Part 21
_Captain Harvey_: “I agree with Lieutenant Ralston. Another point that presents itself to me is this: When the support commander gets the prisoner we sent back he will probably send our section leader out with a patrol to reconnoiter the front and the sergeant will want to see me and get what information I have. The natural place for him to come first to find me will be outguard No. 3. I think I should get back there at least by the time the patrol from the support reaches there. I estimate that I could stay around here for a few minutes yet, but I would have to be getting back pretty soon.”
_The Director_: “What would be your decision based on your sizing up of the situation?”
_Captain Harvey_: “To send the horse back to outguard No. 3 right away.
“Manley and myself would stay out here in concealment for, say five minutes longer, and then go back to the outguard by way of the sentinel post.”
_The Director_: “Any member of the class that does not agree with that decision? (After waiting a moment.) There seems to be none, so we will agree to that solution of the problem.”
* * * * *
=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 7=
=Director’s Key=
1. Conduct class to a point 100 yards in front of sentinel post of Outguard No. 3. Distribute Situation No. 7.
2. Size up situation. Estimate of connection of enemy prisoner with the cavalry horse.
3. Disposition of horse.
4. Future action of patrol commander.
5. Decision; send horse to Outguard No. 3; Go to Outguard No. 3 to meet commander of patrol sent out from support.
* * * * *
Procedure
The class is now conducted to outguard No. 3, at which place Situation No. 8 is distributed and explained.
The Problem
=Situation No. 8=:
You have arrived at outguard No. 3. On your way back the outguard commander who was at the sentinel post joined you. He left the two additional men at the sentinel post. You explained to him what happened on your reconnaissance to the front.
At this moment Sergeant Hamilton, the section leader in command of a patrol of one squad from the support, arrives, and states that he has been ordered to make a reconnaissance to the front of our line of observation. Patrols are going out from the other supports to reconnoiter their fronts. Sergeant Hamilton says:
“Corporal Canes, give me all the information you have.”
_Required_:
State the information you, Corporal Canes, would give to Sergeant Hamilton.
Procedure
_The Director_: “Now, I assume that each of you have followed the details of the problem. You know just what has taken place. Now, I want each of you to write out on your pads just what you would say to Sergeant Hamilton in reply to his instructions,
“Give me all the information you have.”
“I want you to write down the exact words that you would use if you were Corporal Canes.”
When all the members of the class have completed their solutions they will be collected and again distributed, making sure that no man receives his own solution back again.
The Director calls upon one or more members of the class to read the solution in his possession and it is discussed.
At the conclusion of this the Director will submit the following solution for discussion (copies of this will be distributed to the class):
Solution
“When my patrol arrived about midway between outguard No. 2 and outguard No. 3 we captured a soldier of the enemy. I asked several questions. He refused to answer, except that he said he was lost. I sent him back to the support and came on over to outguard No. 3. On arriving there the sentinel told me that he had heard a suspicious noise out in front of his post. I took two men and went out about 100 yards where I found a cavalry horse, fully equipped. Sent him back to the outguard here. Made examination to see if I could find any evidence of other horses or men. Found none. Stayed a few minutes out there. Heard nothing.”
Procedure
The Director reads the solution aloud. The members of the class follow from the copy in their possession.
_The Director_: “This is merely one solution of the problem. There may be others equally good. This situation was devised to give you practice in imparting information that you may have. On occasions like this time may be limited and the information will have to be given hurriedly and without waste of words. The idea is that you should state the circumstances of the incidents in the fewest words possible and at the same time make clear just what has happened. You will find practice of this kind very valuable and will pay you large dividends on actual service.”
Explanation
_The Director_: “This is the conclusion of our Terrain Exercise on the subject of the visiting patrol. I feel sure that if any one of you ever have occasion to order out visiting patrols that you will have a better idea of how they go about their tasks than you previously had. I am sure that you know what a visiting patrol is and what it is supposed to do.
“I am sure you will appreciate how necessary it is for your non-commissioned officers to be trained in this work so they may know how to meet the situations and solve the problems that may confront them.
“In outlining the future action of Corporal Canes’ patrol I may say that Sergeant Hamilton now assumes responsibility for the further reconnaissance to the front of the line of observation. Corporal Canes will send Harrison back to the support commander with the horse with a verbal message. Cline has again joined him at outguard No. 3. The three men, Corporal Canes, Manley and Cline continue the operations of the visiting patrol, going on over to outguard No. 1 of support No. 3 and then back to their own support. On arrival there Corporal Canes finds that it is about time for him to start out on the rounds with his 2 o’clock patrol. This has been his busy night.”
