Terrain ExercisesWaldron, William H. (William Henry)
History
Terrain Exercises
Waldron, William H. (William Henry)
Tactics
Heavy firing—artillery and small arms—can be heard along the line to the
left. Shells fall occasionally within and in front of the area occupied
by the 1st battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel X, commanding the 1st battalion, has arrived at this
point (_d_) accompanied by a part of his staff; Captain C, commanding
the support company C; Captain D, commanding the machine gun company;
and Lieutenant Z, commanding a platoon of the Howitzer company, which
organization has been attached to the battalion.
After studying the situation in his front Lieutenant Colonel X summoned
Captains A and B, commanding the assault companies, and issued verbal
orders for continuing the attack.
Explanation of Letter Symbols
(_a_) In designating the boundary line some natural topographical
feature should be selected, such as a river, creek, canal, crest of
ridge, etc. In this problem it may be assumed that the Red invading
force has advanced several miles into Blue territory before its advance
was checked by the counter-attack.
(_b_) The general front occupied by the 1st battalion where it is held
up by the fire from the front and that from the enemy strong point to
the right front. In fitting this problem to the ground care will have to
be taken to get all the features properly coordinated. The line of
departure for Company C may be selected first and the general line of
the 1st battalion prolonged to the left. Then select the location of the
strong point with reference to the line of departure of Company C. Cover
for the deployment of the company should be available.
(_c_) Location of the enemy strong point. This should be some
topographical feature that might be logically occupied as a strong point
by the enemy and from which the advance of the 1st battalion might be
interfered with.
(_d_) This point should be near the center of the front covered by the
1st battalion and should command a view of the front. There should be
reasonable cover for the battalion commander and his staff. In other
words, it should not be so exposed to enemy fire that the battalion
commander could not go there to make his personal reconnaissance.
Procedure
The class will be assembled at (_d_) where the Terrain Exercise is to
begin.
The Director distributes the sheets containing the problem (General
Situation and Special Situation—Blue). A few minutes are allowed the
members of the class to read over the problem after which the Director
will read it aloud and point out the places of importance. One or more
members of the class will be called upon to state his understanding of
the tactical situation.
Care will be taken to indicate the right of the line occupied by Company
A and the location of the enemy strong point will be accurately pointed
out.
Explanation
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