Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, Part 5

Frederick Allan Dove

3rd Light Horse Brigade Scouts in the hills at Tripoli, December 1918

In 1910, Major Frederick Allan Dove, DSO, wrote a book on a subject he was very familiar with through practical experience called Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance. This book set the intellectual framework for the formation of the Brigade Scouts during the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns as part of the Great War.

Dove, FA, Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, 1910.

12. - Co-operation of Patrols.

In the mutual co-operation of the units composing the Screen lies the whole secret of success. The various patrols (twos or fours) assist each other's advance by outflanking positions which might afford cover to a few of the enemy. Supposing a small hill to lie in front of the centre of the line. The centre patrols would halt or advance cautiously, the flanking patrols would move on quickly to try and look behind the hill.

In Sketch 2 the patrol at A is halted ready to open fire if necessary. The patrols L3 and C are pushing out round the flanks of the farmhouse and plantation to B1 and C1. Should there be a "sniper" or two in hiding, he will probably consider it advisable to clear out before his retreat is endangered.

Should there be an attempt to cut off the advanced men at B1 and C1 the patrol at A are ready to cover their retreat.

Above all others the Directing Patrol is the One that must be protected and assisted in its advance. Sketch No.3 illustrates this. Tile country represented is undulating fairly clear of bush or timber.

a, b, c, d, e, f are patrols extended preparatory to an advance; c is the Directing Patrol, with which is the officer in charge. He looks over the country in front; he sees that the route runs between hills A and 13, and that his right patrols must scout A before he can get ahead. He signals to a and b to advance. They move as shown by the dotted lines; when at al and b1 respectively, they signal "No enemy in sight"; the O.C. at once motions to d, e, and f to move and c also advances; the leader of patrol d sees that he must outflank the hill B in order to protect the directing patrol, therefore he pushes ahead. When c reaches c1 the left patrols are at d1, e1, f1. Meantime a and b patrol leaders note the hill F and move forward to Scout it, similarly d and e notice hill E; the leaders know that c cannot pass between E and F till they are known to be clear, and so they move on; f meantime outflanks the ridge C, D; so that we next have the line of patrols at a2, b2, c2, d2, e2, f2- The country being flat and clear in franc, the patrols resume a general line, a3, P, c3, d3, e3, f3.

13. Contact with the Enemy.

It must be impressed on Scouts that their business is not Fighting, but Observation. This will not be understood to mean that they are not to capture or disable an enemy's Scout if the chance occurs. But once the enemy are located, or have disclosed themselves by opening fire, the immediate function of the Screen has been fulfilled.

When suddenly fired upon it should retire, but no further than is necessary to prevent useless loss of life. Under these circumstances patrol and troop leaders rally their men tinder the nearest suitable cover. It is at this time that the enemy is most likely to disclose his positions, owing to, his excitement and to the fact that he is not being fired at. It is now that our Special "Observers" referred to in (A) 6 have the opportunity of proving their value. By keeping cool, and if they have carefully chosen their own line of advance, they may gain most important information. The opportunity may be a fleeting one. Hence the necessity of having some one detailed for the duty. "What’s everybody's business is nobody's business."

Should the enemy be encountered advancing, it, is a case of patrol versus patrol. Theirs must be checked and prevented from obtaining a view of our columns. The screen which is composed of well-organised patrols can always put up a good fight if compelled. The ultimate action of Course depends upon the decision of the O.C. Advanced Guard.

Our Scouts may perchance discover the enemy retiring. Instant report must be made to the O.C. Vanguard. At the same time, while keeping closely on the enemy's trail, on no account should fire be opened.

In every case of contact with the enemy the Scouts absolutely fall in their duty if they do not remain in touch with him at all hazards.

14. - Summary of Instructions regarding the Advanced Guard Screen.

1. The Screen to be thoroughly organised before extension; direction and frontage clearly explained to every man.

2. After extension, Keeping Touch, Observation, Communication the main points to observe,

3. Co-operation by patrols the secret of success.

4. Directing Patrol to maintain the true line of advance and regulate the average pace.

5. "Observers" to be detailed.

6. Advancing enemy to be delayed. Halted enemy to be drawn into disclosing his positions. Retiring enemy to be kept touch with, but not to be attacked without orders.

7. Passing of verbal and written messages to be constantly practised.

8. The halted Screen to become a Line of Observation Posts.

9. Reports to tell, if possible:

Where are the enemy?

How many are there?

What are they (cavalry, infantry, &e.)?

What are they doing?

10. Touch with Scouting Troops to be maintained by Connecting Files. Signallers may be used if they call conceal their movements from ground possibly held by the enemy.

Previous: Part 4, Patrol Formations 

Next: Part 6, Lecturettes 

Further Reading:

Obituary, Frederick Allan Dove

Brigade Scouts

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 26 December 2009 3:32 PM EAST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, Part 6

Frederick Allan Dove

3rd Light Horse Brigade Scouts in the hills at Tripoli, December 1918

In 1910, Major Frederick Allan Dove, DSO, wrote a book on a subject he was very familiar with through practical experience called Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance. This book set the intellectual framework for the formation of the Brigade Scouts during the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns as part of the Great War.

Dove, FA, Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, 1910.

Method of Preliminary Training of a Squadron or Company in Protective Reconnaissance.

Preliminary training in Protective Scouting should be a combination Q theoretical and practical instruction. Lectures should be short (about fifteen minutes) and should immediately precede the practical lesson. A lecture given a week or even it few days before the practice is a waste of time. Hereunder are suggestions for three, lessons. The O.C. Squadron (or company) is presumed to be the instructor. It is essential that suitable ground should be chosen, and which is not too difficult for beginners.

FIRST LESSON: Lecturette -

Explain the necessity for Protection, and what may happen when precautions are neglected - Historical examples can be quoted; that Protection is afforded to columns on the march by Advanced, Flank, and Rear Guards; that the men pushed out nearest to the enemy are called Scouts; that it is better for the Scouts to work in small units - patrols - than singly; that to be of really protective service the patrols must cooperate. Explain fully what is meant by "keeping touch" necessity for a Directing Patrol.

Practical Work. Each troop (section of infantry) in turn to be extended by twos or fours with about fifty yards interval, a central unit being named to direct. The extended line to be advanced, retired, advanced, made to change direction to an angle of not more than half a right angle, and all in absolute silence, neither voice nor whistle being used. If time permit, repeat with greater intervals between patrols.

SECOND LESSON: Lecturette. -

Revise very briefly the work of the first day. Deal next particularly with the subject of keeping direction, i.e., marching on a distant objective, of the amount of frontage to be covered in order to ensure adequate protection ; that the number of patrols required depends on the nature of the country; that each patrol leader has considerable latitude in his choice of a: line of advance, and in the interval he keeps from the next directing patrol; illustrate by reference to the country in view, or by a diagram on the ground, or by a makeshift arrangement of a few stones, sticks, &c., to represent, hills and hollows (ride Co-operation of Patrols, and Sketches and 3).

Practical Work. - See that each troop (section of infantry) is organised into a number of patrols; name an objective for the directing patrol. Then place yourself in the position of an enemy - that is, go to or near the objective. Arrange for your senior subaltern to send the troops on in succession eight or ten minutes after each other. From your coign of vantage watch the work of the troop as a whole and also the individual patrols. Take notes of both good and bad work. When all have finished their attempt and closed, criticise freely, and be not sparing of either praise or blame; but let the latter be of a kindly and instructive nature. Remember that neither Rome nor Scouts were made in a day.

THIRD LESSON: Lecturette. -

A few words on the Advanced ward, its duties, and its distribution into,

Vanguard - Scouting Screen.

Supports.

Emphasize that the O.C. Advanced Guard directs the whole, and that he is usually with the Mainguard. Explain how touch and communication is maintained by Scouts, by connecting files and by signallers; whose special duty is observation; how results of observation are to be communicated. Remind patrols and patrol leaders of their mistakes on the previous day.

Practical Work - Show on a small scale the distribution of the squadron (or company) into Vanguard and Mainguard half a squadron in each-and the former subdivided into en and Supports; connecting files to be placed, and flank patrols from the Support and Mainguard. Have all this done on a piece of ground with only 25 or 50 Yards between the units, so that every one may see the whole distribution and his own position therein, thus:

Give an objective, extend to correct intervals and distances; practise advances and changes of direction (only to small angles), the whole being controlled completely by the O.C. from his position at the head of the Mainguard.

Close again. Repeat this work with the other half squadron (or company) leading.

The above completes the lessons on what might be called the "mechanism" of Advanced Guard work. Much attention must be paid W the working of each patrol; practice must he obtained in observation, and much practice in passing orders and reports before a reasonable degree of efficiency can be obtained.

I have gone very fully into the work of the Advanced Guard Screen, because with slight, modifications the principles methods apply equally to the work of the Flank and Rear Screens.

