IN0754 EDITION C LESSON 2 COORDINATE AND CONDUCT THE INFANTRY COMPANY DEFENSE

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Lesson 2

COORDINATE AND CONDUCT THE INFANTRY COMPANY DEFENSE

OVERVIEW

Lesson Description:

In this lesson you will learn to coordinate and conduct the infantry company defense.

Terminal Learning Objective:

Action:	Identify and be familiar with the capabilities of combat engineer elements, plan and coordinate for passage of lines, develop a company patrolling plan, and conduct the defense.
Condition:	Given the subcourse material contained in this lesson.
Standard:	The student will demonstrate his comprehension and knowledge by identifying and being familiar with the capabilities of combat engineer elements, plan and coordinate for passage of lines, develop a company patrolling plan and conduct the defense.
References:	The material in this lesson was derived from the following publications: FM 71-1. FM 5-100. FM 7-10.

PART A - FAMILIARIZE WITH THE CAPABILITIES OF COMBAT ENGINEER ELEMENTS

1. General.

Defenders have significant advantages over the attacker. They know the terrain better, they reinforce it with mines and obstacles, and they can operate from protected positions. The attacker must maneuver through such terrain on which he is vulnerable. As time goes on, defenders normally become stronger, the attacker weakens.

Only through offensive action can a force compel an enemy to do its will. The single advantage of the attacker is the initiative. The attacker chooses the time and place for battle and concentrates combat power there.

Since the offense is the decisive form of combat, US Army doctrine calls for assuming the offensive as soon as possible. This doctrine has important implications for defending US forces. The defenders must take the initiative from the attacking enemy. Offensive counterattacks, executed quickly, are integral to the defense.

Combat engineers are vital to successful defenses. Engineer support at all levels may make the difference between success and failure. Engineer personnel, equipment, organizations, and materials stop the enemy advance, provide protection against enemy fires, and enable counterattacking forces to maneuver. These three engineer mission areas-countermobility, survivability, and mobility-are always important in combined arms operations. They are particularly vital in defenses where the enemy has the initiative and perhaps superior combat power.

In addition, engineers provide general engineering support to sustain forward combat. They also provide topographic engineering assistance and fight as infantry.

2. Mobility Support.

Mobility operations in the defense preserve the freedom to maneuver and sustain the forces logistically. Maneuver commanders must be able to engage the enemy and move to other battle positions. Reserve forces and fire support units must have adequate routes in and out of battle positions. Main supply routes (MSRs) must remain open to sustain the defense and support the counterattack. Engineers preserve mobility by:

- Maintaining and constructing combat routes.

- Bypassing or breaching mines and obstacles.

- Supporting friendly counterattacks.

Maintaining and Construction Combat Routes. Engineers must be involved early in defensive planning. The engineers estimate must identify and include all covered and concealed routes that can facilitate the movement of friendly forces. If possible, commanders and their supporting engineers should conduct an on-the-ground reconnaissance.

The emphasis will be on upgrading or maintaining roads rather than constructing new ones. Major road construction projects can reduce the combat support available for other functions. The engineer effort required elsewhere on the battlefield will determine how much can be allocated to routes. When possible, new combat roads and trails must be constructed so that they require the least work.

Combat engineers will normally be equipped with combat engineer vehicles, armor vehicle launched bridge (AVLBs), dozers, and armored combat earthmovers to open combat roads and trails. Enemy activity may preclude elaborate and detailed construction. Engineers should preposition repair materials and bridging as far forward as the tactical situation allows. Engineers should do only combat-essential work for the passage of maneuver forces and logistical support units.

Breaching Minefields and Obstacles. Enemy artillery, sabotage, or air strikes on bridges, roads, and urban areas may create obstacles. He will deliver interdiction mines using a variety of systems. All units should be able to breach them. If doing so exceeds unit capabilities, engineers must perform the breach. As boundaries and situations change, engineers will have to open closed routes.

Supporting Friendly Counterattack. Although not usually placed in reserve, engineer forces should be committed to the reserve force task organization as necessary to prepare for and conduct counterattacks. To support counterattacks, engineers must be employed well forward in troop formations. They must be organized and equipped to bypass or breach minefields and obstacles rapidly and to cross gaps while under fire.

Once started, friendly counterattacks must maintain momentum and violence. To that end, the engineers must be prepared to execute the required mobility tasks.

3. Countermobility Support.

Countermobility operations reduce the enemy's ability to mass and to maneuver and increase his vulnerability to friendly fire. To support the defense, engineers reinforce terrain by constructing obstacles and installing minefields. Engineers work closely with maneuver commanders and staffs, insuring the maximum effectiveness of mines and obstacles. In addition to the terrain and tactical situation, engineers plan carefully for logistic support, time, and manpower.

Countermobility operations make the best use of existing terrain. Terrain, when supplemented and integrated with obstacles, mines, fires, and maneuver becomes a combat multiplier for the defenders.

Obstacles. Existing and reinforcing obstacles are used by maneuver commanders to reinforce terrain. Existing obstacles are natural and man-made features such as swamps and marches, waterways, lakes and tidal estuaries, forests, mountains, ditches, urban areas, cuts and fills, escarpments, and snow. Defenses rely on them. Improving them rather than constructing new ones can save time, labor, and materials. Engineers make these obstacles more efficient, turning them into combat multipliers. Engineers must identify and integrate them into the obstacle plan. Reinforcing obstacles are constructed to reinforce and tie together existing obstacles. They are grouped by design-constructed, demolition, and expedient. The various types are listed below.

Types.

Constructed. Construction obstacles-anti-vehicular and antipersonnel-include a wide variety from log cribs to concrete tumble blocks and steel H-beams.

Antivehicle obstacles include antitank ditches, log obstacles, and concrete and steel obstacles. Constructing antitank ditches requires earthmovers and demolitions. Properly dug, these ditches are very effective against all vehicles. When tied to the existing terrain, ditches force the enemy to use gap-crossing assets. Several ditches in depth can deter this ability early in the battle. Steel and concrete obstacles-tetrahedrons, hedgehogs, falling blocks, and log obstacles-also serve well as antitank obstacles. For concealment and surprise, tank obstacles are sited to take advantage of trees, brush, or ground folds. Flooding and mining these obstacles improve their effectiveness. They must be integrated with the terrain to make bypassing difficult.

Antipersonnel obstacles are usually wire entanglements. They are designed primarily to impede foot troops. They effectively separate foot soldiers from fighting vehicles, and they protect friendly forces from dismounted infantry. They have some effect on tracked and wheeled vehicles when construction and sited well. Wire obstacles strengthen strongpoints, battle positions, and antivehicle obstacles. They are most effective when:

- Visible to friendly observation and protected by fire, antipersonnel mines, trip flares, and warning devices.

- Concealed from enemy observation.

- Erected in irregular traces of bands or zones.

- Coordinated with other elements of the defense.

Demolition. These obstacles are created with conventional or nuclear explosives. They may be completely or partially destroyed structures, or earth and rock. Road craters, blown bridges, and rubble are examples. Antitank ditches may also be created by explosives. Demolition obstacles are categorized as reserve or preliminary. Reserve demolition obstacles are those most critical to the mission and are designated by a senior commander. They are prepared and blown only on order of the authorizing commander.

Reserve demolitions are critical to the tactical plan and are usually located on avenues of approach, counterattack routes, or routes of withdrawal. Combat orders designate such demolitions for execution according to special instructions known as demolition orders.

A written demolition order must be prepared for each reserve demolition target. It will specify the authority for blowing the target and designate a demolition guard and a demolition firing party. The importance of the target and the enemy situation will determine the size of the demolition guard. The demolition guard protects the target prior to execution. The firing party detonates the demolition. The demolition guard or part of it may be the firing party. A target folder providing technical demolition information must be prepared.

Communication between the authorizing commander and the demolition guard is critical. Code words for firing the demolition or directing a change in its status are normally passed by radio.

