Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 8, 2007 0:46:25 GMT -5
In WW2 and Vietnam one of the most dangerous encouters one might have is attempting to reenter friendly lines. This was especially true at night when returning from a patrol or if you were seprated from your unit during operations.
A front line defensive position usually consisted of Jittery sentries or horribbly fatigued frontline soldiers half asleep who would often over react to the slightest provocation and once firing started everyone on the line was likely to join in.
Techniques were developed in WW2 and taught that reduced these dangers and these skills were finely honed by Vietnam. unfortunately in both wars they were often ignored and often with tragic results.
In WW2 a patrol would leave marker tape that would help route it to the correct listening post that was expecting the patrols return. Often it was the same listening post they passed as they headed out for the patrol. This defys the concept of always returning a different way then you left because the dangers of unfamiliarity were considered greater then enemy observation and ambush.
The listening post usually had a field phone that would advise them that a patrol was leaving and passing their position. The patrol would not stop or even slow down at the listening posts so as to not give away the position. This was the rule but it was seldom followed. Usually a patrol leader would stop at the LP to whisper a reminder about when they expected to be coming back and give them a count of men in the patrol and review any procedures they might have. All of this was supposed to be covered and coordinated in daylight before either the Listening post or patrol actually were deployed.
The patrol would go on their mission which might be a roving patrol beteen elements or an interdiction patrol to the defensive front. It might also be a static ambush or a recon patrol. An estimated time for the deployment was established. In the case of an ambush patrol it was usually an all night affair. They would deploy at dusk and return after day break. If they returned at night the procedure was especially delicate.
The patrol would call in to command to let them know they were enroute. This word was passed to the LPs in the area and the front line soldiers in their positions. "Patrol enroute, 5 men"
The patrol would radio in their return and await confirmation and assurances that the front line troops have been advised. They would attempt to come in straight and avoid skirting or working parallel to the front line. They would work adjacent to the front line only in an effort to find the re entry marking tape. Once there they would take a count to insure all patrol members were present They would call in again (by radio) or signal with a light. This let the LP and front line fighting positions know they were at the outer marker. Throughout this process the LP would be notified and upon confirming that the LP was informed the patrol would come in passing the LP which would confirm the count on the field phone as they passed the LP (One, two, three, four, five) Five men inbound" A smart patrol leader wouldn't trust that everyone on the front line got the word. (Invariably someone didn't) This smart patrol leader would pre arrange or ask for a guide from the platoon on the line (Preferably an NCO or officer) The guide would come out past the LP and meet the patrol at the marker. He would then lead them in. Again the LP would pass up the count as they passed the LP via field phone ("One, two, three, four, five, six." Six men enroute." Once up at the fox hole line another designated checkpoint would conduct a hand count to make sure only six men entered the perimeter. Usually touching each man. By asking for a ground guide you accomplished two things. You had an effective guide through the wire and obstacles and more importantly you had a man from that unit who was himself exposed to extreme danger who would further ensure that everyone got the word.
Occassionally signals with flashlight were used to indicate that a patrol was in position or enroute. The L flashlight is equipped with interchangeable lenses that can provide blue,red, green or white lights for signalling. The color used would be prearranged and covered in the patrol briefing. Note these lights were from the patrol inward not from the frontline outward.
Rentering lines is a scarey scarey proposition as friendly fire isn't. This sounds like straightforward and simple process but to be done effectively it has to be practiced and rehearsed numerous times. Replicating this process can be a fun and very authentic activity at your next 24 hour game.
A front line defensive position usually consisted of Jittery sentries or horribbly fatigued frontline soldiers half asleep who would often over react to the slightest provocation and once firing started everyone on the line was likely to join in.
Techniques were developed in WW2 and taught that reduced these dangers and these skills were finely honed by Vietnam. unfortunately in both wars they were often ignored and often with tragic results.
In WW2 a patrol would leave marker tape that would help route it to the correct listening post that was expecting the patrols return. Often it was the same listening post they passed as they headed out for the patrol. This defys the concept of always returning a different way then you left because the dangers of unfamiliarity were considered greater then enemy observation and ambush.
The listening post usually had a field phone that would advise them that a patrol was leaving and passing their position. The patrol would not stop or even slow down at the listening posts so as to not give away the position. This was the rule but it was seldom followed. Usually a patrol leader would stop at the LP to whisper a reminder about when they expected to be coming back and give them a count of men in the patrol and review any procedures they might have. All of this was supposed to be covered and coordinated in daylight before either the Listening post or patrol actually were deployed.
The patrol would go on their mission which might be a roving patrol beteen elements or an interdiction patrol to the defensive front. It might also be a static ambush or a recon patrol. An estimated time for the deployment was established. In the case of an ambush patrol it was usually an all night affair. They would deploy at dusk and return after day break. If they returned at night the procedure was especially delicate.
The patrol would call in to command to let them know they were enroute. This word was passed to the LPs in the area and the front line soldiers in their positions. "Patrol enroute, 5 men"
The patrol would radio in their return and await confirmation and assurances that the front line troops have been advised. They would attempt to come in straight and avoid skirting or working parallel to the front line. They would work adjacent to the front line only in an effort to find the re entry marking tape. Once there they would take a count to insure all patrol members were present They would call in again (by radio) or signal with a light. This let the LP and front line fighting positions know they were at the outer marker. Throughout this process the LP would be notified and upon confirming that the LP was informed the patrol would come in passing the LP which would confirm the count on the field phone as they passed the LP (One, two, three, four, five) Five men inbound" A smart patrol leader wouldn't trust that everyone on the front line got the word. (Invariably someone didn't) This smart patrol leader would pre arrange or ask for a guide from the platoon on the line (Preferably an NCO or officer) The guide would come out past the LP and meet the patrol at the marker. He would then lead them in. Again the LP would pass up the count as they passed the LP via field phone ("One, two, three, four, five, six." Six men enroute." Once up at the fox hole line another designated checkpoint would conduct a hand count to make sure only six men entered the perimeter. Usually touching each man. By asking for a ground guide you accomplished two things. You had an effective guide through the wire and obstacles and more importantly you had a man from that unit who was himself exposed to extreme danger who would further ensure that everyone got the word.
Occassionally signals with flashlight were used to indicate that a patrol was in position or enroute. The L flashlight is equipped with interchangeable lenses that can provide blue,red, green or white lights for signalling. The color used would be prearranged and covered in the patrol briefing. Note these lights were from the patrol inward not from the frontline outward.
Rentering lines is a scarey scarey proposition as friendly fire isn't. This sounds like straightforward and simple process but to be done effectively it has to be practiced and rehearsed numerous times. Replicating this process can be a fun and very authentic activity at your next 24 hour game.