prisoner back to the support commander immediately in order that the Lieutenant may question him before he gets over the confusion of being captured, and in order that patrols may be sent out to find any of his comrades that may also be within the lines.

“Now, having decided to send the prisoner back, Lieutenant Baker, how would you go about it?”

_Lieutenant Baker_: “There are several things to be considered in this procedure. The commander of outguard No. 2 must be informed of what has happened so that he may take the necessary action. The support commander must be informed by a verbal message of the circumstances attending the capture of the prisoner. He must also be informed of the immediate future action of the visiting patrol. I would cover all of this in orders and a verbal message. Private Kline has been with me when I was questioning the prisoner. He knows the circumstances attending the capture. I would send him back with the prisoner and a verbal message to the support commander. I would say to the prisoner:

“‘Step over here and face in that direction. I am going to send you
back to our support commander by this soldier (indicating Kline). I
want to warn you that any attempt to escape will be disastrous for
you.’

“I will say to Private Kline:

“‘You conduct this prisoner back to the support commander as quickly
as possible. Have him march in front of you. Place the point of your
bayonet close to his back. Do not let him escape. As you pass
outguard No. 2 notify Corporal W of the circumstances and tell him
that we have gone on over to outguard No. 3. Tell the support
commander where we captured the prisoner; that I could get nothing
out of him except that he is lost; that you have notified Corporal W
at outguard No. 2. That I am going to outguard No. 3 and will
reconnoiter in that vicinity and over as far as outguard No. 1 of
Support No. 3. You will remain at the support to be available as a
guide in case the Lieutenant needs you. Do you understand all that
you are to do?’

“On receiving an affirmative reply I would direct Kline and the prisoner ‘Move out.’”

_The Director_: “I should say that you have covered the situation most completely. It is most gratifying to see you officers go about the solution to these problems in this manner. It shows that you appreciate the necessity for going into the details of them.”

Explanation

_The Director_: “Having disposed of the prisoner, Corporal Canes with the remaining men of the visiting patrol will go to outguard No. 3 and make the approach to it in the same manner as heretofore indicated. The prisoner’s rifle will be hidden in the brush. It can be secured in the morning. Corporal Canes would not want to be bothered with it at this time.”

* * * * *

=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 5=

=Director’s Key=

1. Distribute Situation No. 5 and explain.

2. Disposition of prisoners—send back to support commander.

3. Explain why send prisoner to support commander.

4. Instructions to prisoner.

5. Orders to Kline and message to support commander. Conduct prisoner
back. Notify commander of Outguard No. 2. Contents of message to
support commander.

6. Move on to Outguard No. 3. Identification.

* * * * *

Procedure

The class is now conducted to the sentinel post of outguard No. 3 where the following situation is distributed:

The Problem

=Situation No. 6=:

You have arrived at outguard No. 3. The outguard has just been alarmed by the sentinel. The outguard commander suggests that you, Corporal Canes, accompany him to the sentinel post. You agree. The Corporal and yourself and the two members of your visiting patrol proceed towards the sentinel. As you approach the sentinel identifies you and calls “Silence.” He tells you that he has heard a suspicious noise in front of his post and points in the direction from whence it came.

_Required_:

What do you do?

Solution

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

_Captain Hall_: “It is the business of the visiting patrol to investigate suspicious incidents that may be reported by the sentinels. So I would go out and investigate this one. I would take the two men of my patrol with me.”

_The Director_: “We will assume that you are senior to the outguard commander. Would you give him any instructions?”

_Captain Hall_: “I think I would have him send out a small patrol to the interval between outguard No. 3 and No. 2.”

_Lieutenant Barry_: “That is a point I had been thinking about and I had just decided that I would not do that.”

_The Director_: “On what line of reasoning did you base the decision?”