* * * * *
=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 8=
=Director’s Key=
1. Conduct class to position of outguard No. 3. Distribute Situation No. 8 and explain.
2. Have members of class write out solutions on pad. Collect and distribute. Read and comment.
3. Distribute solution for discussion. Read it aloud.
4. Explain that this is merely a solution.
5. Situation designed to give practice in stating information.
6. Conclusion of Terrain Exercise. Knowledge of work of visiting patrol. Necessity for training of non-commissioned officers.
7. Future action of visiting patrol. Send back horse. Continue patrol to outguard No. 1 of support No. 3; thence to support. Time to go out with 2 o’clock patrol.
* * * * *
_Terrain Exercise No. 9._ A Reconnoitering Patrol
The Problem
=General Situation=:
A Blue battalion has bivouacked at (_a_). An outpost with support along (_b_) has been established. Support number (_c_) under the command of Lieutenant A is at (_d_). It is now 2 o’clock p. m. The posting of the outguards has been completed. The support commander has made his inspection and sent in his report to the outpost commander. The covering troops have been withdrawn to the support. There has been no contact with the enemy.
=Situation No. 1=:
At 2:05 o’clock p. m., a Mr. ——, who lives at (_e_) comes to you, Lieutenant A, and gives you the following information:
I have just had a telephone conversation with a friend of mine, who lives about (_f_) miles (_g_) of here. He states that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (_h_). The telephone went out before I could get any further information.
_Required_:
What action do you, Lieutenant A, take?
Explanation of Symbols
(_a_) State the location of the bivouac of the main body of the battalion. This should be at a logical point with reference to the location of the outpost line.
(_b_) State the location of the general line of outpost supports.
(_c_) The number of the support commanded by Lieutenant A. This should be given a logical number with reference to the whole line of supports.
(_d_) The location of support (_c_). The point where the Terrain Exercise is to start.
(_e_) State where Mr. —— lives.
(_f_) The number of miles from the support to where Mr. ——’s friend lives. This should be several miles away.
(_g_) The direction stated by points of compass (North, South, East, West).
(_h_) The general location of the enemy. This should be in the direction which it is intended to send the reconnoitering patrol.
Procedure
The members of the class are assembled at (_d_), where the outpost support is located.
The Director will distribute copies of the problem to members of the class. A few minutes are allowed them to read it. The Director then reads the problem aloud and points out the places mentioned. One or more of the members of the class are called upon to state their understanding of the situation.
_The Director_: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant A, commanding the outguard located at this point. Mr. —— has just given you the information as stated in the situation. What are you going to do about it? Lieutenant Williams, just what would you do?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I would send out a patrol.”
_The Director_: “How do you arrive at this decision so quickly?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “Well, sir, I think that would be the thing to do. I have gotten some important information about the enemy. Details are lacking. I would want to know more about how many troops he has, what kind of troops they are and what he is doing. I can see no better way to get this information than by sending out a patrol to secure it for me.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what do you think about that?”
_Captain Hastings_: “There is always a question in a case like this as to whether a pair of scouts should be employed or whether a patrol is to be sent out. I should size up the situation a few minutes. Examine my map, if I had one, and then decide what measures I would take. Another point that presents itself to me is the question as to whether I should send out the men from this support or whether it would be better to send the information back to the outpost commander and let him decide what is to be done.”
_The Director_: “Patrolling is usually conducted from the supports. I think you would be justified in taking the initiative in this case. At all events, let us assume that you would.”
_Captain Hastings_: “Can the Director give us some information on the question of the employment of scouts or patrols.”
_The Director_: “There are no hard and fast rules that may be invoked in arriving at such a decision, but there are certain principles that may be applied, and when reconnaissance enterprises are to be undertaken the condition should be examined closely. The scout or pair of scouts would, as a rule, be preferred when concealment is highly essential, and usually when concealment, though not essential, is possible throughout the reconnaissance, or when the enemy habitually conducts his reconnaissance with strong patrols and scouts have a better chance of eluding him.
“In the following cases a patrol should be employed: When information has to be sent in at intervals; when it is desired to capture prisoners; when concealment is deemed impossible; when the reconnaissance is to be extended over such a period of time that relief of scouts will be necessary; when an urgent mission has been assigned and it is necessary to push through the enemy’s covering troops.
“In some cases it may be advisable to employ a patrol for the first part of the reconnaissance and at a certain point break up into scouting parties of a single scout or pair of scouts.
