Procedure
When members of the class are in place to represent the enemy and our own patrol, the Director will give a signal and the movement starts. The enemy patrol moves along as it would naturally and Captain James proceeds to get the members of his patrol under cover. His method should be discussed by the class and the defects of it pointed out. It may be necessary to enact the solution several times before a satisfactory one is found.
The demonstration completed and the class again assembled, the Director proceeds with the problem.
The Director: “Lieutenant Baker, would you send back any message to the support commander about the enemy patrol?”
Lieutenant Baker: “I think that is a point that the patrol commander should consider. I am not clear in my own mind just what should be done under the circumstances. I would be pleased to have the Director enlighten us on the subject.”
The Director: “We assume that this is a small enemy reconnoitering patrol. It would have the same mission as our own patrol. The point to be considered is whether or not anything in the message you send back would materially assist in the defense of the outpost line, or whether it could contain any information of special value to the outpost commander. Our covering patrols sent out from the supports will keep the enemy away from the outpost line. They will soon discover that it is only a smallpatrol and will drive it off. We have only a few men with the patrol. If one is sent back with a message at this time it may leave the patrol leader shorthanded when there is something really important that must be sent back. The mission of the patrol is to secure information of the enemy’s main body. That is the information that is of importance to the support and outpost commander. I do not believe the patrol commander would be justified in sending back a message at this time.”
Lieutenant Baker: “I see the point.”
(Note.—Should any members of the class insist that a message should be sent back, he may be called upon to compose the message, and it should be examined to see whether it contains information that is vital to the defense of the outpost.)
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 5Director’s Key1. Conduct class to point where a view of road to front for several hundred yards is available.2. Distribute problem.3. Enter on solution: Signal of leading man; method of joining leading man.4. Enemy advance guard or patrol. Question of firing on enemy.5. Method of evading enemy patrol. Practical demonstration. Discussion of methods; difficulties.6. Write out message. Contents; information of enemy main.
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 5
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class to point where a view of road to front for several hundred yards is available.
2. Distribute problem.
3. Enter on solution: Signal of leading man; method of joining leading man.
4. Enemy advance guard or patrol. Question of firing on enemy.
5. Method of evading enemy patrol. Practical demonstration. Discussion of methods; difficulties.
6. Write out message. Contents; information of enemy main.
The class is now conducted to a point where they have a view of an open field some 1,200 yards distant. It may be assumed that the patrol has marched several miles in order to arrive at this place.
The Director now distributes the sheets containing Situation No. 6.
Situation No. 6:
The patrol successfully evaded the enemy’s patrol, continued the march, and without encountering any other enemy troops has arrived at this point. The enemy patrol proceeded on down the road toward the outpost line.
On arriving here you observe a force of the enemy marching into that field. They are apparently going into bivouac. You estimate the enemy to be one regiment of Infantry.
Required:
What action do you take?
The Director should point out the location of the enemy and should indicate the exact location of each member of the patrol, so that all members of the class will make their solutions on the same basis.
The Director: “Captain Hall, what would you do under the circumstances?”
Captain Hall: “I would send a message to the support commander telling him what I have seen.”
The Director: “Is there anything that you would do before starting to compose your message?”
Captain Hall: “I do not think so. I have located the enemy and want to get the information back as quickly as possible.”
The Director: “That is true. But there are certain things that must be done in connection with it. You have discovered what you estimate to be the enemy’s main body. You know the strength and composition of it. You know what he is doing for the time being. The members of your patrol are stillin patrol formation and must be told what to do. In other words, there are several things to be done. In the first place, you want to dispose your men for observation of the enemy and to prevent surprise. Enemy patrols may be operating in the vicinity. One of these may pick you up and prevent you from getting any information back. This is the thing you must guard against. You must consider the contents of your message and you must figure out how you are going to get it back considering the fact that there is an enemy patrol of six men operating between you and the outpost line.
