ABSTRACT
In the Franco-Prussian War the Germans set the pattern for securing their rear against enemy interference by establishing communication commands, one with each army. These communication commands followed their armies in the advance and secured the lines of communication by installing station commands alongside, at intervals of about fifteen miles. The need for security commands arises where widespread enemy activities in the rear are expected or take place. There should be one commander for the entire rear of each theatre and he should be in charge of the area extending from the combat zone—security in the combat zone itself is a front-line troops’ responsibility—to the farthest point back where trouble may arise. In this way security troops can be used more flexibly than if each army group or army had its own security command, and territorial border problems are avoided. The rear area commander should be subordinate to the theatre commander.
