Part 22
8. Order for patrol: Information of enemy and our own troops. Where to go. When to return. Where messages are to be sent.
9. Explain necessity for estimate of situation.
10. Solution. Orders to platoon sergeant. Order for patrol leader. Runner to adjoining supports. Send citizen to outpost commander.
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Procedure
_The Director_: “Each member of the class will now consider himself to be Sergeant B. who has been designated as the patrol leader. Lieutenant Hunt, what equipment would you carry?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would not want to be encumbered with a rifle, so I would not carry one. I would want a pair of field glasses, a compass, a watch, a wire cutter, pencils and a book of field message blanks. If one were available I would want a map of the country over which the patrol is to operate. Each member of the patrol should be provided with a compass and a wire cutter. At least one man should carry a combination flag kit for wigwag and semaphore signaling——”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I have understood that visual signaling is about to be discarded in the service. Can the Director give us some information on that point?”
_The Director_: “There is a tendency to throw it into the discard, but I am not so sure that it is right. There are times when visual signaling has its place and will save a lot of time and trouble. The codes are easily learned and any intelligent man can master the process within a comparatively short time. I think there should be a few men in every rifle platoon who are good signalers. Going back to the equipment of the patrol, I think Lieutenant Hunt has enumerated the essential items of equipment.
“Lieutenant Williams, suppose you were out on patrol duty and captured one of the enemy scouts, what is the first thing you would look for on him?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I would look for some marking that would give me an identification—that would give me information as to the outfit to which he belongs.”
_The Director_: “That is right. During the war both sides took exceptional measures to secure identification of units that were opposed to them. Of course, much of this work was done during the period of so-called trench warfare, but the same idea holds good in open warfare. Identification of the units to which prisoners belong is always sought after by the intelligence service. Now, Lieutenant Williams, what does all of this point to with respect to our own patrol?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “That the members of the patrol should carry nothing with them that will serve to give the enemy an identification, should one of them be captured.”
_The Director_: “You are right. Should one of our soldiers be captured, the enemy should be able to secure from him only his name and rank. The prisoner should give no other information whatever.
“Before going out with a patrol the patrol leader makes an inspection of his men. What is included in this inspection, Captain Hastings?”
_Captain Hastings_: “If I were making the inspection I would satisfy myself that every man is physically fit for the duty to be performed. I would not want a man who has been on some strenuous duty and is all worn out. I would see that every man is properly armed and equipped, that each man has a ration, 40 pounds of ammunition and a canteen full of water. I would not allow a man to carry his roll. I would see that the equipment is arranged so that it will not rattle or glisten in the sunlight. I would see that no man carried anything that would give the enemy an identification or information that would be of value to him. I will verify my own equipment and make sure that I have everything that I will probably require.”
The Director will now hand out the slips bearing special situation No. 2:
The Problem
=Situation No. 2=:
You, Sergeant B, have been designated to command the reconnoitering patrol, consisting of Privates Anderson, Bailey, Carlin and Davis. Lieutenant A has given you your orders and turned the men over to you.
Your orders are:
“I have just received information that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (_h_). (The point (_h_) and the road leading toward it are pointed out on the map or on the ground.)
“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 towards (_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.
“Send messages here.”
_Required_:
The orders that you give.
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Wallace, we will assume that you are Sergeant B. You have made the inspection of your patrol and corrected all deficiencies. You are ready to give your orders and arrange for the patrol to move out. Just what would you say and what would you do?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would spread my map out on the ground where the men could see it. In the presence of the support commander I would give my orders:
“‘Information has been received that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (_h_). Here is the place on the map (indicating). We are here (indicating). This is the road that we will guide on (indicating). There are no other patrols out from our support.
“‘We are going out as a reconnoitering patrol. We will find out what we can about the enemy. Our special mission is to find out his strength, his composition and what he is doing.
“‘Anderson, you will be advance man; march on the left-hand side of the road.
“‘Bailey, you follow Anderson at a distance of 25 yards, on the right-hand side of the road.
“‘Carlin, you will march with me.
“‘Davis, you are get-away man. Follow me at a distance of 75 yards.
“‘I will indicate the route and assembly places as we go along. Drill regulation signals will be used.
“‘Messages will be brought to the support commander here.’
“I will then inquire: What time has the Lieutenant? I will set my watch to agree and direct:
“‘All men who have watches set them at —— (time).’
