The Director will endeavor to answer any questions that may be asked by members of the class.
After all questions have been cleared up the Director will hand a copy of the problem to each member of the class. A few minutes are allowed for the class to read over the problem.
The Director: “Please give me your attention while we go over the problem.”
The Director reads the problem aloud, each member of the class following from the copy in his possession. The direction of places mentioned are pointed out.
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, give a brief statement of the tactical situation, as you understand it.”
Lieutenant Williams states his understanding of the tactical situation. As he proceeds the Director makes such explanations as may be desirable. One or more additional members of the class may be called upon to state their version of the tactical situation. All of this is for the purpose of fixing the elements of the problem firmly in the minds of the members of the class and prevent any subsequent misunderstanding of them.
The Director: “Captain Hastings, you note that the problem states that our battalion is a right (left) flank guard. Just what do you understand by that?”
Captain Hastings: “Ordinarily the flanks of a column on the march may be protected by small patrols sent out from the advance guard. There are, however, occasions when patrols will not suffice and it is necessary to send out a stronger detachment, to march along a route essentially parallel to and abreast of the force. A detachment so sent out is called a flank guard. In this case our whole battalion is a flank guard sent out to protect the right (left) flank of our brigade in its march towards (b).”
The Director: “What do you understand to be the duties of a flank guard?”
Captain Hastings: “They are much the same as those of an advance guard, that is, to do everything possible to facilitate the uninterrupted progress of the main body. All other duties are incidental to this and all have this prime object in view.”