_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what would you do?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “I estimate that it is about time for me to be
getting out with what is left of my patrol. I have accomplished my
mission in so far as the main body of the enemy is concerned. His
bivouac for the night has been located. He has established his outposts,
which indicates that he will probably not make any more moves today. The
operations of the hostile patrols will soon make my position untenable.
There is little to be gained by my staying here any longer and taking a
chance on being picked up. I would get on my way back to my own troops.”
_The Director_: “Has any member of the class any criticism of that
solution?”
_Captain Hastings_: “It seems to me that Sergeant B would now have
another mission imposed upon him by the conditions. It is that of
intercepting enemy scouts from getting back with information from the
patrol that passed us. How about that?”
_The Director_: “That is true. It is the point that I was going to bring
up next. The fact that you have heard firing from the direction of our
own troops indicates that contact has been gained and the enemy patrol
has gotten some information of our forces. This he will endeavor to get
back to his own commander. In view of the fact that the patrol leader
does not know that our patrol is between him and his own troops he may
not think it necessary to take the precautions to send it by two
messengers, and I think it is reasonable to assume that he will direct
his messenger along the main road where he can make the better time than
he can in going across country. You now have two men with you, Carlin
and Davis. How would you manage the withdrawal and what would be your
formation on the way back? What route would you take? How would you
solve all of these points, Captain Hastings?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I would signal Carlin, who is observer, to join me.
This accomplished, I would signal Davis to move out toward the main
road. I would make my withdrawal as rapidly as possible and when we get
away some little distance I would signal Davis to slow down until we
caught up with him. I would get on or near the main road and march with
Davis as the leading man, following him at a distance of about 25 yards
and have Carlin follow me at the same distance. I would keep a sharp
lookout for enemy scouts with a view to intercepting them.”
_The Director_: “I think your solution meets the situation very well.
Are there any questions?”
* * * * *
=Reconnoitering Patrol= =Card No. 7=
=Director’s Key=