2. One of the primary tactical roles of infantry is to seize
and hold ground
Whatever the method of approach to an objective it
will finally only be seized and held by infantry action on
foot
The infantry must on foot break into the objective
fight through it by fire and movement and reorganize on or
near it
An assault phase by dismounted action is a tactic
common to all infantry and the basic lies in the principles
mechanics and tactics of the deliberate attack
INTRODUCTION
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4. DELIBERATE ATTACK
A deliberate attack is one, which is mounted against
well organized defences. It involves careful and detailed
planning and preparation with full co- ordination of all
available resources
Deliberate attack normally allows time for
reconnaissance down to section level Assaulting troop
may have little room for manoeuvre but this disadvantage
will be compensated for by the weight of fire support
available form tanks indirect fire weapons other battle
groups aircraft and sometimes, ships
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5. Attack is one which is mounted as swiftly as is
possible in order to take full advantage of an unprepared
or disorganized enemy defence
It may be undertaken at battle group or any lesser
level and is a tactic of the advance
Risks must be accepted and some decentralization is
necessary speed will be obtained by having a well-
established battle procedure and a simple, though not
necessarily frontal, plan of attack
The need for speed may reduce the time available for
reconnaissance
QUICK ATTACK
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6. An infiltration attack involves the unseen filtering of
sub-units, usually of not less than combat team strength,
through enemy forward positions in order to reach
objective
The surprise which can be achieved by this type of
operation can pay enormous dividends
INFILTRATION ATTACK
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7. An area where final administrative preparations and
regrouping of battle groups and combat team take place
before an attack. it should be free from enemy ground
observation, be concealed from visual air reconnaissance,
be battle group is responsible for signing and controlling
the assembly area
ASSEMBLY AREA
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8. An area to which troops deploy immediately before
an attack and in which they may adopt their assault
formations
It allows a buffer of time between the move forward
and the crossing of the start line at h hour
FUP is occupied for as short a time as is possible,
though it is here that final orders or briefings may be
given or orientation be carried
FORMING UP PLACE (FUP)
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9. The line which the assault troops cross at H Hour .
It must be easily recognizable
Preferable be square to the objective in order that it
can help align the attacking troops with the objective
The start line is normally the forward edge of the
FUP
START LINE
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10. This is an area close to the objective where the
assaulting troops if not already so deployed adopt their
formation for the assault.
FINAL ASSAULT POSITION
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11. An assault may take place in progressive
stages. These stages are known as phases
It is essential though not essential to use different
troops for each successive phase in order to maintain
momentum
PHASE
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12. These are in each phase the combat teams
detailed to capture objective. These are called the
assaulting combat teams
ASSAULTING COMBAT TEAMS
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13. These are the combat teams detailed for the role of
battle group commanders reserve.
This means by which the CO deals with the
unexpected and influences events once the attack has
begun.
RESERVE COMBAT TEAMS
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14. This the physical object of the action taken e g of
the action take n a definite tactical feature the seizure of
which is essential to the plan
An objective will not be simply the enemy such an
order is imprecise and will lead to confusion. An
objective will be a firm feature which can be seen or
identified by assaulting troops before they cross the SL
OBJECTIVE
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15. This is the means by which enemy interference by
fire or assault on to the flanks of an attack in countered.
Clearly enemy enfilade interference in the early stages of
an attack would be disruptive in the extreme
Special arrangements therefore, must be made to
neutralize it by the use of direct and indirect fire, and by
other troops positioned to do so
FLANK PROTECTION
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17. Though a defender has usually chosen the general
area of operation and has the advantage of detailed
knowledge of the ground, the attacker has the initiative
and the direction of assault. The attacker will choose
these to his maximum advantage in order to surprise the
defender and may supplement his choice by deceptive
measures.
SURPRISE
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18. Timing
Direction of Assault
Deception
THREE CONSIDERATIONS TO ACHIEVE
SURPRISE
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19. Momentum is essential in order to retain the
initiative to prevent an enemy form sealing off any
initial penetration and to prevent him from mounting a
counterattack. Momentum may be achieved by:
Organizing the attack in depth
Use of the Maximum fire support
Impetus of the attack
Rapid reorganization
MAINTENANCE OF MOMENTUM
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20. This involves isolating the area of operations as
thoroughly as is possible to reduce interference. The
necessary measures are:
The start line must be secure
The flanks of the attack must be protected
Reorganization and exploitation
Conduct of the deliberate attack
SECURITY
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22. Allotment of tasks. Allotment of CT, in different
phases, grouping etc
Movement from AA to FUP, crossing obstacles, SL
to assault fighting thorough the objective and
reorganization
Employment of Armour
Employment of reserves
DURING PLANNING THE FOLLOWING
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
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24. The approach to the Assembly Area (AA) should be
well secured concealed from enemy observation
The distance from AA to FUP should be less than
four Km. Reception at the FUP must be arranged by the
nominated guides
Ideally troops will form at the FUP square to the
objective in the formation in which they will advance
SL too should be square to the objective and should
be marked if possible. Should a start line to be secured a
preliminary op should be carried out to do so and the
main body to be launched subsequently
In the assault the infantry should ideally maintain
100 m in 2 minutes
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25. Armour move should be properly coordinated
under following conditions:
Tank and infantry on the same axis
Tank and infantry on different axes
Leading to the objective
The assault and fighting through
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26. This is the process by which assaulting troops will
secure the area of an objective after it capture in order
to hold it against counter attack
The process will involve the move forward to the
assault troops of support weapons the preparation of a
co ordinate defence and resupply and casualty
evacuation
The vital aspect in reorganization is the speed in
organizing the defence and bringing forward support
weapons and the balance or the F echelon to meet any
counter attack
REORGANIZATION
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27. Having reached and secured an objective, combat
teams may take advantage of an enemy's reverse and
confusion by advancing further that the immediate
objective; this in known as exploitation
Exploitation will be carried out to conform to the
plan of the higher commander. Limit of exploitation will
strictly limited and purely local. Calculated risk should
be accepted
EXPLOITATION
Cont..
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28. Troops used for exploitation are at risk as they are
moving into the unknown and their use may weaken the
defensive ability of the reorganized position, a limit of
exploitation is therefore usually laid down for each
combat team by the CO. Clearly there is a great
advantage in the ruthless pursuit of a beaten enemy
exploitation in depth must therefore by conducted by
troops other that those involved in reorganization on
the objective
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