Part 11
4. Have members of the class discuss: Combined sights. Safety angles for direct overhead fire. Rates of fire. The platoon ammunition point. Construction of emplacements and cover trenches. Communications.
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Procedure
The Director passes out the papers containing Special Situation No. 4, reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to give their understanding of it.
The Problem
=Situation No. 4=:
A few minutes after fire was opened by the machine guns, the enemy gave way, and Company —— advanced and disappeared over the ridge at (_t_) formerly held by the enemy. The left assault company (Company ——) has continued to make progress and is slightly in advance of the right assault company.
_Required_:
Orders as actually issued by Captain M, commanding the machine gun company.
Explanation
_The Director_: “The situation is one in which it would be possible for the battalion commander to give orders to the machine gun company, but would be necessary only in case that the company commander was incompetent. The captain of a company must not expect to receive orders from the major at every new phase of the situation. The major is probably eager to get forward to (_t_) to see for himself what the situation is and has no time to tell Captain M just what he shall do with his company.
“Captain Smith, assuming you are Captain M, what orders would you give to the company?”
_Captain Smith_: “I would send the following verbal message to the platoon commanders:
“‘Advance your platoon by section to the position at (_t_).’”
_The Director_: “If the enemy were still resisting, advancing the platoons by alternate sections would be the normal procedure. However, since the resistance of the enemy has temporarily ceased and he has passed over the ridge where he cannot at present fire on the machine gun company, Captain M has a little more choice in the formation that he will employ in advancing the company. It is perfectly practicable to advance by platoon, and there is some advantage in so doing as it will leave the platoon commanders in direct touch with their whole platoons. The left assault company is slightly in advance of the right, so it would be better to send the left platoon forward to the position at (_t_) and have the right platoon go forward just as soon as the left platoon has reached (_t_).
“Captain Jones, what do you think of immediately sending the whole company forward?”
_Captain Jones_: “It would not be safe. It is too early to know whether the enemy will counter-attack. If he should counter-attack and drive the infantry out of the position at (_t_), part of the machine guns should be in position to support the infantry. As soon as it appears that the attack of the infantry has succeeded, part of the guns must be sent forward to give the infantry closer support, but some guns must be retained in position until danger of a counter-attack has passed.”
_The Director_: “Captain Burt, would you give the platoon leaders any additional instructions?”
_Captain Burt_: “Yes, sir; I would instruct them to replenish their ammunition before sending their ammunition carts forward. They probably would do this any way, but I would play safe and order it. There has not been a long period of firing so that one cart from each section probably would be all that it would be necessary to send to the rear. This would leave plenty of ammunition with the guns and get additional ammunition forward much sooner than if the ammunition carts were permitted to advance without refilling.”
_The Director_: “Captain Howe, would you give any further instructions to the platoon leaders?”
_Captain Howe_: “Yes, sir; I would direct them to move forward with the guns on carts. The carts have been placed at the disposal of the platoon leaders so they should employ them without instructions, as there is no danger in so doing. However, the captain usually determines when the guns shall be moved forward by hand, so I think it is safer to caution them to use their carts. There is a great tendency to continue advancing the guns by hand for the rest of the fight when it has once become necessary to dismount them from the carts.”
_The Director_: “Captain Smith, give the complete messages that should be sent to the platoon leaders to carry out the decisions we have made.”
_Captain Smith_: “Captain M would send the following verbal messages:
“To the commander of the 2nd platoon:
“‘Move forward at once with guns on carts to the position from which the enemy has just been driven. Replenish ammunition.’
“To commander of 1st platoon:
“‘Replenish your ammunition. Remain in position until 2nd platoon reaches position from which enemy has just been driven and then move forward with guns on carts.’”
_The Director_: “We have covered the different situations that are likely to occur in an attack with the exception of the opening phases of a prepared attack and the consolidation. The former is most frequently an indirect fire problem and should be treated as a separate exercise. The latter can be handled best as the first phase of a battalion on the defensive.”
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=Machine Gun Co.= =Card No. 4=
=Director’s Key=
1. Pass out Situation No. 4. Have members of the class explain their understanding of it.
2. Explain the responsibility of the captain for acting on his own initiative in the absence of orders from the major.
3. Have a member of the class give the orders issued by Captain M.
4. Have members of the class discuss: Different methods of advancing the company. Necessity for retaining some guns in position to meet counter-attack. Replenishment of ammunition. Use of carts.
