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This part provides techniques and procedures for offensive missions. It includes movement to contact, deliberate attack, and consolidation and reorganization on the objective.
1. Movement to Contact. Unless the platoon is in direct contact with the enemy, most offensive operations begin with a movement to contact. Its purpose is to gain or maintain contact with the enemy and to develop the situation to conduct either a hasty or deliberate attack. Movement to contact is usually characterized by a lack of detailed information about the enemy. Once contact is made, the leader determines the enemy strength; the location of flanks, gaps, weaknesses; and possible enemy intentions.
a. Conduct a Movement to Contact. Platoons and squads participate in a movement to contact as part of a company/team using movement formations and techniques explained in Lesson 3.
(1) Because the enemy situation is vague, the platoon must be prepared to act in any situation. This is accomplished by proper planning, war-gaming, using appropriate movement formations and techniques, using fire control measures, using platoon SOPs, using engagement criteria, and studying the terrain before and during movement to anticipate likely enemy locations. While moving, all leaders study the terrain and anticipate enemy contact and what actions to take (Figure 2-42).
Figure 2-42. Anticipate Enemy Contact.
(2) Because the platoon leader does not know when or where he will make contact with the enemy, he should avoid mounted movement on terrain that restricts maneuver such as draws, ravines, narrow trails, or steep slopes. The platoon leader must also consider the speed at which the commander expects him to move when selecting his route. If restrictive terrain is unavoidable, the platoon leader will consider alternative techniques to enhance security. For example, dismount a squad or fire team to conduct a movement through the restrictive area in advance of the vehicles.
(3) A line of departure, phase lines, and checkpoints are normally assigned to control the forward movement of the company or company team. The platoon leader may be required to report these graphic control measures to the commander. The platoon does not stop at a phase line unless told to do so. If necessary, the platoon leader may designate additional phase lines or checkpoints for internal platoon use to reduce the number and length of radio transmissions used to control movement.
(4) Fire control and distribution are accomplished through the use of boundaries, fire plans, pyrotechnics, and weapons-ready posture. It takes on added importance in the movement to contact because of the scarcity of information about the enemy. The weapons-ready posture must be flexible enough to respond to an unclear enemy situation, and it will vary between the bounding and overwatching elements. It is critical in BFV-equipped platoons because of the variety of weapons that can be controlled from the turret and the dangers of expending all of the on-board ammunition of a weapon within the platoon.
(a) The overwatching element should erect their TOWs and perform the self-test, and the designated vehicles prepare 25-mm HEI-T, APDS-T, and 7.62-mm coax.
(b) When restrictive terrain dominates the route, the bounding element may not have the same fields of fire as the overwatching element and may be less capable of employing TOWs. Once again, the leader designates which vehicles will prepare to fire the various weapons and types of ammunition. A mounted overwatching element is not the only technique in restrictive or slow-go terrain. The platoon leader may also decide to use a combination of a long-range overwatch (BFVs) and a dismounted squad or fire team as a short-range overwatch. In this case, soldier and vehicle locations, limits of fire, and signal control measures are all important to minimize the chances of fratricide.
(5) Without instructions the forward observer must, based on spot reports or observation, inform the platoon leader that he is ready to adjust indirect fires. This must be an automatic response. The mounted (during mounted movement, the platoon leader adjusts indirect fires) and dismounted elements must both have this capability.
(6) If there is no platoon FO, the platoon leader must still have a good indirect fire plan for his route to cover anticipated places of contact. These targets are reasoned from the platoon leader's war gaming process and incorporated into the company plan. With no FO, the platoon leader should initiate the call for fires on the command net, with the FIST leader eavesdropping. The FIST leader generates the immediate or preplanned mission. The adjustment process can be done via alternate methods.
(7) Air guards are critical in a movement to contact. If the cargo hatch is open, an air guard can be designated to watch the sides and rear; the front view is blocked by the turret. The Bradley commander in one or more of the BFVs must act as an air guard oriented to the front.
(8) Once the platoon makes contact with the enemy, it is maintained until the commander orders otherwise. The platoon leader develops the situation based on effectiveness of enemy fire, friendly casualties, size of enemy force, and freedom to maneuver. He gathers and reports critical information about the enemy and recommends a course of action. There are several options the commander and the platoon leader can execute once contact is made. The platoon could bypass the enemy with permission from the commander, conduct a hasty attack, fix the enemy so another platoon can conduct the assault, or conduct a hasty defense or establish a hasty ambush (Figure 2-43). The following are guidelines which can be used for planning and when contact is made to develop the situation.
Figure 2-43. Movement to Contact Options.
