Explanation
The Director: “The section leader will return to the company and get the section ready to come to the front. He will go himself rather than send one of the guides. There may be some new orders or instructions from the company or platoon commander, and he will want to get them first hand. He will want to be sure that the section is supplied with the intrenching tools that are necessary for the rapid prosecution of the mark.
“The section guides will each mark the cutting lines for the section of trench that he is responsible for and those of the communication parallel. They will have everything in readiness to start work as soon as the men get up to the position.
“We have gone into considerable detail in the solution of the problem, but I am sure every member of the class now realizes the necessity for it and how simple the final solution is. When we started out with the problem I am sure you all felt like we were entering upon a hopeless task but when you finally get down to the last analysis of it and find that the pressing problem is the digging of four short sections of trench capable of sheltering four men each and getting started on the communication parallel you realize that it is not such a big proposition after all.
“All of this shows the necessity for the systematic training of officers and men in these things. I am sure you can see what would happen to an untrained outfit blundering into a proposition of this kind. You can readily imagine a company rushing madly to the front with no one to tell the men where to go or what to do. These tactical situations that confront troops in time of war require time and forethought for their solution. Unless the proposition is gone about in a systematic and orderly manner the task is hopeless. I feel sure that if any of you were confronted with the task of organizing a defensive position in the face of the enemy you are better equipped for the solution of the task for having had this Terrain Exercise.”
Defensive Position Card No. 3
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class to area assigned to the 2nd Section.
2. Explain purpose of giving this small problem to class. Distribute Situation No. 3, read and explain.
3. Point out location of all defensive elements that have a bearing on the area allotted to the 2nd Section. Disposition of troops—factors affecting outpost line, firing line.