This post continues the translation of a German pamphlet from 1944. The following links will take you to the first five posts in this series.
Essential Elements of Preparation for Reconnaissance Missions
Leaders must provide clear, well-defined reconnaissance missions.
One should only rush the return of reconnaissance patrols in exceptional circumstances. Reconnaissance troops require time to operate in the manner of hunters.
Reconnaissance troops should make reports when they reach intermediate objectives or provide updates at particular times of day.
The reports made by reconnaissance troops state the four W’s: when, what, how, where.
Reconnaissance troops begin preparations for each mission as soon as they can.
Leaders provide all hands with as much information about the mission as they can.
All hands work through the plan for the mission.
Leaders inspect all weapons and equipment. All hands test their weapons.
Before the start of each reconnaissance mission, the leader must explain his intentions for the actions the patrol should take in the event of contact with the the enemy. Thus, for example, he might say ‘we will press forward silently’, ‘break contact while providing covering fire and attempting to appear stronger than we are’, ‘close with the enemy and kill him as silently as possible’, or ‘move around the enemy in order to attack him in the flank and rear.’