_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, what would you do under the
circumstances?”
_Captain Hastings_: “In the first place I would want to see the platoon
commanders and give them instructions as to the action to be taken. I
would call the runners of the 1st and 2nd platoons and order them:
“‘Find your platoon commanders. Tell them to report to me here, at
once.’
“While waiting for the platoon commanders to come I would size up the
situation and be prepared to issue my orders soon after their arrival.”
_The Director_: “I think we can all agree that that is the logical
procedure. In sizing up the situation, what points would you consider,
Lieutenant Wallace?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “I would consider what my mission is now. The
company is the battalion reserve. It was thrown into the attack for the
definite purpose of capturing the enemy strong point that was holding up
the advance of the battalion. We have completed that mission, the
battalion is continuing the advance. Up to the moment no other mission
has been assigned. I would not know whether it is the desire of the
battalion commander that we continue the advance as an assault unit of
the battalion or revert to the former status of battalion reserve. Until
I receive definite orders on the subject I would stay right here and
cover the right flank of the battalion. I estimate that I will get such
orders in a very short time.
“The enemy has several courses of action open to him. He may continue to
fall back and not molest us. He may make a counter-attack, though this
is not probable. He may concentrate a large volume of fire on this
particular point with a view to causing serious casualties in our
disorganized ranks.
“Our own battalion is continuing its advance and does not seem to need
our support for the time being. The 1st and 2nd platoons must be
withdrawn and reorganized. The 3rd platoon can take over the duty of
security. The enemy prisoners must be taken care of and others that may
be in the position must be rounded up. Souvenir hunters and stragglers
must be rounded up and sent to their proper units.
“The sanitary troops are now taking care of our wounded.
“The battalion commander will want to know what has happened on our
front and I would send him a message telling him about it.
“My decision would be to withdraw and reorganize the 1st and 2nd
platoons. Have the 3rd platoon take over the duty of security, mop up
the position and take charge of the prisoners. Send a message to the
battalion commander.
“All of this would constitute my hurried estimate of the situation. When
the platoon commanders assemble I will give the necessary orders to put
my decision into effect.”
_The Director_: “That is very good. Now, Lieutenant Ralston, let us
assume that the platoon commanders are assembled and you are ready to
give them their orders. What is the first thing you would do?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would want to get my report off to the
battalion commander as soon as possible.”
_The Director_: “Just how would you do this?”
_Lieutenant Ralston_: “I would write it out and send it by a runner.”
_The Director_: “Do you think you would take the time to do that? You
have your first sergeant with you. He should be able to write out the
message and I think you would have him do it. That leaves you free to go
ahead with your orders to the platoon commanders. You would indicate
roughly what you want to go into the message to the battalion commander
and leave the rest to the first sergeant. Now, tell us what you would
include in the orders to the platoon commanders, Captain Harvey?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I would give the orders about as follows:
“The other companies of our battalion are advancing on our left.
“This company will reorganize and prepare for further service.
“The 3rd platoon will relieve the firing line with one section and
take over the security of the position. Have the men of the 1st and
2nd platoons fall back and assemble by squads on this side
(indicate) of the position. The remaining section will take charge
of the prisoners, mop up the position, collect other prisoners and
stragglers. The covering patrol of one squad will remain out on the
right.
“The 1st platoon will assemble at (indicate place).
“The 2nd platoon will assemble at (indicate place).
“The 1st and 2nd platoons will reorganize, check casualties and
report results. Secure ammunition from dead and wounded.
“Messages to me here.”
_The Director_: “I think that order will meet the immediate requirements
of the situation. Now, Captain Hodges, what would you include in the
message to the battalion commander?”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would make it very brief. Something to this effect:
“‘Enemy strong point captured at ____ (Time). My casualties about
____, killed; ____ wounded. Prisoners ____ (number). Am
reorganizing. (Such additional information about enemy that would be
of value to the Battalion commander). Await your further
instructions.’”
_The Director_: “I think that message will give the battalion commander
all the information that he requires immediately. It informs him of the
fact that you have accomplished your mission. It tells him how many
casualties you have had which will enable him to determine the further
effective strength of the company and what it is capable of doing in the
future. It tells him what you are now doing and indicates that further
instructions are desired. His reaction should be to send you
instructions what to do, either to continue to the front as an assault
unit of the battalion or to revert to the role of battalion reserve.
Now, I want each member of the class to write out the orders of Captain
C and the message that he would send to the battalion commander. Follow
out the five paragraph order system.”