Armor Tactical Problem 001 - Tank Section Attack

Armor Tactical Problem 001 - Tank Section Attack

Download the Tank Section Attack Scenario

• Tactical Problem
• Purpose: This problem illustrates the actions of a tank section advancing as part of a tank platoon. Decisions and orders of the section leader are emphasized.
• Time: 30 minutes
• References:  FM17-30_Tank_Plt.pdf
• Necessary Basic Knowledge for this Tactical Problem:
• Movement techniques
• Traveling
• Traveling Overwatch
• Bounding Overwatch (alternating and successive)
• Battle Drills
• React to Contact
• Fire and Movement
• Recon by Fire
• Hull Down

SITUATION

• Situation: Prior to moving out from WOODS A, movement is observed in the woods at E. The platoon leader reconnoiters by fire, and return fire is received from an enemy AT gun. 

MISSION

• The platoon leader orders the 1st section to establish a base of fire and the 2nd section to move through the woods on the right and flank the AT gun position.

FRIENDLY FORCES

• First platoon, Company A.  Main maneuver element is section 2 (tanks 3 and 4), section 1 (tanks 1 and 2) will support section 2 by fire.

ENEMY FORCES

• The enemy position is not strongly organized, but areas defended by AT guns may be encountered.  Expect the enemy to be defending in depth with more than one AT gun, perhaps an HMG team and enemy armor activity should be expected.

PLAN

• Section 2 has been ordered to follow the track identified on the map to flank the AT gun at position E.  Section 1 will provide fire support and will only advance to position E after the AT gun there has been eliminated.  Section 2 will then continue advancing as outlined on the map eliminating any enemy position encountered.

NOTES

• Ensure each enemy position encountered is cleared prior to moving on  
• Use the fire and movement drill when advancing against an enemy position  
• Use the appropriate movement techniques when moving the two tank sections
• Use recon by fire on positions where an enemy could be positioned
• Use hulldown whenever coming into the potential firing arc of a position that might contain an enemy unit
• Use smoke to blind possible enemy positions downrange.  Some might be AT guns or tanks and you will not know for sure until they open fire
• The marked possible enemy contact areas may or may not actually contain an enemy unit, or if it does it might not lay exactly within the area marked on the map
• This scenario is meant to provide experience commanding tank sections. Do not maneuver the tank platoon as a whole, but maneuver as sections.  The platoon leader tank should not move unless it is needed to fill the spot left open by a lost tank
• Keep the Tactical Considerations in mind throughout the scenario
• When maneuvering as sections, use the proper movement techniques and combat drills with the two tank section
• Take care of your tanks!  Losing a tank will cost you dearly in the post game AAR scoring.  In fact none of the on map objectives have point values, all scoring will come from the loss ratio between your force and the enemy force

Infantry Tactical Problem 001 - Squad Attack

Infantry Tactical Problem 001 - Squad Attack
Download the Infantry Squad Attack Scenario

• Tactical Problem
• Purpose: The purpose of this Tactical Problem is to give the player experience controlling a rifle squad in maneuvering against an enemy position
• Time: 30 minutes
• References: FM7-10_Rifle_Company-44.pdf, chapter 6
• Necessary Basic Knowledge for this Tactical Problem:
• Movement techniques
• Travelling
• Travelling Overwatch
• Bounding Overwatch (alternating and successive)
• Battle Drills
• React to Contact
• Squad Attack

INFORMATION

• Enemy - the enemy outpost (LMG team) at Woods E is the main objective for this problem.  There could be other enemy units on the map as well, but no further information is available
• Friendly Forces – A rifle platoon leader is in position on HILL A.  Rifle Squad 1 is the sole maneuver element for this problem, the platoon leader element can only be used for spotting and for fire support, it cannot move during this problem

MISSION

• Squad movement to contact, primary objective is to eliminate the enemy outpost at Woods E using the cover of the trees and low lying land along the stream (as indicated on the map) to approach the position.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Only maneuver with Squad 1 – broken down into either two or three teams Platoon HQ element may only be used for supporting fire, and may not be maneuvered or used offensively
• Show movement technique skills, you must:
• use Travelling for at least one turn
• use Travelling Overwatch for at least one turn
• use Bounding Overwatch (Alternating) for at least one turn – note:  it is recommended that Bounding Overwatch be used when reaching the river and until enemy contact is made 
• use Bounding Overwatch (Successive) for at least one turn – note:  it is recommended that Bounding Overwatch be used when reaching the river and until enemy contact is made
• React to Contact
• Squad Attack

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 

• You as the player are expected to maneuver as directed (follow the green arrow, at least until enemy contact is made), react to contact and attack as required eliminating all enemy in zone
• Use advance to contact tactics:  make contact with the smallest element possible then perform a squad attack in order to deal with any enemy force encountered
• Practice giving orders for each of the different movement techniques!  --This is an opportunity to get familiar with each technique and you should have plenty of time to give orders for each
• The goal of this problem is to give you experience maneuvering against a known enemy force, and to give you experience in reacting to enemy contact, and finally to give you experience in conducting an attack using the Squad Attack Drill
• The most important traits for a tactical commander are patience and flexibility.  
• Be prepared to adjust plans as required and as the situation changes.  
• Also, take your time, there are 30 minutes available to accomplish your task, don’t rush your movement or your attacks, and think them through before committing.

SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

• The squad will be operating on its own away from any contact with the Platoon Leader so will not have any communication with higher echelon.  
• It will maintain inter-squad communication as best as it can, and be sure to coordinate all fire and movement.

Battle Drill 004 – Reconnaissance by Fire

Reconnaissance by Fire

HISTORICAL NOTE: Widely used in WW2, reconnaissance by fire should be a part of every commander’s tactical toolbox. Armored units often advanced at speed, using machine guns or cannon fire to fire at any cover that could hold an enemy unit on both sides of the route of advance. The main goal was to suppress and distract the aim of enemy gunners and antitank teams, but also to identify any enemy positions.

Reconnaissance by Fire is a technique used when firing into a terrain position that could be or is suspected as being occupied by the enemy.

• Reconnaissance by fire does not mean to blindly fire into a position in the hopes of hitting something
• The main goal is to provoke the enemy into returning fire or fleeing, either confirming the presence of the enemy or confirming that the position is not manned
• Any enemy units identified with reconnaissance by fire would then be attacked with either Fire & Movement, Squad/Platoon Attack Drill, or attacked by fire

Battle Drill 003 – Fire & Movement

Fire & Movement

HISTORICAL NOTE: Fire & Movement was the standard US tactic from squad to platoon level and for both infantry and armor.  Though I'm sure the German army used this tactic as well, they would be more likely to use a tactic more similar to the Squad Attack Drill (or Platoon Attack Drill).  We will get into tactics that will be more specific to each army as this blog develops.

SITUATION: The squad/section/platoon (referred to as unit hereafter) is attacking an enemy unit and needs to close on the enemy position in order to assault it more effectively.  This battle drill can be performed by either infantry, armor, or reconnaissance type units.

• Broken into two elements, they will take turns either providing support or moving forward
• Support element – the element in position providing fire support to suppress the enemy unit
• Maneuver element – moving unit progresses forward towards the enemy position (maneuver element)  
• This type of maneuver can be accomplished by any size unit that can be broken down into at least two elements and is the basic tactic for advancing on and assaulting an enemy unit.

• Made up of three elements, Suppression, Advance, and Assault:

• Suppression – the support element provides fire on the enemy unit or position to suppress the enemy unit, hopefully from a position that provides some cover (or hull down for armored fighting vehicles)
• Advance – the maneuver element maneuvers forward until it is in a position from which to provide suppressive fire
• Uses the terrain to best mask movement.  Ensure that as you order your maneuver element forward that there is some terrain element between the route of advance and the enemy unit so their movement is not spotted (or is at least covered from enemy fire)
• Keep the crest of a ridge between you and the enemy
• Use a covered approach, such as that offered by thick woods
• Movement is conducted in short rushes (fast or quick in CM)
• Once in a good support by fire position this element stops, and opens fire on the enemy unit or position
• Maneuver element, now becomes the support element taking over the support role when in a good position from which it can fire on the enemy position
• Support element becomes the maneuver element and moves to the next position closer to the enemy where it can again provide effective support fire
• Follows the movement guidelines outlined above

• This process is continued until the unit is in a good position to assault the enemy unit

• Assault -  the unit assaults through the enemy position

• Option 1.  The maneuver element assaults the enemy position with the support element providing suppressive fire
• Option 2.  The maneuver and support elements assault the enemy position together - note: this is the option I chose for the example
• This should not be conducted as one continuous movement, plot the advance in bounds, especially when getting close to grenade range (sub 30m)
• The assault element should have a target order placed on the enemy team’s location as soon as it is possible (gray target line is okay)
• If the enemy team is not fully suppressed DO NOT advance within 30 meters as the maneuver element will be within grenade range and casualties will be taken
• 30 meters out (or closer), stop the maneuver element and plot a target order, this should have them start to throw grenades

• Consolidate and Reorganize
• Maneuver element takes up a defensive posture on the objective
• Support element advances to the objective (if Option 1 was used)
• Unit sets up in hasty defensive positions in order to reorganize and reorient to next objective

• Continue the mission - note: this type of attack, as effective as it is, can be costly in terms of ammo, be prepared to have another unit pass through this unit to continue the mission while this one resupplies.

