Platoon (Problem IX)

Decision-Forcing Case

This is the ninth 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.)

At present, you are separated from your platoon, not merely by distance, but by a piece of high ground. You are also painfully aware that German field pieces have recently shelled the area between your location and the place where you left your platoon.

You therefore decide to regain contact with the platoon and lead it into the ravine. This will do two things. First, it will get it away from a place that the Germans are able to bombard. Second, it will increase the chances that you will either link up with elements of the 160th Infantry Regiment or encounter German infantry. (You remember that your mission, given to you by a famous advocate of “the offensive without limits,” is to support the 160th Infantry Regiment by pushing boldly towards the north.)

You return to the place where you left your platoon, just north of the road that runs east out of the crossroads. (As you took pains to avoid the skyline, this took a while.)

When you reach your destination, you find your men spread out over a wide area, laying on their bellies. One tells you that Corporal Toutain, one of the four squad leaders, has been wounded.

What now, Lieutenant?

The series continues with Platoon (Problem X), which will begin with the historical solution to this problem.