Lieutenant Hunt: “I would send one of my runners back with a message to the platoon sergeant to bring the platoon up.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, do you agree with what Lieutenant Hunt has just said?”
Lieutenant Williams: “No, sir. I would not want the platoon to come up here until I have sized up the situation; decided upon my dispositions; and made arrangements for them to get to work on the position we are to occupy. That will take me some little ‘time.’”
The Director: “I think you are right. There is no need of exposing any more men to the enemy’s fire than is absolutely necessary. As soon as the enemy realizes that our attack has stopped and we are taking up a defensive position he will do everything in his power to interfere with our plans. If he observes a lot of men all along the line digging in he will open up with everything he has available.”
Lieutenant Williams: “That is the point I had in mind. It seems to me that, as a matter of fact, we will not be able to accomplish very much on the preparation of the position until it begins to get dusk.”
The Director: “You are right. If we can get the layout of the position completed during the remaining full daylight hours; decide how we are to organize the combat group and get the trenches and other utilities staked out I think we will have accomplished all that could be reasonably expected. Do you see the point, Lieutenant Hunt?”
(Note.—It is assumed that it will be dusk at 6 o’clock.)
Lieutenant Hunt: “Yes, sir.”
The Director: “Now, taking into consideration what we have said, what would you do?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I would send a runner back to the platoon sergeant to have the men take cover and make themselves comfortable. I would want them to have as much rest as possible for they are going to have a night of hard work. I would have the runner tell the platoon sergeant to turn the platoon over to Sergeant R (platoon guide) and for himself, the two section leaders and the other platoon guides to report to me here.”