(a) Light resistance is resistance from an enemy squad-sized element or smaller that is not causing friendly casualties, and the enemy force is equipped with or without an armored vehicle, in hasty fighting position with no obstacles, and primarily hand-held antiarmor weapons.
(b) Medium resistance is resistance from an enemy squad- to platoon-sized element that is causing light friendly casualties. The enemy defense is organized around the best defensible terrain with combined arms assets integrated.
(c) Heavy resistance is resistance from an enemy platoon-sized element or larger that is causing heavy friendly casualties. The enemy is defending a strongpoint with combined arms assets.
(9) Light resistance may be bypassed IAW the OPORD or when directed by the commander. Once the platoon reacts to contact and the decision has been made to bypass, the following actions occur. (Figure 2-44)
Figure 2-44. Bypass the Enemy.
- BFVs suppress on the move.
- Infantry remains mounted.
- Platoon leader calls for and adjusts indirect fire and smoke to screen his movement past the enemy position.
- Platoon leader reports the size and the location of the enemy to the company/team commander, and the platoon continues the mission.
- One section of BFVs provides long-range overwatch from a covered position or supporting fires on the move, especially against enemy ATGM.
- The other section maneuvers to conduct the assault.
- The platoon leader calls for and adjusts indirect fire to suppress the enemy.
- Infantry remains mounted unless the enemy must be cleared from restrictive terrain, or unless forced to dismount by enemy resistance.
- The platoon conducts consolidation and reorganization.
- The platoon leader reports the status, and the platoon continues the mission.
- BFVs suppress the enemy from support-by-fire positions and maneuver against the enemy if a trafficable, covered and concealed approach is available.
- The platoon leader calls for and adjusts indirect fires to suppress the enemy and smoke to screen the movement.
- BFVs immediately suppress the enemy from a hull-down position, while the infantry dismounts. BFVs continue to suppress while the infantry moves to the objective. The BFVs keep fires in front of the infantry as they conduct the assault.
- If the BFVs can maneuver closer to the objective, the CBS search for hull-down positions to serve as dismount points and support-by-fire positions. The BFVs then continue to suppress the enemy, while the infantry moves to the objective. Supporting fires are kept in front of the infantry as they conduct the assault.
- The infantry conducts the assault using fire and movement. One squad supports by fire while one squad moves. The platoon leader and FO moves with the squad conducting the assault to control the movement and adjust or control all supporting fires.
- Once the dismount element assaults across the objective, the platoon leader calls the BFV forward to assist in securing the objective.
- The platoon conducts consolidation and reorganization.
- The leader reports to higher headquarters.
- The dismount element remounts the BFVs, and the platoon continues the mission.
(10) Once the platoon reacts to contact and the decision is made to conduct a hasty attack, the actions of the platoon are as follows:
(a) Light resistance (Figure 2-45):
Figure 2-45. Hasty Attack--Light Resistance.
(b) Medium resistance (Figure 2-46):
Figure 2-46. Hasty Attack--Medium Resistance.
(11) If a bypass or hasty attack is not possible, the platoon may be instructed to fix the enemy. Fixing the enemy involves establishing a base of fire to suppress the enemy and keep him from repositioning any part of his force for use elsewhere ( Figure 2-47). When enemy resistance is too heavy for the platoon to assault, or a hasty attack has failed, the actions of the platoon are as follows.
Figure 2-47. Fix the Enemy.
(a) BFVs suppress from long-range support-by-fire positions.
(b) Infantry dismounts to protect BFVs from ground attack or to secure a dismounted avenue of approach.
(c) The platoon leader calls for and adjusts indirect fires to suppress the enemy.
(d) The platoon prepares to lift or shift fires as other platoons conduct the assault.
(e) Depending on the company formation and order of movement, platoons must be prepared to support by fire for another platoon while it conducts the assault or conducts the assault while other platoons support by fire.
(f) If more than one platoon is involved, the commander issues instructions for fire control and distribution to the platoon leader. The platoon leader will then control the platoon fires as discussed earlier.
b. Conduct a Hasty Ambush. Ambush is effective against a moving force that is not aware of the presence of the platoon. Instead of immediately opening fire, the platoon moves into hasty firing positions oriented on an engagement area. When most of the enemy formation is in the engagement area, the enemy is attacked by massed fires.
c. Conduct a Hasty Defense. (Figure 2-48.) In some situations, a platoon conducting a movement to contact will make contact with an enemy force much larger and more powerful. If the platoon encounters a larger enemy force where the terrain gives the platoon an advantage, it should attempt to fix the enemy force. This will allow the rest of the company team to maneuver against the force. If the platoon cannot fix the enemy, the platoon may be forced to assume a hasty defense. The hasty defense option should be used only if the platoon is in danger of being overwhelmed, because the hasty defense may surrender the initiative to the enemy and means that he has fixed the platoon. Exposed infantry is vulnerable to enemy indirect fires. If the platoon receives indirect fire, it should use the protection of the BFVs but observe and fight from the BFVs. BFVs use covered and concealed positions for protection from long-range ATGM. Once the indirect fires lift, the infantry immediately dismounts, and the platoon prepares for an enemy assault. In the hasty defense, the platoon leader does the following:
Figure 2-48. Hasty Defense.
