Platoon (Problem IV)

Decision-Forcing Case

This is the fourth post in a series. If you have not done so already, you will probably want to start at the beginning, with the post called Platoon (Background.)

You command your platoon to move forward, at the double, towards the canyon formed by the two hills.

You do this because you believe that the eastern hill offers you shelter from the German artillery fire, which, as far as you can tell, is coming from the east.

Once you reach the shelter of the canyon, you get a report from one of your sergeants.  “Mon Lieutenant, Private Benoit has been wounded.”

The German artillery fire has stopped.  Indeed, as far as you can tell, the six artillery rounds you observed were the only ones fired by the German artillery from that direction.

Another platoon of your company is with located in the same ravine.

You have no idea where the company commander might be.

What orders to you give? What other actions, if any, do you take?

Please feel free to use the comment section to describe your solution to this problem. In doing this, please take care to avoid any information that would spoil the problem for your fellow readers.

The next step in this exercise is the presentation of the historical solution, which can be found at the start of Platoon (Problem V). If you wish to reap full benefit from this decision-forcing case, please refrain from reading the historical solution until you have come to a decision.