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| SECTION I | ---------------------------------- | INTRODUCTION |
106. Purpose
This is a guide in patrolling for both the individual soldier and the small unit leader (commissioned and noncommissioned).
a. The individual soldier is shown how to properly prepare or and competently perform duty as a patrol member in patrol training exercises and in combat.
b. The small unit leader is shown how to plan, prepare, and conduct patrols in training exercises and in combat.
107. Scope
All aspects of the planning, preparation. and conduct of patrols are contained herein, ranging from the responsibilities of the commander to the actions of patrol members. In addition, the use of scout dogs with patrols, ambush techniques, techniques for defending against ambush, and the movement of patrol by land air, and water vehicles is explained in detail. The principles discussed apply to patrols of all types and sizes. The techniques discussed are those generally applicable to all situations. Each reader must use imagination and ingenuity to adapt these techniques to his own special situation and to develop new and better techniques for conducting patrolling operations.
108. What Is a patrol
A patrol is a detachment sent out from a unit to perform an assigned mission of reconnaissance or combat, or a combination of both.
a. The requirements of the mission determine the size, organization, and equipment of a patrol. Some missions may require only two or three men, lightly armed and with no extensive equipment; some missions may require patrols of squad or platoon size, specially armed and equipped.
b. A patrol is always "tailored" for the mission it is to execute.
109. Importance of Patrols
a. Patrols are limited only by the ingenuity with which they are employed and the skill and aggressiveness of their members. For this reason they are one of the commander's most valuable tools.
b. Patrols are especially valuable in counter guerril1a, operations. Aggressive patrolling in an area greatly reduces the guerrilla's freedom of movement, hampers their operation~, and weaken. their influence on the local population.
110. Training in Patrolling
a. Classroom instruction and map and sand table exercises are necessary and valuable aids in teaching and learning patrolling. They are not substitutes for actual performance in the field. Proficiency in patrolling is attained only through carefully planned practical exercises based upon realistic situations. These exercises must be skillfully supervised to insure maximum simulation of combat conditions, must be conducted in daylight and darkness, and over varied terrain, and in all available kinds of weather. Aggressor troops must be used wherever their use will increase realism.
b. Proficiency of patrolling requires proficiency in many areas and patrol training is unique in affording the opportunity to enhance proficiency in many vital military skill. A partial list of skills which are integrated into patrolling exercises follows:
(1) Leadership.
(2) Combat intelligence.
(3) Map reading and land navigation.
(4) Teamwork.
(5) Small unit tactics.
(6) Individual and small unit security.
(7) Communications.
(8) Troop leading procedures.
(9) Ability to operate at night. (10) Day and night techniques of the individual soldier.
(11) Camouflage and concealment.
111. Types of Patrols
a. Patrols are classified according to the nature of the mission assigned.
(1) Reconnaissance patrols collect information and confirm or disprove the accuracy of information previously received. Reconnaissance patrols are further classified as (ch 14):
(a) Point reconnaissance patrols.
(b) Area reconnaissance patrols.
(2) Combat patrols provide security and harass, destroy, or capture enemy personnel, equipment and installation. Combat patrols also collect and report information; all information-whether related to the assigned mission or not. Combat patrols are further classified as:
(a) Raid patrols (ch 15) .
(b) Ambush patrols (ch 16).
(o) Security contact, and economy of force patrols (ch 17).
(d) Search and attack patrols (ch 19).
b. Patrols are described as short range or long range, depending on the extent of their operation in distance or time, or both.
(1) Short-range patrols operate in the dispatching unit's area of influence for short distances and short periods.
(2) Long-range patrols operate in the dispatching unit's area of influence or area of interest, or both. They are more extended in distance or time, or both (fig. 63).
112. Infantry Long-Range Patrols
Infantry long-range patrols (LRP) are specially organized units trained and equipped to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and limited combat missions within the dispatching unit's area of influence or interest. An infantry long range patrol company is organic to each field army and army corps. Provisional long-range patrol units are formed, when required, by divisions and smaller units (FM 31-18).
