Military Instructors Manual by James P. Cole and Oliver Schoonmaker

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1. What are the two general classes of military information? (Par.
9, f.s.r.)
2. What do you understand by the term "reconnaissance?" (Par. 11,
f.s.r.)
3. (a) Name the various kinds of patrols. (Note to Par. 23,
f.s.r.)
(b) What are the advantages of small patrols over strong
patrols? (Par. 24, f.s.r.)
4. What governs the formation adopted by the patrol? (Par. 26,
f.s.r.)
5. What is a field message? (Par. 32, f.s.r.)
6. (a) What is the function of an advance guard? (Par. 40, f.s.r.)
(b) What of a flank guard? (Par. 53, f.s.r.)
7. (a) What is an outpost? (Par. 60, f.s.r.)
(b) How are the outguards classified? (Par. 64, f.s.r.)
8. Define a successful march. (Par. 96, f.s.r.)
9. What rules govern the halts of a column of troops on the march?
(Par. 102, f.s.r.)
10. (a) From a certain point off the road you observe a column of
troops marching on the road. You can distinguish that these
troops are infantry in column of squads. It requires 20
minutes for them to pass a given point. How much infantry
is in the column? (Par. 27, f.s.r.)
(b) The day is still, no wind blowing, further to the rear you
can see a broken cloud of dust extending in prolongation of
the road but cannot see the cause. What does this indicate?
(Par. 27, f.s.r.)

* * * * *

Harvard College. School of the Soldier:

1. Define depth, distance, interval, front, base, point of rest,
deployment, pace. (i.d.r. definitions.)
2. (a) What is the guide of the leading subdivision, in column of
subdivisions, charged with? (Par. 20, i.d.r.)
(b) What is the guide of the subdivisions in rear charged with?
(Par. 20, i.d.r.)
3. What are orders, commands and signals. (Par. 31, 37, i.d.r.)
4. Describe position of the soldier or attention (without arms.)
(i.d.r. 51.)
5. What are the rests? Describe each. (Par. 52, i.d.r.)
6. Describe about face. (Par. 57, i.d.r.)
7. (a) Being at a halt, or marching in quick time, to march in
double time. Describe commands and how executed. (Par. 63,
i.d.r.)
(b) Marching in double time, to resume quick time. Describe
commands and how executed. (Par. 64, i.d.r.)
8. What are the rules that govern the carrying of the piece? (Par.
75, i.d.r.)
9. What general rules govern the execution of the manual of arms?
(Par. 76, i.d.r.)
10. Give the rate per minute and length of the half step and full
step in quick and double time. (Par. 60, i.d.r.)
11. What are the arm signals for: Column left, march; halt; as
skirmishers, march; assemble, march; suspend firing; range, 250
yards; fix bayonets. (Par. 43, i.d.r.)
12. Explain the execution of the command "Right Dress." (Par. 107,
i.d.r.)

* * * * *

School of the Squad:

1. To suspend firing: Give the commands and describe execution.
Same, to cease firing. (Par. 149-150, i.d.r.)
2. Describe in detail the execution of "Squads Right." (Par. 119,
i.d.r.)
3. Give the commands and explain execution for taking intervals.
How does it differ from taking distances? (Pars. 109, 110, 111,
112, i.d.r.)
4. Describe in detail "Right oblique, March." (Par. 116, i.d.r.)
5. Explain the use of "In place, Halt." (Par. 14, i.d.r.)
6. When can the following commands be used: Resume March. (Par. 14,
i.d.r.) Oblique March. (Par. 117, i.d.r.) By the right flank,
March. (Par. 71, i.d.r.) Take Arms. (Par. 114, i.d.r.)
7. Describe by what commands and in what manner a squad is formed.
8. (a) Being in line, give the commands and describe the movements
for turning on a moving pivot.
(b) Being in line, give the commands and describe the movements
for turning on a fixed pivot.
9. Being in any formation, assembled, give the commands and
describe the movements for deploying as skirmishers.

* * * * *

School of the Company:

1. Give the proper commands for the following movements:
(a) Company being in line, to march to the front in column of
squads. (Par. 183, i.d.r.)
(b) Company being in line, to form column of squads to the
flank. (Par. 178, i.d.r.)
(c) Company being in line, to form skirmish line. (Par. 206,
200, 202, i.d.r.)
(d) Company being in column of squads, to form line to the right
so the leading squad shall be on the right of the line.
(Par. 188, i.d.r.)
2. Being in line, to align the company. Give the commands and
explain the movement. (Pars. 175, 107, i.d.r.)
3. The company having gone from line into column of squads by the
command: "Squads right, March," state the position of the
captain, two lieutenants and right and left guides. (Pars. 163,
168 and Plate II, i.d.r.)
4. Show by diagram: (a) A company of two platoons in column of
platoons, (b) A company of three platoons in line of platoons.
(Plate II, i.d.r.)
5. What commands are given to form the company?
6. (a) Who is the pivot in executing "Company Left?"
(b) Who is the pivot in executing "Left Turn?"

