_The Director_: “Lieutenant Barry, let us assume that you are Sergeant
Wilkins. Just what would you do on receipt of the platoon commander’s
order?”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “I would step aside and as the sixth squad comes up
I join it, marching abreast of the squad leader. As we get to the cross
road I look at my watch to get the time. When the head of the squad
reaches the cross-road I command:
“‘Sixth squad, FOLLOW ME.’
“I conduct the squad down the cross-road for a few yards and then
command:
“‘1. Squad. 2. Halt.’”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Hunt, we have the squad halted near the
cross-road here where Lieutenant Barry has conducted it. Let us assume
you have sized up the situation and are ready to issue your verbal
orders to the squad. Just what would you say? I want you to give the
exact words.”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would say:
“‘We have seen or heard nothing of the enemy. Our main column
continues the march on the (_a_)-(_b_) road.
“‘Our flank guard is now marching abreast of the distance between
the advance guard and the main body.
“‘This squad will cover this road until the main body has passed the
cross-road to the —— (direction).
“‘Renolds will march on the right-hand side of the road. Shane will
follow at a distance of 20 yards and march on the left-hand side of
the road.
“‘The rest of the squad except Halley, follow me.
“‘Halley will follow at a distance of 50 yards as get-away man.
“‘Signals to me.
“‘MOVE OUT.’”
_The Director_: “Are there any comments on the order as given by
Lieutenant Hunt?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “It seems to me that it would be well to follow
the Lieutenant’s order and tell the men how long we are going to stay
out.”
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Hunt will you please answer that comment?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I do not calculate that it makes any difference to
the men of the squad. They should be told what they are going out for so
that they may know the purpose of the patrol. But as for their having
any information as to how long they are to stay out, I do not think it
has a place in the order. That part of the order was only for Sergeant
Wilkins.”
_The Director_: “I think you are right. The Lieutenant made a mental
calculation of the time that it would take the main body to pass the
danger point and specified that 35 minutes as the time the patrol should
stay out. I do not think that is any concern of the men. Sergeant
Wilkins might well tell it to Corporal Jenkins so if anything should
happen to him he would know the orders. Any further comment?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “Does the Director think that it would be proper
to halt the squad to give them the orders?”
_The Director_: “Yes, I think that was the proper procedure. It is
highly important that every man of the squad know what they are going
out for. Time is not a specially important factor just now. Then, too,
the squad must be gotten into patrol formation. I think time is saved by
taking a minute or two to issue the orders and make sure that every man
understands the mission. The men can then go about the work so much more
intelligently.”
* * * * *
=Flank Guard= =Card No. 3=
=Director’s Key=