113. Explanation of Terms
The terms that follow are discussed here so that their later use in this manual will be clear.
a. Patrol Steps.
Troop leading procedure in patrolling; the logical sequence of actions which makes best use of time, facilities, and personnel in planning, preparing, and conducting a patrol. The sequence in which this manual shows Patrol Steps is a guide. A patrol leader performs these actions in the sequence best suited to his situation, considering all steps, omitting any not applicable, and combining steps when feasible.
b. General Organization-
The establishment of a patrol headquarters and major subdivisions of the patrol called elements.
c. Special Organization.
The organization of patrol elements into teams.
d. Patrol Headquarters.
The command group of the patrol, composed of the patrol leader and such personnel as messengers, radio operator, and forward observer.
e. Elements:
Major subdivisions of a patrol. Establishment of elements is the first step in. organizing a patrol. There are five types of elements. The elements into which a patrol is organized are determined by the nature of the mission (para 122).
(1) Assault element (combat patrols): Engages the enemy at the objective.
(2) Security element (reconnaissance and combat patrols). Provides early warning and/or protection in the objective area, and may provide early warning and/or protection en route to and from the objective (fig. 76).
(3) Support element (combat patrols)-Provides supporting fires.
(4) Reconnaissance element (reconnaissance patrols). Reconnoiters or maintains surveillance over the objective.
(5) Reconnaissance and security element (reconnaiss1mce patrols). Combines the functions of a separate reconnaissance and security element.
Figure 63. Example of a Battalion's area of influence and interest (schematic)
f. Teams:
Subdivisions of elements. Assault, security, support, reconnaissance, and reconnaissance and security teams are part of corresponding elements. Scout dog teams are part of the security element. Special purpose teams, such as demolition teams, prisoner teams, and search teams, are part of the assault element or operate directly under the patrol leader.
g. Warning Order:
A preliminary notice of an order or action which is to follow. It is designed to give subordinates tune and information needed to make plans and preparations. The warning order to 1L patro1 is issued orally, in the format shown in figure 73 and discussed in. paragraph 128. In the early phases of training in patrolling, small unit leaders should be required to write out warning orders in detail. In advanced training in patrolling in simulated combat, training, and in combat, notes only are prepared. After early phases of training, leaders cover instruction, details, and procedures established by unit SOPs by referring to these S0Ps (para 116).
h. Patrol Order.
the orders issued by the patrol leader setting forth the situation, mission, plan of action, details of execution, administration, logistics, command, and signal needed to insure coordinated action by the patro1. The patrol order is a form of operation order and closely follows the format of an operation order. The same circumstances which govern the preparation of the warning order determine whether the patrol order is written out in detail or prepared in note form only. As in the warning order, issuance of the patrol order is shortened and simplified by reference to SOPs. In addition, items unchanged from the warning order are covered by staling, "Same as warning order," "No change from warning order". "Minor changes are similarly stated"; e.g. "Uniform - same as warning order except that we will wear sneakers instead of boots." In all situations, the patrol order is issued orally.
i. Primary Route.
The route that the patrol intends to use for movement to the objective and return to friendly areas. It is planned by applying the principles of route selection as used in paragraph 16 and is the best route available, consistent with:
(1) Compliance with any limitations or control measures specified in the operation order.
(2) The decision as to where the patrol will re-enter friendly areas. The patrol may (fig. 64)
(a) Re-enter route a new point: by returning over a route which is entirely different from the route to the objective. Generally, this is the best method, especially in counter guerrilla operations. The danger of ambush is reduced, both along the return route and at the point of re-entry. This method has some disadvantages, however. Navigation may be more difficult and closer coordination for re-entry at a new point may be required.
(b) Re-enter at the point of departure after returning over a route which is wholly or partially different. This reduces the danger of ambush along the route, but does not reduce the danger of ambush at the point of re-entry.
