_The Director_: “Captain Hall, what would you do under the
circumstances?”
_Captain Hall_: “It is the business of the visiting patrol to
investigate suspicious incidents that may be reported by the sentinels.
So I would go out and investigate this one. I would take the two men of
my patrol with me.”
_The Director_: “We will assume that you are senior to the outguard
commander. Would you give him any instructions?”
_Captain Hall_: “I think I would have him send out a small patrol to the
interval between outguard No. 3 and No. 2.”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “That is a point I had been thinking about and I had
just decided that I would not do that.”
_The Director_: “On what line of reasoning did you base the decision?”
_Lieutenant Barry_: “Well, sir, if I were Corporal Canes and going out
with my visiting patrol I would not want any other patrol out working
around in my immediate vicinity. There would be too much danger of an
accident. I would have to put in about half of my time watching out for
the other patrol to keep from shooting them or to keep them from
shooting me. I am sure if I knew another patrol from the outguard were
out here I could not devote my undivided attention to my reconnaissance
of the enemy. I would have Corporal R bring two of his men up to the
sentinel post and remain there until I get back or if anything happens
to me to come to my assistance. I would have the remaining men of the
outguard remain on the alert at their post.”
_The Director_: “I think you are right in all you have said and I feel
sure that Captain Hall will agree with you on reconsideration. Is that
not so, Captain Hall?”
_Captain Hall_: “Yes, sir.”
_The Director_: “We then decide that Corporal Canes is to make the
reconnaissance with the two remaining men of his visiting patrol; that
he is going to have Corporal R bring up two men of the outguard to the
vicinity of the sentinel post and that the remainder of the outguard is
to remain at the alert at its post. Now, Lieutenant Hunt, just how will
you put this decision into the form of orders?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would issue my orders as follows:
“‘You have all the information of the enemy and our own troops.
“‘The visiting patrol will conduct a reconnaissance in that
direction (indicating).
“‘Manley and Harrison will follow me at the usual distance.
“‘Corporal R, have two men of your outguard come up here. If
anything happens to my patrol come to our assistance. Have the
remainder of your men remain at the outguard on the alert.’
“When all is ready I will say:
“‘Manley and Harrison, follow me.’
“We will proceed in Indian file towards the suspicious noise reported by
the sentinel.”
* * * * *
=Visiting Patrol= =Card No. 6=
=Director’s Key=
1. On arrival at Outguard No. 3 distribute Situation No. 6 and
explain.
2. Duty of visiting patrol to investigate suspicious occurrences on
outpost line.