Part 20
“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?”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “Well, sir, if I were Corporal Canes and going out with my visiting patrol I would not want any other patrol out working around in my immediate vicinity. There would be too much danger of an accident. I would have to put in about half of my time watching out for the other patrol to keep from shooting them or to keep them from shooting me. I am sure if I knew another patrol from the outguard were out here I could not devote my undivided attention to my reconnaissance of the enemy. I would have Corporal R bring two of his men up to the sentinel post and remain there until I get back or if anything happens to me to come to my assistance. I would have the remaining men of the outguard remain on the alert at their post.”
_The Director_: “I think you are right in all you have said and I feel sure that Captain Hall will agree with you on reconsideration. Is that not so, Captain Hall?”
_Captain Hall_: “Yes, sir.”
_The Director_: “We then decide that Corporal Canes is to make the reconnaissance with the two remaining men of his visiting patrol; that he is going to have Corporal R bring up two men of the outguard to the vicinity of the sentinel post and that the remainder of the outguard is to remain at the alert at its post. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, just how will you put this decision into the form of orders?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would issue my orders as follows:
“‘You have all the information of the enemy and our own troops.
“‘The visiting patrol will conduct a reconnaissance in that direction (indicating).
“‘Manley and Harrison will follow me at the usual distance.
“‘Corporal R, have two men of your outguard come up here. If anything happens to my patrol come to our assistance. Have the remainder of your men remain at the outguard on the alert.’
“When all is ready I will say:
“‘Manley and Harrison, follow me.’
“We will proceed in Indian file towards the suspicious noise reported by the sentinel.”
* * * * *
=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 6=
=Director’s Key=
1. On arrival at Outguard No. 3 distribute Situation No. 6 and explain.
2. Duty of visiting patrol to investigate suspicious occurrences on outpost line.
3. Question of Patrol from outguard.
4. Visiting patrol makes reconnaissance. Two men brought up to sentinel post as a reserve. Outguard to remain in place at the alert.
5. Orders.
* * * * *
Procedure
The class is now conducted to a point about 100 yards to the front of the sentinel post of Outguard No. 3, where Situation No. 7 is distributed and such explanation as may be necessary is made.
The Problem
=Situation No. 7=:
You have arrived at this point. You discover a cavalryman’s horse, fully equipped, tied to that tree. You reconnoiter the vicinity but can find no other signs of the enemy.
_Required_:
What action do you take?
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, how do you size up the situation?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I have come to the conclusion that the enemy prisoner told the truth when he said he was lost. I do not believe there are any other men of the enemy in this immediate vicinity. Had there been other men with the prisoner he surely would not have dismounted and tied his horse to a tree. If there were more in the party one man would have been left out here to hold the horse while the prisoner went forward to reconnoiter on foot. I arrive at the conclusion that this is his horse and that he is a member of the enemy patrol that was operating over on the right of our line. He got lost and was trying to find some of the men of his own patrol when he ran into us. I do not think he realized that he was inside of our lines at the time he was captured.”
_The Director_: “Has any member of the class a different version of the affair than what Lieutenant Williams has just explained?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I do not think we would be justified in assuming that there are no more of the enemy in this vicinity. Two enemy scouts have been captured that we know of. These two men were not scouting around here alone. There must be more of them somewhere. It may be that others have come in contact with our outguards that we have not heard about.”
_The Director_: “Have you heard any firing tonight along our lines?”
_Captain Hastings_: “No, sir.”
_The Director_: “Don’t you think that if there had been very much enemy activity along our lines that there would have been firing somewhere? I think it is fair to assume that. I believe we would be pretty well justified in assuming that the enemy activity is limited to perhaps a patrol from which our prisoner became lost.
“The question now before us is what are we going to do? Lieutenant Wallace, what would you do?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would get this horse back as quickly as possible and then I would extend my reconnaissance farther to the front.”
_The Director_: “Where would you send the horse?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would send him back to the support commander.”
_The Director_: “Where would you send him, Lieutenant Ralston?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I am not so sure I would send him anywhere for the present. If we are to continue our reconnaissance to the front I do not figure that I would spare a man to send the horse back. In any event I would send him no farther than outguard No. 3. And I am not so sure that I would go any farther on the reconnaissance. I do not think a visiting patrol—so few men—should go very far in front of the line of observation at night.”
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, what do you think about all of this?”