(c) Re-enter at the point of departure by returning over the reverse of the route to the objective. Generally, this is the least desirable method, especially in counter guerrilla operations. In counter guerrilla operations, a patrol must always assume that its departure was observed and that its movement to the objective was detected.
(d) Return by air, water, or land vehicle with the route from the pickup point controlled by the transport commander.
(3) Avoidance of setting of patterns. Patrols must avoid, to the extent possible in the circumstances they face, habitually employing the same method.
Figure 64. Examples of primary routes.
j. Alternate Route(s).
The route(s) planned for use if the primary route is not used. Planning is based on the same considerations as planning of the primary route. An alternate route may include portions of the primary route or may be entirely different. An alternate route from the objective (route of return) is always phtrn1ed. No specific alternate route to the objective is planned; however, the patrol leader studies the area of operation for other feasible routes so that he can, if necessary during movement to the objective, quickly select and use an alternate route.
k. Cross Loading.
The technique of distributing personnel, crew-served weapons, communication equipment, and special equipment among several vehicles (air, water, or land). This is done to reduce the possibility that loss or destruction of a vehicle will prevent accomplishment of the mission. The extent to which cross loading is accomplished must be balanced against the need to maintain tactical integrity of elements and teams. Examples of cross loading are: patrol leader and assistant patrol leader ride in different vehicles; specialists, such as demolition men, are placed in separate vehicles; machine guns are located in different vehicles.
l. Leaders' Reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance by patrol leader (and subordinate leaders when the situation permits) to confirm location of the objective, plans for positioning of teams, and plans for accomplishing the mission. Reconnoitering personnel move no closer to tM objective than is necessary to accomplish these tasks. The leaders' reconnaissance is not expected to obtain all the information needed to complete the mission of a reconnaissance patrol. If, however, the leaders' reconnaissance does accomplish the mission, no additional reconnaissance is conducted.
m. Rallying Point.
A place where the patrol can assemble and reorganize. A rallying point must be free of enemy, provide concealment (cover, if possible), be defensible for at least a short time, and be easily recognizable and known to all patrol members. All rallying points are termed tentative rallying points until they are reached, found to be suitable, and designated.
There are three types of rallying points:
(1) Initial rallying point.
A point within friendly areas where the patrol can rally if it is dispersed before departing friendly areas or before reaching the first rallying point en route. It may be used as the point at which the patrol waits while the patrol leader contacts the last friendly position through which the patrol will pass. The initial rallying point is coordinated with the commander or leader in whose area it lies.
(2) Rallying points en route.
Rallying points between friendly areas and the objective.
(3) Objective rallying point.
A rallying point near the objective. It may be located short of, to a flank of, or beyond, the objective. It can be used as the point from which the leaders' reconnaissance is made; the point at which the patrol makes final preparations; as a release point from which elements and teams move into position; and as the point where the patrol assembles and reorganizes after accomplishing the mission.
When the objective rallying point does not lie on the patrol's planned route from the objective, an alternate objective rallying point is secured.
n. Target of Opportunity.
A chance target; an attack is not specifically planned until the target is detected.
o. Target of Opportunity Mission.
A general mission, or part of a mission, directing attack of targets of opportunity during ยท all or part of an operation.
p. Search and Attack Patrol.
A combat patrol assigned the general mission of seeking out and attacking targets of opportunity.
q. Chance Contact.
Unplanned visual or physical contact with the enemy. A patrol sighting the enemy has made visual contact, even though not itself seen by the enemy.
r. Immediate Action Drills.
Drills designed to provide swift and positive small unit reaction to enemy contact.
s. Ambush.
A surprise attack from a concealed position upon a moving or temporarily halted target. See chapter 16 for other terms relating to ambushes and ambush operations.
t. Raid
A surprise attack upon a position or installation with the attacking force withdrawing after accomplishing its mission.