Preliminary demolition obstacles are prepared and blown either immediately or shortly after preparation in concert with the tactical plan. The majority of demolition obstacles will be preliminary targets. Demolitions will be placed; and the target will be blown immediately or shortly after preparation. The targets will not normally require guards or formal written instruction for execution. To prevent impeding the movement and maneuver of friendly forces, their preparation and execution can and should be phased with the tactical plan. Engineers may detonate the prepared target or turn it over to maneuver forces to detonate at their discretion. Preparing targets and turning them over to local tactical units for execution, as required by the battle, is extremely critical. Close coordination, thorough training, and firm command and control are required.

Expedient. Imagination and ingenuity can create expedient obstacles from existing resource on the battlefield. Rubbling of building, large rocks bulldozed onto roads, and flooding are examples. The major advantage is lessening of the logistical burden.

Employment.

Selection and Placement. By selecting and placing obstacles suitably, the defender increase the effectiveness of his obstacle plan and lessens the total emplacement effort. Obstacles must reinforce other obstacles and be integrated with the existing terrain. They must be placed to make bypassing difficult, to divert the enemy, or to increase the effectiveness of defensive fires.

Obstacles employed in depth are essential to stop the attacker's breaching capabilities. Building obstacles, one behind the other, requires the enemy to deploy and regroup continually. The enemy looses strength and momentum when under friendly fires. The assault effort is slowed and divided. The priority of obstacle use is in the sector of the expected main attack.

Obstacles should increase the effect of weapons. Thus, obstacle plans should be developed concurrently with the scheme of maneuver and the fire support plan to increase the effects of direct and indirect fire. The resulting obstacles stop, slow, or divert enemy attackers in selected areas so that maximum combat power can be massed on enemy concentrations.

Concealment. Camouflage and concealment can ensure surprise. Lacking prior knowledge of the existence of an obstacle, the enemy must reduce it without planning. The defender can use the confusion of the enemy caught without the required men, material, or equipment for breaching.

Properly located obstacles can be inconspicuous. Obstacles can be located in ground folds, around blind curves in roads, or beyond the crests of hills. Yet, large obstacle systems cannot be concealed by siting along. To camouflage obstacles from aerial observation, regular geometric patterns are avoided.

Gaps and Lanes. Gaps and lanes are areas intentionally left unmined or without obstacles. Plans must provide concealed lanes and gaps in the battlefield obstacle systems. Lanes allow covering forces, patrols, counterattacking forces, and friendly troops on other missions to move through the system without difficulty. Plans must ensure that all lanes and gaps can be closed quickly when enemy action is expected. Lanes and gaps must be covered by fire so that the enemy cannot rush through them before they can be closed.

Fire Support Integration. Obstacles increase the effectiveness of fire. Obstacles slow or halt the enemy, thereby increasing his vulnerability to fire. Considering terrain and the effective ranges of available fire support weapons, the tactical commander, engineer, and fire support coordinator site weapons and obstacles to the best advantage. The engineer provides the fire support coordinator with the obstacle plan upon its completion. Observing and adjusting fire are essential to gaining the full advantage of obstacle use.

Mines. Mines warfare is changing rapidly. In the past, mines were emplaced by hand and activated primarily by pressure. Employing minefields required labor, time, and extensive materiels. Commander's options are limited. Once emplaced, minefields remained until activated or removed. They had to be installed early, in anticipation of enemy movement. When emplaced, they became obstacles to both enemy and friendly mobility.

Types. Mines and delivery systems are improving and can generally be divided into two categories - conventional and scatterable. Now mines which will self-destruct after a preselected time can be delivered rapidly and remotely by a variety of systems. They can be emplaced on, or directly in front of, an attacking enemy, and counterattacks can be conducted through the same area after the mines have self-destructed.

The variety of mines and delivery systems available requires comprehensive doctrine for their employment. Figure 2-1. lists mines by their method of delivery, self-destruct feature, and emplacement characteristics. It also identifies those mines which may or may not be placed in classical patterns. The table provides a basis by which mines can be categorized as scatterable or conventional according to their self-destruct feature. Figure 2-2 lists mines by category. It also provides characteristics of each mine.

Figure 2-1. Mine Delivery Methods.

Figure 2-2. Mine Categories.

Conventional. Conventional mines are those that do not selfdestruct. They are designed to be directly emplaced by hand or by mechanical mine planting equipment. They can be buried or surface-laid. Conventional mines can be emplaced in classical patterns or randomly if the tactical situation dictates.

Scatterable. Scatterable mines self-destruct after a set period of time. With the exception of WASPMS which is directly emplaced, scatterable mines are remotely delivered by ground systems, artillery, helicopters, and high performance aircraft.

Caution:

You should beware of the terms scatterable and FASCAM (the family of scatterable mines) when referring to specific systems and their employment. Those generic terms are applicable in only the most general sense when discussing doctrine. Whenever possible refer to the specific system and means of emplacement, and the characteristics will be clear.

Employment. Mines destroy, delay, disrupt, and channel enemy forces. They are very effective in controlling terrain inflicting casualties. Mine warfare systems are flexible. Any portion of the battlefield can be mined. Compared with the costs of other weapons systems, mines are efficient. However, if they are to be used successfully and promptly, they must be available. The transportation assets to haul them must also be available.

In mine warfare, the advantage is always with the side that emplaces the mines. Minefields detection and breaching are very inexact sciences. Detection involves many variables--the types of mines, the quality and sensitivity of detection equipment, the terrain and weather, the soil and rock conditions, and foreign objects.

Minefields breaching is restricted by three basic factors. First, minefields are normally covered by direct or indirect fires. Second, the rapid breaching methods that must be used under fire either detonate the mines with explosives or use heavy equipment to detonate or cast them aside. Both are only partially effective. Finally, soldiers fear mines that kill without warning. Thus, when operating in areas known or suspected to be mined, even well-trained and disciplined troops slow the tempo of operations. They then become more vulnerable to other weapons systems.

In a war of maneuver, mines will be used throughout the battlefield to control terrain and to secure obvious avenues of approach. They will also be delivered into rear areas to disrupt enemy formations and lines of communications.

For the foreseeable future, the most effective means of achieving countermobility is to reinforce the terrain with mines. Mines can also be employed with obstacles. Upon encountering mines, an attacker has three options. He may halt his advance, he may divert his attack around the mines, or he may deploy his breaching systems to cross the area. Each course provides an advantage to a skillful defender.

Threat forces recognize that casualties from minefields breaching may be fewer if they "bull through." Many threat tanks are equipped with either mine plows or rollers. Therefore, mined areas should include antitank obstacles and should be covered by direct and observed indirect fire.

Threat forces will also use line charges in order to breach minefields rapidly. Techniques should be employed to defeat rapid breach by the enemy. Minefields should have a depth that exceeds line charges. Antitank weapons overwatching the minefields should kill the first tanks in each breached lane. Then the minefield should be rapidly reclosed by remotely delivered scatterable mines to seal the breaches.

Remotely deliver scatterable mines are a valuable element of combat power that threat forces take seriously. With the introduction of new hardware, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO's) capability for rapidly creating obstacles, using explosives and mines, is now tremendously increased. Most dangerous of all, according to Soviet tacticians, is NATO's ability to deliver mines remotely, right into the depths of the attacking forces.

Scatterable mines are placed on the ground in random patterns within a planned area. The precise location of each mine is unknown to the enemy and may impede the movement on friendly forces. The timing and extent of their emplacement, particularly in proximity to friendly forces, are two of the more difficult and critical decisions required of the maneuver commander.

Minefields can be as dangerous to friendly forces as to the enemy. Therefore, these mines must be employed with great care. The safety of friendly troops depends on four points:

- All scatterable mines in the inventory of the US Army self-destruct after set periods of time.

- Mines delivered by high performance aircraft and artillery are normally employed only in enemy controlled territory.

- All mined areas must be carefully and rapidly reported and recorded, and this information must be disseminated for the protection of friendly units.

- Minefields in friendly areas are marked.

Emplacement. Mines may be directly emplaced by hand or planter or remotely delivered by ground equipment, high performance aircraft, fire support systems, and helicopters.

Conventional mines are placed on the surface or buried in random or standard patterns. This emplacement method is time and labor intensive. Its advantage is that mines and minefields can be precisely located. Conventional mines are employed whenever time and resources permit.

