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Lesson 2
PLAN FOR A PASSAGE OF LINES
The task taught in this lesson consists of:
- Identifying doctrinal considerations
- Developing a passage of lines plan.
Task: Plan for a passage of lines.
Condition: Given a tactical situation, a map pertaining to the simulated tactical situation, and a battalion operation order.
Standard: The input developed for paragraphs 3 and 4 of a company OPORD to plan for the passage of lines should include coordinates of passage point, measures for combat support, combat service support, exchange of tactical plans, transfer of responsibility, traffic control, communication, and execution.
Exercise 1: IDENTIFYING DOCTRINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Application of Doctrinal Considerations
To ensure that a passage of lines plan will fulfill all requirements to enable one unit to pass through another unit's positions, specific Army doctrine has been established.
The two units, for the time one is passing through the position of the other, are extremely vulnerable. For this reason, the commanders must thoroughly coordinate troop movement, troop positions, combat support, and combat service support.
Read pages G-2 through G-7 from FM 7-10 now.
Coordination is initiated by the commander of the passing company, after he receives the order to conduct a passage of lines.
The factors which the commanders must take into consideration, besides the vulnerability of both units, include:
- Movement of troops
- Troop positions
- Combat support or fire support
- Combat service support to include the evacuation of casualties, handling prisoners of war, recovery and evacuation of vehicles, and resupply of fuel and ammunition
- No disruption of either unit's tactical mission.
Tactical and Technical Considerations
The 10 considerations which must be evaluated are:
- Control measures
- Reconnaissance
- Communications
- Guides and traffic control
- Security
- Passing company's scheme of maneuver
- Fire support
- Transfer of responsibility/actions on enemy contact
- Combat service support
- Conduct of passage.
After applying METT and evaluating the criteria above, the commanders will choose the best plan of action for their situation.
Now that you've read the extract pages of FM 7-10 and have completed the instructional material of this exercise, let's see what you've learned.
Proceed to Practical Exercise 1 and begin.
Exercise 2: DEVELOPING A PASSAGE OF LINES PLAN
Determining the Requirements of the Mission and Situation
To develop a passage of lines plan, the company commanders of the stationary and passing companies must both determine their specific requirements. Each commander must determine the requirements of the mission and the situation as they apply to him. Does the mission, for example, call for a forward or rearward passage? Or, does the mission require a delaying action, in which case, the XO takes an active role? The commanders would then coordinate troop movement, troop positions, combat support, and combat service support.
At this time review pages G-2 through G-4 of FM 7-10.
Determining Coordination Requirements
The commanders of the stationary and passing companies must perform several activities to plan and coordinate the passage. Their coordination meeting should address the following:
- What information is known about the enemy?
- When will a reconnaissance of the area be conducted?
- What scheme of maneuver will the passing company use and how can the stationary company provide support?
- How will communication information be exchanged?
- What recognition signals will be used?
- How many guides and what traffic control measures are needed to guide the passing company through the passage lane?
- What security measures will be used during the passage?
- Who will plan for the use of control measures during the passage?
- What fire support is needed?
- When will transfer of responsibility of the area forward of the stationary company take place?
- Who will provide combat service support?
Determining Reconnaissance Requirements
After the commanders of the passing and stationary companies have conducted their coordination meeting, a reconnaissance of the area is performed. This enables the stationary commander to determine the:
- Location of passage lanes
- Location of passage points to monitor movement of friendly elements and prevent enemy infiltration
- Location of any obstacles
- Location of release points
- Location of an assembly area for a rearward passage
- Disposition and actions of the stationary company
- Location of contact points where the two companies make initial contact
- Initial location for combat support and combat service support elements.
Look at Figure 2-1 below. The figure illustrates the control measures for a rearward passage. The contact point is located forward of the stationary unit. Passage point 1 is situated between two stationary platoons to permit the stationary company to monitor the passing company's movement and reduce the likelihood of friendly units firing on one another. A release point and assembly area is located to the rear of the stationary company.
Figure 2-1. Control Measures for a Rearward Passage
Now look at Figure 2-2 below. The figure illustrates the control measure for a forward passage. The contact point is located in friendly territory. Passage points are still situated between elements of the stationary company. The release point, however, is forward of the stationary company's main battle positions.
Figure 2-2. Control Measures for a Forward Passage
Developing the Plan
After the company commanders of the stationary and passing companies have held their coordination meeting and conducted a reconnaissance of the area, each commander must complete his passage of lines plan and issue orders to his subordinates so that all lower echelons understand what is expected of them.
In paragraph 3 of the OPORD the commanders should inform their subordinates of the scheme of maneuver; that a passage of lines would be conducted with another company which would be identified. Coordinating instructions relating to the passage plan would also be addressed in paragraph 3. Information about the use of control measures to include the location of guides, primary and alternate passage lanes, passage points, contact points, and release points would also be indicated.
Paragraph 4 of the OPORD would identify the company that would provide service support and the company that would receive the support. Paragraph 4 would also indicate how the evacuation of casualties, prisoners of war, recovery and evacuation of vehicles, and resupply of fuel and ammunition would be handled.
Now that you've read the extract material and have completed the instructional material for this exercise, let's see what you've learned.
Proceed to Practical Exercise 2 and begin.
