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Part D
OFFENSE
1. Movement to Contact. Infantry units use two techniques for conducting a movement to contact search and attack or approach march. The platoon leader selects the technique based on the expected enemy situation. Search and attack is used when the enemy is dispersed, when the enemy is expected to avoid contact or quickly disengage and withdraw, or to deny him movement in an area. The approach march may be used when the enemy is expected to deploy using relatively fixed offensive or defensive formations.
a. Search and Attack Technique. The search and attack technique involves the use of multiple squads and fire teams coordinating their actions to make contact with the enemy. Platoons attempt to find the enemy, and then fix and finish him. They combine patrolling techniques with the requirement to conduct hasty or deliberate attacks once the enemy has been found. Planning considerations include-
(1) The factors of METT-T.
(2) The requirement for decentralized execution.(The platoon leader coordinates the actions of squads.)
(3) The requirement for mutual support.(The platoon leader must be able to respond to contact with his other squads not in contact.)
(4) The length of operations.(The plan may need to address continuous operations.)
(5) ROE/actions on contact.
(6) The soldier's load.(Search and attack requires stealth.)
(7) Resupply and MEDEVAC.
(8) The positioning of key leaders and personnel.
(9) The employment of key weapons.
(10) The requirement for patrol bases.
(11) The concept for entering the zone of action.
(12) The concept for linkups.(All leaders must know how they will linkup once contact is made.)
b. Approach March Technique. The concept behind the approach march is to make contact with the smallest element, allowing the commander the flexibility of maneuvering or bypassing the enemy force. As part of a larger unit using the approach march technique, platoons may act as the advance, flank, or rear guard. They may also receive on-order missions as part of the main body.
(1) Advance Guard. As the advance guard, the platoon finds the enemy and locates gaps, flanks, and weaknesses in his defense. The advance guard attempts to make contact on ground of its own choosing, to gain the advantage of surprise, and to develop the situation (either fight through or support the assault of all or part of the main body). The advance guard operates within the range of the main body's indirect fire support weapons.
(a) One rifle squad leads the advance guard.
(b) The platoon uses appropriate formations and movement techniques. (See Figure 2-33.)
Figure 2-33. Lead Element, Using Traveling Overwatch.
(c) The leader rotates the lead squad as necessary to keep soldiers fresh.
(2) Flank or Rear Guard. The entire platoon may act as the flank or rear guard for a battalion conducting a movement to contact using this technique. The platoon-
(a) Moves using the appropriate formation and movement technique. It must maintain the same momentum as the main body.
(b) Provides early warning.
(c) Destroys enemy reconnaissance units.
(d) Prevents direct fires or observation of the main body.
(3) Main Body. When moving as part of the main body, platoons may be tasked to assault, bypass, or fix an enemy force or seize, secure, or clear an assigned area. The platoon may also be detailed to provide squads as flank guards, stay-behind ambushes, rear security, or additional security to the front. These squads may come under the direct control of the company commander. Platoons and squads use appropriate formations and movement techniques, assault techniques, and ambush techniques.
2. Deliberate Attack. Platoons and squads conduct deliberate attacks as part of a larger force.
a. Planning Considerations. The leader uses the troop-leading procedure and the estimate of the situation to develop his plan (See Part A).
(1) The platoon can expect to be a base-of-fire element or an assault element. If the platoon receives the mission to conduct a supporting attack for the company or to attack a separate objective, the platoon leader should constitute a base-of-fire element and an assault element. The platoon leader's decision to employ his squads depends on the ability to achieve suppressive fires against the objective, the need for firepower in the assault, and the requirement for a reserve to retain the freedom to maneuver. If the platoon is the company main effort, the platoon leader can retain less of his platoon as a reserve. If the platoon is the supporting effort, the platoon leader may require up to a squad as a reserve. The platoon leader may employ his squads in one of the following ways-
(a) Two squads and one or both machine guns as the base-of-fire element and one squad (with the remaining machine gun) as the assault element.
(b) One squad and one or both machine guns as the base-of-fire element and two squads (with the remaining machine gun) as the assault element.
