_The Director_: “That seems to be a very good formation under the circumstances.”
(Note.—The Director should prepare an answer to this question based on the lay of the ground.)
“How do you arrive at the interval of 40 yards between the two leading platoons?”
_Lieutenant Williams_: “That is about the minimum distance to avoid casualties in more than one column from the burst of one shell and it is about the maximum distance for control and visibility in the woods.”
_The Director_: “Captain Hastings, let us assume that you are Captain C. You have received the orders of the battalion commander. What is your mission?”
_Captain Hastings_: “To attack the enemy’s strong point enveloping its left.”
_The Director_: “In sizing up the situation what points would you consider?”
_Captain Hastings_: “I would consider the enemy’s position, and if possible, go to a point where I can make a personal reconnaissance of it. I would consider the route by which I can get my company up to the point where I can make the attack and select the line of departure for the company. I will then decide upon my plan of maneuver and the formation of the company for attack.”
_The Director_: “In other words, you will make an Estimate of the Situation and upon this you will base your decision and in turn your orders?”
_Captain Hastings_: “Yes, sir. That is the idea.”
_The Director_: “I want to emphasize the necessity for this process of sizing up the situation on the part of all officers charged with a tactical operation. If you come to a decision without doing so you may be right and you may be wrong. The chances are greatly in favor of the latter. If you stop and consider the elements of the problem as outlined by Captain Hastings the chances are that you will be right. In any event you have the odds on your side. Lieutenant Wallace, what troops have been designated to support your company?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “A part of the machine gun company and a howitzer platoon.”
_The Director_: “You will note that these two units have been ordered to support your attack. They are not attached to your company. What do you understand to be the difference between a supporting unit and an attached unit?”
_Lieutenant Wallace_: “An attached unit becomes an integral part of the force and is subject to its commander’s orders. A supporting unit receives its orders, not from the commander of the force being supported, but from another source, usually a common superior.”