_Captain Hodges_: “I see the proposition now. I do not think we would have any trouble covering the front allotted to our platoon.”
_The Director_: “The next question is the allotment of sections in the platoon area. In this connection you will have to consider the lay of the ground, and select the location for the section groups, so that the ground to the front may best be defended and so that the groups are able to mutually support each other.
“I want the members of the class to go over the ground allotted to the platoon and each of you select the location of each section group. Keep in mind the factors I have just spoken of—defense of the foreground, field of fire, and mutual support of adjacent groups; also consider the location of the machine guns that have already been made by the battalion commander. We will all assemble here in 20 minutes.”
The members of the class will now go over the ground allotted to the platoon and each man will work out his disposition independently.
At the end of the time the class will assemble at the designated point and the discussion resumed.
_The Director_: “You have now been over the area allotted to the platoon. Captain James, how would you dispose of the two sections of the platoon?”
_Captain James_: “I find that the front naturally divides itself into two parts. A section in the right portion of the area will be able to cover the foreground with its fire. The right element will be able to cover the front of the combat group to the right and the left element will be able to sweep the front of the section on the left. The same applies to the left section. We can locate our trenches in each area so that we not only do not interfere with the fire of the machine guns but will be able to cover areas that form dead space for them. I do not think there will be any difficulty in preparing the position for defense.”
_The Director_: “Has any member of the class any other plan to offer?”
(Note.—The members of the class should be urged to present their views on the subject. The more discussion that can be created the better it is for all concerned.)
_The Director_: “I agree with Captain James. We can organize the area allotted to the platoon in fine shape. And this is ordinarily the case with all these tactical problems. If we go about their solution in a systematic manner we can usually arrive at a reasonable and suitable solution to them.