Terrain ExercisesWaldron, William H. (William Henry)
History
Terrain Exercises
Waldron, William H. (William Henry)
Tactics
“When the time for starting arrives I will give the command: 1. Platoon,
2. ATTENTION; and then follow with: 1. Right, 2. FACE; then: 1. Forward,
2. MARCH, and direct: ‘A file on each side of the road.’ I will then
signal the point: FORWARD MARCH.”
_The Director_: “That is very good. Now I want each member of the class
to write out the order of the platoon commander on his pad.”
Procedure
Each member of the class writes out the order of the advance party
commander. When all have completed this the Director collects the work
and distributes it, making sure that no member of the class receives his
own solution back again.
One or more of the solutions are read aloud, and a discussion of any
errors or points of importance is conducted. At the conclusion of this
the Director inquires if there are any questions. He endeavors to answer
any questions that may be asked, after which the class is ready to go
ahead with the next situation.
* * * * *
=Advance Guard= =Card No. 1=
=Director’s Key=
1. Prepare copies of the problem and the situations, one for each
member of the class.
2. Conduct the class to the point on the road where it is intended
that the advance guard formation is to be taken up.
3. Make a short talk on the subject of advance guard duty: (_a_)
Formation of a column of troops on the march. (_b_) Description
of an advance guard. (_c_) Duties of advance guard: Security of
main body; gain information; push back small parties of the
enemy; check advance of enemy in force, clear road, etc. (_d_)
Distances. (_e_) Communication.
4. Distribute sheets bearing problem and Situation No. 1.
5. Read problem and question members of class on tactical situation.
6. Discuss flank guard.
7. Take up solution of problem: Inspection of platoon; when to load
pieces; get platoon away from company.
8. Estimate of the Situation: Mission; enemy; own troops; plans of
action; decision.
9. Discussion of Field Orders. Information of enemy and own troops;
plan of commander; tactical dispositions; administrative
arrangements; place of commander.
10. Final solution of problem: Commands of platoon commander; orders
of platoon commander; getting the platoon in march.
11. Have members of class write out orders of the platoon commander.
Collect solutions and redistribute them. Have several solutions
read and discussed.
* * * * *
Explanation
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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