Do not enter into an elaborate dissertation, but give short, concise orders, and if you desire to do so, append a short statement saying why you gave these orders.
Action considered Correct.
As there is only one machine gun in action, if X be attacked simultaneously from B¹ and C¹, either one party or the other should succeed in getting to the rear of the pill-box and blowing in the door.
Orders.
No. 4 Section with the Lewis gun will choose a position somewhere to the north of H, and on my signal will open a rapid fire on the loopholes of the pill-box at X. No. 3 Section will choose a position near B¹, and when the Lewis gun opens fire, they will open a rapid rifle-grenade fire on X. One minute after the Lewis gun has opened, No. 1 Section will rush in from C¹ and No. 2 Section from B¹.
* * * * *
I am aware that in the foregoing problem I have made the task of the platoon commander a very simple one. I wished, however, to avoid any points of controversy. If the ground should not be so advantageous for your attack as that above depicted, the principle, viz. movement combined with fire, still remains the same. You should bring a converging attack to bear and advance your men under cover of the fire of your rifle grenades and Lewis guns, and by pushing men forward from one shell-crater to another, you should generally be able to achieve your object if your plan be evolved on sound principles. It is also possible that smoke bombs could be used with advantage if the wind be favourable.
The above problem is one which has often been put to young officers on the battlefield, and they have not by any means always given a satisfactory answer to it, simple as it is.
Your affectionate father,
“X. Y. Z.”