The Director: “Captain Harvey, let us assume that you have come to this point. You have with you the commanders of the machine gun company, Captain D, and the Howitzer platoon, Lieutenant Z. You decide that the line of departure for your attack shall be along here (indicating). What instructions would you give to Captain D and Lieutenant Z?”
Captain Harvey: “I would indicate to them where I want the machine guns, light mortars, and one-pounders to be located to support the attack.”
The Director: “You would tell exactly where to place the weapons, would you?”
Captain Harvey: “Yes, sir.”
The Director: “Captain Hodges, do you agree with that solution to the problem?”
Captain Hodges: “No, sir, I do not. It seems to me that it would be better for Captain C to indicate to Captain D and Lieutenant Z the dispositions that he proposes to make—where the line of departure is to be and the direction of the attack. Then to leave it up to those officers to select the firing positions for the weapons. I think Captain C would verify the positions selected, but he would at least give the men who are supposed to be the experts an opportunity to use their knowledge of the subject.”
The Director: “I think you are right. I believe in requiring every man to do his job. These officers have been ordered to support the attack. It is up to them to select the position where they can get the best fire effect with their weapons and to get them into position ready to do business.”
“What precautions would you take to indicate the place where the platoon leaders are to assemble, Captain James?”
Captain James: “I would send one of my company runners to the assembly point and order him to tell the platoon leaders to wait there for me.”
The Director: “I think that is a wise precaution. You do not want to take a chance on anything going wrong and failing to effect an assembly of the platoon leaders.”