Previous: Part 5, Co-operation of Patrols 

Next: Part 7, The Flank Screen 

Further Reading:

Obituary, Frederick Allan Dove

Brigade Scouts

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 26 December 2009 3:33 PM EAST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, Part 7

Frederick Allan Dove

3rd Light Horse Brigade Scouts in the hills at Tripoli, December 1918

In 1910, Major Frederick Allan Dove, DSO, wrote a book on a subject he was very familiar with through practical experience called Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance. This book set the intellectual framework for the formation of the Brigade Scouts during the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns as part of the Great War.

Dove, FA, Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, 1910.

(B) THE FLANK SCREEN. GENERAL REMARKS.

The Flank Guard protects the main body from a surprise attack from the Flank. In order to do so, it seizes, and hold's as long as may be necessary, a succession of defensive positions. These positions must first be reconnoitred. This is done by the Flank Guard throwing forward a small advanced Screen which will act as already described in Section A. But outside the Flank Guard, i.e., towards the enemy, there must also be a screen of Scouts, and it is their formations movements and defies that are discussed hereunder.

Firstly, I submit the following diagram as an aid to the understanding of the context:-

1. - Preliminary Instructions.

The leader of the troop or section told off for the Flank Screen should get clear directions as to-

(1) The direction of the advance and any contemplated changes thereof.

(2) What is known at present about the enemy, and of the position of our Advanced Guard, and of any neighbouring columns of friendly troops.

(3) Any special directions as to rate of march.

As laid down in Section (A), the leader will pass on his instructions to his subordinate before extending and supplementing them by anything he thinks necessary.

He will then tell off an advanced patrol (or patrols), a reserve under his own immediate control, and at least one rear patrol. He may also require connecting links between himself and his support or the Mainguard.

2. - Extension.

Extension must be by units - “twos" or "fours" (four men). In Africa - it was not unusual to see the Flank Screen composed of an apparently endless string of single files, riding behind each other with painful exactitude at about a distance of fifty yards or so. Up hill and down dale, across spruit and donga, they rode, looking neither to right nor left, but watching only the men in front of them. What wonder that every day told its tale of Scouts (?) shot down at close quarters, of troopers missing, of main bodies surprised.

By breaking your Screen into units you secure a delegation of command and fix responsibility upon your N.C.O.'s and four leaders, i.e., upon individuals who should he accustomed to accept responsibility and exercise command.

You say: "Corporal Jones, take your 'four' and Scout on my right. I look to you, I depend on you, to protect that flank and give me warning of any danger." Does it not stand to reason that Corporal Jones will do his best to rise to the occasion?

It is very important that at the outset the leader retains with him a fair proportion of his command to meet subsequent emergencies, but he must detach at least one patrol straight to the front, and another to follow in rear. I do not attempt to lay down distances, because those depend entirely on the nature of the country. Suffice it to say that in clear country distances will be greater and detachments less in number than in enclosed or timbered country.

In any case the patrols must keep "touch" with the body from which they are detached.

3. - Movements.

The Main Plank Guard best carries out its duty by the successive occupation of defensive positions. Similarly the Flank Screen takes up points of observation. The leader should so arrange that there shall be a full utilisation of all vantage points. A study of the sketch and notes will give an idea of what is meant. The instance is founded on an actual occurrence. I may say that the Main Body was moving at a walk on good ground, but the country traversed by the Flank Guard was boulder-strewn ridges. There was neither timber nor scrub.

The dotted line with arrow points shows the route of the main body, which was a small column.

The Flank Guard leader is at A, studying the situation.

He has with him the greater portion of a troop -his advanced patrol is halted at R; his support is shown moving in fours towards D.

He decides that he must secure the point C quickly. He there-fore sends a four at a canter to hold B, and with a message to the four already there to push on rapidly to C. This done, lie mounts his party and moves up to B, leaving a patrol to stay at A until he is seen to get to B. On arrival there the disposition is: Advanced patrol at C; Main party at B; patrol leaving A. From B, he can see down and across the valley Y, Y, to where the view is closed by low ridges. He would like to know what is beyond. Suddenly the sharp-pointed hill at F arrests his gaze-if only we had that, he thinks, we could see far and wide. Without any loss of time lie canters up to C himself, with four men leaving the remainder at B to follow leisurely. Arrived at C, he has another look, makes tip his mind, and at once sends a corporal and two men to Scout and occupy F, signal the result of their observations, and remain there till the rear patrol arrives at E.

Next an advanced patrol is sent to E; the main party is then at C, and another patrol is leaving B. Thus by successive steps the Screen moved from one observation point to another. There was always some, portion halted in observation, and no important point was given up to possible seizure by the enemy until the next point was secured. Surprise was impossible.

