Part 17
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “So that the boundary line between supports will not fall on the road. One man must be made responsible for the covering of this main road, and if I make it the boundary line between supports, even if I include it in the front of one of them, it will be more or less neglected. But if I extend the front of support No. 1 beyond the road to the left, I am reasonably sure that it will be taken care of properly.”
_The Director_: “That is the point I wanted to bring out. I hope that all the members of the class see it. We have now to decide upon the troops to be designated for each of the supports. What would be your decision as to that, Lieutenant Wallace?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would have the first platoon, which now forms the advance party, form support No. 1 which will be posted on this main and cover the front from that —— (indicating right boundary of front) to that —— (indicating left boundary of front). The first section of the second platoon would form support No. 2. It would be posted at —— and cover the front from —— to ——.”
_The Director_: “That seems to be a reasonable disposition. Where would you have your reserve?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would have it posted at ——.”
_The Director_: “There is one point on which we have not yet touched. That is the matter of the covering of the posting of the outguards. What would you do about that, Captain Hastings?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I would let each support cover the posting of its own outguards. I believe they can do it better and more efficiently than any detachment that may be made from the rest of the company for the purpose.”
_The Director_: “Let us now assume that Lieutenant M has arrived and you are all ready to issue your orders. Just how would you go about it, Lieutenant Williams?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I would assemble the officers, platoon sergeants and section leaders in front of the company. I would give the command: 1. Company, 2. ATTENTION, and follow with AT EASE. I would then say: ‘Let me have your attention.’ I would issue my orders as follows:
“‘Small detachments of the enemy have been reported at (_h_) and (_i_) (indicating where the places are). Our 3rd Battalion is halted for the night at (_k_). Our regiment (less 2nd and 3rd Battalions) is halted for the night at (_l_). Our battalion halts for the night at (_m_) (point out location). March conditions have ceased.[11]
“‘This company furnishes the outpost along the (_n_) (point out general line).
“‘Lieutenant M, with the first platoon, will form support No. 1, which, posted on the road at ——, will cover the front from —— (inclusive) to —— (inclusive).
“‘Lieutenant N, with the second platoon (less one section), will form support No. 2, which, posted at ——, will cover the front from —— (exclusive) to —— (inclusive).
“‘The remainder of the company will be posted at —— as reserve.
“‘The rolling kitchen will be with the reserve. Meals will be cooked and distributed to the supports.
“‘Messages to the reserve.’”
Procedure
_The Director_: “You will note that the order given by Lieutenant Williams follows the form of the five paragraph order and covers all essentials. Are there any questions?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “It seems to me that we are imposing on the first platoon. They have been on advance party duty all day, and now we propose to keep them on front-line observation duty all night.”
_The Director_: “If the platoon had had any serious contact with the enemy during the day, it would have been proper to bring it back to the reserve, but they have just been marching along on the road. They have had practically no flank patroling to do and are in just as good shape as the rest of the company. I can see no reason for not detailing them for support duty tonight. The platoon is out in front, near the place where it is to be posted.
“Any other questions? There appear to be none.
“Now I want each member of the class to write out, on his pad, the order of Captain E. Try to get the proper form and wording for each sentence in it and cover the points brought out by Lieutenant Williams in his solution.”
The necessary time is allowed for this. The solutions are collected and redistributed. One or more members of the class may be called upon to read the solution in his possession and comment upon the wording and form of the order.
The Director will then distribute slips of paper containing the order of Captain E as given. This is done in order that each member of the class may compare his work with it and that the situations following and their solution may be based on it.
* * * * *
=Outpost= =Card No. 1=
=Director’s Key=
1. Prepare copies of the problem and Situation No. 1, also the solution to Situation No. 1, a copy for each member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point on the road where the battalion is halted and where it will bivouac for the night.
3. Make short talk on the protection of troops in bivouac and the formation and duties of outposts: (_a_) How a command protects itself at a halt; (_b_) Duties of outposts; (_c_) Subdivision of outposts; (_d_) Formation of outposts (illustrate by reference to outstretched hand), main body, reserve, supports, outguards, sentinels.
4. Distribute sheets bearing problem and Situation No. 1.
5. Read problem aloud and question members of the class on the tactical situation: mission of battalion; why halt; estimation of the situation; elements of field order; compare with battalion commander’s order; why Company E for outpost.
6. Conduct class to point where support of advance guard is supposed to be.
7. Discuss formation of advance guard. Each man now consider himself as being Captain E.
8. Discuss formation of outpost: Primary dispositions; number of supports; why support on main road; boundaries of support front; location of supports; location of reserve; covering posting of outguards.
