The Problem
Situation No. 2:
You, Captain B, are commanding Company B. You have the order of the battalion commander relating to your company as follows:
(d) Captain B, with Company B, will march at —— (hour) p. m., in approach march formation in the right (left) half of the regimental sector, preparatory to relieving the right (left) assault company of the 2nd battalion. Directing line —— (state directing line). Compass bearing —— degrees, magnetic.
(x) Company B, base company.
A reconnaissance officer from each company, accompanied by scouts and guides will be sent forward at once.
4. Rolling kitchens will join the combat train of the reserve battalion.
You have returned to your Company.
Required:
What action do you take?
Procedure
The Director will read the situation aloud, make such explanations as may be necessary and point out the area occupied by Company B. One or more members of the class may be called upon to state his understanding of the situation.
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, what do you understand to be the formation of Company B at this moment?”
Lieutenant Williams: “I would say that the company would be in approach march formation. There would be two platoons, let us say the 1st and 2nd, in the assault echelon and one, the 3rd, in the support echelon. All three of the platoons would at this time be deployed in two waves, a section of three squads in each wave. I think each section would be deployed in a line of skirmishers while at a halt. The company headquarters would be here, about midway between the assault echelon and the support echelon.”
(Note.—Lieutenant Williams will point out the location of the various elements of the Company on the ground.)
The Director: “Why do you think the Company would be deployed in a line of skirmishers at this time?”
Lieutenant Williams: “When the company halts the men will want to take advantage of existing cover. If there is little cover available, as in this case, each man will dig himself in—he will dig a ‘fox hole’ big enough to give him some cover. Shell holes will be improved along their forward lips to give cover and if large ones are available as much as a half squad may occupy one of them. Another reason for the support battalion deploying into a line of skirmishers when it halts for any length is this: If the enemy should make a counter-attack and break through our assault battalion, and the companies of our support battalion are ‘dug in’ in a line of skirmishers they are in position to meet him without any change in the formation. Everything is all set and ready to receive the counter-attack.”
The Director: “I think you have sized up the formation pretty well. I think if any member of this class is ever in command of an assault company of a support battalion in action he will remember this phase of this Terrain Exercise and when he halts for any length of time he will get the company into a line of skirmishers and have them dig in. You may say ‘why dig in for such a short halt.’ I answer that you will have no trouble getting the men to dig fox holes after they have been in action a few times. They soon learn the value of them and automatically do it.”
Solution
The Director: “Captain Hastings, let us assume that you are Captain B. How do you size up the situation?”
Captain Hastings: “My immediate mission is to get my company ready to march at the appointed hour.
“I have little information of the detailed dispositions of the enemy that is opposing our 1st battalion but my reconnaissance officer whom I will send forward right away will secure it and have it available for me before the orders for the actual relief are to be issued.
“We are to relieve the right (left) assault company of the 1st battalion which is now in close contact with the enemy along the front lines. Due to casualties and the progress of the day’s action it is probable that each of his assault platoons have both waves in the firing line and it is highly probable that some or all of the support platoon has also been absorbed in the firing line. It is necessary for Company B in making the relief to get the assault troops in the proper formation to make the attack tomorrow morning.
“The present formation of the company is suitable for the purpose and will need no change. We can march straight to the front in our present general formation. We will change from a line of skirmishers into a line of squad columns for each of the waves of the 1st and 2nd platoons and the 3rd platoon will march in a column of section columns with the second section staggered to the right of the first.”
(Note.—Discuss features of the terrain as they actually exist.)
The Director: “Your decision will be to march to the front in the general formation you are now in.”
Captain Hastings: “Yes, sir.”
The Director: “Now let us go into details a little. Lieutenant Wallace, what do you understand to be the purpose of the ‘Directing line’ assigned to the company by the Major?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “The directing line was assigned in addition to the compass bearing to make doubly sure that the company would keep the right direction and that there would be little chance for getting lost. It is a well defined topographical feature and will serve the purpose very well.”
The Director: “You note that the company has been designated as ‘base company.’ What do you understand by that?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “It is the company on which all the units of the battalion will guide during the approach march.”