Note:

For units operating in NATO, international standardization agreement requires that if a minefields is placed in a pattern, that pattern must conform to the requirement of standardization agreement (STANAG) 2036.

Ground mine equipment can plant mines on or below the surface in rows or deliver scatterable mines within well-defined areas. Both are more rapid than hand emplacement.

High-performance aircraft and fire support mine delivery systems can place scatterable mines on the ground in the target area. These systems normally deliver mines into enemy controlled territory. Each system has a probable delivery error, which varies as it is employed.

Scatterable mines may be used for hasty protective and tactical minefields or to close gaps and lanes in front of advancing enemy forces. They should be reserved for those circumstances in which rapid response is essential and enemy plans or dispositions are clearly established.

Minefields Types. Minefields are classified as protective, tactical, point, interdiction, or phony.

Protective. Protective minefields may be either hasty or deliberate. Hasty ones provide close-in security for units occupying a temporary position. These minefields use either hand- or machine-emplaced convention or ground delivered scatterable mines. Engineer support is usually not required. Deliberate ones provide security for relatively permanent installations such as supply depots or missile sites or international frontiers. They normally use conventional mines, hand emplaced by engineers.

Tactical. Tactical minefields disrupt enemy formations, reduce enemy mobility, and increase the effectiveness of friendly weapons. These minefields may be used to protect flanks and to divert or to channel an enemy advance in accordance with the tactical plan. Ground and helicopter systems delivering scatterable mines are ideally suited for this role. Conventional mines can be effectively employed when time and resources permit.

Point. Point minefields hinder enemy use of key areas and disorganize his forces. Mines may be directly emplaced or remotely delivered. These mined areas can be used to increase the effectiveness of obstacles or to block an enemy counterattack along a flank avenue of approach.

Interdiction. Interdiction minefields are placed on the enemy or in enemy rear areas to kill and to disorganize and disrupt lines of communication and command and control activities. These mines may also be emplaced beyond the forward line of troops in areas likely to be occupied by the enemy. They are normally delivered by high-performance aircraft or fire support systems.

Phony. Phoney minefields simulate fields in order to deceive the enemy or when the lack of time, personnel, or materiel prevents the employment of actual mines. They become more valuable as the enemy becomes mine conscious.

Employment. Mine operations must complement plans for defense, avoid impeding friendly mobility, and facilitate future operations. Engineers advise commanders to ensure that these objectives are met. To achieve success in mine warfare, commanders and engineers must carefully control mine employment. Commanders and staffs throughout the force must know and follow authorizations and requirements for emplacing mines and reporting, marking, recording, and coordinating minefields. Commanders and engineers must carefully control mine employment.

Detailed and integrated staff coordination is necessary to develop plans for mine warfare operations. A recommended obstacle plan supports the scheme of maneuver and plan for fire support. Minefields are incorporated into the obstacle plan as necessary.

Preplanned conventional and scatterable minefields support the obstacle plan that engineers develop for commanders. Operations officers, fire support coordinators, aviation officers, and air liaison officers assist the engineers. Preplanning locates minefields based on possible enemy actions. Preplanning also facilitates rapid emplacement, especially for mines delivered by artillery, helicopter, and high-performance aircraft.

In all cases, execution is a command decision of each responsible maneuver commander. Each must select the delivery system that best fits the tactical situation and presents the least risk to friendly troops. Employment will be coordinated with higher, lower, and adjacent units prior to execution. Minefields will be reported and recorded afterwards.

In addition to their preplanned use, scatterable mines will be employed against targets of opportunity. Authorizing commanders can control their employment by withholding or delegating authority in accordance with Figure 2-3.

Figure 2-3. Minefields Employment Authority.

Authority. The authority to emplace varies with the minefields purpose and the type of mines. The more that mine operations restrict maneuver, the higher the authority in the chain of command. In all cases, the responsible commander must ensure that the proposed field is coordinated with adjacent, lower, higher, and subordinate units. He must further ensure that it will not impede friendly maneuver and that all requirements for reporting, marking, and recording are met.

Minefields Reports. A minefields report is an oral, electronic, or written communication concerning mining activities-friendly or enemy. These reports document friendly and enemy minefields. The information is transmitted through operational channels and furnished to intelligence staff officers. Then it is processed, integrated with terrain intelligence, and disseminated through intelligence channels to affected units.

Theater commanders are responsible for maintaining records of all mined areas. This information is necessary for protecting friendly maneuver and for clearing operations. Engineers at all levels will develop and provide staff supervision for reporting and recording within their areas.

For conventional minefields, there are three mandatory reports:

- A report of intention, made as soon as it is decided to lay a minefields.

- A report of initiation, made by the laying unit when it begins installation.

- A report of completion, submitted when the minefields installation has been completed.

The emplacing unit commander subunit these reports through operational channels to the G3/S3 of the authorizing headquarters. The G3/S3 then disseminates the information by tactical intelligence. When the local situation dictates, a progress report and a report of transfer may be required. The report of transfer is a written report from one commander to another, noting the change in responsibility for a minefields. It is sent to the higher command echelon with authority over both relieved and relieving commanders. Local procedures will be followed for report format. The commander of the emplacing unit will submit the reports to higher headquarters as required by local procedures.

Commanders may require reports on the progress of the emplacements. There are four types of progress reports:

- The proposed minefields report. Initially, most minefields will be in this category.

- The minefields under construction report. Reports of minefields under construction should include the percent completed.

- The minefields ready report, submitted when the minefields is emplaced.

- The minefields executed report. A minefields is not executed until all lanes through the minefields are closed.

Accurate, timely, and uniform reporting is essential for scatterable minefields. Information about emplacement must be disseminated. Because tactical situations are fluid and fastmoving, information about mine employment must be reported and passed quickly and simply to all units that could be affected. The variety of emplacing systems and units requires a standard, central reporting system. There are three standard reports:

- The intention to lay report.

- The scatterable minefields report and record.

- The report of change.

Using the most expeditious secure means, the emplacing unit submits the scatterable minefields report and record through operations channels to the commander who authorized the minefields. It contains the following information:

- Approving authority

- Target (TGT) obstacle

- Type emplacing system

- Type mines

- Self-destruct period

- Aim point/corner points of minefields

- Size safety zone from aim point

- Unit emplacing mines/report number

- Person completing report

- Date-time group (DTG) of report

- Remarks.

This information will be plotted on operations maps and furnished to intelligence officers who integrate it and disseminate the minefields locations with other intelligence.

For preplanned mine missions, including the planned minefields on coordinated obstacle overlays serves as the intention-to-lay report. Engineers prepare these overlays. For targets of opportunity, the delegation of authority to emplace is understood as an intention-to-lay report. For example, the brigade commander may delegate the authority to employ scatterable mines in the sector to a battalion commander. It is understood that the battalion commander who intends to employ mines, need not submit an intention-to-lay report. If a scatterable minefields is changed or reseeded with additional mines, a report of change is submitted.

Minefields Marking. Point and interdiction minefields will not be marked. Other conventional minefields will be marked with standard marking fence and signs. The unit emplacing the minefields will normally be responsible for marking. Scatterable mines employed in enemy controlled territory are not marked. Those delivered in friendly controlled territory are marked as necessary to protect friendly troops. Gaps and lanes will be marked to facilitate passage by friendly troops and vehicles.

Minefields Records. Conventional minefields must be recorded on DA Form 1355 (Minefields Record) or the DA From 1355-1R (Hasty Protective Minefields Record). These records establish minefields locations. Friendly forces must be able to maneuver safely through or around the minefields or to remove them safely and expeditiously.

Commanders of emplacing units are responsible for detailed and accurate recording. Minefields records are transmitted to the authorizing headquarters (HQ) through operational channels. Engineers maintain permanent theater minefields records for the commanders (Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4. Reporting, Marking, and Recording for Conventional Minefields.

The information required for reporting scatterable minefields will be prepared in hard copy by the emplacing unit and forwarded through operations to the authorizing headquarters. The hard copy report becomes the minefields record. If the report is sent as hard copy at the outset then no further record is necessary. At all levels, the record must be specifically identified as such as receive special attention and handling. The engineer officer of the authorizing headquarters forwards the record to the senior engineer headquarters in the theater for the permanent file. Figure 2-5. summarizes reporting, marking, and recording for scatterable mines.

