The class is conducted along the road on which the flank guard is supposed to be marching to the point where a road leading from the flank where the enemy is reported, enters it. It may be assumed that the flank guard has marched a mile or more to reach this point. The Director distributes the sheets bearing Situation No. 2, to the members of the class. The Problem =Situation No. 2=: You, Lieutenant A, commanding the flank guard, and marching at the head of the support, are approaching this road fork. The flank guard is now marching abreast of the interval between the reserve of the advance guard and the head of the main body of the column on the (_a_)-(_b_) road. There has been no contact with the enemy. _Required_: What action do you take? Procedure The Director reads over the problem and makes such explanation as may be necessary. _The Director_: “Captain Harvey, how do you size up the situation at this time?” _Captain Harvey_: “The mission of the flank guard is the protection of this flank of the column marching on the (_a_)-(_b_) road, and provide for its uninterrupted progress. The enemy has been reported out on this flank (_pointing_). He will naturally take advantage of roads leading towards the Blue column to facilitate his operations. The road we are approaching leads from the direction of the enemy and must be watched until our main column has passed the danger point. We are marching abreast of the interval between the advance guard and the main body of our main column. This road will have to be watched until the main body passes beyond it. The road space occupied by the main body of the column would be about 2,900 yards, including field train of the regiment and excluding the combat train of the 1st brigade. The column will pass a given point at the rate of about 88 yards per minute. It will therefore take about 32 minutes for the main body to pass. “My decision would be to send a patrol out on the road to the —— (direction).”