The Problem
General Situation:
The (a) forms the boundary between hostile states. The Blue Corps has crossed the boundary. Its advance has been stopped by a Red force of two divisions at (b).
Special Situation, Blue:
In a general attack by the Blue Corps, the —— Division is attacking with (c) regiments abreast in the sector bounded on the right (d) by (e) and on the left (d) by (e). The order of the regiments from right to left is (f). Each regiment has one battalion in the assault, one in regimental reserve, and one in brigade or division reserve (g). The —— Battalion —— Infantry, is the assaulting battalion of the —— Infantry (h). The right (d) boundary of the battalion is (e). Its left (d) boundary is (e).
The battalion is deployed with Company (i) on the right and Company (k) on the left, as assault companies, and Company (l) as the reserve company. The machine gun company (m) and one platoon of the howitzer company are operating with the battalion.
Special Situation No. 1:
The division began a general advance at (n) today. At (o), when the scouts reached (p) they were stopped by fire from the vicinity of (q).
At (r), Major X at (s), received a message from the right (left) assault company that it was held up by fire from (t). The message stated that the company would assault at (u) by building up a firing line at (v) and having a platoon attack in the direction of (w), and requested the assistance of the machine guns and auxiliary weapons. At the same time Major X received a message from the left (right) assault company that it had encountered slight resistance from (x), but was continuing to advance.
At the time Major X received the messages the machine gun company was located as follows: The 1st and 2nd Platoons were in rear of the right and left assault companies, respectively, at (y), with guns mounted on carts. The captain with his headquarters’ detail was with Major X.
Explanation of Symbols
(a) In designating the boundary line, some natural topographical or geographical feature should be selected, such as a river, creek, road, state boundary, etc. In this problem the boundary may be some miles from the point where the problem starts and in the opposite direction from the direction of attack.
(b) A general defensive position in rear of the ground selected for the problem.
(c) Two, three or four regiments would be placed in the first line depending on the frontage assigned to the division and other conditions.
(d) Compass direction—north, south, east, or west.
(e) Describe boundaries by roads, creeks, towns, points, etc. Distance between boundaries should be such as to give appropriate frontage to the division—about 500 yards for each battalion employed as an assaulting battalion.
(f) Give order by enumerating regiments as—1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Infantry.
(g) The number of battalions in assault and in reserve may vary in different regiments, depending upon the frontage assigned to the regiment and the nature of its task.
(h) If the regiment has more than one battalion in the first line, the text should read: “Is the right (left) assault battalion of —— Infantry.”
(i), (k), (l), (m) Use letters appropriate to the companies of the designated battalion.
(n), (o) Indicate the hour.
(p) Select position suitable for firing line with position in rear suitable for direct overhead fire of machine guns.
(q) Select suitable position for small force on the defensive.
(r) Indicate the hour a few minutes later than (o).
(s) Select a position between the assault and reserve companies with good visibility.
(t) Defensive position for small force of Reds.
(u) Indicate an hour that will give the rifle and machine gun companies time to get into position for the attack.
(v) Usually on or in advance of the line of scouts.
(w) A direction that will flank or envelop the local resistance.
(x) One of the positions from which scouts originally received fire.
(y) Platoons should be in rear of positions you plan to have them occupy and on natural lines of advance.
Required:
The action taken by Major X and the orders actually issued by him.
(Note.—The Machine Gun Company is organized and equipped in accordance with Table of Organization 29-W. See Appendix I.)
Procedure
The members of the class are assembled at s, the point where Major X receives the messages from his assault companies.
The Director: “Before taking up the problem for solution, I wish to make a few remarks upon the employment of a machine gun company with an assault battalion.”
Explanation
The Director: “The following, in general terms, are the principal tasks of the machine guns on the offensive:
“(1) To cover the deployment of the infantry and its advance to the first firing position.
“(2) To support the attack of the infantry.
“(3) To support the infantry in continuing the attack or taking up the pursuit after the enemy’s main position has been captured.
“(4) To assist in the consolidation of the position whenever the limit of the advance is reached or the infantry is brought to a standstill.
