THE THEORY OF SECURITY
General Principles
Security embraces all those measures taken by a command to protect
itself from observation, annoyance, or surprise by the enemy.
Ordinarily this security is provided in part by cavalry. But as a
command is not always preceded by c...
Distribution Of Troops
An advance-guard order generally describes the following distribution of
troops:
Advance cavalry.
Support.
Reserve.
The manner in which the advance-guard cavalry is employed depends upon
the situation. Its proper ...
Reconnaissance
In conducting the reconnaissance the patrols are, as a rule, small--from
two to six men. If additional protection is necessary, a flank guard
covers the threatened flank. The flanking patrols, whether of the
advance cavalry or advan...
Strength And Composition
The strength of a rear guard depends upon the nature of the country and
the strength and character of the pursuing force. It can not, like the
advance guard, count on the support of the main body.
Machine guns are especially usefu...
Support
Following the advance cavalry is the support, varying in strength from
one fourth to one half of the advance guard. In mixed commands it
consists of infantry, to which engineers may be attached. If there is no
advance cavalry, some ca...
Distribution Of Outpost Troops
The outpost will generally be divided into four parts. These, in order
from the main body, are the reserve, the line of supports, the line of
outguards, and the advance cavalry.
[Illustration: PLATE SHOWING THE IDEAS INVOLVED IN A...
Rear Guards
The rear guard is charged with the important duty of covering the
retreat.
When a commander decides to retreat, he issues the necessary order.
During a retreat the outpost for the night usually forms the rear guard
of the followi...
Composition
A mixed outpost is composed principally of infantry. The infantry is
charged with the duty of local observation, especially at night and with
resisting the enemy long enough for the main body to prepare for action.
The cavalry is ch...
Strength And Composition
Subject to variation according to the situation, one twentieth to one
third of a command may be assumed as a suitable strength for the advance
guard. The larger the force, the larger in proportion is the advance
guard, for a large c...
Advance Guard Of A Small Command
In forming the advance guard of a command smaller than a brigade, the
foregoing distribution is modified, depending upon the situation. A
company or troop usually sends forward only a point, a battalion or
squadron, an advance party...