Section

12
SQUAD TACTICS: AMBUSH
Key Points

1 2 3 4 5

Planning Ambush Categories Ambush Types Ambush Formations Leader Actions in the Ambush

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Any blow, to be successful, must be sudden and hard.
GEN Robert E. Lee

Tactics and Techniques Track

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Introduction
An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position. Its purpose is to destroy or capture a moving or temporarily halted enemy and the enemys equipment. An ambush is a useful tactic because it allows a small, well-trained, disciplined force, with limited weapons and equipment, to destroy much larger enemy forces. It reduces the enemys overall combat effectiveness by destruction and harassment of forces. Enemy morale and effectiveness suffer heavily at little cost to the force executing the ambush. A successful ambush must be executed with precision, violence, speed, and audacity of execution. For success, ambush operations must emphasize surprise, coordinated repower and shock effect, and control by the leader. Ambushes are classied by categoryhasty or deliberate; typepoint or area; and formationlinear or L-shaped. The leader uses a combination of category, type, and formation in developing an ambush plan, based on METT-TC and the commanders intent.

Ambush at Phu Loc The mission of the 2d Platoon, Company C, 327th Infantry (Airmobile) was to conduct night ambushes to interdict Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army movement into the village. One squad (reinforced) was deployed on the western edge of Cau Hai to conduct a night ambush to interdict enemy movement into the village. A reconnaissance of the ambush position was conducted during the day prior to occupation of the site. Personnel conducting the reconnaissance included the platoon leader, platoon sergeant, squad leaders, radio operators, and one Soldier for each of the positions to be occupied during the ambush. The actual position sites were reconnoitered while moving through the area during a routine patrol. Each patrol member was briefed beforehand and made mental notes en route without stopping or otherwise drawing undue attention to his actions. The location of the ambush position was selected based on a calculation that the enemy would most likely travel along the main trail located to the south and southwest or from the west along the paddy dikes. The primary killing zone was oriented to the south and southwest. Following a nal brieng, SGT Robert L. Sprangenbergs patrol began its movement to the ambush position at approximately 1855 hours on 19 December 1969. Moving by a direct route, in le formation, the patrol was concealed by heavy overcast and vegetation, arriving at the pre-selected ambush site at approximately 1915 hours. The Soldiers occupied the site and were established in nal positions within 10 minutes. The ambush site was occupied by four separate team positions, the machine gun being located to cover the primary killing zone as well as a secondary route of approach from the west. Claymore anti-personnel (AP) mines were emplaced to cover the primary and secondary killing zones and were camouaged with natural vegetation. Each team position was under the supervision of one designated trooper, and overall command and control was exercised by the patrol leader.

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The exact tactical formation employed by the enemy could not be determined. It appeared that the point element, consisting of two or three men and restricted by a conning dike, was moving in le. Based on the rapid return of rocketpropelled grenade (RPG) re, it was evident that a supporting element was set up in a ring position to cover the point element. The enemy force consisted of at least seven men. The only identiable weapons employed by the enemy were AK47s and RPGs. Enemy noise discipline was excellent; however, light discipline was extremely poor. The enemys use of a ashlight (believed to be a signal device) conrmed the point elements presence and identied its location. The enemys weakness lay in his selection of a route of movement. His strong points were dispersion, stealth, and accurate and responsive supporting re. The rst sighting of the enemy occurred at 2130 hours, when one man from the rear security element observed movement on the dike to his right front. He quickly directed a trooper employing the night vision device to scan the suspected location and conrmed the presence of two enemy soldiers. At that time, the enemy personnel were stationary, apparently continuing their reconnaissance of the village to their front. The remainder of the US ambush patrol, already on 100 percent alert, began to scan the area for additional movement. Then, the lead enemy Soldier appeared to signal with a ashlight toward his rear (west). Suddenly, he moved forward, appearing to have detected a Claymore mine. As he approached for a closer examination, the Claymore was detonated, and the patrol members delivered an instantaneous volume of grazing re within their assigned sectors. Within a few seconds, the enemy returned re with one RPG round from the west, followed shortly afterward by two additional rounds. The enemy re struck a house to the rear of the ambush site, injuring one Vietnamese woman. During the initial phase of the action, another enemy Soldier was observed to the west, and engaged by an M79 high-explosive grenade and M60 machine gun re. Following a rapid estimate of the situation, the platoon leader requested 81-mm mortar, 155-mm howitzer, and helicopter areship support. The rst 81-mm mortar illumination was overhead in less than two minutes and the 155-mm howitzer illumination in approximately 3 1/2 minutes. Unfavorable weather conditions precluded the employment of areships, and handheld ares were employed until 81-mm mortar illumination was received. Although the enemy returned small arms re, it was totally ineffective, and artillery blocking res were employed to seal off the suspected enemy routes of withdrawal. Following a quick check of personnel and redistribution of ammunition, the ambush patrol conducted an aggressive sweep to locate any remaining enemy forces. The sweep revealed the bodies of the two enemy Soldiers engaged by the rst Claymore, one body approximately 50 meters to the west who appeared to have been hit by a Claymore, and further west, another body also killed by a Claymore. One RPG round was found near the last body.