- Keeps the commander informed and continues to report on the enemy strength, dispositions, and actions.
- Dismounts infantry to secure BFVs or cover dismounted avenues of approach in preparation for the enemy's attack.
- Places BFVs in hull-down positions.
- Establishes fire control and distribution measures initially using fire patterns and engagement priorities.
- Calls for and adjusts indirect fires.
- Reports immediately to the company/team commander.
2. Attacks. Planning considerations for a deliberate and a hasty attack are the same. However, deliberate attack planning is characterized by more detailed information on the terrain and enemy. Also there is more time to coordinate organic and supporting assets, and to conduct reconnaissance. Because of the amount of time and information available for planning, a deliberate attack is normally executed at a rapid pace; whereas, in a hasty attack, information must be acted on as it is received and the attack is conducted at a more controlled pace.
a. Deliberate Attack. A deliberate attack is an attack planned and carefully coordinated using all available assets and information. Mission and course of action analysis are conducted thoroughly. The principle is to mass the greatest possible combat power against the enemy's most vulnerable point while using combat multipliers and deception. BFV platoons conduct deliberate attacks as part of a larger force.
b. Hasty Attack. A hasty attack is an offensive operation for which a platoon has not made extensive preparations. It is conducted with the resources immediately available to maintain momentum or to take advantage of the enemy situation. The attack drill is used during the hasty attack.
c. Planning Considerations. On receipt of a company attack order, the platoon leader starts the troop-leading procedure and begins an estimate of the situation. When he has completed his mission analysis, the platoon leader develops his plan (scheme of maneuver and fire support plan).
(1) Scheme of Maneuver. Depending on the situation and the support provided by the rest of the company, the platoon leader decides the required elements (assault, support, breach, security, reserve) and the organization of each.
(a) Formation. The platoon moves as part of the company formation. The company commander directs not only the platoon's formation but may also direct the movement technique. The formation assists in the command and control and ensures swift, committed movement to the objective.
(b) Command and Control. Based on the scheme of maneuver, the platoon leader selects a position within the platoon formation from which he can control the entire platoon. He selects the control measures needed for the operation and the best means to communicate with the squad and section leaders (voice commands, arm-and-hand signals, flags, whistles, radios, flares, and smoke). The platoon leader's responsibility is to control his platoon so that all available combat power is focused on the enemy and there are no errant fires that create fratricide incidents.
(2) Fire Support Plan. This plan is developed along with the scheme of maneuver, which it supports and complements. It discusses the use of all available direct and indirect fire. The goal is to kill as many enemy as possible and to suppress the rest to keep them from firing on the assaulting force. The company commander and FSO plan the indirect fires. However, the platoon leader and his FO can plan and request more targets if needed. The platoon leader plans the direct fires of his platoon.
(a) BFVs. The platoon leader can employ the BFVs to provide supporting fires for the dismounted element as they assault the objective.
(b) Rifle Squads. The platoon leader has several options as to how to employ the rifle squads. He can use both squads to assault the objective while the BFVs provide supporting fires. He can also use one squad as part of the support element to provide close support while the other squad assaults the objective. Another option is to use the squads to fire the firing port weapons and clear or secure the objective during a mounted assault (resistance is unexpectedly light).
(c) Indirect Fire. After receiving the company fire plan, the platoon leader checks it to ensure that targets are planned on all known or suspected enemy positions in front of, on, behind, and to the flanks of the objective. If more targets are required, the FO coordinates them with the FSO.
(d) Other Fire Support. Other fire support can come from Army and Air Force aircraft and air defense weapons. The company or battalion commander plans and controls this support. A platoon leader can request the support if he needs it.
