Beyond Belleau Wood (Author's Solution)

A Conference Problem from 1921

This post presents a solution to a decision game. Thus, if you have not done so already, you will probably want to work through (or, at the very least, read) the problem.

Beyond Belleau Wood (Problem)

The solution offered by this post originally appeared in the Marine Corps Gazette of September 1921. Labeled as “a solution,” it may describe the events that actually took place on the night of 29-30 June 1918. Alternatively, it may reflect the opinions of Leroy P. Hunt, the author of the problem. In particular, reference to an “intelligence group” suggests that the problem presumes a battalion organized in the manner of 1921 rather than that of 1918.

By the way, the use of the term “conference problem” suggests that a group of a dozen or so students (what is now called a “conference group”) engaged the problem in an informal manner, with a good deal of discussion. It is also worthy of note that, rather than describing his three sets of “action and orders” as the “school solution” or “approved solution,” Captain Hunt refers to it as “a solution.”

                                               A Solution - Conference Problem 

                                                           Night Combat Patrol

Major A’s Action and Orders.

Upon receipt of orders to make every effort to capture prisoners that night for identification, Major A estimates the situation and decides to send out an officer’s combat patrol that night from Company A, the left front line company of the Battalion. He decides upon Company A on account of its position in line opposite the red barn at crossroads [map reference] where the movement of small enemy groups has been observed from time to time.

From the nature of the mission of this patrol, it will probably result in combat. Major A therefore decides it inadvisable to send the Intelligence Group on a patrol of this kind.¹ He does, however, detail two men of the Intelligence Group to accompany the patrol to aid the patrol leader.

At 9:20 AM, 29th June, ‘18, Major A dispatches the following message to Captain B of Company A by runner:

                                                                              CP [Command Post] 1st Bn 5th Marines

                                                                                                            Point [Map Reference]

                                                                                                          29th June, ‘18, 9:20 AM

To Captain B:

Your company will send out an officer’s combat patrol tonight to capture prisoners for identification. Report to this CP immediately with [the] Lieutenant you select as patrol leader.

                                                                                                        A.

                                                                                                        Major

Upon the arrival of Captain B and the patrol leader at the Battalion Command Post, Major A holds a conference, and together they carefully go over the map and intelligence reports. Major A then issues the following verbal order to Captain B at 10:30 AM.

“You are familiar with the enemy situation and our own.”

“You will send out a combat patrol tonight to our immediate front under an officer, to capture prisoners for identification.”

“Considerable movement by small groups of the enemy has been observed in the vicinity of the barn at crossroads point [map reference]. I suggest that your patrol go to the vicinity of this barn.”

“The size of your patrol should be about 15 men.”

“Start your patrol out at 11:00 PM and instruct it to return by 1:00 AM.”

“Notify the companies on your flanks of the size, time of departure and probable return and the route of the patrol. I will notify our Regimental Commander, the Battalion Commanders on our flanks and the supporting artillery of the same.”

“Synchronize your watch with mine now.”

“If there are no questions, that will be all.”

Captain B’s Action and Orders.

Captain B, the Patrol Leader, and the two men from the Intelligence Group return to the company command post after receiving orders from Major A. Together they pick the men who are to constitute the patrol. (They pick 15 men as the Major suggested.)

Captain B sends for two sergeants, who are to go with the patrol and they, together with the Patrol Leader and Intelligence Men go to the best available observation post and carefully study the ground to the front with field glasses, pick the route for the patrol and note the compass bearing.

At dusk (8:30 PM), Captain B goes to the front line and assembles the patrol leader and other platoon leaders and issues the following verbal order:

“Enemy activity has increased on our front.”

“Our troops along the front remain the same.”

“This company will send out an Officer’s Combat Patrol of 15 men tonight at 11:00 PM, under Lieutenant Y, to capture prisoners for identification.”

“Route of patrol will be from this point (indicates) to the barn at the crossroads to our front. The patrol will return by 1:00 AM.”

“The following men will go on the patrol …”

“Uniform for the patrol will be overseas caps (or covered helmets) and shirts.² All articles of equipment or clothing that are bright or loose will be removed. Identification tags and all insignia of organization will be removed. Pockets will be emptied of all letters or other articles which are liable to give valuable information to the enemy.”

“Equipment will be:

• 2 men - automatic rifles plus usual ammunition

• 13 men - pistols and trench knives

• 2 Intelligence men - pistols and trench knives”

“Each man will carry two hand grenades. The patrol leader, two sergeants and two Intelligence Men will be equipped with luminous compasses and watches.”

“The password for entrance to our line will be …”

“Inform your platoons fully of the patrol and password and have the men of your platoons who are to go on the patrol report here to Lieutenant Y at 10:15 PM, properly equipped and uniformed.”

“Lieutenant Y assemble, inspect and instruct your patrol in time to clear the point of departure (indicates point) at 11:00 PM.”

“If there are no questions, that will be all.”

Captain B then dispatches runners to the two flank companies informing them of the size of the patrol, time and place of departure, probably time of return, and the password for entrance to our lines.

Lieutenant Y’s Action and Orders

After receiving verbal orders from Captain B, Lieutenant Y returns to his own platoon and informs it concerning the patrol. He notifies those of his platoon who are to go on the patrol and makes known the uniform of the patrol to them. Shortly before 10:15 PM, he turns his platoon over to his senior sergeant and leaves with those of his platoon who are to accompany him on patrol, to report at point designated by Captain B at 10:15 PM.

When all men of the patrol arrive Lieutenant Y assembles them and carefully inspects them for uniform and equipment and makes any necessary changes. He then gives them the following verbal order at 10:30 PM:

“You are familiar with the enemy situation and our own. As you know, small groups of the enemy have been observed on several occasions in the vicinity of the barn to our front.

“This patrol will go out and capture prisoners for identification in that vicinity.”

“We will leave this point at 11:00 PM in the following formation: Sergeant C and the two men from the Intelligence Group will precede the support as point, at 15 paces. The Support will form a skirmish line, crescent shape, with a two-pace interval between men and with the automatic rifles on either flank.

“I will regulate the rate of advance and the guide will also be on me.”

“No one will open fire or make any unnecessary noise without orders from me.”

“In case any enemy is located, information will be communicated to me, and I will give the necessary orders.”

“If it becomes necessary to withdraw hurriedly, I will give the word, whereupon each man will make his way individually to our lines, using the password for entrance.”

“All casualties will be brought in.”

“Communication to the scouts will be maintained by Sergeant D and communication along the line by whispering from man to man. Sergeant D will accompany me.”

“Every one note the position of the North Star.”

“The password is …”

“My position will be two paces in front of the centre of the Support.”

“Take your positions and await my orders to proceed.”

Source: Captain Leroy P. Hunt “Conference Problem (TL-3): Night Combat Patrol” Marine Corps Gazette September 1921 pages 334-338

1. The tables of organization for infantry regiments of the American Expeditionary Forces, whether the generic framework of June 1918 or the Marine-specific structure of September 1918, make no mention of an “intelligence group.” The US Army war establishments approved in April 1921, however, call for the organization of a 27-man “intelligence section” for each infantry battalion. Composed of 11 observers and 16 scouts, it was to be led by the battalion intelligence officer.

2. Allowing men to choose their headgear strikes me as odd. I would assume that, if there was a danger of artillery fire, the captain would mandate the wearing of steel helmets. Likewise, if he was more concerned about the noise made by the metal work on chinstraps, he would have ordered the members of the patrol to leave their tin hats behind. Because of this, I suspect that, rather than giving each member of the patrol to make the call on head covering, the captain is merely delegating this choice to the lieutenant in charge of the patrol.