“The fourth situation brings out the elements contained in a tactical ‘estimate of the situation’ and the selection and occupation of a small position.
“The fifth situation was devised to give you practical instruction in the methods of troop leading; rendering a quick decision on the appearance of the enemy and handling a squad in action. Also in making an estimate of the situation and rendering a decision when your mission has been carried out and circumstances which could not have been foreseen have arisen and it is necessary to embark on a new mission on your own initiative and without orders—in other words, when a man is thrown upon his own resources and has to decide for himself what he is going to do.
“The sixth situation was devised for the purpose of placing the members of the class on their own responsibility in the selection of a position for the defense of a particular point and make practical use of the knowledge they had gained in the solution of Situations Nos. 4 and 5.
“It is by the constant practice in solving these situations on the ground that we gain that confidence in our ability to handle them when we have troops actually present. The idea of these Terrain Exercises is that you come out here and work out the solution without troops. Then after you have learned how, you bring your troops out and take them through the problem according to the solution that you have worked out in the Terrain Exercise.
“I am sure that any of you are now more competent to handle the operations of a flank guard and a force sent out to cover a particular point. I am sure that you would have a very good idea of what to do if in actual service you were confronted with situations similar to those we have considered in our exercise today.”
Flank Guard Card No. 7
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class back to cross-road.
2. Distribute Situation No. 7. Read and explain.
3. Solution of situation. Each member of class consider himself as being Corporal Vincent. Select position, make sketch, write out orders.