Figure 2-5. Reporting, Marking and Recording for Scatterable Minefields

Whether they are detected, encountered, or discovered by intelligence, enemy minefields or mining activities must be reported by the fastest reliable means. Reports are made to the next higher commander and normally go through operations channels. See Figure 2-6. for the proper format.

Figure 2-6. Report of Enemy Minefields.

The unit detecting the minefields must put up temporary warning signs. When time permits, the minefields must be marked with standard devices. The minefields must be recorded using DA Form 1355. The record should include a sketch and all information, including lanes and markings. The record will be forwarded through operations channels and disseminated with intelligence. A permanent record of the minefields will be kept on file by the theater engineer.

4. Survivability Support.

Engineer survivability operations allow friendly forces to fight even when subjected to a high volume of direct and indirect fire. Engineers construct protective positions for command and control and for critical equipment and supplies. They dig individual and crew-served weapon positions, excavate hull-defilade fighting vehicle positions, and provide cover for personnel and vehicles. The greatest survivability effort is expended in the defense.

In general, the engineer troops and equipment used in survivability work are the same ones used in other engineer operations. For example, to increase survivability, assets may have to be shifted from countermobility. Therefore, maneuver commanders must estimate the situations, carefully allocate forces, and establish clear priorities for engineer effort.

Engineers will assist them in doing so by submitting estimates, preparing staff analyses, and making recommendations. Defenders usually do not know when attacks will come. Thus, they should use all available time to improve defensive positions, whether that time is a few hours or several days.

Normally, key obstacles and minefields have first priority. Then the engineer effort may concentrate on survivability. With time, engineers continue to strengthen defensive positions by constructing strongpoints, fighting and protective positions, and using camouflage and deception.

Fighting and Protective Positions. Engineer resources and time will seldom be sufficient to do all that is required in modern, lethal highly mobile combat. Soldiers and crews must prepare their own positions to the fullest extent possible. Available engineers should work on the high priority protection needs.

First and often most important, sites must be selected. To select fighting positions, commanders must consider both maximum weapons effects and cover. Frequently, tradeoffs must be made. However, engineers can provide excellent cover and effective positions for weapons. Sites for protective positions are generally easier to select.

Individual soldiers will provide themselves with quick, basic, protective positions. Armored vehicles will find defilade positions. Some initial effort may be given to providing adequate protective position for ATGM systems and lightly armored vehicles. These positions become the initial building blocks for the defense.

The attacking enemy will target critical defensive elements. High on his list of priorities will be command and control facilities and vital logistics. In planning defenses, commanders should consider protective positions for each critical elements. Earth moving equipment can dig slot trenches or push up protective berms to reduce the effect of enemy fire significantly.

Maneuver commanders set up priorities for mobility, countermobility, and survivability. Working within these guidelines, engineers provide equipment and manpower to assist in the initial preparation and construction of improved positions. As time allows, these positions and supplementary ones will be developed.

Strongpoints. Strongpoints are heavily fortified battle positions-antitank nests which cannot be overrun quickly or bypassed easily by enemy tanks. Strongpoints are static defensive positions. They are built around an integrated series

of fighting positions, obstacles, and minefields. The enemy can reduce them only by using much time and overwhelming forces. Strongpoints are located on critical terrain features. They are usually designed to block chokepoints formed by terrain obstacles and blocking positions.

To be most effective, strongpoints must surprise the enemy. They must cause congestion and limit maneuver. Strongpoint forces may be extricated after their missions and before enemy follow-on forces arrive. In active nuclear environments, strongpoints must be well camouflaged and protected before the enemy arrives.

Establishing strongpoints is a major engineer mission. Doing so requires detailed coordination between the engineers and the maneuver units designated to occupy them. Because of the magnitude of the task, corps combat engineer units may support major strongpoint construction.

Camouflage. Camouflage is an individual and unit responsibility. Engineers may support camouflage operations when the tactical units need assistance. Terrain analysis teams can provide information on cover and concealment for the area of operations. During defensive engineer operations, camouflage of individuals, equipment, and work sites must be accomplished. Proper siting and camouflage are the best means of keeping protective positions from being detected.

The best way to evaluate prepared positions, if time and the enemy situation will allow, is to view them from the enemy's vantage point. Positions should blend into the surrounding terrain pattern. They should be hidden in buildings or in the wood line, for example, in order to foil sensors. Existing trails or roads should be used and vehicle tracks erased when leaving the road. Moving cross-country, tactical vehicles leave tracks that betray positions.

Camouflage nets, screens, or natural material can improve survivability. Natural camouflage or existing foliage must be properly maintained. Light and noise discipline, especially at night, must be practiced and enforced.

Deception. Deception misleads the enemy by manipulating, distorting, or falsifying information in order to cause him to react against his own interests. Units can simulate defensive position to deceive the enemy about the true locations of friendly forces and their dispositions. Deception facilities tactical surprise.

Deception methods are many and varied. At the tactical level, simple phony minefields or weapons positions may cause the enemy to slow or react. This may provide a valuable tactical opportunity for the defenders. A higher levels, deceptions could include larger and complex facilities such as dummy tank farms, supply depots, and marshalling areas using expedient, prefabricated, or actual hardware. Time and enemy surveillance techniques will determine the method or materials for deception operations.

Engineers normally support or participate in deception operations for major units. They do not usually conduct deception operations by themselves but with other units. Typical engineer operations could be:

- To provide assistance in camouflage and concealment.

- To provide planning assistance for dummy positions and decoys.

- To portray larger or different tactical units.

- To construction dummy positions and decoys.

5. Summary.

This completes the discussions on the capabilities of combat engineer elements. We discussed mobility, countermobility, survivability and general engineering support that is provided by combat engineer elements. We will now discuss planning and coordinating for passage of lines.

PART B - PLAN AND COORDINATE FOR PASSAGE OF LINES

1. General.

Your company will often have to pass through another friendly unit's lines in order to conduct an assigned mission. Likewise, the company may have to relieve another company in place and assume the relieved company's mission. These passages must be thoroughly coordinated and controlled.

2. Passage of Lines, Rifle Company.

A passage of lines is an operation in which one unit moves either forward or rearward through positions held by another friendly unit. During a passage of lines, both units are temporarily concentrated in a small area and are extremely vulnerable. For such passage to occur with the least disruption of either unit's tactical mission, the commanders must thoroughly coordinate troop movement, troop positions, combat support, and combat service support.

Planning. Upon receipt of an order to conduct passage of lines, the company commander of the passing company initiates his troop leading procedure. He must contact the stationary company commander and arrange for a specific time and place for coordinating the passage. If possible, the company commanders, platoon leaders, and fire support team (FIST) chiefs of the two companies should attend the coordination meeting. In some situations (in a delay, for example), commander of the passing company may have his executive officer (XO) and a quartering party conduct the coordination.

The commanders of the two companies must plan for and coordinate:

- Exchange of enemy information.

- Reconnaissance of the area.

- Passing company's scheme of maneuver.

- Exchange of communications information.

- Recognition signals to be used.

- Use of guides and traffic control.

- Security measures to be used during the passage.

- Control measures to be used during the passage.

- Fire support.

- Transfer of responsibility/actions on enemy contact.

- Combat service support.

After the coordination meeting, the commanders and platoon leaders should conduct a reconnaissance of the area, return to their units, complete their plans, and issue orders as appropriate.

Control Measures. The control measures (Figure 2-7) used during a passage of lines normally include:

Figure 2-7. Control Measures.

Contact point. The stationary company commander designates contact points where the two companies will make initial contact. This will normally be a primary and an alternate contact point. However, he may decide to use multiple contact points (one per platoon).

