APPENDIX 'B‘
NOTES ON EMPLOYMENT AND ORGANISATION
OF BATTALION IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT OPERATIONS

1. 7 JUNE

Taking over of battle positions

(a) The advantage of the battalion being previously assembled together and being put into battle positions after a preliminary daylight recce by Commanders of all levels, was clearly borne out. All ranks felt immediately confident in the general layout and in the support they were getting from adjacent companies. To this can be attributed, to a large degree, the success which attended the battalion's first defensive engagement

(b) The wisdom of the Brigade Commander's appreciation and his stress on limiting the plan to concentrate the unit, and not in undertaking any detailed preconceived plan, greatly helped all ranks to understand at once the situation which actually did develop. It was definitely felt that no plan is possible beyond a broad future intention, until the latest first hand battle information is available.

2. 8 JUNE

Employment and organisation of Reece Platoons.

The particular task which the battalion has had during recent operations has not given the Recce Platoon an opportunity of being employed fully as a Rocce element. In any future airborne operation they may be required for distant reconnaissances during approach marches etc. For this reason no alteration in organisation or suggestions for training can justifiably be given.

During the present phase they have been employed in finding patrols which normally would also be found by rifle companies, and also for thickening up the defence, sometimes being placed under command of rifle companies for this purpose.

It would appear that although their signal equipment and a lot of their cycles is over generous, these cannot be reduced on present experiences alone. The Platoon must be trained for night patrol work to allow companies to devote themselves largely to manning the defences; they can also be used. profitably to augment the Intelligence Section for flank liason purposes and for guiding.

3. 9 JUNE

Anti Tank layout

(a) Even though the anti tank layout is on a Divisional basis, it is very necessary that battalions, in whom Royal Artillery anti tank gunsare placed in support, are kept informed as to the probable moves of these guns.

/At