When the battalion was held up by the enemy, information of this fact was sent back to Lieutenant Colonel X by the commanders of the assault companies and it was also brought back by the battalion intelligence scouts who are with the assault companies. On receipt of the information Lieutenant Colonel X came forward to this point to ascertain the situation and by a personal reconnaissance, see it for himself. Accompanying him were his staff officers Bn-2; Bn-3, Captains C and D; and Lieutenant Z. This is the situation in which we find the battalion commander at the beginning of this Terrain Exercise. I hope every member of the class understands this formation and all the details of it. If there are any doubts about it now is the time to clear them up. If there are no questions we will proceed.
The Director will now distribute the sheets bearing Situation No. 1.
You, Captain C, commanding Company C, the battalion reserve, took down the following notes from the battalion commander’s orders:
“The 1st battalion will resume its advance, attacking the enemy in front and enveloping his left, including the strong point.”
“Time of attack—signal from battalion commander.”
“Companies A and B make frontal attack covering present front of 750 yards. Company A, Base Company.”
“Company C will attack the strong point, enveloping its left.”
“One platoon company D and the 1st platoon Howitzer Company will support the attack of Company C. Captain D and Lieutenant Z will confer with Captain C regarding the assistance to be rendered.”
“Captain C will notify the battalion commander when he is ready to attack.”
You, Captain C, have with you three platoon runners and two company runners.
Your action and orders during the next 20 minutes.
A few minutes are allowed the members of the class to look over the situation. It is then read aloud and the necessary explanations made.
_The Director_: “Lieutenant Williams, what is the formation of Company C, at the time the battalion commander’s order is received by Captain C?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “The formation would depend upon the cover available, the distance from the front line and the class of fire it is being subjected to. In this case I should say that the company will be in dispersed formation either in squad columns or platoon columns. I would prefer the platoon columns because they are more easily controlled. I think I would have each platoon in a platoon column. The first and second platoons would march abreast with an interval of at least 40 yards with the third platoon marching about 50 yards to the rear and opposite the interval between the first and second. Company headquarters would be in the lead.”