3. Conduct of a Deliberate Attack. The primary concern for infantry leaders in every attack is to accomplish the mission and reduce the time that their soldiers are exposed to the effects of enemy fire. They also seek to reduce the effectiveness of any fires they are exposed to. Success will be determined by how well this is accomplished in support of a plan that properly identifies the enemy weakness and concentrates combat power against it. The attack can be considered in phases--the assembly area to the LD, the LD to the assault position, the assault position to the objective, the actions on the objective, and finally the consolidation plan.
a. Movement to the Objective Area. The platoon moves toward the objective using the formations and techniques and employing the fundamentals discussed in Part C. Platoons must avoid detection during this phase of the attack. If detected at this range, the enemy has the time and the room to employ his most lethal weapons and munitions: mortars, field artillery, CAS, and possibly chemical weapons. Once detected by the enemy, the platoon must have sufficient suppressive fires and smoke to allow it to maneuver. If detected early, the platoon may require large amounts of sustained direct and indirect fires to support its maneuver.
b. Assembly Area to the Line of Departure. When the platoon leader is already forward with the leader's reconnaissance, the platoon sergeant moves the platoon forward. The move from the assembly area is timed beforehand so the lead section crosses the LD at the time of attack without halting in the attack position. If the platoon must halt in the attack position, it uses a coil or herringbone formation, dismounts infantry for security, and takes care of last-minute coordination.
c. Line of Departure to the Assault Position. The platoon's assault element moves from the LD to the assault position. It uses cover and concealment, and if it is detected, it uses smoke and supporting fire. The support element over watches from positions that support the advance of the assault element. The support element leader (platoon sergeant) controls the method and rate of fire. He gives the command to open fire at the direction of the platoon leader. He must coordinate fires within the support element so that the platoon has continuous fire support.
(1) If the platoon is hit by indirect fire en route, it moves quickly out of the area. If the platoon meets enemy resistance short of the objective, platoons, squads, or sections initiate the attack. The platoon leader can have the FO call for and adjust indirect fire on the enemy. Depending on the place, the type of resistance, and the company plan, the platoon might be ordered to bypass enemy soldiers who cannot affect the mission. The platoon reports locations of all by passed enemy to the company commander.
(2) The platoon bypasses or breaches obstacles along the route. The platoon leader decides how to best overcome the obstacle without losing the momentum of the attack. He informs the company of obstacles that can affect follow-on platoons.
d. Assault Position to the Objective. The assault position is the last covered and concealed position before the objective. This position should be as close to the objective as possible without being detected.
(1) Ideally, the platoon's assault element occupies the assault position without the enemy detecting any of the platoon's elements. If so, the platoon can still achieve surprise. Preparations in the assault position may include preparing bangalores, other breaching equipment, or demolitions; fixing bayonets; lifting or shifting fires; or preparing smoke pots.
(2) If the platoon is detected, as the platoon nears the assault position, the FO increases the indirect fires on the objective. The support element also increases its volume of fire. The platoon occupies the assault position if there are any last-minute preparations required. If the platoon does not need to stop, it passes through the assault position and assaults the objective. A platoon sometimes must halt to complete preparation and to ensure synchronization of all friendly forces. Once the assault element moves forward of the assault position, the assault must continue. If stopped or turned back, the assault element could sustain excessive casualties.
(3) Supporting fire must continue to suppress the enemy and must be closely controlled to prevent fratricide. At times, the assault element may mark each soldier or just the team on the flank nearest the support element. The assaulting soldiers and the support element sustain a high rate of fire to suppress the enemy. The company commander shifts or lifts indirect fire when it endangers the advancing soldiers. He coordinates this with the platoons' assaults. As the fire of the platoon's support element is masked, the platoon leader shifts or lifts it or displaces the vehicles/weapons to a position where continuous fire can be maintained.
e. Actions on the Objective. If destruction of the enemy is required, it may be done either by fire or close assault. Destruction by fire is preferred, because it takes advantage of the BFV's weapons systems and their long ranges. Destruction by fire limits the exposure of dismounted personnel to the enemy's fires and allows the platoon leader to better protect and conserve his dismounted infantry. If destruction cannot be accomplished by fire, an assault of the enemy position may be required, and an immediate attempt is made to locate a part of the defenses that are either incomplete or weak.
(1) Assaulting Mounted. Assaulting mounted is only conducted against light resistance or when there are no heavy antiarmor weapons on the objective.
(a) If tanks are available, the team commander directs them to lead the assault, and BFVs support while moving. BFVs orient their turret weapons on ATGM and dismounted targets that could slow the tanks. If assaulting mounted, firing port weapons should be manned to ensure a high volume of suppressive firing during the assault. As the BFVs assault over the objective, care must be taken to ensure the bypassed enemy infantry cannot attack the tanks and BFVs with close range AT weapons.
(b) The assault should be coordinated with suppressive indirect fire, especially VT, that would not pose a threat to the tanks and BFVs. The BFV platoon should select a tentative dismount point in the event the enemy begins to place effective antitank fires on the platoon.
