The 937th OSK (Airsoft) Combined Spetznaz Command	CHAPTER 7 PATROLLING From: FM 7-7 CH7

Section I. INTRODUCTION

7-1. GENERAL

An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position on a moving or temporarily halted target. It may include an assault to close with and destroy the target, or the attack may be by fire only. It does not require that ground be seized and held. It enables a small unit with destroy a larger, better armed unit.

There are two types of ambush: point and area. In a point ambush, troops deploy to attack a single kill zone. In an area ambush, troops deploy as multiple related point ambushes.

Ambushes are categorized as either hasty or deliberate.

A hasty ambush is a battle drill

A deliberate ambush is planned as a specific action against a specific target. Detailed information of the target is required, such as size, organization, weapons and equipment carried, route and direction of movement, and times the target will reach or pass certain points on its route. Deliberate ambushes are planned when--

reliable information is received on the expected movement of a specific target; and

patrols, convoys, carrying parties, or similar targets establish patterns of size, time, and movement sufficient to permit detailed planning for their ambush.

Ambushes are described in the following terms:

AMBUSH SITE--the terrain on which a point ambush is established.

KILL ZONE--the part of an ambush site where fire is concentrated to isolate, trap, and destroy the target.

ASSAULT ELEMENT--the part of the ambush patrol that fires into and assaults the kill zone.

SUPPORT ELEMENT--the part of the ambush patrol that supports the assault element by firing into and around the kill zone.

SECURITY ELEMENT--the early warning and security part of an ambush patrol. It secures the ORP, and blocks enemy avenues of approach into and out of the ambush site. It does this to prevent any enemy from getting into or out of the ambush site.

7-21. FUNDAMENTALS OF A SUCCESSFUL AMBUSH

Surprise. Surprise is a major feature that distinguishes an ambush from other forms of attack. It is surprise that allows the patrol to seize control of the situation. If complete surprise cannot be achieved, it must be so nearly complete that the target does not know of the ambush until too late for effective reaction. Surprise is achieved by good planning, preparation, and execution.

Coordinated Fire. All weapons, including mines and demolitions, must be positioned, and all fire, including that of supporting artillery and mortars, must be coordinated to achieve--

the isolation of the kill zone to prevent escape or reinforcement; and

the surprise delivery of a large volume of highly concentrated fire into the kill zone. This fire must inflict maximum damage so that the target can be quickly assaulted, when required, and destroyed.

Control. Close control must be maintained during movement to, occupation of, and withdrawal from the ambush site. Control is most critical at the time of the target's approach. Control measures must provide for--

early warning of target approach,

withholding fire until the target has moved into the kill zone,

opening fire at the proper time,

initiation of proper action if the ambush is prematurely detected,

lifting or shifting of supporting fire when the attack includes assault of the target and

timely and orderly withdrawal of the patrol to the ORP.

7-22. AMBUSH FORMATIONS

Line. In an ambush employing a line formation, the assault and support elements are deployed generally parallel to the target's route of movement (road, trail, stream). This positions the assault and support elements parallel to the long axis of the kill zone and subjects the target to flanking fire. The size of a target that can be trapped in the kill zone is limited by the size of the area that the assault and security elements can cover with a great volume of fire. The target is trapped in the kill zone by natural obstacles, mines (Claymore, antitank, antipersonnel), explosives, and direct and indirect fire. A disadvantage of the line formation is that its target may be so dispersed that it is larger than the kill zone. The line formation is good in close terrain which restricts the targets movement, and in open terrain where one flank is blocked by natural obstacles or can be blocked by mines or explosives. Similar obstacles may be put between the assault and support elements and the kill zone to protect the patrol from the target's counterambush actions. When a patrol is deployed this way, access lanes are left through the obstacles so the target can be assaulted. An advantage of the line formation is the relative ease by which it can be controlled under all conditions of visibility.

The L. The L-shaped formation in an ambush is a variation of the line formation. The long leg of the "L" (assault element) is parallel to the kill zone. This provides flanking fire. The short leg (support element) is at the end of, and at a right angle to, the kill zone. This provides enfilade fire which interlocks with fire from the other leg. This formation can be deployed on a straight stretch of a trail, road, or stream, or at a sharp bend in a trail, road, or stream.

7-23. SIGNALS

Audible and visual signals such as whistles and flares must be changed often to avoid setting patterns. Frequent use of the same signals may cause them to become known to the enemy. A target might recognize a signal and react in time to avoid the full effects of an ambush. For example, if a white star cluster is used all the time to signal withdrawal in a night ambush, an alert enemy might fire one and cause premature withdrawal of the ambush patrol.