(c) One squad and one or both machine guns as the base-of-fire element, one squad as the assault element, and one squad (with the remaining machine gun) to follow and support the assault element. This method generally supports the organization in the platoon for breaching obstacles during the assault.
(2) Additionally, if the company commander's concept calls for decentralized execution, the platoon leader must consider his objective, a vulnerable flank or exploitable weakness, routes, movement and fire control measures, and formations and movement techniques. The platoon leader considers these along with the factors of METT-T and the commander's intent to develop a scheme in maneuver and a fire support plan.
b. Movement to the Objective. Platoons and squads use the appropriate formations and movement techniques to avoid contact and achieve surprise (See Part C). The platoon must remain undetected during this stage of the attack. If detected early, the platoon concentrates direct and indirect fires, establishes a base of fire, and maneuvers to regain the initiative.
(1) Movement from the assembly area to the line of departure. The platoon moves forward from the assembly area under company control. When the platoon leader is already forward with the company commander, the platoon sergeant moves the platoon forward. Machine guns and antiarmor weapons can precede the rest of the platoon by moving to an overwatch position on or near the LD. Leaders time the move from the assembly area during reconnaissance or rehearsals to ensure that the lead squad crosses the LD on time and at the right place. The platoon attempts to cross the LD without halting in an attack position. If the platoon must halt in the attack position, it deploys into the initial attack formation, posts security, and takes care of last-minute coordination. Whether or not the platoon halts in the attack position, it must deploy into the attack formation and fix bayonets before crossing the LD.
(2) Movement from the line of departure to the assault position or support position. The platoon moves using the appropriate technique. If it has its own support and assault elements, it may move them together for security, or along separate routes to their respective positions, for speed. The support element must be in place and ready before the assault element continues beyond the assault position.
(a) The platoon leader's plan must address actions on chance contact. The lead squad executes the battle drill to react to contact (See Lesson 4, Battle Drill 2). The platoon leader makes an assessment and reports. The company commander may direct the platoon to fight through, fix, and bypass the enemy, or establish a hasty defense.
(b) If the platoon encounters an obstacle that it cannot bypass, it attempts a breach (See Part K and Lesson 4, Battle Drill 8).
(c) If the company concept calls for decentralized execution, the platoon leader must consider when to initiate his supporting fires.
- Surprise. If the attack is not detected, the base-of-fire element may hold fires until the assault element approaches the assault position. This will enhance surprise. The base-of-fire element may initiate fires early to keep the enemy's attention off the assault element as it moves to a flanking or rear position.
- Suppression. The leader must consider the length of time needed to suppress the enemy position and destroy as many of his weapons and bunkers as possible before the assault.
(3) Movement from the assault position to the objective. The assault position is normally the last covered and concealed position before reaching the objective.
(a) As it passes through the assault position, the platoon deploys into its assault formation; that is, its squads and fire teams deploy to place the bulk of their firepower to the front as they assault the objective. A platoon sometimes must halt to complete its deployment and to ensure synchronization so that all squads assault at the designated time.
Platoons should avoid halting in the assault position, because it is dangerous and may cause the loss of momentum. |
(b) The assaulting squads move from the assault position and onto the objective. The platoon must be prepared to breach the enemy's protective obstacles.
(c) As the platoon moves beyond the obstacle, supporting fires should begin lifting and shifting away from the objective. Both direct and indirect fires shift to suppress areas adjacent to the objective, to destroy enemy forces retreating, or to prevent enemy reinforcement of the objective.
c. Assaulting the Objective. As the platoon or its assault element moves onto the objective, it must increase the volume and accuracy of fires. Squad leaders assign specific targets or objectives for their fire teams. Only when these discreet fires keep the enemy suppressed can the rest of the unit maneuver. As the assault element gets closer to the enemy, there is more emphasis on suppression and less on maneuver. Ultimately, all but one fire team may be suppressing to allow that one fire team to break in to the enemy position. Throughout the assault, soldiers use proper individual movement techniques, and fire teams retain their basic shallow wedge formation. The platoon does not get "on-line" to sweep across the objective.
d. Consolidation and Reorganization. Once enemy resistance on the objective has ceased, the platoon must quickly take steps to consolidate and prepare to defend against a counterattack.