“During the combat the function of the machine guns is to assist constantly the advance of the infantry by fire power. The use of machine guns only at decisive points in the fight is not sufficient. They must be so used as to exert a continuous influence from the beginning to the end of the fight. They can act by fire alone and cannot be used as assault troops.
“Every assaulting infantry battalion habitually retains and employs its machine gun company. The machine gun company almost invariably acts under the direct orders of the battalion commander. Only in very exceptional cases will the company act under the orders of the regimental machine gun officer after H hour, although he frequently will prescribe tasks for it during the barrage prior to H hour.
“The following are suitable tasks for a machine gun company of an assault battalion:
“(1) To support the assault companies.
“(2) To protect the flank of the attack.
“(3) To occupy an interval in the line.
“(4) To assist in consolidating the captured ground.
“(5) To assist in resuming the attack.
“Orders.—The orders of Major X for the use of the machine guns should be clear and concise and should assign definite tasks to them. The orders, prior to attack, should assign the machine guns a definite place in the formation and should give them the mission of supporting the infantry by fire. The control of the machine guns should be exercised, as far as possible, through the commanding officer of the machine gun company. Platoons should be assigned to support rifle companies, but should not be placed under the command of rifle company commanders without there are exceptional reasons for so ordering.
“Formation.—Generally the formation of a machine gun company supporting an infantry battalion will be with one platoon on either flank supporting the two assaulting companies. As to whether or not the platoons should be placed in rear of the assault companies or in rear of the reserve company depends upon conditions. If the conditions indicate the probable early use of machine guns and the ground is favorable for their use, they should be placed in rear of the assault companies. On the other hand, if their use appears improbable, or the ground is unfavorable for overhead fire, they should be placed in rear of the reserve company, where they can use their carts as long as possible. The formation within the platoon conforms to the infantry with which it is advancing. The usual formations will be: when dismounted, line of squad columns or line of skirmishers; when mounted, column of squads. The purpose of the formation taken should be to make it difficult for the enemy to distinguish the machine guns from the infantry.
“Communication.—Where conditions permit, the commanding officer of the machine gun company will be with the battalion commander. However, the captain must not let this consideration interfere with the efficient command of his company. Where the captain does not remain with the major he will maintain contact with him by means of two runners from the machine gun company.
“Are there any questions?”
Procedure
The Director will endeavor to answer any questions that may be asked by members of the class.
After all questions have been cleared up the Director will hand a copy of the problem to each member of the class. A few minutes will be allowed to read over the problem.
The Director: “Please give me your attention while we go over the problem.”
The Director reads the problem aloud, pointing out the features of the landscape that are referred to in the problem.
The Director then calls upon one or more members of the class to explain the problem. He clears up any point that does not appear plain to all and satisfies himself that all members of the class understand the situation and what is required of them.
Solution
The Director: “Captain Smith, we shall assume that you are commanding the battalion and that Captain M, the commanding officer of the machine gun company, is with you. What would you do when you received the messages from your assault companies?”
Captain Smith: “I would send for all of the captains to report to me at once, so that I could issue my orders.”
The Director: “The captains of the two assault companies are engaged with the enemy, and it is most essential that they remain in immediate command of their companies. The captain of the reserve company is at some distance from Major X. While it is extremely desirable to issue one complete verbal order to the battalion so that any misunderstanding can be cleared up, it is not practicable to issue such an order in this case. Captain Scott, what would you do?”
Captain Scott: “I would take a look at the positions of the right assault company, the machine gun company, and the terrain, to determine whether it would be possible to support the assaulting company by overhead machine gun fire. I see that there is an excellent position for the machine guns and howitzer platoon. The commanding officers of these organizations are with me, so I at once give them the following verbal orders:
“Company —— has encountered heavy fire from (t). It will attack at (u) by building up a firing line at (v), and having a platoon attack in the direction of (w). A red rocket from this platoon will indicate the beginning of the attack.
“The Stokes mortar will lay down a barrage in front of the platoon, advancing in the direction of (w). The one-pounder will be in readiness to engage any hostile machine guns that open fire.
“The machine guns will open fire from this hill at (u), covering the enemy’s position at (t).