Military Science and Tactics.

MINOR TACTICS.

MAP: GETTYSBURG--ANTIETAM (HUNTERSTOWN SHEET).

First Problem: An Advance Party--Situation I:

_Your battalion_ and the _machine gun_ company occupy _Center Mills_,
in enemy's country. The remainder of the _Harvard Regiment_ is
encamped _two miles north of Center Mills_. The Battalion has an
outguard _at J. Fohl, 1150 yards southeast_ of Center Mills. _It is
mid-winter;_ there is _no snow_, but the _streams are frozen_.

At 6.45 a.m., 1 Feb., 17, your battalion and the machine gun company
are _hurriedly assembled, pieces are loaded_, and the column, _your
company in the lead_, is marched out of town, over the southeast
road. Your captain calls the _officers and non-commissioned officers_
to the head of the company and gives the following verbal order:

_A Blue force, estimated at one battalion with machine guns, is
marching north from Granite Hill Sta. Blue patrols have been reported
in vicinity of Henderson meeting house (700 yards north of
Hunterstown). There are no Red troops south of here. Our battalion and
the machine gun company are going to take up a position on the 712-707
hills, which flank this road, about 3 miles south of here. This
company will be the advance guard. The main body, which is the rest of
our column, follows at 600 yards. Lieutenant Allen, your platoon (1st)
and the second platoon will constitute the_ ADVANCE PARTY. _The third
and fourth platoons will form the_ SUPPORT, _and will follow the
advance party at 300 yards. Here is a map for you. Follow this road
(pointing and indicating on map) through J. Fohl--554-534--Bridge
S.H., to crossroads 666, where you will halt and establish a_ MARCH
OUTPOST. _I will be with the support. When we reach the outguard at J.
Fohl the column will halt and the advance guard will move out. Posts._

The column halts at the outguard. You are Lieutenant Allen.

Required:

Your instructions, and dispositions in detail.

Situation II:

The _advance party_ has just cleared roadfork 534 when it is fired
upon from the woods along the stream about _500 yards southeast_.
There are probably _20 rifles firing upon you_. The enemy's fire is
well-directed. The _point_ has crossed the first bridge, 300 yards
south of 534. The _support_ has halted; but is not under fire.

Required:

Your instructions and dispositions.

Second Problem: An Advance Guard Point--Situation I:

The situation is the same as in the First Problem.

You are the commander of the point.

Required:

Your instructions and dispositions as the _point_ clears the outguard.

Required:

The _point_ has just crossed the first bridge 300 yards southeast of
534, when you hear firing and observe that the _advance party_ is
being fired upon from the woods directly east of you. A few moments
later you note a few dismounted men crossing the island about 400
yards to the east. The firing has ceased.

Required:

Your instructions and dispositions.

Situation III:

The _advance guard_ has resumed its march. When the point reaches
Bridge S.H., it is fired upon from the woods 400 yards to the east.
About ten cavalrymen are hurriedly mounting, others are already riding
into the woods.

Required:

Your instructions and dispositions.

Third Problem: An Advance Guard Flank Patrol--

Situation:

The situation is the same as in the _First Problem_, and follows
_Situation III, Second Problem_.

When the _advance party_ is two hundred yards from the roadfork where
unimproved road leads northeast, about 600 yards southeast of Bridge
S.H., Lieutenant Allen gives the following instructions to Corporal
Adams, 3d Squad:

_Corporal, about fifteen Blue cavalry have been driven back through
those woods (pointing out woods to east). When we reach the roadfork
in front of us take your squad and comb the woods until you reach
southern edge. From there go east until you observe the crossroads
(616) which are about 1200 yards beyond. Return over first improved
road running southwest to the crossroads (666) about 1-1/2 miles south
of here and just under the hilltop, where you will rejoin advance
party._

You are Corporal Adams.

Required:

Your instructions, dispositions, and route of the patrol.

MAP READING. VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.

MAP: GETTYSBURG--ANTIETAM (HUNTERSTOWN SHEET).

