_The Director_: “The Major indicated the firing line and support line of
the battalion center of resistance and designated the area for Company A
to organize and hold. We have decided to organize it with two platoons
on the firing line, each furnishing its own outguards and each forming a
combat group; and one platoon on the support line. The 1st battalion
advanced posts are holding the enemy back and there is every reason to
expect that they will be able to continue to do so for sometime yet.
“The location of the machine guns, the 37 mm. guns and the light mortars
in the area are known.
“It will be necessary for Captain E to assign the platoons, two to the
firing line and one to the support line, and give necessary instructions
regarding the work to be undertaken. These instructions will not go into
any more detail than is absolutely necessary. In any event they must not
be such as will take the initiative away from the platoon commanders.
The platoons are given their missions. It is then up to the platoon
commander to execute them. This initial order is intended merely to get
the work started. It must give the platoon commanders sufficient detail
for them to go about their reconnaissance and plan for the organization
of their combat groups and the defensive preparation of the ground they
are to occupy. The defensive position as it appears finally is not the
result of any one order. It is a gradual growth planned and executed
from day to day. The first elements may be only a line of individual
‘fox holes’ dug by the men. These are connected up and finally form a
short section of trench here and there. As the position is studied more
in detail it will become apparent where other defensive utilities should
be constructed in order to add to the strength of the position. All that
Captain A should include in his order at this time is sufficient detail
to get the work started.”