(_h_ to _i_). The front to be organized and held by the 1st battalion. This will be the boundary lines of the sector not occupied by the 2nd battalion.
(_j_), (_l_), (_n_), (_p_). The location of the several sections of the machine gun company.
(_k_), (_m_), (_o_), (_q_). The front covered by the several sections of the machine gun company. Go into detail regarding the bands of fire they are to put down.
(_r_), (_s_). The location of the 37 mm. gun and light mortar of the howitzer platoon.
(_t_), (_t′_). The location of the firing line and support, respectively.
(_u_). The area to be occupied by Company A.
(_v_). The area to be occupied by Company B.
(_w_). The location of the battalion reserve line.
(_x_). The location of the battalion C. P.
(Note.—The preparation of this problem will require considerable work on the part of the Director in order to get all of the features of the position worked out in detail so as to be able to include them in the order to the company commanders. If it is practicable to do so the boundaries of the battalion sector, together with the location of the machine guns and howitzer units and the battalion C. P., should be marked with flags. This will save many questions during the Terrain Exercise and save a lot of time. It will give the members of the class a much better idea of the set-up and they will be able to proceed with the solution of their part of the problem more readily.)
The members of the class are assembled in the vicinity of (_x_).
The Director distributes the sheets containing the special situation Blue and reads it aloud. The members of the class follow from the copy in their possession. The places, localities and areas referred to are pointed out in detail.
The Director will call upon one or more members of the class to state his understanding of the tactical situation and this process is continued until he is satisfied that all members know the details and are ready to proceed with the solution.
_The Director_: “Before going further with the problem I want to make some remarks on the general subject of the defensive and some with reference to the part that the battalion and its component parts plays in it. The problem under consideration is that of a passive defense. Our troops have made such rapid progress that the rear echelons have not been able to keep up. The enemy has been falling back on his reserves and naturally his defense is stiffening all along the line. The time has arrived when it is necessary for us to stop for a period; reorganize our forces, which have been more or less disorganized by our successes; bring up our rear echelons; and prepare to continue the advance. During this period we must so organize our position that the enemy will have little chance for success should he decide to attack with a view to interfering with our arrangements.