ty, to keep abreast of own column and
to force the enemy to disclose himself by firing on F.P.
rather than on main body.
3. Sent to investigate suspicious areas, _e.g._ in woods, behind
houses.
4. Action in case of firing on main body; advance and
counterfire, deployed.
5. Get-away man in rear of column.
6. _Stick to the job_: no wandering or chasing of enemy beyond
range of column. Job is to warn and protect against flank
attack.

Fourth Problem: Platoon as Advance Party:

A. Definition and Function:

Body of infantry, amounting to 1/8 to 1/2 the Support
(depending on the number of cavalry ahead) cf., f.s.r., p.
28.
Duty.--To back up the point and the advance cavalry (if any) if
fired upon; remove enemy bodies and other obstacles.

B. Principles:

1. Describe general mission to inferiors.
2. Explain individual duties to inferiors.
3. Send out point and connecting files.
4. Form in platoon; zig-zag.
5. Keep going; prosecute engagements briskly, not to delay main
column.
6. Procedure under fire: deploys and drops, when fired upon;
looks for enemy's direction and assigns target and range.
Advance under cover if any, when fire light; when heavy seek
to divert fire to you away from main body of advance guard to
facilitate latter's disposition for advance to your support.
Seek to drive off a weaker enemy, and to hold off a stronger.
7. Speedy decisions. Value of imaginary situations, while on the
march; and planning your commands.

Fifth Problem: Combat Patrol:

A. Definition and Function.--Contrasted with covering detachment,
which is large enough to offer considerable resistance, the combat
patrol is primarily to _Warn_, especially against flank attacks. Size
varies widely because of looseness in definition, _e.g._, 100 men
might be _covering detachment_ for a regiment, but a combat patrol
for a brigade.

B. Principles:

1. Comparison of thin line versus thin column, regarding: (a)
vulnerability, (b) fatigue, (c) tactical advantage, when
engagement materializes, (e) control of movement and of
fire.
2. Agent between advance and main body.
3. Attack any enemy of reasonable size that attacks main body.
4. Corn as concealment ve