The Problem

General Situation:

The (a) forms the boundary between hostile states. A Blue force is concentrating at (b). Red troops have been reported in the direction of (c).

Special Situation—Blue:

A Blue detachment consisting of one regiment of Infantry has been sent out toward the border as a covering force. It is disposed as follows:

The regiment (less 2nd and 3rd Battalions) on the (d) road; 2nd Battalion on the (e) road; 3rd Battalion on the (f) road.

The 2nd Battalion marching on the (e) road, with Company E as advance guard, has reached (g), where the battalion commander decides to halt for the night. It is now 3 o’clock p. m. The column has halted, and the company commanders have assembled at this point.

The battalion commander issues verbal orders 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 2nd and 3rd Battalions) is halted for the night at (l).

“This battalion halts for the night at (m). March conditions cease.

“The advance guard will furnish the outpost along the line (n).

“The remainder of the battalion will bivouac, Company F at (o); Company G at (o); Company H at (o); Headquarters Company at (o). In case of attack the outpost will be supported.

“The field trains will join the troops.

“Messages to (p).”

(Note.—Company E is organized in accordance with T. O. 28-W. See Appendix 1.)

Explanation of Letter Symbols

(a) In designating the boundary line, some natural topographical or geographical feature should be selected, such as a river, creek, canal, crest of a ridge, etc. In this problem it may be assumed that the halt of the battalion for the night is made just within the boundary or across the boundary in enemy territory. The choice will depend upon the location of suitable ground for the outpost with a view to bringing out the elements involved in the posting of the outpost.

(b) A point within friendly territory. Should be a march or two from the boundary.

(c) A point within enemy territory. Should be a march or two from the boundary.

(d), (e), (f) Detachments are sent out to cover the concentration of troops when the concentration is made at a point where there is danger that the enemy may attempt to interfere with it. Such detachments proceed toward the border on the main routes by which the enemy must advance. (d) Would be the next main road to the left of the road (e) on which the 2nd Battalion is advancing; (f) would be the next main road to the right of the road on which the 2nd Battalion is advancing. This places the 2nd Battalion in the center of the formation.

(g) A point in the vicinity of the place where the Terrain Exercise is to be conducted.

(h) and (i) The places where the enemy troops are reported to be. They should be several miles away from (g), where the battalion is to halt for the night.

(k) The place where the 3rd Battalion halts for the night.

(l) The place where the regiment (less 2nd and 3rd Battalions) halts for the night. The three places where the battalions halt should form a general line covering the place where the Blue forces are concentrating.

(m) The place where our battalion bivouacs for the night.

(n) Indicate the general line that the outpost is to occupy. If it is impossible to do this it may be stated as follows: “Covering the approaches from the (south, north, etc.).”

(o) Designates the locality where each of the companies of the battalion is to bivouac for the night. The companies should be separated, and there should be cover from aerial observation if practicable.

(p) The headquarters of the battalion.

The Problem

Situation No. 1:

You, Captain E, are in command of Company E, which is now the advance guard, and has been designated to form the outpost for the night. Your company is in advance guard formation on the road.

Required:

The action you, Captain E, take and the orders you issue.

Procedure

The members of the class are assembled at (m) (see explanation of symbols), where the battalion is to halt for the night.

Explanation

The Director: “Before taking up the problem for solution I want to make a few remarks on the subject of the protection of a body of troops while in bivouac, and to review briefly the duties and formation of an outpost.

“As a command on the march protects itself from surprise by covering detachments called advance guards, flank guards and rear guards, so also does a command at a halt protect itself by a system of covering detachments denominated outposts.

“Duties.—Like advance guards on the march, the outpost is charged with the duties of observation and resistance.

“Specifically these duties are:

“1. To protect the main body so that the troops may rest undisturbed.

“2. In case of attack, to check the advance of the enemy long enough to enable the main body to make dispositions to meet him.

“3. To reconnoiter the enemy, prevent his reconnaissance and give timely warning of the approach of hostile bodies.

