_The Director_: “This is the termination of this Terrain Exercise. Let
us see what we have gotten out of it—of what tactical benefit it has
been to us.
“The first situation was devised to show you the tactical necessity for
a flank guard, the duties that devolve upon it, and the formation that
is best calculated to enable it to carry out its functions.
“The second situation was devised for the purpose of illustrating the
necessity for covering approaches by which an enemy may cut in on the
main body of a column and delay or annoy it. Further, the method
employed in giving orders and instructions while continuing to march.
“The third situation was devised to give you experience in giving orders
to and conducting a combat patrol along the road.
“The fourth situation brings out the elements contained in a tactical
‘estimate of the situation’ and the selection and occupation of a small
position.
“The fifth situation was devised to give you practical instruction in
the methods of troop leading; rendering a quick decision on the
appearance of the enemy and handling a squad in action. Also in making
an estimate of the situation and rendering a decision when your mission
has been carried out and circumstances which could not have been
foreseen have arisen and it is necessary to embark on a new mission on
your own initiative and without orders—in other words, when a man is
thrown upon his own resources and has to decide for himself what he is
going to do.
“The sixth situation was devised for the purpose of placing the members
of the class on their own responsibility in the selection of a position
for the defense of a particular point and make practical use of the
knowledge they had gained in the solution of Situations Nos. 4 and 5.
“It is by the constant practice in solving these situations on the
ground that we gain that confidence in our ability to handle them when
we have troops actually present. The idea of these Terrain Exercises is
that you come out here and work out the solution without troops. Then
after you have learned how, you bring your troops out and take them
through the problem according to the solution that you have worked out
in the Terrain Exercise.
“I am sure that any of you are now more competent to handle the
operations of a flank guard and a force sent out to cover a particular
point. I am sure that you would have a very good idea of what to do if
in actual service you were confronted with situations similar to those
we have considered in our exercise today.”
* * * * *
=Flank Guard= =Card No. 7=
=Director’s Key=