“If possible, the individual preferences of the most efficient scouts should be considered. Some men lose self-confidence if attached to a patrol and are limited in their actions by the direction of the patrol leader; others dislike the responsibility of uncontrolled action.
“These are only general rules and cannot be followed blindly. The circumstances of each occasion must be taken into consideration in arriving at a decision.
“Now, considering the points I have stated, would you employ scouts or a patrol in the case under consideration, Captain Hastings?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I think a small patrol would be more suitable. There will probably be messages to send back and the patrol may have to remain out for a considerable length of time. I believe a patrol would be more suitable than individual scouts.”
_The Director_: “Let us then decide that we are to send out a reconnoitering patrol to secure the information we desire.
“Before going further with the problem, I want to say a few words about the patrol.”
Explanation
_The Director_: “The first duty of a patrol is to get information, and information is greatly increased in value if the enemy does not know that it has been obtained. The patrol is required, primarily, to discover whether or not the enemy is in a certain locality. This information is only useful to the officer who sent the patrol out. It is, therefore, the next duty of the patrol to get the information back as soon as possible, especially when the enemy is met.
“Next of importance in the duties of the patrol is to continue to observe the enemy when once discovered, to follow him up and ascertain the direction taken if he retires, or to fall back if he advances in strength, endeavoring to keep even with him on a flank. The enemy is certain to send out scouts to his front, but may neglect his flanks.
“Boldness must be tempered with caution. It is useless to obtain information if you cannot get it back where it will do some good. A little information sent in in time to be of use is clear gain to your side. A patrol that finds out all about the enemy and ends up by falling into the hands of the enemy is a dead loss not only in men but in time as other patrols will have to be sent out to get the same information on which important decisions may depend.”
Procedure
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Wallace, one of the first questions that will present itself to the support commander is the selection of a patrol leader. What factors would you consider in this matter?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “In the first place I would want a non-commissioned officer for patrol leader; further, I would want to send out the best qualified one in the platoon. To meet this requirement I would select the platoon sergeant to lead this patrol. The importance of the mission is such as to warrant sending him.”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, do you agree with this solution?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “No, sir. I realize the importance of the mission of the patrol. I know we should have a qualified man to lead it, but I should hesitate to send my platoon sergeant out.”
_The Director_: “I think you are right and when Lieutenant Wallace reflects on the matter I think he will agree with you. The platoon sergeant has a multitude of duties to perform in connection with the interior administration of the platoon. In his administrative capacity he is to the platoon what the first sergeant is to the company. In addition, he has his tactical duties to perform. He is the second in command, and should anything happen to the platoon leader he automatically assumes charge. There is no other man in the platoon who is so familiar with all the details of the dispositions of the support and the orders under which it is operating. I do not believe it would be good policy to send the platoon sergeant out on a reconnoitering mission which may well extend into the night.
“Now, having rejected the idea of sending the platoon sergeant, what man would you send in charge of the patrol, Captain Harvey?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I would send a section leader. The one whose section is on the line of outguards. He seems to me to be the most available man for the duty.”
_The Director_: “I agree with you. Ordinarily in an outpost support of this kind we take the outguards from one of the sections of the platoon and hold the other section to form the main body of the support. This leaves the commander of the outguard section surplus in a way, and makes him available for important patrol duty, such as that we have under consideration.
“The next question that comes up is the strength of the patrol. This is a reconnoitering patrol. Its mission is to gain information of the enemy. It need not be made strong to give it fighting power, for it will not engage the enemy in combat except as the last resort. It must not have any more men than are absolutely necessary to carry out its mission, for every additional man is a drag on the patrol leader and subject the patrol to just that much more danger of detection by the enemy. There will be messages to be sent back, at least one and possibly two or three. The patrol must be sufficiently strong to provide these messengers without reducing it below two men.
“Having all of these points in mind, what would be the strength of the patrol, Captain Harvey?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I should say there would be at least two messages to be sent back, and it may be necessary to send one of them by two messengers. I would not want the patrol leader to be left out alone. These factors would indicate a strength of 5 men. The patrol leader and 4 men.”
_The Director_: “Has any member of the class a different idea than this?”
_Captain Hodges_: “In my own mind I had tentatively decided to send a complete squad. It seems to me that we should send enough men so that if they have to fight their way through to get the information desired they could do it. Four men would not be sufficient for the purpose. I should like some enlightenment on this phase of the subject.”
_The Director_: “Captain James, can you answer Captain Hodges?”
