The Problem
Situation No. 1:
You, Lieutenant W, commanding the first platoon, have been detailed to form the advance party. It is now (h). Your platoon is formed here.
Required:
The action that you, Lieutenant W, take, and the orders you issue to your platoon.
Procedure
The members of the class are assembled at (g) on the (n—o) road (see explanation of symbols), where it is intended that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.
The Director: “Before taking up the problem for solution, I want to make a few remarks on the formation of a column of troops on the march and to review briefly the formation and duties of an advance guard.”
Explanation
The Director: “A column of troops on the march consists of a main body and such covering detachments as may be necessary. These covering detachments are denominated advance guards, rear guards and flank guards. They are thrown out for the purpose of gaining information of the enemy, to protect the main body from surprise, and to hold off the enemy a sufficient length of time for the main body to prepare for action.
“The covering detachment that goes ahead of and protects the march of a marching column is called an ‘advance guard.’ It consists of a series of detachments or groups increasing progressively in strength from head to rear, each being charged with the protection of the group immediately following it from surprise and thus gaining time for the latter to get ready to fight.
“Formation.—The advance guard is normally divided into a support and a reserve. From the support, an advance party is sent to the front a few hundred yards, and from this advance party a small patrol, technically called a ‘point,’ is sent out. From time to time as the occasion demands, patrols are sent out to the right and left. These are called ‘flankers.’
“When the advance guard consists of a small force the reserve is omitted and we have only a support, from which an advance party is sent out.
“In the problem we have an advance guard composed of one rifle company of infantry. What is the proper formation?
“The advance party will consist of one platoon, from which a ‘point’ of one squad will be sent out to the front, a distance of about 200 yards. The remainder of the company will constitute the support and follow the advance party at a distance of about 400 yards.
“We do away with a reserve. It would divide the company into too many component parts and make control just that much more difficult.
“That is what may be termed the usual formation. Conditions may be such that it would be desirable to make the advance party stronger; as where the enemy habitually opposes us with relatively small detachments and we want to run over them and drive them off without bringing the support into action.
“In any case you must have a knowledge of the functions of an advance guard. You must know the mission and be able to size up the situation of the particular case. You must then use your plain commonsense in meeting the situations as they develop.
“Duties.—Now let us see what the duties of the advance guard are:
“1. To prevent the main body of our troops from being fired into while they are in a formation that prevents them from defending themselves. You can imagine what would happen if an effective fire were suddenly poured into the company while it is marching in column of squads on the road.
“2. To gain information of the enemy by sending out detachments to the front and flanks at such points as may be necessary. Here is an important thing to remember. Under the conditions of modern warfare, the haphazard method of sending out flanking patrols has every chance of resulting in disaster. These men never get back in time to be of use to you when you need them. Much of this patrolling and marching of flanking detachments across country is exhausting and wears out your troops. It should be reduced to the minimum.
“3. To push back small parties of the enemy. The progress of the main body must not be arrested by small, comparatively insignificant detachments of the enemy. It is the duty of the advance guard to brush them aside. How many times at maneuvers have you seen a skillfully handled patrol make a whole advance guard deploy? It should have been swept away by the advance party. The idea is, that you simply have to keep pushing to the front until you really encounter something that will stop you.
“4. To check the advance of the enemy in force long enough for the main body to prepare for action. When the enemy is met in sufficient force to warrant the employment of troops of the main body there is a certain process that the commander has to go through before he can get his troops in action. A reconnaissance must be made to determine the strength and disposition of the enemy, for it would be folly to commit a force to action without knowing something of these elements. Then, too, the orders for the deployment have to be issued and the deployment has to be effected. All of this takes a certain amount of time during which period the advance guard holds off the enemy.
“5. To remove obstacles, repair the roads, and favor in every way the uninterrupted progress of the main body.
“These are the duties of the advance guard. These are the things that platoon, section and squad leaders must ever keep in mind when they are on advance guard duty. These are the things that we officers must learn about in time of peace in order that we may do them as a matter of habit in time of actual service.