5. Concluding statement by the Director.
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_Terrain Exercise No. 5._ An Advance Guard
The Problem
=General Situation=:
The (_a_) forms the boundary between hostile states. A Blue brigade is marching towards (_b_). Small Red forces are reported in the direction of (_c_).
=Special Situation—Blue=:
A (_d_) flank guard, consisting of the (_e_) battalion (_f_) infantry, halts for the night at (_g_).
At (_h_) (date) Company A, which has been designated to form the advance guard, is assembled at (_i_).
Based on the orders of the battalion commander, Captain A, commanding, issues the following verbal orders to his assembled officers and non-commissioned officers:
“Small Red forces are reported in the direction of (_c_). Our brigade marches towards (_b_) today by the (_j_)—(_k_)—(_l_) road. Our battalion continues its mission as a (_d_) flank guard. Our main body follows the advance guard at a distance of about 500 yards.
“This company forms the advance guard.
“Lieutenant W, with the first platoon, will form the advance party. March at (_m_) o’clock by the (_n_)—(_o_) road.
“The rest of the company will form the support and follow the advance party at a distance of about 400 yards.
“Corporal White (signalman) watch for signals from the main body.
“The rolling kitchen will join the battalion train.
“I will march with the support.”
(Note.—Company A is organized in accordance with Table of Organization 28-W. See Appendix 1.)
Explanation of Symbols
(_a_) In designating the boundary line, some natural topographical or geographical feature should be selected, such as a river, creek, canal, crest of ridges, etc. In this problem the boundary may be a number of miles from the point where the problem starts and in the direction in which the march is to be made.
(_b_) A point a march away in the direction of the enemy.
(_c_) The locality where the enemy is reported to be. This should be beyond the border in enemy territory.
(_d_) Indicate whether the battalion is a right or left flank guard. For example: The Blue brigade is marching north on a certain road. The battalion is marching north on a road to the west of that on which the brigade is marching—the battalion would be a left flank guard.
(_e_) Designate as one of the battalions of the regiment to which the officers participating belong or are attached.
(_f_) See next above. Example “A left flank guard, consisting of the 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry.”
(_g_) A point in the vicinity of where the terrain exercise is to start.
(_h_) Indicate the hour. Make it about 20 minutes before the time designated for the advance guard to start the march.
(_j_) The point where the terrain exercise is to begin.
(_j_)—(_k_)—(_l_) A road is designated in field orders by naming two or more places located on it. Example: “The FOUR POINT—EMMITSBURG—FAIRPLAY road.” In this case indicate in definite terms the road that the main body of the brigade is to march on.
(_m_) Designate the hour of marching of the advance guard.
(_n_)—(_o_) See remarks pertaining to the symbol (_j_)—(_k_)—(_l_).
The Problem
=Situation No. 1=:
You, Lieutenant W, commanding the first platoon, have been detailed to form the advance party. It is now (_h_). Your platoon is formed here.
_Required_:
The action that you, Lieutenant W, take, and the orders you issue to your platoon.
Procedure
The members of the class are assembled at (_g_) on the (_n—o_) road (see explanation of symbols), where it is intended that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.
_The Director_: “Before taking up the problem for solution, I want to make a few remarks on the formation of a column of troops on the march and to review briefly the formation and duties of an advance guard.”
Explanation
_The Director_: “A column of troops on the march consists of a main body and such covering detachments as may be necessary. These covering detachments are denominated advance guards, rear guards and flank guards. They are thrown out for the purpose of gaining information of the enemy, to protect the main body from surprise, and to hold off the enemy a sufficient length of time for the main body to prepare for action.
“The covering detachment that goes ahead of and protects the march of a marching column is called an ‘advance guard.’ It consists of a series of detachments or groups increasing progressively in strength from head to rear, each being charged with the protection of the group immediately following it from surprise and thus gaining time for the latter to get ready to fight.
“_Formation._—The advance guard is normally divided into a support and a reserve. From the support, an advance party is sent to the front a few hundred yards, and from this advance party a small patrol, technically called a ‘point,’ is sent out. From time to time as the occasion demands, patrols are sent out to the right and left. These are called ‘flankers.’
“When the advance guard consists of a small force the reserve is omitted and we have only a support, from which an advance party is sent out.
“In the problem we have an advance guard composed of one rifle company of infantry. What is the proper formation?
