The Problem
Situation No. 3:
You, Sergeant X, have been detailed to cover the posting of the outguards. Lieutenant M’s order to you is as follows:
“Sergeant X, with the first section (less one squad), will cover the posting of the outguards and on completion of that duty withdraw to the support.”
The troops have been turned over to you and you have been directed to move out.
Required:
Carry out your mission.
Procedure
The Director reads the situation aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to state his understanding of it.
The Director: “Now, I want each member of the class to consider himself as being Sergeant X. You have your troops right here on the road and everything is ready to proceed with the work in hand. Just how do you go about carrying out your mission? Lieutenant Wallace, what is the first move you would make?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “I would want to get my men away from the rest of the platoon so I can give them their instructions without having their attention diverted by other things.”
The Director: “All right. Let us assume that you have done so and you have them right here. We are now ready to proceed. Go ahead with your solution.”
Solution
Lieutenant Wallace: “In the first place, I would not want the men to be burdened with their packs, so I would have them taken off and piled here.”
The Director: “Would you have them take off the entire pack? Tell us just what equipment they would carry.”
Lieutenant Wallace: “Only the rifle and belt.”
The Director: “Captain Hastings, do you agree with that?”
Captain Hastings: “No, sir. I would have the men take off only the rolls. I would have them carry the haversack with them. The Infantry pack is designed for this very purpose. We can relieve the men of the burdensome part of the pack and still retain the essentials. I do not believe a man should ever be without his haversack in the field.”
The Director: “You are correct. Let us assume that we have taken the rolls off and piled them here. Now, Lieutenant Wallace, what are you going to do?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “I am going to give my orders. All the men of the section have heard the platoon commander’s orders about the enemy and our own troops, so there is no necessity for repeating them. The next thing is to tell the men what our mission is to be. I would cover this by the simple statement:
“‘This section (less the first squad) will cover the posting of the outguards.’
“I will now have to decide upon the formation that I am going to take up. The front to be covered is too extensive to be covered by a line of skirmishers, and besides I do not approve of such a formation. It is too difficult to control the operations. I would use the patrol method. Divide the section up into small patrols and keep a small support.”
The Director: “Captain Hastings, do you agree with such dispositions?”
Captain Hastings: “Yes, sir. I think the patrol formation is best. It has many advantages over the line of skirmishers.”
The Director: “How many patrols would you have?”
Captain Hastings: “I should have three patrols of a leader and three men each. This would account for the second squad and the front rank of the third squad. I would keep the rear rank of the third squad under my own control as a support.”
The Director: “Based on that disposition, what orders would you give?”
Captain Hastings: “I would say:
“‘Corporal D, take the front rank of your squad and move out to the right oblique in the direction of that ——.
“‘Private E, you are detailed as acting corporal. Take the rear rank of the second squad and move to the front along this road.
“‘Corporal F, take the front rank of your squad and move out to the left oblique in the direction of that ——.
“‘The rear rank of the third squad will accompany me. I will march 200 yards in rear of Private E’s patrol.
“‘Patrols will advance about 1,200 yards to the front. Keep in communication with me. Remain out until you receive orders to withdraw.
“‘Messages to me.
“‘Take charge of your patrols and move out.’
“I believe these orders would set the covering troops in motion.”
The Director: “I agree with you. Are there any questions? I assume that when no questions are asked every member of the class not only understands what is being done, but also the reasons for doing it that particular way. If there is ever any doubt in your mind about any part of the problem or the solution, you should ask questions and demand explanations until the matter is entirely cleared up.”
Procedure
The Director: “Now, I want each member of the class to write out Sergeant X’s orders on his pad. The information about the enemy and our own troops that has already been given to the men by the platoon commander need not be repeated. The first paragraph might be.
“‘You have heard what the platoon commander said about the enemy and our own troops. There is no further information.’”
When all the members of the class have completed writing the order the papers are collected and redistributed. One or more members may be called upon to read the order in their possession and comment upon it. The whole idea is to impress the solution of each phase of the problem so firmly in the minds of the members of the class that, in case they should ever be called upon in active service to meet a similar situation, they would know exactly how to go about it.
Outpost Card No. 3
Director’s Key
1. Explain necessity for covering the posting of the outguards. Formations that may be used: Skirmishers; patrols; advantages of patrol system.
2. Pass out problem and read it. Have members of class explain their version.
3. Disposition of packs. Keep haversacks. Remove rolls.
4. Orders: Information of enemy and own troops known. Second paragraph. Dispositions. Orders for patrols. Three patrols and support. How far to go out. When to return.
5. Asking questions.
6. Have class write out solution. Collect and redistribute solutions. Read and comment on solutions.
7. Explain object of problem.
Procedure
The class is now conducted down the road to the point where outguard No. 2 is to be posted.
Explanation
The Director: “The order of the platoon commander requires Corporal V, with the fifth squad, to post outguard No. 2 on the main road in this vicinity and covering the front from —— (exclusive) to —— (exclusive).
(Note.—The Director points out the limits of the front to be covered by the outguards.)
“There are some definite rules that may be laid down governing the location of an outguard. In the first place, the location within reasonable limits has been designated by the support commander in his order. We are to cover the main road leading from the direction in which the enemy is reported to be. The outguard should occupy a good defensive position—that is, it should have a good field of fire to the front and in oblique directions toward both flanks. It should be so far concealed that the enemy could not discover it without attacking.”
Procedure
Situation No. 4 is now handed out to the members of the class.