The Problem
Situation No. 2:
You, Lieutenant A, commanding the flank guard, and marching at the head of the support, are approaching this road fork. The flank guard is now marching abreast of the interval between the reserve of the advance guard and the head of the main body of the column on the (a)-(b) road. There has been no contact with the enemy.
Required:
What action do you take?
Procedure
The Director reads over the problem and makes such explanation as may be necessary.
The Director: “Captain Harvey, how do you size up the situation at this time?”
Captain Harvey: “The mission of the flank guard is the protection of this flank of the column marching on the (a)-(b) road, and provide for its uninterrupted progress. The enemy has been reported out on this flank (pointing). He will naturally take advantage of roads leading towards the Blue column to facilitate his operations. The road we are approaching leads from the direction of the enemy and must be watched until our main column has passed the danger point. We are marching abreast of the interval between the advance guard and the main body of our main column. This road will have to be watched until the main body passes beyond it. The road space occupied by the main body of the column would be about 2,900 yards, including field train of the regiment and excluding the combat train of the 1st brigade. The column will pass a given point at the rate of about 88 yards per minute. It will therefore take about 32 minutes for the main body to pass.
“My decision would be to send a patrol out on the road to the —— (direction).”
The Director: “Your estimate seems to cover the necessary points and I think we can agree that you have arrived at the proper decision. Just a mention of this ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ It is a logical process of thought involving the elements just mentioned by Captain Harvey, terminating in a tactical decision. This is what you have to do in the solution of all tactical problems. The patrol leader does it in every move of his patrol. The platoon as a flank guard requires the same process on the part of the platoon leader. The company commander, as commander of the advance party of an advance guard, must consider these same elements in the conduct of his covering detachment. It is the same with the battalion commander, the regimental commander, and on up to the commander of a division. When you are presented with a tactical situation for solution, figure out all the elements of it; your mission, your situation with respect to the enemy, the influence of the terrain, and then arrive at a clean-cut decision as to what you are going to do. Captain Hodges, what would be the strength of the patrol?”
Captain Hodges: “I would make it one squad. I think that would be about right.”
The Director: “Whom would you detail in charge of the patrol?”
Captain Hodges: “Sergeant Wilkins, the left guide of the platoon.”
The Director: “When would you issue your orders for the patrol?”
Captain Hodges: “As we march along I will call Sergeant Wilkins to the head of the support and give him his orders as we march along. That would do away with the necessity for halting the column while I am giving the orders.”
The Director: “Now, Captain James, tell us just how you would give the orders to the patrol and just what you would say.”
Captain James: “As we approach the cross-road I will call Sergeant Wilkins to join me. As we march along I will give him the orders for the patrol:
“‘We have not heard or seen anything of the enemy. Our flank guard is now marching abreast of the distance between the advance guard and main body of our column on the (a)-(b) road.
“‘You will take the sixth squad and patrol down the road we are approaching to the (direction) to cover the passage of the main body. Remain out about 35 minutes and then return. Catch up with the flank guard when you can.
“‘Messages to head of support.’”
The Director: “That seems to cover the situation very well.”
Lieutenant Baker: “It seems to me that if I were Sergeant Wilkins I would want you to indicate how far I am to go with the patrol. Can the Director enlighten us on that point?”
The Director: “Captain Hall, what do you think about the point that Lieutenant Baker brings up?”
Captain Hall: “Captain James told the Sergeant to stay out about 35 minutes. It seems to me that is sufficient. The Sergeant can keep tab on his time and judge his distance by that.”
The Director: “Yes, I think the time element is one thing, but there is another point that has not been mentioned. You do not want to hamper your subordinate with detailed instructions. It may be that there is a point on this road only a short distance out where Sergeant Wilkins has a good view over the country and a good position in case the enemy does come upon him. There would be no necessity for going on beyond such a point. If he had specific orders to go a certain distance he would feel that he had to do it. You give the Sergeant his mission, make him understand what he is out there for. Tell him about how long he is to remain out and then let him work out his own problem. You must not go into details. The moment you do so you get beyond your depth. You cannot foresee all contingencies. There has been only one military commander that was able to do this. He was the great Napoleon.”
Flank Guard Card No. 2
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class along road to point where there is a cross-road.
2. Distribute sheets bearing Situation No. 2.
3. Estimates of Situation:—Mission; enemy; own troops; plans of action; decision; discuss necessity for.
4. Selection of commander of patrol. How give orders to him.
5. Orders:—Enemy and own troops; detail troops for patrol; mission; how long stay out; messages.
6. Questions of distance to go out.
7. Discuss going into detail in order to subordinates.