CHAPTER
2
SQUAD
AND PLATOON BATTLE DRILLS
| BATTLE
DRILL 7A: ENTER/CLEAR A TRENCH (SQUAD) |
|---|
TASK.
Enter/Clear
a Trench (Squad) (7-4-D111).
CONDITIONS.
The
squad is operating as part of a larger force. The squad is moving and receives
fire from the enemy.
STANDARDS.
1.
The squad secures a foothold in a trench.
2.
The squad kills, captures, or forces the withdrawal of the enemy in its assigned
section of the trench.
3.
The squad maintains a sufficient force that can defeat the enemy's counterattack
and continue operations.
PERFORMANCE
MEASURES.
1.
The squad reacts to contact (Battle Drill No. 2).
2.
The fire team in contact locates the enemy position through AN/PVS-7B and suppresses
it with the help of AN/PVS-4.
3.
The squad leader determines if he can maneuver by identifying the following
with his hand-held laser pointer:
a.
The enemy trench and any obstacles.
b.
Size of enemy force engaging the squad. (The number of automatic weapons, presence
of vehicles, and employment of indirect fires are indicators of enemy strength.)
c.
An entry point.
d.
A covered and concealed route to the entry point.4.
The fire team in contact guides on the team leader's AN/PAQ-4 laser and tracers
through their AN/PVS-7B and places well-aimed fires against the enemy position
using their own AN/PAQ-4 or AN/PVS-4. The fire team accomplishes the following:
a.
Destroys or suppresses the enemy weapons that are effectively firing against
the squad.
b.
Continues suppressive fires.5.
The squad leader directs the fire team in contact to support the other team's
entry into the trench. He uses his hand-held laser pointer to designate the
following:
a.
The left and right firing limits of the supporting team.
b.
Entry point to the trench by the assault team.
c.
Route of the assault team.
d.
Locations of the enemy key weapons and high payoff targets.6.
The squad leader illuminates the entry point of the trench line using his hand-held
laser pointer (MTETT).
7.
The squad leader and the assault fire team move to the last covered and concealed
position short of the entry point.
a.
The squad leader signals (visual signal, or ir signaling flare) for the supporting
team to shift supporting fires away from the entry point.
b.
The base of fires team shifts suppressive fires away from the assaulting team
and continues to suppress adjacent enemy positions to isolate the trench as
required. The fire team leader signals that fires have been shifted with an
ir signaling flare or visual signal. The supporting fire team leader helps
the assaulting team SEE by silhouetting the enemy positions with ir flares
(MTETT). If required, the squad leader requests ir 60mm illumination through
the platoon leader.
c.
The assault team leader and automatic rifleman remain in a position short of
the trench to add well-aimed, accurate suppressive fires for the initial entry.
d.
The squad leader takes the two remaining soldiers of the assault fire team
and continues toward the entry point. They move by rushes or crawling.
e.
The squad leader positions himself where he can best control his teams. 8.
The first two soldiers of the assault team move to the edge of the trench,
parallel to the trench on their backs. On the squad leader's command, they
cook off grenades (two seconds maximum), then shout "Frag out," and throw the
grenades into the trench.
NOTE:
All soldiers entering the trench must have AN/PVS-7B, AN/.PAQ-4, and ir flashlights
attached to the underside of their weapons. When ir flashlights are not available,
use the ir source on the NODs.
a.
Upon detonation of the grenades, the soldiers roll into the trench, landing
on their feet, back to back. They fire their weapons down the trench in both
directions.
b.
Both soldiers immediately move in opposite directions down the trench, firing
three round bursts. Each soldier continues until he reaches the first corner
of the intersection. Both soldiers halt and take up positions to block any
movement c.
At the same time, the squad leader rolls into the trench, and secures the entry
point. He then marks the entry point with a Phoenix Beacon, or in accordance
with OPORD.
d.
Upon detonation of the grenades, the assault fire team leader and the automatic
rifleman move to the entry point and enter the trench. The squad leader directs
them to relieve one of the soldiers securing the trench intersection. Upon
being relieved, the soldier links up with his buddy at the other end of the
trench line and continues to secure that intersection.9.
The squad leader remains at the entry point. He calls forward the supporting
team, once he has ensured that the remainder of the platoon continues to provide
supporting fires.
10.
The squad leader reports to the platoon leader that he has entered the trench
and secured a foothold. The platoon follows success of the seizure of the foothold
with the remainder of the platoon as part of Battle Drill No. 7, Enter and
Clear a Trench (Platoon).
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