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When the patrol leader determined that no enemy remained in the area, he regrouped and relocated the patrol and had the slightly wounded civilian evacuated. At rst light, another sweep was conducted with negative results. A combat tracker team was employed but was unable to discover the enemys trail due to the high volume of civilian and animal traffic that had previously passed through the area. The patrol was subsequently debriefed and released for maintenance and rest.

Planning
Ambush planning begins well before the objective. Patrol leaders not only plan for actions during the ambush but also for those actions before and after: departing friendly forward lines, routes to and from the ambush site, setting up the patrol base and objective rally point (ORP), indirect re support, and actions after the objective (withdrawal). In planning an ambush, you must plan for these key considerations: Covering the entire kill zone by re Using existing or reinforcing obstacles (Claymores and other mines) to keep the enemy in the kill zone Protecting the assault and support elements with mines, Claymores, or explosives Using security elements or teams to isolate the kill zone Killing all enemy within the kill zone and, when the situation dictates, searching for dead and wounded, assembling prisoners, and collecting equipment (the assault element must be able to move quickly through its own protective obstacles) Timing the actions of all elements of the platoon to preclude loss of surprise Using only one squad to conduct the entire ambush and rotating squads over time from the ORP, this technique is useful when the ambush must be manned for a long time.

Claymore
command-detonated USM18A1 anti-personnel mine weighing 3.5 lbs, containing explosives and ball bearings used to defend Soldiers from mass infantry attacks; it can also be used to produce mass casualties during ambushes

In their ght against US forces in Iraq, military insurgents used what were essentially homemade antipersonnel mines similar to Claymores, better known as improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Ambush Categories
As noted above, the two categories of ambush are the hasty ambush and the deliberate ambush.
isolate
a tactical task given to a unit to seal off (both physically and psychologically) an enemy from sources of support, to deny an enemy freedom of movement, and prevent an enemy unit from having contact with other enemy forcesenemy ghters must not be allowed sanctuary within their present position

Hasty Ambush
You can conduct a hasty ambush when the enemy has not detected your patrol. If you have the time to apply METT-TC, you can decide whether to conduct the ambush, withdraw, or seek cover and concealment to allow the enemy to pass by. If you decide to conduct the ambush, you do so when your patrol makes visual contact with an enemy force and has time to establish the ambush without being detected. Your platoons actions for a hasty ambush must be well rehearsed and part of its battle-drill training, so that Soldiers know what to do on signal from you or their squad leader. They must also know what action to take if the enemy detects them before they are ready to initiate the ambush.

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Critical Thinking
Think about the denition of a battle drill. The above description of a hasty ambush sounds very much like the denition of a battle drill. Can you explain why the hasty ambush is not a battle drill?