NOTE.--_Observation points 707 and 712 are the hills referred to in
the First Problem under Minor Tactics._

_Where one point is invisible from another, state points of
interference._

_Problem 1_. Can a sentinel standing at 707 see the roadfork 535
(about 1500 yards south)?

_Problem 2_. An enemy patrol is marching north on the 544-616 road,
and has crossed the stream (750 yards north of 544). Can this patrol
see the Red outguard at 707 from any point between stream and
crossroads 616?

_Problem 3_. Can the sentinel at 712 see the roadfork 581 (1850 yards
southwest from 712)?

_Problem 4_. Can the sentinel at 712 see the crossroads 561 (about
1200 yards southeast)?

* * * * *

General Situation--Hunterstown Sheet.

The _Harvard Regiment_ camps the night of May 31-June 1 on Opossum
Creek just west of Friends Grove S.H. (A-7) in hostile territory. The
regiment is part of a brigade, the remainder of the brigade being in
camp one day's march north of Center Mills.

Problem I: An Advance Guard Point:

At daylight of June 1st the regimental commander receives the
following message from brigade headquarters: "Our aeroplanes report a
large force of the enemy near Hunterstown. Move at once on
Hunterstown. Develop the strength of this enemy and locate his exact
position. I will send reinforcements to you by motor-train if
necessary."

Officers call is sounded, and this information transmitted to all the
officers of the regiment. The _First Battalion_ is designated as
_advance guard_ and ordered to move out at once by crossroads 554 and
561, and road forks 535 and 552 towards Hunterstown. Major A,
commanding the First Battalion, designates the first two platoons of
"D" company as advance party and C company and the remainder of D
company as support.

Lieut. X, commanding the advance party, calls up all his
non-commissioned officers and explains the situation to them. He then
says: "Sergeant Mason, take 4 men and move out on that road (pointing)
as the point. At crossroads and road forks semaphore W.W. and I will
indicate the direction. The remainder of these two platoons will be
the advance party. I will be with it. Move out."

You are Sergeant Mason.

(_a_) What instructions, and information do you give the point before
you reach crossroads 554?

After passing crossroads 561 about 300 yards one of your men reports
about a squad of hostile cavalry on the road south of road fork 544,
1500 yards east of you.

(_b_) What do you do?

Problem II: An Advance Guard Connecting File:

Situation as in preceding problem.

After the advance party has moved out about 100 yards, Captain Y,
commanding the support, says: "Smith, you take Jones and move out as
connecting file." After Smith and Jones have moved about 100 yards,
he says: "Donnelly, you take Burke and move out as connecting file."
You are Donnelly.

(_a_) What instructions do you give Burke before reaching crossroads
554?

After passing crossroads 561 you go about 150 yards without seeing the
connecting file in rear of you.

(_b_) What do you do?

Problem III: An Advance Guard Flank Patrol:

Situation as in preceding problem.

On arriving at crossroads 561 Lieut. X commanding the advance party
calls up Sergeant Clifford and says: "Sergeant, the point has just
reported a squad of hostile cavalry about a mile down this road
(pointing toward road fork 544). Take _your squad_ and scout down this
road. I will take the next road to the left leading to Hunterstown.
Rejoin me on that road."

You are Sergeant Clifford.

(_a_) What formation do you adopt for your patrol?

Nothing happens until you arrive near road fork 544, when you hear
firing from the woods southwest of you. This fire is not directed
toward you. There is evidently about a squad firing. You can see no
enemy in any direction.

(_b_) What do you do?

Problem IV: Platoon as an Advance Party:

General situation same as before.

You are Lieut. X commanding the advance party. You have arrived near
the small orchard southeast of road fork 535. A sharp fire is suddenly
opened from the woods to the southeast, apparently from a _squad or
small platoon_.

(_a_) Give your orders and dispositions.

After firing about a minute the fire of the enemy stops. You move out
into the road and can see no sign of your point or connecting files.
The support is closing up on you.

(_b_) What do you do?

Visibility Problems:

(_a_) Can a man on hill 712 see a man at crossroads 554 in
Hunterstown? (Disregard trees.)

(_b_) A man stands at the point where contour 680 crosses the road
followed in above problem, just south of hill 707. Where does the
roadbed first become invisible?

* * * * *

MAP: GETTYSBURG--- ANTIETAM (HUNTERSTOWN SHEET).