“Subdivisions.—The outpost is divided into two general lines. The first, which is called the ‘line of observation,’ does the watching for the enemy and prevents his small bodies from getting any information about our troops or annoying them. The second is a ‘fighting line,’ which holds off larger bodies.

“These lines must cover the front and flanks of the troops at rest. The ‘watching line’ must be so located that the watchers out in front will be able to see the enemy before he gets close enough to do damage. The ‘fighting line’ must be so located that it will have what we call a ‘good field of fire;’ that is, the ground in front must not be such that it will hide the movements of the enemy and allow him to get within effective rifle range without coming under our fire.

“Formation.—The formation of an outpost may best be described by referring to an outstretched hand.

“Hold your left hand in front of you with the thumb and fingers extended and pointing to the front, palm of hand down.

“The wrist will be the location of the troops in camp or in bivouac.

“The knuckle joint of the second finger will be the location of the reserve of the outpost. This is the body of troops that is held out of the fight until the direction of the enemy’s main attack is developed, when it is thrown in to meet it, or to make what we call a ‘counter-attack.’ In very small outposts this reserve is usually omitted.

“The second joints of the fingers and thumb will mark the positions occupied by the ‘supports.’ These are the fighting troops and they occupy the fighting line of the outpost. From these supports, small detachments, which we call ‘outguards,’ are sent to the front.

“The first joints of the fingers and thumb will mark the positions of the outguards. These are classified as pickets, sentry squads and cossack posts. A picket consists of two or more squads and is posted so as to cover the most important route by which the enemy may come. The sentry squad consists of one rifle squad. The cossack post is composed of a non-commissioned officer and three men.

“The tips of the fingers and thumb will mark the line of the sentinels. These are the ears and eyes of the outpost system.

“The sentinels are sent out to the front from the outguards. A picket posts one double sentinel post for each of its squads. Each sentry squad is charged with maintaining one double sentinel post. The cossack post maintains a single sentinel who is posted nearby.

“Are there any questions?”

Procedure

The Director will endeavor to answer any questions that may be asked by the members of the class. After all questions have been cleared up, the Director will hand a copy of the problem to each member of the class. A few minutes are allowed for them to read it and get oriented.

The Director: “Please give me your attention while we go over the problem.”

The Director reads the problem aloud, each member of the class following from the copy in his possession. The direction of places mentioned are pointed out.

The Director: “Lieutenant Hunt, give a brief statement of the tactical situation as you understand it.”

Lieutenant Hunt states his understanding of the tactical situation. As he proceeds, the Director makes such explanations as may be desirable. One or more additional members of the class may be called upon to state their version of the situation. All of this is for the purpose of fixing the elements of the problem in the minds of the members of the class and prevent any subsequent misunderstanding of them.

Solution

The Director: “Lieutenant Barry, what do you estimate the mission of our battalion to be?”

Lieutenant Barry: “We are an element of the force sent out to cover the concentration of the Blue forces and prevent the enemy from interfering with it.”

The Director: “We have not yet gained contact with the enemy. Why do we halt at this time?”

Lieutenant Barry: “There may be one or more reasons for it. In the first place, we are a detachment of a larger force (our regiment), and it is probable that before we started out, instructions were given our battalion commander to halt in this locality, so as to be on the general line of all the covering troops.”

The Director: “That is correct. Our battalion must conform to the general plan of the operation.

“Before going further let us consider the process by which our battalion commander arrived at his decision to halt and make the disposition indicated in his order. He has sized up the situation with respect to his mission, the enemy, our own troops; considered the plans of action open to him and the enemy; and the terrain. Based on all of this he decides to halt for the night with the advance guard as the outpost and the other companies bivouacking as indicated in the order. Now, let us see how well this order conforms to the form laid down in Field Service Regulations. Captain Hall, what are the elements of an order as applied to the halt of a command on the march?”

