Tactical land movement: Difference between revisions
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'''Tactical land movement''' covers a range of formations and techniques used by ground combat forces, which depend on whether efficient movement, security, or combat is the priority. Units change formations at various ''phase lines'' (PL)'' | '''Tactical land movement''' covers a range of formations and techniques used by ground combat forces, which depend on whether efficient movement, security, or combat is the priority. Units change formations at various ''phase lines'' (PL)'' | ||
Movement and maneuver are different things. Maneuver is a more complex tactical exercise intended to cause the enemy to act in ways most advantageous to one's own forces, and is specific to individual battlefield situations. Movement techniques are standard operating procedures.<ref name=FM>{{citation | Movement and maneuver are different things. Maneuver is a more complex tactical exercise intended to cause the enemy to act in ways most advantageous to one's own forces, and is specific to individual battlefield situations. Movement techniques are standard operating procedures.<ref name=FM>{{citation | ||
| title = Field Manual 3-21.11: The SBCT [Stryker Brigade Combat Team] Rifle Company | | title = Field Manual 3-21.11: The SBCT ([[Restructuring of the United States Army#Stryker BCT (SBCT)|Stryker Brigade Combat Team]]) Rifle Company | ||
| publisher = U.S. Army | | publisher = U.S. Army | ||
| date = 23 January 2003 | | date = 23 January 2003 | ||
| contribution = Chapter 3, Movement | | contribution = Chapter 3, Movement | ||
| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-21-11/c03.htm#fig3_1}}</ref> | | url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-21-11/c03.htm#fig3_1}}</ref> "Fire and maneuver" are complementary concepts; GEN George Patton spoke of "holding the enemy by the nose with fire while kicking him in the rear with maneuver." Covering fire deprives an enemy unit, being fired upon, of the opportunity to maneuver. | ||
Even in a relatively safe situation, [[command and control]] elements should be distributed in the formation, so a single less-than-catastrophic attack will not leave the unit leaderless. | |||
[[Image:Overwatch and movement.jpg|500px|center|Movement types]] | [[Image:Overwatch and movement.jpg|500px|center|Movement types]] | ||
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In a traveling movement, all components of the unit move at once. Enemy contact is considered unlikely. An infantry unit leads, followed by the commander; the trailing unit is usually also infantry, with the deputy commander just ahead of it. | In a traveling movement, all components of the unit move at once. Enemy contact is considered unlikely. An infantry unit leads, followed by the commander; the trailing unit is usually also infantry, with the deputy commander just ahead of it. | ||
==Traveling overwatch== | ==Traveling overwatch== | ||
When speed is important but there is a possibility of enemy contact, the traveling overwatch technique is appropriate. The unit is split into lead and trail elements, which must stay in constant visual or electronic contact. While the lead element moves continuously, the trail element moves at various speeds, and may stop so it can best cover the lead element in situations where contact is considered very likely. | |||
Covering means that the trail element is ready to provide immediate suppressive fire on the enemy, giving the lead unit the opportunity to maneuver. | |||
Overall, this is a flexible formation. When contact is especially likely, the unit should shift into bounding overwatch. | |||
==Bounding overwatch== | ==Bounding overwatch== | ||
==Actions and maneuver on contact== | ==Actions and maneuver on contact== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 12:29, 8 July 2009
Tactical land movement covers a range of formations and techniques used by ground combat forces, which depend on whether efficient movement, security, or combat is the priority. Units change formations at various phase lines (PL)
Movement and maneuver are different things. Maneuver is a more complex tactical exercise intended to cause the enemy to act in ways most advantageous to one's own forces, and is specific to individual battlefield situations. Movement techniques are standard operating procedures.[1] "Fire and maneuver" are complementary concepts; GEN George Patton spoke of "holding the enemy by the nose with fire while kicking him in the rear with maneuver." Covering fire deprives an enemy unit, being fired upon, of the opportunity to maneuver.
Even in a relatively safe situation, command and control elements should be distributed in the formation, so a single less-than-catastrophic attack will not leave the unit leaderless.
Traveling
In a traveling movement, all components of the unit move at once. Enemy contact is considered unlikely. An infantry unit leads, followed by the commander; the trailing unit is usually also infantry, with the deputy commander just ahead of it.
Traveling overwatch
When speed is important but there is a possibility of enemy contact, the traveling overwatch technique is appropriate. The unit is split into lead and trail elements, which must stay in constant visual or electronic contact. While the lead element moves continuously, the trail element moves at various speeds, and may stop so it can best cover the lead element in situations where contact is considered very likely.
Covering means that the trail element is ready to provide immediate suppressive fire on the enemy, giving the lead unit the opportunity to maneuver.
Overall, this is a flexible formation. When contact is especially likely, the unit should shift into bounding overwatch.
Bounding overwatch
Actions and maneuver on contact
References
- ↑ , Chapter 3, Movement, Field Manual 3-21.11: The SBCT (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) Rifle Company, U.S. Army, 23 January 2003