In the conduct of such walks the instructor takes his class out as
such patrol and states his problem, the firing line being represented
by a few men or even entirely imaginary, its progress being announced
from time to time. The instructor then acts as leader, explains
what is to be done and, assuming he has a platoon, takes his first
position. He conceals his platoon and has observers out covering
him and so placed that any enemy approaching will be seen in time,
and that he will be in the best position to meet him. The number of
sentinels out and their distance from the main body of the platoon
depend on the terrain. He then carefully points out his dispositions
to the class and explains why made and assuming in turn that the
enemy is approaching from each of the likely directions, how his
dispositions enable him to meet fully the case. The necessity for
signal communication with the commander is explained and how he has
provided for it.
He then discusses the terrain with reference to the next advance.
As the firing line advances where he should next go, and how get
there. A small patrol advances to the next position selected, finds
it unoccupied and so signals back. The platoon then moves there and
sentinels are sent out as before and possibly small reconnoitering
patrols. The same discussion as before. Also from time to time
hostile patrols are assumed to be seen and what should be done
explained; when fire would be opened on the main hostile line, if at
all. In fact the whole conduct of this patrol until the conclusion
of the fight should be discussed, showing how it jumps from place
to place, always covered by sentinels or small patrols, and how the
firing line is always protected by it from surprise. He should point
out how, in most cases, a mere marching along in a straight line
would utterly fail, and impress upon the men the fact that the leader
must use his head all the time.
Having gone through such an exercise once or more, the instructor
solving the problem himself, he should then prepare the problem and,
having stated it, call on the class to solve it step by step in the
same manner. In all cases of errors in disposition the instructor
assumes an enemy from a certain direction and has the class realize
the error by their inability to meet the situation. The importance
of keeping as many of the patrol as practicable well in hand must be
emphasized.
Any combat patrol that is to offer resistance, from a squad to a
company, is handled in the same way. The work of the smaller combat
patrols whose duty is only to observe are likewise taught in the same
way. The terrain and conditions bringing about their use instead of
the larger ones make the problem easier.
The officers of the battalion should be taken on such walks by the
major or some other officer. The company commander should conduct
them for his lieutenants and non-commissioned officers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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