First Problem: A Connecting File--Situation I:

The Harvard Regiment is in camp in hostile country the night May 1-2
in the corn field 1000 yards east of Boyd S.H., just northeast of
cross roads 488. The line of outguards extends approximately through
Boyd S.H., Hill 527, McElheny.

At 1.00 a.m.; May 1st, the regimental commander receives the following
telephone message from brigade headquarters at Gettysburg (just off
the map to the south)--An enemy force estimated strength one regiment
is in camp 6 miles north of Center Mills. His patrols were seen
yesterday by our advance cavalry near Guernsey and Center Mills. It is
reliably reported that this force will march by Center Mills and
Guernsey on Biglersville to-morrow morning to destroy a large amount
of rolling stock at that point. Move at once toward Center Mills to
stop and drive back this force.

Officers call is sounded. The situation is explained to the officers
and they are told to have their companies ready to move at 2.00 a.m.
The 1st battalion is designated as advance guard.

The advance guard is directed to move across the field to road fork
511 thence north by the main road. The _first platoon_ of "A" company
is designated as advance party. "B" company and the remainder of "A"
company form the support. As the advance party moves out Captain Smith
commanding the support, says to Private Long, "Long, you and Williams
move out as connecting files. This is a dark night so be careful to
keep connection both front and rear." Before Long is out of sight; he
says, "Scott, you and Hunt move out as connecting files following
Long." You are Scott.

Required:

(a) What instructions do you give Hunt?

(b) What do you do up to the time you reach the main road at 511?

Situation II:

After you have passed road fork in _Table Rock_ about 100 yards you
notice that Hunt who has been watching to the rear does not seem to be
alert. You look back and can see no sign of the connecting file in
rear of you. It is still dark.

Required:

What do you do?

Second Problem: An Advance Guard Point--General Situation same as in
Problem I:

Sergeant Hill and four men constitute the point. The situation has
been explained to Sergeant Hill by the advance party commander.

About daylight the point arrives at crossroads 600. A sharp fire
evidently from about a squad is received from the house on the rise
500 yards north along the road. You are Sergeant Hill.

Required:

What do you do?

Third Problem: An Advance Guard Flank Patrol--Situation I--General
Situation same as Problem I:

Up to daylight no flank patrols have been sent out. When the support
reaches Table Rock the support commander calls Corporal Bell and says
to him "Corporal take your squad as a flank patrol up this road to the
right. Take the left hand road at the first two road forks and follow
the road past the church and school-house until you reach this road
again about 1-1/2 miles north of here. Report every thing you have
seen when you rejoin. Your squad consists of seven men besides
yourself."

Required:

(a) The disposition of your squad on the march.
(b) What do you do when you hear the firing near crossroads 600?

Fourth Problem: Platoon as Advance Party--Situation--General Situation
same as in the First Problem:

When you arrive at a point about 200 yards south of hill 646 you hear
firing 1000 yards north of you. You cannot see who is firing nor can
you see the point. You are Lieutenant Clark commanding the advance
party.

Required:

What do you do?

Visibility Problems:

(a) When the point arrives at hill 647 can it see the crossroads 610
to the northeast?

(b) When the flank patrol reaches Benders' Church crossroads can it
see an enemy patrol at the house midway on the road 534-554 one mile
to the northeast?

(c) Looking north along the Center Mills road from hill 647 where does
the road first become invisible?

* * * * *

MAP: HUNTERSTOWN SHEET.

General Situation:

The Harvard regiment encamped on the night of July 12-13 at
Biglerville (B-8) in hostile territory. The remainder of the brigade
of which the regiment is a part is in camp 5 miles west of
Biglerville.

Problem I:

At daylight, July 13, the regimental commander receives the following
message from brigade headquarters:

"It is reported that the enemy is in force near Heidlersburg. Move on
Heidlersburg at once; locate the position of the enemy, and develop
his strength. Reinforcements will be sent you, if necessary."

This information is transmitted to all officers of the regiment. The
First Battalion is ordered to move out at once as advance guard on
Biglerville-610-582 road toward Heidlersburg. Major Dunn, commanding
First Battalion, designates the first two platoons of C Company as
advance party, and D Company and the remainder of C Company as
support.

Lieut. Gibbs, commanding the advance party, explains the situation to
his non-commissioned officers, and then orders:

"Sergeant Dow, take four men and move out on that road
(indicating road to Heidlersburg) as point. The remainder of these
two platoons will be the advance party and will follow you at 200
yards. I shall be with it. Move out."

You are Sergt. Dow.

How do you place your men, and what information and instructions do
you give the point before you pass the orchard east of Biglerville?