“Distances.—The distances between the several elements of the advance guard are fixed by the general rule that ‘the element in front must be at such a distance that the next succeeding element will not be involved in a disaster to the former.’
Formation of Advance Guard of One Company for a Battalion
“The point will be from 150 to 200 yards in advance of the advance party. The latter will be from 300 to 400 yards in front of the support and the main body will follow at a distance of from 400 to 500 yards. It will thus be seen that the head of a battalion with one company as advance guard will be about 1,400 yards away from the enemy. This allows a minimum distance of 400 yards from the leading man of the point to the enemy. If a deployment becomes necessary, it can be made in comparative security. These distances are not fixed. They are flexible. They may be increased or diminished to meet the situation. When the advance guard commander prescribes distances between the several elements it is not to be taken that the exact distance will be maintained at all times. It is merely an indication of the approximate distances desired.
“Communication.—Communication between the several elements of the advance guard and with the main body is kept up by means of connecting files which march between them. They employ signals and act as runners when necessary.
“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 are allowed for the class to read over the problem.
The Director: “Please give me your attention while we go over the problem.”
The Director reads the problem aloud, each member of the class following from the copy in his possession. The direction of places mentioned are pointed out.
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, give a brief statement of the tactical situation, as you understand it.”
Lieutenant Williams states his understanding of the tactical situation. As he proceeds the Director makes such explanations as may be desirable. One or more additional members of the class may be called upon to state their version of the tactical situation. All of this is for the purpose of fixing the elements of the problem firmly in the minds of the members of the class and prevent any subsequent misunderstanding of them.
The Director: “Captain Hastings, you note that the problem states that our battalion is a right (left) flank guard. Just what do you understand by that?”
Captain Hastings: “Ordinarily the flanks of a column on the march may be protected by small patrols sent out from the advance guard. There are, however, occasions when patrols will not suffice and it is necessary to send out a stronger detachment, to march along a route essentially parallel to and abreast of the force. A detachment so sent out is called a flank guard. In this case our whole battalion is a flank guard sent out to protect the right (left) flank of our brigade in its march towards (b).”
The Director: “What do you understand to be the duties of a flank guard?”
Captain Hastings: “They are much the same as those of an advance guard, that is, to do everything possible to facilitate the uninterrupted progress of the main body. All other duties are incidental to this and all have this prime object in view.”
The Director: “Very good. Are there any questions at this time? Now I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant W, commanding the first platoon of Company A. Your platoon is right over there (pointing), formed up in line, at the right of the company. You, together with the other officers and non-commissioned officers of the company, have assembled here and have received the verbal orders of the captain for the formation of the company as the advance guard of the battalion. You are now ready to return to your platoon. Just how are you going to do the job that has been assigned to you?”
The Director will now conduct the class to the point where the first platoon is supposed to be.
Solution
The Director: “Lieutenant Wallace, we will assume that you are commanding the platoon. Just how do you go about the task of getting started on the day’s work?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “I should first see if all the men are present, and then I would inspect the platoon to make sure that everything is all right.”
The Director: “The first part of your problem is simple. All you have to do is to glance down the ranks to determine whether every man is in his proper place. Let us assume that all are present. Now, with regard to the proposition of the inspection. In campaign the platoon commander should inspect his platoon at reveille—check up the appearance of the men and note the condition of the arms and equipment. At this time he should take the steps necessary to remedy deficiencies and make provision for the evacuation of any man that is physically unfit. This should be a matter of routine. Then, when the day’s work is to be started, there is no delay.”
Lieutenant Wallace: “I see the point and realize the necessity for the procedure you have outlined. There is one other point. When should the rifles be loaded?”
The Director: “Some advocate that the rifles should be loaded and the safety locks turned to ‘Safe’ just after the inspection in the morning. I do not believe that to be the best procedure. It increases the chances for an accident. I would have the men load their rifles, in this case, just before starting to form the advance party. Let us assume that the platoon has been inspected at reveille and that all the men are in fit physical condition and ready for the work in hand. What is the first move you would make, Lieutenant Ralston?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “Well, sir, I would want to get the platoon a short distance away from the rest of the company. So the first thing I do is to march the platoon about 75 to 100 yards up the road.”
