_The Director_: “Before going ahead with the problem I want to say a few
words about the importance of this subject of approach march and
deployment.
“Prior to the war we did not appreciate the necessity for extensive
drill and instruction in the subject of approach march, deployment and
the relief of units on the firing line. There was little literature on
the subjects and what there was dealt only in glittering generalities.
Once in a while a training program included the subject ‘Deployment,’
but no one took it seriously and such as we carried out, were executed
in a purely perfunctory manner.
“In the training of troops for modern warfare the subject must be given
the place and attention that it deserves. Troops must be trained to take
up the approach march formation, and make a deployment therefrom, both
day and night, over all kinds of ground. They must be trained in the
methods and technique of making a relief of a force on the firing line
at night and overcome the obstacles that are habitually encountered. The
great danger at night is in losing direction. This results in a command
getting lost and failure to get to the line of departure ready to ‘Jump
off’ at H Hour.
“The failure of a single battalion in this respect may imperil a whole
military operation and cost the lives of thousands of men. Unless the
troops told off to make the attack are in place ready to ‘jump off’ and
follow the barrage at H Hour there is not the slightest chance for
success. The barrage goes on. The enemy is given time to man his
positions and machine guns and the attack on that particular front is
held up, usually with enormous losses. The whole attack has to be
reorganized and started anew. Those of you who have had experience with
an attack which was a failure know how much time is lost and how many
casualties may result from such affairs.”