Explanation
The Director: “This places an additional responsibility on the company. If Company B loses its direction the whole battalion will do the same and it is probable that the troops will not be in position ready to ‘jump off’ tomorrow morning. You have no idea of the confusion that can take place in an outfit that loses its direction and gets lost in an operation of this kind. Every possible precaution must be taken to prevent it. In this case the Captain must charge the platoon that is to march nearest to the directing line to guide on that line throughout the march and for the other platoons to guide on it. In this case the right (left) assault platoon will be designated ‘base platoon’ and will take every precaution to keep the right (left) element of the platoon absolutely on the directing line. You can see that this places the responsibility for the march direction of the whole battalion on the squad that is nearest the directing line. I want you to keep this in mind throughout the problem.”
Solution
The Director: “Lieutenant Ralston, what preliminary arrangements would Captain B make for issuing his orders to the company?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “The company command post is supposed to be located here.
(Note.—In framing up the problem the Director should locate the Company C. P. where there is cover. If it is impracticable to do so, it may be assumed that there is a shell hole available.)
“The Captain will assemble the platoon commanders and platoon sergeants and issue the orders for the initial operation of the Company.”
The Director: “What will be included in the first paragraph of the order?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “The information of the enemy and our own troops. This will be a repetition of paragraph 1 of the Major’s order with the addition of information as to what the other companies of the battalion are going to do. Captain B will go into details, for it must be remembered, that none of the platoon commanders were present when Major A issued his orders and they know nothing of the situation except what they have been able to observe for themselves.”
The Director: “I am glad to hear you bring out that point. It takes only a few minutes to explain the situation in detail and is most valuable to subordinate officers who are charged with the task of actually carrying out the operations. They must know the details of the situation. Now, Captain Harvey, what would you include in the second paragraph of the order?”
Captain Harvey: “My plans. To march at the designated hour, preparatory to relieving the right (left) assault company of the 1st battalion. In order to save questions regarding the relief I would state to the effect that detailed instructions would be issued later.”
The Director: “Very good. Now comes the distribution of troops. That is paragraph 3 of the field order. What points would you include in it?”
Captain Harvey: “I would give the orders for each platoon separately. Those for the right assault platoon would come first. I would designate the platoon by number and the name of the platoon commander; state the formation; the sector that the platoon is to march in; announce the guide; and the compass bearing of the march. In the case of the base platoon I would indicate the directing line of the march in addition.
“I will then follow with instructions for the reconnaissance party and guides to go to the front right away.
“Then will come that part of the order that is of interest to all the elements of the Company. The announcement of the base platoon; where the halt is to be made to receive detailed orders for the relief. Then will follow the final paragraph of the order designating the place where the Company Headquarters is to march.”
The Director: “I think you have covered the elements of the company order very well. I hope all of you see the necessity for such an order. You may say: why all of this long-winded order for the operation of a single rifle company? Why not have Captain B simply give the signal for the advance when the time comes and have the company go ahead? Suppose you were one of the platoon commanders in the company, would you rather have the detailed order for your operation or would you be more satisfied with a mere extended order drill formation? I am sure you will all favor the order procedure and that is the answer to the question. If every man has information of what is going on and he knows the part that his unit is to take in the operation he can go about his work in a much more intelligent manner. I am pleased to note that many of you are taking notes on the technique of the Captain’s order. They will now stand you in good stead. Are there any questions?”
Captain Hodges: “I note that Captain Harvey made a statement about sending forward the reconnaissance party. Who would head that party and just what would it be composed of?”
The Director: “Captain Harvey, what are your ideas about this?”
Captain Harvey: “I would have the second in command lead the party. It would be composed of two runners from each of the platoons and two from company headquarters.”
The Director: “You cannot have the second in command lead the party. He is not up with the company at this time. He is back with the rear echelon of the company. The idea is that he will remain there so as to be available to take charge in case the company commander becomes a casualty.”
Captain Harvey: “That is right. I had overlooked that fact. I would have the commander of the 3rd platoon conduct the reconnaissance party. His platoon is to be in support and is the most available officer. The platoon sergeant can conduct the platoon on the approach march.”
The Director: “I think you are right. Does that answer your question, Captain Hodges?”
Captain Hodges: “Yes, sir.”
Procedure
The Director: “Now, I want each member of the class to write out Captain B’s order on his pad. Place yourself in the Captain’s shoes; visualize the situation just as it is before you; refer to the notes you have made during the solution and explanations; and write out the order. This is the very best training you can possibly get. It puts the proposition right up to you for solution. In writing the order leave a margin of 1½ inches on the left.”
When the class has finished with the order the Director will direct each member to pass his order to the member at his left. Each officer will then correct the order in his possession and make comments on the margin.
