Front Line Observation and Reports
Remember that straws show which way the wind blows, and that apparently trivial information may be of great importance if considered in correct perspective. For instance, three small parties of Germans seen in front of a battalion sector is not an item of much interest, but if such parties are seen by all or most of the observers on a divisional front, enemy movement of importance is indicated, so include everything observed which is of the slightest importance.
Remember that your report passes through the hands of the Battalion Intelligence Officer, and by him the information it contains is passed on to Brigade, thence to Division, and so on. During the whole of this process, the information is weighed, sifted, and compared over and over again. Hence, that which really proves to be of no importance will be eliminated, while that which is of value will reach those to whom it may be of use.
Remember that you are in close touch with the enemy, and that you, and you only, are responsible for the observation of his forward area. You must not rely upon the Divisional or Corps Observers to do this work for you.
When taking over a post for the first time you must study the ground carefully and get to know the exact location of all prominent objects. Then, in a few days’ time, you will be capable of giving map locations of targets without bearings.
It is of little or no use to look for movement until you know your front by heart, the GOOD observer is the man who can almost see the co-ordinates lying on the ground. In this way some of the Lovat Scouts can give the map references of a moving object as it moves, without a glance at the map.
The best times of the day for you, as a front-line observer, are dawn and dusk. Ration parties, working parties, reliefs, etc., are all waiting to move forward at dusk, and much good work can be done by picking up these targets and reporting them to the Artillery. The same or similar parties can often be seen returning at dawn, particularly after a night during which our harassing fire has been heavy.
Again, a misty day—although the definition obtained through your telescope is not so clear as usual—is often excellent for observation of the enemy’s front-line system, as, on such days, through a false sense of security, the enemy often shows himself in concealed posts, etc., which he would never give away by carelessness during clearer weather.
Always note time (signal time) and map co-ordinates of anything observed.
If anything of importance be seen, such as abnormal movement, suspected reliefs, etc., report them at once. Don’t wait until you come off duty.