9. Final solution of problem: Preliminaries; order of Captain E; five paragraph order; why first platoon forms one support.
10. Have members of class write out order. Collect solutions and redistribute them. Distribute copies of Captain E’s order. Read and discuss solutions.
* * * * *
Procedure
The class is now conducted to the point on the road where the advance party is supposed to be halted.
_The Director_: “We are now at the point where the first platoon, which is the advance party of the advance guard, is halted. Lieutenant M has joined his platoon and is ready to proceed with the execution of the task allotted to him.”
The Problem
=Situation No. 2=:
You, Lieutenant M, have joined your platoon here. The platoon has been designated to form support No. 1. The Captain’s order was as follows:
“Lieutenant M, with the first platoon will form support No. 1, which, posted on the road at ——, will cover the front from —— (inclusive) to —— (inclusive).”
_Required_:
Carry out your mission.
Procedure
The Director reads Situation No. 2 aloud and explains that each member of the class should now consider himself to be Lieutenant M, commanding the first platoon, designated to form support No. 1.
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Hunt, how would you go about carrying out your mission?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would first size up the situation and arrive at a decision as to what I am going to do and how I am going to do it.”
_The Director_: “How is security provided for during the time that the outpost is being posted?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “By sending out some troops to cover the posting of the outguards. This is sometimes provided for by the outpost commander detailing a unit for the purpose of covering all the outguards and then withdrawing to the reserve. The alternative is to have each support cover the posting of its own outguards. The latter system has been adopted in this problem, and we will have to provide our own covering troops.”
_The Director_: “What troops would you detail for this duty?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would send out the first section (less the squad on duty as point) under the section commander. I would have the point withdraw to the support as soon as the covering troops have taken over the duty of security.”
_The Director_: “That seems to be a reasonable solution. Into what parts is an outpost support divided, Lieutenant Barry?”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “Into the support proper and the outguards. From the outguards sentinels are posted.”
_The Director_: “What are the duties assigned to each of the component parts of the support?”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “The support proper is the fighting element of the outpost. It is posted on the line where the outpost will make its stand. The outguards with their sentinels from the observation element. They are posted on the line of observation.”
_Captain Hall_: “That may be the usual line up for the support. But is it not a fact that sometimes the outguards are posted on the fighting line?”
_The Director_: “Yes. It may be that the line of observation is also the best fighting line for the supports. In that case we say ‘the line of observation and the line of resistance coincide’—that is, they are the same. When we issue the order for the support we make provision for that by stating: ‘In case of attack the outguards will be supported.’ This means that the outguards will hold their positions and the supports will come up to them in case the enemy attacks.”
_Captain Hall_: “In that case, why not place the support right up on the line of resistance in the first place?”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Baker, can you answer Captain Hall’s question?”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “I believe I can give a reason for it. If we should place the support right up on the line of outguards we would commit it to one position, and in case of attack it would be difficult to move it to meet the enemy’s main effort. If we keep it at a central point to the rear of the line, we can readily move it to any point where it may be most needed.”
_The Director_: “You are right. We do not want to commit our support to action until we find out the direction of the enemy’s attack. The shifting of troops along a front line is a most difficult and hazardous operation. I hope you see the point, Captain Hall.”
_Captain Hall_: “Yes, sir. I do.”[12]
_The Director_: “How many outguards do you think are required on the front assigned to the support, Captain Jones?”
_Captain Jones_: “I should have one on the main road leading toward the enemy; another on the right of the road in the vicinity of —— (indicating); and another to the left of the road in the vicinity of —— (indicating). I think this would be sufficient for observation purposes.”
_The Director_: “Upon what main elements do you base the strength of these outguards?”
_Captain Jones_: “On the number of sentinel posts they must maintain. If a double sentinel post is required, a sentry squad should be allotted to the outguard. If only a single sentinel is required, the outguard should be a cossack post.”
_The Director_: “That is exactly the point I wanted to bring out. We will take it up in detail later on in the problem. Let us assume that three outguards will be required to cover the front. No. 1, on the right of the road, is to be a sentry squad; No. 2, posted on the road, is also to be a sentry squad; and No. 3, posted on the left of the road, is to be a cossack post. How many men in a cossack post, Captain Hodges?”
_Captain Hodges_: “A non-commissioned officer and three men. This number furnishes a commander for the post and three reliefs for a single sentinel post.”