“When the patrol has encountered the enemy the disposition must be such as to permit the leader to observe the hostile force for the purpose of forming an estimate of its strength and composition, dispositions, and probable intentions. With this end in view, the leader must go to a vantage point from which he may obtain a good view of the enemy. The remaining members of the patrol must be so disposed as to guard all the avenues of approach from the known direction of the enemy’s forces, in order to prevent surprise.
“Lieutenant Barry, what disposition would you make of the members of the patrol?”
Lieutenant Barry: “I would select a good observation point where I can see the enemy and what he is doing. I would select two of the men to carry the message back. I would post a man to watch for enemy patrols and post a get-away man somewhat to my rear.”
The Director: “All right. Select your observation post and give the orders necessary to carry out what you have just said.”
The solution will depend upon the lay of the ground. The points to be brought out are that patrol leaders must be able to observe the enemy in security and not have to bother about being surprised by enemy patrols. The lookouts will be posted so that they can watch the approaches. The men that are to carry the message should be with Sergeant B while he is composing it so that they will be able to tell the support commander all about the situation when they get back with the message. The get-away man will be posted in such position as will make sure that he will not be included in any disaster to the patrol.
The dispositions having been completed, the next question is that of the contents of the message.
The Director: “I want each member of the class to write out the body of the message that he would send back to the support commander.”
When the message has been completed and turned in by all the class they are distributed and various members called upon to read and comment on the one in his possession. The points that should be included in the message are:
1. Information of the strength and composition of the enemy main body. What he is doing.
2. Information of the strength and composition of the enemy patrol that was passed.
3. The future action of the patrol in so far as it can be determined.
Solution
The Director should then compose a message covering the above requirements and submit it to the class for discussion.
“Have observed a force of the enemy, estimated one regiment of Infantry at —— (give location). They are now going into bivouac. A hostile patrol of six men passed my patrol at —— (give location) at —— (time) which proceeded in the direction of the outpost line. I will remain in observation until forced to retire or darkness prevents further reconnaissance.”
The Director: “Lieutenant Hunt, how would you get the message back to the support commander?”
Lieutenant Hunt: “I have had Anderson and Bailey here with me while making my observations and composing the message. I will send it back by them, each man taking a different route. I will read the message to them. I will indicate on the map the general route that each man is to take in going back to the support and caution each of them to look out for the enemy patrol that is between us and the outpost line. By sending the message by two men going over different routes I am almost sure to get it through. If one of them runs into the enemy, it is pretty safe to say that the other will not.”
The Director: “I think your sizing up of the situation is very good. You have taken all the precautions possible for getting the message back safely to the support commander.”
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 6Director’s Key1. Conduct class to point where they can see enemy. Distribute Situation No. 6. Point out location of the enemy.2. Disposition of the patrol for observation—observers, men to carry message, get-away man.3. Write out message. Contents; information of enemy main body, enemy patrol, future plans of the patrol leader. Prepare message for discussion.4. Send back message by two messengers. Chances for getting through with it.
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 6
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class to point where they can see enemy. Distribute Situation No. 6. Point out location of the enemy.
2. Disposition of the patrol for observation—observers, men to carry message, get-away man.
3. Write out message. Contents; information of enemy main body, enemy patrol, future plans of the patrol leader. Prepare message for discussion.
4. Send back message by two messengers. Chances for getting through with it.
The Director now distributes the sheets containing Situation No. 7 to the members of the class. A few minutes are allowed to read it over, and it is explained.
Situation No. 7:
You are still observing the enemy. Nothing has happened to cause you to change your estimate of his strength and composition. His outposts are being established and they are pushing out patrols to the front and flanks. Your position is becoming untenable. You have heard distant firing in the direction of the Blue troops.
Required:
What action do you, Sergeant B, take?
The Director: “Lieutenant Williams, what would you do?”
Lieutenant Williams: “I estimate that it is about time for me to be getting out with what is left of mypatrol. I have accomplished my mission in so far as the main body of the enemy is concerned. His bivouac for the night has been located. He has established his outposts, which indicates that he will probably not make any more moves today. The operations of the hostile patrols will soon make my position untenable. There is little to be gained by my staying here any longer and taking a chance on being picked up. I would get on my way back to my own troops.”
