Military Instructors Manual Part 45

4. Provisional dispositions by leaders of outguard elements; importance of good sketch; intrenchments?

5. Confirmation and alteration by higher officers; especially changes at night regarding layout and manning. Fire ineffective at night except at short ranges.

6. Roster =?

7. Instructions regarding enemy's position and strength, and the friendly outguards to right and left.

8. Mode of numbering elements (from right to right). Arrangement for smooth withdrawal of each element upon stronger one.

9. Disposition of strangers; use for information.

10. Need of explicit arrangements in case of attack in day or night.

11. Sleep near arms.

Eighth Problem--Cossack Post and Sentry Squad:

A. Definition and Function:

1. Cossack Post: 4 men in charge of a corporal (usually) primarily to observe and warn; secondarily to keep concealed, and intercept strangers who might be useful to enemy or to us.

2. Sentry Squad: 8 men in charge of a corporal. Duties similar but strength is greater. Posts double sentinel.

3. Post important enough for a cossack post is often doubled into a sentry squad at night.

B. Principles:

1. Opportunity to "pick off" enemies ought to be ignored until position of c.p. or s.s. or of its supporting body has unquestionably been learned by enemy. Then fire away.

2. _Stop_ enemy's patrolling. Is as important as to _force_ your own observation.

3. Advantages of s.s. over c.p. for night work: (a) strength, (b) sureness, (c) adequacy of observation before firing alarm.

4. Use of prisoners, and papers on dead bodies.

5. Value of imagining yourself in position of enemy commander in deciding what enemy dispositions you will combat him with.

Ninth Problem: Reconnoitering Patrol:

A. Definition and Function.--Gather information in the field. No resistance unless compelled. Concealment and flight rather than resistance by fire: opposite of "covering detachment."

B. Principles.

1. Judgment in deciding what equipment is appropriate to the particular patrol.

2. Sketch copies; contours as guides for concealed route.

3. Fight only in self defence.

4. How to question hidden sentinel without disclosing his position to enemy.

5. Judicious choice of cover in approaching destination.

6. Dating and placing of messages.

7. Rate of pa.s.sage of troops: "Rule of 2-2-2."

Tenth Problem--Visiting Patrol:

A. Definition and Function:

Two men or more sent from supports and pickets liaison between adjoining outguards. More useful at night, because of reduced visibility of terrain between outguards.

1. Inform the sending body of conditions at sentinel posts.

2. Prevent enemy from penetrating lines between posts.

3. Exchange information between adjoining posts.

4. Take back captured strangers to commander.

5. Reenforce feeling of mutual support among the isolated sentinels.

B. Principles.

1. Keen sight and hearing; silence.

2. Need of signals. Both countersign and check--countersign.

3. Equipment; nothing that rattles or glistens.

4. Disposition: leader in front, because of need for quick decision.

5. Distance not over two miles even in most open country.

6. Danger of startling a friend sentinel by unwarned approach.

Eleventh Problem--Detached Post:

A. Definition and Function.--Posted where connection cannot be easily maintained with other elements of outpost. Sent usually by outpost reserve or by main body, and retires to them, rather than to the line of supports. Function same as element of outpost proper,--_observation, resistance, reconnaissance_; but less resistance than _warning_. May be as small as 2 men, or as large as a support, depending on location and importance of detached position.

B. Principles.

1. Established under precautions, because of danger of enemy breaking between the main body and the detached post.

2. Entrenchment: what time of day? What other circ.u.mstances?

Treatment of bridges? Night?

3. Requisitioning order: Need of payment; for justice, for military advantage later (rea.s.sure farmers through whose territory you will need to pa.s.s and keep supplied).

Twelfth Problem--Requisitioning Detachment or Patrol:

A. Definition and Function.--A patrol may have any mission: here it is sent to take (on payment) the provender designated. A.r.d. sent by commander with specific instructions, is legal; a raid for booty illegal. (See f.s.r., sec, 290.)

B. Principles.

1. Preparation essential.

2. Sending of men singly or in pairs across open s.p.a.ces.

3. Deliberate start on _wrong_ road to deceive enemy scouts.

4. Not to fire unless obliged,--until return trip.

Thirteenth Problem--A Contact Patrol:

A. Definition and Function.--A small patrol sent out from a stationary body of troops, usually at night, to find out whether enemy is starting a retreat. (Compact formation in column.)

B. Principles.

1. Travel light, but prepare to spend some time lying still.

2. Route rear and parallel to a road, but not on it.

3. Do not attack enemy patrols unless necessary.

4. Get through enemy line of observation and watch support or larger body.

5. Return together when you have definite information. Do not send single messengers.

Fourteenth Problem.--A Small Outguard:

The principles used in 14 are same as those listed under 1-13; and should be clinched by a.s.signing yourself the problem of completely arranging an outpost for a brigade to be encamped or bivouacked at some a.s.signed position on the Hunter's Town sheet. Exchange solutions, for mutual criticism.

Examinations.