In planning and rehearsing a hasty ambush, you should consider the following sequence of actions: Using visual signals, any Soldier alerts the platoon that an enemy force is in sight. The Soldier continues to monitor the location and activities of the enemy force until relieved by the team or squad leader. The platoon or squad halts and remains motionless. As the platoon leader, you determine the best nearby location for a hasty ambush. You use hand-and-arm signals to direct Soldiers to covered and concealed positions. You designate the location and extent of the kill zone. Security elements move out to cover each ank and the rear. You direct the security elements to move a given distance, set up, and rejoin the platoon on order or after the ambush (when the sound of ring ceases). At the squad level, the two outside buddy teams normally provide ank security as well as res into the kill zone (Figure 12.1).

Figure 12.1

Squad Hasty Ambush

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Figure 12.2

Platoon Hasty Ambush

At platoon level, re teams make up the security elements (Figure 12.2).

Note: Never discount the need for rear securityespecially on the nonlinear battleeld of the contemporary operating environment. The enemy can be virtually anywhere.

Soldiers move quickly to covered and concealed positions, normally ve to 10 meters apart. Soldiers ensure that they have good observation and elds of re into the kill zone. You initiate the ambush with the weapon that produces the most casualties when the majority of the enemy force enters the kill zone. (If time and terrain permit, the squad or platoon should place out Claymores and use them to initiate the ambush as they are the preferred casualty producing weapon organic to a squad or platoon.) Your unit avoids becoming decisively engaged both during the ambush and by follow-on elements.
Note: The most important element when considering a hasty ambush is the element of surprise. If the enemy detects the platoon, squad, or patrol before they enter the kill zone, then you are no longer conducting a hasty ambush. You and your Soldiers must now execute the React to Contact battle drill.

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limit of advance (LOA)

an easily recognized terrain feature beyond which attacking elements will not advance

As the patrol leader, you control the rate and distribution of res. You order cease re when the enemy force is destroyed or stops resisting. You direct the assault element to move through the kill zone to the limit of advance (LOA). As the assault element moves through the kill zone, the assault team members destroy any enemy attempting to resist, and disarm any surrendering or injured enemy ghters by kicking or throwing their weapons away from them. When it has completed these actions, the assault team forms a hasty 360-degree perimeter on the objective. TABLE 2.4 Common Fire Control Measures
Terrain-Based Fire Control Measures Threat-Based Fire Control Measures Fire patterns Engagement priorities Weapons ready posture Weapons control status Trigger Weapons safety posture

Target reference point Engagement area Sector of fire Maximum engagement line Final protective line Principal direction of fire Final protective fire Restrictive firing line

After the assault element has cleared through the kill zone, the support element rejoins the platoon. You position the support teams to seal the objective. You then call forward the aid and litter, enemy prisoner of war (EPW), and demolitions teams to quickly nish up their mission on the objective. The platoon withdraws from the ambush site using preplanned signals and a covered and concealed route. The platoon returns to the ORP, collects and disseminates all information among all members, reorganizes as necessary, and moves to an alternate or a new patrol base.

Deliberate Ambush
You conduct a deliberate ambush against a specific target at a predetermined location. In setting the stage for a deliberate ambush, you must conduct a thorough enemy analysis to determine: Size and composition of the targeted enemy unit Weapons and equipment available to the enemy The enemys most probable course of action (route, direction of movement, and movement formation and technique) Times that the targeted unit will reach or pass specied points along the route The enemys most dangerous course of action The ambush is in place not later than the time specied in the OPORD or FRAGO. Your patrol surprises the enemy and engages the enemy main body. The patrol kills or captures all enemy in the kill zone and destroys equipment based on the commanders intent. The patrol then withdraws all personnel and equipment from the objective within the time specied in the order. You obtain all available priority information requirements (PIR) from the ambush and continue follow-on operations.