Passage lanes. The stationary company commander normally assigns the passing company a primary and an alternate passage lane. In some situations, he may assign the passing company multiple passage lanes (one per platoon). The passing unit(s) must move within its assigned passage lane when passing through the stationary company. The lanes should pass through unoccupied areas between element of the stationary company or to the company's flank.
Passage points. The stationary company commander designates a passage point in each passage lane to increase control. Each passing unit must pass through its assigned passage point. This allows the stationary company to monitor movements of friendly elements more closely and helps reduce the possibility of enemy infiltration.
Release points. The stationary company commander designates a release point at the end of each passage lane. At each release point, the guide from the stationary company releases control of the passing unit to its respective leader.
Assembly area (rearward passage). The stationary company commander designates an assembly area (for passing company to use) to the rear of his company. This is especially useful when there are multiple passage lanes.

Reconnaissance. After the coordination meeting, the commanders and leaders should conduct a reconnaissance of the area. They must determine:

- Passage lanes.

- Locations of the passage points.

- Locations of any obstacles.

- Locations of the release points.

- Location of the assembly area (for a rearward passage).

- Disposition and actions of the stationary company.

- Locations of contact points.

- Locations of the combat support and combat service support elements (command post, observation posts, trains, aid stations, mortars, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles, and tanks).

Communications. The commanders should exchange callsigns, frequencies, codewords, pyrotechnic signals, and challenge and passwords. They must also plan for recognition signals that will be used to help identify the two units. This is especially important during limited visibility operations.

Guides and Traffic Control. The stationary company should provide guides to link up with the passing company at the contact point(s) and guide it through the passage lane(s). The passing company commander must tell the stationary company commander how many units, personnel, and vehicles will be passing through. If multiple lanes are used, this information should be broken down by lanes. This helps the stationary commander determine the number of guides and other traffic control measures needed. The passing company should have a representative at each passage point to identify and account for the personnel and vehicles passing through each point, and to notify the passing company commander when all personnel and vehicles have passed each point.

Security. The commanders must insure that their reconnaissance and other preparation activities do not reveal their plans to the enemy. They should select cover and concealed locations for the contact points, passage points, release points, and assembly areas. The passage lanes should also provide cover and concealment. When possible, the passage should be conducted during period of limited visibility. The stationary company's security activities (patrols and observation posts) should continue to operate as normal.

Passing Company's Scheme of Maneuver. The passing company commander should explain his company's scheme of maneuver to the stationary company commander. This may help the stationary company commander determine how he can best support the passing company.

Fire Support. The company commanders must coordinate their plans for fire support. The stationary company should support the passing company with direct and indirect fire until they are masked by the passing company. The FIST chiefs of both companies should exchange target lists and, if possible, collocate during the passage.

Transfer of Responsibility/Actions of Enemy Contact. The Responsibility for the area forward of the stationary company should be transferred to an agreed upon time. Normally, in a forward passage, the commander of the passing company assumes responsibility for the area at, or prior to, the time of passage or time of attack. This allows him to control all fire and maneuver in the area. If the responsibility for the area is transferred prior to the passage, the commander of the passing company normally assumes operational control of the security elements forward of the forward edge of the battle area belonging to the company being passed through. In the rearward passage, the responsibility for the area forward of the stationary company changes from the passing company commander to the stationary company commander when the passing company passes a specific location (designated phase line) or at a specified time. Coordination and control are facilitated if the boundaries of the two units coincide. In either a forward or a rearward passage, both commanders must coordinate their plans for reacting to enemy contact during the passage.

Combat Service Support. In a forward passage, the stationary company should provide combat service support to the passing company. This normally includes evacuating casualties, handling prisoners of war, recovery and evacuation of vehicles, and resupply of fuel and ammunition. In a rearward passage, and when feasible, the passing company should provide combat service support to the stationary company.

Conduct of the Passage. At the scheduled time, the passing company approaches the contact point(s) and exchanges recognition signals with the guide(s) from the stationary company. After the necessary information is changes, the guide(s) takes the passing company through the passage lane(s) and releases it at the release point(s). As the passing company reaches its passage point(s), its representative(s) contacts the representative(s) from the stationary company and exchanges the necessary information. Even though leaders are coordinating, movement should be continuous. Both company commanders and both FIST chiefs should be collocated at a point from which they can observe critical areas, make timely decisions, and issue necessary instructions.

3. Passage of Lines, Company Team.

As stated, a passage of lines is a task in which one unit passes forward or rearward through friendly positions. Because of the temporary concentration of both units at the same locations, the units are most vulnerable when conducting a passage of lines. For a passage to occur with the minimal disruption on the unit's tactical disposition, there must be a thorough coordination of movement, troop disposition, combat support (CS), and CSS. Both the stationary unit and passing unit commanders must plan the operation. Detailed reconnaissance and coordination are critical to a quick and smooth passage. Liaison personnel should be exchanged early and commanders should co-locate is possible.

Planning. Company team commanders prepare for this operation using the troop-leading procedures. The commanders must conduct reconnaissance and coordination to confirm:

- Disposition of the stationary force.

- Location of contact points where both units will make physical contact at a predetermined time. These points are established by the commander having authority over both units or, if they are not specified, by the stationary unit commander.

- Location of passage points and passage lanes. Passage lanes must provide clear and unobstructed routes through friendly positions and should be unoccupied or on the flanks of units in position. Multiple route should be used to reduce vulnerability with alternate routes always being planned. Passage lanes should be wide enough to permit maneuver if required. Guides for the passing unit must be coordinated. The number, type, and order of vehicles passing must be provided to the stationary unit.

- Location of attack position for forward passage or assembly area for rearward passage which provides cover and concealment. The position is located so as not to interfere with the stationary unit.

- Initial location for CD and CSS and the support provided by the stationary unit.

- Supporting direct and indirect fires.

- Time and method of transfer for responsibility or control of the zone or sector. The battle handover (phase) line or line of departure/line of contact (LD/LC) is the graphic control measure normally used to depict this item.

- Traffic control items. Guides for the passing unit will be coordinated. The passing unit will provide the stationary unit with the type, number, and order of vehicles passing through each point.

- Communication signals (CEOI information, pyrotechnic signals, recognition signals).

Conduct of Passage. When conducting a passage of lines, the company team commander is responsible for coordination, and will normally designate a liaison officer, such as the XO, to perform the coordination. The following minimum information should be exchanged:

-     Designation of unit to pass.
-     Mission of passing unit and tentative battle plan.
-     Enemy situation.
-     Friendly location.
-     Fire support plan (direct and indirect),
-     Overwatching fires.
-     Fire control measures.
-     Contact and coordination points.
-     Patrol routes and OP locations.
-     Passage points and lanes.
-     Time of passage.
-     Number and types of vehicles to pass.
-     Vehicle identification.
-     Obstacle types and locations.
-     Assembly areas/attack positions.
-     CS and CSS to be provided and locations of the assets.
-     Routes and priority of routes.
-     CEOI information.
-     Long and short range recognition signals.
-     Battle handover line.
-     Contaminated areas.

After the coordination is made and the unit begins the passage, guides will pick up the passing unit at the contact point or the passage point. The guides will normally come from the infantry or from elements in the combat trains. The guides will exchange recognition signals with the passing unit. The guides will then move the passing unit through or around the stationary unit without halting. The guides leave the unit at the release point or after the unit has passed the last friendly unit. On a rearward passage, liaison personnel normally meet at the passage point to verify friendly vehicles and perform any additional coordination required.

4. Summary.

This concludes the discussion on planning and coordinating for passage of lines. We discussed tactical procedures for a rifle company and a company team. Procedures discussed including planning, control measures, communications, fire support and security. Next we will discuss developing a company patrolling plan.

PART C - DEVELOP A COMPANY PATROLLING PLAN

1. General.

A patrol is a detachment sent out by a larger unit to conduct a combat or reconnaissance operation. The operation itself is also called a patrol. The mission to conduct a patrol may be given to a fire team, squad, platoon, or company. The leader of the detachment conducting a patrol is referred to as the patrol leader.

You may be involved in patrolling in one of three ways. You may be the leader of a company-size patrol, provide small patrols from your company (as directed by battalion), or send out patrols to support your company's operations.

When preparing for a company-size patrol, you (patrol leader) are given a mission by the battalion commander. You obtain enemy information from the S2, conduct troop leading procedure, conduct necessary coordination, and develop a plan for the conduct of the operation.