When this has been completed the Director will distribute the mimeograph sheets containing the order of Captain B and the members of the class will be allowed a few minutes to compare the order he has written with the one distributed by the Director.
The Director: “Now I want each member of the class to write his name at the top of the order he has prepared and to place the name of the officer who commented on it at the top of the left-hand margin.”
When this is done the orders will be collected. The Director will examine them at his leisure for the purpose of determining the quality of the work that the class is doing.
Captain B’s order distributed by the Director will be as follows:
1. The enemy continued his retreat during the day. Our 2nd battalion has halted along (d)[[4]] where it is in close contact with the enemy. Details of location of units will be given later. The attack will be continued tomorrow morning. The 3rd battalion relieves our battalion before ——[[4]] tonight. When relieved the 2nd battalion goes to the regimental reserve. Our battalion relieves the 2nd battalion tonight. Company A marches on our left (right); Company C follows Company A at a distance of 300 yards; Company D follows us at a distance of 300 yards.
2. This company, as base company of the battalion, will march at ______ (hour), preparatory to relieving the right (left) assault company of the 2nd battalion. Detailed instructions for the relief later.
3. (a) Lieutenant X, with the 1st platoon, will march the right (left) half of our company sector. Guide will be left (right). Contact with the 2nd platoon will be maintained. Compass bearing of march —— degrees, magnetic.
(b) Lieutenant Y, with the 2nd platoon, will march in the left (right) half of our company sector. Guiding line (indicate in detail) compass bearing of march —— degrees, magnetic.
(c) Sergeant M with the 3rd platoon will march in the center of our company sector following the 1st and 2nd platoons at a distance of 200 yards.
(d) Lieutenant Z with 8 runners (2 from Company Headquarters and 2 from each platoon) will proceed at once to the front, reconnoiter the sector occupied by the left (right) assault company, 2nd battalion, and instruct the runners in order that they may act as guides for the elements of the company in effecting the relief.
(x) The 2nd platoon Base platoon. When the leading elements of the 1st and 2nd platoons reach the —— (state line) a halt will be made until further orders.
4. The rolling kitchen will join the combat train of the reserve battalion at ——.
5. I will march ahead of the 3rd platoon.
Explanation
The Director: “The platoon commanders will return to their platoons, assemble their non-commissioned officers and issue their instructions. Through this chain of command the instructions for the operation will be gotten right down to the last member of the battalion.”
Approach March and Deployment Card No. 2
Director’s Key
1. Conduct the class to the area supposed to be occupied by Company B.
2. Distribute Situation No. 2; read and explain. Call upon one or more members of class to state understanding of the situation.
3. Formation of Company B; cover; formation for advance.
4. Make estimate of situation; mission; enemy; own troops; plan; decision.
5. Purpose of directing line; meaning of base company. Loss of direction.
6. Preliminary arrangements for issuing order.
7. Contents of order: information of enemy and own troops; plan of commander; dispositions—detailed instructions for elements of company.
8. Necessity for issuing orders.
9. Reconnaissance party. Second in command.
10. Write out Captain B’s order. Pass to officer at left. Criticise. Distribute solution. Compare. Collect for future examination.
11. Procedure for platoon commanders. Get order down to last man of battalion.
Procedure
The class is now conducted to the area over which the 2nd platoon is to advance.
On arriving at a selected point the class will be halted.
The Director: “Captain James, we are now in the area over which the 2nd platoon is advancing to the front. Lieutenant Y, the platoon commander, is at this point. What do you estimate to be the approach march formation of the platoon?”
Captain James: “I will first locate the platoon commander and then designate the location of the elements of the platoon with reference to him. I think that the platoon commander would be marching at this time about midway between the assault and the support waves. The 1st Section would be marching in a line of squad columns with the right (left) squad near the directing line which is right there (indicating). It is the base section and the squad nearest the directing line is the base squad. The head of the squad columns is about 25 yards in advance of the platoon commander.
“The 2nd platoon is following the platoon commander at a distance of about 25 yards in a line of squad columns.”
Lieutenant Baker: “It seems to me that the platoon commander would be out in front of his platoon at this time.”
The Director: “The platoon commander is free to go wherever he pleases. But you must remember he has two section leaders—one for each section of the platoon. These men are supposed to be competent to do their job. The platoon commander should march where he can best direct the operations of his platoon through his section leaders. In this case I think Captain James has located the platoon leader in the proper place.
“Now having definitely fixed in our minds the location of the elements of the platoon let us proceed with the next situation.”