The Director: “What is the idea?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “There is always more or less confusion around the company on an occasion of this kind, and I want to get my platoon off by themselves so they can give me their undivided attention while I am issuing my orders and getting them all set for the work in hand.”
The Director: “That seems to be a very good reason. Let us assume that you have moved the platoon 100 yards away from the rest of the company. You are formed up in line. What are you going to do now?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I would have the men load their rifles.”
The Director: “All right; you have done that. Captain Harvey, what is the next step?”
Captain Harvey: “I would take a few minutes to dope out the situation and determine what I am going to do.”
The Director: “That is time well spent. Now let us go through the process you have just mentioned. What is the first thing you are to determine?”
Captain Harvey: “What is the mission of the platoon? It is to form the advance party.”
The Director: “What is the next step, Captain Hodges?”
Captain Hodges: “To consider the enemy—where he is, what he is doing, and what he is likely to do. In this case the only information we have is that small forces of the enemy are reported in the direction of (c). We have no information of his strength or composition or what he is doing. We must be prepared to meet him at any time and govern our action accordingly.”
The Director: “What is the next step, Captain Mason?”
Captain Mason: “To consider our own supporting forces. We know that our brigade is to march towards (b) by the (j)—(k)—(l) road. That our battalion continues its mission as a right (left) flank guard. That our company, less this platoon, is the support, which follows us at a distance of about 400 yards.”
The Director: “What is the next step, Captain Jones?”
Captain Jones: “We then consider our plans of action—what we are going to do. There is no information on which to base our plans very far ahead. We can only get the advance party into the most favorable formation and be prepared for eventualities. We will have a point, consisting of one squad, precede the advance party at about 200 yards. The rest of the platoon will march in column of twos, a file on each side of the road. From this formation a rapid deployment can be made, and we are always ready to meet the enemy. Measures for local protection will be taken as the march progresses.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Baker, what is the next step in this process?”
Lieutenant Baker: “Based upon what has been said before we arrive at a decision as to what we are going to do. In this case it would be—To march at (m) o’clock by the (n)—(o) road as advance party of the advance guard. We then embody this decision in a field order and issue it verbally to the platoon.”
Explanation
The Director: “All of that which we have just discussed is what we call the ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ It is simply a sizing up of the tactical situation in a logical and systematic manner. The commander of troops who fails to do this fails to do everything possible to promote the success of the military operation he is about to undertake—he does not take advantage of all the aids at his disposal. The commander who blunders into action without sizing up the situation as we have outlined here is doomed to failure and disaster. It may be an operation in which there is little to consider—where there is little choice of methods—but you should religiously go through the process, even if only a few minutes of time are available.
“At this point I want to invite your attention to the merits of the simple five paragraph field order provided for in our Field Service Regulations. The elements of it are:
“Paragraph 1. Information of the enemy and our own troops.
“Paragraph 2. The plan of the commander, stated in general terms.
“Paragraph 3. Orders for the several elements of the command.
“Paragraph 4. Administrative and communication arrangements.
“Paragraph 5. The place where messages are to be sent, or where the commander will march.
“This form of field order has stood the test of time and, what is more to the point, it has proved to be a suitable and effective method of issuing orders in time of war. When we went to France we found the long-winded, highly detailed orders that were the development of years of trench warfare. No one read them and, if they did, they did not understand them. We used them in order to conform with requirements from higher headquarters. When we really got down to the business of fighting and had to produce results we fell back on our own simple five paragraph order, and it met all the requirements. Get the elements of this order firmly fixed in your minds and follow them. They are applicable to any body of troops, large or small.
“The next point I want to bring out is the necessity for letting every man in the platoon know what the work for the day is to be. This information is imparted to them in the form of a verbal order by the platoon commander, which embraces the points brought out in the ‘Estimate of the Situation,’ which we have just discussed.”