“Battalion ammunition point 500 yards east of this point in edge of woods.
“I shall remain here.”
The Director: “That is an excellent order. It shows that you understand that Major X should first attempt to give assistance by the use of his machine guns and auxiliary weapons and not by the use of his reserve. The reserve company should not be employed as long as the assaulting companies can overcome the resistance with the assistance of the machine guns and auxiliary weapons. Fire power should be made to take the place of man-power to the greatest extent that is practicable. You have also given an excellent example of the proper coordination of the machine guns and Stokes mortar. The ground in the direction of (w) is such that the machine guns could not effectively support the platoon advancing in that direction. The Stokes mortar, however, can search this ground and provide covering fire for the platoon. Your ordering a red rocket to be fired by the platoon advancing in the direction of (w) shows that you understand the necessity for synchronizing the launching of the attack and the opening of fire by the machine guns and auxiliary weapons. However, the steps that you have taken are not adequate to secure this. You have failed to notify the commanding officer of the right assault company of the time that the machine guns will open fire and have not directed him to have his platoon fire a red rocket at the beginning of its attack.
“Captain Howe, tell us how you would notify the commanding officer of the assault companies of your plans.”
Captain Howe: “I would send a written message by a runner as follows:
“Begin your attack at (u). The machine guns will open fire from (s) at (u). The Stokes mortar will open fire in the direction of (w) at (u) and will lift their fire 100 yards in two minutes for six minutes. The one-pounders will fire on hostile machine guns.
“Your platoon, advancing in the direction of (w), will fire a red rocket as a signal that it is leaving its cover and beginning the attack.
“Battalion ammunition point in edge of woods 500 yards east of (s).
“I shall remain here.”
Machine Gun Co. Card No. 1
Director’s Key
1. Make copies of the problems and the situation, one for each member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point where the battalion commander receives the messages from his assault companies.
3. Make a short talk on the employment of machine guns on the offensive: (a) tasks of machine guns in general on the offensive. (b) Tasks of a machine gun company of an assault battalion. (c) Orders of the battalion commander to the machine gun company. (d) Formation of the machine gun company. (e) Communications.
4. Distribute the sheets bearing problem and situation No. 1.
5. Read problem and question members of the class on the tactical situation.
6. Take up the solution of the problem: Action of Major X; Orders actually issued by Major X.
7. Explanation by the director of the importance of using fire power, and of the necessity for coordination between the rifle companies and the machine guns.
8. May have members of the class write out orders of the battalion commander.
Explanation
The Director: “In the situation just completed we have considered the employment of machine guns from the point of view of the commander who has the responsibility for the coordination of the rifle companies and the machine gun company and for the application of fire power to save man-power wherever it is practicable. In the next situation we shall take up the methods of applying this fire power to support the rifle companies. These are technical questions entirely within the province of the machine gun officer. In the formation the battalion commander designates the position of the machine gun company with reference to the rifle companies; the machine gun company commander determines the formation within his company. Ordinarily the company commander will determine whether the guns will go forward on carts and when it will be necessary to abandon the carts. The firing position may be designated by the battalion commander, or it may be left to the selection of the machine gun company commander. The manner of occupation of the position is decided upon by the machine gun officer. The class of fire to be delivered is a question for the decision of machine gun officers or non-commissioned officers. The situation may be such as to require the sections or platoons to employ different classes of fire. The concentration of the fire of his platoons is a function of the machine gun company commander. In the absence of orders from the battalion commander, the company commander will determine whether the fire of the company will be distributed over the front of the whole battalion or whether it will be concentrated upon a portion of the front. The method of advance from one firing position to another will be determined by the company or platoon commander. Where the company is employed as a whole the advance may be by platoon. As a rule, however, the platoons will advance by alternate sections so that a rifle company will never be without support. The duty of maintaining the ammunition supply from the battalion ammunition point forward to the guns devolves upon the machine gun captain. The machine gun company is responsible for communication forward to the assault companies and to the battalion commander.”
Machine gun company in attack—one formation—others may be used
Procedure
The Director passes out the papers containing Special Situation No. 2, reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to explain it.