Fire control measures allow leaders to communicate the manner and method of res; when to shift res, mass res, and disengage from the enemy.

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Ambush Types
Besides the two categories of ambush, there are also two different types: the point ambush and the area ambush.

Point Ambush
In a point ambush, Soldiers deploy to attack an enemy in a single kill zone. Consider the following sequence of actions when planning a deliberate point ambush:
Security Element

Position the security or surveillance team(s) rst. The support element moves out of the release point before the assault element in order to be in place before the assault element occupies the assault position. The support element must overwatch the movement of the assault element into position.
Note: Recall the principles of patrolling from Section 8. The order of emplacement and recovery of elements is important to avoid violating the principle of security.

Assault Element

You are the leader of the assault element. You must check each Soldier once the assault and rear element has established the assault position. If you use a surveillance team and ank security are in place, you signal the surveillance team to rejoin the assault element. The assault element identies individual sectors of re, sets up aiming stakes, emplaces Claymores and other protective devices (to include those necessary in any dead space inside the kill zone), camouflages its position, and takes its weapons off safetaking care not to compromise the mission by the sound of the metallic click when moving the selection lever.
Note: One weapon being taken off safe may not alert the enemy moving through the kill zone, but consider the typewriter sound effect as 30 Soldiers (a platoonsized ambush) take their weapons off safe all at the same moment in time.

You use aiming stakes as part of your direct re control measures. Aiming stakes ensure interlocking res on the kill zone, but also protect against fratricide between members of the assault, support, and ank security elements.

Support Element

The support team identies sectors of re for all its weapons, especially machine guns. It sets up limiting stakes to prevent friendly re from hitting the assault element, especially when conducting an L-shaped ambush. The team also emplaces Claymores and other protective devices.
Communication

Your instructions to security teams must include how to notify you of the enemys approach into the kill zone. The security element must also keep you informed if any enemy forces are following the lead force.

Dead space is any area in the kill zone that your elements cannot cover with direct re. Such an area will afford the enemy some measure of cover and concealment. Consider the use of mines, indirect res (such as mortars or artillery), or M203 grenade launchers to cover the dead space.

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Critical Thinking
Would you initiate an ambush if there is a follow-on enemy unit? Why or why not?

Note: Recall the lesson on patrolling. Your initial patrol planning must address how the patrol leader will communicate (both primary and alternate methods) with all the elements during each phase of the ambush.

You must determine how large an element your ambush can engage successfully. (Recall the discussion in Section 8 of the requirement for a 3-to-1 advantage in combat power.) You must be prepared to let enemy units that are too large pass by. You must report to higher headquarters any units that pass your ambush that you did not engage.
Initiating the Ambush

The PL initiates the ambush. The Claymore is the preferred method to initiate the ambush. You must also plan a backup method for initiating the ambush should the primary means fail. This should also be a device that can produce mass casualties, such as a machine gun, squad automatic weapon (SAW), or demolition that you control. You rarely use indirect res (mortars and artillery) to initiate ambushes, however, as it is too risky to get the proper time on target (TOT). All Soldiers must understand how you will initiate the ambush, and practice for it during rehearsals.
Note: The Claymore mine is the preferred way to initiate an ambush. It detonates instantly and produces mass casualties with an impressively loud noise. You should not initiate ambushes by whistles, yells, or small arms, as this does not provide shock and awe at initiation and will give the enemy time to react and defend themselves. The hand grenade is also a poor choice to initiate the ambush. The sound made by the spoon and ignitor is audible at 25 meters, and the fuse gives the enemy 8 seconds to react before the grenade detonates.

You must consider methods to engage the enemy in the kill zone during periods of limited visibility. You must balance the benets of using tracers against the risk that doing so will help the enemy identify your positions. You may use handheld or indirect illumination ares, but must take precautions to ensure you illuminate the kill zone without illuminating yourself.

