Part 1

Terrain Exercises

By

Lt. Col. William H. Waldron Infantry, U. S. Army

Washington United States Infantry Association 1923

Copyright, 1923 By United States Infantry Association

HAYWORTH PUBLISHING HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

_Table of Contents_

PAGE Introduction 5

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 1

Attack of Strong Point—Rifle Company 11

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 2

Approach March and Deployment 51

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 3

Defensive Position 107

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 4

A Machine Gun Company in Attack 141

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 5

An Advance Guard 169

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 6

A Flank Guard 221

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 7

Posting an Outpost 255

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 8

A Visiting Patrol 299

TERRAIN EXERCISE NO. 9

A Reconnoitering Patrol 337

_Introduction_

Terrain Exercises are those military exercises in which the students carry on the operations of imaginary bodies of troops over the actual terrain. As these exercises involve the study of the utilization of the ground itself and the application of tactical formations and methods to it, they are the best means, aside from practical field work with troops, of giving officers and non-commissioned officers practice in carrying out the duties that fall to them in war.

In the Terrain Exercise is found the logical step in tactical training, between the theory and practice of the classroom and the practical training with troops. This method of training is suited to all arms and services, and in view of its practical value is constantly employed by unit commanders in the training of their officers and non-commissioned officers.

Any class of military operations may be practiced, such as the operations of covering troops—advance guards, flank guards and outposts; the operations of the various kinds of patrols; combat—attack and defense; approach march and deployment, and the tactical cooperation of all special arms.

The Director

The smooth working and success of the Terrain Exercise depends almost entirely on the ability and tactical knowledge of the Director, the care he devotes to the selection of the ground, the preparation of the problem, and his own personal preparation for the conduct of the Terrain Exercise. To this end a study should be made of the tactical training it is desired to impart. A problem designed to bring out these points should be drawn up and fitted to the ground. The successive special situations must follow in logical sequence.

The Director must have in his mind a solution of the various situations of the problem and must familiarize himself with all of its phases to the extent that he will be able to make reasonable answer to any question that may be propounded.

He must receive all the ideas presented by the members of the class; take out the good and tactfully discard the poor and indifferent. He must take care that he does not unduly criticize the members of the class when they make mistakes and faulty dispositions. Above all, he must never hold up a solution to ridicule.

Preparation of the Problem

Having determined upon the tactical subject to be studied, the next essential is a problem, clearly and tersely stated, logically drawn and easily understood. The several tactical situations should follow one another in their natural sequence. Each should bring out the tactical points that it is desired to impress upon the members of the class. Long and complex situations, difficult for the average man to grasp, should be avoided. Situations should be interesting and instructive, natural and simple.

The next step is to fit the problem to a particular section of the terrain that may be available. In this connection it is well to draw up a tentative problem with its several situations. Then go out on the ground and fit the problem to it.

The Director should carefully work out on the ground beforehand the several situations that he desires to develop. He should work out the details of all possible solutions and prepare himself to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of measures that may be proposed by members of the class and to state the solution that he, himself, prefers, with the reasons therefor.

A sufficient number of copies of the initial problem, together with the special situations, should be prepared so that a copy may be available for each member of the class. This is a more satisfactory method than the Director explaining them verbally. Time is saved and misunderstandings avoided. The special situations are numbered serially and issued at the proper time, as the Exercise progresses. It is a good idea to have an envelope in which to carry the cards or slips of paper bearing each special situation.

General Conduct of a Terrain Exercise

The problem will ordinarily consist of a general situation and several situations.

Take the class to the point where the Exercise is to begin. Distribute copies of the problem and allow a few minutes for the members of the class to look over the problem and the terrain. The Director then reads the problem aloud and points out the topographical features and places that are referred to. The members of the class follow from the copies in their possession.

Questions are asked by the Director. One or more members of the class are required to make a brief statement of the problem, the idea being to make certain that every man is entirely familiar with the tactical situation under consideration. This insures a solid foundation on which the succeeding situations may be developed.

The first situation is then handed to members of the class. The Director cautions them that each man is to consider himself as being the commander of the unit whose operations are to be considered.

The solution of the situation is then proceeded with. This solution may be required to be reduced to writing; it may be given orally; or a combination of the two systems may be employed.

For example: The situation involves the preparation of a verbal field order. The Director proceeds step by step with the details of the matter to be included in each successive paragraph, arriving at a decision as to just what the wording should be.

