The Problem
Special Situation—Blue:
The Blue forces, after severe fighting, have reached the line (a). The reds have vigorously defended every foot of the ground, and it is apparent that the resistance is growing stronger.
On account of the exhausted condition of the troops and the lack of fresh reserves, the Blues are unable to continue the advance and it has been decided to assume the defensive, temporarily.
The 2nd battalion, which has been the assault battalion, has been stopped and is now holding the line (b-c). It has suffered heavy casualties.
The 1st battalion, which has been in regimental support, has had comparatively few casualties.
The 3rd battalion is the regimental reserve.
It is now 4.30 p. m.
It has been decided to have the 1st battalion, with one platoon of the howitzer company attached, organize and hold a defensive position covering the front of the regimental sector just in rear of the line now occupied by the 2nd battalion.
Major A, the battalion commander, accompanied by his company commanders and Lieutenant Z, commanding the howitzer platoon, has made a personal reconnaissance of the position and issued the following verbal orders to the assembled officers:
“The enemy has stopped our advance temporarily. It is necessary for us to assume the defensive until our troops can be reorganized and arrangements made to resume the advance.
“Our 2nd battalion is now holding the line (b-c). It will withdraw after dark. Our 3rd battalion relieves us as support battalion.
“The —— infantry on our right will hold the front from (d to e); the —— infantry on our left will hold the front from (f to g).
“This battalion, with one howitzer platoon attached, will organize and hold the line from (h to i).
“Company H will be disposed as follows:
“One section at (j), covering (k).
“One section at (l), covering (m).
“One section at (n), covering (o).
“One section at (p), covering (q).
“The platoon from the howitzer company will be disposed as follows:
“The 37 mm. gun at (r) and the light mortar at (s), covering the front of the battalion.
“The firing line and support line are (t) and (t′) respectively. They will be organized into two strong points.
“Company A will occupy the area (u).
“Company B will occupy the area (v).
“Company C will occupy the battalion reserve line along (w).
“Companies will proceed with their tasks with the least practicable delay.
“Administrative arrangements, later.
“Battalion C. P. at (x).”
Explanation of Letter Symbols
(a). A brief description of the location of the general line reached by the Blue forces. This should be identified by some easily recognized topographical feature of the terrain.
(b-c). The specific location of the line occupied by the troops of the 2nd battalion.
(d to e), (f to g). The boundaries of the front that are to be organized and held by the troops on the right and left.
(h to i). The front to be organized and held by the 1st battalion. This will be the boundary lines of the sector not occupied by the 2nd battalion.
(j), (l), (n), (p). The location of the several sections of the machine gun company.
(k), (m), (o), (q). The front covered by the several sections of the machine gun company. Go into detail regarding the bands of fire they are to put down.
(r), (s). The location of the 37 mm. gun and light mortar of the howitzer platoon.
(t), (t′). The location of the firing line and support, respectively.
(u). The area to be occupied by Company A.
(v). The area to be occupied by Company B.
(w). The location of the battalion reserve line.
(x). The location of the battalion C. P.
(Note.—The preparation of this problem will require considerable work on the part of the Director in order to get all of the features of the position worked out in detail so as to be able to include them in the order to the company commanders. If it is practicable to do so the boundaries of the battalion sector, together with the location of the machine guns and howitzer units and the battalion C. P., should be marked with flags. This will save many questions during the Terrain Exercise and save a lot of time. It will give the members of the class a much better idea of the set-up and they will be able to proceed with the solution of their part of the problem more readily.)
Procedure
The members of the class are assembled in the vicinity of (x).
The Director distributes the sheets containing the special situation Blue and reads it aloud. The members of the class follow from the copy in their possession. The places, localities and areas referred to are pointed out in detail.
The Director will call upon one or more members of the class to state his understanding of the tactical situation and this process is continued until he is satisfied that all members know the details and are ready to proceed with the solution.
Explanation
The Director: “Before going further with the problem I want to make some remarks on the general subject of the defensive and some with reference to the part that the battalion and its component parts plays in it. The problem under consideration is that of a passive defense. Our troops have made such rapid progress that the rear echelons have not been able to keep up. The enemy has been falling back on his reserves and naturally his defense is stiffening all along the line. The time has arrived when it is necessary for us to stop for a period; reorganize our forces, which have been more or less disorganized by our successes; bring up our rear echelons; and prepare to continue the advance. During this period we must so organize our position that the enemy will have little chance for success should he decide to attack with a view to interfering with our arrangements.
“Our attacking troops have now arrived on a general line where a defensive position may be taken up and the high command has ordered such action. We do not want to give up any ground that has been gained that is suitable for our purpose. Having this principle in mind Major A has decided to organize and hold the ground that is now occupied by the support echelon of the 2nd Battalion.”
Procedure
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, what factors exercise the greatest influence in the selection of a defensive position?”
Lieutenant Williams: “I should say the facilities for communication and those for observation. The greater ease with which we can move troops within the position the better we can defend it, and unless we have facilities for observation we had better move to another place for the enemy will be able to surprise us on any and all occasions.”
The Director: “In a defensive position we deploy in great depth. What is the object of this, Captain Hastings?”
Captain Hastings: “Where a great mass of enemy artillery is to be encountered we must disperse our troops over a large area to force him to scatter his fire, and waste a lot of it. In addition to this we must have room to maneuver our counter-attack units and get them into action with as little flank marching as possible. In a case like we are considering here I do not believe such great depth is necessary. This is open warfare and it will take the enemy quite a while to get his artillery in shape to employ it effectively on our position. We will therefore be able to concentrate our troops in a more shallow zone than is usual in regular position warfare.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Wallace, what are the defensive areas called in a defensive position?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “They are combat groups; strong points; centers of resistance; subsectors and sectors.”
The Director: “What do you understand a combat group to be?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “It is an area prepared for defense and held by a small unit such as a platoon or section.”
The Director: “What is a strong point, Lieutenant Ralston?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “A strong point is an aggregate of combat groups distributed in width and depth under the command of one officer. It is usually defended by a rifle company and usually has machine guns attached. Where practicable, it is arranged for all ’round defense.”
The Director: “What is a center of resistance?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “An aggregate of strong points distributed in width and depth and commanded by one officer. It is usually occupied by a battalion.”
The Director: “I hope you all see how this proposition works out. A combat group is the smallest element. Two or more of these groups form a strong point. Two or more strong points linked up together form a center of resistance. You will note the Major’s disposition for our battalion here. It forms a center of resistance consisting of the two strong points held by Companies A and B respectively with Company C as a reserve with Company D distributed at key points within the area.”
The class is now conducted to area (u), which has been assigned to Company A.