Battalion Reserve (II)
A classic decision game
This post describes the solutions that Erwin Rommel provided to a problem that he posed in Aufgaben für Zug und Kompanie (Problems for Platoon and Company). Thus, if you have not done so before, please read (or, better yet, work through) that exercise.
Deployment of the Battalion Reserve
Rommel’s Solution for the Commander of the 1st Company
The commander of the 1st Company uses hand-and-arm signals to call his platoon leaders to his position. He gives them the following order:
The attack of our battalion is making good progress.
The battalion command post is moving forward to the eastern edge of Y-Wald.
The 1st Company remains at the disposition of the battalion commander, will move to the northern edge of Y-Wald. Company wedge! Guide on the high hill left of the road. Company headquarters with the 1st Platoon. I will ride in front.
Rommel’s First Solution for the Leader of the 1st Platoon of the 1st Company
The leader of the 1st Platoon gives the following order to his squad leaders
Our attack goes well. Our company, which remains the battalion reserve, is moving into the woods that you see over there. The platoon will leave this covered position in a wedge formation. Guide on the high hill over there. The 1st Squad goes first.
Rommel’s Second Solution for the Leader of the 1st Platoon of the 1st Company
The leader of the 1st Platoon uses hand-and-arm signals to order his platoon to move forward towards the woods. As the platoon moves, he explains the situation to the leader of each squad.
Part II
As soon as the platoons arrive in the northern corner of Y-Wald, the company commander assigns them assembly areas. The platoons establish connections with each other.
The company commander makes arrangements for reconnaissance and makes contact with the forward companies.
Comment
Like the first problem in Problems for Platoon and Company, this exercise deals less in tactics (that is, actions with respect to the enemy) than techniques of command and movement. As we work our way through Rommel’s little book, this will change.
Note
I had originally promised to post this solution on Wednesday, 9 July 2025. However, as readers have ceased to offer their solutions, I have decided to speed up the schedule.
So when the Battalion Commander asked “Do you have any questions?”, he was just kidding?