When providing a small patrol for a battalion mission, you insure that the patrol is well-prepared and equipped for the mission. You assist the patrol leader with preparation, coordination, and final inspections before the patrol departs.

When you plan to use a patrol to support a company operation, you decide on its mission, organization, time(s) and place(s) for departure and return, and (possibly) routes. You also assist in planning fire support, logistical support, and communications.

2. Categories of Patrols.

The planned action at the objective determines the patrol's category. There are two categories of patrols:

A reconnaissance (area or zone) patrol collects information or confirms or disproves the accuracy of information previously gained.
A combat (ambush, raid, or security) patrol provides security and harasses, destroys, or captures enemy troops, equipment, and installations. A combat patrol also collects and reports information, whether related to its mission or not.

Regardless of the category of the patrol, there are four key principles to successful patrolling. These are:

- Detailed planning.

- Thorough reconnaissance.

- Positive control.

- All-round security.

3. Organizing for a Patrol.

You, as the patrol leader decide what elements and teams are needed for your patrol, select men or units for these elements and teams, and decide what weapons and equipment are needed. You should, however, use your unit's normal organization (squads and platoons) and chain of command (squad and platoon leaders) as much as possible to meet these needs. For example, a combat patrol may be organized like this: the company headquarters is the patrol headquarters; the 1st platoon is the assault element; the 2d platoon is the security element; and the 3d platoon and weapons platoon make up the support element.

General organization. A patrol generally consists of a patrol headquarters and the elements needed for the mission.

Patrol headquarters. The headquarters (HQ) of a company-size patrol normally consists of the same number of men as a regular company headquarters. However, regardless of a patrol's size, its leader tailors the headquarters to meet mission needs. The patrol headquarters has the same responsibilities as any other command element.

Elements.

Reconnaissance patrol. In an area reconnaissance (recon), a patrol has a reconnaissance element and a security element (Figure 2-8.).

Figure 2-8. Area Reconnaissance Patrol.

In a zone reconnaissance, a patrol has several reconnaissance elements (Figure 2-9.). Each one provides its own security.

Figure 2-9. Zone Reconnaissance Patrol.

Combat patrol. A combat patrol normally has an assault element, a security element, and a support element (Figure 2-10.). At times, the support element may be omitted by combining it with the assault element.

Figure 2-10. Combat Patrol.

Special Organization. Each element of a patrol may be further organized into the teams needed to perform various tasks.

Reconnaissance patrol elements are organized into the teams needed to perform various tasks. Reconnaissance elements may be organized into several reconnaissance teams (in an area reconnaissance (Figure 2-11) or into reconnaissance and security (R&S) teams (in a zone reconnaissance (Figure 2-11). R&S teams provide their own security while reconnoitering. Security elements are organized into the number of security teams needed to secure the objective area.

Figure 2-11. Special Organization of Reconnaissance and Combat Patrols.

Combat patrol elements are also organized into the teams needed for various tasks (assault, security, support, and special purpose) (Figure 2-11).

Two or more assault teams are organized when all of the assault element cannot be directly controlled by the assault element leader. This may be the case when the objective is to be assaulted from more than one location.

Security teams are organized as needed to secure the objective area.

Two or more support teams are organized when all of the weapons of the support element cannot be directly controlled by the support element leader. This may be the case when there are many supporting weapons or they are too far apart for direct control by the element leader.

Special purpose teams may also be organized for missions involving the use of scout dogs, demolitions, litters for wounded, and handling prisoners of war (PW).

4. Selecting Men, Weapons and Equipment.

Men. Patrol members usually come from your company, except when the controlling headquarters provides special troops, such as demolition specialists, interpreters, guides, and scout dog teams. Squad and platoon integrity should be maintained when possible. Men whose physical condition may interfere with the mission are not taken. For example, a man with a cold may endanger security by coughing; a man with foot trouble may slow the patrol. You select only the men needed for the mission.

Weapons. The weapons and ammunition selected are based on what is needed to do the job. The difficulty of carrying certain weapons, because of the bulk or weight, must be considered. The value of the weapon (in accomplishing the mission) is measured against the difficulty of carrying it.

Equipment. You select equipment that aids control, has common use, is used in the objective area, and is used enroute.

Aiding control. This may include whistles, flares, radios, flashlights, and luminous tape.

Common use. This is equipment normally carried on all patrols, or that which is common to all patrol members. It may include the uniform to be worn and individual equipment to be carried. Unit SOP prescribing routine uniform and equipment saves time in planning and preparing.

Use in the objective area. This may include such items as explosives, binoculars, ropes to bind prisoners, and flashlights.

Use enroute. Equipment to help reach and return from the objective may include maps, binoculars, flashlights, boats, stream-crossing equipment, compasses, and wire cutters.

You must also determine the amount of food and water needed for the operation. Only that needed should be carried.

5. Preparation for a Patrol.

When given an order to lead a patrol, you start your troop leading procedure. Some key steps in your preparation are discussed in the following paragraphs.

6. Issue a Warning Order.

The warning order is issued to all element leaders (Figure 2-12). Its format follows:

Figure 2-12. Warning Order Format.

Situation. This includes only the information the subordinate leaders need in order to prepare for the patrol. The complete situation is given in the operation order (OPORD).
Mission. This is a brief and clear statement of what the patrol must accomplish. It must tell who, what, when, where, and why.
General Instructions.

- Organization. This explains the general and special organizations. Men or units are assigned to either the headquarters or to one of the elements or teams.

- Uniform and equipment common to all. This includes the clothing, personal equipment, rations, and water to be carried; camouflage measures to be taken; and the means of identification the men and units are to use.

- Weapons, ammunition, and equipment. This includes the weapons, ammunition, and equipment needed for the patrol, and which elements carry them.

- Chain of command. You assign each element leader a place in the chain of command. Each element leader then sets up a chain of command within his element.

- Time schedule. You prepare a time schedule for all upcoming actions. You use the reverse planning sequence to make this schedule. The time schedule helps you and the element leaders make the best use of their time in planning and preparing for the mission (Figure 2-13).

Figure 2-13. Sample Patrol Time Schedule.

- Time, place, uniform, and equipment for receiving the OPORD. You tell your subordinate leaders when and where the order will be given, what uniform to wear, and what equipment to bring.

- Times and places for inspections and rehearsals.

Specific Instructions. Element and/or team leaders are instructed in the following:

Getting, checking, and distributing:

- weapons,

- ammunition,

- equipment,

- rations, and

- water.

Preparing their men for the patrol.

Reconnoitering, coordinating, inspecting and rehearsing. Instructions are given to special purpose teams and key men for such things as preparing explosives, checking radios, and making a map study (point and compass men).

7. Conduct Necessary Coordination.

Coordination is continuous throughout planning and preparation. You should coordinate those things you can before leaving the place where you receive the mission. The following are examples of things which you must coordinate. (You should prepare and carry a coordination checklist with you.)

NOTE:

Some items may be coordinated with more than one staff section.

S2:

- Changes in the enemy situation.

- Special equipment requirements.

S3:

- Changes in the friendly situation.

- Route selection; landing zone and/or pickup zone (LZ/PZ) selection.

- Linkup procedure.

- Transportation.

- Resupply (in conjunction with S4).

- Signal plan (callsigns, frequencies, codewords, pyrotechnics, and challenges and passwords to be used beyond the forward edge of the battle area [FEBA]).

- Departure and reentry through friendly forward units.

- Other patrols in area.

- Attachment of specialized troops (for example, a demolition team, a scout dog team, interpreters).

- Rehearsal areas:

-- Terrain similar to the objective site.

-- Security of the area.

-- Use of blanks, live ammunition, and pyrotechnics.

-- Buildings or fortifications (possibly mockups) available.

-- Time the area is available.

-- Transport to and from the area.

Fire Support Officer (FSO):

NOTE:

The fire support team (FIST) chief can do this.

- Mission and objective.

- Routes to and from the objective (including alternate routes).

- Time of departure and expected time of return.

- Fire support needed, to include targets en route to and from the objective and fire on and near the objective.

