The Plattsburg Manual Part 29

(1) "The Military Policy of the United States," by Gen. E. Upton.

(2) "The Guard Manual, United States Army."

(3) "The Field Service Regulations, United States Army."

(4) The Drill Regulations of the arm of the service to which you are a.s.signed.

(5) "Non-commissioned Officers' Manual" (War Department Publication).

(6) "First Aid to the Sick and Injured" (War Department Publication).

(7) "Army Regulations" (to be used as a book of reference when needed).

(8) "Small Arms Firing Regulations" (War Department Publication).

(9) "A Manual for Courts-Martial, U. S. Army."

It is highly desirable for every Reserve Officer to place his name on the mailing list at the Army Service School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

This costs about $1 a year and in return the officer receives much valuable information. Write to the Secretary for any further information desired on this subject.

FIELD ORDERS

Field orders, whether written or oral, should follow a certain form.

This decreases the probability of any vital part being left out and increases the probability of the receiver or reader understanding it.

In the following form for an advance, note the order in which the paragraphs occur. This is very important.

FOR AN ADVANCE

Field Orders (t.i.tle) No. ---- (Place) (Reference to map used) (Date and Hour)

(1) (Information of enemy and of our Troops supporting troops) (2) (Plan of commander)

(a) Independent (3) (a) (Instructions for independent Cavalry: cavalry-place and time of departure, (Commander) roads or country to be (Troops) covered, special mission)

(b) Advance Guard: (b) (Instructions for advance (Commander) guard-place and time of departure, or distance at which it is to (Troops) precede the main body, route, special mission) (c) Main Body--in order (c) (Instructions for main body--distance of march: at which it is to follow (Commander) the advance guard, or place and time of departure)

(d) Right (left) Flank (d) (Instructions for flank guard--place Guard: and time of departure, (Commander) route, special mission) (Troops)

(e) Signal Troops: (e) (Instructions for signal troops--lines (Commander) of information to be established, special mission)

(x) (Instructions for outpost--when relieved subsequent duties)

(4) (Instructions for field train--escort, distance in rear of column, or destination when different from that of main body, if disposition not previously covered in "Orders")

(Instructions for sanitary, ammunition, supply and engineer trains when necessary)

(5) (Place of commander or where messages may be sent)

(How and to whom issued)

(Authentication)

Notice in particular that the first thing in the body of the order is the information of the enemy and of supporting or friendly troops; 2d, the plan; 3d, the detailed instruction for executing the plan; 4th, the order to field train; 5th, the place where the commander can be found.

All orders, whether for a retreat, an attack, a defense, the establishment of an outpost and so on, should take this general form.

A MODEL ORDER FOR AN ADVANCE

Field Orders "Hq. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, No. 6 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Three inch Leavenworth 20 Aug. '08, 8 P. M.

Map (1) Two regiments of hostile infantry Troops are reported to have occupied Valley (a) Advance Guard: Falls late this afternoon, en route for Major A. Easton. Small hostile cavalry patrols 1st Bn & 8 mtd. orderlies, were seen two miles east of Valley 1st Inf. Falls at 6 P. M. to-day.

1st. Plat. Tr. A. The remainder of our division is expected 7th Cavalry to reach Fort Leavenworth (b) Main Body----in order to-morrow.

of March: (2) This brigade (less the 3d Inf.

Colonel B. which has been directed to hold the 1st. Inf. (less 1st Bn.) Missouri river crossing at Fort Leavenworth) 2d Infantry will march to-morrow to Detachment 3d F. Easton to hold the crossings of the Hosp. Big Stranger creek.

(3) (a) The advance guard will clear D at 5-15 A. M., marching via the E--G--Atchison Pike--1--74--78--80--Q--R--Easton road.

Patrols will be sent via Lowemont to reconnoiter the crossings of the Big Stranger near Millwood and via Mount Olivet to reconnoiter those near 114.

(b) The main body will follow at a distance of about 700 yards.

(4) The baggage train (less that of the 3d Inf.), escorted by one squad, 2d Inf., will start from D at 6-15 A. M. and follow to P where it will await further orders.

(5) Reports will reach the brigade commander at the head of the main body.

By command of Brig.-Gen. X: Y, Adjt. Gen."

Copies by Adjutant to Col. B. 1st Inf.

Col. C. 2d Inf.

Col. D. 3d Inf.

Maj. A. 1st Inf.

Capt. E. Tr. A 7th Cav.

Capt. F. Hospital Corps.

GENERAL IDEAS AND RULES FOR SOLVING MILITARY PROBLEMS

The cave man knocked over his foe with a rude club. The operation is greatly refined to-day. The technique of war changes with the ages, but human nature remains the same. Whether with grenade or gas, from submarine or aeroplane, a man after all possible woe and suffering is no more than killed. Human nature will submit to losses in battle up to a certain point, after that the frailties are a.s.serted. The instinct of self-preservation dominates. Organization and discipline and reason are dissipated. A condition ensues similar to that which we have in theaters during fires.