MANUAL rOH NONCOMMISSION^-D O^-FJFJCJSE^. 209 



(a) That the patrol is unexpectedly fared upon. 



(b) That one or more of the patrol is wounded. 



(c) That a prisoner is captured (let an observer act as 

 prisoner). 



(d) That a friendly inhabitant gives certain information, 



(e) That a dust cloud is seen in the distance over the trees. 

 (/) That a column of troops can be seen marching along a 



distant road. 



(g) That an abandoned camp is discovered and certain 

 signs noted. 



(h) That the patrol is attacked by a superior force and 

 compelled to scatter. 



There is practically no end to the number of reasonable 

 assumptions that may be made. 



Troop officers may use this method of instructing non- 

 commissioned officers in patrolling, advance and rear guard 

 duty, outposts, and in squad leading, in writing messages, in 

 selecting positions for trenches, and in constructing and con- 

 cealing same. This form of instruction is called " a tactical 

 ride or, if dismounted, a tactical walk." It is very greatly 

 used by all foreign armies. Exercises along the same general 

 lines are conducted for field and staff officers and even general 

 officers, and are called " tactical rides " and " strategical 

 'rides," depending upon their object. 



After some proficiency has been attained as a result of thesp 

 tactical rides, the greatest interest and enthusiasm can be 

 awakened in this work by sending out two patrols the same 

 day, one to operate against the other. Each should wear a 

 distinctive uniform. The strength of each patrol, its starting 

 point, route to be followed, and its orders should all be un- 

 known to the other patrol. If blank ammunition is used, an 

 officer should supervise its issue and carefully inspect to see 

 that no man carries any ball cartridges. One umpire should 

 accompany the commander of each party. Each umpire should 

 be fully informed of the strength, orders, and route of both 

 patrols. He must, however, carefully avoid giving suggestions 

 or offering any information to the commander. Observers in 

 these small maneuver problems are generally in the way and 

 none should be permitted to be along. 