(2) Assaulting Dismounted. During a dismounted assault, the mounted element, under the control of the platoon sergeant, provides a base of fire to support the dismounted element's assault onto the objective. If terrain does not support the BFV providing a base of fire for the dismounted assault, the platoon leader can use the M249s in the machine gun role as a dismounted base of fire. If an assault position has been designated, the dismount element uses it to deploy. As little time as possible is spent in the assault position and the deployment into the assault formation should be made as rapidly as possible.
(a) When the rifle squads are on line, the platoon continues forward using fire and movement. The final assault is not a stand-up, on-line rush. In the assault, fire team leaders lead by example because it is hard for oral orders to be understood. "Follow me and do as I do" is the way to lead.
(b) Team leaders lead through the enemy positions. They move using individual movement techniques. Soldiers follow their leaders' examples. The assault may be by crawling or by short rushes from covered position to covered position. It must be aggressively done, because the dismount element cannot stop once it is near the enemy. As it fights its way through the objective (still using fire and movement), the dismount element must avoid exposing itself to fire from enemy forces behind or to the flanks of the objective. Soldiers must not bunch up because this makes them easier targets.
(c) Normally, the entire dismount element supported by BFVs, tanks, and ITVs moves forward to assault the enemy. When their fires are not adequate to support the assault, the platoon leader may set up his own base of fire from within the dismount element.
(d) When the dismount element begins to fire and move through the objective, actions by squad leaders are key to fire distribution. Squad leaders move near the center of their squads where their own men can see them. Most of the time, they control fire by firing their own weapon into the areas where they want their men to fire. They also can use arm-and-hand signals. At times, short, easily understood oral orders can be used, but in most cases oral orders will not be heard over battle noises.
(e) Since the squad leader is near the center of his squad, he may fire his weapon to mark the center of the squad objective. Men on his right and left fire to the sides of the point where his rounds are hitting. The team leader also can use his M203 grenade launcher to mark the center of the team objective with a smoke round. (The platoon leader can assign squads a different color.) The squad leader can use tracer ammunition or have the squad automatic weapons stay with him to mark the objective.
(f) As stated earlier, squad objectives are usually specific terrain features or specific enemy positions. The type of objective influences the kind of fire distribution the leader will want to use, either point or area fire.
- When the leader's marking fire hits a bunker, firing point, or fighting position, then the team uses point fire.
- When the marking fire hits a point that cannot be identified as an enemy position, the team uses area fire.
(g) The mounted and dismounted elements strive to get a heavy volume of accurate fire on the objective, and dismounted leaders ensure their soldiers move forward aggressively. As the noise and confusion of battle makes voice control difficult, leaders move to critical points to make sure their commands are understood and carried out. They also must see that soldiers do not fire randomly and waste ammunition.
(h) Assaulting soldiers clear the enemy positions and move over the objective far enough to fire at any withdrawing enemy. When the BFVs join the dismount element on the objective, the dismount element should be prepared to support them by:
- Suppressing remaining enemy positions as the BFVs move across the objective.
- Designating firing positions for them on the far side of the objective.
- Providing flank and rear security for them once they are in position.
(i) The squads and the BFVs quickly occupy their assigned positions for consolidation to be ready for an enemy counterattack, or to remount the fighting vehicles and resume the attack after the objective is seized.
(j) To help coordinate and control the assault of two or more platoon dismount elements, the company commander designates a base platoon. The platoon leader in turn designates a base squad. Each dismount element guides on the company's base element. Squads guide on their element's base squad.
4. 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. Consolidation is planned and rehearsed before the attack. A consolidation method is determined before crossing the LD/LC.
a. Consolidation. Platoons use either the clock technique or the terrain feature technique in consolidating on the objective.
| NOTE: | All-round security is critical. The enemy might counterattack from any direction. The platoon leader must evaluate the terrain thoroughly. |
(1) 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. BFVs receive the emphasis of emplacement. The majority of the platoon's firepower is with the BFVs. They should be oriented toward likely enemy armor counterattack routes and incorporated into the clock technique.
(2) 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 platoons. Again, BFVs receive emphasis for positioning. Adjacent platoons must be particularly aware of the BFV sectors.
b. Reorganization. Once platoons have consolidated on the objective, they begin to reorganize to continue the attack. Reorganization involves:
- Reestablishing command and control.
- Remaining key weapons, redistributing ammunition and equipment.
- Clearing the objective of casualties and EPWs.
- Assessing and reporting the platoon status of personnel, ammunition, supplies, and essential equipment. In general, the platoon goes through reconstitution.
- Performing after-operation PMCS on BFVs.
- Preparing for follow-on missions.
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