_The Director_: “That is correct. Are there any questions on the points that we have been discussing?”[13]
Solution
_The Director_: “We are now ready to issue Lieutenant M’s order for the establishment of support No. 1. Captain Hodges, please tell us the first and second paragraphs of the order.”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would tell the men about where the enemy is and all I know about our own troops and then tell them what we are going to do.”
_The Director_: “All right. Now, assume that you are Lieutenant M, and the rest of us here are the members of your platoon. Put all you have said in the form of an order to us.”
_Captain Hodges_: “You want me to do everything I would do if I were Lieutenant M?”
_The Director_: “Exactly.”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION, and order CLOSE UP. I assume that the men are in columns of files, one on each side of the road. I then give the command AT EASE, and caution the men, ‘Let me have your attention.’ I direct, ‘Noncommissioned officers assemble here.’ I then give the order for the establishment of the support as follows:
“‘Small detachments of the enemy have been reported at (_h_) and (_i_). Our 3rd Battalion is halted for the night at (_k_). Our regiment (less the 2nd and 3rd Battalions) is halted for the night at (_l_). Our Battalion halts for the night at (_m_). Our company furnishes the outpost with the second platoon (less one section) as support No. 2 at —— and the remainder of the company as reserve at —— March conditions have ceased.
“‘This platoon forms support No. 1.’”
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, what does the third paragraph of the order deal with?”
_Captain Harvey_: “With the disposition of troops.”
_The Director_: “Will you state what you think should go into it?”
_Captain Harvey_: “Yes, sir. I think it should be as follows:
“‘Sergeant X, with the first section (less one squad), will cover the posting of the outguards, and on completion of that duty withdraw to the support.
“‘Corporal W, with the fourth squad, will form outguard No. 1, which, posted in the vicinity of ——, will cover the front from —— (inclusive) to —— (inclusive).
“‘Corporal V, with the fifth squad, will form outguard No. 2, which, posted on the main road at —— will cover the front from —— (exclusive) to —— (exclusive).
“‘Corporal T, with the front rank of the sixth squad, will form outguard No. 3, which, posted at ——, will cover the front from —— (inclusive) to —— (inclusive). Communication with outguard No. 1 of support No. 2 will be maintained.
“‘The remainder of the platoon will be posted at —— as support.
“‘In case of attack the outguards will be supported.’”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, what elements does the rest of the order contain?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “The next paragraph contains the administrative arrangements. In the platoon the main thing is the messing of the men. They will all want to know about the arrangements for meals. I would say:
“‘Meals will be distributed to the outguards by details from the support.’
“The next item is the designation of the place where to send messages.
“Message to the support.”
“I would then direct: MOVE OUT.”
Procedure
_The Director_: “I believe we have gone over and discussed the salient features of the problem. Now, I desire each member of the class to write out Lieutenant M’s order on his pad. Try to get it in the proper form and use as far as possible the wording as stated by Captain Hodges, Captain Harvey and Lieutenant Ralston.”
When the written orders have been completed they are disposed of in the same manner as indicated under Situation No. 1.
* * * * *
=Outpost= =Card No. 2=
=Director’s Key=
1. Conduct class to point on road where advance party is halted.
2. Hand out Situation No. 2. Read and explain that each member of the class is now supposed to be Lieutenant M.
3. Security while outpost troops are getting into position.
4. Main elements of support line—observation, resistance. When they coincide. Location of support.
5. Number of outguards required. Basis of strength of outguards; sentinel posts; sentry squads; cossack posts.
6. Details of Lieutenant M’s order. Information of enemy and own troops. Plan of commander. Disposition of troops: Three outguards, location, strength, front each is to cover, location of support, action in case of attack. Meals. Messages.
7. Have class write order. Collect solutions and redistribute them. Read and discuss solutions.
* * * * *
Explanation
_The Director_: “The next phase of our problem deals with the matter of covering the posting of the outguards. In the posting of the outguards there will unavoidably be more or less moving around and exposure to view of the enemy’s patrols, should any be lurking in the vicinity. The non-commissioned officers will be seeking out the best positions for their outguards, selecting observation posts for their sentinels and making arrangements for defense. The officers will be moving from point to point along the line making inspections, pointing out errors, rectifying the position of the various elements and making a sketch of the sector covered.
“In order that all of this may be accomplished in security, it is necessary to have covering detachments well out to the front to prevent small parties of the enemy interfering with the work in hand or making observations that would enable them to form an estimate of the position occupied by the outposts.
“There are two methods by which the covering force may accomplish its mission:
“1. It may deploy as a line of skirmishers at greatly extended intervals.
