PART IV

Front Line Observation and Reports

Remember that straws show which way the wind blows, and that apparently trivial information may be of great importance if considered in correct perspective. For instance, three small parties of Germans seen in front of a battalion sector is not an item of much interest, but if such parties are seen by all or most of the observers on a divisional front, enemy movement of importance is indicated, so include everything observed which is of the slightest importance.

Remember that your report passes through the hands of the Battalion Intelligence Officer, and by him the information it contains is passed on to Brigade, thence to Division, and so on. During the whole of this process, the information is weighed, sifted, and compared over and over again. Hence, that which really proves to be of no importance will be eliminated, while that which is of value will reach those to whom it may be of use.

Remember that you are in close touch with the enemy, and that you, and you only, are responsible for the observation of his forward area. You must not rely upon the Divisional or Corps Observers to do this work for you.

When taking over a post for the first time you must study the ground carefully and get to know the exact location of all prominent objects. Then, in a few days’ time, you will be capable of giving map locations of targets without bearings.

It is of little or no use to look for movement until you know your front by heart, the GOOD observer is the man who can almost see the co-ordinates lying on the ground. In this way some of the Lovat Scouts can give the map references of a moving object as it moves, without a glance at the map.

The best times of the day for you, as a front-line observer, are dawn and dusk. Ration parties, working parties, reliefs, etc., are all waiting to move forward at dusk, and much good work can be done by picking up these targets and reporting them to the Artillery. The same or similar parties can often be seen returning at dawn, particularly after a night during which our harassing fire has been heavy.

Again, a misty day—although the definition obtained through your telescope is not so clear as usual—is often excellent for observation of the enemy’s front-line system, as, on such days, through a false sense of security, the enemy often shows himself in concealed posts, etc., which he would never give away by carelessness during clearer weather.

Always note time (signal time) and map co-ordinates of anything observed.

If anything of importance be seen, such as abnormal movement, suspected reliefs, etc., report them at once. Don’t wait until you come off duty.

All targets should be reported as soon as possible to the Artillery.

If there are any Artillery O.P.’s in your vicinity, they should be visited, as the occupants can often assist you by “placing” objects, the exact location of which you yourself are doubtful about. The Artillery Observers should be shown all tracks where movement has been observed to enable them to get a gun trained on to them.

All new enemy work must be followed closely and its object, if possible, ascertained.

Take a pride in extreme accuracy, let a direct statement represent fact, but do not hesitate to include information of which you are not quite certain. You must, however, never fail to indicate clearly the degree of accuracy or certainty which you yourself feel. Useful words for qualifying your statements are as follows:

Remember that your duty is rather to observe and report your observations than to interpret what you see. At the same time, give personal impressions. These may start a new line of thought in the minds of those who read your reports; also, if two or three observers, from different points, think that they have seen a certain thing, then there is at least a strong probability that a foundation existed for their belief.

Realize that your observation is part of a huge net which is continually trawling the whole enemy world for information, and see to it that not even the smallest fry slip through the meshes for which you are personally responsible.

For purposes of actual observation a rough log-book must be kept in the sniping or observation post. In this book everything seen should be noted as it occurs. From it each evening the information must be set out under suitable headings, and your report rendered to the Battalion Intelligence Officer. Customs vary in battalions, but the following list of headings may help you in this matter:

OPERATIONS, ENEMY:
1. Artillery}No. and Calibre of projectiles and targets.
2. T.M.’s
3. Grenades
4. A.A. Guns Activity.
5. M.G. Fire}Methods and Targets.
6. Rifle Fire
MOVEMENT, ENEMY:

(Note:—Time and place must always be given.)

BATTALION INTELLIGENCE REPORT TO BRIGADE:

The subject matter forming this falls naturally under the following main headings:

Under these six main headings are the following sub-headings:

WORK, ENEMY:
SIGNALS, ENEMY:
(a) Flash lamps.}Full description of and any apparent results.
(b) Verey lights.
(c) Rockets.
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE:

Information of a doubtful or uncertain nature, general impressions, etc.

WEATHER:

In some Brigades, reports on our own operations, particularly observation of our own Artillery and T.M. fire are required in the Battalion Intelligence Reports, but this is a mistaken policy.

A FORM OF OBSERVATION REPORT.

OBSERVATION REPORT

No. of Post (Map Ref.): Teapot Post N33c55.90 Sheet 17A N.E.

Time on Duty: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Date: 20.6.18.

Observers on Duty, Name, Rank and Regt.

H. Smith Pte.
G. Shaw L/Cpl.

Wind: Gentle S.W.
Visibility: Fair.

Time.Map Ref.Event.Remarks.
7.30 a.m.M39d45.351 German N.C.O. and 14 Ptes.Ptes. carrying wood, corrugated iron and sandbags. Wearing caps with red bands. Badges not visible.Probably working on entrance to dug-out at M39c78.65.
8.45 a.m.Over trench at M28c36.03Enemy Aeroplane Pilot and 1 other.Opened fire on trench. Flying low, about 700 feet. Flew off in S.W. direction. Not fired on by our men.Enemy probably suspects concentration in this area.
(Changedover 9 a.m.)Observer—Shaw. Writer—Smith.
9.15 a.m.G30a40.92Horse transport.15 wagons, 4 horse, all very heavily loaded, moving N. on Vitry-Douai Road.Possibly ammunition or heavy material. Had difficulty in ascending slight hill.

Relieved at 10 a.m. Observer: Shaw.
Handed in at 10.15 a.m. Writer: Smith.

(Signed) H. Smith.
G. Shaw.