The Problem

Special Situation:

A blue force operating in hostile country halts at (a) and establishes an outpost along the line (b). Support No. 2 is located at (c) with outguard No. 1 at (d); outguard No. 2 at (e) and outguard No. 3 at (f).

Situation No. 1:

You, Lieutenant A are in command of Support No. 2, consisting of your platoon and located at this point. The first section furnishes the outguards and the platoon (less 1st Section) the main body of the support. You have made the inspection of your line of observation and sent your report to the company commander.

Required:

What arrangements do you make for visiting patrols?

Explanation of Letter Symbols

(a) The location of the bivouac of the main body of the Blue force. This should be located at a central point with reference to the outpost line.

(b) Designate the general line of the Blue outpost.

(c) The location of Support No. 2. It should be located at a central point with reference to the line of outguards. (d)-(e)-(f) The location of the three outguards posted from Support No. 2.

In fitting this exercise to the ground the location of the outguards should be selected first. Care should be taken to so locate them that the ground is suitable for illustrating the tactical features that are to be brought out and discussed in the Terrain Exercise. The location of Support No. 2 should then be selected and finally that of the Blue main body. If you have had a previous Terrain Exercise covering the subject of outposts it may be convenient and advantageous to base this Terrain Exercise on the same situation and covering the same ground.

Procedure

The class is conducted to (c), the location of Support No. 2.

The Director distributes the sheets containing the Special Situation and Situation No. 1, reads them aloud to the class and makes such explanation as may be necessary. One or more members of the class may be called upon to state his understanding of the situation.

Explanation

The Director: “It is fully realized that no member of this class will ever be called upon to conduct the operations of a visiting patrol. You will, however, have to order your non-commissioned officers to do so and you must have a knowledge of how it should be gone about and whether the duty is being properly performed.

“The military text-books usually tell you that a visiting patrol consists of a non-commissioned officer and two or three men that make the rounds along the outpost line of observation at night. That is about all. It is assumed that the subject is so simple that you just naturally know it and there is nothing further to be explained. Such is not the case and before we have completed this exercise we will demonstrate it to you. Another good test of the proposition is this: Take your non-commissioned officers out on a Terrain Exercise and give them the situations that we will have today. See how many of them get away with it. I am sure you will be surprised at the results, especially with the men who have had no previous preparation for the exercise.”

Solution

The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, what is a visiting patrol?”

Lieutenant Williams: “It is a patrol consisting of a non-commissioned officer and two or three men. It is sent out from the support at intervals during the night to keep up communication between the elements of the outpost.”

The Director: “Captain Hastings, tell us just how the visiting patrol makes its rounds.”

Captain Hastings: “Let us say that the patrol is to start out from our support No. 2, which is located at this point. The patrol will go out to the right and touch upon the left outguard of Support No. 1; then pass along our own line of observation to the right outguard of Support No. 3 and then come back here.”

The Director: “Yes, that is the general procedure. The details of how the patrol is to do all of this is what we are interested in and that is what will be brought out in this Terrain Exercise. Lieutenant Wallace, what do you understand to be the specific duties of a visiting patrol?”

Lieutenant Wallace: “Included in the duties of visiting patrols may be enumerated:

“1. They bring back information of incidents that may occur along the line of observation and form a medium of exchange of information between the various elements of the outpost.

“2. In a measure, they prevent the unobserved approach of the enemy between sentinel posts. When the enemy is very active there is constant patrolling between the observation posts.

“3. They drive off small patrols.

“4. They take charge of detained persons and conduct them back to the support.”

The Director: “That is very good. Now, Lieutenant Ralston, suppose you were Lieutenant A, commanding Support No. 2. What instructions would you give regarding your visiting patrols?”

Lieutenant Ralston: “The visiting patrol is a night institution. There is little necessity for its employment in the day time, but I would not wait until dark to give my instructions regarding it. I would give orders:

“‘There is no further information of the enemy and our own troops.

“‘The second section will furnish the visiting patrols for tonight.

“‘Corporal Black, with the 4th Squad, will conduct the visiting patrols at 8 and 10 o’clock p. m.

“‘Corporal Canes, with the 5th Squad, will conduct the visiting patrols at 12 midnight and 2 o’clock a. m.

“‘Corporal Dorr with the 6th Squad, will conduct the visiting patrols at 4 and 6 o’clock a. m.

“‘Patrol leaders will go over the route of their patrols before dark.

“‘Messages to support, here.’”

The Director: “I think you have covered the necessary points.

“Are there any questions by any member of the class? If so, now is the time to clear them up.”