“2. It may cover the front with a number of small patrols.
“No hard and fast rule can be laid down that will provide for all contingencies. The first method has the disadvantage of being most difficult for the non-commissioned officers to control the action of the men. The second method possesses the great advantage of having each group directly under the control of a leader, so that in case the enemy’s patrols are encountered and it is necessary to drive them back, there can be concert of action instead of dependence on the decisions of individual men as to what is to be done in the emergency. The method to be employed will depend upon circumstances, the nature of the country, the number of men available for the duty and the proximity of the enemy. It may be advisable to use a combination of the two systems.”
The Problem
=Situation No. 3=:
You, Sergeant X, have been detailed to cover the posting of the outguards. Lieutenant M’s order to you is as follows:
“Sergeant X, with the first section (less one squad), will cover the posting of the outguards and on completion of that duty withdraw to the support.”
The troops have been turned over to you and you have been directed to move out.
_Required_:
Carry out your mission.
Procedure
The Director reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to state his understanding of it.
_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Sergeant X. You have your troops right here on the road and everything is ready to proceed with the work in hand. Just how do you go about carrying out your mission? Lieutenant Wallace, what is the first move you would make?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would want to get my men away from the rest of the platoon so I can give them their instructions without having their attention diverted by other things.”
_The Director_: “All right. Let us assume that you have done so and you have them right here. We are now ready to proceed. Go ahead with your solution.”
Solution
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “In the first place, I would not want the men to be burdened with their packs, so I would have them taken off and piled here.”
_The Director_: “Would you have them take off the entire pack? Tell us just what equipment they would carry.”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “Only the rifle and belt.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, do you agree with that?”
_Captain Hastings_: “No, sir. I would have the men take off only the rolls. I would have them carry the haversack with them. The Infantry pack is designed for this very purpose. We can relieve the men of the burdensome part of the pack and still retain the essentials. I do not believe a man should ever be without his haversack in the field.”
_The Director_: “You are correct. Let us assume that we have taken the rolls off and piled them here. Now, Lieutenant Wallace, what are you going to do?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I am going to give my orders. All the men of the section have heard the platoon commander’s orders about the enemy and our own troops, so there is no necessity for repeating them. The next thing is to tell the men what our mission is to be. I would cover this by the simple statement:
“‘This section (less the first squad) will cover the posting of the outguards.’
“I will now have to decide upon the formation that I am going to take up. The front to be covered is too extensive to be covered by a line of skirmishers, and besides I do not approve of such a formation. It is too difficult to control the operations. I would use the patrol method. Divide the section up into small patrols and keep a small support.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, do you agree with such dispositions?”
_Captain Hastings_: “Yes, sir. I think the patrol formation is best. It has many advantages over the line of skirmishers.”
_The Director_: “How many patrols would you have?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I should have three patrols of a leader and three men each. This would account for the second squad and the front rank of the third squad. I would keep the rear rank of the third squad under my own control as a support.”
_The Director_: “Based on that disposition, what orders would you give?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I would say:
“‘Corporal D, take the front rank of your squad and move out to the right oblique in the direction of that ——.
“‘Private E, you are detailed as acting corporal. Take the rear rank of the second squad and move to the front along this road.
“‘Corporal F, take the front rank of your squad and move out to the left oblique in the direction of that ——.
“‘The rear rank of the third squad will accompany me. I will march 200 yards in rear of Private E’s patrol.
“‘Patrols will advance about 1,200 yards to the front. Keep in communication with me. Remain out until you receive orders to withdraw.
“‘Messages to me.
“‘Take charge of your patrols and move out.’
“I believe these orders would set the covering troops in motion.”
_The Director_: “I agree with you. Are there any questions? I assume that when no questions are asked every member of the class not only understands what is being done, but also the reasons for doing it that particular way. If there is ever any doubt in your mind about any part of the problem or the solution, you should ask questions and demand explanations until the matter is entirely cleared up.”
Procedure
_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to write out Sergeant X’s orders on his pad. The information about the enemy and our own troops that has already been given to the men by the platoon commander need not be repeated. The first paragraph might be.
“‘You have heard what the platoon commander said about the enemy and our own troops. There is no further information.’”
When all the members of the class have completed writing the order the papers are collected and redistributed. One or more members may be called upon to read the order in their possession and comment upon it. The whole idea is to impress the solution of each phase of the problem so firmly in the minds of the members of the class that, in case they should ever be called upon in active service to meet a similar situation, they would know exactly how to go about it.