EN0065 Lesson 1 Practice Exercise Answer Key

LESSON 1

SELF TEST

ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK

1. Discuss the goals of effective plans for fortifications.

Fortification plans should provide the desired degree of protection, and make provisions to bring the maximum volume of effective fire on the enemy as soon as possible.

2. What units normally construct hasty shelters and emplacements?

Hasty shelters and emplacements are normally constructed by the combat units occupying the position.

3. What are the three steps in the progressive development of the fortification?

Development of fortifications can be accomplished in 3 steps:

(1) Digging in quickly
(2) Improving with available materials.
(3) Refining, using stock materials.

4. In the development of a fortification, what is the best protection against conventional weapons?

Protection against conventional weapons is best provided by constructing a thickness of earth and other materials. This is done by digging into the ground so personnel and equipment offer the smallest target possible to the line of sight of the weapon.

5. Although shell craters offer immediate cover and concealment and can be quickly made into a hasty position, they have one marked advantage. What is the disadvantage?

Craters, even if developed, are susceptible to being overrun by tracked vehicles.

6. When immediate shelter from heavy enemy fire is required and existing defilade firing positions are not available what type of emplacement is used?

The skirmisher's trench is used when immediate shelter from heavy enemy fire is required and existing defiladed firing positions are not available.

7. Icecrete, formed by mixing dirt and water, is effective as an arctic building material. What minimum thickness will resist penetration of small arms fire?

Craters, skirmisher's trenches, and prone emplacements can be developed into foxholes.

8. Craters, skirmisher's trenches, and prone emplacements can be developed into what basic defensive position?

The separation of units and individuals; dispersion is the primary means of increasing protection against nuclear weapons.

9. What is the primary means of protection against a nuclear explosion?

The desired depth of a one-man foxhole is armpit depth for the individual occupying the position.

10. For the full frontal berm overhead cover rifle position, at what angle should the firing aperture be cut?

The firing apertures are cut at 45° to the direction of the enemy.

11. What depth of soil will the overhead cover for foxholes (fabric) support?

The overhead cover for foxholes (fabric) will support 45cm (18 in.) of soil over any emplacement.

12. What are the purposes of the cushion layer and the burster layer of the heavy overhead cover?

The purposes of the cushion layer and burster layers of the heavy overhead cover are—

Cushion layer - absorb the shock of detonation or penetration.
Burster layer - cause detonation of the projective before it can penetrate into the lower protective layers.

13. Why is a minimum depth of 18" of soil cover stipulated?

A 45cm (18 in.) earth cover is effective against fragmentation (shrapnel) effects of mortars, artillery, and rockets.

14. What is the purpose of a standoff?

The purpose of a standoff in front of a protective structure is to detonate shells and thereby reduce their subsequent penetrating effect.

15. What engineer battalion is equipped to construct artillery firebases in areas where ground travel is prohibited?

The airmobile division engineer battalion is equipped to construct artillery firebases in areas where ground transport is prohibitive.

16. What are the major tasks in Phase I, II and III of firebase construction?

The major tasks in Phases I, II, and III of firebase construction are—

Phase I Secure site and clear area for helicopters.
Phase II Construct howitzer positions, bunkers, expand perimeter, fields of fire, etc. (Tactical construction)
Phase III Construct final defensive structures, infantry TOC, artillery FDC, etc.

17. What would be the effect of moisture on the resistance of soil cover to the penetration of rounds?

Increase in moisture decreases the resistance of soil to the penetration of rounds.

18. Why is a light overhead cover needed for positions in wooded areas?

In wooded areas, it is necessary to provide light overhead cover to protect personnel from the shrapnel of tree bursts.

19. What characteristic of the design of the walls of the air transportable underground assault bunker (prefab) make it easier for the bunker to be pulled from the ground for relocation?

The walls of the air transportable underground assault bunker are sloping making it easier to extract the bunker from the ground.

20. What type of walls does the plywood perimeter bunker have?

The plywood perimeter bunker has plywood revetment (soilbin) walls approximately 0.6 meters (2 ft.) thick and capped to prevent moisture from seeping into the soil fill.

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