|
RDL Homepage |
Table of Contents |
Document Information |
Download Instructions |
OTHER OPERATIONS
1. GENERAL. Other tactical operations include retrograde (withdrawal, delay, and retirement) and special operations (linkup, stay-behind, relief in place, and passage of lines). Squads or platoons conduct these operations as part of a larger force. A retrograde operation is an organized movement to the rear or away from the enemy.
2. Withdrawal. In a withdrawal, a unit disengages from the enemy and repositions for another mission. Units withdraw either not under pressure or under pressure.
a. Methods of Disengagement. Platoons have the basic methods of disengaging from the enemy. They can thin their lines, or they can move out by either fire team or squad.
(1) Disengagement by Thinning the Lines. Squad and team leaders begin the disengagement by directing soldiers to move rearward in buddy teams. Each buddy team covers the move of the other as they move back in turn (Figure 2-56). Smoke must be used to provide concealment if the soldiers are moving across open areas.
Figure 2-56. Disengagement by Thinning the Lines.
(2) Disengagement by Fire Teams. If enemy fire is so light that thinning the lines is not needed or if after having moved back far enough, thinning the lines is no longer needed, squads can move back by fire teams. One team fires while the other one moves, alternating roles (Figure 2-57).
Figure 2-57. Disengagement by Fire Teams.
(3) Disengagement by Squads. If enemy fire is so light that maneuver by fire teams is not needed or if squads have moved back to a point where it is no longer needed to move back by fire teams or by thinning the lines, the platoon moves back by squads. The platoon leader has each squad move back in turn, covered by the fire of the others (Figure 2-58).
Figure 2-58. Disengagement by Squads.
b. Withdrawal Not Under Pressure. In this type of withdrawal, platoons normally serve as the detachment left in contact (DLIC) or as part of the DLIC. (Figure 2-59). As the DLIC, the platoon performs the following-
Figure 2-59. Withdrawal Not Under Pressure.
(1) Repositions squads and weapons to cover the company's withdrawal (Figure 2-60).
(2) Repositions a squad in each of the other platoon positions to cover the most dangerous avenue of approach into the position.
(3) Continues the normal operating patterns of the company.
Figure 2-60. Repositioning of Squads.
(4) Covers the company withdrawal by fire if the company is attacked during withdrawal.
(5) Withdraws once the company is at its next position.
c. Withdrawal Under Pressure. If it is not possible to prepare and position the security force, the platoon conducts a fighting withdrawal. The platoon disengages from the enemy by maneuvering to the rear (Figure 2-61). Soldiers, fire teams, or squads not in contact are withdrawn first so they can provide suppressive fires to allow the soldier, team, or squad in contact to withdraw.
Figure 2-61. Bounding Overwatch to the Rear.
3. Delay. In a delay, the platoon forces the enemy to slow its movement by forcing him to repeatedly deploy for the attack. Before the enemy assault, the delaying force withdraws to new positions.
a. The squads and platoons disengage from the enemy as described in a withdrawal under pressure. Once disengaged, a platoon moves directly to its next position and defends again.
b. The squads and platoons slow the advance of the enemy by shaking his morale, causing casualties and equipment losses. It can employ-
(1) Ambushes.
(2) Snipers.
(3) Obstacles.
(4) Minefields (to include phony minefields).
(5) Artillery and mortar fire.
4. Retirement. Platoons and squads retire as members of larger units using standard movement techniques. A force that is not engaged with the enemy moves to the rear in an organized manner. Retirements usually involve tactical road marches.
5. Linkup. A linkup is a meeting of friendly ground forces. Linkups depend on control, detailed planning, and stealth. Linkup procedure begins as the unit moves to the linkup point. The steps of this procedure are-
a. If using radio communications, the platoon reports its location using phase lines, checkpoints, or other control measures.
b. The first squad at the site stops and sets up a linkup rally point about 300 meters from the linkup point.
c. The first squad sends a security team to find the exact location of the linkup point.
d. The security team clears the immediate area around the linkup point. It then marks the linkup point with the coordinated recognition signal. The unit moves to a covered and concealed position and observes the linkup point and immediate area around it.
e. The next unit approaching the site repeats steps one through three. When its security team arrives at the site and spots the coordinated linkup point recognition signal, it gives the far recognition signal.
f. The first security team responds, and the second team advances to the first team's location. The teams exchange near recognition signals.
g. If entire units must link up, the second team returns to its unit's rally point and brings the unit forward to the linkup point. The first security team guides the entire second unit to the linkup rally point. Both teams are integrated into the security perimeter.
h. When more than two units (separated by time) use the same linkup point, the first unit leaves a security team at the linkup point. They repeat the linkup procedure as other units arrive.
