The Problem
Situation No. 7:
It is assumed that the advance guard has been marching for two hours since the march was resumed after the enemy patrol was encountered. During this time enemy scouts have been observed from time to time, but they have not attempted to interfere with the march of the column.
You, Captain A, are marching at the head of the support. When you arrive at this point the signal “HALT” is received from the rear. You halt and relay the signal forward. A moment later the battalion adjutant joins you and states: “The column will halt for one hour. The major directs that the advance guard provide for the security of the command for that time.”
Required:
What action do you, Captain A, take?
Procedure
The Director reads the situation aloud and makes any explanation that may appear to him to be necessary.
Explanation
The Director: “When a column on the march halts for any considerable length of time the advance guard continues its covering duty by forming march outposts. These are simply patrols sent out to the front and flanks, a certain distance, where they halt and remain there until ordered to continue the march or until they are recalled.
“The advance party usually furnishes these patrols which are sent out on the routes by which the enemy may approach. The support is posted at some central point from which it may readily reinforce any group that may be threatened by the enemy.
“In a situation like this the question always comes up as to how the advance guard commander will issue his orders for the establishment of the march outposts—that is, whether he will do it by a message to the several elements or whether he will issue an order and have copies made and sent out.
“If the message system is employed, the advance guard commander will have to include the new information of the enemy and our own troops and give the order to the element. All of this is accomplished by issuing a simple five paragraph order and sending it out. This is more expeditious than message writing. The commander has all the information he requires, and he is given definite instructions as to what he, himself, is to do. The order method is favored.”
Solution
The Director: “Captain Hall, how do you size up the situation?”
Captain Hall: “The mission of the advance guard now is to continue to provide protection to the main body by establishing a march outpost. Enemy scouts have been observed from time to time, but they have not interfered with the march. We have no information regarding any considerable force of the enemy.
“Our main body is halted and will remain so for at least an hour. Our advance guard is so disposed that it will be able to take up its new formation without confusion. The advance party can cover the main road and, in general, the head of the column. Our patrols, of which I assume there are two on the exposed flank, will form march outguards and protect that flank. I would send out another patrol of one squad to cover the other flank and prevent enemy scouts from working around there and observing the main body.
“My decision is to form a march outpost.”
The Director: “What Captain Hall has said constitutes Captain A’s ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ These are the points that would flash through his mind as soon as he gets the information that the halt is to be made. Lieutenant Barry, what is now necessary to put the decision into effect?”
Lieutenant Barry: “It is necessary to issue an order.”
The Director: “How would you go about this?”
Lieutenant Barry: “I would assemble the two platoon commanders, the platoon sergeants and the first sergeant, and have them write down my order in their message books. This would give me a sufficient number of copies for all purposes.”
The Director: “This shows the necessity for a company commander having some means whereby several copies of an order may be made by a duplicating process—carbon paper. I believe the plan of having the first sergeant or a clerk carry a duplicating book would solve the problem. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, you may dictate Captain A’s order.”
Lieutenant Hunt: “In order to save a repetition and at the same time let all of the company with the support know what is going on I would have the men give me their attention. My order would be:
“‘There is no further information of the enemy. Our battalion halts for one hour.
“‘The advance guard will establish march outposts.
“‘The advance party will be posted on the main road and cover the head of the column.
“‘The two flank patrols on the —— flank will be posted as march outguards and cover that flank.
“‘Sergeant Hamilton with the Fourth Squad, 2nd Platoon, will establish a march outguard on the —— flank in the vicinity (point out location) and cover the —— flank of the column. The support will be posted here.
“‘Messages to Support.’”
The Director: “That seems to cover the situation. Now, how would you get this order out to all the people to whom it should go?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I would send it to Lieutenant W by a runner. I would send it out to the flank patrols by the section guide of the 3rd Platoon and direct him to make an inspection of the dispositions out there so as to make sure they are in position to carry out their mission. I would send it to the battalion commander by a runner.”
The Director: “So much for the distribution of the order. What would you do now, Lieutenant Barry?”
Lieutenant Barry: “I would now see that Sergeant Hamilton gets started on his mission, and then I would post sentinels at the support to watch out for signals from the various detachments that are out.”
The Director: “I believe that would meet the situation very well.”
Explanation
The Director: “Before terminating this Terrain Exercise I want to invite the attention of the members of the class to the multitude of small details that infantry commanders have to attend to in a problem so simple as the one we have had under consideration today. Let us suppose we have an active and aggressive enemy opposing our advance, and you can see how these details would multiply. The point I want to bring up is that, unless officers and non-commissioned officers prepare themselves for this duty by study and practice, they have not a chance of being able to meet these problems intelligently in active service. You must know what to do under any given situation, and you must know how to go about doing it. The commander who hesitates, gives his orders and then changes them several times, soon loses the confidence of his men and will eventually find himself replaced by another man who has taken advantage of his opportunities to learn the game and has the ability to carry it out. The best way I know of to acquire this knowledge is by actual practice along the lines that we have gone today.”
Advance Guard Card No. 7
Director’s Key
1. Hand out slips bearing Situation No. 7. Read situation and make any necessary explanations.
2. Explain what advance guard does when the column halts. State relative advantages and disadvantages of message and order systems.
3. Estimate of the situation, mission, enemy, own troops, plans of action, decision.
4. Captain A’s orders. Five-paragraph order. Distribution of order.
5. Remarks on necessity for study and practice.