The Problem
Situation No. 4:
You, Sergeant Wilkins, have arrived at this point. Your patrol is in the formation originally adopted. Nothing has yet been seen or heard of the enemy.
Required:
What action do you take?
Solution
The Director: “Captain Hastings, you have arrived at a point which is sufficiently far out on the road to prevent the enemy from firing into the main body. You have here very good observation over the country to your front and flanks. You have a fairly good field of fire. As you know, only cavalry has been reported operating on this flank and on account of obstacles, wire fences, etc., their operations will be confined more or less to the roads. After considering all of these facts what is your reaction?”
Captain Hastings: “I can see no necessity for going further. I do not think anything more could be accomplished by doing so. From a position here we could certainly stop any small body and we could administer considerable punishment to a body as large as a troop if we caught them mounted on the road. I would take up a position here and make my disposition so as to cover the road.”
The Director: “Having decided to take up a position in this vicinity, just how would you do it, Lieutenant Wallace, where would you place your men?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “There is sufficient space on the road and at the sides of the road to accommodate the squad. I think I would place them so they can fire straight down the road.”
The Director: “What do you think of that solution, Lieutenant Ralston?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I would not do it that way.”
The Director: “Why?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “Well, sir, the men would be too much exposed. Suppose the enemy appeared on the road with as much as a troop. We fire into him. Perhaps the hostile captain’s orders are to check the advance of our main body. He decides to take his losses and charges down the road. Our small detachment would be in a precarious situation, only eight men against an entire troop. The men know they have no means of getting out of the way. They would be thinking more of their own safety than of hitting the enemy. They would shoot wild, and the chances are that the squad would be ridden down and destroyed. On the other hand, if we put the men on the other side of the wire fences, they will know that a mounted charge cannot hurt them. They will have more confidence in their ability to stop it and the firing will be much more effective.”
The Director: “Then you would place your men on the other side of the fence, would you?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “Yes, sir.”
The Director: “On which side of the road would you place them?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “On both sides, sir. Half a squad on each side. This disposition would give me a good cross-fire on the road.”
The Director: “Have you any objections to that disposition, Captain Harvey?”
Captain Harvey: “Yes, sir. It divides the force and makes it very difficult for Sergeant Wilkins to control and direct the fire.”
The Director: “Captain Hodges, do you see any other objections?”
Captain Hodges: “Yes, sir. I would not only want all the men on the same side of the road but I would want them on this side (indicating the side in the direction of which the flank guard is marching). If it comes to the point where we are compelled to fall back we can do so directly on our own troops and not have to expose ourselves while climbing the fences and crossing the road. And the field of fire is about as good on this favorable side, too.”
The Director: “I think your points are well taken. Let us decide that we are to place the patrol in position on this side (indicate) of the road. Captain James just how would you go about it?”
Captain James: “I would get the men through the fence, and to the vicinity of the position that we are to take up.”
Procedure
The Director now conducts the class to the place where the position is to be taken up.
Solution
The Director: “Captain James, let us assume that you have gotten your squad here. Tell us just what orders you would give?”
Captain James: “I would say:
“‘There is no further information of the enemy. Our troops continue the march.
“‘We will take up a position here.
“‘Each man get into a good position along this line (indicating) where he has a good field of fire, especially on the road.
“‘Hasker, you keep a lookout towards the right flank.
“‘Elliott, you keep a lookout down the road.
“‘Johnson you keep a lookout towards the left flank.
“‘I will be here (indicate).’”
The Director: “I think that would cover the situation for the time being. Would you make any personal reconnaissance to the flanks?”
Captain James: “No, sir, I would stay right here. If anything happens I want to be here to direct my men. If I considered a flank reconnaissance necessary I would send Corporal Jenkins to make it.”
The Director: “You are right. Your place is right here with the squad at this time.”
Flank Guard Card No. 4
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class down the road on which patrol is operating.
2. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 4 and explain.
3. Location: Fire on main body; observation; field of fire; cavalry confined to roads; reaction.
4. Position: In road; both sides of road; one side of road.
5. Conduct class to side of road when position is to be taken up.
6. Orders: Information of enemy and own troops; plan; disposition; place of commander.
7. Flank reconnaissance.
Procedure
It is assumed that the patrol has taken up a position on the side of the road towards which the flank guard is marching.
The Director will indicate the exact position of each man so that all members of the class will enter upon the solution of the next situation on the same basis.
The Director will now distribute the sheets bearing Situation No. 5 to the class and make such explanations as may be necessary.