The Problem
Situation No. 4:
You, Captain C, have come forward to this point. You see your assault platoons covered by their own fire and that of the supporting weapons advancing rapidly on the enemy strong point. They are now (indicate the general line that each platoon occupies.) The volume of fire of the enemy has materially decreased. You note that the supporting weapons have lifted their fire and are now firing well beyond the strong point. A few moments later you note that both platoons rush towards the strong point with bayonets fixed.
The 3rd platoon has now arrived at the line of departure of the 2nd platoon. Companies A and B seem to be carrying out their attack on your left; there is no machine gun fire to interfere with them now.
Required.
What do you, Captain C, do?
Procedure
The Director distributes the sheets bearing Situation No. 4 to the class, reads it aloud to them, points out the location of the troops and makes any verbal explanations that may be necessary.
Explanation
The Director: “I want each member of the class to visualize the situation as it now stands. In the beginning Captain C assigned definite missions to each of his platoons. He left the essential details to the platoon commanders. He is driving a team of two units with a third held in reserve. His team has been driven into the enemy’s position. They have accomplished the main part of their mission and something more is necessary on the part of the Captain. Lieutenant Barry, knowing the situation as it is, what would you do?”
Solution
Lieutenant Barry: “I would go forward and join my two platoons at the enemy strong point.”
The Director: “Would you take any other action before doing that?”
Lieutenant Barry: “I think not, sir. I would want to know the situation up there as soon as possible.”
The Director: “What would you do, Lieutenant Hunt?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I would send a messenger back to the 3rd platoon to get started on its way to the captured position.”
The Director: “Just how would you do that?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I would turn to the runner of the 3rd platoon, who is with me and tell him:
“‘Take this message to the leader of the 3rd platoon: ‘The 3rd platoon will report to Captain C at the enemy strong point at once, moving by the shortest route.’
“I would have the runner repeat the message and make sure that he, himself, understands what is wanted.”
Explanation
The Director: “You are right. There is no doubt but that the presence of the 3rd platoon will be required at the enemy position just as soon as it can be gotten up there. The assault platoons will be more or less disorganized by their attack. They will be out of hand. Squads, sections and platoons will be mixed up. There will be some hand to hand fighting with some of the enemy who have failed to make their get-away or with some determined men who will hold on to their local position until they are driven out with cold steel.
“It is to provide for just such a situation as this, that we hold out a reserve—a formed body of troops that has not been in the assault. A body that is absolutely in hand and under control. It can be conducted up to the enemy position, take it over and be ready for any eventuality that may occur.
“As a matter of fact the assault troops should not be allowed to go into the captured position unless it is absolutely necessary to do so to drive out or capture those remaining. The reasons for this are obvious. When the enemy abandons the position, he assumes that it is occupied by his opponent and will turn as great a volume of fire on it as possible with a view to inflicting losses on our disorganized troops. With a formed body of troops, under control, we can make such tactical distribution of the units as may be required, posting them where the greatest amount of shelter exists and thereby reduce casualties to a minimum.”
Solution
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, let us assume that you have sent back the message to the commander of the 3rd platoon. What would you do now?”
Lieutenant Williams: “I would go forward and join my assault platoons.”
The Director: “Would you do anything about getting some of the special weapons up to the captured position?”
Lieutenant Williams: “No sir, not yet. It is my understanding that the machine gun and howitzer platoons were only detailed with Company C to support the attack on the enemy strong point. At the conclusion of the affair that they are to report back to the battalion commander.”
The Director: “You are right. If, however, Captain C decides that he needs them he can send a runner to the battalion commander and request that they be detailed for further duty with the company.”
Attack of Strong Point Card No. 4
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class to point where operations of both 1st and 2nd platoons can be observed.
2. Distribute the sheets bearing Situation No. 4. Read and explain.
3. Visualize situation. Teamwork. Action taken by Captain C.
4. Send for 3rd platoon to come forward to enemy position. Message in detail.
5. Explain necessity for Reserve Platoon. Assault platoons disorganized by attack and out hand. Value of formed body under control.
6. Danger of entering captured positions.
7. Action with respect to supporting troops.
Procedure
The Class is now conducted forward to the captured enemy strongpoint.