_The Director_: “Captain Jones, what would you do under the
circumstances?”
_Captain Jones_: “In the first place, the enemy’s patrol is trying to
work around our flank to get in touch with our main body. The question
to my mind is: Is it the job of the advance party to try and prevent
this? We can hardly be expected to send patrols from the advance party
so far afield. It will require a patrol of at least a squad, and
probably two of them, to accomplish such a mission. It would seem to me
that the task should be left to the support. I would, therefore, get
word back to the advance guard commander of what is going on and he
would send out the necessary patrols. In the next place, it will be
necessary to investigate the place where the enemy was when our point
fired on him and secure an identification if possible. This is close-in
reconnaissance and may be undertaken by the advance party. I would send
a patrol of three men under a corporal for the purpose.”
_The Director_: “How would you get the message back to Captain A?”
_Captain Hodges_: “Private Alley has been with the point. He has seen
all that has taken place up there. I would send him back with the
message to Captain A. In order that Sergeant Roberts may know what
action is being taken I would send Bailey to him with a message.”
_Captain Jones_: “Would you make these written or verbal messages?”
_Captain Hodges_: “They would be verbal messages.”