The Director will distribute mimeograph copies of this order to the
members of the class. He will read the order. The members of the class
follow from the copy in their possession. He will point out the features
of the terrain referred to in the order as he reads it and make such
comment and explanation as may be necessary.
_The Director_: “You now see what the order for an attack of an infantry
company must contain. If you omit any of these things the order is not
complete. Note how the order conforms to the requirements of our Field
Service Regulations. Are there any questions?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I note that the 1st and 2nd platoons are to attack
on a front of about 150 yards. How does a platoon cover such a front?”
_The Director_: “The normal interval between skirmishers is 5 paces.
This should be adhered to rigidly in extended order drill. Men will,
under the stress of danger and excitement, do as they have been trained.
In spite of the injunction of the Infantry Drill Regulations, I would
not change this interval in drill for it may lead to bunching and the
consequent loss of lives in action.”
The platoon fights in two waves with a section in each wave. This gives
a wave and consequently a platoon a front of 120 yards in action. Where
a larger front than 120 yards is assigned to a platoon to cover, the
platoon is placed at about the center of the front and held responsible
for the interval on each flank to the boundary of the zone of action
assigned. The support section forming the second wave, following at a
convenient distance, is used by the platoon leader in any required part
of the platoon zone of action as the situation develops.
“In rare instances a platoon may be deployed with both sections on one
line, covering a front of 240 yards. Such a line is very difficult for
the platoon leader to control and is to be avoided.”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I note the designation of a ‘base platoon’ in
Captain C.’s orders. What is the significance of that in a converging
attack, such as is contemplated?”
_The Director_: “A Base Platoon is designated only as an aid to the
initial formation of the company. During an approach march, in deploying
on the line of departure and in advancing to the first firing position,
the base platoon forms the guide for the company and helps ensure a
coordinated attack. But as soon as enemy opposition is met, each platoon
makes its own fight within its own zone of action and all consideration
of the ‘base platoon’ is dropped. In action, each platoon must observe
the action of adjacent units and be prepared to assist them. But the
best possible aid consists in the vast majority of cases, in pushing
ahead, ‘where the pushing is good’ and then threatening in the flank or
rear enemy resistances holding up adjacent units.
“In this case, the ‘first firing position’ may be very close to, or even
coincide with the Line of Departure, so that the base platoon
designation is of especial value in the initial deployment.”
_Captain Hastings_: “Will the Director please discuss the personnel of
the headquarters of Company C in action—its positions and formations?”
_The Director_: “A rifle company headquarters in action consists of:
“1. The Captain.
“2. First Sergeant, Signal Sergeant, Agents from the supporting Machine
Gun unit (platoon or company), and two company runners all following in
two short columns behind the captain. When halted these men take cover
within reach of the captain’s voice.
“3. Two buglers, one well to the left flank observing the connecting
group keeping connection with Company A and the other observing combat
patrol covering the right. These buglers will report to the Captain any
item of information they note.
“4. Three platoon runners, arranged in a rough triangle each between his
own platoon and the company headquarters. These runners keep within call
or signaling distance of the Captain and each knows always the position
of his own platoon. By these runners the Captain communicates with his
three platoons.
“5. Two Company runners at the Battalion Command Post. These runners
keep track of the position of their own company and are prepared to take
messages to it from Battalion headquarters.
“The position of Company Headquarters is such that the Captain can
maintain connection with his assault platoons, observe the progress of
the fight personally and especially be ready to throw his support
platoon into the action when and where most needed. During the approach
the Captain precedes his assault echelon. When the fire opens, Company
Headquarters drops back to a position between the assault echelon and
the support platoon.”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “Where is the second in command of the company?
There is no mention of him in the orders.”
_The Director_: “Yes, I am glad you noted the omission. The senior
Lieutenant, or ‘second-in-command’ remains back at the Company rear
echelon during a fight. Here he is responsible that ammunition is
forwarded as necessary, that meals are prepared and that all men
drifting to the rear are held.
“Further, as the casualties among rifle company officers are higher than
in any other unit in the entire army, keeping this officer out of the
fight ensures a trained officer to replace the Captain, in case the
latter becomes a casualty and to reorganize the company after each
battle.
“Whenever the Captain becomes incapacitated for any reason a runner is
sent at once from Company Headquarters back to the rear echelon and the
second in command hastens forward to take command of the company. The
first sergeant or others of the personnel at Company Headquarters
acquaint him with the situation. It is considered most important to have
this trained officer in reserve ready to take command on short notice.”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “Where will the combat patrol on the right flank
march?”
_The Director_: “It will march well out on the right flank and rear of
the 2nd platoon, so that if an enemy machine gun or patrol fires on the
platoon from that direction the patrol will be in position to attack
it.”
_Captain Harvey_: “The Director mentioned something about extra
ammunition. I did not understand what was said?”
_The Director_: “All riflemen of the units of an assault battalion
should carry an extra bandolier of ammunition when they go into action.
This applies to the battalion reserve company as well as the assault
companies. You can see in this case how delay would be occasioned by
stopping to issue extra ammunition to the men.”
_Captain Hodges_: “It is noted that you give orders for the
consolidation and preparation of the enemy strong point for defense as
soon as it is captured. Just what is the purpose of this?”
_The Director_: “At this time Captain C cannot tell just what will
happen when he gets into the enemy strong point. That is the objective
of the attack for the time being. He would want the platoon commanders
to have orders that will carry them until he can get up there and decide
what to do. The Company may not stop at the strong point. If the enemy
is on the run they will follow him up probably. This will depend upon
the action of the rest of the battalion. In any event we will want a
position on which to reorganize the company and prepare for future
eventualities and by preparing the position for defense we gain such a
position and at the same time we are ready to meet a counter-attack if
it comes.”
* * * * *
=Attack of Strong Point= =Card No. 2=
=Director’s Key=
1. Assemble class at point designated for the assembly of platoon
commanders. Distribute Situation No. 2 and explain.