(1) Consolidation Techniques. Platoons use either the clock technique or the terrain feature technique in consolidating on the objective.
All-round security is critical. The enemy might counterattack from any direction. The platoon leader must evaluate the terrain thoroughly. |
(a) Clock Technique. In using this method, the platoon leader designates either a compass direction or the direction of attack as 12 o'clock. He then uses clock positions to identify the left and right boundaries for squads. The platoon leader positions key weapons along the most likely avenue of approach based on his assessment of the terrain.(See Figure 2-34.)
Figure 2-34. Clock Technique.
(b) Terrain Feature Technique. In a similar manner, the platoon leader identifies obvious terrain features as the left and right limits for squads. In both techniques, he ensures that squad sectors of fire overlap each other and provide mutual support for adjacent units.(See Figure 2-35.)
Figure 2-35. Terrain Feature Technique.
(2) Reorganization. Once platoons have consolidated on the objective, they begin to reorganize. Platoons reorganize to continue the attack. Reorganization involves-
(a) Reestablishing command and control.
(b) Remanning key weapons, redistributing ammunition and equipment.
(c) Clearing the objective of casualties and EPWs.
(d) Assessing and reporting the platoon status of personnel, ammunition, supplies, and essential equipment.
3. Attacks During Limited Visibility. Attacks during limited visibility achieve surprise, avoid heavy losses, cause panic in a weak and disorganized enemy, exploit success and maintain momentum, and keep pressure on the enemy. Limited visibility operations are one of the main missions of infantry forces. Whenever possible, US infantry will use limited visibility to conduct attacks.
a. Planning. The planning considerations for daylight attacks are the same as for limited visibility attacks. However, limited visibility attacks require additional control measures to prevent fratricide and keep the attack focused on the objective. Leaders may use boundaries, restrictive fire lines, and limits of advance to assist in control.
b. Reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is key to successful night attacks. It should be conducted during daylight down to the lowest level possible. The platoon should reconnoiter the routes on which they will move, the positions that they will occupy, and the assigned objective. The need for detailed information about the enemy must be balanced against the risk of being detected and the loss of surprise.
(1) The reconnaissance plan should also establish surveillance on the objective in case the enemy repositions units and weapons or prepares additional obstacles. Surveillance and security forces should also secure critical locations, such as assault and support positions, LD and PLD, routes, and RPs, to protect the platoon from enemy ambushes and spoiling attacks. These security forces may become part of the isolation element during the attack.
(2) When reconnaissance does not succeed due to lack of time, the platoon leader requests a delay in the attack time to allow for further reconnaissance. If this is not possible, an illuminated and supported attack should be considered. A night attack with marginal information of the enemy's defense is risky and difficult to conduct.
c. Use of Guides. During limited visibility attacks, the platoon may use guides to provide better control while moving into the assault position and onto the probable line of deployment (PLD).
(1) The company may organize a patrol to place platoon guides from the LD to subsequent RPs, at the entrance to the assault positions and at points along the PDL.
(2) Guides must be fully briefed on the plan and on their specific duties. They must rehearse their actions, to include-
(a) Reconnaissance of their assigned routes and release points.
(b) Pick-up and release of their assigned units. They must be able to identify the leader of the element they will guide (or the lead soldier of that element). They must also know and rehearse recognition signals.
(3) Platoons must rehearse their actions in the same order of march and sequence that they intend to use during the attack in order to make the pick-up and release of guides go smoothly.
d. Fire Control Techniques. Fire control techniques for limited visibility include the following-
(1) Tracer Fire. Leaders in the assault element fire all tracers; their soldiers fire where the leader's tracers impact. The support element positions a machine gun on a tripod on the flank nearest the assault force. This weapon fires a burst of tracers every 15 seconds to indicate the near limit of the supporting fires. All other weapons in the support element keep their fires on the appropriate side of this tracer. The assault force signals to shift fires to the next position or to a set distance. If required, these rounds can be adjusted over the assault element to preclude fratricide.
