Isolate the Objective
The goals of isolation are to prevent the enemy from reinforcing the objective and to prevent enemy forces on the objective from leaving. Infantry platoons will likely be an isolating force within a company.
Actions on the Objective: Seize a Foothold and Exploit the Penetration
The platoon leader often designates assault, support, and breach elements within his platoon to conduct a deliberate attack. One technique is to designate the machine-gun teams (or weapons squad) as the support element, an infantry squad as the breach element, and the remaining platoon as the assault element. The supporting elements support the breach element’s initial breach with suppressive fires; as the breach is being established, the support element should shift fires to allow the breach element to penetrate the objective and to avoid committing fratricide. The support element positions itself to provide continual close-in suppressive fire to aid the actions of the assault squad (or squads) as it moves across the objective. Once the breach element has seized the initial foothold on the objective, the assault element may then move through the breach lane to assault the objective. All communication from the support element to the breach, assault, and weapons squads is by FM radio or signals. Problems and status updates are continuously communicated or observed, and changes are made as necessary.
Consolidation and Reorganization
Once enemy resistance on the objective has ceased, the platoon must quickly take steps to consolidate and prepare to defend against a counterattack. There are two main consolidation techniques:
Clock Technique. In this method, the platoon leader designates either a compass direction or the direction of attack as 12 o’clock. He then uses clock positions to identify the left and right boundaries for squads. The platoon leader positions key weapons along the most likely avenue of approach based on his assessment of the terrain.
Terrain Feature Technique. In a similar manner, the platoon leader identifies obvious terrain features as the left and right limits for squads. Terrain can also be used to identify where defensive positions can be established.
In both techniques, the platoon leader ensures that squad sectors of fire overlap each other and provide mutual support for adjacent units.
Once platoons have consolidated on the objective, they begin to reorganize to continue the attack. Reorganization involves:
•Reestablishing command and control.
•Re-manning key weapons and redistributing ammunition and equipment.
•Clearing the objective of casualties and EPWs.
•Assessing and reporting the platoon status of personnel, ammunition, supplies, and essential equipment (ACE report to higher).
HASTY ATTACK
Platoons and squads normally participate in a hasty attack as part of a larger unit, during an MTC, as part of a defense, or whenever the commander determines that the enemy is in a vulnerable position and can be quickly defeated by immediate offensive action. Hasty attacks are used to exploit a tactical opportunity, maintain the momentum, regain the initiative, prevent the enemy from regaining organization or balance, and gain a favorable position that may be lost with time. Because its primary purpose is to maintain momentum or take advantage of the enemy situation, the hasty attack is normally conducted with only the resources that are immediately available. The key to hasty attacks is maintaining unrelenting pressure on the enemy and attacking before the enemy can act. Synchronization in the hasty attack can be degraded a bit, so commanders should minimize risk by maximizing the use of standard formations, SOPs, and well-rehearsed, thoroughly understood battle drills. The hasty attack is often the preferred option during continuous operations and frequently results from an MTC, successful defense, or continuation of a previous attack.
Task Organization
The hasty attack is conducted using the principles of fire and movement. The controlling headquarters normally designates a base-of-fire force and a maneuver force.
Conduct of the Hasty Attack
The platoon must first conduct actions on contact, allowing the commander to gather the information he needs to make an informed decision. The term “hasty” refers to limits on planning and preparation time, not to any acceleration in the conduct of actions on contact. Because the intelligence picture is vague, the commander normally needs more time, rather than less, during this process to gain adequate information about the enemy force.
Execution begins with the establishment of a base of fire, which then suppresses the enemy force. The maneuver force uses a combination of tactical techniques and combat multipliers (such as indirect fire) to maintain its security as it advances in contact to a position of advantage. Understanding the geometry of the battlefield is key to successful attacks by allowing the infantry commander to effectively occupy and take advantage of superior positions.
Once the maneuver force has gained the positional advantage, it can execute a tactical task, such as an assault to destroy the remaining enemy.
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
Platoons and squads participate in an MTC as part of a company, using the movement formations and techniques explained in Chapter 3. A company generally conducts an MTC when it must gain or maintain contact with the enemy or when it lacks sufficient time to gain intelligence or make extensive plans to defeat the enemy.
Planning an MTC
Firsthand enemy information provides the intelligence necessary to respond to the enemy, so reconnaissance is a critical aspect to planning. However, if the enemy situation remains vague, the platoon must be prepared to act in any situation. This is accomplished through proper planning, appropriate movement formations and techniques, fire control measures, platoon SOPs, engagement criteria, and studying the terrain before and during movement to anticipate likely enemy locations. While moving, all leaders study the terrain (geometry) and anticipate enemy contact by noting positions that would facilitate enemy attack. Based on these terrain studies, leaders should avoid likely areas of enemy ambush or exposing their platoon to long-range observation and fires.
Techniques
Infantry units will participate in two techniques for conducting an MTC: approach march or search and attack (see page 86). The approach march technique is used when the enemy is expected to deploy using relatively fixed offensive or defensive formations but the situation remains vague. The search and attack technique is used when the enemy is dispersed, or expected to avoid contact or quickly disengage and withdraw, or when the higher unit needs to deny the enemy movement in an AO.
Command and Control
The company commander will dictate a number of C2 techniques for the unit to employ. The platoon leader may modify these to better control his squads based on the commander’s intent and guidance and METT-TC. Some examples of C2 follow.
Phase Lines and Checkpoints. The company commander will normally assign phase lines and checkpoints to control the forward movement of the platoons. The platoon does not stop at a phase line unless told to do so. If necessary, the platoon leader designates additional phase lines or checkpoints for use within the platoon to reduce the number and length of radio transmissions used to control movement.
Fire Control and Distribution. The platoon uses boundaries, direct-fire plans, pyrotechnics, signals, and FRAGOs for direct-fire control and distribution. This is important because of the scarcity of information about the enemy and is crucial in avoiding fratricide.
Indirect-Fire Plan. The platoon leader must have a good indirect-fire plan for his route in order to cover anticipated places of contact. Precoordinated target reference points (TRPs) are the basis of a fire plan; the leader can quickly use them for immediate fire suppression. They can be points that are easy to recognize to adjust fire from or points where enemy activity is suspected.