The Director: “Has any member of the class any criticism of that solution?”
Captain Hastings: “It seems to me that Sergeant B would now have another mission imposed upon him by the conditions. It is that of intercepting enemy scouts from getting back with information from the patrol that passed us. How about that?”
The Director: “That is true. It is the point that I was going to bring up next. The fact that you have heard firing from the direction of our own troops indicates that contact has been gained and the enemy patrol has gotten some information of our forces. This he will endeavor to get back to his own commander. In view of the fact that the patrol leader does not know that our patrol is between him and his own troops he may not think it necessary to take the precautions to send it by two messengers, and I think it is reasonable to assume that he will direct his messenger along the main road where he can make the better time than he can in going across country. You now have two men with you, Carlin and Davis. How would you manage the withdrawal and what would be your formation on the way back?What route would you take? How would you solve all of these points, Captain Hastings?”
Captain Hastings: “I would signal Carlin, who is observer, to join me. This accomplished, I would signal Davis to move out toward the main road. I would make my withdrawal as rapidly as possible and when we get away some little distance I would signal Davis to slow down until we caught up with him. I would get on or near the main road and march with Davis as the leading man, following him at a distance of about 25 yards and have Carlin follow me at the same distance. I would keep a sharp lookout for enemy scouts with a view to intercepting them.”
The Director: “I think your solution meets the situation very well. Are there any questions?”
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 7Director’s Key1. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 7. Read and explain.2. Withdrawal of patrol. Accomplished mission.3. New mission to intercept messengers from enemy patrol.4. Formation for withdrawal.
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 7
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
1. Distribute sheets containing Situation No. 7. Read and explain.
2. Withdrawal of patrol. Accomplished mission.
3. New mission to intercept messengers from enemy patrol.
4. Formation for withdrawal.
The class is now conducted back along the main road to a point selected for Situation No. 8.
Situation No. 8:
When you arrive at this point you observe an enemy scout coming down the road in your direction at a walk. You can see some distance beyond him andhe appears to be alone. (The Director will point out the location of the enemy scout.)
Required:
What do you do?
The Director: “Lieutenant Ralston, how do you size up the situation?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I estimate that the man is carrying a message from his patrol leader to the commander of the Red forces. My mission is to capture him and prevent the message going back. If practicable the capture must be effected without resorting to firing. If we have to fire it will give warning to the enemy’s patrol operating toward our outpost and the patrol commander would assume that his messenger is in trouble and would send another message by another route. Furthermore, firing at this time would give the alarm to the patrols operating from the hostile outpost, and they would rush to the rescue of their comrades.”
The Director: “Tell us just how you would go about the capture of the messenger?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I would form an ambuscade here with Davis and myself on one side of the road and Carlin on the other side about 25 yards in rear of us. When the messenger arrives at about 10 yards from us, Davis and myself will jump out into the road and order him to surrender. We will endeavor to surprise him and take him without firing a shot. If by any chance he should get by us, Carlin would be in position to intercept him.”
The Director: “Just what would you say when you order him to surrender?”
Lieutenant Ralston: “I would jump out on the side of the road, level my rifle at him and yell at him as loud as I could, ‘Drop your rifle—throw up your hands.’ If he did as ordered I would explain to him that he is now a prisoner of war and that resistance is useless. If he did not do as I told him on the instant or if he made any attempt to escape or move to fire on me I would open fire on him at once. I would take no chances with him.”
The Director: “That seems to be a reasonable solution. This is a very simple proposition and presents little difficulty. It is brought before you at this time merely to show you the procedure that makes for reasonable chances for success. The capture of several scouts or a patrol is a much more difficult undertaking.
“It is a general rule in the attempt to capture members of a patrol that the situation we desire to produce when we meet them is that they should be marching and that we should be halted. By adopting this method, we form an ambuscade.”
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 8Director’s Key1. Conduct class to point where ambush may be arranged for.2. Distribute Situation No. 8 and explain it.3. Size up situation. Enemy messenger.4. Details of ambush and method of capture.