“The advance party will consist of one platoon, from which a ‘point’ of one squad will be sent out to the front, a distance of about 200 yards. The remainder of the company will constitute the support and follow the advance party at a distance of about 400 yards.
“We do away with a reserve. It would divide the company into too many component parts and make control just that much more difficult.
“That is what may be termed the usual formation. Conditions may be such that it would be desirable to make the advance party stronger; as where the enemy habitually opposes us with relatively small detachments and we want to run over them and drive them off without bringing the support into action.
“In any case you must have a knowledge of the functions of an advance guard. You must know the mission and be able to size up the situation of the particular case. You must then use your plain commonsense in meeting the situations as they develop.
“_Duties._—Now let us see what the duties of the advance guard are:
“1. To prevent the main body of our troops from being fired into while they are in a formation that prevents them from defending themselves. You can imagine what would happen if an effective fire were suddenly poured into the company while it is marching in column of squads on the road.
“2. To gain information of the enemy by sending out detachments to the front and flanks at such points as may be necessary. Here is an important thing to remember. Under the conditions of modern warfare, the haphazard method of sending out flanking patrols has every chance of resulting in disaster. These men never get back in time to be of use to you when you need them. Much of this patrolling and marching of flanking detachments across country is exhausting and wears out your troops. It should be reduced to the minimum.
“3. To push back small parties of the enemy. The progress of the main body must not be arrested by small, comparatively insignificant detachments of the enemy. It is the duty of the advance guard to brush them aside. How many times at maneuvers have you seen a skillfully handled patrol make a whole advance guard deploy? It should have been swept away by the advance party. The idea is, that you simply have to keep pushing to the front until you really encounter something that will stop you.
“4. To check the advance of the enemy in force long enough for the main body to prepare for action. When the enemy is met in sufficient force to warrant the employment of troops of the main body there is a certain process that the commander has to go through before he can get his troops in action. A reconnaissance must be made to determine the strength and disposition of the enemy, for it would be folly to commit a force to action without knowing something of these elements. Then, too, the orders for the deployment have to be issued and the deployment has to be effected. All of this takes a certain amount of time during which period the advance guard holds off the enemy.
“5. To remove obstacles, repair the roads, and favor in every way the uninterrupted progress of the main body.
“These are the duties of the advance guard. These are the things that platoon, section and squad leaders must ever keep in mind when they are on advance guard duty. These are the things that we officers must learn about in time of peace in order that we may do them as a matter of habit in time of actual service.
“_Distances._—The distances between the several elements of the advance guard are fixed by the general rule that ‘the element in front must be at such a distance that the next succeeding element will not be involved in a disaster to the former.’
“The point will be from 150 to 200 yards in advance of the advance party. The latter will be from 300 to 400 yards in front of the support and the main body will follow at a distance of from 400 to 500 yards. It will thus be seen that the head of a battalion with one company as advance guard will be about 1,400 yards away from the enemy. This allows a minimum distance of 400 yards from the leading man of the point to the enemy. If a deployment becomes necessary, it can be made in comparative security. These distances are not fixed. They are flexible. They may be increased or diminished to meet the situation. When the advance guard commander prescribes distances between the several elements it is not to be taken that the exact distance will be maintained at all times. It is merely an indication of the approximate distances desired.
“_Communication._—Communication between the several elements of the advance guard and with the main body is kept up by means of connecting files which march between them. They employ signals and act as runners when necessary.
“Are there any questions?”
Procedure
The Director will endeavor to answer any questions that may be asked by members of the class.
After all questions have been cleared up the Director will hand a copy of the problem to each member of the class. A few minutes are allowed for the class to read over the problem.
_The Director_: “Please give me your attention while we go over the problem.”
The Director reads the problem aloud, each member of the class following from the copy in his possession. The direction of places mentioned are pointed out.
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, give a brief statement of the tactical situation, as you understand it.”
Lieutenant Williams states his understanding of the tactical situation. As he proceeds the Director makes such explanations as may be desirable. One or more additional members of the class may be called upon to state their version of the tactical situation. All of this is for the purpose of fixing the elements of the problem firmly in the minds of the members of the class and prevent any subsequent misunderstanding of them.
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, you note that the problem states that our battalion is a right (left) flank guard. Just what do you understand by that?”
_Captain Hastings_: “Ordinarily the flanks of a column on the march may be protected by small patrols sent out from the advance guard. There are, however, occasions when patrols will not suffice and it is necessary to send out a stronger detachment, to march along a route essentially parallel to and abreast of the force. A detachment so sent out is called a flank guard. In this case our whole battalion is a flank guard sent out to protect the right (left) flank of our brigade in its march towards (_b_).”
