Platoon (Problem X)

Decision-Forcing Case

This is the tenth 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.)

When you reach the first few men of your platoon, you pass the word that everyone is going to crawl to the north edge of the plateau. So, moving on your hands and knees, you lead your men off of the high ground.

Once you and your men reach the edge of the plateau, you all get up and run into the ravine.

You lead your platoon towards the northeast, avoiding both the high ground to the south and the open ground to the north. You soon find yourself on a spur that gives you a good view of the surrounding terrain.

To the north, you see a long ridge, running from the west to the east, where it joins the heights of Baronville.

To the east, you see the long, gentle slopes of a draw that separates the spur from the aforementioned heights.

Running down these slopes, you see neat rows of haystacks.

To the northwest, you see the 8th Company of your regiment, marching towards the east.

Shrapnel shells explode among the men the 8th Company, who quickly disappear from view. High explosive shells explode near you.

Drops of blood fall on your map. In front of you, at the crest of the spur, you see pieces of red and blue cloth falling to the ground.

You are convinced that you have led your platoon into a shooting gallery.

What are your orders?

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