The Director reads over the problem and makes such explanation as may be
necessary.
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, how do you size up the situation at
this time?”
_Captain Harvey_: “The mission of the flank guard is the protection of
this flank of the column marching on the (_a_)-(_b_) road, and provide
for its uninterrupted progress. The enemy has been reported out on this
flank (_pointing_). He will naturally take advantage of roads leading
towards the Blue column to facilitate his operations. The road we are
approaching leads from the direction of the enemy and must be watched
until our main column has passed the danger point. We are marching
abreast of the interval between the advance guard and the main body of
our main column. This road will have to be watched until the main body
passes beyond it. The road space occupied by the main body of the column
would be about 2,900 yards, including field train of the regiment and
excluding the combat train of the 1st brigade. The column will pass a
given point at the rate of about 88 yards per minute. It will therefore
take about 32 minutes for the main body to pass.
“My decision would be to send a patrol out on the road to the ——
(direction).”
_The Director_: “Your estimate seems to cover the necessary points and I
think we can agree that you have arrived at the proper decision. Just a
mention of this ‘Estimate of the Situation.’ It is a logical process of
thought involving the elements just mentioned by Captain Harvey,
terminating in a tactical decision. This is what you have to do in the
solution of all tactical problems. The patrol leader does it in every
move of his patrol. The platoon as a flank guard requires the same
process on the part of the platoon leader. The company commander, as
commander of the advance party of an advance guard, must consider these
same elements in the conduct of his covering detachment. It is the same
with the battalion commander, the regimental commander, and on up to the
commander of a division. When you are presented with a tactical
situation for solution, figure out all the elements of it; your mission,
your situation with respect to the enemy, the influence of the terrain,
and then arrive at a clean-cut decision as to what you are going to do.
Captain Hodges, what would be the strength of the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “I would make it one squad. I think that would be
about right.”
_The Director_: “Whom would you detail in charge of the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “Sergeant Wilkins, the left guide of the platoon.”
_The Director_: “When would you issue your orders for the patrol?”
_Captain Hodges_: “As we march along I will call Sergeant Wilkins to the
head of the support and give him his orders as we march along. That
would do away with the necessity for halting the column while I am
giving the orders.”
_The Director_: “Now, Captain James, tell us just how you would give the
orders to the patrol and just what you would say.”
_Captain James_: “As we approach the cross-road I will call Sergeant
Wilkins to join me. As we march along I will give him the orders for the
patrol:
“‘We have not heard or seen anything of the enemy. Our flank guard
is now marching abreast of the distance between the advance guard
and main body of our column on the (_a_)-(_b_) road.
“‘You will take the sixth squad and patrol down the road we are
approaching to the (direction) to cover the passage of the main
body. Remain out about 35 minutes and then return. Catch up with the
flank guard when you can.
“‘Messages to head of support.’”
_The Director_: “That seems to cover the situation very well.”
_Lieutenant Baker_: “It seems to me that if I were Sergeant Wilkins I
would want you to indicate how far I am to go with the patrol. Can the
Director enlighten us on that point?”
_The Director_: “Captain Hall, what do you think about the point that
Lieutenant Baker brings up?”
_Captain Hall_: “Captain James told the Sergeant to stay out about 35
minutes. It seems to me that is sufficient. The Sergeant can keep tab on
his time and judge his distance by that.”
_The Director_: “Yes, I think the time element is one thing, but there
is another point that has not been mentioned. You do not want to hamper
your subordinate with detailed instructions. It may be that there is a
point on this road only a short distance out where Sergeant Wilkins has
a good view over the country and a good position in case the enemy does
come upon him. There would be no necessity for going on beyond such a
point. If he had specific orders to go a certain distance he would feel
that he had to do it. You give the Sergeant his mission, make him
understand what he is out there for. Tell him about how long he is to
remain out and then let him work out his own problem. You must not go
into details. The moment you do so you get beyond your depth. You cannot
foresee all contingencies. There has been only one military commander
that was able to do this. He was the great Napoleon.”
* * * * *
=Flank Guard= =Card No. 2=
=Director’s Key=