_The Director_: “Each member of the class will now consider himself to
be Sergeant B. who has been designated as the patrol leader. Lieutenant
Hunt, what equipment would you carry?”
_Lieutenant Hunt_: “I would not want to be encumbered with a rifle, so I
would not carry one. I would want a pair of field glasses, a compass, a
watch, a wire cutter, pencils and a book of field message blanks. If one
were available I would want a map of the country over which the patrol
is to operate. Each member of the patrol should be provided with a
compass and a wire cutter. At least one man should carry a combination
flag kit for wigwag and semaphore signaling——”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I have understood that visual signaling is about
to be discarded in the service. Can the Director give us some
information on that point?”
_The Director_: “There is a tendency to throw it into the discard, but I
am not so sure that it is right. There are times when visual signaling
has its place and will save a lot of time and trouble. The codes are
easily learned and any intelligent man can master the process within a
comparatively short time. I think there should be a few men in every
rifle platoon who are good signalers. Going back to the equipment of the
patrol, I think Lieutenant Hunt has enumerated the essential items of
equipment.
“Lieutenant Williams, suppose you were out on patrol duty and captured
one of the enemy scouts, what is the first thing you would look for on
him?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I would look for some marking that would give me
an identification—that would give me information as to the outfit to
which he belongs.”
_The Director_: “That is right. During the war both sides took
exceptional measures to secure identification of units that were opposed
to them. Of course, much of this work was done during the period of
so-called trench warfare, but the same idea holds good in open warfare.
Identification of the units to which prisoners belong is always sought
after by the intelligence service. Now, Lieutenant Williams, what does
all of this point to with respect to our own patrol?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “That the members of the patrol should carry
nothing with them that will serve to give the enemy an identification,
should one of them be captured.”
_The Director_: “You are right. Should one of our soldiers be captured,
the enemy should be able to secure from him only his name and rank. The
prisoner should give no other information whatever.
“Before going out with a patrol the patrol leader makes an inspection of
his men. What is included in this inspection, Captain Hastings?”
_Captain Hastings_: “If I were making the inspection I would satisfy
myself that every man is physically fit for the duty to be performed. I
would not want a man who has been on some strenuous duty and is all worn
out. I would see that every man is properly armed and equipped, that
each man has a ration, 40 pounds of ammunition and a canteen full of
water. I would not allow a man to carry his roll. I would see that the
equipment is arranged so that it will not rattle or glisten in the
sunlight. I would see that no man carried anything that would give the
enemy an identification or information that would be of value to him. I
will verify my own equipment and make sure that I have everything that I
will probably require.”
The Director will now hand out the slips bearing special situation No.
2: