The Director reads the problem aloud and calls upon one or more members of the class to explain their understanding of it.
The Director: “Now, I want each member of the class to visualize this situation—to consider himself as being Corporal V. You have arrived here with your squad to establish outguard No. 2. Just how do you propose to go about it? Captain Hastings, what would you do?”
Captain Hastings: “Well, sir, I would first decide where I am going to post the outguard and then decide upon the number of sentinels I am to post and where I am to post them. I have the limits of the front assigned to me definitely pointed out. I must first find a location for the outguard that will cover this front.”
The Director: “Have you decided upon such a location?”
Captain Hastings: “Yes, sir. My outguard posted at —— would accomplish the desired results. In the first place, any considerable body of the enemy must travel at night on a well defined road or trail. He cannot strike off across country unless elaborate preparations are made for guiding his columns. We would know about any such preparations and could counter them. If I cover this main road and the country adjacent to it, I will be able to accomplish my mission.”
(Note.—The Director should bring out all the elements connected with the selection of the position of the ground in question. There will be many small points that may be brought up for consideration such as: Is the position selected a good one for defense? Is there a good field of fire? Is there cover for the enemy to conceal a formation for attack? Is the position naturally strong; if not, can it be made so? Can obstacles be so placed as to hold the enemy under effective fire of the outguard? Is there ground to the front or flanks within rifle or machine gun range that commands the position? Are there good approaches to the sentinel posts from the outguard? Is it possible to provide for mutual supporting fire with the other outguards? Are there good communications with the adjoining outguards and with the support? While it is not contemplated that an outguard position will fulfill all of these conditions, it should be selected so as to fulfill as many of them as possible.)
The Director: “In your discussion a minute ago you stated that you would determine the number of sentinels to be posted. Just what do you mean by that?”
Captain Hastings: “I will want to post a sufficient number of sentinels to keep the sector of the front allotted to me under observation at all times. I have not yet decided how many will be required.”
The Director: “That is just the point I wanted to bring out. The number of sentinels that you can post is determined by the strength of your outguard. You can post only one double sentinel post from a squad. If more than one is required your outguard must be allotted additional men for the purpose. Now, let us see how this proposition works out in practice. You have seven men besides yourself. This will provide three reliefs for one double sentinel post and give you one spare man. The outguard is to be on duty until the march is resumed tomorrow morning. You cannot expect to keep all the men on post all the time. They must have their rest if they are expected to march tomorrow. Sentinels are ordinarily on post for two hours, after which they are given a four-hour period of rest before going on post again. To do otherwise is to wear your men out and render them unfit for further service. Let us all get this system firmly fixed in our minds. A squad furnishes three reliefs for a double sentinel post. If only a single sentinel is required, a cossack post will furnish three reliefs for it. I hope you will all see the point.”
Captain Hastings: “I understand the system now. But, suppose I should determine that at least two double sentinel posts are necessary, what should I do?”