- Communications (callsigns, primary and alternate frequencies, emergency signals, and codewords).

Friendly Forward Unit. You must coordinate with the friendly forward unit through which the patrol will pass. If the time and place have not been set for this coordination, you make the necessary arrangements when you coordinate with the S3. If possible, you should coordinate directly with the company commander of the forward unit.

You give the forward unit commander:

- Identification of the patrol.

- Size of the patrol.

- Time(s) of departure and return.

- Patrol's area of operation (if it falls within the forward unit's area of operation).

Forward unit commander gives the patrol leader:

- Locations of detrucking point.

- Initial rally point, departure point, and reentry point.

- Information on terrain.

- Known or suspected enemy positions.

- Likely enemy ambush sites.

- Latest enemy activity.

- Information on friendly positions.

- Obstacle locations.

- Indirect fire planned in the area.

- Support the unit can furnish (for example, fire support, litter teams, guides, communications, reaction units).

- Signal plan, to include the signals and means of communications to be used during reentry.

- Procedure to be used by the patrol and guides during departure and reentry.

Adjacent Patrol. The patrol leader should check with other patrol leaders who will be patrolling in the same or an adjacent area and exchange the following information:

- Identification of the patrols.

- Missions.

- Planned times and points for departures and reentries.

- Routes to be used.

- Plans for fire support.

- Signals to be used.

- Any information the patrol leaders may have about the enemy.

8. Conduct Reconnaissance.

You must make a map, ground, or an aerial reconnaissance (more than one method if possible) prior to completing your plan.

Some of the things you look for are:

- routes to and from the objective area,

- danger areas,

- places along the routes that may cause difficulty in movement and/or require special equipment,

- locations for rally points,

- location for the objective rally point,

- positions for patrol elements in the objective area,

- locations for patrol bases,

- possible enemy positions, and

- LZs and PZs.

9. Complete the Plan.

After the warning order has been given, subordinate leaders prepare their men and equipment for the mission. You complete your plan. You first assign tasks to elements, teams, and key men. Then you plan other phases of the patrol.

Tasks in the Objective Area. Tasks to be accomplished in the objective area are identified and assigned to the appropriate team or element. You develop a general plan as to how these tasks will be performed. You do this to insure that these tasks are accomplished in accordance with the overall plan.

Other Tasks. Tasks are planned and assigned which will help the patrol reach the objective and return; for example, navigation, security during movement and halts, actions at danger areas, actions on enemy contact, steam crossing, and small-boat operations.

Time of Departure and Time of Return. These times are based on the time needed to:

- reach the objective. This is determined by considering the distance, terrain, expected speed of movement, friendly and enemy situations, and (if applicable) the time at or by which the mission must be accomplished.

- accomplish tasks in the objective area. This includes your reconnaissance and movement of elements and teams into position, as well as the accomplishment of the patrol's mission.

- return to a friendly area. This may be difficult to determine because casualties, prisoners, or captured equipment may slow the patrol. The use of a different return route may change the amount of time required to get back to friendly lines.

Primary and Alternate Routes. You select a primary route to and from the objective. The return route should be different from the route to the objective. You also pick an alternate route which may be used either to or from the objective. The alternate route is used if the patrol makes contact with the enemy on the primary route. It may also be used if you know or suspect that the patrol has been detected (Figure 2-14).

Figure 2-14. Primary and Alternate Routes.

You should divide your routes into legs. Each leg should start, if feasible, at a point which can be recognized on the ground. A pace count and azimuth are used between each point. When it is not possible to start and stop legs at recognizable points, a continuous pace count and azimuth should be used (Figure 2-15).

Figure 2-15. Route Divided into Legs.

Rally Points. A rally point is a place where the patrol can:

- reassemble and reorganize if dispersed during movement,

- temporarily halt to reorganize and prepare prior to actions at an objective,

- temporarily halt to prepare to depart from friendly lines, and

- temporarily halt to prepare to reenter friendly lines.

You select rally points either by a map study before the patrol or by terrain study during the patrol. Those selected before the patrol are tentative until confirmed on the ground.

You look for places that:

- are large enough for the patrol to assemble in,

- are easily recognized,

- have cover and concealment,

- are defendable for a short time, and

- are away from normal routes of troop movement.

You must select:

- an initial rally point on the friendly side of a friendly forward unit's lines,

- an objective rally point near the objective,

- en route rally points for use during movement to and from the objective,

- rally points on both the near and far sides of danger areas, and

- a reentry rally point on the enemy side of a forward unit's lines.

An initial rally point is where the patrol rallies if dispersed before departing friendly lines or before reaching the first rally point enroute. It is located within friendly lines.

An enroute rally point is where the patrol rallies if dispersed enroute to or from its objective. There may be several enroute rally points. They are located between friendly lines and an objective and are along the patrol's route.

An objective rally point (ORP) is where the patrol halts to prepare for actions at its objective. It is also where the patrol returns to after its action at the objective. It must be located near the patrol's objective (but there is no set distance between it and the objective). However, it should be far enough from the objective so that the patrol's activities in it will not be detected by the enemy. The ORP must also be far enough from the objective so that if the patrol is forced off the objective it will be able to break contact with the enemy prior to reaching the ORP.

A reentry rally point is where the patrol halts to prepare to reenter friendly lines. It is located just short of friendly lines and out of sight and sound of friendly observation posts.

Rehearsals and Inspections. These are vital to proper preparation and must be done for each patrol. This is true even when the unit is experienced in patrolling. You must determine what needs rehearsing and where it will be done. The element leaders must inspect their men, and if possible, should inspect the entire patrol.

Rations. You must decide how may rations and what type the men should carry. Only those rations needed are carried.

Weapons and Ammunition. You normally prescribe, in the warning order, the amounts and types of weapons and ammunition to be carried. If changes to the warning order are now necessary, you explain them to you element leaders.

Uniform and Equipment. You normally prescribe in the warning order, the uniform to be worn and the equipment to be carried. If changes to the warning order are now necessary, you explain these to your element leaders.

Signals. The signals to be used on the patrol must be planned and rehearsed. Signals may be needed to lift or shift supporting fire, to start an assault, to order withdrawal from the objective, and to stop and start movement of the patrol. Visual and audible signals such as arm-and-hand signals, flares, voices, whistles, radios, and infrared equipment may be used.

Communications with Higher Headquarters. The plan must include radio callsigns, primary and alternate frequencies, when and what to report, and codes.

Challenge and Password. The challenge and password from the communications-electronics operation instructions should not be used beyond the FEBA. You should devise your own challenge and password system to be used beyond the FEBA. An example of this is the odd-number system. Any odd number can be used. For example, if you specify 11 as the odd number, the challenge could be any number between 1 and 10. The password would be the number which, when added to the challenge, equals 11 (for example, challenge 8, password 3).

Chain of Command. You normally designate a chain of command for the patrol while issuing the warning order. If that chain of command changes, then you designate a new one.

Location of Leader. You must plan in advance where you will be during all phases of the patrol - during movement, at danger areas, and at the objective. You should always be where you can best control your patrol during each phase of the mission.

10. Issue Operation Order.

You issue your order using the format (Figure 2-16). You should use a sketch or terrain model to illustrate the plan.

Figure 2-16. OPORD Format.

11. Inspect, Rehearse, Supervise.

Inspection and rehearsals are conducted regardless of the unit's experience. The extent depends on the time available, the complexity of the patrol, and the experience of the unit.

Inspections must be conducted by the element leaders, and time permitting, by you. Inspections reveal the physical and mental readiness of the men. Inspections before rehearsals insure completeness and correctness of uniform and equipment. Men should be questioned to see that each one knows:

- the plan;

- what he is to do and when he is to do it;

- what others are to do; and

- challenges and passwords, signals, codes, callsigns, frequencies, and reporting times.

An inspection after the final rehearsal and just before departure helps insure that all equipment is still working, that nothing is being left behind, that previously found deficiencies are corrected, and that the unit is ready.

Rehearsals help insure that the patrol members are proficient in performing their tasks. They let you check plans, make any changes needed, and verify the suitability of equipment. It is through well-directed rehearsals that men become familiar with the things they will do when on the patrol.

