The Director will endeavor to answer any questions that may be asked by
members of the class.
After all questions have been cleared up the Director will hand a copy
of the problem to each member of the class. A few minutes are allowed
for the class to read over the problem.
_The Director_: “Please give me your attention while we go over the
problem.”
The Director reads the problem aloud, each member of the class following
from the copy in his possession. The direction of places mentioned are
pointed out.
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, give a brief statement of the
tactical situation, as you understand it.”
Lieutenant Williams states his understanding of the tactical situation.
As he proceeds the Director makes such explanations as may be desirable.
One or more additional members of the class may be called upon to state
their version of the tactical situation. All of this is for the purpose
of fixing the elements of the problem firmly in the minds of the members
of the class and prevent any subsequent misunderstanding of them.
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, you note that the problem states that
our battalion is a right (left) flank guard. Just what do you understand
by that?”
_Captain Hastings_: “Ordinarily the flanks of a column on the march may
be protected by small patrols sent out from the advance guard. There
are, however, occasions when patrols will not suffice and it is
necessary to send out a stronger detachment, to march along a route
essentially parallel to and abreast of the force. A detachment so sent
out is called a flank guard. In this case our whole battalion is a flank
guard sent out to protect the right (left) flank of our brigade in its
march towards (_b_).”
_The Director_: “What do you understand to be the duties of a flank
guard?”
_Captain Hastings_: “They are much the same as those of an advance
guard, that is, to do everything possible to facilitate the
uninterrupted progress of the main body. All other duties are incidental
to this and all have this prime object in view.”
_The Director_: “Very good. Are there any questions at this time? Now I
want each member of the class to consider himself as being Lieutenant W,
commanding the first platoon of Company A. Your platoon is right over
there (pointing), formed up in line, at the right of the company. You,
together with the other officers and non-commissioned officers of the
company, have assembled here and have received the verbal orders of the
captain for the formation of the company as the advance guard of the
battalion. You are now ready to return to your platoon. Just how are you
going to do the job that has been assigned to you?”
The Director will now conduct the class to the point where the first
platoon is supposed to be.