ANSWER:
Of course there are an endless number of options as to what you as the commander could or would do, but the point here is concerning ACTION.
ACTION vs. INACTION or DECISIVENESS vs. INDECISION.
This has been a play on a large event that I broke down to a much smaller level to perfectly camouflage the real scenario that played out at DIVISION, CORPS and ARMY level on November 29, 1864. One of my faves!
You played the part of DIVISION commander: Maj. Gen. William B. Bate. He was given orders from his CORPS commander (Frank Cheatham) to advance to the support of Pat Cleburne's division and crush the enemy force confronting Cleburne.
As Cheatham went to place his next division under J. C. Brown into position, HOOD arrived at Bate's position as he was stepping off. Hood directed Bate to move to the pike and sweep toward Columbia (our hill represented this mission).
As Bate moved out and came within sight of the pike, his skirmishers actually commanding it, he got the order from his CORPS commander (Cheatham) to join Cleburne's left - as he had been heavily engaged and was forming for yet another attack.
In light of the two CONTRADICTORY orders, Bate failed miserably. He failed to act at all. Instead of closing up on Cleburne's left (as instructed by courier) or continuing to the pike and sweeping toward Columbia - Bate sat paralyzed as the day faded away.
Soon, darkness cloaked the field, and Bate's inactivity had played a crucial role in the outcome of events.
I was always taught to follow the LAST order received. You - as a commander may be unaware of recent changes on the field, and prompt action will always maintain initiative.
If Bate merely ACTED to accomplish ONE of the two orders he received, the outcome of events may have been very different.
So... the only way you failed this mission is if you failed to ACT.
DECISIVENESS and ACTION are keys to victory on any battlefield. It may not be the perfect action, but it IS action!!
Discipline is described as INSTANT and WILLING obedience to orders. There is the old saying that when your sergeant says duck - you DUCK! You don't know why your ducking, but your life may be saved. Do it and do it fast!
Forum Host
Bringing the