Squad Offensive Tactics

Front 1

locate close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver

Back 1

Mission of the Rifle Squad in offensive combat

Front 2

Technique of advance in which parts of the maneuver element simultaneously fire and move by bounds

Back 2

Fire and Movement

Front 3

defeat the enemy

Back 3

Purpose of the offensive

Front 4

commander's first priority must be to locate and gain contact with the enemy

may vary from close combat to obervation only

provides us with knowledge of the enemy's location, disposition, and movement

Back 4

Gain and maintain contact

Front 5

Closely related to gaining and maintaining contact

consists of those actions taken to determine the strength and composition, and disposition of the enemy

assists the commander in developing his plan

Back 5

Develop the situation

Front 6

attacker masses combat power to provide local superiorty at the decisive place and time

main effort

receives priority for all forms of support

Back 6

Concentrate superior combat power at the decisive time and place

Front 7

attacker avoids enemy strengths and attacks with maximum speed and combat power against enemy weakness

tactical error, faulty disposition, poor morale, insufficient support and numerical strength

Back 7

Exploit know enemy weakness

Front 8

Commander seeks to control or neutralize key terrain features

advantage of observation, cover and concealment, and fields of fire

control avenues of approach, and provide security

Back 8

Seize or control key terrain

Front 9

Paramount goal for the commander is to seize and retain the initiative

dictate the terms of the battle instead of having to react to the actions of the enemy

Back 9

Gain and retain the Initiative

Front 10

attacker makes every effort ot disrupt and degrade the enemy ability to react to the attacker's scheme of maneuver

Back 10

Neutralize the enemy ability to react

Front 11

attack is characterized by fire and maneuver combined and controlled to create a preponderance of combat power

Back 11

Advancing by fire and maneuver

Front 12

the increase of combat power gained from seizing the initative and attacking rapidly and aggressively

Back 12

Maintaining momentum

Front 13

attack must be pressed relentlessly to prevent the enemy from recovering from the initial shock and reconstituting a cohesive defense or launching a counterattack

Back 13

Exploit Success

Front 14

Whether a force is assembling, on the march, or in combat

Each unit is responsible for its own security, regardless of security provided by other units

Back 14

Provide for the security in the force

Front 15

commander's employment of all supporting arms

must support the scheme of maneuver

Back 15

Fire Support Plan

Front 16

Receipt of the warning order
Planning and coordination
Reconnaissance and rehearsals
Issue the order
Logistic preparation
assembly area, attack position, line of departure

Back 16

Preparation Phase

Front 17

Passing through the assault position
Gaining contact with the enemy
Movement to the objective area
Advance by fire and maneuver
Assault against the enemy
Consolidation and Reorganization

Crossing of the line of Departure

Back 17

Conduct Phase

Front 18

Every conceivable advantage
Think and plan beyond the objective
Pursue by fire and maneuver during consolidation
Exploitation operations
Pursuit of the enemy

Commences with the capture of the assigned objective

Back 18

Exploitation Phase

Front 19

The tactical plan to be executed by a force in order to seize the assigned objective

Back 19

Scheme of Maneuver

Front 20

Easy to control and maneuver
Excellent for speed of movement
narrow covered routes of advance, maneuvering through gaps, areas receiving hostile artillery fire

Vulnerable to fire from the front

Used for night operations

Back 20

Squad column

Front 21

good control
all around security
flexible
fire is adequate in all directions

Back 21

Squad wedge

Front 22

Facilitates movement into squad line
Firepower to front and flanks
all around security
enemy is to the front and his strength and location are known

Back 22

Squad Vee

Front 23

Maximum firepower to front
During the assault mopping up and crossing short open areas

Back 23

Squad line

Front 24

heavy firepower to the front and flanks

protect an open or exposed flank

Back 24

Squad echelon

Front 25

area in which a command is assembled preparatory to further actions

weapons are checked, ammunition distributed, troops are allowed to rest

Back 25

Assembly area

Front 26

the last concealed and covered position short of the line of departure

final coordination, last minute preparations, initial attack formations

occupied minimum time necessary

Back 26

Attack position

Front 27

coordinate the beginning of an attack

easily recognizable on the ground

perpendicular to the direction of attack

Back 27

Line of Departure

Front 28

Easily identifiable points on the terrain

Control movement

reference point for reporting locations of friendly units

Back 28

Check points

Front 29

technique of advance in which one element moves while being supported by another element

Back 29

Fire and Maneuver

Front 30

Part of the force

maneuvering force to influence future actions

purpose is to enter the action offensively at the proper time and place to ensure the victory

Back 30

Reserve

Front 31

most frequently used form of maneuver by the squad

less time for coordination

attack moves against the enemy's strength

Back 31

Frontal attack

Front 32

Deceive the enemy

Destroy or pin down enemy forces

Force enemy to commit reserve prematurely

an offensive operation carried out in conjunction with the main attack

Back 32

Support attack

Front 33

position designated between the line of departure and the objective where the unit completes it final deployment

Back 33

Assault Position

Front 34

Used to coordinate the ceasing or shifting of the direct and indirect fire

Covering fires must be maintained on the enemy as long as possible

Back 34

final coordination line

Front 35

Physical object of the action taken

hostile force, a terrain feature, a center line of communications, vital locality, destruction, capture, or control of which ensures the achievement of the purpose of attacking

Back 35

Objective

Front 36

Squad maneuving against the enemy's flank is normally covered by a supporting attack conducted by another squad acting as the base of fire

Back 36

Single envelopment

Front 37

offensive operation conducted to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact with the enemy

provide flexible and rapid exploitation of the contact gained

procedures must be practiced and thoroughly rehearsed

Back 37

Movement to contact

Front 38

Purpose is to defeat, destroy, or neutralize the enemy

Back 38

Attack

Front 39

enemy may still be capable of fielding cohesive units after becoming attacked

attacker extends the destruction of the defending force by maintaining constant offensive pressure

Back 39

Exploitation

Front 40

Enemy resistance has completely broken down

annihilation of the enemy forces

Back 40

Pursuit