“I will then command:
“‘1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION, and follow with 1. With ball cartridges, 2. LOAD.’
“I will then direct:
“‘MOVE OUT.’”
Procedure
_The Director_: “That is very good. I think you have covered all the points that should be included in the patrol commander’s order. I wish each member of the class would compare this order with the kind that is usually mumbled out to members of a patrol by the average patrol leader at maneuvers. It is a fact that most patrols go out, either with orders that they do not understand or with no orders at all. Do not allow this to be done under any circumstances. You can well afford to hold up the departure of the patrol until the patrol commander can dope out his orders and give them properly. And you must insist on this being done. If you do not do so it will never be done properly.
“Now I want each member of the class to write our Sergeant B’s orders to his patrol. Try to get the order in the language that Lieutenant Wallace used in his solution.”
When this is completed the papers are collected and redistributed as indicated in previous exercises. The class is now ready to proceed with the next situation.
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=Reconnoitering Patrol= =Card No. 2=
=Director’s Key=
1. Each member of the class to consider himself as being Sergeant B.
2. Equipment of patrol leader: Field glass, compass, watch, wire cutter, pencil, message blanks. Members:—Compass, wire cutter, flag kit.
3. Visual signaling. Identification.
4. Inspection: Physically fit for duty; arms and equipment; equipment rattle or glisten; verify own equipment.
5. Hand out Special Situation No. 2. Explain.
6. Map. Information of enemy and own troops; mission of patrol; tactical dispositions; signals; second in command; messages; synchronize watches; load rifles; move out.
7. Explain necessity for training in giving these verbal orders.
8. Write out the orders of Sergeant B. Collect and redistribute them.
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Procedure
The class is now conducted to the front to the point where one of the outguards of the support is supposed to be posted.
The slips bearing Situation No. 3 are handed out.
=Situation No. 3=:
At this point is posted Outguard No. ... of Support No. (_c_). The main body of the outguard is (Indicate). The outguard commander is here.
_Required_:
What do you, Sergeant B, do.
Explanation
_The Director_: “The commander of a patrol will see the commander of the outguard at the place where he crosses the line of observation and give him information as to where he is going and what he is going for. In addition to this he secures any information that the outguard commander may have of the country to the front and the enemy.
“This procedure is especially necessary in the present case. Sergeant B’s mission will probably keep him out late, so that it will be after dark when he comes back through the lines. In order to avoid chances of being mistaken for the enemy a recognition signal should be arranged for at this time.”
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, you are Sergeant B, the patrol leader. The outguard commander has come out to meet you. Just what would you do with respect to your patrol and what would you say to the outguard commander?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “In the first place I will signal the patrol to halt. I will then tell the outguard commander where we are going and all about the mission of the patrol. I will arrange a recognition signal with him. I will find out any information about the enemy that he may have.”
_The Director_: “All right. You have told us all about what you will do. Now let us do it. Assume that I am the outguard commander. Now just what will you say to me?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I will say:
“‘Information has been received that there is a Red force in the vicinity of (_h_). (Indicating on the map.) We are going out as a reconnoitering patrol, guiding on the ... road. (Indicating on the map.) We are to determine the enemy’s strength, and composition and what he is doing. I have four other men with me.
“‘We will probably be out until after dark and I want to arrange a recognition signal with you. If agreeable to you it will be the call 3—4 or the same tapped on the rifle stock.
“‘Have you any information about the enemy?’
“After doing all of this I will signal the patrol FORWARD MARCH and proceed on my way.”
_The Director_: “That is very good. I wish you would explain to the class just how you propose to employ the recognition signal.”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “In this case we agreed on the signal 3—4. When any of us approach the sentinel post of the outguard after dark we will use the recognition signal. If there is no danger of enemy patrols lurking in the vicinity the man approaching the post calls out 3—4; the sentinel on post answers the call by calling 3—4 and they both know that everything is all right and it is safe for the scout to proceed. If there is danger of enemy patrols discovering the signal should it be called out, the man coming in would approach the sentinel post cautiously. He would tap 3—4 on the stock of his rifle until it is recognized by the sentinel and the signal returned by the latter tapping 3—4 on the stock of his rifle.” (The method should be illustrated.)
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, why do we go to all this trouble?”
_Captain Harvey_: “A sentinel on post, after he has been harassed by enemy scouts for a while, takes no chances. He generally shoots first and then challenges. The recognition signal is simply an expedient to lessen the chances of accident.”
_The Director_: “Now all of these details may seem to be small affairs to you. But the man who knows them and requires them to be carried out in service is the man who will be successful in military operations. Almost any dub can blunder through, paying the price in the lives of his men. It is the man that knows all of the little details of tactics that will come through successfully with his command without the sacrifice of a man more than is necessary to accomplish his mission. The proposition of measuring accomplishment by the number of casualties is old stuff and will not go with the commander that is up to his job. It is the man who accomplishes his mission with the least number of casualties that is the successful military leader.”
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=Reconnoitering Patrol= =Card No. 3=
=Director’s Key=
1. Conduct class to point where outguard is supposed to be posted. Hand out Situation No. 3.
2. Explain what is done by patrol leader. Tell outguard commander about patrol going out. Arrange for recognition signal. Get information of enemy.
3. Proceed to solution. Require member of class to state exact words used by patrol commander.
4. Explain the method of using the recognition signal.
5. Explain necessity for details. Measure success by number of casualties avoided.
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Procedure
The class is now conducted along the route of the patrol for a distance of some 600 yards, where it is halted.
Explanation
_The Director_: “It is assumed that the patrol has advanced a distance of some two miles from the outpost and has arrived at this vicinity. This assumption is made in order to save time and energy. We can get just as much training out of our Terrain Exercise by coming this 600 yards as we could by walking the entire two miles. The idea is that we get into new terrain for each phase of the problem.”
Procedure
The Director now distributes the papers bearing Situation No. 4 to the members of the class.
The Problem
=Situation No. 4=:
You, Sergeant B, the patrol leader, have arrived at this point. There has been no contact with the enemy.
_Required_:
What is the formation of your patrol at this moment?
Explanation
_The Director_: “Before going into the details of this situation, I desire to say a few words about the conduct of the operations of a patrol. It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rule for the conduct of a patrol. Each situation will have to be worked out by itself. Each solution will vary with the nature of the country over which you are operating and what the enemy does. A few general principles only may be enunciated.
“The patrol leader, as he advances toward his objective, will mentally make note of various intermediate objectives to serve as stepping stones for his further advance. He can never be certain that he will not encounter the enemy, and must be prepared at all times for such an event.
“If the patrol advances in one body, a hostile patrol will allow them to approach and then ambuscade and capture them. Further, all the members of the patrol would not be able to see much more than one man. If the patrol advances in an extended line of skirmishers, capture is rendered much more difficult, but each man will be acting more or less independently, and it will be most difficult for the patrol leader to control the operations.
“A patrol should assume the general formation of a column on the march, _i. e._, there is an advance guard, a main body, flankers, and a rear guard. These several elements may be represented by only one man, but the principle is exactly the same. The advance man is necessary to give warning of the approach of the enemy. The flankers are necessary to watch toward the flanks and prevent the enemy from ambuscading the patrol or working around its rear unobserved and cutting off its line of retreat. The main body is necessary to back up the advance man and protect him. The rear man is the “get-away man,” so that in case the patrol is surprised by the enemy, at least one man will have a good chance to escape and carry the news back to the support commander. You must always remember that a patrol that goes out and does not return, or is not heard from within a reasonable time, is the cause for a great deal of uneasiness and anxiety back at the outpost line.
“Some authorities advocate that the patrol commander march as the advance man of the patrol. This is not believed to be good tactics. He should be centrally located so that he will be able to control the operations of the patrol. The patrol leader has been selected for this particular line of work. The officer who sent him out is depending on him to carry out the mission upon which he has been sent and to get information back. He should not, therefore, needlessly make himself a target for the enemy marksman who may be lying in concealment at the turn of a road or trail. If he is the leading man he will be so busily occupied with the task of observation, that he will have little time available for conducting the operations of the other members of the patrol. Furthermore, if anything happens at the front that needs his attention, he can go there in a very short space of time.
“When a small patrol is advancing along a road which is more or less winding and has brush and trees along the side, it is believed that the Boni point formation will usually meet the requirements. In this formation the leading man walks along one side of the road, close up to the brush. The next man follows him at a distance of about 25 yards on the opposite side of the road. The remaining men follow at varying distances on alternate sides of the road. The rear or get-away man should march at least 75 yards in rear of his next preceding man. Flankers are sent out when necessary and where it is possible to do so.
