- 4 -

Appendix ‘B‘ Continued.

which is usually desired. Moreover, contrary to our expectations, the German here did not use patrols but appeared to rely on pyrotechnics for showing up any movement in "No Mans Land" and trusting to the effectiveness of his own defences.

Therefore it was found most practicable to limit fighting and recce patrols to a total of about 7.

7 men not being sufficiently strong normally to deal with alert troops in fixed defences, the most profitable way of using fighting patrols is by ambush and by guile, i.e. two men (including one NCO) forming a firm base, the officer and one escort recceing ahead giving all warning and, if necessary, causing a diversion and the Sgt and two carrying out the assault.

(b) It has been felt, however, that considerable value has been lost through lack of centralised control, particularly as unit and form- ation frontages were so narrow. So often the success of recce patrols or ambushes were prejudiced by patrols of flanking units putting the Germans completely on the alert beforehand.

It is not sufficient to give patrol boundaries - if a particular piece of information or an identification is required, then it must be ensured that the unit concerned does not have the enemy aroused by other patrols or by our own shelling on that front.

Again, ample time is required to brief patrols and for them to make their plans. Orders for night patrols were on two occasions received the same evening - for success to be assured patrols should be briefed by mid-day.

8. GENERAL ORGANISATION

It is suggested for consideration that a more balanced and logical organisation would be for all supporting arms to be in one Support Company, thus also reducing the size of Bn R Groups (at present Mortar Officer and ‘E‘ Coy Commander and their runners are included).

i.e. Support Company to be composed of Anti tank group of two platoons, MMG group of two platoons and Mortar group of one Bn platoon plus additional platoon when coy mortars are centralised. Two Mortar Officers would be required as for MMG and Anti-tank platoons).

HQ Coy to include the present Sp Coy less Mortar Platoon.

Bn HQ which at present is a separate administrative entity, to form part of HQ Coy, together with Intelligence Section, Provost Section and Clerks.

Apart from this it is considered that the organisation of the Bn is admirably suited for the roles it may be given.

9.

(a) While at BULFORD the Bn carried out training in long marches, each man doing at least one 25 mile a week.

The actual operations carried out have not entailed long marches and the Bn therefore cannot be said to be "marching fit".

/If future