Читать книгу Terrain Exercises - William H. Waldron - Страница 27

The Class is now conducted to the point where the first fire position is located.

The Director: “Captain Hall, the first section is along this front firing on the enemy strong point. They are returning the fire, the volume of which is just about at a balance with your fire. You hear the firing of the 2nd platoon off to the right. You have had a few casualties. What would you do now?”

Captain Hall: “By a process of fire and movement I would work my section further to the front and build up a new firing line ________ (indicate the location of the new line).”

The Director: “What would your second section be doing?”

Captain Hall: “It would be following the advance ready to join the firing line when I call upon it to do so.”

The class is now conducted up to the new fire position.

The Director: “The line has worked forward to this position with a few more casualties. It is apparent that the enemy’s fire is increasing in volume and you find that it will be impossible for you to continue the advance. In other words you cannot attain fire superiority with your present force on the firing line. What would you do about that, Lieutenant Barry?”

Lieutenant Barry: “I would signal the section “Fire Faster” and under cover of this increased volume of fire I would bring my 2nd section up onto the line, and have the men join in the firing.”

(Note.—The solution of all the above will depend upon the lay of the ground where the Terrain Exercise is staged. The points to be brought out by the Director are that the first wave will continue its advance by its own efforts as far to the front as possible. When it cannot longer maintain the superiority of fire necessary to enable it to continue, the 2nd section must be brought up and continue the forward movement. When the 2nd section has joined the 1st on the line the subsequent progress of the action will depend upon how well the superiority of fire can be maintained. If the volume is such that the enemy can be kept down and prevented from firing effectively the advance can be continued, by the utilization of fire and movement. Ordinarily the enemy will realize the hopelessness of the situation and evacuate his position before it is necessary to carry it by assault.)

Attack of Strong Point Card No. 3

Director’s Key

1. Explain what happens between the time the attack order is issued and the time the attack is ready to start: Platoon commanders join platoons, and conduct them to the front. Approach march formation. Column of files to be avoided. Orders of platoon commanders. Deployment for attack. Action of special weapons. Signals indicating readiness for attack.

2. Discuss necessity for thorough preparation for the attack. Describe the situation from the enemy’s point of view. Advantage of the initiative.

3. Explain necessity for time being allowed subordinate commanders to prepare to launch attack.

4. Conduct class to line of departure for 1st platoon.

5. Distribute sheets bearing Situation No. 3; read and explain.

6. Description of attack. Initial advance. Scouts. Advance of platoon. Building up first fire position. Superiority of fire. Continue advance by fire and movement. Employment of automatic rifles.

7. Conduct class to next fire position. Failure to hold superiority of fire. Bring up second section. Subsequent progress. Assault.