1. Hand out slips bearing Situation No. 7. Read situation and make any necessary explanations.
2. Explain what advance guard does when the column halts. State relative advantages and disadvantages of message and order systems.
3. Estimate of the situation, mission, enemy, own troops, plans of action, decision.
4. Captain A’s orders. Five-paragraph order. Distribution of order.
5. Remarks on necessity for study and practice.
A regiment of Blue infantry, operating in hostile country, is marching on the (_a_)-(_b_) road, towards (_c_).
The support of the advance guard, composed of Companies A and B (less 1 platoon, Company B), is this time at (_d_). The reserve, consisting of the remainder of the battalion, is following at a distance of about 400 yards and the main body follows the reserve at a distance of 500 yards.
A (_e_) flank guard, consisting of the 3rd platoon, Company B, has arrived at this point (_f_) marching on the (_g_)-(_h_) road.
A force of the enemy is reported in the vicinity of (_i_) and detachments of mounted men have been operating in the direction of (_j_).
You, Lieutenant A, commanding the (_e_) flank guard, and marching at the head of the main body of your command, have arrived at this point (_f_).
What is the formation of your (_e_) flank guard at this moment?
(Note.—The platoon is organized in accordance with column 8 T. O. 28-W. See Appendix I.)
(_a_)-(_b_) The road on which the Blue regiment is marching. In military orders and problems roads are designated by naming places located on them. For example, the Longs-Emmitsburg-Fairplay road would mean the main road passing through these places. When military maps are made all cross-roads and road-forks should be numbered and all hills and other prominent topographical features either designated by their local names or given letter designations. This will greatly facilitate their designation in orders and messages. When maps have grid lines on them the location of points may be designated by the use of coordinates.
(_c_) Some point, a number of miles distant, in the direction in which the troops are marching.
(_d_) The point on the main road where the support of the advance guard of the column has arrived. It should be about abreast of (_f_), (see below).