Situation 2:

You are still Sergt. Dow.

The point has reached crossroads 582. You are informed by a farmer
living at crossroads 582 that about half an hour before there were
some soldiers half a mile north of 582 on the road to Center Mills. He
says he does not know where they went.

What do you do?

Problem II:

The advance party has arrived at crossroads 582. Information has come
to Lieut. Gibbs, both from the point and from the farmer direct, that
Red Soldiers have been seen on road to north leading to Center Mills.
Lieut. Gibbs on arrival at 582 sends out a squad under Sergt. Jones
to patrol north on the Center Mills road half a mile, then east by
farm road to corner, then by fence south of house and barn to Opossum
Creek and down creek to main road again.

The advance party then proceeds about 300 yards easterly from 582,
when the point signals "Enemy in small numbers in creek bottom due
north."

(a) What does Lieut. Gibbs and the advance party do?
(b) What does he tell the point to do?
(c) What does the flank patrol under Sergt. Jones do?

Problem III:

Because of the action taken in Problem II the Reds have ceased to
menace the left flank of the advance guard:

(a) What does the advance party and its commander do?
(b) What does he tell the point to do?

Another Situation--Problem IV:

Enemy is in the vicinity of Hunterstown. Your brigade has marched
south through Guernsey to road fork 610, and has turned east, and is
about to camp in grass field north of road 610-582, 1-3 of a mile west
of 582. Your battalion is to form the outpost. You are its major.

Where do you post:

(a) The outpost reserve?
(b) The outpost supports?
(c) The outguards?

(NOTE: The sector up to and including the road Center
Mills--554-534--Bridge S.H. is covered by another brigade
to your left.)

Problem V:

On the same general scheme as in Problem IV. You are Sergt. Robinson
of Support No. 1. You are ordered by its commander to move out with 3
squads to form a picket, outguard No. 1, putting out observation
posts on the road about half a mile south of the support.

(a) State what directions you give to your picket and how you move
to your position.
(b) Where do you post the picket and its observation posts?
(c) What orders and instructions do you give on arrival at the
place selected?

CHAPTER 15.

Trench Warfare.

General Principles.

1. Defense may be made in depth by all organizations, down to and
including the platoon, or it may be made laterally.

2. The smallest active segment, be it only three men, must have a
chief and a second in command, who is responsible for the proper
upkeep and defense of the segment. All occupants of active segments
must know all instructions which should be simple.

3. Any troops in charge of a portion of trench must never abandon it,
no matter what happens, even if surrounded.

4. All ground lost must be retaken at once by immediate counter attack
launched by the unit which lost the ground. As a matter of fact a
counter attack is difficult for a platoon or company; it is really
necessary for it to be made by a battalion.

5. Each company must provide for emplacements for mine throwers to be
served by the artillery and for pneumatic guns to be served by their
own men.

Instructions to be Issued by Battalion Commander.

1. Disposition of companies in sector assigned (best done by sketch
showing sectors assigned to companies).

2. Special orders to companies (concerns field of fire to be obtained
not only in own sector, but also in those adjoining it).

3. Improvement of defense. (Brief reports from company commanders to
be followed by work being done on order of battalion commander after
inspection.)

4. Organization of watching (not sentry duty) (by company commander
under supervision of battalion commander).

5. Organization of observation (not sentry duty) (by company commander
under supervision of battalion commander).

6. Organization of supply (procuring, routing, etc., of tools,
ammunition, food, water, etc.), (by company commander under
supervision of battalion commander).

7. Organization of liaison (communication) (runners, telephone,
telegraph visual signaling, pigeons, etc., by company commander under
the supervision of battalion commander). _All telephonic communication
must be in code_.

8. Organization of supplies to include amounts to be expected daily
from the rear.

9. Knowledge of enemy must be imparted to company commanders in order
to assist them in making their dispositions.

10. Frequent reports to be made of existing conditions at the front
for information of higher commanders.

11. Lateral defense of boyaux must not be overlooked.

12. Wide turning movements are not possible. Enveloping movements are
possible only on local attacks against small portions of the hostile
line after it has been pierced. All main attacks are confined to
purely frontal attacks.

13. The most important obstacle is barbed wire entanglements.

14. Communication (liaison) between and co-ordination and co-operation
of, the different elements of a command is of the utmost importance.

15. Artillery co-operates more closely than ever with infantry. Its
reconnaissance officers accompany infantry lines in order to obtain
information. _There is a certain number of artillery observers
attached to each battalion of infantry_.

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