• The intent of the operation-what must be done.

• Task organization.

• Conduct of the operation-when, where, and how.

• Measures to be used to cover gaps and flanks.

• Control measures.

• The main effort-who.

The division assigns sectors to its maneuver elements along with phase lines or delay positions for control. During the execution of the delay, all or part of the delaying force elements maintains constant contact and pressure with the enemy. The contact and pressure could alternate between several units as the division continues its delaying tactics away from the enemy. (See Figure 6-1.)

In a delay, the division normally retains a small, mobile

Committed brigades also retain small reserves in a delay. These reserves are used on the same types of missions as the division reserve. The division commander may require subordinate commanders to obtain his permission before committing their reserves.

A delay is more difficult to execute if the initiative is left entirely to the enemy. The division commander seizes the initiative through counterattacks and limited spoiling attacks. When the retention of specified areas is required or when space is limited or time requirements are long, the division may actually defend in parts of the sector.

If the division commander cannot successfully delay the enemy and still preserve his force, he must inform the corps or joint force commander. This higher commander then decides to accept less time and preserve the division or to gain the time he needs and risk losing all or part of the division.

Withdrawals are planned operations in which a division in contact completely disengages from an enemy force, either to preserve the force or release it for a new mission. Withdrawals are normally free from enemy pressure; however, commanders plan them both with pressure, and without. Commanders should plan deception to deceive the enemy. Deception for the covering force and main body could include multiple routes, additional transportation, route improvement, and movement planning.

Withdrawals under enemy pressure normally are subject to enemy observation and take place at night. Commanders must avoid premature actions that lead the enemy to believe a withdrawal is being contemplated. Elements withdrawing use delaying tactics to fight their way to the rear. The greater the division's mobility, the better it can successfully withdraw. Commanders must anticipate enemy means of interference and effectively employ security forces, attack helicopters, CAS, and air superiority.

A withdrawal under enemy pressure requires close coordination between withdrawing units and the security force. The security force should consist of armored and mechanized infantry augmented by attack helicopters, field artillery, engineers, and air defense artillery.

Under enemy pressure, the less heavily engaged elements of the forward brigades withdraw first. The more heavily engaged units generally withdraw under cover of the division or corps security force and with support provided through available fire support, EW assets, and obstacles. Night moves and obscuration smoke are used to screen movement and to reduce enemy observation and the accuracy of enemy fire. The division's movement and operations are similar to those of a delay on alternate positions. The security forces and disengaged brigades continue to use alternate and successive positions until the entire division breaks contact with the enemy.

When conducting withdrawals not under enemy pressure, the division specifies the planned time of withdrawal. For utmost secrecy and deception, the commander takes advantage of darkness and reduced visibility, commencing the withdrawal as soon as the enemy cannot effectively deliver observed fires. The division controls the movement of subordinate units through-

• Designating primary and alternate routes.

• Designating priority of movement.

  Enforcing traffic control measures.

Units withdrawing without enemy pressure may direct that their covering force stay in contact to prolong the deception by simulating normal activities. Covering forces and rear guards normally remain between the enemy and the main body. After the main body is a safe distance to the rear, the covering force withdraws to intermediate or final positions. These forces should have mobility equal to or greater than that of the enemy. The withdrawing force moves to the rear in the following sequence:

• Elements to reconnoiter and prepare the next position.

• CSS units.

• Artillery not essential to the support of detachments left in contact.

• Division security force.

• Main body

• Detachments left in contact and direct support artillery for the detachments left in contact.

Units in the forward area execute the withdrawal on a broad front. Units move directly to the rear, form march columns, and proceed to designated tactical assembly areas. These areas are widely dispersed and are occupied for minimum periods.

The detachments left in contact have a limited capability for resistance. They must depend on deception and long-range supporting fires to accomplish their mission. Although the division coordinates their employment, the brigade specifies their time of withdrawal, coordinating the action with adjacent units. The withdrawal of detachments left in contact is initiated in time to permit completion during limited visibility. The success of a withdrawal not under enemy pressure depends on control, security, and

A retirement is conducted when units are not in contact with the enemy. Although normally over-watched by other units' security forces, retiring units must use force protection measures against enemy air, ground, and long-range fires while moving rearward.

The division assigns definite objectives or rear positions to each of the major subordinate commands moving with the main body. Movement during darkness or reduced visibility, while preferred, is more difficult. During the initial stage of the retirement, control is decentralized to subordinate commanders. However, as the main body increases the distance between itself and the enemy and as the units rejoin, the division commander resumes centralized control.

