approaching a skyline

(a) Can it be approached under cover?

(b) Would it make a good observation post?

(c) Are its size and water supply suitable for quartering troops?

(d) Will it give protection from shell fire?

(e) Has it a cellar?

(6) Enclosures.--An enclosure should be approached for reconnaissance in the same manner as a house. Then men should be placed along the barriers to the enclosure in order to cover one man as he enters.

(7) Crossing a stream. The following should be the steps taken by a patrol in crossing a stream: Look for a bridge or a ford. Watch carefully for signs of the enemy on the other side. One man crosses, swimming if necessary, while the others remain in concealed positions ready to protect him by fire. He reconnoiters and signals Safe. The others cross one at a time, each taking up position on arrival. Formation is resumed when all are over. The following points should be noted about a stream:

(a) Bridge.-Size, height, construction.

(b) Ford.-Depth, and bottom, rocky, muddy, or sandy.

(c) Stream.-Depth, width, current.

(d) Banks.-Kind of slope, open or wooded, positions from which

covering fire can be delivered.

(8) Going through a village.-When passing through a village, each patrol should follow one street in staggered formation, half of the patrol on each side of the street in single file. Each man should watch the buildings and windows on the opposite side of the street. Men should not go down side streets or be sent there. The leading man should observe carefully along all cross streets from their junction. If the enemy is in the village, the advance should be made one man at a time, with the rest of the patrol covering his advance.

The following points should be noted about the village:

(a) Size and billeting capacity.

(b) Food and water supply.

(c) Attitude of inhabitants.

(d) Roads leading in and out.

(9) Along ridge lines.—When a patrol must move parallel to a ridge, the flanker nearest it should move along the side of the ridge and from time to time go to the crest and look over. He must be careful to approach the crest where it is broken.

(10) Crossroads.--To reconnoiter a crossroad, a patrol should be halted near it and some of its men sent off to the flanks so as to strike the side road on each side of the crossroads. They reconnoiter away from the crossroad for a short distance. The remainder of the patrol then moves up to the crossroad and there is joined by the flankers.

(11) Passing through a defile.-Men should be sent to the high ground on each flank and the remainder of the patrol sent through the defile one man at a time.

(12) Halts.

(a) Observation.-A patrol should never be halted in observation without protection for its front, flanks, and rear. Men should be placed in covered positions to prevent surprise during the halt.

485 (b) Rests.-Unless absolutely necessary a patrol should not stop for a prolonged rest before returning. In case such a halt becomes necessary, the patrol should stop at a place where offers opportunities for defense and from which a retreat may be easily made. The position should not be near any habitation. In the daytime, it should be on high ground from which an extensive view can be made. At night, it should be on low ground so as to

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Plate 40.-Showing the formation of a patrol passing through a village.

bring persons approaching into view against the sky. Whether by night or day the front, flanks, and rear must be protected. c. Instruction.-(1) Demonstration.-Using men who have been trained in the various formations, the instructor demonstrates to his unit the duties of the various members of a patrol in each of the special situations outlined above. (2) Exercise. The instructor divides his unit into patrols which take up various formations, such as those adapted to crossing an open space, approaching a house, or passing through woods. Each man should be questioned as to his duties.

Plate 41.-Showing the distribution of a patrol halted in observation.