1. Information of the enemy and our supporting troops.

2. Plan of the commander.

3. Distribution of troops and tactical order for each element.

4. Administration arrangements, where applicable.

5. Place of commander or where messages are to be sent.

Having determined upon the wording of each paragraph, the members of the class are required to write out the body of the order.

Where the members of the class have sufficiently progressed in their tactical training some of the preliminary discussion and solution may be omitted and the men be required to write out the body of the order based on the tactical situation. The written solutions are collected by the Director and redistributed to the class, taking care that no man receives his own solution back again. This is productive of good results, for if a man knows that his work is to be seen by another he will put forth his best effort and be more careful with his work. Again, the entire solution may be given orally and nothing reduced to writing. In this case the Director brings out the elements by questions and discussion, and in the end one or more members of the class are called upon to state the contents of the body of the order. This method is excellent for the training of officers in the giving of verbal tactical orders.

The solution having been completed, the subject is opened up for discussion. The members of the class are encouraged to ask questions and express their views on the various elements under consideration.

The class is then conducted to the place where the next special situation is to be taken up for solution, and here the same procedure as outlined above is taken. The Terrain Exercise concludes with a short conference, in which the Director makes a résumé of the problems, discusses the several lessons of the day, and shows the application of tactical principles to them.

General Rules

The following general rules should be observed as far as practicable:

_a._ Weather and climatic conditions should be accepted as they actually exist on the day of the Exercise.

_b._ Interest is best maintained by bringing up a succession of instructive situations, each designed to teach some tactical lesson, dealing with each one concisely but thoroughly, and promptly passing on to the next. Long discussion and personal arguments between members of the class are to be avoided. Unimportant phases are passed over quickly, thus allowing the requisite amount of time to be devoted to those that are really worth while.

_c._ Ordinarily four or five situations are about all that may be profitably included in one Terrain Exercise.

_d._ All members of the class should be equipped with blank paper of uniform size (to facilitate the handling of written solutions), message blanks, pencils, sketching equipment for making rough sketches on which tactical depositions may be shown.

_e._ Ordinarily large scale maps should not be used. One of the valuable features of the Terrain Exercise is that all tactical decisions and dispositions are based on a study of the ground itself. If the members of the class are allowed to have large scale maps, the exercise may resolve itself into the solution of a map problem whereby the advantage of the study of the ground itself is detracted from.

However, sheets of the United States Geological Survey maps should, if practicable, be obtained and issued, as it is desirable to accustom officers and non-commissioned officers to work with small scale maps and to familiarize them with this particular map.

_f._ The number of men in a class should be limited to the number that one director is able to handle.

_Terrain Exercise No. 1._ Attack of Strong Point—Rifle Company

General Situation:

The (_a_) forms the boundary between hostile States. An invading Red force was counter attacked by Blue troops and after severe fighting the Reds have retired. The Blue advance has been stubbornly contested.

Special Situation—Blue:

The Blue advance was resumed this morning. The 1st Infantry advancing on the extreme right of the Blue line, has been held up.

After a short delay, the 2nd battalion resumed its forward movement, but attempts of the assault waves of companies A and B (on its right) to advance beyond (_b_) were stopped by fire from the front and especially by enfilading machine gun fire from (_c_).

Heavy firing—artillery and small arms—can be heard along the line to the left. Shells fall occasionally within and in front of the area occupied by the 1st battalion.

Lieutenant Colonel X, commanding the 1st battalion, has arrived at this point (_d_) accompanied by a part of his staff; Captain C, commanding the support company C; Captain D, commanding the machine gun company; and Lieutenant Z, commanding a platoon of the Howitzer company, which organization has been attached to the battalion.

After studying the situation in his front Lieutenant Colonel X summoned Captains A and B, commanding the assault companies, and issued verbal orders for continuing the attack.

Explanation of Letter Symbols

(_a_) In designating the boundary line some natural topographical feature should be selected, such as a river, creek, canal, crest of ridge, etc. In this problem it may be assumed that the Red invading force has advanced several miles into Blue territory before its advance was checked by the counter-attack.

(_b_) The general front occupied by the 1st battalion where it is held up by the fire from the front and that from the enemy strong point to the right front. In fitting this problem to the ground care will have to be taken to get all the features properly coordinated. The line of departure for Company C may be selected first and the general line of the 1st battalion prolonged to the left. Then select the location of the strong point with reference to the line of departure of Company C. Cover for the deployment of the company should be available.

(_c_) Location of the enemy strong point. This should be some topographical feature that might be logically occupied as a strong point by the enemy and from which the advance of the 1st battalion might be interfered with.

(_d_) This point should be near the center of the front covered by the 1st battalion and should command a view of the front. There should be reasonable cover for the battalion commander and his staff. In other words, it should not be so exposed to enemy fire that the battalion commander could not go there to make his personal reconnaissance.

Procedure

The class will be assembled at (_d_) where the Terrain Exercise is to begin.

The Director distributes the sheets containing the problem (General Situation and Special Situation—Blue). A few minutes are allowed the members of the class to read over the problem after which the Director will read it aloud and point out the places of importance. One or more members of the class will be called upon to state his understanding of the tactical situation.

Care will be taken to indicate the right of the line occupied by Company A and the location of the enemy strong point will be accurately pointed out.

Explanation

_The Director_: “Before going further into the problem it is necessary for every member of the class to have an accurate understanding of the formation in which the first battalion is advancing. It is necessary for you to visualize the situation just as it would appear if the operation were actually taking place.”

The battalion is advancing in attack formation with two companies as assault companies (Company A is on the right and Company B on the left) and one company (C) as battalion reserve. The front covered is about 750 yards. The right of Company A is at (indicate). Company C is marching about the center of the battalion sector and about 500 yards in rear of the front lines of the assault companies. The 1st battalion, being on the right of the Blue line has a combat patrol of one squad from the battalion reserve covering the right flank. This patrol is advancing about 150 yards to the right and rear of the assault echelon. A connecting group of two or three men also from the reserve company, maintains communication with the 2nd battalion on the left. As the reserve company may be called into action at any moment, these detachments are taken from the support platoon of the company, the 3rd. The battalion commander and his staff march between the assault echelon and the reserve company.

When the battalion was held up by the enemy, information of this fact was sent back to Lieutenant Colonel X by the commanders of the assault companies and it was also brought back by the battalion intelligence scouts who are with the assault companies. On receipt of the information Lieutenant Colonel X came forward to this point to ascertain the situation and by a personal reconnaissance, see it for himself. Accompanying him were his staff officers Bn-2; Bn-3, Captains C and D; and Lieutenant Z. This is the situation in which we find the battalion commander at the beginning of this Terrain Exercise. I hope every member of the class understands this formation and all the details of it. If there are any doubts about it now is the time to clear them up. If there are no questions we will proceed.

Procedure

The Director will now distribute the sheets bearing Situation No. 1.

The Problem

=Situation No. 1=:

You, Captain C, commanding Company C, the battalion reserve, took down the following notes from the battalion commander’s orders:

“The 1st battalion will resume its advance, attacking the enemy in front and enveloping his left, including the strong point.”

“Time of attack—signal from battalion commander.”

“Line of departure—present front line.”

“Companies A and B make frontal attack covering present front of 750 yards. Company A, Base Company.”

“Company C will attack the strong point, enveloping its left.”

“One platoon company D and the 1st platoon Howitzer Company will support the attack of Company C. Captain D and Lieutenant Z will confer with Captain C regarding the assistance to be rendered.”

“Captain C will notify the battalion commander when he is ready to attack.”

“The attack will be pushed hard.”

You, Captain C, have with you three platoon runners and two company runners.

_Required_:

Your action and orders during the next 20 minutes.

Procedure

A few minutes are allowed the members of the class to look over the situation. It is then read aloud and the necessary explanations made.

_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what is the formation of Company C, at the time the battalion commander’s order is received by Captain C?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “The formation would depend upon the cover available, the distance from the front line and the class of fire it is being subjected to. In this case I should say that the company will be in dispersed formation either in squad columns or platoon columns. I would prefer the platoon columns because they are more easily controlled. I think I would have each platoon in a platoon column. The first and second platoons would march abreast with an interval of at least 40 yards with the third platoon marching about 50 yards to the rear and opposite the interval between the first and second. Company headquarters would be in the lead.”

_The Director_: “That seems to be a very good formation under the circumstances.”

(Note.—The Director should prepare an answer to this question based on the lay of the ground.)

“How do you arrive at the interval of 40 yards between the two leading platoons?”

_Lieutenant Williams_: “That is about the minimum distance to avoid casualties in more than one column from the burst of one shell and it is about the maximum distance for control and visibility in the woods.”

