_The Director_: “I think that would cover all that is necessary at this
time. Let us visualize what is now going to happen. The section leaders
with their section guides would go out to the area that has been
assigned to them. They would locate the machine gun positions that were
designated by the battalion commander and then dope out the disposition
that they are to make of the three squads of their respective sections.
“The platoon commander is first concerned with the procurement of the
intrenching tools for digging in his groups and the wire for
constructing an obstacle along the front. As soon as he gets the platoon
sergeant off with a message to the company commander about these things
he will go to the front and join the section leaders. He will find out
from them what dispositions they are planning on and give them such
detailed instructions as may be necessary to carry out his own ideas of
how the position should be organized. He will have everything in
readiness to bring the men forward as soon as it is advisable to do so.”
* * * * *
=Defense Position= =Card No. 2=
=Director’s Key=
1. Distribute sheets containing situation No. 2. Read and explain.
Point out boundaries of area assigned to the platoon and
indicate positions assigned to machine gun and special weapons.
Mark with flags if practicable.
2. Question as to whether platoon should be brought up now; nothing
for men to do yet; no necessity for exposing them. Have platoon
sergeant, section leaders, and platoon and section guides report
at once. Leave platoon in charge of one section guide.
3. Size up situation. Determine upon dispositions, component parts of
combat group, methods of deploying a platoon. Decide to deploy
sections side by side. Outguards.
4. Factors that govern selection of position; field of fire to front;
mutual support with adjoining units. Front that platoon may
cover. Depth of section area.
5. Have class go over ground and decide on dispositions. Allotment of
sections to platoon area. Location of C. P. observation and
communication.
6. Question of intrenching tools and wire for obstacles. Platoon
sergeant to company commander about tools and wire.
7. The order. Information of enemy and own troops. Plan: Platoon to
organize and hold front from —— to ——. Orders for each section.
Supply outguards. Make orders short. Little detail. Let every
man work out his own salvation.
8. Explanation: Visualize what is happening. Section leaders and
guides go to section area; dope out situation and decide on
disposition. Platoon commander sends platoon sergeant to see
about tools and wire, then joins section leaders on the line.
* * * * *