“The real work of the advance guard begins when it gets in contact with the enemy. All formation and all operations are designed to insure success when this event happens. The point is the first element that meets the enemy and success or failure may depend upon what is done by this small body. The big idea is that we must get the jump on the enemy. We must lead and make him follow. In other words, we must take the offensive for it is only by offensive action that military success is gained.
“The commander of the point of an advance guard must be on the lookout for the enemy all the time. He must continually look ahead and dope out what he is going to do if the enemy should suddenly appear in this or that place.
“Sergeant Roberts has been doing this very thing and the proper action is plain to him. Let us see if it is plain to you.”
_The Director_: “Captain Harvey, when you saw Crane and Hanson take cover, what is the first thing you would have done?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I would join Crane and Hanson immediately just as the situation indicates.”
_The Director_: “Would you have done anything before going forward?”
_Captain Harvey_: “Well, sir, I would want to see for myself just what is going on before I took any definite action.”
_The Director_: “Would you have done anything else, Captain Hodges?”
_Captain Hodges_: “Yes, sir. I would have signaled the rest of the point ‘DOWN’ so as to give them warning that the enemy is in sight. I will tell Pendleton ‘Signal back. Enemy in sight,’ because Lieutenant W will want to know immediately why the point has halted, and this will give him the information. Then I would go to the front and join Crane and Hanson.”
_The Director_: “Those are the points I wanted to bring out. You see them, Captain Harvey, do you not?”
_The Director_: “Now, Captain Harvey, let us take up your solution again. Let us say that you have joined Crane and Hanson. Just what are you going to do?”
_Captain Harvey_: “I would open fire on the enemy immediately. Then get the rest of the point up and have them join in the firing.”
_The Director_: “Do you agree with that procedure, Captain Hodges?”
_Captain Hodges_: “Not entirely, sir. I appreciate the necessity for opening fire right away so as to get the jump on the enemy, but I think we should get as many rifles up as possible before opening fire and disclosing our position to the enemy. I would try to get the whole point in position to fire before opening up, if I could. I would first make provision for Crane and Hanson to open fire by giving them firing data: ‘Range: —— yards. Target: enemy at (_describe location of target briefly_). Hold your fire.’ I would then signal the other members of the point to come up and, as they arrive, indicate the location of the target and announce the range to them.”