(2) Luminous tape or chemical lights. Leaders mark assault personnel to prevent fratricide. The enemy must not be able to see the marking. Two techniques are to place tape on the back of the helmet or to use small infrared chemical lights (if the enemy has no NVDs). The support element must know where the lead assault element is. If the individual soldier markings do not suffice, large chemical lights (infrared or visible) are used. These lights are placed on the ground or thrown in front of the assault element. When clearing a trench line, soldiers may put chemical lights on a stick and move them with the lead element to ensure the support element shifts fires.
(3) Weapon control restrictions. To reduce the risk to the assault element, the leader may assign weapon control restrictions.
(a) The squad on the right in the assault might be given weapons free to the right flank because no friendly soldiers are there. However, weapons tight or hold on the left means that another friendly unit is located there.
(b) No automatic weapons will be fired by the assault force on the objective. This ensures that all automatic weapons are enemy.
(4) Other Techniques. To increase control during the assault, the leader may use the following-
(a) No flares, grenades, or smoke used on the objective.
(b) Only certain personnel with NVDs can engage targets on the objective.
(c) A magnetic azimuth for maintaining direction.
(d) Mortar or artillery rounds to orient attacking units.
(e) Guides.
(f) A base squad or fire team to pace and guide others.
(g) Reduced intervals between soldiers and squads.
(h) Luminous tape on armbands or helmets.
e. Mortar, Artillery, and Antiarmor Fires. Mortar, artillery, and antiarmor fires are planned as in a daylight attack. They are not fired, however, unless the platoon is detected or is ready to assault. Some weapons may fire before the attack and maintain a pattern to deceive the enemy or to help cover noise made by the platoon's movement. This is not done if it will disclose the attack.
(1) Indirect fire is hard to adjust when visibility is poor. If doubt exists as to the exact friendly locations, indirect fire is directed first at enemy positions beyond the objective and then moved onto the objective. Illuminating rounds that are fired to burn on the ground can be used to mark objectives. This helps the platoon orient on the objective but also may adversely affect NVDs.
(2) Smoke is planned to further reduce the enemy's visibility, particularly if he has NVDs. The smoke is laid close to or on enemy positions so it does not restrict friendly movement or hinder the breaching of obstacles. Employing smoke on the objective during the assault may make it hard for assaulting soldiers to find enemy fighting positions. If enough thermal sights are available, smoke on the objective may provide a decisive advantage for a well-trained platoon.
(3) Illumination is always planned for limited visibility attacks, giving the leader the option of calling for it. Battalion commanders normally control the use of illumination but may authorize the company commander to do so. If the commander decides to use illumination, illumination should not be called for until the assault is initiated or the attack is detected. It should be placed on several locations over a wide area to confuse the enemy as to the exact place of the attack. Also, it should be placed beyond the objective to help assaulting soldiers see and fire at withdrawing or counterattacking enemy soldiers.
(4) Illumination may also be required if the enemy uses illumination to disrupt the effect of the NVDs. Once used, illumination must be continuous because attacking soldiers will have temporarily lost their normal night vision. Any interruption in illumination may also reduce the effect of suppressive fire when the attackers need it most. Squad leaders must not use hand flares before the commander has decided to illuminate the objective.
(5) Thermal sights (AN/TAS-5) may be employed strictly for observation if there are no targets for the Dragons to engage. Positioned outside the objective area, these sights can provide current information. They may be used to assist the support element in controlling their fires or to provide the assault element with reports of enemy movements on the objective.
(6) When only a few NVDs are available, they must be employed at the most critical locations. These locations can be with the key soldiers in the breach element, key leaders in the assault element, other members of the assault element, and key leaders and weapons in the support element.
f. Consolidation and Reorganization. After seizing the objective, the platoon consolidates and reorganizes. Consolidation and reorganization are the same as for a daylight attack with the following exceptions-
(1) The consolidation plan should be as simple as possible. In reorganizing, the platoon should avoid changes to task organization.
(2) Squad positions should be closer to ease control and to improve mutual support. Position distances should be adjusted as visibility improves.
