The Problem
Situation No. 3:
Captain M gave the following verbal orders to the platoon leaders at (s):
“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 fired by 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 engage any hostile machine guns.
“This company supports the attack.
“Firing positions:
“First platoon, the crest of this hill from 50 yards to the right of this point to 150 yards to the right of this point.
“Second platoon, the crest of this hill from 50 yards to the left of this point to 150 yards to the left of this point.
“Targets:
“First platoon, right half of enemy’s position at (t).
“Second platoon, left half of enemy’s position at (t).
“Platoon commanders will be responsible for lifting the fire so as not to endanger the infantry.
“Signal me when ready to open fire and open fire on my signal.
“Battalion ammunition point 500 yards east of here in edge of woods. Carts at disposal of platoon leaders.
“I shall be on the left of the 1st platoon.”
Required:
Actions of and orders actually issued by Lieutenant Y, commanding the 1st platoon.
Solution
The Director: “Captain Smith, in general what assistants has the platoon leader and what are their duties?”
Captain Smith: “The platoon sergeant takes command of the platoon when the lieutenant goes forward, and obtains ranges after the selection of the firing position.
“The communication corporal, with the agents (normally two), maintains communication between the platoon and the rifle company which it is supporting, and sends or signals to the platoon the information necessary to it.
“The transport corporal moves guns and ammunition carts forward in accordance with the movements of the platoon. Improvises packs when necessary. Provides for replenishment of ammunition and replacements for killed or disabled mules.
“There are seven privates in the headquarters detail. One of these is a bicyclist, two are agents to the rifle company, four runners maintain communication with machine gun company headquarters, with the sections and the platoon ammunition point.”
The Director: “Captain Burt, what would Lieutenant Y do after receiving the order from Captain M?”
Captain Burt: “He would proceed to the position assigned to his platoon. He would decide upon the positions to be assigned to his sections, and observe the enemy’s position to determine upon an allotment of targets. As the platoon approached he would halt it well under the cover of the hill and signal the platoon sergeant and the section leaders forward. When they arrived he would issue his fire order.”
The Director: “Captain Jones, give the fire order issued by Lieutenant Y.”
Captain Jones: “Lieutenant Y gives the following verbal order:
“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 fired by that platoon will indicate the beginning of the attack.
“The Stokes mortars will lay down a barrage in front of the platoon advancing in the direction of (w). The one-pounder will engage hostile machine guns.
“This platoon and the remainder of our company supports the attack.
“Firing positions:
“First section to the right of this rock; 2nd section to the left. Mount your guns below the crest and drag them into position without disclosing your presence.
“Targets:
“First section, the woods on the right of the enemy’s position at (t). Range 1,300 to 1,400. Combined sights.
“Second section, the ridge for 100 yards to the left of the woods. Range 1,300.
“Section leaders will be responsible for lifting their fire on the approach of the infantry.
“Rate of fire 200 for first minute, 150 thereafter.
“Signal me when ready. Open fire on my signal.
“Platoon ammunition point 100 yards down the hill.
“I shall remain here.”
The Director: “Captain Howe, what do you think of telling the 1st section to use combined sights? Explain the use of combined sights.”
Captain Howe: “The target undoubtedly calls for the use of combined sights. Whether it would be necessary for Lieutenant Y to direct the use of combined sights would depend on how well trained the section leader was. If I were at all doubtful I would order combined sights.
“Combined sights is the method of engaging any required depth of ground by applying simultaneously overlapping zones of fire from two or more guns. The depth of the beaten zone is increased by ordering different elevations to be used by each gun. This type of fire is not necessary under 800 meters. When it is used, as many guns as possible should be employed with 100 meters difference if the error in range finding is probably great, and with 50 meters difference if the error is probably small. This kind of fire is used either to engage a target which is deeper than the effective beaten zone or against a small target when the range is not exactly known.”
The Director: “Captain Burt, explain to the class how the section leader determines when the fire should be lifted.”
Captain Burt: “The section leader is equipped with a type EE field glass which has an inverted sight leaf in the field of view. The glass is used as follows:
“Align the inverted sight scale so that the announced range to the target will coincide with the target.
“If the range to the target is 850 meters or less, note where the line in the graticule representing 1,350 meters cuts the landscape.
“If the range to the target is 850 meters or over, add 500 meters to the range to the target, and locate the point on the landscape that is cut by this line.
“If the point located on the landscape is at or above the feet of our own troops, it will be safe to fire.
“The gunner in a similar manner determines when it is safe to fire by means of his rear sight so there is always a double check.”
The Director: “Captain Smith, do you see any purpose in ordering a rate of fire of 200 for the first minute?”
Captain Smith: “Yes, sir, it is important to place as great a volume of fire as possible on the enemy at the beginning of the attack. However, the guns cannot maintain such a rate for but a few minutes, so it is necessary to lower it. A rate of 125 to 150 could be maintained for 20 or 30 minutes, so it is safe to order that.”
The Director: “Captain Jones, what do you mean by the ammunition point?”
Captain Jones: “The machine gun platoon ammunition point consists of the transport corporal, one runner, and the four ammunition carts and four machine gun carts with their drivers. This ammunition point is responsible for maintaining the ammunition supply from the carts forward to the guns.”
The Director: “You are correct about the composition of the ammunition point, but not about its duties. Its function is to maintain a supply of ammunition in the carts sufficiently close to the guns that it can be gotten forward by the ammunition carriers, but it is not responsible for getting the ammunition forward. Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of each squad are responsible for getting the ammunition forward from the carts to the guns. The transport corporal moves the carts forward from one covered position to another by bounds and keeps the platoon leader informed of the location of the carts. That is the reason a runner is assigned to the point. The corporal is responsible for getting the ammunition forward from the combat wagons. Normally this will be done by sending the ammunition carts to the battalion ammunition point. The machine gun carts should be kept filled at all times, if possible, and at the platoon ammunition point ready to move forward to the guns.
“Captain Brown, what do you think about Lieutenant Y not ordering emplacements and cover trenches to be constructed?”
Captain Brown: “If there is time before opening fire the section leader should construct them without any orders. However, I believe it is always safer to order the construction. In this case the time is limited, so it would be best to get the guns into position and ready to open fire and then begin construction. Great caution would have to be used, however, in the construction as emplacements not properly constructed would show up very distinctly on the crest and would be a source of danger. Cover trenches behind the trench would not be visible and would be a great protection for ammunition carriers.”
The Director: “Captain Howe, no mention was made in the order of communications, what do you think of that?”
Captain Howe: “It is unnecessary if the platoon is trained properly. It becomes a matter of routine, and instructions are given only if something out of the ordinary is required.”
Machine Gun Co. Card No. 3
Director’s Key
1. Pass out Situation No. 3. Have members of the class explain their understanding of it.
2. Have members of the class discuss: Duties of the members of the platoon headquarters detail. Action of Lieutenant Y prior to the issue of the fire order.
3. Have a member of the class give the fire order issued by Lieutenant Y.
4. Have members of the class discuss: Combined sights. Safety angles for direct overhead fire. Rates of fire. The platoon ammunition point. Construction of emplacements and cover trenches. Communications.
Procedure
The Director passes out the papers containing Special Situation No. 4, reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to give their understanding of it.