Across the Border
Translation details
Model:mistral-medium-2604.Translated text
Section titled “Translated text”Game marked with an asterisk in the book: more suitable for older scouts.
a) Not every terrain is suitable for this exercise. It must be undulating, in places overgrown, full of hollows, bushes, clusters of trees, etc., to facilitate concealment and stealth. A border runs through its center (a road, stream, long ravine, or a row of trees, etc., or a series of planted flags), dividing the white team’s territory from the red team’s. Both sides gather at the border, then separate, each moving deep into their own section until they lose sight of each other.
The opponents now occupy observation points from which at least part of the border is visible, and from which they can survey the enemy’s territory. The number of these points and their permissible distance from the border are predetermined. These points are occupied cautiously, in a manner invisible to the enemy, and are manned by 1–2 scouts each.
Half an hour after separating, the actual exercise begins. This time is needed to set up outposts, devise a plan of action, and assign tasks. The objective for each side is to cross the border undetected into the enemy’s territory and bring back precise information about the location of their observation points. Accordingly, the leader assigns some to guard the border, ordering them to patrol it continuously, while others are tasked with sneaking across the border to gather the necessary intelligence.
Behavior upon encountering an opponent may vary. For example: a scout, upon spotting an enemy sneaking up, may allow them to approach, then suddenly leap forward at the last moment, tear the ribbon from their arm, and thus take them prisoner. Alternatively, they may allow the enemy to come within 15–20 paces, then, while hidden, shout “Halt!”; the opponent is then captured and must withdraw from the game, tying their scarf around their cap. Or, if the enemy is interfering with their work, they may call out to them from a greater distance, in which case the enemy must retreat and disappear from sight, etc. Therefore, the method of procedure should be established before the exercise according to the previously given rules of encounter (see the general section) and all scouts should be informed of it.
Anyone who has ever participated in scout exercises will easily understand how much variety, surprise, and charm this exercise contains. Ingenuity, quick exploitation of a given situation, patience in waiting for the right moment to act, personal agility, etc.—all these qualities achieve great triumphs.
And the task is not easy. First, the enemy has chosen observation points that are difficult to locate; second, one can encounter the enemy at every step; and finally, it is not enough to gather information—it must also be carried back across the border to a designated point marked by a flag. Therefore, only great vigilance, even greater self-control, extreme caution, and above all, patience can yield positive results.
After 1½–2 hours, a signal is blown, and a joint assembly is held. Then, both leaders report what their scouts have discovered and how many prisoners were taken, and the instructor awards victory to one side.
The border dividing the terrain should be long enough to prevent it from being entirely guarded by permanent sentries. If, with a short border, both sides were to do this, the entire exercise would be impossible. If the border is long, permanent sentries will likely work to the disadvantage of the party that sets them up; better results will be achieved by crossing the border.
b) A simpler variation of the previous exercise is when only one side sneaks in for reconnaissance—of course, in terrain that allows it. The whites then occupy a space of several dozen paces in length and width, which can only be observed from a short distance. Here, they position themselves in various ways: in one place, a single scout is stationed; 10 paces away, a group of 4 scouts; after a larger gap, 2 scouts; in the center, a flag is planted; elsewhere, a tripod made of sticks, etc. No one is allowed to leave their assigned position.
The reds approach from a distance of 500–1000 paces. Their task is to get as close as possible and determine which points are occupied by the enemy, what their formation is, what lies beyond it, etc. If someone is discovered and a white scout calls out to them, e.g., from a distance of 40–50 paces, that person becomes a prisoner. The gathered information is reported to the instructor standing by the flag between the two parties.
After the designated time (1–2 hours), the value of the reds’ reconnaissance and the whites’ vigilance are assessed. Taking into account the quality of the terrain—whether it was easy or difficult to approach—and the fact that the reds had the more difficult task overall, victory is awarded to one side.
The whites can also be arranged in a single line, and reconnaissance can be allowed from the front and sides, but not from the rear. The success of this exercise depends mainly on choosing the right terrain.
A few impartial observers ensure the game proceeds correctly.
c) Another variation involves the whites setting up outposts at locations designated by the instructor, with the reds having these locations marked on their maps.
The goal is for the reds to sneak between the outposts (each 300–500 meters apart) in groups of at least 2 scouts, which is made more difficult by the constant patrols circulating between the outposts.
In the rear, beyond the outposts, a flag is planted where those who manage to sneak through are to gather.
Only sentries can take prisoners (tearing off ribbons, calling out, etc.—see the general section: rules of encounter). The reds win if they reach the flag in the designated number.
Source scan: Polona / National Library of Poland, marked “Public domain”. View scan — PDF pages 174–177.
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: 168–171 / PDF 174–177
- Digital edition: Digital edition · Source record
- Open the edition at the relevant page: p. 168
- Read the source text: hwp-087