Normally four signals are needed for the ambush.

(1) A signal by a security team to alert the leader of the target's approach.

(2) A signal to start the ambush, given by the leader or a man he designates. This must be a casualty-producing signal, such as machine gunfire or the detonation of mines or explosives.

(3) A signal to shift fire when the target is to be assaulted. Voice, whistles, or flares may be used. All fire must stop or be shifted at once so that the assault can be made before the target can react.

(4) A signal to withdraw. This can be by voice, whistle, or flare.

7-24. FIRE DISCIPLINE

Fire discipline is a key part of the ambush. Fire must be withheld until the signal is given, then delivered at once in the heaviest, most accurate volume possible. Well-timed and well-aimed fire helps achieve surprise as well as the destruction of the enemy. When the enemy is to be assaulted, the lifting or shifting of fire must also be precise. If it is not, the assault is delayed, and the enemy has a chance to react.

7-25. WITHDRAWAL TO THE ORP

Routes of withdrawal to the ORP are reconnoitered. Situation permitting, each man reconnoiters the route he is to use.

On signal, the patrol withdraws to the ORP, reorganizes, and starts its return march. At a set terrain feature or about 1,000 meters from the objective, the patrol will halt and disseminate information.

If the ambush fails and the patrol is pursued, withdrawal may be by bounds. Smoke and indirect fire may be used to assist the patrol in disengagement. Mines set along the withdrawal routes can help stop the pursuit.

7-26. CONDUCT OF A POINT AMBUSH

A point ambush, by itself or as part of an area ambush, is positioned on its target's expected route of approach. The ambush formation is important because it determines to a great extent whether a point ambush can deliver the heavy volume of fire necessary to isolate, trap, and destroy the enemy.

The formation to be used is based on the advantages and disadvantages of each possible formation in relation to the--

terrain, visibility, troops available, weapons, and equipment;

ease of control;

enemy force to be attacked, and

overall combat situation.

The patrol halts at the ORP and establishes security. The leader confirms the patrol's location. The leader then conducts a reconnaissance of the objective area to confirm the plan.

The security element leaves the ORP first. The teams of the security element move to positions from which they can secure the ORP and the flanks of the ambush site.

When the security teams are in position, the support and assault elements leave the ORP and occupy their positions. If there is a suitable position, the leader may have the support element overwatch the assault element's move to the ambush site. If not, both elements leave the ORP at the same time.

Once all elements are in position, the patrol awaits the target. When the target approaches, the security team spotting it alerts the leader of the patrol. The security team should report the target's direction of movement, size, and any special weapons or equipment.

Upon receipt of the report, the leader alerts the other elements. When the major part of the target is in the kill zone, the leader gives the signal to start the ambush.

When the assault element is required to assault the kill zone, the leader of the patrol gives the signal to lift or shift fire. This is also the signal for the assault to start. When the assault element has finished its mission in the kill zone, the leader gives the signal to withdraw to the ORP.

When the assault element is not required to assault the kill zone, and when the desired results have been achieved, the leader gives the signal to withdraw to the ORP.

On the signal to withdraw, all elements move back to the ORP. Equipment and personnel are accounted for, and the patrol moves out to a suitable location to disseminate information. The patrol then returns to friendly lines.

7-27. CONDUCT OF AN AREA AMBUSH

An area ambush is not normally conducted by a unit smaller than a platoon. The area ambush works best where enemy movement is largely restricted to trails or streams. The area selected should offer several suitable point ambush sites. The platoon leader must select one central ambush site around which he can organize the outlying ambushes. Squad-size patrols occupy the ambush sites.

Once the central ambush site has been selected, the platoon leader must determine the enemy's possible avenues of approach to and escape from this site. He then selects and assigns ambush sites to cover these avenues. The ambush sites are then established as explained for a point ambush.

Once the sites have been established, all enemy traffic going toward or away from the central ambush site is reported to the platoon leader--who is at the central ambush site. The outlying ambushes should allow the enemy to pass through their kill zones until the central ambush has been initiated.

Once the central ambush is initiated, the out-lying ambushes prevent any enemy from escaping or entering the area.

The actual conduct of the ambushes is the same as that discussed for the point ambush .

(Skipped 7-28. SQUAD ANTIARMOR AMBUSH )