By: Patrick Costa 10/18/01 v1.0
One of the most important aspects of warfare is collecting information about your enemy’s movements, strength, size, moral, attentiveness, awareness, what the troops look like, where they are located and any other useful piece of information. A scout is a man trained in the use of ground and cover, movement from cover to cover, marksmanship, observation and accurately reporting his observations. The mission of a scout is to obtain required information and report it to the proper authority in time for to be of use.
Scouts are the number 2 and 3 numbers in a squad. They should be of good physique, great endurance, keen sight, delicate memory and retentive memory. They are encouraged to fraternize, especially in squad, section and platoon. They are the eyes, ears and fingers of the commander. The scouts must know how to read and interpret a map use a compass, make a simply sketch and, render an intelligent report. Equipment: They have the same equipment as other riflemen. In addition they are given tracer ammunition, and a compass. For night work additional equipment might be needed and for observation field glasses are a must. Ordinarily the scout’s equipment is limited to those absolute necessities consistent with the greatest mobility.
Duties: 1. When the command is stationary, scouts and patrols are send out to provide security.
2. When on the march they are sent out to serve as front, rear and flank guards. They investigate danger areas, and precede the squad or platoon.
3. During the attack they maintain direction, and guard the troops against surprise fire. They select and occupy firing positions and identity and designate targets.
4. On the defense they serve as lookouts, observers, listeners and snipers. They help to guide friendly patrols and raiding parties. They drive off hostile scouts and patrols. During the attack they pick off the enemy’s leaders.
Individual Conduct of Scouts
1. When observing remain motionless
2. Expose as little as the body as possible
3. Observe from a prone position whenever possible.
4. Keep off the skyline
Precautions: All parts of the body should be as close to the ground as possible. Remove your helmet before observing close to the ground. Wear nothing that is conspicuous. Your face or metal may glisten from the sun, put dirt or mud on your face and equipment to cut the glare down. If it becomes necessary to look over an object, avoid straight edges and build up the area where u will look over, with grass, leaves etc. Objects are often betrayed by their shadows. When moving keep your shadows in the shade and try to blend your shadow in with other ones. Be careful not alarm birds and other animals. If it becomes necessary to fire, always fire from the right, thus exposing a minimal amount of himself to the enemy. When observing from a house, stay away from the opening. Do not stand in a doorway or lean out a window. Use the darkness of the rooms as concealment for observing.
Movement When moving, advance by bounds, going from cover to cover always listening and trying to remain motionless. Plan out your advances in your mind before acting on them.
Several different types of movement are available.
Creeping: The body rests on the knees, elbows and forearms. The head and buttocks are kept down. The knees are always behind the buttock and never under them. The scout should turn his head and watch the top of his cover out of the corner of his eye.
Slow Crawl: Body is prone with weapon on front of you.
Rapid Crawl: The body is raised slightly, and you push forward alternately with both legs. A weapon if carried is tucked between the crook of the elbows. These methods are tiresome and should only be used when exposed or behind inferior cover.
Examination of Prisoners
Disarm them and put them into several classes. 1) Officers, 2) Non-commissioned officers, 3) Privates Information maybe obtained by their insignia and by asking them questions. A Few questions may be:
When did you arrive at this region?
Where is your battalion or regiment?
Where are your machine guns?
Under what orders are you operating?
The questions should be designed as not to suggest an answer. After the questionings, documents and other important information may be removed from them. During the examination get all information that is of local importance first before getting information of use for the higher headquarters.
Function of Scouts in the Attack
At the command, “Scouts Out” number 2 and 3 of the squad go out to such distance in front of the squad, as the leader wants. Scouts should reach and reconnoiter all suspicious places. If necessary halt the platoon or squad to thoroughly check the places out. Scouts also have the unfortunate responsibility of basically drawing enemy fire. Specifically, Scouts must:
1) Advance aggressively, in their assigned direction always covering the front of the platoon or when in pairs their squad.
2) Maintain contact (visual) with each other, and with the platoon leader in the rear, either directly or through platoon runners who follow in the rear of scouts and keep them in view. Sometimes of the leader wants he may move up to the position of the scouts or if no runners are available one of the scouts may go back.
3) Investigate by visiting or observing suspicious localities, both in front and on the flanks of the squad/platoon.
4) Fire upon the enemy with tracer bullets and drive back hostile scouts. Continues to drive until compelled to stop by heavy fire or an enemy in force
5) When an enemy of force is encountered, seize the best possible position and wait until your squad or platoon comes on the line.
Always remain in contact with each other and the squad/platoon. Several signals may be used. “Halt”, “Forward”, “Enemy in Sight”. If the scouts feel the area should be crossed rapidly, he may use “Double Time”. You are the eyes, ears and fingers of this army C
opied from: The R.O.T.C. Manual Infantry, A text book for the Reserve Officer Training Corps. 1st Year Basic, VOL I, 19th Edition. The Telegraph Press, 1937.
Typed by: Patrick Costa
Book Supplied by: Steve Cooper