“You will be surprised to see how admirably this formation will meet the situation under the conditions stated. The next time you are out on a winding road through the woods, step over to one side and observe to the front. Then go to the other side and repeat the operation. You will find that from one side your view will be very much restricted, while from the opposite side it will be much more extended. One trial will convince you of the suitability of this formation.”
Procedure
_The Director_: “Now, having in mind what I have just said, I want each member of the class to determine for himself just where each member of the patrol would be at the moment he, himself, arrived at this point. (The Director indicates the point on the ground where the patrol leader is.) Make a rough sketch of this vicinity to show the solution.
(Note.—The location selected for this situation should be one where there is something that will test the tactical knowledge of the student. To base it otherwise would be of little value.)
“We will allow a few minutes for the solution of this part of the problem, during which time you should look over the ground and decide upon the disposition of your patrol, just where each man will be at this particular moment.”
When the members of the class have completed this solution they will be collected and discussed.
(Note.—The discussion will depend upon the solution. The points included in the Director’s explanation should be brought out and fully discussed.)
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=Reconnoitering Patrol= =Card No. 4=
=Director’s Key=
1. Conduct class along route of patrol to a distance of 600 yards.
2. Explain distance assumption.
3. Hand out Situation No. 4 and explain.
4. Operation of patrol; no hard and fast rules; objectives; advancing in one body; skirmishers; column on march; patrol leader; Boni point system.
5. Solution: Make sketch showing disposition of patrol.
6. Discussion of solution.
* * * * *
Procedure
The members of the class are now conducted along the line of march of the patrol to a point where the road may be observed for a distance of some several hundred yards.
The Director distributes the papers containing the following situation:
The Problem
=Situation No. 5=:
The patrol has arrived at this point. You, Sergeant B, are here. The leading man halts, crouches down, points down the road, and holds his rifle horizontally above his head.
_Required_:
What action do you, Sergeant B, take?
Solution
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Ralston, just what would you do under the circumstances?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would interpret the actions of the leading man to indicate that he has observed the enemy and that they are in small numbers. I would signal the patrol to halt and then signal ‘DOWN,’ which would indicate to the men that they are to take cover. I would then join the leading man to see for myself what is happening out in front.”
_The Director_: “I think we may all agree that your solution up to this point is correct. Now, let us assume that the leading man is at —— (indicate exact location) and you are here. I want you to show the class exactly how you would join him.
(Note.—Lieutenant Ralston gives the practical demonstration and the class moves up to where the leading man is supposed to be.)
“Is there any member of the class that would do it differently?”
(Note.—If any member has any criticism of the solution, have him go back to the starting point and demonstrate how he would do it.)
Solution
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, let us assume that you are Sergeant B. You have joined your leading man here and he points out to you what he has seen. You observe six enemy infantrymen marching down the road in a formation similar to the one your patrol is now in. The leading man is at ——. (The Director points out the exact location of the enemy’s leading man, which should be at least 500 yards distant.) Apparently they have not observed you. What is your reaction to this situation?”
_Captain Harvey_: “At this moment I would have no means of telling whether these men are an enemy patrol or the point of an advance guard. The formation would be about the same. Can the Director give us definite information on that point?”
_The Director_: “All right. Let us assume for the moment that it is an enemy patrol. What would you do?”
_Captain Harvey_: “Under those circumstances, I would have my patrol take cover and let the enemy patrol go on by.”
_The Director_: “That would be the logical thing to do. Now, let us assume that the enemy are the point of an advance guard. What would you do?”
_Captain Harvey_: “In that event I would open fire on them immediately.”
_The Director_: “What would be your object in doing that?”
_Captain Harvey_: “By opening fire I give warning to our outpost that the enemy is advancing and I delay him because he will have to stop and make more or less reconnaissance before proceeding.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hodges, do you agree with that solution?”
_Captain Hodges_: “No, sir. This is a reconnoitering patrol. Its mission is to get information of the enemy’s strength and composition. If we fire on the point of this advance guard, all hope of getting any information of what is behind it is gone. It will not take the advance party commander very long to discover that we are only a patrol and he will simply run over us. Sufficient patrols will be sent out to the flanks to keep us away and we will get no information of any value to our own commander. I most certainly would not fire on the enemy at this time.”
_The Director_: “What action would you take?”