(3) Locating and evacuating casualties and EPWs takes longer. EPWs may have to be moved to the rear of the objective and held there until visibility improves.
g. Communication. Communication at night calls for the leader to use different methods than during daylight. For instance, arm-and-hand signals used during the day might not be visible at night. Other types of signals are used to pass information, identify locations, control formations, or begin activity. The key to tactical communications is simplicity, understanding, and practice. Signals should be an integral part of the platoon SOP. They should be as simple as possible to avoid confusion. Leaders should also ensure that every soldier understands and practices each basic signal and its alternate if the need arises. A technique to assist leaders and the RATELO with communication at night is to attach a large patch of luminous tape to the handset or carry it in their pockets. Leaders and the RATELO can write target numbers, call signs, frequencies, code words, checkpoints, and so forth on it with a black grease pencil. This is easy to read at night and quickly removed, if needed.
(1) The most common signals relate to the senses--sound, feel, and sight. Audio signals include radio, telephones, messengers, and grating or clicking of objects together. Messengers should carry written messages to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. When this is not possible, leaders ensure that the messenger understands the message by having him repeat the message word for word.
(2) Control at night involves some oral communication but spoken in a whisper. The radio and telephone might not be suitable at night. If either is used, the leader must be careful. Noise travels farther at night; including radio sounds, messages being passed, and the telephone ringing. These violate noise discipline and can be avoided or reduced by planned signals or clicks. Headphones reduce the amount of noise from telephones and radios. If headphones are not available, soldiers use the radio selector switch in the ON rather than SQUELCH ON position and adjust the volume so that only a faint rushing sound can be heard.
(3) Rocks and other objects can be used to send audible signals. They can be tapped or scraped together or against a tree or rifle stock to pass a message. These signals must be rehearsed. For each signal there must be a reply to show receipt of the signal. Other audible signals are whistles, bells, sirens, clackers or "crickets", and horns. The device or method chosen depends on simplicity and security.
(4) Leaders can use a variety of visual signals as alternatives to audio signals. The signals can be active or passive. Visual signals must be noticeable and identifiable. These signals can be used to identify a critical trail junction, to begin an attack, to mark caches, or to report that a danger area is clear. For example, white powder can be used to show direction at a confusing trail intersection. Star clusters can signal to lift or shift support fires for an attack or raid. Chemical lights can signal a unit cache. The exposed dial of a compass can signal all clear when crossing a danger area. The possibilities are endless, but the leader must ensure that each soldier understands every signal. Some signals are-
(a) VS-17 panels.
(b) Light-colored paint.
(c) Tape.
(d) Foot or talcum powder.
(e) Luminous tape.
(f) Flashlights.
(g) Illumination rounds (grenade launcher, mortar, artillery).
(h) Chemical lights.
(i) AN/PVS-5 night vision device.
(j) Luminous compass dial.
(5) Wire is a means of maintaining communications during the attack. The wire net should link the squad leaders, platoon leaders, and the company commander. At times, a security patrol can lay the wire before the attack. If not, the wire can be laid as the units move. The laying of wire before an attack could lead to discovery of the attack if the wire is not properly hidden or if it is laid too far in advance. The wire net can be used to communicate while moving.
(a) Platoon Net. Wire is laid from the platoon RP to the squad RP and to each squad leader's position on the PLD.
(b) Assault Wire. Assault wire can be used as a guide from the company RP to the platoon and squad RPs.
(c) Radios. Squad radios can be used for backup communications.
h. Target Detection. The ability to detect targets at night depends on patience, alertness, attention to detail, and practice. Nature provides an endless array of patterns. However, man disturbs them or alters them so that they are detectable. Sensing the enemy at night requires leaders and soldiers to be patient, confident, and calm.
(1) Stealthy night movement and successful target engagement depend on knowing how the enemy attacks, defends, and uses terrain. Studying his techniques and established patterns helps in detecting targets.
(2) Patience and confidence are musts for effective target sensing at night. While moving through an area, soldiers must think "patterns". They must look calmly and methodically through the area, not focusing on the surface alone but on patterns, noticing straight lines, strange patterns, and light variations.
(3) Soldiers must look for sentries or positions at the entrances to draws, overlooking bridges and obstacles and on the military crests of prominent terrain (the spots used for best observation). They look for supporting positions, keeping in mind range distances for supporting weapons, NVDs, and LOS needs. Then soldiers search for enemy positions and other signs of enemy activity.
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