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Light Discipline. When you are planning to use night vision goggles (NVGs), illumination, white light, or pointing devices (infrared or visible light) on the objective, consider the following: Control measures for disciplined use of pointing devices (e.g., limited to team leaders and above, machine gunners and assistant gunners, patrol leader). Your plan must consider both visible and IR pointers. Illumination, white light, or NVGs required by an assault element negotiating protective obstacles during movement across the objective. Continuous illumination, white light, or NVGs required by EPW teams to search EPWs or those killed in action (KIAs). The risk that enemy follow-on forces or a counterattack will be able to see you. Whether illumination will hinder the use of NVGs. Tracers work both ways: You can use the enemys tracers to identify his positions, but he can also use your tracers to identify your positions. The accuracy of illumination rounds and potential for illuminating friendly positions.

Indirect Fire

Part of your plan should include indirect re support. You use indirect res to neutralize, destroy, and suppress, as well as cover the flanks of the kill zone to help isolate it from follow-on forces and prevent the enemy from escaping the kill zone. They can also isolate the far side of the objective and cover and screen your units movement after actions on the objective. Indirect fires can also help the platoon disengage if the ambush is compromised or the platoon must depart the ambush site under pressure.
Signals

You must have a good plan to signal the advance of the assault element into the kill zone to begin its search and collection activities. The support element may not be able to see smoke. Consider using specic colors of ares or a timed event based on the initiation of the ambush. Although these are suitable signals, situations may arise where ares may not work and the timing of the mission may be off. Regardless of the signal used, all Soldiers must know the primary and alternate signals and practice relaying them during rehearsals.
Movement Speed and Security

The assault element must be prepared to move rapidly across the kill zone. The assault element uses speed as the best form of security, giving little time for any surviving enemy to recover from the initial shock of the surprise ambush. The most expeditious manner for the assault element to cross through the kill zone is to assault in a line formation. With this technique, the width of the kill zone is secured simultaneously. The line formation also reduces the chance of fratricide by keeping all Soldiers in the assault on line, not having any teams forward of another. In many cases, bounding half of the assault element through the kill zone will leave half of it unsecured, exposing the flank of the bounding half to enemy re.

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Aid and Litter Teams

Once at the LOA with the kill zone secured with a hasty perimeter, aid and litter teams assist friendly casualties rst, then enemy wounded, time permitting. Search and secure all EPWs and move them out of the kill zone before searching dead enemy. Establish a location for EPWs and enemy wounded to be treated and processed in accordance with the 5 Ss (search, silence, segregate, safeguard, and speed to the rear). Consider using the ambush release point as the EPW control point. Search from one side of the objective to the other and mark bodies that have been searched to ensure the area is thoroughly covered. (Remember to mark cleared bodies with a chalk mark or by folding arms over chestor whatever other mark is easy to identifyso there is no duplication of effort. Include this as part of the rehearsal.)
Search Techniques

A thorough search of enemy EPWs and KIAs is vital to your higher headquarters intelligence-gathering efforts. Information found on the objective will better enable commanders to plan future operations.

signal operating instructions (SOI)

unit daily frequencies, call signs, and passwords used by members in the unit

At a minimum, EPW teams will be two-Soldier teams (search and security). Adding a third Soldier as the recorder will speed up the search process. As the EPW team approaches the enemy soldier, the security Soldier positions at the enemy soldiers head and aims his or her weapon at the enemys head. The searcher lies on top of the enemy soldier and issues the security warning roll or rolling. Security acknowledges by repeating roll or rolling. The searcher rolls the enemy in such a manner that security can see under the enemy. Security yells clear if there are no weapons, hand grenades, or clackers under the enemy. If security sees anything that could be a threat, the threat is announced (grenade,knife, pistol) and the searcher reacts to the threat. For example, if security announces grenade, the searcher rolls the enemy back onto the device in order to use the enemy body to shield the blast. If the threat under the enemy is not an exploding device, the EPW team disarms the enemy or, if the enemy resists, applies deadly force in accordance with the published rules of engagement. The searchers then conduct a systematic search of the enemy soldier from head to toe for established commanders PIR items (maps, radio frequencies, signal operating instructions (SOI), orders, etc.). PIR items are recorded and retained. All other items are collected and delivered to the demolition site. The search team continues in this manner until all enemy personnel in and near the kill zone have been searched, all KIAs have been marked, and all EPWs have been secured.
Actions Before Departing

