The Problem
The Director states the following situation orally:
“At this moment you hear quite heavy firing which you estimate comes from the direction of the main body. There are a few shots from the direction of the flank guard. The time you were ordered to remain out here is about up.”
Solution
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, how do you size up the situation now?”
Lieutenant Williams: “Our original mission was to cover this road for a certain number of minutes. That time is about up now when we will have completed the mission. New conditions have arisen which could not have been provided for when Lieutenant A gave us our original orders and a new situation confronts us. It would seem to me that our mission would now be to ‘continue to cover the road.’
“From the firing we have heard, it is possible that our main body has run into a considerable force of the enemy on the main road. If this is a Cavalry force covering one of Infantry it will soon transfer its activities to the flanks and try and cut in on the flanks of our main body. Under those circumstances our flank guard will have a very important role to play. The road that we are on leads directly to the flank and rear of our main body and must be guarded for the time being. The fact that we have already encountered the enemy indicates that he intends to make use of it if practicable and the presence of even our small force here will make him more cautious and delay and hamper his operations. If our main body has run into only a small Cavalry force of the enemy it will be quickly brushed aside and the situation will be cleared up in a few minutes.
“After considering all of these circumstances, I think Sergeant Wilkins’ decision would be to remain here and continue covering this road.”
The Director: “I think you are right. Now, having arrived at that decision, what are you going to do next, Captain Hastings?”
Captain Hastings: “The men would be looking to me for instructions. I would say:
“‘It is apparent that our main body has encountered a force of the enemy. It is possible that our flank guard has halted.
“‘We will remain here for the present.
“‘Shane, you will keep on the look out for the enemy.
“‘Take off your packs and put them on the ground behind you.
“‘Secure your intrenching tools and each man improve his firing position.
“‘I will remain here.’”
The Director: “I think that order would meet the immediate requirements.”
Procedure
The Director will bring out the points involved in the preparation of the position for defense. This will depend entirely upon the terrain. By questioning members of the class and a discussion the method of preparing certain of the individual fire positions will be arrived at. The question of obstacles in the road to interfere with the enemy’s advance should also be considered and discussed.
Flank Guard Card No. 5
Director’s Key
1. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 5. Read and explain.
2. Estimate of enemy. Contact patrol. Action—open fire on enemy. How close to let them come. Fire orders.
3. Assumption regarding action of patrol and enemy. Identification.
4. Message to flank guard commander. Importance of identification.
5. Action with respect to enemy dead and wounded.
6. State new situation verbally. Main body encounters enemy. Size up new situation.
7. New mission of patrol. Decision to remain where it is.
8. Orders for patrol: Information of enemy and own troops; remain here; look out for enemy; take off pack; prepare for defense.
9. Bring out points involved in preparation for defense. Improvement of firing position. Obstacles.