4. Halts.

All the units of the Screen will frequently halt at suitable points to make observations. When a, general halt is called, the Screen becomes a succession of Cossack posts and groups keeping a sharp look out--in fact, a temporary out post line, fronting outwards from the Main Body.

5. - Contact with the Enemy.

Whenever the enemy is discovered, the chief thing to be remembered is to at once warn the supporting portions of the Flank Guard and then the Officer commanding the Main Body. If the enemy is unaware of your presence, lie very low and avoid alarming him. Should he be advancing to the attack, fire on his Scouts or skirmishers and hold them back as much as possible. When compelled, and not before, retire, still fighting wherever a position offers.

6. - Signals and Signalling.

Constant touch must be maintained between all units by signals and by signallers.

Endeavour should be made to get touch with the Advanced Guard and Rear Guard.

Previous: Part 6, Lecturettes

Next: Part 8, Screen To Rear Guard 

Further Reading:

Obituary, Frederick Allan Dove

Brigade Scouts

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 26 December 2009 4:29 PM EAST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, Part 8

Frederick Allan Dove

3rd Light Horse Brigade Scouts in the hills at Tripoli, December 1918

In 1910, Major Frederick Allan Dove, DSO, wrote a book on a subject he was very familiar with through practical experience called Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance. This book set the intellectual framework for the formation of the Brigade Scouts during the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns as part of the Great War.

Dove, FA, Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, 1910.

(C) Screen To Rear Guard.

(To a Force Retiring.)

1. - Duties.

The duties of the Screen to a Rear Guard are to give early notice of the enemy's advance.

The Screen is not intended to fight except against Scouts or patrols, who must be checked when they attempt to spy on the Rear Guard.

2. - Formation.

This will be similar to that of an Advanced Screen with the patrols on the extreme flanks strengthened. "Fours" would be more suitable in the Screen than "twos," because fire action may be frequently required. A "directing four" must be named.

3. - Movements.

Movements should be from one position of cover to another already chosen to the rear, and made rapidly. If the pursuit is preceded by small patrols and Scouts, frequent attempts should be made to ambush them by concealing sufficient men and ostentatiously retiring the remainder.

4. - Halts.

Halts should only take place in well-covered observation points.

5. - Contact with the Enemy.

This is already mentioned in 3, above. If the contact is only with Scouts, the Rear Guard Screen should easily hold its own and a little more, and make the enemy pay dearly if they become aggressive.

But should a genuine attack be opened, the role of the Screen comes to an end, and they become merged in the fighting units of the Rear Guard.

6. - Keeping Touch.

It is absolutely essential that the several units of the Screen shall keep touch with the "directing unit." Therefore, in every "four" one man must devote himself to watching for signals from the next unit towards the directing point.

7. - Co-operation.

In no other phase of Scouting work is the co-operation of patrols more essential to success. Especially is this so when the enemy's Scouts try to break through. Should a "four" hang back rather long and be hard pressed it should extend rapidly fanwise and bolt for the next position affording cover, in the full confidence that the adjacent fours, with their fire, will make it very hot for the pursuers.

Previous: Part 7, The Flank Screen 

Next: Part 9, Scouting For Information 

Further Reading:

Obituary, Frederick Allan Dove

Brigade Scouts

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 26 December 2009 4:24 PM EAST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, Part 9

Frederick Allan Dove

3rd Light Horse Brigade Scouts in the hills at Tripoli, December 1918

In 1910, Major Frederick Allan Dove, DSO, wrote a book on a subject he was very familiar with through practical experience called Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance. This book set the intellectual framework for the formation of the Brigade Scouts during the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns as part of the Great War.

Dove, FA, Scouting or Protective and Tactical Reconnaissance, 1910.

II. - Scouting For Information Or Tactical Reconnaissance By Patrols.

General Remarks.

Reconnoitring Patrols are parties detached from a halted or moving force to obtain information. Their sphere of action is beyond the line of Outposts or the Screen referred to in I. Being without support and in constant danger of meeting superior hostile forces, their action must be chiefly of a "stealthy" nature. They rely for safety in an emergency on the sharpness of their eyes and ears, the quickness of their wits, and the speed of their horses. The number of men told off to form a Reconnoitring, Patrol will vary according to the work to he done, but they larger the number the more risk of detection and failure. Three or four men and a leader make a handy patrol; really good Scouts, who have confidence, in themselves and on another. will prefer to work in pairs. Occasionally strong patrols of from 12 to 100 men are sent out on some -special mission, but even then the actual Scouting will he done by two or three small squads of Scouts, the remainder being really an escort or support.