The Problem

Situation No. 2:

You, Corporal Canes, have been designated to conduct the visiting patrol that is to go out at 12 o’clock midnight and at 2 o’clock a. m. You have been given your squad to form the reliefs.

Required:

What do you do?

The Director distributes the sheets bearing Situation No. 2 to the members of the class, reads it aloud and makes such explanations as may be necessary.

Explanation

The Director: “Now I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Corporal Canes. Put yourself in his place and consider what you would do under the orders you have received from the support commander. We are going to work these situations out in detail to show you how it ought to be done. Then when you are a support commander and give an order for your visiting patrols, you will know just how each Corporal should go about his job.”

Solution

The Director: “Captain Harvey, what would you do?”

Captain Harvey: “I would get the men of my squad together and while they are assembling I would size up the situation and determine just what orders I am going to give. When the men are together I would give them their orders:

“‘Manley, Harrison and Kline will be the first visiting patrol.

“‘Oliver, Hasker and Payne will be the second visiting patrol.

“‘We go out at 12 and 2 o’clock tonight. Be ready at those hours.

“‘I am going over the route of the patrol before dark.

“‘Dismissed.’

“I do not think of anything else to say at this time.”

The Director: “Captain Hodges, have you any criticism to make of Captain Harvey’s order?”

Captain Hodges: “Yes, sir. In the first place, he has left out several things that ought to be told to the men. He has not provided any instructions for one man of the squad. He has not made it clear just which patrol each man belongs to. He has not told the men what equipment they are to carry with them.”

The Director: “To what do you attribute these omissions?”

Captain Hodges: “Well, sir, I could not say. The thing that appeals to me is that if I were one of the men I would want to know about them.”

The Director: “I think, if you will all reflect, that the underlying trouble with Captain Harvey’s order is that he has not followed our five paragraph order. Had he done so, I am sure he would not have omitted these essentials. Now I am going to have Captain Harvey give the order again and follow the five paragraph order system and see how he comes out. Your first paragraph would be ‘Information of the enemy and our supporting troops.’ All right, Captain Harvey, what would your first paragraph contain?”

Captain Harvey: “Well, sir, the men know everything that I do regarding the enemy and our own troops. They all heard the Lieutenants order when he established the support. So I would say:

“‘There is no further information of the enemy or our supporting troops.’”

The Director: “You have stated it exactly in your last sentence. Now for your plan.”

Captain Harvey: “My plan would be to have the squad furnish two of the visiting patrols—I see what you mean.

“‘Our squad will furnish two visiting patrols tonight.’”

The Director: “Now comes the disposition of troops and orders for each element.”

Captain Harvey: “I would divide up the squad as I did in my previous order and provide for that extra man that Captain Hodges spoke of. He is my Automatic Rifleman. I would say:

“‘Manley, Harrison and Kline will be visiting patrol No. 1. It will go out at 12 o’clock midnight.

“‘Oliver, Hasker and Payne will be visiting patrol No. 2. It will go out at 2 o’clock a. m.

“‘Bailey (automatic rifleman) will be supernumerary.’”

The Director: “The next is your administrative arrangements, paragraph 4 of an order. What would you include in that?”

Captain Harvey: “The equipment to be carried. I would say:

“‘Rifle and belts of ammunition only will be carried. The bayonet will be fixed. The scabbard and canteen will be left here.’

I would not want the men to carry anything that is not absolutely essential.”

The Director: “You are right. The members of the visiting patrol travel light. They do not want to be hampered with equipment that is not necessary. Above all, they do not want anything with them that will rattle and make a noise. They leave the bayonet scabbard at the post of the support because if they wear it on the belt it will be dangling between the men’s legs and interfere with their freedom of movement. They will probably not need any water on this short march so I see no objection to leaving the canteen behind, although, on the other hand, I can see no objection to carrying it. That is a mere matter of opinion. The bayonets are fixed so as to have them ready for hand to hand night fighting in case it is required. A great deal of the night work will be done with the bayonet. Rifle fire is effective only for short distances due to inability to see the target for any distance. Now, Captain Harvey, how do you conclude your order?”

Captain Harvey: “In the usual manner by telling the men where messages are to be brought, I would say:

“‘Messages will be brought back to the support, here.’”

That concludes the order. I see my error and will profit by it in the future.”

Captain James: “There is one point in the order that I did not understand. Captain Harvey detailed his automatic rifleman as ‘supernumerary.’ Just what does he mean by that.”

The Director: “He means that he is an extra man not specifically detailed with either patrol. But, if for any reason, one of the other men is unable to go on the patrol when the time comes the supernumerary will take his place. Do you see the point now?”

Captain James: “Yes, sir.”

The Director: “I hope you all now realize how far astray you can go in issuing tactical orders if you fail to follow the five paragraph system. On the other hand, I hope you have observed how simple it is to include all of the essential elements in an order if you do follow the system. You here see the system applied to the most insignificant element in the domain of tactics, the visiting patrol. You see how nicely it fits. If you were issuing an order for a division of 20,000 men you would see how well it works there. I hope you will all stick to this plan of issuing orders. You positively cannot go far wrong if you will. If there are no further questions we will proceed.”

Explanation

The Director: “Corporal Canes will now dismiss the squad and the men will go about getting ready for their night work. Corporal Canes will go over the route that he is to conduct the patrol tonight. He will proceed to the right parallel to and in rear of the line of outguards to the left outguard of Support No. 1; thence along our own line of observation to Outguard No. 1 of Support No. 3; and then back to the support. He will note the route carefully and mark it if necessary. He will especially note the approaches to the outguard posts and arrange for recognition signals with the outguard commanders.”

Procedure

The Director: “Let us assume that it is now 11.50 p. m. The obscurity is such that a man may see another at a distance of about 12 yards. Corporal Canes has been awakened by the support sentinel. He is up and getting ready to start with his patrol. Captain James, you are now Corporal Canes. What would you do?”

Captain James: “I would wake Manley, Harrison and Kline and say to them:

“‘It is time to make our 12 o’clock patrol. Get up. You have about 5 minutes to get ready.’

“At 11:55 I would have the patrol fall in for inspection. I would inspect the men to see if they had the proper equipment and make sure that each man is fully awake. I would then give the command:

“‘With ball cartridges. 2. LOAD.’

“I am now ready to start.”

The Director: “All right. It is now 12 o’clock. Give the orders for the start.”

Captain James: “I would say:

“‘Manley, you will lead; I will follow at a distance of 8 yards; Harrison, you follow me at 10 yards; Kline you follow Harrison at 12 yards. Move out.’

“I think that order would get the patrol under way.”

The Director: “Lieutenant Baker, have you any criticism of the formation proposed by Captain James?”

Lieutenant Baker: “Yes, sir. It seems to me that here is one instance where the patrol commander should actually lead the patrol himself. He knows the route that is to be taken and no other member of the patrol knows it. He is the man that knows the recognition signals with the outguard commanders. I think there is every reason why he should physically lead the patrol.”

The Director: “I think so, too, and feel that Captain James will when he considers the situation. Now then, this new disposition will change the orders somewhat. Lieutenant Baker how would you state the orders now?”

Lieutenant Baker: “I would say:

“‘I will lead. Manley, you follow me at a distance of about 8 yards. Harrison, follow Manley at a distance of about 10 yards; Kline will follow Harrison at a distance of about 10 yards.

“‘Keep the man ahead of you in sight at all times.

“‘Manley, you will be second in command.

“‘Follow me.’”

The Director: “I think this order will get our patrol under way in the proper formation. I hope you see and understand the necessity for going into the minute details of these situations. Herein lies one of the greatest values of the Terrain Exercise. It not only teaches the student of Minor Tactics the principles, but affords practice in giving the orders to meet the various situations and fixes all indelibly on the mind. When you conduct a Terrain Exercise yourself you cannot be too particular about going into the details of every situation.”

The Problem

Situation No. 3:

You, Corporal Canes, the leading man of your visiting patrol, have arrived at this point. Outguard No. 1 is right there (indicate); the double sentinel post is there (indicate).

Required:

What do you do?

Procedure

The class is conducted to the point selected for Situation No. 3, which should be located between the outguard and the sentinel post if practicable. The Director reads the situation aloud and points out the position of the outguard and that of the sentinels posted from the outguard.

The Director: “Captain Hall, let us assume you are Corporal Canes. You have arrived right here, the other members of your patrol are in the original formation behind you. Now just what would you do under the circumstances?”

Captain Hall: “I would go to the sentinel post and ask the men.”

The Director: “Wait a minute. Let us not go too fast on this proposition. You have the other men of your patrol with you. What are you going to do with them?”

Captain Hall: “That’s right. I would have to tell them what to do. I would say to Manley in a low tone;

“‘Have the patrol halt and remain in place.’

Which means the men would halt where they are and stay there until I return.”

The Director: “We will assume that you have halted the patrol. Would you go to the sentinel post without first notifying the outguard that you are going to do so?”

