Captain Hastings: “I think a small patrol would be more suitable. There will probably be messages to send back and the patrol may have to remain out for a considerable length of time. I believe a patrol would be more suitable than individual scouts.”
The Director: “Let us then decide that we are to send out a reconnoitering patrol to secure the information we desire.
“Before going further with the problem, I want to say a few words about the patrol.”
Explanation
The Director: “The first duty of a patrol is to get information, and information is greatly increased in value if the enemy does not know that it has been obtained. The patrol is required, primarily, to discover whether or not the enemy is in a certain locality. This information is only useful to the officer who sent the patrol out. It is, therefore, the next duty of the patrol to get the information back as soon as possible, especially when the enemy is met.
“Next of importance in the duties of the patrol is to continue to observe the enemy when once discovered, to follow him up and ascertain the direction taken if he retires, or to fall back if he advances in strength, endeavoring to keep even with him on a flank. The enemy is certain to send out scouts to his front, but may neglect his flanks.
“Boldness must be tempered with caution. It is useless to obtain information if you cannot get it back where it will do some good. A little information sent in in time to be of use is clear gain to your side. A patrol that finds out all about the enemy and ends up by falling into the hands of the enemy is a dead loss not only in men but in time as other patrols will have to be sent out to get the same information on which important decisions may depend.”
Procedure
The Director: “Lieutenant Wallace, one of the first questions that will present itself to the support commander is the selection of a patrol leader. What factors would you consider in this matter?”
Lieutenant Wallace: “In the first place I would want a non-commissioned officer for patrol leader; further, I would want to send out the best qualified one in the platoon. To meet this requirement I would select the platoon sergeant to lead this patrol. The importance of the mission is such as to warrant sending him.”