Exactly the same as in Problem 5_a_. The enemy is in this case four times as strong as you are, but the effect of surprise should more than make up for this, and the first minute after you open fire should decide the action in your favour. PROBLEM 5_c_ The situation is again exactly the same as in 5_a_ and 5_b_, except that a whole battalion with eight groups 200 yards in front of it is advancing. What action would you take? _Action considered Correct._ In this case the situation is changed. You are an outpost, and your first duty is to warn your main body in case of an attack and to give it time to prepare itself. It is just possible that if you allow the battalion to approach to within 300 yards you might deal it such a blow as to almost destroy it; but if, on the contrary, the covering groups were composed of really good soldiers and the companies were well commanded, there would be a great chance of your being rushed, and this is a risk which you ought not to take, for it would compromise the whole situation. In these circumstances you should therefore take steps to open a rapid fire on the enemy immediately with your men and your Lewis gun. Your object in doing this would be to keep him at arm’s length and delay his advance as much as possible so as to give your supports and reserves time to prepare themselves. Your affectionate father, “X. Y. Z.” LETTER VII [Illustration] _January 15, 1918._ PROBLEM 6 MY DEAR DICK,-- In this letter I am going to set you another fire problem. It is one in which, presuming that the men are fairly well trained in musketry, everything depends on the orders given by the company commander. You are in command of a company and are marching in a northerly direction along the road _W B E_, with scouts in front of you. On reaching the top of the ridge at _B_ your scouts halt and beckon to you. You go forward and see what appears to be an enemy’s battalion at _X_, by the bank of the River Spate. The battalion is in close column and the men are lying down resting. The country all round the battalion is open. There is a thin hedge on the top of the ridge _A B C_ through which you can see and through which you could fire, but which gives you cover from view. State how the situation presents itself to you and also give your exact orders. _Solution considered Correct._ You should reason with yourself as follows: