“The location of the machine guns, the 37 mm. guns and the light mortars in the area are known.
“It will be necessary for Captain E to assign the platoons, two to the firing line and one to the support line, and give necessary instructions regarding the work to be undertaken. These instructions will not go into any more detail than is absolutely necessary. In any event they must not be such as will take the initiative away from the platoon commanders. The platoons are given their missions. It is then up to the platoon commander to execute them. This initial order is intended merely to get the work started. It must give the platoon commanders sufficient detail for them to go about their reconnaissance and plan for the organization of their combat groups and the defensive preparation of the ground they are to occupy. The defensive position as it appears finally is not the result of any one order. It is a gradual growth planned and executed from day to day. The first elements may be only a line of individual ‘fox holes’ dug by the men. These are connected up and finally form a short section of trench here and there. As the position is studied more in detail it will become apparent where other defensive utilities should be constructed in order to add to the strength of the position. All that Captain A should include in his order at this time is sufficient detail to get the work started.”
Procedure
The Director: “We have sized up the situation and arrived at a decision. It is now necessary to put that decision into an order. We assume that the platoons have arrived at the rendezvous and the platoon commanders have reported to you here for orders.
“Now I want each member of the class to write out the order that he would give at this time. You may omit the first paragraph;—information of the enemy and our own troops. It would be much the same as that contained in the Major’s order. We will assume that you have already given that to the platoon commanders. Start your order with paragraph 2.”
When all the members of the class have completed their work the sheets will be collected and again distributed, making sure that no officer gets his own paper back again.
The Director will call upon one or more members of the class to read the order he has in his possession and it will then be discussed.
When all of this discussion is finished the Director will distribute the mimeographed sheets containing a copy of the Captain’s order. Each member of the class will receive his solution back again and compare it with the solution submitted by the Director.
The Order
2. This company will organize and hold the front from —— to ——.