The Problem
Situation No. 6:
You, Lieutenant W, with the advance party, have arrived at this point. Private Alley comes to you with a message from Sergeant Roberts and points out the place where the enemy was a few minutes ago. You already have the message from Sergeant Roberts delivered by Private Bailey.
Required:
What action do you, Lieutenant W, take?
Procedure
The Director reads the situation and explains that each member of the class is to now consider himself as being Lieutenant W.
Solution
The Director: “Captain Jones, what would you do under the circumstances?”
Captain Jones: “In the first place, the enemy’s patrol is trying to work around our flank to get in touch with our main body. The question to my mind is: Is it the job of the advance party to try and prevent this? We can hardly be expected to send patrols from the advance party so far afield. It will require a patrol of at least a squad, and probably two of them, to accomplish such a mission. It would seem to me that the task should be left to the support. I would, therefore, get word back to the advance guard commander of what is going on and he would send out the necessary patrols. In the next place, it will be necessary to investigate the place where the enemy was when our point fired on him and secure an identification if possible. This is close-in reconnaissance and may be undertaken by the advance party. I would send a patrol of three men under a corporal for the purpose.”
The Director: “How would you get the message back to Captain A?”
Captain Hodges: “Private Alley has been with the point. He has seen all that has taken place up there. I would send him back with the message to Captain A. In order that Sergeant Roberts may know what action is being taken I would send Bailey to him with a message.”
Captain Jones: “Would you make these written or verbal messages?”
Captain Hodges: “They would be verbal messages.”
Explanation
The Director: “This is a point I want to bring out. The platoon commander will seldom have time to write messages. He must depend upon his men, and especially his runners, to see for themselves what is going on so that when it is desired to send information back all the platoon commander has to do is to turn to one of his runners, give him a few words of a message, and the runner is off to make his report. He will not only carry the message, but he will give accurate information of what is going on. The careful training of runners will repay the trouble in large dividends when the time comes.
“In the present situation I think it would be well for Lieutenant F to send one of his trained runners back to the captain with Private Bailey so that he can hear the captain’s orders and see just what he does to meet the situation. The runners will then return to Lieutenant W and tell him about it.”
Solution
The Director: “Now, Captain Hodges, let us assume that you are going to send Private Alley back with the message; just what instructions would you give him?”
Captain Hodges: “I would say to Private Alley:
“‘You go back to the captain. Repeat your message to him. Tell him about what happened at the point during the halt. Tell him I am sending a patrol to investigate the place where the enemy was fired on.’
“I would adopt the Director’s suggestion and send one of my runners with Private Alley. I would say to him:
“‘You go with Private Alley to the captain. See what he does to meet the situation, hear his orders, and bring back information of all this to me.’”
The Director: “That appears to cover the situation very well. Lieutenant Baker, what message would you send to Sergeant Roberts?”
Lieutenant Baker: “I would say to Private Bailey, who was present when I gave Private Alley his instructions:
“‘Go to Sergeant Roberts and tell him what I have done to meet the situation.’”
The Director: “Let us assume that you have selected Corporal Jansen as the patrol commander to investigate the place where the enemy was fired on. Corporal Jansen has reported to you. What orders do you give him, Captain Hall?”
Captain Hall: “As we march along I would say to Corporal Jansen:
“‘You have heard the message just brought back by Private Bailey. Take the front rank of your squad and reconnoiter the edge of that wood (pointing). An enemy identification is especially desired. Report the facts to the battalion commander when he comes up. Rejoin the advance party when you can.’”
The Director: “I think these orders cover the situation admirably. I hope you all now appreciate the multitude of little problems that come up for solution in the course of a tour of advance guard duty.”
Advance Guard Card No. 6
Director’s Key
1. Hand out slips bearing Situation No. 6. Explain that each man is now to consider himself as being Lieutenant W.
2. Discussion of enemy patrol. Reconnaissance from advance party—from support.
3. Messages sent back by Sergeant Roberts.
4. Relay messages to Captain A.
5. Training of runners and messengers.
6. Messages of Lieutenant W to Captain A and Sergeant Roberts.
7. Orders for patrol to investigate place where enemy was fired on.
Procedure
The class is now conducted along the route of march, for a distance of several hundred yards, to a place where entirely new terrain is available and where the lay of the land is such that a march outpost may be established.
The class is halted and the Director passes out the slips bearing Situation No. 7.