SPECIAL PURPOSE ATTACKS
When the company commander directs it, the platoon conducts a special attack. The commander bases his decision on the METT-TC. Special purpose attacks are subordinate forms of an attack and include the ambush, raid, counterattack, spoiling attack, feint, and demonstration. As forms of the attack, they share many of the same planning, preparation, and execution considerations of the offense. Feints and demonstrations are also associated with military deception operations.
Note: To eliminate confusion, this guide will cover the ambush and raid in Chapter 7 (Patrolling) until current doctrine agrees on category. These techniques are actually a member of both offensive operations as much as they are a member of patrolling. See Chapter 7 for their explanation.
Counterattack
The counterattack is a form of attack by part or all of a defending force against an enemy attacking force, with the general objective of denying the enemy’s goal of attacking. This attack by defensive forces regains the initiative or denies the enemy a successful attack. The platoon may conduct a counterattack as a lightly committed force within a company or as the battalion reserve. The platoon counterattacks after the enemy begins his attack, reveals his main effort, or creates an assailable flank. As part of a higher headquarters, the platoon conducts the counterattack much like other attacks. However, the platoon leader must synchronize the execution of his counterattack within the overall defensive effort. Counterattacks afford the defender the opportunity to create favorable conditions for the commitment of combat power. The platoon should rehearse the counterattack battle drill and prepare the ground to be traversed. Counterattacks are more useful to the higher headquarters when the platoon anticipates employment; plans and prepares for employment; and executes with the other defending, delaying, or attacking forces in conjunction with the higher commander’s plan.
Spoiling Attack
A spoiling attack is a form of attack that preempts or seriously impairs an enemy attack while the enemy is in the process of planning or preparing to attack. The purpose of a spoiling attack is to disrupt the enemy’s offensive capabilities and timelines while destroying his personnel and equipment. The purpose is not to secure terrain or other physical objectives. A commander (company or battalion) may direct a platoon to conduct a spoiling attack during friendly defensive preparations to strike the enemy while he is in assembly areas or attack positions preparing for his own offensive operation. The platoon leader plans for a spoiling attack as he does for other attacks.
Feint
A feint is a form of attack used to deceive the enemy as to the location and time of the actual operation. Feints attempt to induce the enemy to move reserves and shift his fire support to locations where they cannot immediately impact the actual operation. When directed to conduct a feint, the platoon seeks direct fire or physical contact with the enemy, but avoids decisive engagement. The commander (company or battalion) will assign the platoon an objective limited in size or scope. The planning, preparation, and execution considerations are the same as for the other forms of attack. The enemy must be convinced that the feint is the actual attack.
Demonstration
A demonstration is a form of attack designed to deceive the enemy as to the location or time of the actual operation by a display of force. Demonstrations attempt to deceive the enemy and induce him to move reserves and shift his fire support to locations where they cannot immediately impact the actual operation. When directed to conduct a demonstration, the platoon does not seek physical contact with the enemy. The planning, preparation, and execution considerations are the same as for the other forms of attack. It must appear to be an actual impending attack.
BATTLE DRILLS
Infantry battle drills or immediate action drills (IAD) describe how platoons and squads apply fire and maneuver to commonly encountered situations. The battle drill is not intended to replace the estimate of the situation but to reduce the estimate of the situation and the decision-making process to the essential elements. (Experience at the Army’s combat training centers revealed a deficiency in the action and reaction of small units.) The emphasis on drills is intended to instill an immediate, aggressive response. Battle drills must be performed immediately in order to gain the full benefit. This type of rapid response can only be accomplished by sustained rehearsal. Soldiers must react without hesitation in order to take advantage of gaps in the attack.
React to Contact Drill
The react to contact drill takes place when a squad or a platoon is receiving fire from enemy riflemen or an automatic weapon.
Step 1. Soldiers take cover and return fire.
Step 2. Leaders locate known or suspected enemy positions and engage with well-aimed fire. Leaders control fire using the following standard fire commands: alert, direction, description of target, range, method of fire, and command to commence firing.
Step 3. Soldiers maintain contact to left and right, as well as with leaders, and report enemy locations.
Step 4. Leaders check the status of their men.
Step 5. The platoon leader moves to the squad in contact. He brings with him his communications NCO, forward observer (FO), the leader of the nearest squad, and a machine-gun crew. The platoon sergeant moves forward with the second machine gun-crew and links up with the platoon leader, ready to assume control of the base-of-fire element.
Step 6. The platoon leader determines whether he must move out of an enemy engagement area. If he is not in an engagement area, he determines whether he can gain and maintain suppressive fire with his element in contact, based on the volume and accuracy of the enemy fire.
Step 7. The platoon leader makes an assessment of the situation, identifying the following:
1.Location of the enemy position and obstacles.
2.Size of the enemy force (the number of automatic weapons, the presence of vehicles, and the employment of indirect fires are indicators of enemy strength).
3.Vulnerable flanks.
4.Covered and concealed flanking routes to the enemy position.
Step 8. The platoon leader then determines his next course of action, such as fire and movement, assault, breach, knock-out bunker, or enter and clear a building or trench.
Step 9. The platoon leader reports the situation to the company commander and begins to maneuver, calling for an adjusting artillery or mortar fire.
Break Contact Drill
The break contact drill takes place when the squad or platoon is under enemy fire and must break contact.
Step 1. The platoon leader directs one squad in contact to support the disengagement of the remainder of the platoon.
Step 2. The platoon leader orders the first squad to move a certain distance and direction or to a terrain feature or the last ORP. Meanwhile, the base-of-fire (supporting) squad continues to suppress the enemy.
Step 3. The moving element uses smoke grenades to mask its movement until it takes up its designated position and engages the enemy position.
Step 4. The platoon leader then directs the base-of-fire squad to move to its next location.
Step 5. While continuing to suppress the enemy, the platoon bounds away from the enemy until it either breaks contact or passes through a high-level support-by-fire position.
Step 6. Once contact is broken, the platoon should change direction, if possible, to avoid indirect enemy fire.