Captain Hall: “The first part contains information of the enemy and our own troops. The next is the plan of the commander in general terms. In this case it is merely to halt for the night, with the added sentence to the effect that march conditions cease. Next comes the tactical dispositions in which each element of the command is given orders as to just what it is to do. The last section of this paragraph tells what action is to be taken in case the enemy should make an attack. Then comes the disposition of the trains or administrative arrangements, and finally the location of the battalion C. P. is indicated by telling where messages are to be sent. All of this is included in the order, and I should say that every essential point has been covered satisfactorily.”

The Director: “Lieutenant Baker, why is Company E detailed to furnish the outpost?”

Lieutenant Baker: “It is the general rule that troops are detailed on covering duty for a period of twenty-four hours. Company E has been our advance guard for today’s march. If the battalion continues the march again tomorrow morning, another rifle company will be detailed to form the advance guard. It will get into advance guard formation before it reaches Company E’s outpost line, and when the advance guard support crosses the line of outpost supports it assumes responsibility for the protection of the column, the outpost troops are withdrawn and take their proper place in the column. Then, too, the advance guard is in the best position to continue the protection of the battalion. It has merely to change its formation from an advance guard to that of an outpost, which involves the least marching on the part of the troops.”

Procedure

The Director: “We will now go forward to the point where the support of the advance guard is halted on the road. How far would that be, Captain James?”

Captain James: “I should say that the support should be about 500 yards in advance of the main body of the battalion.”

The class is now conducted about 500 yards down the road to the place where the support of the advance guard is supposed to be halted.

The Director: “Before proceeding further with the problem it is necessary for us to decide upon the formation of the advance guard at this time. Just what do you think the formation would be, Captain James?”

Captain James: “The support would be right here in column of squads on the road. It would consist of the company (less one platoon and two connecting files). About 400 yards farther down the road would be the advance party, consisting of one platoon, from which there would be a point of one squad, about 150 yards farther to the front.”^[9]

The Director: “I think we can all agree on those dispositions and proceed to the solution of our problem based on them. Now, let each member of the class consider himself to be Captain E, commanding the advance guard. You have attended the assembly of officers at the head of the main body and received the major’s orders. You have now returned to the company and are ready to go ahead with your part of the operation, that of posting the outpost. Just how are you going about the task that has been allotted to you? Captain Hodges, tell us what you would do.”

Solution

Captain Hodges: “I would first send a runner to Lieutenant M, commanding the advance party, telling him to report to me here. While waiting for Lieutenant M to come back I would size up the situation and decide upon my tactical dispositions.”

The Director: “What would be your primary dispositions?”

Captain Hodges: “I would have a line of supports on which I would employ one platoon and one section and a reserve consisting of the rest of the company.”

The Director: “That would be a reasonable disposition. How many supports would you have Captain Harvey?”

Captain Harvey: “I would have three supports—one on the main road and one at a suitable interval on each side of the road. There would be a section in each support.”

The Director: “Lieutenant Ralston, do you agree with that disposition?”

Lieutenant Ralston: “No, sir. It seems to me that two supports would meet the situation better. In the first place, this main road is the route on which any considerable force of the enemy must advance after dark, and I would want to cover it with a relatively strong force. I would put one support on the road and have it extend over to the right for a sufficient distance to cover the front and the immediate right flank. It would extend its front to the left of the main road. I would have support No. 2 off to the left to cover that flank.^[10]

“Support No. 1 would consist of one platoon and No. 2 of one section.”

The Director: “Explain why you extend the front of your support No. 1 to the left of the road?”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Outpost Card No. 3

1. Explain necessity for covering the posting of the outguards. Formations that may be used: Skirmishers; patrols; advantages of patrol system.

2. Pass out problem and read it. Have members of class explain their version.

3. Disposition of packs. Keep haversacks. Remove rolls.

4. Orders: Information of enemy and own troops known. Second paragraph. Dispositions. Orders for patrols. Three patrols and support. How far to go out. When to return.

5. Asking questions.

6. Have class write out solution. Collect and redistribute solutions. Read and comment on solutions.

7. Explain object of problem.