6. Stay-Behind Operations. Stay-behind operations can be used as a part of defensive or delay missions. In the defense once the enemy's combat units have passed, his weakest point (CS and CSS units) can be attacked.
a. Types. The two types of stay-behind operations are unplanned and deliberate.
(1) Unplanned. An unplanned stay-behind operation is one in which a platoon finds itself cut off from other friendly elements for an indefinite time without specific planning or targets.
(2) Deliberate. A deliberate stay-behind operation is one in which a platoon plans to operate in an enemy-controlled area as a separate and cohesive element for a certain amount of time, or until a specified event occurs. This requires extensive planning. Squads and platoons conduct this type of stay-behind operation only as part of larger units.
b. Planning. The troop-leading procedure applies to stay-behind operations. Planners must pay strict attention to the following-
(1) Task Organization. The stay-behind unit includes only the soldiers and equipment needed for the mission. It needs only minimal logistics support and can provide its own security. It must be able to hide easily and move through restrictive terrain.
(2) Reconnaissance. This is most important in a stay-behind operation. Reporting tasks and information requirements can include suitable sites for patrol bases, OPs, caches, water sources, dismounted and mounted avenues of approach, kill zones, engagement areas, and covered and concealed approach routes.
(3) Combat Service Support. Because the stay-behind unit will not be in physical contact with its supporting unit, supplies of rations, ammunition, radio batteries, water, and medical supplies are cached. Provisions for casualty and EPW evacuation depend on the company and battalion plans.
(4) Deception Plan. Most stay-behind operations are set up covertly. The enemy must be misled during this effort to cause him to act in a manner favorable to the unit's plan of action. COMSEC is a special concern; radio transmissions must be brief and encoded.
(5) Concept of the Operation. Units usually operate in small groups in their own areas. The actual concept, however, depends on the commander's intent.
7. Relief in Place. A relief in place is an operation in which a platoon is replaced in combat by another platoon. The incoming platoon assumes responsibility for the combat mission and the assigned sector or zone of action of the outgoing platoon. Normally, platoons conduct reliefs in place as part of a larger unit.
a. Coordination. Platoon responsibility is usually limited to the detailed coordination between key personnel and their counterparts. Leaders must coordinate the following items as a minimum.
(1) Reconnaissance. Leaders must reconnoiter different routes into and out of the position; assembly areas; logistics points; primary, alternate, and supplementary positions; obstacles; immediate terrain; and when possible, patrol routes and OP locations.
(2) Plans and Tasks. The outgoing leader must provide copies of the platoon sector sketch, fire plan, range cards for all weapons, barrier plan, minefield records, counterattack plans, and plans for any other tasks that the platoon may have been tasked to perform as a part of the defense.
(3) Relief Plan. Both leaders must know which method and sequence of relief has been prescribed in the higher unit order, and how they will execute the plan. They must-
(a) Know if their platoons will execute the relief by squads or as a complete platoon(method). Platoons may also execute the relief by occupying adjacent terrain, or terrain in depth rather than by relieving soldiers in position.
(b) Know the order of relief for platoons within the company (sequence); include the relief of OPs by patrol.
(c) Coordinate the use of guides, signals, challenge and password, and passage of responsibility for the mission and control of the platoon (normally when the majority of the incoming platoon is in place).
(4) Exchange of Equipment. Leaders coordinate the exchange of tripods for crew-served weapons, phones or switchboards, and emplaced munitions (if included in the relief order). Units do not exchange radios or radar equipment (if attached).
(5) Exchange of Supplies. Leaders identify numbers and types of supplies to be left behind and their location, to include: sensors, construction materiel, wire, and any supplies that might slow down the movement of the outgoing platoon.
b. Execution. During the execution both platoon leaders should collocate at the outgoing unit's CP. The leader of the outgoing platoon remains responsible for the defense of the area until the majority of the incoming platoon is in position. If the enemy attacks during the relief, the leader who has responsibility for the position at the time is in control. The other leader assists with assets under his control as directed. Squad leaders physically walk soldiers to positions and trade them out on a one-for-one basis. They allow time for outgoing soldiers to brief their reliefs on their positions, range cards, and other pertinent information. All leaders report completion of their portion of the relief as soon as possible.
GO TO:
Table of Contents
