_The Director_: “Captain Smith, in general what assistants has the
platoon leader and what are their duties?”
_Captain Smith_: “The platoon sergeant takes command of the platoon when
the lieutenant goes forward, and obtains ranges after the selection of
the firing position.
“The communication corporal, with the agents (normally two), maintains
communication between the platoon and the rifle company which it is
supporting, and sends or signals to the platoon the information
necessary to it.
“The transport corporal moves guns and ammunition carts forward in
accordance with the movements of the platoon. Improvises packs when
necessary. Provides for replenishment of ammunition and replacements for
killed or disabled mules.
“There are seven privates in the headquarters detail. One of these is a
bicyclist, two are agents to the rifle company, four runners maintain
communication with machine gun company headquarters, with the sections
and the platoon ammunition point.”
_The Director_: “Captain Burt, what would Lieutenant Y do after
receiving the order from Captain M?”
_Captain Burt_: “He would proceed to the position assigned to his
platoon. He would decide upon the positions to be assigned to his
sections, and observe the enemy’s position to determine upon an
allotment of targets. As the platoon approached he would halt it well
under the cover of the hill and signal the platoon sergeant and the
section leaders forward. When they arrived he would issue his fire
order.”
_The Director_: “Captain Jones, give the fire order issued by Lieutenant
Y.”
_Captain Jones_: “Lieutenant Y gives the following verbal order:
“Company —— has encountered heavy fire from (_t_). It will attack at
(_u_) by building up a firing line at (_v_), and having a platoon
attack in the direction of (_w_). A red rocket fired by that platoon
will indicate the beginning of the attack.
“The Stokes mortars will lay down a barrage in front of the platoon
advancing in the direction of (_w_). The one-pounder will engage
hostile machine guns.
“This platoon and the remainder of our company supports the attack.
“Firing positions:
“First section to the right of this rock; 2nd section to the left.
Mount your guns below the crest and drag them into position without
disclosing your presence.
“Targets:
“First section, the woods on the right of the enemy’s position at
(_t_). Range 1,300 to 1,400. Combined sights.
“Second section, the ridge for 100 yards to the left of the woods.
Range 1,300.
“Section leaders will be responsible for lifting their fire on the
approach of the infantry.
“Rate of fire 200 for first minute, 150 thereafter.
“Signal me when ready. Open fire on my signal.
“Platoon ammunition point 100 yards down the hill.
“I shall remain here.”
_The Director_: “Captain Howe, what do you think of telling the 1st
section to use combined sights? Explain the use of combined sights.”
_Captain Howe_: “The target undoubtedly calls for the use of combined
sights. Whether it would be necessary for Lieutenant Y to direct the use
of combined sights would depend on how well trained the section leader
was. If I were at all doubtful I would order combined sights.
“Combined sights is the method of engaging any required depth of ground
by applying simultaneously overlapping zones of fire from two or more
guns. The depth of the beaten zone is increased by ordering different
elevations to be used by each gun. This type of fire is not necessary
under 800 meters. When it is used, as many guns as possible should be
employed with 100 meters difference if the error in range finding is
probably great, and with 50 meters difference if the error is probably
small. This kind of fire is used either to engage a target which is
deeper than the effective beaten zone or against a small target when the
range is not exactly known.”
_The Director_: “Captain Burt, explain to the class how the section
leader determines when the fire should be lifted.”
_Captain Burt_: “The section leader is equipped with a type EE field
glass which has an inverted sight leaf in the field of view. The glass
is used as follows:
“Align the inverted sight scale so that the announced range to the
target will coincide with the target.
“If the range to the target is 850 meters or less, note where the line
in the graticule representing 1,350 meters cuts the landscape.
“If the range to the target is 850 meters or over, add 500 meters to the
range to the target, and locate the point on the landscape that is cut
by this line.
“If the point located on the landscape is at or above the feet of our
own troops, it will be safe to fire.
“The gunner in a similar manner determines when it is safe to fire by
means of his rear sight so there is always a double check.”
_The Director_: “Captain Smith, do you see any purpose in ordering a
rate of fire of 200 for the first minute?”
_Captain Smith_: “Yes, sir, it is important to place as great a volume
of fire as possible on the enemy at the beginning of the attack.
However, the guns cannot maintain such a rate for but a few minutes, so
it is necessary to lower it. A rate of 125 to 150 could be maintained
for 20 or 30 minutes, so it is safe to order that.”
_The Director_: “Captain Jones, what do you mean by the ammunition
point?”
_Captain Jones_: “The machine gun platoon ammunition point consists of
the transport corporal, one runner, and the four ammunition carts and
four machine gun carts with their drivers. This ammunition point is
responsible for maintaining the ammunition supply from the carts forward
to the guns.”
_The Director_: “You are correct about the composition of the ammunition
point, but not about its duties. Its function is to maintain a supply of
ammunition in the carts sufficiently close to the guns that it can be
gotten forward by the ammunition carriers, but it is not responsible for
getting the ammunition forward. Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of each
squad are responsible for getting the ammunition forward from the carts
to the guns. The transport corporal moves the carts forward from one
covered position to another by bounds and keeps the platoon leader
informed of the location of the carts. That is the reason a runner is
assigned to the point. The corporal is responsible for getting the
ammunition forward from the combat wagons. Normally this will be done by
sending the ammunition carts to the battalion ammunition point. The
machine gun carts should be kept filled at all times, if possible, and
at the platoon ammunition point ready to move forward to the guns.
“Captain Brown, what do you think about Lieutenant Y not ordering
emplacements and cover trenches to be constructed?”
_Captain Brown_: “If there is time before opening fire the section
leader should construct them without any orders. However, I believe it
is always safer to order the construction. In this case the time is
limited, so it would be best to get the guns into position and ready to
open fire and then begin construction. Great caution would have to be
used, however, in the construction as emplacements not properly
constructed would show up very distinctly on the crest and would be a
source of danger. Cover trenches behind the trench would not be visible
and would be a great protection for ammunition carriers.”
_The Director_: “Captain Howe, no mention was made in the order of
communications, what do you think of that?”
_Captain Howe_: “It is unnecessary if the platoon is trained properly.
It becomes a matter of routine, and instructions are given only if
something out of the ordinary is required.”
* * * * *
=Machine Gun Co.= =Card No. 3=
=Director’s Key=
1. Pass out Situation No. 3. Have members of the class explain their
understanding of it.
2. Have members of the class discuss: Duties of the members of the
platoon headquarters detail. Action of Lieutenant Y prior to the
issue of the fire order.
3. Have a member of the class give the fire order issued by Lieutenant
Y.
4. Have members of the class discuss: Combined sights. Safety angles
for direct overhead fire. Rates of fire. The platoon ammunition
point. Construction of emplacements and cover trenches.
Communications.
* * * * *