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organized by a formation HQ.
2. A TEWT can be used to study past, present or future tactics and problems, including
those with an administrative bearing. Examples of tactical subjects appropriate for discussion in
battalion level TEWTs are:
a. the siting, layout and composition of a platoon and company defensive position;
or
b. the grouping, deployment and movement of a leading combat team in an advance
to contact.
GROUND
3. Factors affecting the choice of ground for the TEWT are:
a. The ground must be suitable to meet the aims of the TEWT.
b. The ground must provide sufficient variety for alternative solutions and
viewpoints, be accessible, not be adversely affected by bad weather or have
limitations on its use imposed by landowners.
c. There should be an alternative aim to which the TEWT's focus can be changed in
the event that fog, cloud or mist obscures visibility.
d. The ground must provide good observation for all participants and DS.
e. Other factors include time, transport, car parks, circuits, hard standings, feeding
and the availability of covered stands in the event of bad weather.
INITIAL PLANNING
4. The officer responsible for the TEWT must check with landowners that the ground may
be used. He will then issue his warning order and work out the detailed programme by frequent
visits to the ground and consultation with officers having specialist knowledge.
5. The following timings must be considered carefully to ensure that a TEWT can be
conducted within the period allocated:
a. movement between initial rendezvous (RV) car park to first viewpoint;
b. the time required for marking and orientation of maps;
c. time for consideration of problems, examining the ground and discussing the
problems from different viewpoints. If possible, time for discussion of a problem
should be almost double the time allotted for consideration;
d. the time required for moving to subsequent stands; and
e. time for feeding, closing address if any, returning to the car park and subsequent
departure.
6. Having prepared a detailed timetable, and having arranged all outside support required
such as air photographs, communications support, military police assistance (car parks, signing)
etc, the writing of the exercise can be undertaken. The suggested form for a timetable is at Annex
C.
EXERCISE PAPERS
7. As in the case of indoor study periods on tactical problems, students will require at least
the General Idea, Opening Narrative and Problem 1. Annex B gives guidance for their content.
The heading of the narratives and problems which are issued should indicate:
a. "To be issued at Stand -- at ---- hours.
b. "Problem to be discussed at Stand -- at -- hours."
c. "Time for consideration -- minutes. Time for discussion -- minutes."
DIRECTING STAFF AND SYNDICATES
8. The selection of experienced DS is of much greater importance than the production of
immaculate exercise papers. The role of DS, the requirement for forming syndicates and the
exercise appointments are the same as for indoor study periods. See Section 2 paragraphs 12 and
17 to 20.
9. The DS will be required for the preliminary reconnaissance to discuss the problems and
suggested solutions on the ground. They will expect the organizer, in consultation with the
exercise director and experts, to have already worked out the detailed solutions. The DS should
be briefed on the use of any specialist weapons or equipment with which they are unfamiliar.
They should be given:
a. detailed exercise papers, the problems and DS solutions; and
b. mapboard notes giving a one page summary of the estimate and plan. (See Annex
D.)
10. As in the case of study periods, syndicates should be kept as small as possible, and
include a cross-section of officers of different arms to produce a more informed and balanced
solution.
11. Within a syndicate, officers can conduct a reconnaissance on the ground and produce
their plan individually, in pairs or as a group, each with a particular responsibility corresponding
to their exercise appointment.
FINAL PREPARATION
12. The organizer should then issue the exercise papers amplifying details already sent in the
warning order. For a major TEWT he should issue an index, timetable, syndicate and distribution
lists, Special Ideas, Narratives and Problem 1. It should be noted, however, that unnecessary
exercise papers are a burden on those who are asked to write them, and more important, on those
who must read them.
13. Routes to the TEWT should be signed the day before, and white tape erected as necessary
to mark car parks and stands.
CONDUCT OF THE TEWT
14. Realism. The DS is responsible for giving a realistic brief on the imaginary battlefield.
The DS should indicate which areas are under enemy observation and fire. Students will then be
expected to move and see the ground as in war, unless the director decides that movement on the
TEWT should be non-tactical to save time or avoid damage to the crops.
15. Situations can be given verbally, by radio, or by pre-recorded tapes transmitted through
loud speakers. Visual aids including flares, coloured smoke and thunderflashes can also be used
to good effect.
16. Conduct. There are a number of alternative methods by which a TEWT can be
conducted. One successful method is given below.
a. Assume that the level of the TEWT is at the lieutenant to captain, combat team
level, and that the principal phases of war to be discussed are the advance to
contact and the attack. Prior to the TEWT students should be required to make a
map study. Upon arrival at the first viewpoint, after a brief confirmatory study of
the ground, they should be asked to indicate on the ground their order of march
and the specific location of sub-units. Supplementary questions to be asked by the
DS could include the composition and location of the combat team commander's
O group and the radio communications available.
b. At the conclusion of the discussion of Problem 1, the DS can give out, verbally or
in writing, Narrative 2, which could indicate that the leading combat team is held
up by an enemy platoon in a copse. The copse must be visible to everyone.
(Thunderflashes and automatic blank fire from the copse or red smoke and a
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