Читать книгу Terrain Exercises - William H. Waldron - Страница 21

The Director will distribute mimeograph copies of this order to the members of the class. He will read the order. The members of the class follow from the copy in their possession. He will point out the features of the terrain referred to in the order as he reads it and make such comment and explanation as may be necessary.

The Director: “You now see what the order for an attack of an infantry company must contain. If you omit any of these things the order is not complete. Note how the order conforms to the requirements of our Field Service Regulations. Are there any questions?”

Lieutenant Hunt: “I note that the 1st and 2nd platoons are to attack on a front of about 150 yards. How does a platoon cover such a front?”

The Director: “The normal interval between skirmishers is 5 paces. This should be adhered to rigidly in extended order drill. Men will, under the stress of danger and excitement, do as they have been trained. In spite of the injunction of the Infantry Drill Regulations, I would not change this interval in drill for it may lead to bunching and the consequent loss of lives in action.”

The platoon fights in two waves with a section in each wave. This gives a wave and consequently a platoon a front of 120 yards in action. Where a larger front than 120 yards is assigned to a platoon to cover, the platoon is placed at about the center of the front and held responsible for the interval on each flank to the boundary of the zone of action assigned. The support section forming the second wave, following at a convenient distance, is used by the platoon leader in any required part of the platoon zone of action as the situation develops.

“In rare instances a platoon may be deployed with both sections on one line, covering a front of 240 yards. Such a line is very difficult for the platoon leader to control and is to be avoided.”

Lieutenant Wallace: “I note the designation of a ‘base platoon’ in Captain C.’s orders. What is the significance of that in a converging attack, such as is contemplated?”

The Director: “A Base Platoon is designated only as an aid to the initial formation of the company. During an approach march, in deploying on the line of departure and in advancing to the first firing position, the base platoon forms the guide for the company and helps ensure a coordinated attack. But as soon as enemy opposition is met, each platoon makes its own fight within its own zone of action and all consideration of the ‘base platoon’ is dropped. In action, each platoon must observe the action of adjacent units and be prepared to assist them. But the best possible aid consists in the vast majority of cases, in pushing ahead, ‘where the pushing is good’ and then threatening in the flank or rear enemy resistances holding up adjacent units.

“In this case, the ‘first firing position’ may be very close to, or even coincide with the Line of Departure, so that the base platoon designation is of especial value in the initial deployment.”

Captain Hastings: “Will the Director please discuss the personnel of the headquarters of Company C in action—its positions and formations?”

The Director: “A rifle company headquarters in action consists of:

“1. The Captain.

“2. First Sergeant, Signal Sergeant, Agents from the supporting Machine Gun unit (platoon or company), and two company runners all following in two short columns behind the captain. When halted these men take cover within reach of the captain’s voice.

“3. Two buglers, one well to the left flank observing the connecting group keeping connection with Company A and the other observing combat patrol covering the right. These buglers will report to the Captain any item of information they note.

“4. Three platoon runners, arranged in a rough triangle each between his own platoon and the company headquarters. These runners keep within call or signaling distance of the Captain and each knows always the position of his own platoon. By these runners the Captain communicates with his three platoons.

“5. Two Company runners at the Battalion Command Post. These runners keep track of the position of their own company and are prepared to take messages to it from Battalion headquarters.

“The position of Company Headquarters is such that the Captain can maintain connection with his assault platoons, observe the progress of the fight personally and especially be ready to throw his support platoon into the action when and where most needed. During the approach the Captain precedes his assault echelon. When the fire opens, Company Headquarters drops back to a position between the assault echelon and the support platoon.”

Lieutenant Wallace: “Where is the second in command of the company? There is no mention of him in the orders.”

The Director: “Yes, I am glad you noted the omission. The senior Lieutenant, or ‘second-in-command’ remains back at the Company rear echelon during a fight. Here he is responsible that ammunition is forwarded as necessary, that meals are prepared and that all men drifting to the rear are held.

“Further, as the casualties among rifle company officers are higher than in any other unit in the entire army, keeping this officer out of the fight ensures a trained officer to replace the Captain, in case the latter becomes a casualty and to reorganize the company after each battle.

“Whenever the Captain becomes incapacitated for any reason a runner is sent at once from Company Headquarters back to the rear echelon and the second in command hastens forward to take command of the company. The first sergeant or others of the personnel at Company Headquarters acquaint him with the situation. It is considered most important to have this trained officer in reserve ready to take command on short notice.”

Lieutenant Ralston: “Where will the combat patrol on the right flank march?”

The Director: “It will march well out on the right flank and rear of the 2nd platoon, so that if an enemy machine gun or patrol fires on the platoon from that direction the patrol will be in position to attack it.”

Captain Harvey: “The Director mentioned something about extra ammunition. I did not understand what was said?”

The Director: “All riflemen of the units of an assault battalion should carry an extra bandolier of ammunition when they go into action. This applies to the battalion reserve company as well as the assault companies. You can see in this case how delay would be occasioned by stopping to issue extra ammunition to the men.”

Captain Hodges: “It is noted that you give orders for the consolidation and preparation of the enemy strong point for defense as soon as it is captured. Just what is the purpose of this?”

The Director: “At this time Captain C cannot tell just what will happen when he gets into the enemy strong point. That is the objective of the attack for the time being. He would want the platoon commanders to have orders that will carry them until he can get up there and decide what to do. The Company may not stop at the strong point. If the enemy is on the run they will follow him up probably. This will depend upon the action of the rest of the battalion. In any event we will want a position on which to reorganize the company and prepare for future eventualities and by preparing the position for defense we gain such a position and at the same time we are ready to meet a counter-attack if it comes.”

Attack of Strong Point Card No. 2

Director’s Key

1. Assemble class at point designated for the assembly of platoon commanders. Distribute Situation No. 2 and explain.

2. Explain five paragraph field order.

3. Consider order for attack in detail, paragraph by paragraph.

4. Have class write out order. Collect, read and comment on solutions.

5. Comments of problem. Frontage of platoon. Explanation of base platoon. Company headquarters in action. Second in command. Covering patrol. Extra ammunition preparations for defense.