Security for the main body is similar to that for a movement to contact. Advance, flank, and rear guards provide security. The rear guard is normally stronger when a withdrawal action precedes a retirement. If enemy contact occurs, the rear guard uses delaying actions to hold the advancing enemy and to prevent interference with the movement of the main body. The commander must plan for enemy interference while retiring. Reconnaissance obtains early information on enemy interference attempts. The retiring force should be positioned to support the higher command's tutor operational plans.

When the division delays, major information collection capabilities, such as GSRs, SIGINT sensors, and countermortar and counterbattery radars, locate well forward. Corps collection systems augment the division's intelligence collection as they displace.

Aggressive electronic warfare (EW) minimizes the effects of enemy EW operations and slows the enemy's attack coordination or pursuit. In particular, it interrupts enemy fire support coordination. Commanders rely on personal reconnaissance and spot reports from the tactical units for timely information.

The division cavalry squadron may perform route and area reconnaissance to the rear of the division in preparation for the retrograde operation. In withdrawals without enemy pressure, brigades and other units in contact designate units to be left in contact. This protects the main body's initial movement to the rear and simulates the normal combat posture. Where there is enemy pressure, security forces at all levels cover forward elements that withdraw intact without leaving detachments in contact. This delaying force is task-organized with armor and antiarmor capabilities to delay and inflict casualties on the enemy.

The aviation brigade provides a mobile and lethal guard force to interdict enemy units attempting to attack the division's flanks. The aviation brigade also assists ground maneuver forces to disengage and continue in their retrograde mission.

During the delay, artillery is located well forward and echeloned in depth. This allows artillery-

• To fire deep into enemy formations and force early deployment.

• To slow and degrade the effectiveness of enemy armored vehicles.

• To suppress and destroy overwatching enemy air defense, weapon systems, and artillery command observation posts.

• To deliver antipersonnel or antiarmor mines to complement and reinforce the effects of obstacles.

• To deliver smoke to cover the movement of displacing maneuver units.

• To mass fires to support the extrication of threatened or isolated units.

Close air support provides the division commander highly responsive fires. CAS aids the subordinate

Mobility and Survivability

Engineers use obstacles (friendly, enemy, and terrain) and other resources to reduce enemy mobility. Ideally, a battalion-sized force of engineers supports each committed brigade in the delay. Based on time available, engineers-

• Prepare point obstacle targets (road craters, abatis), destroy bridges, and block tunnels. Execution is normally delegated to the maneuver unit having responsibility for the AO.

• Emplace hasty minefields, cut antitank ditches, and emplace other antiarmor obstacles to block enemy high-speed avenues of approach and canalize them into choke points.

• Conduct denial operations against any resources that the enemy can use to sustain his attack.

• Improve routes between battle positions.

• Prepare hasty fighting positions for maneuver units.

• Prepare landing zones and airfields to facilitate rapid retrograde operations.

As units displace to the rear, chemical units may conduct NBC reconnaissance or provide a cover of smoke to conceal troop movement.

The air defense artillery battalion is employed based on the division commander's ADA priorities. Normally, one battery is in direct support to each committed brigade to protect critical division aviation, logistics, or command and control. ADA assets may also be used in a point defense of critical assets throughout the delay sector.

DISCOM elements must provide responsive support without interfering with the movement of tactical units. Their planning must reflect the critical nature of retrograde operations. This mandates push resupply with a priority towards fuel and ammunition-using fuel from local resources when possible and prepositioning ammunition packages near fighting positions. Committed units' forward maintenance support teams (MSTs) repair equipment on-site or collect disabled vehicles for repair or evacuation. DISCOM elements move medical supplies to the rear to prevent capture or abandonment and destroy items of military hardware potentially useful to the enemy. They use battle damage assessment and repair (BDAR) techniques to return disabled equipment to combat.

Supplies moving into the forward areas should be kept to a minimum. This prevents their unnecessary hauling, destruction, or loss. Other DISCOM responsibilities include-

• Evacuating excess supplies and logistics facilities as early as possible.

• Providing the postal system specific mail routing, stop, and start instructions to prevent mail stockpiles and redirection requirements for redeployed units.

• Prepositioning supplies along withdrawal routes to reduce enemy interference with supply operations, simplify resupply, reduce vehicular clutter, and permit the early withdrawal of supply units.

• Maintaining strength accountability, safety, and casualty reporting of units and individuals.

During the delay, division commanders position themselves where they can best control the operation. Their primary means of communication is secure voice radio. Because radio is vulnerable to EW, commanders may use visual signals, messengers, and wire line communications. The use of communications assets during the delay requires detailed planning because command posts and signal support nodes frequently displace.