Captain Hall: “No, sir. I had forgotten about that. I would go to the outguard and tell the outguard commander that I am going out to see his sentinels and would get him to come along with me.”

The Director: “Reflect a moment. Remember, yours is not the only visiting patrol that comes along the route tonight. There is one every two hours. The outguard commander has to be up every two hours to post his reliefs. The support commander has arranged his visiting patrols so that they will come along the line of observation when the sentinels on post are about in the middle of their tour. If you get the outguard commander out at this time, he will be up practically all night and will not be fit for much service tomorrow. I do not think you would insist on seeing the outguard commander unless he happened to be awake at this particular time. It would be sufficient to tell the outguard sentinel what you are going to do.”

Captain Hall: “I would go to the outguard and notify the man on duty there that I am going out to the sentinel.”

The Director: “Don’t go too fast. What I want to bring out at this time is just how you are going to approach the post of the outguard. Tell us in detail how you would do it.”

Captain Hall: “I will go up to this point. (Captain Hall advances to the point indicated). I will call in a low tone of voice ‘Visiting patrol.’ If I get no response I will advance a little closer and repeat my recognition signal and would continue until I am recognized. When the man on duty hears my call he will probably say to me ‘Give the countersign.’ I will give the countersign in a low tone of voice. He will tell me to advance and I will then go to the post of the outguard.”

The Director: “Those are the details I wanted to bring out. And that is the value of the Terrain Exercise. We come out here and learn to do the things that we must do in actual campaign when we do not have to pay for the mistakes with our own lives or the lives of our men. You have to draw upon your imagination to picture the situation that confronts you. You have to use your gray matter to figure out and decide just what you are going to do. Finally, you have to draw upon your power of speech to put your decision into words and express it in a clear and intelligent manner.

“When you get up to the outguard you find that the outguard commander is asleep. You decide not to awaken him. You tell the man on duty that you are going to the sentinel post. Now Lieutenant Barry I want you to tell us and show us just how you do it.”

Lieutenant Barry: “I would proceed cautiously in the direction of the sentinel post. When I figure I am within hearing distance I will give the recognition signal. The sentinel will give me the return signal and I will know everything is all right and be free to go up to him.”

Lieutenant Hunt: “I do not understand this recognition signal proposition. Can the director enlighten us on that?”

Explanation

The Director: “Yes, we will go into that in a few minutes. Before doing so I wish to review and consider in detail this comparatively simple proposition of approaching a sentinel post at night. You must remember that the line of observation of an outpost is a ‘spooky’ place at night and that outpost sentinels are as easily flushed as a pheasant. Their nerves are strung to the breaking point. In every shadow an enemy lurks. They soon learn to take no chances. It becomes the rule to shoot first and challenge afterwards. If one makes a practice of running headlong into sentinel posts on dark nights he may get away with it a few times, but you are taking serious chances and the game will finally get you. Having these things in mind, let us review the process of approaching the sentinel post.

“1. The patrol leader halts his patrol some little distance from the post. He gives the orders for the other members to stand fast until he returns. He then goes to the outguard and notifies them that he is going out to the sentinel. There is no necessity for any other person than the patrol commander going up to the post. If others go it makes just that much more confusion and adds that much more chance for lurking scouts to locate the post and get information.

“2. The patrol leader advances towards the post and when he is near enough he calls in a low tone, ‘Visiting patrol,’ and continues to call until he is recognized. We never approach a sentinel post from the front at night and, if it can be avoided, never from a flank, always from the rear.

“3. When the sentinel discovers the presence of the patrol leader he will verify his identity by calling upon him for the countersign. Corporal Canes gives the countersign, and the sentinel directs him to advance.

“This countersign is the recognition signal that Lieutenant Hunt asked about. It may be given by word of mouth. It may consist of whistling a few bars of some familiar service call. It may be made by tapping with the knuckles on the stock of the rifle. The number of taps to represent a number, for example: The countersign or recognition signal is 22-33. Corporal Canes would approach the sentinel post and strike his rifle, tap, tap (pause) tap, tap. The sentinel will answer in the same manner tap, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap, tap. He would then know that he had been recognized as a friend and proceed to the post. If the sentinel discovered Corporal Canes first he would keep him under observation and when he is close enough to hear would challenge him, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap. Corporal Cane’s answer would be tap, tap, tap (pause), tap, tap, tap. The system is interchangeable. The first number may be said to be the challenge or inquiry signal and the second number the recognition.

“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.)

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.”

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.”

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?

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.”

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.”

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?”

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.”

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.”