If the patrol is to be conducted during periods of limited visibility, it is good to have both day and night rehearsals. Terrain like that over which the patrol will operate should be used. All actions should be rehearsed if time permits. When time is short, only the critical actions are rehearsed. Actions in the objective area are the most critical and should always be rehearsed.

A good way to rehearse is for you to first walk and/or talk the element leaders, and other key members, through each critical task. Afterward, you have the element leaders rehearse their elements on those tasks. Then, the whole patrol rehearses together. Although this is time consuming, it help insure that tasks are performed according to your plan.

Supervision is continuous by all leaders. To help soldiers during preparations, inspections rehearsals, and during the patrol, you may direct the use of the buddy system. Buddies look out for each other and see that orders are followed. Once established, buddy teams should not be split unless it is required by the situation.

12. Summary.

This concludes the discussions on developing a company patrolling plan. We covered the categories of patrols, organizing a patrol preparation for a patrol and complete the patrol plan. Next we will cover conduct of the defense of an infantry company.

PART D - CONDUCT THE DEFENSE OF AN INFANTRY COMPANY

1. General.

Before occupying a defensive position, you, as the company commander normally halt the company short of the position, establish local security, and assemble your platoon leaders for a reconnaissance of the position.

You may first, however, reconnoiter the position without your platoon leaders and then conduct another reconnaissance with them. During the reconnaissance, you look for:

- enemy avenues of approach;

- primary, alternate, and supplementary positions for platoons and weapons;

- deadspace in front of the positions; and

- locations for the company CP, OP, trains, aid station, and PW collection point.

After the reconnaissance, you and the platoon leaders return to the company and continue your preparation. Once all plans and preparations are complete, the company moves forward to occupy its position.

At a predesignated place, you release control of the platoons to the platoon leaders. The platoon leaders move their platoons forward and occupy their positions. The platoon leaders follow the priority of work established by you in preparing their defensive position.

2. Defensive Battle.

The defensive battle starts when the company sees and fires at the enemy. As the enemy advances, he is brought under an increasing volume of indirect fire initially and then direct and indirect fire. Men in OPs report information about the enemy, and the FOs call for and adjust indirect fire. When the enemy advance threatens the OPS, the soldiers are withdrawn.

All company weapons fire at appropriate targets as they come within range and in accordance with the defense plan. Leaders and FOs are alert to direct and distribute fire where it is needed and to avoid wasting ammunition.

The rate of fire increases as the enemy approaches. If tanks and infantry are attacking, fire is placed to force tanks to buttonup, and to separate foot troops from the tanks.

If attacking formations are not broken up forward of the company's position, the enemy will assault. You then call for your FPF. Machineguns that have a final protective line (FPL) fire on that FPL. Those that do not have an FPL fire along their principal direction of fire (PDF). Mortars and artillery fire their FPFs. All other weapons fire during the firing of the FPF. They fire until the assault has been halted. A prearranged signal, such as a flare, is used to stop the firing when the assault has been halted. FPF may be repeated as necessary. Since FPF expends a lot of ammunition, it should not be called for except to stop an enemy assault from closing on the position. If the enemy gets through the FPF, he is repelled by close combat. If the company is threatened from the flanks or rear, you may move platoons to fight from supplementary positions. If platoons and squads are forced from their primary positions, they move to their alternate positions.

Throughout the conduct of the defense, the platoon leaders keep you informed of their situation. You must keep the battalion commander informed of the company's situation.

If the enemy is repelled, OPs are established again and patrols may be sent forward to maintain enemy contact. Indirect fire is called on areas where the enemy is likely to regroup. The company reorganizes and prepares for another enemy attack.

To prepare for the next attack, you insure that the squad and platoon leaders accomplish the following:

Replace key men lost during the fight.
Reestablish security. If men withdrew from the OPs to their fighting positions, they return to their OPs. If some did not get back to the platoon position, leaders check their status and replace those who became casualties. As soon as feasible, the unit reverts to its security (sleep/alert) system.
Treat or evacuate casualties. Casualties are treated as far forward as practical. Those who can, return to their positions. Other are evacuated through medical channels. The dead are reported and the bodies are evacuated.
Redistribute ammunition and supplies. Squad leaders distribute remaining ammunition and supplies equally among their men. Ammunition is taken from casualties and distributed. Platoon leaders issue any stockpiled ammunition to their squads, take a quick inventory of other needs, and request resupply (to include barrier materials and medical supplies)
Relocate fighting positions and weapon positions, as necessary. During the assault, the enemy may have pinpointed some of the positions. If a platoon leader thinks certain positions are in danger, he may reposition those men and weapons which he feels are vulnerable or which do not have good observation and fields of fire. Leaders recheck sectors of fire and see that they remain covered. Positions are adjusted to maintain mutual support.
Reestablish communications. If a phone line was cut during the attack, troops on each end of the line try to find and repair the break. If they cannot, they lay new wire. If a signal, such as a green star cluster, was used to initiate fire, you should consider changing that signal because the enemy may know what it means.
Replace camouflage. Each soldier checks and, if necessary, replaces the camouflage on existing positions and camouflages new positions.
Replace obstacles, mines, and boobytraps if enemy troops are far enough away so it can be done safely. This is risky, especially if the enemy has snipers. Troops may have to wait until visibility is poor to do this. Smoke may be used to create poor visibility.
Use snipers. Before an attack is initiated and after it has been stopped, the defending unit may add to its security by using snipers. They should be allowed to move anywhere in the position. They find and hit targets such as enemy reconnaissance parties, infiltration teams, leaders, obstacle-breaching teams, weapon crews, stragglers, and (enemy) snipers.

3. Counterattack.

If the enemy penetrates the forward positions and seizes or threatens to seize key terrain, all available fire is used in an attempt to destroy or eject him. If that fails, you must decide whether to try to block further penetration with his reserve or to counterattack. Normally, you do not counterattack unless the penetrating force has been stopped and is not being reinforced. This is because of the difficulty of counterattacking a moving force or a force being reinforced. In order to counterattack, the reserve, with its available fire support, must be strong enough to destroy or eject the enemy and restore the FEBA. The company may not have a reserve that strong. When the forward positions are penetrated by any enemy force, you usually have to use your reserve to block and hold the enemy in place.

When the company does counterattack, the reserve is given priority of fire from all available fire support. The reserve, avoiding friendly positions, makes a quick, decisive assault and clears the penetrated area. Any troops from the forward platoon who stay in the penetrated area fall under the control of the reserve when it comes into the penetrated area. After the counterattack, you may either order all or part of the reserve to occupy and defend the area regained, or order it to return to a rear position and resume the reserve mission. In that case, you would probably have a forward platoon reoccupy the penetrated areas.

When you decide to commit your reserve in a counterattack, you notify the battalion commander at once.

4. Limited Visibility.

During periods of limited visibility, you must increase security measures to insure that the company is not surprised by the enemy. You can do this by:

- Increasing the number of OPs and patrols.

- Occupying supplementary positions.

- Employing tripflares.

- Employing platoon early warning systems (PEWS).

- Employing night vision devices.

- Increasing the number of soldiers on security in each position.

At night you should plan for illumination (by artillery, mortars, hand-held flares, and grenade launchers) forward of the company's position to illuminate an attacking enemy force. If the company has an open flank, your plan for illumination must, however, be coordinated with adjacent units and approved by the battalion.

You must not fire illumination or allow your soldiers to initiate direct fire too soon. The enemy may employ small patrols to probe the company's defense to find a weak point in it, or to cause soldiers to reveal their positions by initiating fire. If enemy patrols are detected, grenade launchers, Claymore mines, or indirect fire should be used to engage them. Direct fire weapons should not fire until the enemy attack. When the enemy does attack, you call for illumination and the company defends as in daylight.

This completes lesson two, you should now be familiar with the capabilities of combat engineer elements, how to plan and coordinate for passage of lines, develop a company patrolling plan, and conduct the defense of an infantry company. After reviewing all the material in this lesson, you should complete the practice exercise for lesson two. Answers and feedback for the question in the practice exercise will be provided to show you where further study is required.

Military

Practice Exercise

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