Movement Technique 005 - Hull Down

Hull Down

HULL DOWN:  Hull down is a position taken up by an armored fighting vehicle where its hull is masked from view behind a crest or other raised ground (i.e. a wall, etc.), but its turret and main weapon system is exposed.  Also referred to as hull defilade.  

Leaving just the turret exposed and the main part of the tank masked from enemy view reduces the chances of detection and increases the possibility of survival.

SITUATION: An armored fighting vehicle is attacking an enemy unit and needs to close on the enemy position in order to attack it more effectively while maximizing cover. 

Moving into a hull-down position:

• Understand that hull-down only applies to a specific target or direction... you might be hull-down to one enemy, but exposed to another.  In the following image, the tank is hull down to any enemy unit on the left and center (note: partial hull down is okay), but is fully exposed and will be in clear view to any enemy unit on the right.

• Procedure:
• Add your movement waypoints up to the hill/ridge you want to deploy on
• Select the last waypoint and, using the targeting command, check to see if you can "see" into the target area (area where you suspect or know the enemy is located), if you cannot see into the targeted area, then move the waypoint until you can
• When checking LOS with the target command it will say either "Spotter is hull down" or "Spotter is partially hull down".. either is acceptable.. if it does not say this move the waypoint until it does
• In the following image, the player desires to have the tank masked from enemy observation on the left, while it is hull down to enemy units on the right

• Change the last waypoint to Hunt and your tank should stop to fire immediately upon sighting an enemy unit, you will then be in a nice hull down position

Note: In addition, if I know where an enemy tank is located precisely then I will also give the last couple of waypoints very tight armor covered arcs over that location (not just the last one).

Battle Drill 002 – Squad Attack Drill

Squad Attack Drill

SITUATION: The squad is conducting a movement and the Lead Element comes under fire from an enemy unit.  The player has determined that the enemy unit is no larger than a team and can be assaulted by the squad without help from the rest of the platoon.

STEPS: 

• Action on enemy contact
• Team in contact returns fire
• If the Lead Element can defeat the enemy team on its own then it attacks and neutralizes it on its own
• If the Team in contact cannot on its own defeat the enemy team, goto Suppress the enemy
• Locate the enemy
• If enemy unit is not spotted, identify enemy position by sound and direction of incoming fire
• Request indirect or mortar support if available
• Suppress the enemy
• Can the Team in contact suppress the enemy team?
• If yes then Team in contact suppresses the enemy team with fire
• Note 1: for best results use the team containing the squad’s automatic weapon (BAR, or LMG) using area fire on the suspected enemy position
• Note 2: if necessary, use two teams to suppress the enemy team (as in my example)
• If the Team in contact cannot suppress the enemy team then squad takes up a support by fire position; perform Platoon Attack Drill

• Attack
• Trail (maneuver) Element assaults the enemy team
• The maneuver element could be composed of one or two teams depending on what is needed to suppress the enemy team
• The team containing any short range automatic weapons should compose at least part of the maneuver element
• Attack from a flank
• Maneuver using cover and concealment.  Ensure that as you order your maneuver element forward that there is some terrain element between the route of advance and the enemy unit so their movement is not spotted (or is at least covered from enemy fire)
• Keep the crest of a ridge between you and the enemy
• Use a covered approach, such as that offered by thick woods
• If necessary, screen the move with smoke – ensure you wait for it to build

• This should not be conducted as one continuous movement, plot the advance in bounds, especially when getting close to grenade range (sub 30m)
• The maneuver element should have a target order placed on the enemy team’s location as soon as it is possible (gray target line is okay)
• If the enemy team is not fully suppressed DO NOT advance within 30 meters as the maneuver element will be within grenade range and casualties will be taken
• 30 meters out (or closer), stop the maneuver element and plot a target order, this should have them start to throw grenades
• Team in contact continues to suppress the enemy team
• You can use Target Light to control support team rate of fire and conserve ammo if needed
• Fire should be continuous while the maneuver element is moving into their assault position
• Team in contact either stops firing, or shifts fire as the Trail Element begins its assault
• When shifting fire, the team in contact should try to shift fire on where the enemy team could retreat through
• Trail Element assaults through the enemy team
• Once the enemy team is clearly suppressed, give the order for the maneuver element to advance through the objective

• Consolidate and Reorganize
• Maneuver element takes up a defensive posture on the objective
• Team in contact advances to the objective
• Squad sets up in hasty defensive positions in order to reorganize and reorient to next objective
• The Squad continues the mission