h of an Advanced Guard can be given, as the
number of troops required depends almost entirely upon the tactical
situation and the country through which the protected force is passing.
It should, however, whenever possible be composed of a complete unit or
formation under its own commander, and it is found in practice that an
Advanced Guard will seldom be less than one-eighth or more than a
quarter of the whole {103} force. When a large force is advancing in
several columns on parallel roads it will be preceded by a "Strategical
Advanced Guard," which protects the front and flanks of all the
columns. The "Tactical Advanced Guard" provided by each column may
then be reduced in strength.

DISTANCE.--The distance at which it moves ahead of the force it is
covering depends upon the nature of the country through which the force
is moving, upon the strength of the Main Body, and upon the tactical
situation, but it must always be sufficient to enable the Main Body to
deploy, to get into battle formation--unmolested by the enemy's
artillery, if required to do so. It is clear, therefore, that the
larger the Main Body the greater the distance must be, as more time
will be required for deployment. The Advanced Guard of a Brigade of
infantry, with artillery, would move at a distance of 1 to 2 miles
between the Main Guard and the Main Body, with the mounted patrols of
the Vanguard 4 to 5 miles ahead of the Main Body. These mounted
patrols would discover the presence of an enemy, and with the supports
of the Vanguard would feel for his strength and ascertain his
dispositions. The Main Guard would either assist in brushing him away
or would resist, in the best available position, any attempts to attack
the Main Body while the latter formed up for battle.

IN ADVANCES.--Infantry forming part of an Advanced Guard to a force
advancing must always act with dash and resolution, but their action
must always be regulated by the one motive of complying with the
intentions of the commander of the force they are covering. Any action
contemplated by the Advanced Guard commander must therefore be
considered from the point of view of its effects upon the plans of the
commander of the main body, but if these plans are not known, the
guiding principle will be _to regulate his action solely in the
interests {104} of the force he is covering_, and by driving in the
advanced troops of the enemy he will obtain information which will
assist his s