uperior in coming to a decision, without interfering with
his liberty of action, whereas hesitation and delay may give the
initiative to the enemy. For this reason, a wide turning movement by
the Advanced Guard troops is seldom possible, as time is thereby lost
and the front of the Main Body is uncovered. "The ruling factor should
be the discovery of some tactical locality held by the enemy, the
capture of which will compel his whole line to fall back. If this
point can be discovered the whole energies of the Advanced Guard should
be directed against it alone, and elsewhere a defensive attitude should
be adopted, to avoid surprise of or interference with the Main Body"
(General R. C. B. Haking).

It must always be assumed that the enemy will have taken all the
necessary steps to protect himself and to hamper reconnaissance by an
adversary. If, therefore, hostile troops are known to be in a certain
locality, opposition must be expected before that locality is reached,
and study of the map should enable the Advanced Guard commander to
determine the approximate neighbourhood in which opposition may be
expected.

IN RETREATS.--While it is clear that a force advancing towards the
enemy must always be preceded by an Advanced Guard it must not be
forgotten that a force withdrawing from the enemy must also be so
protected, even when it is moving in or towards friendly territory.
Such a force will not only prevent the Main Body being surprised by an
energetic enemy, pursuing swiftly and getting round to attack where he
is least expected, but will also prevent the Main Body being delayed by
obstacles, and can delay the pursuit by preparing bridges, etc., for
demolition, which can be completed by the Rear Guard when the Main Body
has passed over {105} them. It can also reconnoitre the route to be
followed, so that the Main Body can proceed without delay.

TRAINING.--In formulating any scheme for the exercise of troops in
Advanced Guard work all officers and other ranks should be made to
understand the nature of the scheme, and should be informed (a) whether
the force is advancing or retreating, whether it is moving before or
after action with the enemy, and whether it is in a friendly or a
hostile country; (b) what is known of the enemy; (c) the direction and
objective of the march; (d) the general intentions of the commander of
the Main Body; and (e) the general instructions issued to the commander
of the Advanced Guard.