_Captain James_: “In the first place, a reconnoitering patrol does not fight except as a last resort to escape capture or to give warning of the approach of the enemy and to delay him by firing on him. In the next place, I do not see how this patrol will ever get close enough to the enemy to get any really important information if it starts to fight its way through the Red covering troops. Once a shot is fired the Red commander will send out sufficient patrols to keep your patrol at a distance, and it will get no information whatever. My idea is that any information this patrol gets will be by avoiding the Red covering troops and not by fighting.”
_The Director_: “I think you are correct. The smaller the patrol, within limitations, the better. I think a leader and four men is about right. Lieutenant Baker, tell us what you would include in your order to the patrol leader.”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “I would first tell the patrol leader all the information I have about the enemy and our troops. I would give him general direction as to where I want the patrol to go. I would tell him what information I want regarding the enemy. Tell him in general terms where to return and where to send messages.”
_The Director_: “The final question that comes up is that of the equipment of the men. How would you have them equipped, Captain Hall?”
_Captain Hall_: “I would want them to go lightly equipped. They should have a ration in their haversack; not over 40 rounds of ammunition and their rifle. I would have them leave the bayonets with their packs. They will not need them.”
Explanation
_The Director_: “You see the process we have gone through to determine that we are going to send out a patrol of five men from the support. You see how many things you have to consider in arriving at a decision as to what you are going to do. This is what we call making an ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ It is merely a process of sizing up the situation and deciding on what you are going to do to meet it. An officer who fails to do this will in the end make a failure of the soldier game. The one who does it habitually has far greater chances for the operations he is conducting to turn out a success. Just a few minutes’ systematic thought will save you a lot of military blunders.
“Based on this estimate of the situation we arrive at a decision to send out a patrol of five men to secure information of the enemy. Lieutenant Barry, assume that you are Lieutenant A, commanding the support. Can you give us the orders necessary to put the decision into operation?”
Solution
_Lieutenant Barry_: “I will try, sir. I will order:
“‘Sergeant C (platoon Sergeant) turn out a reconnoitering patrol of four privates, with Sergeant B (section leader) as patrol leader. Have the men carry a ration and 40 rounds of ammunition. Leave bayonets here. Have Sergeant B report to me as soon as he is ready to go out.’
“I will frame up my orders to the patrol leader, and as soon as he reports to me I will give them to him:
“‘I have just received information that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (_h_). Here is the point. Here is the road leading in that direction. (Indicating on the map.)[15]
“‘There are no other patrols out from this support. I will notify the other supports that you are going out.
“‘You will take this reconnoitering patrol of four men and proceed toward (_h_) and find out what you can about the enemy. Information as to his strength and composition and what he is doing is particularly desired.
“‘Return when you have accomplished your mission.
“‘Carlin will be second in command.
“‘Here is a map.
“‘Send messages here.’
“I will send a runner to the other support commanders to inform them of the fact that I am sending out a reconnoitering patrol and give them the information we have about the enemy.
“I will send the citizen who gave me the information to the outpost commander accompanied by a runner and a message:
“‘I am sending you a Mr. ——, who lives at ——. He informs me that he just had a telephone conversation with a friend of his who lives —— miles —— of here and who states that a Red force is in the vicinity of (_h_). The telephone went out before he could get any further information. I am sending out a reconnoitering patrol of four men under Sergeant B to find out what they can. I will notify other supports of the action I have taken.’
“I will explain to Mr. —— that the information he has given me is very important and tell him that it will be necessary for him to go back to the outpost commander with the runner.”
Procedure
_The Director_: “That is very good. Are there any questions? Please do not hesitate to ask questions. They are the very life of the Terrain Exercise.”
The Director endeavors to answer any question that may be asked.
Each member of the class is now required to write out the orders of the support commander to Sergeant B, the patrol leader, and the message that he would send back to the outpost commander by the runner who conducts Mr. —— to him.
The orders and messages are collected and distributed again. One or more members of the class are required to read those in his possession.
* * * * *
=Reconnoitering Patrol= =Card No. 1=
=Director’s Key=
1. Prepare copies of the problem and situation, one for each member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point where the problem is to be started.
3. Distribute copies of problem. Read problem and have members of class explain tactical situation.
4. Work out solution in detail. Scouts or a patrol. Patrol, messages, capture prisoners, concealment, combat.
5. Duties of patrol. Combat with enemy. Continue observation. Get information back.
6. Selection of patrol leader. Platoon sergeant. Section leader. Explain duties of platoon sergeant. Availability of section leader.
7. Strength of patrol.