_Captain Hodges_: “No, sir, I do not. It seems to me that it would be better for Captain C to indicate to Captain D and Lieutenant Z the dispositions that he proposes to make—where the line of departure is to be and the direction of the attack. Then to leave it up to those officers to select the firing positions for the weapons. I think Captain C would verify the positions selected, but he would at least give the men who are supposed to be the experts an opportunity to use their knowledge of the subject.”
_The Director_: “I think you are right. I believe in requiring every man to do his job. These officers have been ordered to support the attack. It is up to them to select the position where they can get the best fire effect with their weapons and to get them into position ready to do business.”
“What precautions would you take to indicate the place where the platoon leaders are to assemble, Captain James?”
_Captain James_: “I would send one of my company runners to the assembly point and order him to tell the platoon leaders to wait there for me.”
_The Director_: “I think that is a wise precaution. You do not want to take a chance on anything going wrong and failing to effect an assembly of the platoon leaders.”
“Now, let us consider how the attack is to be made. What would be your tactical dispositions, Captain James?”
_Captain James_: “I would attack with one Platoon (the first), advancing directly against the enemy strong point, and another (the second) working around the enemy’s left flank and enveloping it. I would hold the remaining platoon (the third) as company support.”
_The Director_: “Where is your line of departure?”
_Captain James_: “My line of departure would be along here. The right of the first platoon would be (indicate). The left of the second platoon will be (indicate). Each platoon will cover about 150 yards of front. The third platoon will follow in rear of the second platoon as company support.”
_The Director_: “That seems to be a logical disposition. Now having decided all of this you should give the information to Captain D and Lieutenant X so they can go about the task of selecting positions for their weapons. How would you do this, Lieutenant Baker?”