Squad Tactics-Attack

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Squad Tactics-Attack
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Lesson Objectives

• Following this lesson and completion of
• all assignments, Cadets will be able to
• Define offensive operations
• Describe planning considerations of attack
  operations
• Describe an attack
• Compare/contrast the two types of attacks

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The Attack

• I approve of all methods of attacking
• provided they are directed at the point
• where the enemy's army is weakest and
• where the terrain favors them the least.
• Frederick the Great

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Attack Characteristics

• An offensive action characterized by movement
  supported by fire.
• Through taking the offensive, we gain the
  initiative, carry the fight to the Enemy, fight
  in his positions, and seek a decision on our terms

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Types of Attack

• Deliberate - Characterized by detailed planning,
  reconnoitering, coordinating and rehearsals in
  preparation for the execution. Usually conducted
  when the enemy is in well prepared defensive
  positions or a hasty attack is not possible
• Hasty - upon contact with the enemy the unit
  decides to conduct an attack. Limited planning
  coordinating, rapid preparation and execution.
  The unit reacts immediately to exploit an enemys
  weakness.

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Attack

• Maintain the initiative
• Detailed planning and preparation
• Avoid detection
• Fix the enemy
• Find or create a weakness
• Maneuver to exploit the weakness
• Consolidate and reorganize

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Limited VisibilityFundamentals

• Well-trained squads
• Natural light sufficient to employ night vision
  devices
• A simple concept with sufficient control measures
• Detailed reconnaissance of objective, routes,
  passage points, support-by-fire positions, and
  other key locations

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Limited VisibilityConsiderations

• Controlling movement of individuals and squads
• Identifying targets controlling direct and
  indirect fires
• Navigating and moving
• Identifying friendly and enemy soldiers
• Locating, treating, and evacuating casualties
• Locating and bypassing or breaching enemy
  obstacles

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Planning Considerations

• Troop leading procedures
• AA procedures
• Support element
• Assault element

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Planning Considerations (2)

• Movement to the objective
• Movement techniques and routes
• Control measures

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Planning Considerations (3)

• Actions at the line of departure (LD) - PSG
  counts out
• Actions on chance contact
• Security halts
• ORPs

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Planning Considerations (4)

• Move to assault position - last cover and
  concealment before OBJ
• Assaulting the OBJ concentration of fire direct
  and indirect, shifting of fires

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Planning Considerations (5)

• Consolidate and reorganize
• Reestablishing command and control
• Re-mans key weapons, redistributing ammunition
  and equipment
• Clearing the objective of casualties and EPWs
• Special teams
• Aid and litter
• EPW team
• Demo team
• Assessing and reporting the platoon status of
  personnel, ammunition, supplies, and essential
  equipment

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Security at all times!
The officers and men who permit themselves to be
surprised deserve to die, and the commanding
general will spare no efforts to secure them
their desserts. D. H. Hill, 1863
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Deliberate Attack
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Deliberate Attack (2)
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Deliberate Attack (3)
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Deliberate Attack (4)
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Deliberate Attack (5)
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Deliberate Attack vs. Hasty Attack
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Hasty Attack
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Hasty Attack (2)
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Hasty Attack (3)
Different from deliberate attack
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Closing

• Summary
• Review Objectives
• Questions???