Solution
The Director: “Captain Hall, based upon the decision reached in our ‘Estimate of the Situation’ and the discussion prior thereto, state your solution of the problem in detail.”
Captain Hall: “I give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION; then follow with: 1. With ball cartridges, 2. LOAD. After all pieces are loaded and locked, I give the command: 1. Order, 2. ARMS. I then give the command: AT EASE, and direct: ‘Give me your attention.’ I then issue my order as follows:
“Small Red forces are reported in the direction of (c) (indicating the direction). Our brigade marches towards (b), by the (j)—(k)—(l) road, which is —— miles to the —— of here. Our battalion continues its mission as a right (left) flank guard. Our company forms the advance guard. The company, less this platoon, is the support and follows us at a distance of about 400 yards.
“‘This platoon forms the advance party.
“‘Sergeant Roberts (section leader, first section) with the first squad will form the point. March by that road (indicating the road). I will signal the direction as we go along. Precede the advance party by about 200 yards.
“‘Private Allen (rifleman from front rank, second squad), act as connecting file between the point and advance party.
“‘The remainder of the platoon will march in column of twos, one file on each side of the road, at easy marching distances.
“‘Corporal Howard (section guide, second section), watch for signals from the rear.
“‘I will march at the head of the advance party.
“‘You have about five minutes before the advance begins. Move out with the point, Sergeant Roberts, get your distance and formation and await my signal to start.
“‘Remainder of the platoon REST.’
“When the time for starting arrives I will give the command: 1. Platoon, 2. ATTENTION; and then follow with: 1. Right, 2. FACE; then: 1. Forward, 2. MARCH, and direct: ‘A file on each side of the road.’ I will then signal the point: FORWARD MARCH.”
The Director: “That is very good. Now I want each member of the class to write out the order of the platoon commander on his pad.”
Procedure
Each member of the class writes out the order of the advance party commander. When all have completed this the Director collects the work and distributes it, making sure that no member of the class receives his own solution back again.
One or more of the solutions are read aloud, and a discussion of any errors or points of importance is conducted. At the conclusion of this the Director inquires if there are any questions. He endeavors to answer any questions that may be asked, after which the class is ready to go ahead with the next situation.
Advance Guard Card No. 1
Director’s Key
1. Prepare copies of the problem and the situations, one for each member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point on the road where it is intended that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.
3. Make a short talk on the subject of advance guard duty: (a) Formation of a column of troops on the march. (b) Description of an advance guard. (c) Duties of advance guard: Security of main body; gain information; push back small parties of the enemy; check advance of enemy in force, clear road, etc. (d) Distances. (e) Communication.
4. Distribute sheets bearing problem and Situation No. 1.
5. Read problem and question members of class on tactical situation.
6. Discuss flank guard.
7. Take up solution of problem: Inspection of platoon; when to load pieces; get platoon away from company.
8. Estimate of the Situation: Mission; enemy; own troops; plans of action; decision.
9. Discussion of Field Orders. Information of enemy and own troops; plan of commander; tactical dispositions; administrative arrangements; place of commander.
10. Final solution of problem: Commands of platoon commander; orders of platoon commander; getting the platoon in march.
11. Have members of class write out orders of the platoon commander. Collect solutions and redistribute them. Have several solutions read and discussed.
Explanation
The Director: “In our solution to Situation No. 1, Captain Hall, in giving the order of the platoon commander said: ‘Sergeant Roberts, with the first squad, will form the point, etc.’ That was an eminently proper order. It did not go into details. He assumes that Sergeant Roberts is familiar with the methods of forming the point of an advance guard and conducting its operations.
“It is a very simple matter for the platoon commander to pass the order along to the sergeant in this manner. But unless the platoon commander knows how the work should be done he has no means of checking up and seeing to it that it is done properly.
“While it is not contemplated that any member of this class will ever be called upon to conduct the operations of the point of an advance guard, all should be familiar with what happens when he gives someone else an order to do so.”
Procedure
The Director passes out the papers containing Situation No. 2, reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to give their understanding of it.