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| SECTION I | ---------------------------------- | GENERAL |
102. General
Counter guerrilla operations are based on conventional individual and small unit tactics modified, as needed, to fit the local situation. Operations against guerrilla forces are characterized by aggressiveness, initiative, offensive action, and a continuous effort to gain and keep the support of the local population. You play an important part when your unit is conducting counter guerrilla operations. To do your job well, you must understand how guerrilla forces operate and your part in defeating them.
103. The Goal of a Guerrilla Force.
The goal of a guerrilla force is to reduce the combat and political effectiveness and industrial capability of a country, and thus reduce the morale of those who support its established government. This paves the way for the overthrow of the established government and hastens takeover of the country by the guerrilla force.
104. Factors Favoring Guerrilla Forces.
Guerrillas are ruthless, cunning, and able fighters. Although their equipment may be limited and much of it may be outdated, certain factors favor their operations and make them difficult to defeat.
a. Internal Support.
There are usually enough discontented personnel within the country to provide them with significant support. Support may be active or passive. Some support is voluntary, but much is involuntary-gained through force or political indoctrination. However gained, support by the local population provides guerrilla forces the following:
(1) Intelligence information about our insta1lations, units, and troop movements.
(2) Supplies of arms, ammunition, food, medicine, and other equipment.
(3) Labor for clearing roads and trails; building footbridges, tunnels, and fortifications; and labor for destroying or damaging bridges, railroads, and roads (to isolate units or slow pursuit).
b. External Support.
Guerrilla forces are often supported from outside the country. External support. usually includes direction, leadership, personnel, and equipment.
C: Freedom of Movement.
Initially, guerrillas may have complete freedom o:£ movement for the following reasons:
(1) Extensive area.
When threatened while operating in a large area, guerrillas can disperse quickly and make decisive combat difficult or impossible.
(2) Poor communications.
When means are not available to quickly and reliably transmit information, and when road nets prevent rapid movement of our troops, guerrillas can move more freely.
(3) Inadequate police protection.
When protection of the population from guerrilla forces is poor, guerrillas can move with less fear of resistance or betrayal.
(4) Identification.
Guerrillas may be difficult, to identify because they often wear civilian clothes or the same type uniforms as friendly forces. They may wear armbands or other distinctive insignia. Often, however, the only identification will be when they actually fire on friendly forces.
(5) Initiative.
Guerrilla organization and tactics allow guerrilla forces to strike at the time and place of their choosing.
(6) Familiarity with the area.
Guerrillas are usually native to the area in which they operate. They know the terrain and the population of the area.
(7) Motivation.
The hard core members of guerrilla forces usually are dedicated persons who sincerely believe in their cause.
The average guerrilla, however, seldom understands or is influenced by such ideals; his motivation comes from other sources. He may be fearful of the consequences of failure to join the guerrillas; he may merely be discontented with conditions in the country. Many recruits, however, come from the antisocial elements which exist in any country: the immature, the fanatics, and common criminals.
For such personnel, membership in a guerrilla force provides opportunity to express warped ideas or to indulge. in illegal activities under the banner of revolution.
105. Your Part in Counter guerrilla Operations Your duties in counter guerrilla operations are those of the individual soldier in combat, both active combat and support of combat troops; but certain areas require increased attention and effort.
a. Security.
You must be security conscious at all times. Disclosure of plans, through loose talk, may permit guerrillas to avoid decisive combat and failure of an operation. Careless performance of duty may permit guerrillas to penetrate and overrun your camp or patrol base. Although you may be in a relatively quiet area, you must be alert and maintain full, combat-ready attitude. You are a prime target, for guerrilla attack when you have been lulled into a false sense of security by apparent lack of guerrilla activity in your area.
b. Intelligence.
Be especially alert at all times report all information quickly and accurately. Defeat of guerrillas is possible only when information is timely and accurate. Guerrillas must be found and fixed before they can be destroyed.
c. Familia1ity with Terrain.
Guerrillas have the advantage of being familiar with the terrain over which they operate. Yon, too must be familiar with the terrain. Study the terrain of your area; know where you can fight best, routes of communication, and is how to use existing obstacles to your advantage. Be able to navigate swiftly and surely, day or night , anywhere in your area.
d. Physical and Mental Endurance.
Guerrillas are tough, self-sacrificing fighters who are accustomed to fatigue, hunger, and hardship. You must beat them at their own game. You must be able to move great distances, under very adverse conditions of terrain and weather, in short periods of time, and fight effectively when you arrive. Great patience is required in operating against guerrilla forces. Guerrillas are elusive; many times you will attack only to find that your enemy has vanished. Often, the results of your efforts will not be readily apparent. You must have the mental stamina to accept setbacks and disappointment and continue to perform efficiently and aggressively.
e. Night Operations.
You must be proficient in operating during darkness. Many missions are conducted at night to take advantage of the opportunities for achieving stealth, secrecy, and surprise. Study and practice the procedures previously discussed in this manual.
f. Small Unit Teamwork.
Small unit operations are a key feature of successful counter guerrilla operations. Work especially hard at developing and improving coordination and cooperation within your team. Your success is greatly dependent on the degree of teamwork achieved by your unit.
g. Personal Conduct.
You will be serving in a foreign country whose government and people are friendly to us. The culture, customs, and spiritual values of the people may be quite different from ours, but they are just as much a source of pride as our own. You must respect them. Proper behavior toward the people and any assistance or display of friendship for them will go far toward reducing their support for the guerrillas and securing their help in defeating the guerrillas.
Guerrillas will magnify any careless or thoughtless act to create resentment against you and increase sympathy for themselves. Exercise self-discipline at all times and deal with the local population in a firm, just, and understanding manner.