Solution

_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, let us assume that you are Captain C. You have received the orders of the battalion commander. What is your mission?”

_Captain Hastings_: “To attack the enemy’s strong point enveloping its left.”

_The Director_: “In sizing up the situation what points would you consider?”

_Captain Hastings_: “I would consider the enemy’s position, and if possible, go to a point where I can make a personal reconnaissance of it. I would consider the route by which I can get my company up to the point where I can make the attack and select the line of departure for the company. I will then decide upon my plan of maneuver and the formation of the company for attack.”

_The Director_: “In other words, you will make an Estimate of the Situation and upon this you will base your decision and in turn your orders?”

_Captain Hastings_: “Yes, sir. That is the idea.”

_The Director_: “I want to emphasize the necessity for this process of sizing up the situation on the part of all officers charged with a tactical operation. If you come to a decision without doing so you may be right and you may be wrong. The chances are greatly in favor of the latter. If you stop and consider the elements of the problem as outlined by Captain Hastings the chances are that you will be right. In any event you have the odds on your side. Lieutenant Wallace, what troops have been designated to support your company?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “A part of the machine gun company and a howitzer platoon.”

_The Director_: “You will note that these two units have been ordered to support your attack. They are not attached to your company. What do you understand to be the difference between a supporting unit and an attached unit?”

_Lieutenant Wallace_: “An attached unit becomes an integral part of the force and is subject to its commander’s orders. A supporting unit receives its orders, not from the commander of the force being supported, but from another source, usually a common superior.”

_The Director_: “That is right. I hope you all note the distinction. It is the rule, however, that the supporting unit must work with the unit that it is supporting in every way possible so as to insure teamwork in the accomplishment of the common mission.”

“Lieutenant Ralston, how would you get your instructions to your platoon leaders, who are back with the company?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I have a runner with me from each of the three platoons. I would send these runners back to their respective platoons to tell the platoon commanders to report to me at ___________” (Lieutenant Ralston would indicate where the platoon commanders are to report.)

_The Director_: “Let us assume that you are Captain C. Just what would you say to the runners?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would call the platoon runners to me and say:

“‘Do you see that ___________?’ (Designating a tree or other well defined object.) ‘Each platoon runner will deliver this message to his platoon leader—Platoon leaders will join Captain C at once at ___________ (Place). Repeat the message.’”

_The Director_: “All right. Now let us assume that the platoon runners have started back to their platoons, what would you do now?”

_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would go over to the right to make a personal reconnaissance of the enemy strong point, select my line of departure for the attack and get the ‘line-up’ of the supporting weapons.”

_The Director_: “That would seem to be the reasonable thing to do.”

The Class is now conducted over to the right, to a point about the center of the line of departure for the attack.

_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, let us assume that you have come to this point. You have with you the commanders of the machine gun company, Captain D, and the Howitzer platoon, Lieutenant Z. You decide that the line of departure for your attack shall be along here (indicating). What instructions would you give to Captain D and Lieutenant Z?”

_Captain Harvey_: “I would indicate to them where I want the machine guns, light mortars, and one-pounders to be located to support the attack.”

_The Director_: “You would tell exactly where to place the weapons, would you?”

_Captain Harvey_: “Yes, sir.”

_The Director_: “Captain Hodges, do you agree with that solution to the problem?”

_Captain Hodges_: “No, sir, I do not. It seems to me that it would be better for Captain C to indicate to Captain D and Lieutenant Z the dispositions that he proposes to make—where the line of departure is to be and the direction of the attack. Then to leave it up to those officers to select the firing positions for the weapons. I think Captain C would verify the positions selected, but he would at least give the men who are supposed to be the experts an opportunity to use their knowledge of the subject.”

_The Director_: “I think you are right. I believe in requiring every man to do his job. These officers have been ordered to support the attack. It is up to them to select the position where they can get the best fire effect with their weapons and to get them into position ready to do business.”

“What precautions would you take to indicate the place where the platoon leaders are to assemble, Captain James?”

_Captain James_: “I would send one of my company runners to the assembly point and order him to tell the platoon leaders to wait there for me.”

_The Director_: “I think that is a wise precaution. You do not want to take a chance on anything going wrong and failing to effect an assembly of the platoon leaders.”

“Now, let us consider how the attack is to be made. What would be your tactical dispositions, Captain James?”