The patrol identies and collects PIR to carry back. It also identies and collects weapons and equipment for destruction. The demolition team prepares dual-primed explosives (C4 with two M80 fuse igniters and time fuse) and awaits the signal to ignite. This is normally the last action a patrol performs before departing the objective. The patrol also moves EPWs to the collection point and moves any wounded to the MEDEVAC pickup zone. If a ank security team makes contact, it ghts as long as possible without becoming decisively engaged. It uses a prearranged signal to let you know it is breaking contact and moving back to the release point. You may direct a portion of the support element to assist the security team in breaking contact.
Withdrawal

It is your job as platoon leader to plan the withdrawal from the ambush site. Normally, elements withdraw in the reverse order that they established their positions. This allows for the security elements to cover the main bodys withdrawal. The elements may return rst to the release point, then to the ORP, depending upon the distance between elements and the distance and direction to the ORP. If you leave security at the ORP, the security element at the ORP must be alert to assist the platoons return. It maintains security for the ORP while the rest of the platoon consolidates and prepares to depart the ORP.

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Critical Thinking
When would you not leave security in the ORP and why not?

Note: Consider the necessary control measures for Soldiers returning to the ORP during hours of limited visibility (such as IR lights, luminous tape, etc.).

Once you have returned to the ORP, you recover rucksacks and other equipment left at the ORP during the ambush and report to higher command (CCIR, SALUTE, LACE).

Area Ambush
In an area ambush, the patrol conducts two or more related point ambushes. A platoon is the smallest unit that conducts an area ambush. Your platoon will conduct area ambushes when enemy movement is largely restricted to trails or streams (Figure 12.3).You should select one principal ambush site around which you organize outlying ambushes. These secondary sites are located along the enemys most likely approach to and escape from the principal ambush site. Squad-sized elements are normally responsible for each ambush site. Each element establishes a point ambush as described above. Squads responsible for outlying ambushes do not initiate their ambushes until after the principal one is initiated.

Figure 12.3

Area Ambush

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Critical Thinking
Why is the platoon the smallest element that can conduct an area ambush?

They then engage to prevent enemy forces from escaping or reinforcing. You must determine the best employment of your machine guns. You normally position them both with the support element of the principal ambush site.

Ambush Formations
Units conduct ambushes using one of two formations: the linear formation and the L-shaped formation.

Linear Ambush
In an ambush using a linear formation, the assault and support elements deploy parallel to the enemys route (Figure 12.4). This positions both elements on the long axis of the kill zone and subjects the enemy to enfilading fire. You can use this formation in close

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Critical Thinking
In a linear ambush, you position both the assault and support elements parallel to the kill zone. How would you position your support element in relation to your assault element? How would you position your machine guns in order to have both interlocking and enlading res? Would you task organize a squad or re team to be the support element?

Figure 12.4

Linear Ambush Formation

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Figure 12.5

L-shaped Ambush Formation

terrain that restricts the enemys ability to maneuver against the platoon, or in open terrain provided you have a way to keep the enemy in the kill zone.

L-Shaped
In an L-shaped ambush, the assault element forms the long leg parallel to the enemys direction of movement along the kill zone. The support element forms the short leg at one end of and at right angles to the assault element. This provides both anking res (long leg) and enlade res (short leg) against the enemy. You can use the L-shaped ambush at a sharp bend in a trail, road, or stream. You should use it where the short leg would have to cross a straight road or trail (Figure 12.5).

enlade res
res delivered on the broad side of a target, so that the range pattern of the fall of shot generally aligns with the long axis of the target

Leader Actions in the Ambush

The PL completes the plan for the ambush in the ORP. You prepare to conduct a leaders recon; designate the members of the leaders recon party (typically including element leaders, the surveillance team, or security element, and the RTO/FO); and issue a contingency plan to the assistant patrol leader (APL).

