Terrain ExercisesWaldron, William H. (William Henry)
History
Terrain Exercises
Waldron, William H. (William Henry)
Tactics
_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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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