_The Director_: “Lieutenant Hastings, what elements are included in the
orders of a point commander to the members of his point?”
_Lieutenant Hastings_: “They are the elements included in every field
order. The point commander must be sure that every man has all the
available information of the enemy and our own supporting troops. In
this case they were given all of this by the platoon commander, and it
is not necessary for Sergeant Roberts to repeat it. That is paragraph 1
of the order. The point commander must then announce his plans, in
general terms, and that constitutes paragraph 2. Then comes the
formation of the point and giving each man his instructions as to where
he is to march in the formation—paragraph 3. He must now arrange for
communication and follow with the place where he, himself, is to march.
That completes the order.”
_The Director_: “Now, Captain Harvey, let us assume that you are
Sergeant Roberts. Your squad is standing here on the road ready to move
out. Let us hear the exact orders that you would give them.”
_Captain Harvey_: “I will take post in front of the squad and command:
1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION.
“I will then address the men as follows:
“‘You heard what the lieutenant said about the enemy and our
supporting troops.
“‘We are going out as the point.
“‘Crane and Hanson (both riflemen), march on the right and left of
the road, respectively. Keep about abreast of each other.
“‘Pendleton (rifle grenadier), follow Crane and Hanson at a distance
of about 25 yards. March on the right side of the road.
“‘Alley (rifleman) and Stone (carrier for the automatic rifleman),
follow Pendleton at 25 yards distance—Stone on left, Alley on right
of road. Stone, watch the country to the east and Alley, watch the
country to the west.
“‘Patrick (automatic rifleman) and Corporal Smith follow Alley and
Stone at a distance of about 25 yards—Patrick on the right, Corporal
Smith on the left of road.
“‘Bailey (rifleman), follow Patrick and Corporal Smith at a distance
of about 25 yards and watch for signals from the advance party.
“‘I will march with Pendleton on the left side of the road.
“‘Move out.’”