of unnecessary loss. In the _Diamond
Formation_, one section leads to reconnoitre and to pin down the enemy,
while the remaining three sections are held in readiness to manoeuvre
for the decisive attack at the point in the enemy's defence which
offers the best prospect of success. The Diamond Formation is that
best suited to an Attack in an Encounter Battle, when the nature of the
enemy's dispositions are imperfectly known. It possesses the great
advantage of preserving {71} the power of manoeuvre for three-quarters
of the platoon until the action of the leading section has developed
the situation.

In each case (except when the Attack is launched against a highly
organised defensive position), the forward sections will be preceded by
_Ground Scouts_, to find the most covered line of advance and the best
fire positions, and to guard against ambush. These Ground Scouts
advance until checked, when they remain in observation until joined by
the leading sections. During the early stages of the Attack in an
Encounter Battle _Flank Scouts_ may be required until such time as the
deployment of the platoon renders them unnecessary.

Against a highly organised defensive system platoons may not be able to
advance to the Attack without a barrage, and it is essential that all
movements should conform exactly to the timing of the barrage and that
the troops should keep under the back edge of the shrapnel curtain, so
as to deliver their assault before the enemy has time to bring rifles
and machine guns into play. Under such circumstances, Ground scouts
must be dispensed with. Such a position will not be attacked without
careful previous reconnaissance and the lines of advance will have been
chosen beforehand. The Square Formation will be that usually adopted
for attacks on highly organised defensive positions, with the two rifle
sections forward and the two Lewis-gun sections in support. The
Lewis-gun sections are thus able to protect the flanks of the rifle
sections, and to deal with isolated enemy machine guns, or concealed
bodies of riflemen, which might come into action with reverse or
enfilade fire after the forward sections have passed over the occupied
ground.

THE PLATOON COMMANDER.--The platoon commander must explain the
situation to his subordinates and point out the line of advance. He
should usually move with the forward sections during the preparatory
{72} phase of an Attack, and when the forward sections ha