_Captain Smith_: “I would send for all of the captains to report to me at once, so that I could issue my orders.”
_The Director_: “The captains of the two assault companies are engaged with the enemy, and it is most essential that they remain in immediate command of their companies. The captain of the reserve company is at some distance from Major X. While it is extremely desirable to issue one complete verbal order to the battalion so that any misunderstanding can be cleared up, it is not practicable to issue such an order in this case. Captain Scott, what would you do?”
_Captain Scott_: “I would take a look at the positions of the right assault company, the machine gun company, and the terrain, to determine whether it would be possible to support the assaulting company by overhead machine gun fire. I see that there is an excellent position for the machine guns and howitzer platoon. The commanding officers of these organizations are with me, so I at once give them the following verbal orders:
“Company —— has encountered heavy fire from (_t_). It will attack at (_u_) by building up a firing line at (_v_), and having a platoon attack in the direction of (_w_). A red rocket from this platoon will indicate the beginning of the attack.
“The Stokes mortar will lay down a barrage in front of the platoon, advancing in the direction of (_w_). The one-pounder will be in readiness to engage any hostile machine guns that open fire.
“The machine guns will open fire from this hill at (_u_), covering the enemy’s position at (_t_).
“Battalion ammunition point 500 yards east of this point in edge of woods.
_The Director_: “That is an excellent order. It shows that you understand that Major X should first attempt to give assistance by the use of his machine guns and auxiliary weapons and not by the use of his reserve. The reserve company should not be employed as long as the assaulting companies can overcome the resistance with the assistance of the machine guns and auxiliary weapons. Fire power should be made to take the place of man-power to the greatest extent that is practicable. You have also given an excellent example of the proper coordination of the machine guns and Stokes mortar. The ground in the direction of (_w_) is such that the machine guns could not effectively support the platoon advancing in that direction. The Stokes mortar, however, can search this ground and provide covering fire for the platoon. Your ordering a red rocket to be fired by the platoon advancing in the direction of (_w_) shows that you understand the necessity for synchronizing the launching of the attack and the opening of fire by the machine guns and auxiliary weapons. However, the steps that you have taken are not adequate to secure this. You have failed to notify the commanding officer of the right assault company of the time that the machine guns will open fire and have not directed him to have his platoon fire a red rocket at the beginning of its attack.