the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

Reconnaissance and Occupation of
Battalion Position
USE OF THE BATTERY AND BATTALION DETAILS
SUBJECT 19A. SCHOOL OF FIRE FOR FIELD ARTILLERY, JULY, 1915
(Extract)
1. Two principles are accepted as fundamental:
(A) Battalion agents must be used only by the specific
orders of the major or by his express authority in
each case.
(B) Battery details must be left at the disposal of their
captains, the only exception being their rarely
occasional use in supplementing the battalion detail
in marking the route or as connecting files.
2. The method of using the battalion and battery details in
the reconnaissance and occupation of a battalion position must
be sufficiently flexible to be adapted to varied conditions and
circumstances. However, for the coöperative training of the
details, and in order to secure the maximum degree of efficient
team work in that part of the field artillery tactical unit which
renders the whole effective or ineffective, a carefully planned
"model method" can profitably be employed. Confusion,
indecision, misunderstanding and annoying and demoralizing
delays are the natural results of training in which plan, system
and method play no part. A "model method" for employing the
details in battalion work is outlined below. Its application to
concrete problems will greatly vary.
3. Each captain sends the agent to the major as soon as his
battery is in order. When contact with the enemy is expected,
or in battalion problems simulating such contact, the battery
reconnaissance officers are likewise sent to report to the major.
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