"Scouting" in its true sense is the work done by the individuals composing the Reconnoitring Patrols. It is an art, and can only be acquired by a limited number of men who possess the natural gifts of body and mind. Out of a squadron of picked Australians who went to South Africa, not more than twenty men became good Scouts, and only half were really first-class. Yet at the beginning a hundred men in that squadron believed that they were born Scouts. After a few experiences they were mostly very willing to let somebody else do the work.

'From my reading and experience I conclude that there should be a thoroughly trained Corps of Scouts at the disposal of every General to do the dangerous and difficult duty of reconnoitring.

1. - Composition of Patrols.

Reconnoitring Patrols should be composed of trained Scouts, drawn either from regimental establishments or from the Corps referred to above. A signaller or two with equipment may sometimes be attached. A cavalry pioneer with means of hasty demolition has been found useful with a patrol, but properly trained Scouts could do this work themselves.

It must always be borne in mind that to include in a patrol any person who is not himself a trained Scout is an encumbrance and a danger.

It is it great advantage or the men to have practised and worked together. Scouts should be organised, there fore, into permanent patrols of four. Two or more "Fours" can be combined when larger patrols are required.

2. - Preliminary Instructions and Preparations.

The patrol leader detailed for a reconnaissance should receive very explicit instructions, as to

(1) the object of the reconnaissance - that is, what he is to report on;

(2) when he is to start and when reports will be expected;

(3) to whom and where reports are to be made;

(4) what is known of the enemy;

(5) whether friendly patrols or troops are likely to be met.

The instructions should be supplemented by a sketch or by reference to a map. If our column is likely to march during the absence of the patrol, the leader should be informed.

The leader next decides on the route to be taken (when this has not been prescribed), by reference to the map, a view of so much of the country as can be seen, or by his local knowledge, or by a combination of those.

Next he retails to his men the instructions he has received and the plans he has formed, taking them very fully into his confidence, in order to arouse their interest in the mission and to secure their intelligent co-operation. He now has a final inspection of his own and his men’s arms and kits and horses, to see that everything is in good order and that nothing is carried which will glitter by day or rattle by night. The patrol then sets out.

3. - Formation o f the Patrol, by Day.

The formations of a patrol of four by day have been gone into fully in I., Section 11. The same principles govern the organisation and movements of larger patrols.

Organisation of the Patrol-that is, the allotment of definite duties to individuals-should never be neglected. The leader should remember that he is the head and brain of the patrol and the Chief Observer; he uses the other members to protect and assist him, but must not rely on their conclusions; he must always see for himself.

The more compact the formation of a patrol the better the chance of avoiding detection, but the greater the possibility of all being shot down or cut off. Therefore, the leader must study every bit of country with a view to what is best to be done in each case. In thick bush or forest the only possible formation is Indian File, the men following the leader more or less closely.

It will frequently be advisable for portion of the patrol to remain halted (dismounted) in concealment while one or two Scouts examine doubtful localities. 4. Formations at Night.

The only formations for dark nights are File (twos) or Indian File. The commander leads, and has with him a very keen Scout and a horse-holder. Then follow the Scouts, singly or in pairs. A non-com. or very trustworthy man brings up the rear. When the patrol halts, a Scout previously detailed moves out a few yards to the right, and similarly another to the left. These men leave their horses with their mates. If a patrol is so large that the tread of men or horses and rattling of equipment is likely to interfere with the hearing of the front and rear Scouts the advanced " point" and the rear man are kept well away from the main body, connection being maintained by links," thus:

The links must be clearly visible to each other, and near enough to pass quietly spoken orders or messages.

The leader must largely devote himself to maintaining the required direction. He, therefore, has with him a good .Night Scout. Note that some excellent day scouts are not at all reliable at night. This Scout must be relieved every hour or so, as the strain on his eyes, ears and nerves is very great.

Halts are frequent at night. During these it may be necessary for the leader and his nearest Scout to go ahead some distance on foot to examine a suspicious object, hence the need of the horse holder. The N.C.O. at the head of the main body should be informed when the leader leaves and when he returns.

Previous: Part 8, Screen To Rear Guard 

Next: Part 10, Finding One's Way 

Further Reading:

Obituary, Frederick Allan Dove

Brigade Scouts

The Light Horse

Australian Light Horse Militia

Militia 1899 - 1920

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Saturday, 26 December 2009 4:25 PM EAST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink