The Theory Of Security
-
Advance Cavalry
The advance cavalry is that part of the advance-guard cavalry preceding the support. It reconnoiters far enough to the front and flanks to guard the column against surprise by artillery fire, and to enable timely information to be sent to the advanc... 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; but a battali... Advance Guards
An advance guard is a detachment of the main body which precedes and covers it on the march. Its duties are: (1) To guard against surprise and furnish information by reconnoitering to the front and flanks. (2) To push back small parties of... 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 charged with the ... Distance From The Main Body
While the distance between these two bodies should be great enough to prevent needless interruptions in the march of the main body, and to give the latter time to deploy should the enemy be encountered, it should never be so great that timely supp... Distances
The distance of the rear guard from the main body and between the fractions of the rear guard are about the same as in the case of an advance guard. If marching at night, the rear guard draws nearer the main body. ... 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 AN OUTPOST] T... 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 place is in the... Distribution Of Troops
The proximity and conduct of the enemy control, to a large extent, the formation of a rear guard. When it is not necessary to withdraw in deployed lines, the greater part of the rear guard marches on the road in column of route, taking up a format... Establishing The Outpost
The outpost is posted as quickly as possible, so that the troops can the sooner obtain rest. Until the leading outpost troops are able to assume their duties, temporary protection, known as the march outpost, is furnished by the nearest available ... 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 cavalry, and as ... Outposts
The size and disposition of the outpost will depend upon many circumstances, such as the size of the whole command, the proximity of the enemy and the situation with respect to him, the nature of the terrain, etc. A suitable strength may vary f... Rear Guard Of An Advancing Force
If there is a possibility that the rear of the column may be attacked, a rear guard of suitable strength and composition is provided, its conduct is practically the same as that of the rear guard of a retreating force. It generally marches in rear... 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 following day. ... 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 advance party, are s... Reserve
The reserve follows the support at several hundred yards' distance. It consists of the remainder of the infantry and engineers, the artillery, and the ambulance company. The artillery usually marches near the head of the reserve, the engineers (wi... 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 command takes re... 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 useful in the passag... 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 cavalry should be...