Lieutenant Baker: “I would locate it at —— (indicate place).”
The Director: “What factors did you take into consideration in selecting that location?”
Lieutenant Baker: “The facilities for observation and communication with all parts of the combat group.”
The Director: “Has any member of the class selected another location for the command post?”
(Note.—If a member suggests another location it should be discussed and put to the test of facility for observation and communication. The place that provides these two elements the best should be selected.)
The Director: “Now, there are some other arrangements that will have to be made before the men can actually go to work on the position. In the first place, they must have the proper tools to work with. Of course, some work may be accomplished with the individual intrenching tools that the squads carry, but they will need a number of regular digging tools in this case. Wire will have to be supplied for the construction of the obstacles in front of the position. It is presumed that the battalion staff will attend to all of these things, but what the platoon commander is interested in is when and where will they be supplied. I think I would send my platoon sergeant to the company commander to let him know just what is required and to secure definite information as to when and where tools and wire will be available. It is of little use to get a lot of men up to the platoon area unless they have something to work with. Besides the area is more or less crowded at this time with men of the support elements of the 2nd battalion. These are some of the things that the platoon commander must think about at this time.
“Let us now assume that the platoon sergeant and the other men that you sent for have joined you here. Let us see what orders and instructions you would give them. Captain Hall, what would you include in the first paragraph of the order?”
Captain Hall: “All the information of the enemy and our own troops. I would explain why it is necessary for our troops to go on the defensive for a time; the situation with respect to the 2nd battalion, which is holding on a short distance to the front; the location of the troops on our right and left and the role of the 3rd platoon of our company as support; the location of the elements of Company D in our area, and the location of the machine guns in the adjoining area; the location of the elements of our company. I would indicate the location of the firing line where it crosses our area. I think that is all that is necessary to be included under information of the enemy and our supporting troops.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Barry, what would you include in the second paragraph of your order?”
Lieutenant Barry: “My plan. This platoon will organize and hold the front from —— to ——.”