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Critical Thinking
You are conducting a deliberate ambush on a road or trail. The leaders recon is complete and you have left and right ank security in place. You are ready to emplace the security and assault elements into the ambush site. Do you require a surveillance team to observe the kill zone while your security and assault elements move into position? Why or why not?

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Figure 12.6

Actions on the ObjectiveDeliberate Ambush

A good SOP will help you assign and direct special teams on the objective.

You then conduct your leaders recon, ensuring that the recon party moves undetected. You confirm the objectives location and suitability for the ambush; post a surveillance team at the site, and issue a contingency plan. You also select a kill zone, and conrm the suitability of assault and support positions. You identify a release point (RP), routes from element positions to the RP, and locations for targets, mines, and collection points. You then return to the ORP, adjust your plan, and decide on necessary control measures based on info from the recon. At this point, you confirm the ambush formation. If you did not emplace them during the leaders recon of the objective, the security teams occupy first, securing the flanks of the ambush site provide early warning. The security element must be in position before the support and assault elements move forward from the release point. A security team remains in the ORP if the patrol plans to return to the ORP after actions on the objective. The support element leader assigns sectors of fire. Once the support element is in position, the PL leads the assault element from the RP into the assault position. The assault element uses line formation when occupying the assault position. The security element identies the enemy and noties the PL, reporting the speed and direction of movement, size, any special weapons or equipment carried, positions of key leaders, traveling technique, movement formation, and dispersion. The security element must also keep you informed if any enemy forces are following the lead force. You alert other elements and determine if the enemy force is too large, or if your ambush can engage successfully. You usually do this by a preplanned code word for ambush. You initiate the ambush and conduct actions on the objective (Figure 12.6Deliberate Ambush and Figure 12.7Hasty Ambush).

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Figure 12.7

Actions on the ObjectiveHasty Ambush

After the ambush, you direct the units withdrawal from the ambush site. You disseminate information, or move the platoon to a safe location (no less than one kilometer or one terrain feature away from the objective) and then disseminate information. As required, the PL and forward observer (FO) execute indirect res to cover the platoons withdrawal from the area of operation (AO).

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Critical Thinking
Recall that you must have direct control over both the primary and alternate mostcasualty-producing weapons when initiating the ambush. In most cases, these are your Claymores, SAWs, or machine guns. How can you position these weapons or yourself to ensure that you have direct control when initiating the ambush?

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CONCLUSION
By its very nature, an ambush is perhaps the most violent and lethal of all military operations. If properly executed, the amount of damagephysically and emotionallythat an ambush can do is remarkable. Understanding how to plan and execute different types of ambush will also help you survive if the tables are turned and your platoon nds itself caught in an enemy ambush.

Learning Assessment
1. Describe the terrain in which you would use a linear ambush or an L-shaped ambush. 2. What is the best method for initiating an ambush? Why? What are alternate means of initiation? 3. How do the planning considerations for an ambush differ from that of an attack? How do they differ between deliberate and hasty ambushes?

Key Words
kill zone Claymore isolate limit of advance (LOA) signal operating instructions (SOI) enlade re

References
Department of the Army. (1970). Vietnam Interview 242. 22nd Military History Department, 101 Airborne (Airmobile). San Francisco, CA. Retrieved 18 April 2005 from http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/vietnam/vni/242.htm Field Manual 3-21.8, The Infantry Rie Platoon and Squad. 28 March 2007. Field Manual 5-0, Army Planning and Order Production. 20 January 2005. Field Manual 7-85, Ranger Unit Operations. 9 June 1987. SH 21-76, US Army Ranger Handbook. July 2006.

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