The Director: “I think Captain Jones is right in his contentions, but I agree with Captain Hodges’ solution to get as many men as possible up on the line before opening fire. Of course, if the enemy does anything that would warrant opening fire before all the men are up, it should be done.”
Explanation
The Director: “The advantage of waiting until all the rifles are on the line is that, as soon as these men are fired on, they will probably try to make their get-away. They will furnish a target for only a few seconds. If our point can inflict sufficient casualties, they may fall back and abandon the attempt at further reconnaissance, especially if they can down the patrol leader. If the leading men of the point open fire, by the time the last man gets up, the enemy will be well under way and there will be no target to fire at. If the enemy returns the fire, they at once reveal themselves, and Sergeant Roberts will do well to be seeking out other detachments in the vicinity. A reconnoitering patrol does not fire on an occasion of this kind unless it is surprised and forced to do so in self-defense. It has a much better chance of accomplishing its mission of securing information by avoiding combat. If this small body of the enemy open fire, it may be reasonably assumed that they are being backed up by other troops or have accomplished their mission of finding out the strength and composition of our forces and have turned themselves into a fighting patrol and open fire to delay us and thus give information to their own troops that we are advancing in force. If they immediately try to make a get-away, it will indicate that they are a reconnoitering patrol and will probably try to work around to the flanks of the column to get information of our main body. On the other hand, they will know that we are not a reconnoitering patrol as soon as we open fire. They know that we are backed up by other troops.
“You now see the elements involved in this simple situation. You see the responsibility that devolves upon non-commissioned officers when they are placed in the position of Sergeant Roberts. To know what to do and how to do it requires training and close attention to detail. Probably any of us could blunder through a situation of this kind, but it takes a man trained in military tactics to make his decisions quickly, to act upon them promptly and take advantage of the fleeting moments to inflict damage on the enemy. These are the things that we study to become proficient in. These are the things that we must teach our non-commissioned officers if we are to have confidence in their ability to meet tactical situations that confront them, with judgment and decision. And there is no royal road to success along this line. The knowledge required can be attained only by thorough study and practice.”
Solution
The Director: “Lieutenant Baker, suppose the enemy does something which, in your judgment, requires fire to be opened before the whole point is up and in position, would you join in the firing yourself?”
Lieutenant Baker: “No, sir. I would not. I estimate that I would have plenty to do to direct the fire of the other men; to search the country to see if any other parties of the enemy were in our front, and to keep the advance party commander advised of what is going on at the front.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Barney, let us assume that you were able to get all of the men on the line before opening fire and were able to open as a surprise to the enemy. He takes cover and returns the fire. What further action would you take?”
Lieutenant Barney: “I would keep on firing. I would signal the advance party commander to send up some reinforcements.”
The Director: “Do you agree with that solution, Lieutenant Hunt?”