  38.—Information from prisoners. One of the chief aims of patrolling is to bring back prisoners from whom information may be gathered. 39.—Its use by General Staff. The General Staff is interested to know the nationality, the division, the age, etc. of prisoners captured in a given sector. 40.—Its use by company commander. But these are of little value to the battalion or company commander. Hence, when possible, they should ask the prisoners questions more pertinent to the organization of the enemy sector opposite: 41.—Questions to ask. How strongly are your various lines held? Where are the C. O. Post and the officers' dugouts? When and by what routes are the reliefs made, how often and on what days and at what time. Ask the same questions for the fatigues. At what time are rations brought or served? What is the actual muster of the company? How many regular army officers, how many reserve officers? What do the men think of their officers? How many advanced posts? How many men in each, by day and by night? Do they have grenades and how are they relieved? How many men are sent out on patrol, how often, at what time, by what route coming and going? How are they dressed and armed? What are their instructions? What does the enemy know about our own patrols? Are snipers placed in trees during the day and at night? If so, what trees are used. What parts of our sectors can they see? Are they planning any raids? Do they anticipate raids by us? What work are they carrying on during the day and at night? Have they any idea of our own activities? What is the nature and the location of their accessory defences? What is the location of their machine guns, trench mortars? Have they any asphyxiating gas or liquid fire apparatus? Have they abundant supplies of hand grenades, etc., etc. |
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