Reconnoitering PatrolCard No. 8
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
Director’s Key
1. Conduct class to point where ambush may be arranged for.
2. Distribute Situation No. 8 and explain it.
3. Size up situation. Enemy messenger.
4. Details of ambush and method of capture.
Table 28-W.—RIFLE COMPANY, INFANTRY REGIMENT.(War Strength)123456781UnitsSpecialist Rating (Class)Company HeadquartersOne PlatoonTotal Company (3 Platoons) and Company HeadquartersPlatoon Headquarters1 Squad1 Section (3 Squads and Section Headquarters)[16]Total Platoon (2 Sections and Platoon Headquarters2Captain113First Lieutenants1[17]{1}{1}2(1[17])4Second Lieutenants25Total Commissioned2(1[17])115(1[17])6First Sergeant117Sergeants, incl.3113128Mess(1)9Platoon Sergeants(1)10Section Leaders(1)11Signal(1)12Supply(1)13Corporals, incl.21482614Company Clerk(1)15Section Guides(1)16Signal(1)17Squad Leaders(1)(3)18Pvts. 1st Cl. & Pvts., incl.17472146161[18][19]19Barber(1)20Buglers(2)21Cobbler(1)22Cooks (First)4th(2)23Cooks (Asst.)5th(2)24Mechanics6th(2)25Riflemen(5)26Riflemen, automatic6th(1)(1)(2)(6)27Riflemen, automatic(2)(4)(12)28Riflemen, with grenade disch.(1)29Runners and Agents(6)(4)30Tailor(1)31Total Enlisted23582657200[19]32AGGREGATE256826[16]5820533Pistols921383334Rifles1646204414835Rifles, automatic1361836Rifles, with grenade discharger13618
16. Includes Section Headquarters (1 Sergeant and 1 Corporal).
16. Includes Section Headquarters (1 Sergeant and 1 Corporal).
17. Second in Command. Not authorized for War Strength Companies organized in time of peace.
17. Second in Command. Not authorized for War Strength Companies organized in time of peace.
18. Includes: 53 Privates 1st Class, 108 Privates. Summary of Specialist Ratings: Fourth Class, 2; Fifth Class, 2; Sixth Class, 8.
18. Includes: 53 Privates 1st Class, 108 Privates. Summary of Specialist Ratings: Fourth Class, 2; Fifth Class, 2; Sixth Class, 8.
19. Includes 6 extra privates.
19. Includes 6 extra privates.
Table 29-W.—MACHINE GUN COMPANY, INFANTRY REGIMENT(War Strength)1234567891UnitsSpecialist Rating (Class)Company HeadquartersCompany TrainOne PlatoonTotal Company (2 Platoons, Company Hq. and Company Train)Platoon Headquarters1 Squad (1 Machine Gun)1 Section (2 Squads and Section Headquarters) (b)Total Platoon (2 Sections and Platoon Headquarters)2Captain1h13First Lieutenants1hx113(1x)4Second Lieutenants1hc15Total Commissioned3(1x)115(1x)6First Sergeant1h17Sergeants, incl.41113118Mess(1)9Platoon Sergeants(1)10Reconnaissance(1)11Section Leaders(1)12Signal(1)13Stable(1m)14Supply(1)15Corporals, incl.221261416Agents(1)17Company Clerk(1)18Signal(1)19Squad Leaders(1)20Transport(1)21Privates, 1st Cl. and Priv.1747102047115a22Barber(1)23Buglers(2h)24Cobbler(1)25Cooks (First)4th(1)26Cooks (Asst.)5th(2)27Gunners6th(1)(2)(4)(3)28Gunners(5)29Horseshoer4th(1)30Mechanics6th(2)31Motorcyclist6th(1)32Saddler5th(1)33Tailor(1)34Miscellaneous(7d)(1e)(7d)(9f)35Total Enlisted245101123b5614136AGGREGATE2751111235714637Horses, riding611838Mules, draft2481639Mules, riding1140Total Animals6112492541Carts, ammunition, M. G.124842Carts, M. G. gun124843Bicycles111344Motorcycles, with side cars1145Miscellaneous124846Pistols27511112357146