(3) The scouts are then required to advance as if actually in the presence of the enemy. (4) From time to time, during the advance, the position of the platoon leader is indicated to them. They are required to tell what they would do and then to do it in such situations as the following: (a) Enemy opens fire, but has not been located. (b) Enemy individuals are observed moving at specific points. gerous, but gun has not been located. 20. Action with flanking unit.-a. Principles.--When a platoon is ordered to move out to flank a hostile point of resistance, scouts should be used for protection and reconnaissance just as when the platoon is advancing directly against the enemy. b. Application.—(1) The platoon leader designates either four or six scouts under a leader to precede the platoon. He informs them of the enemy position and indicates their general route. The leader of the scouts forms his group as a patrol and has one scout follow in rear to pass back signals to the platoon leader. (2) The patrol moves out, choosing the best cover available and making sure that the platoon will not be surprised in its advance. It approaches as near the enemy strong point as the ground permits. Then the scouts deploy on a front equal to the width of the platoon, lie down and wait for the rest of the platoon to join them. The leader stays behind the scouts and points out to the platoon leader the assault position selected. c. Instruction.-The instructor places men with rifles and blank ammunition in a position to represent an enemy strong point. Scouts, in groups of four or six and under leaders, are required to advance as near to the flank of this position as they can go without being seen, forming up upon arrival along the line from which the assault will take place. This movement should be repeated on various types of ground. 21. Discovering enemy gaps.—a. Principles.-The attack will not usually encounter a continuous line of defense uniformly held. The enemy will in general be disposed in a series of strong points with intervals. Isolated points at which penetration is effected must be constituted as supporting points, from which hostile fire is kept down and the enemy's line rolled up from the flanks, and as lines of departure for a further advance. Thus, in addition to their usual mission of covering the advance, scouts should constitute the advance elements of infiltration into a gap discovered in the hostile front. They should be followed as closely as possible by the units which they precede. Under the protection of their fire, a supporting point is gradually built up on the enemy flanks and rear. b. Application.-Scouts must be particularly alert for intervals or gaps in the enemy line. Immediately on discovering them they must push in, take up a position from which flanking fire may be brought to bear on the strong points, and promptly notify their commander. The scout going back with this information should proceed by the route that will afford the best cover for the platoon as it advances forward. He then guides the leading elements as they infiltrate into position. SCOUTS FORM PATROL UNDER DESIGNATED·LEADER· Plate 33.-Action of scouts when the platoon moves out to assault from a flank. c. Instruction. The instructor places two squads with blank cartridges in defensive positions separated by a gap of 350 yards or more. A platoon is started forward, so that its scouts will strike the gap as they advance. The scouts make use of all cover available and those seen are fired on with the blanks. The scouts who get through choose a position. One goes back with information. The platoon moves forward to the position by infiltration. All men of the platoon who are seen are fired on and ruled out. 22. Action with supports and reserves.-a. Principles.-The scouts of support platoons, reserve companies, and battalions are used to keep their commanders informed of the location of the assaulting and adjacent units, and of changes in the situation to the front and flanks. b. Application.-Scouts are sent in pairs to high ground to successive observing positions. They should keep the unit they are detailed to watch constantly in view and observe its progress. One scout should go back to report any incident which affects the progress of the attack, such as a unit being held up by the enemy or by an obstacle, a gap occurring between units, an enemy counterattack, or the approach to a shelled area. The other should remain in observation. Speed in reporting changes in the situation is of the greatest importance. c. Instruction.-(1) The instructor informs scouts that they are members of a reserve company in an advance and indicates to them the location of the assault and support echelons. He then orders a pair of scouts to move out and send back information of the situation to the front. After they start, it should be noted whether they select the best observing positions. (2) Scouts are practiced in sending back proper information affecting the reserve company when the following assumed situations occur: (a) The assault echelon halts and opens fire. (b) The unit on their flank is driven back. (c) Enemy shells are falling on an area to the front. 23. Action on night march.-a. Principles.-Night marches must be carefully planned. The column should be preceded by competent scouts who employ their knowledge of distance, direction, maps, and landmarks, to guide their units correctly. b. Application.—(1) Preparation. (a) Scouts should go over the route by day making notes as to landmarks, directions, and distances. At critical points, men should be left to point out to the column the proper road. (b) If it is not possible for scouts to go out on the route by day, these notes may be made from the map. (2) Execution.-Scouts provided with compasses and notes should precede the column. In addition, a scout similarly provided with a compass and a copy of the notes marches at the head of the column to assist the officer conducting the march. c. Instruction.-(1) From a map the instructor has his unit prepare notes, including landmarks, distances, and compass directions, to be used in marching on various points. The following are examples of such notes: (a) Start magnetic azimuth, 36°. (b) 1,000 yards, bridge. (c) 500 yards, road junction; keep to the left. |