ody will deploy will thus be protected from the shrapnel of field
artillery, if the possible fire-positions of that arm are brought under
effective fire from machine guns 3,500 yards from the Position of
Deployment, with Lewis guns and rifles about 500 yards further forward.
On the other hand, especially in the case of small forces (against
which artillery will not be likely to be sent), the distance must not
be such as would permit of the Outposts being cut off, or as would
necessitate the employment of an undue proportion of men on Outpost
duty.

THE OUTPOST COMMANDER.--Before halting, a commander should first decide
on his dispositions in case of attack, and then arrange the quartering
of his command and the general position of the Outposts. In the case
of a small independent force the commander of the force will usually
himself detail the whole of the Outpost troops, and will either retain
the command in his own hand or appoint an officer to command them, In
such a case the disposition of the troops will probably be that of a
perimeter camp, preparation being made against attack from all
directions. In the case of large bodies Outpost troops will usually
consist of all arms, and a definite commander will always be appointed.
This commander will, when necessary, divide the Outpost line into
sectors, delegating responsibility for the holding of each sector to
the commander of a subordinate unit or formation, and defining the
limits {133} of sectors by distinctive features such as trees,
cottages, or streams. The tops of hills or the bottoms of valleys are
not suitable as tactical boundaries, and roads should be inclusive to
one or other sector, for a road used as a boundary may be neglected by
one of the commands it divides under the impression that it is the duty
of the other command to patrol it.

INFORMATION AND ORDERS.--The Outpost commander must have definite
information on the following points:--

I. What is known of the enemy and information concerning friendly
bodies of troops working against the enemy.

II. The intentions of the commander of the force he is protecting,
where the Main Body will rest and the period it will stay there, and
whether it is intended to engage the enemy if he advances, and if so on
what position.

III. The general line of the Outposts, the troops at disposal for the
work, and whether there are other troops on the left and right.

IV. The hour at which the Outposts are t