Many men who are in other ways excellent instructors have not the facility for constructing problems with a point, and this being the case, it has occurred to me that I may be generally helping the training of young officers by publishing these letters which are written in continuation of those I addressed to my son on obtaining his commission. The importance of the subject with which they deal is self-evident. Unless the arrow-head, the platoon, be sharp, that is, unless the leader be skilful as well as brave, the little combat will not be won, and it is the sum of the little combats which spells the result of the battle.
There is not a word in this little book which transgresses the spirit of the training manuals and official instructions now in force.
“X. Y. Z.”
A GENERAL’S LETTERS
TO HIS SON
ON MINOR TACTICS
LETTER I
December 1, 1917.
My dear Dick,—
It is now nearly nine months since I wrote the last of my letters of advice to you, and since then you have yourself been in France and have had many experiences and hairbreadth escapes.