_The Director_: “What do you understand to be the duties of a flank guard?”
_Captain Hastings_: “They are much the same as those of an advance guard, that is, to do everything possible to facilitate the uninterrupted progress of the main body. All other duties are incidental to this and all have this prime object in view.”
_The Director_: “Very good. Are there any questions at this time? Now I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant W, commanding the first platoon of Company A. Your platoon is right over there (pointing), formed up in line, at the right of the company. You, together with the other officers and non-commissioned officers of the company, have assembled here and have received the verbal orders of the captain for the formation of the company as the advance guard of the battalion. You are now ready to return to your platoon. Just how are you going to do the job that has been assigned to you?”
The Director will now conduct the class to the point where the first platoon is supposed to be.
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Wallace, we will assume that you are commanding the platoon. Just how do you go about the task of getting started on the day’s work?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I should first see if all the men are present, and then I would inspect the platoon to make sure that everything is all right.”
_The Director_: “The first part of your problem is simple. All you have to do is to glance down the ranks to determine whether every man is in his proper place. Let us assume that all are present. Now, with regard to the proposition of the inspection. In campaign the platoon commander should inspect his platoon at reveille—check up the appearance of the men and note the condition of the arms and equipment. At this time he should take the steps necessary to remedy deficiencies and make provision for the evacuation of any man that is physically unfit. This should be a matter of routine. Then, when the day’s work is to be started, there is no delay.”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I see the point and realize the necessity for the procedure you have outlined. There is one other point. When should the rifles be loaded?”
_The Director_: “Some advocate that the rifles should be loaded and the safety locks turned to ‘Safe’ just after the inspection in the morning. I do not believe that to be the best procedure. It increases the chances for an accident. I would have the men load their rifles, in this case, just before starting to form the advance party. Let us assume that the platoon has been inspected at reveille and that all the men are in fit physical condition and ready for the work in hand. What is the first move you would make, Lieutenant Ralston?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “Well, sir, I would want to get the platoon a short distance away from the rest of the company. So the first thing I do is to march the platoon about 75 to 100 yards up the road.”
_The Director_: “What is the idea?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “There is always more or less confusion around the company on an occasion of this kind, and I want to get my platoon off by themselves so they can give me their undivided attention while I am issuing my orders and getting them all set for the work in hand.”
_The Director_: “That seems to be a very good reason. Let us assume that you have moved the platoon 100 yards away from the rest of the company. You are formed up in line. What are you going to do now?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would have the men load their rifles.”
_The Director_: “All right; you have done that. Captain Harvey, what is the next step?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I would take a few minutes to dope out the situation and determine what I am going to do.”
_The Director_: “That is time well spent. Now let us go through the process you have just mentioned. What is the first thing you are to determine?”
_Captain Harvey_: “What is the mission of the platoon? It is to form the advance party.”
_The Director_: “What is the next step, Captain Hodges?”
_Captain Hodges_: “To consider the enemy—where he is, what he is doing, and what he is likely to do. In this case the only information we have is that small forces of the enemy are reported in the direction of (_c_). We have no information of his strength or composition or what he is doing. We must be prepared to meet him at any time and govern our action accordingly.”
_The Director_: “What is the next step, Captain Mason?”
_Captain Mason_: “To consider our own supporting forces. We know that our brigade is to march towards (_b_) by the (_j_)—(_k_)—(_l_) road. That our battalion continues its mission as a right (left) flank guard. That our company, less this platoon, is the support, which follows us at a distance of about 400 yards.”
_The Director_: “What is the next step, Captain Jones?”
_Captain Jones_: “We then consider our plans of action—what we are going to do. There is no information on which to base our plans very far ahead. We can only get the advance party into the most favorable formation and be prepared for eventualities. We will have a point, consisting of one squad, precede the advance party at about 200 yards. The rest of the platoon will march in column of twos, a file on each side of the road. From this formation a rapid deployment can be made, and we are always ready to meet the enemy. Measures for local protection will be taken as the march progresses.”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Baker, what is the next step in this process?”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “Based upon what has been said before we arrive at a decision as to what we are going to do. In this case it would be—To march at (_m_) o’clock by the (_n_)—(_o_) road as advance party of the advance guard. We then embody this decision in a field order and issue it verbally to the platoon.”
Explanation