Captain Burt: “I would have the platoon leaders signal me when they were ready and open fire on my signal. The positions of the platoons are plainly visible from my position. Since it has been ordered that fire will open at a definite time I think it better to depend on one watch than to take a chance of the platoons opening a few seconds apart.”
The Director: “All of the doubtful points have been cleared up. Assuming that you would do what it has been decided that Captain M should do, I want each of you to write out the complete fire order of Captain M. It is understood, of course, that Captain M would give his order verbally, but it is desired to have you write out this order, so that the form of the order can be examined more carefully.”
Procedure
After the solutions have been written, the Director has one or more members of the class comment on the solution of other members. The Director then distributes the sheets containing Situation No. 3, which is the fire order of Captain M.
Machine Gun Co. Card No. 2
Director’s Key
1. Explain the duties of the commanding officer of a machine gun company of an assault battalion.
2. Pass out Situation No. 2. Have members of the class explain their understanding of it.
3. Have members of class discuss: Number of platoons to be employed. Use of headquarters detail. Selection of firing position. Use of direct fire. Assignment of targets. Opening fire.
4. Have members of class write out fire order of Captain M.