Between Outposts
Translation details
Model:mistral-medium-2604.Translated text
Section titled “Translated text”a) In the evening, three outposts, each consisting of 3–4 men, are stationed in front of the village, spaced 100–300 paces apart (the distance depends on the quality of the terrain between the outposts and the degree of darkness). The outposts are marked with lanterns, and their positions must not be changed—each has a judge stationed with it.
Five patrols, each composed of 5–10 men, must sneak through to the village between the outposts, with the rule that a patrol may not split up. A whistle blown by an outpost indicates that a sneaking patrol has been spotted. The judge verifies the matter, and if the patrol was indeed discovered within 10 paces before or after the line connecting the outposts, the judge takes it captive. (The judge does this because the outpost must not move from its position.) If no patrol is present, then for a false whistle, the sneaking patrol—provided it is within a maximum of 30 paces from the line—passes through to the village without hindrance. (The judge checks this discreetly so as not to reveal a patrol hidden nearby.) Three whistles signify that a given patrol has reached the village (flag or lantern). The task can be made more difficult by ordering the patrol to reach the lantern and then return to the starting point.
b) The same exercise can also be conducted in such a way that the outpost positions are not marked with lanterns. In this case, each patrol is allowed to send one or two scouts to reconnoiter the positions of the two neighboring outposts, after which these scouts guide the entire patrol.
c) Another variation involves stationing one patrol in a line or semicircle with intervals of several dozen paces, while a second patrol sneaks through the gaps between the sentries, with each scout doing so individually and on their own. The positions of the individual guards may be completely unknown—only their line may be known. Alternatively, their positions can be revealed to scouts, or marked with small flags (a stick with a white handkerchief), or even lanterns. In this way, the difficulty of the task is adjusted. The procedure is the same as before.
The duration of the exercise is predetermined. The exercise can also be done with a smaller number of scouts.
d) Yet another variation involves placing outposts at a somewhat greater distance from each other and allowing patrols of 2 scouts to move between the outposts. The opposing side, divided into 2 groups, is stationed on both sides of the outpost line, several hundred paces away from it. This creates sneaking in both directions, which significantly complicates the task for the patrols guarding the line. A scout has successfully sneaked through if they reach the lantern, which is placed at the starting point of both groups.
Patrols capture opponents by shouting “Halt!” from a distance of 10–15 paces, and they are allowed to chase the enemy to this distance, unless the enemy is already more than 50 (100) paces away from the outpost line.
If the outposts or patrols capture a specified number of enemies, they win.
Games involving sneaking can, of course, also be practiced during the day. Instead of lanterns, small flags are used, and the distance between outposts is increased, with terrain chosen that allows for concealment and covert movement.
Sometimes, the use of all kinds of tricks (e.g., disguises) that could facilitate moving between outposts may be permitted.
Source scan: Polona / National Library of Poland, marked “Public domain”. View scan — PDF pages 165–167.
Metadata
Section titled “Metadata”- Type: game
- Traits: Not stated in the source
- Source: Zygmunt Wyrobek, Harcerz w polu: zabawy i gry terenowe (1946)
- Printed pages: 159–161 / PDF 165–167
- Digital edition: Digital edition · Source record
- Open the edition at the relevant page: p. 159
- Read the source text: hwp-082