Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 5, 2006 22:07:12 GMT -5
When a US force would occupy a defensive position they would typically employ two up and one back. Two units on the line and one in reserve. There would typically be gaps between elements and listening posts would be employed well to the front of the firing positions with patrols between units to cover the gaps.
Battle buddies were used except in extremely rare cases. Soldiers seldom occupied a foxhole or listening post alone. This was for psychological as well as practical reasons.
LP/OPs would be positioned close enough so you could easily draw back your guys before an actual attack (if possible) as being down range was never healthy.
LPs and OPs would always come from the element they were immediately in front of (Guys from your own squad or platoon)
Often times a portion of the reserve element would provide troops to perform those tasks. Patrols between elements, patrols out front of a defense or static ambushes called COPs (Combat Outposts) These semi static positions would be intended to confuse the enemy as to where the MLR was. (Main Line of Resistance) This might cause them to incorrectly target their indirect fire or deploy in attack formation too early.
Unit leaders would create a fire plan and actually draw out and record field of fire and designated areas of responsibiity. MG and AT positions would be critical to these plans. Mortars would be sited to cover dips and terrain that couldn't be covered with direct fire. Often times MGs were not permitted to fire until ordered to do so by their element leader as enemy patrols were often sent out to try and reveal MG positions prior to a full blown offensive commitment.
Wire communication by field phone was the desired means of communication in defense as it was reliable and relatively secure. Often times wire communication would be lost due to artillery of mortar fire and troops would be sent out to quickly restore it. In the absence of wire communication, runners were used as radios in WW2 were not terribly reliable and didn't have very good range.
Ordering a FPF (Fire Protective Fire) was a critical communication so the US army would always have a redundant way to send the command. Phone would be first, radios second (if available) and a colored rocket or whistle might be next. Runners would be the last resort communication.
Battle buddies were used except in extremely rare cases. Soldiers seldom occupied a foxhole or listening post alone. This was for psychological as well as practical reasons.
LP/OPs would be positioned close enough so you could easily draw back your guys before an actual attack (if possible) as being down range was never healthy.
LPs and OPs would always come from the element they were immediately in front of (Guys from your own squad or platoon)
Often times a portion of the reserve element would provide troops to perform those tasks. Patrols between elements, patrols out front of a defense or static ambushes called COPs (Combat Outposts) These semi static positions would be intended to confuse the enemy as to where the MLR was. (Main Line of Resistance) This might cause them to incorrectly target their indirect fire or deploy in attack formation too early.
Unit leaders would create a fire plan and actually draw out and record field of fire and designated areas of responsibiity. MG and AT positions would be critical to these plans. Mortars would be sited to cover dips and terrain that couldn't be covered with direct fire. Often times MGs were not permitted to fire until ordered to do so by their element leader as enemy patrols were often sent out to try and reveal MG positions prior to a full blown offensive commitment.
Wire communication by field phone was the desired means of communication in defense as it was reliable and relatively secure. Often times wire communication would be lost due to artillery of mortar fire and troops would be sent out to quickly restore it. In the absence of wire communication, runners were used as radios in WW2 were not terribly reliable and didn't have very good range.
Ordering a FPF (Fire Protective Fire) was a critical communication so the US army would always have a redundant way to send the command. Phone would be first, radios second (if available) and a colored rocket or whistle might be next. Runners would be the last resort communication.