“One platoon company D and the 1st platoon Howitzer Company will support the attack of Company C. Captain D and Lieutenant Z will confer with Captain C regarding the assistance to be rendered.” “Captain C will notify the battalion commander when he is ready to attack.” “The attack will be pushed hard.” You, Captain C, have with you three platoon runners and two company runners. _Required_: Your action and orders during the next 20 minutes. Procedure A few minutes are allowed the members of the class to look over the situation. It is then read aloud and the necessary explanations made. _The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what is the formation of Company C, at the time the battalion commander’s order is received by Captain C?” _Lieutenant Williams_: “The formation would depend upon the cover available, the distance from the front line and the class of fire it is being subjected to. In this case I should say that the company will be in dispersed formation either in squad columns or platoon columns. I would prefer the platoon columns because they are more easily controlled. I think I would have each platoon in a platoon column. The first and second platoons would march abreast with an interval of at least 40 yards with the third platoon marching about 50 yards to the rear and opposite the interval between the first and second. Company headquarters would be in the lead.” _The Director_: “That seems to be a very good formation under the circumstances.” (Note.—The Director should prepare an answer to this question based on the lay of the ground.) “How do you arrive at the interval of 40 yards between the two leading platoons?” _Lieutenant Williams_: “That is about the minimum distance to avoid casualties in more than one column from the burst of one shell and it is about the maximum distance for control and visibility in the woods.” Solution _The Director_: “Captain Hastings, let us assume that you are Captain C. You have received the orders of the battalion commander. What is your mission?” _Captain Hastings_: “To attack the enemy’s strong point enveloping its left.” _The Director_: “In sizing up the situation what points would you consider?” _Captain Hastings_: “I would consider the enemy’s position, and if possible, go to a point where I can make a personal reconnaissance of it. I would consider the route by which I can get my company up to the point where I can make the attack and select the line of departure for the company. I will then decide upon my plan of maneuver and the formation of the company for attack.” _The Director_: “In other words, you will make an Estimate of the Situation and upon this you will base your decision and in turn your orders?” _Captain Hastings_: “Yes, sir. That is the idea.”