This document provides an overview of withdrawal as a phase of war, outlining key terms, principles, control measures, planning considerations, and logistics involved. It discusses reasons a withdrawal may be necessary, threats to withdrawing troops, and explains terms like present defensive position, new main position, intermediate position, and covering troops. The document also outlines importance of flexibility, simplicity, offensive action, information acquisition, morale, and control during a withdrawal. It provides details on timing, security measures, fire plans, and engineering works to facilitate a successful withdrawal.

1. WITHDRAWAL
LT COL PR PATHIRAVITHANA psc

2. INTRODUCTION
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3.  The aim of this lecture is to make you understand
about one of the four phases of war, withdrawal
AIM
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4. SEQUENCE
 Explanation of Terms
 Principles
 Control Measures
 Physical Measures
 Planning the Withdrawal
 Anti-Armour Defence
 Fire Plan
 Surveillance Plan
 Patrol Policy
 Engr Plan
Cont..
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5.  Conduct of the withdrawal
 Logistics
 Conclusion
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6.  A withdrawal may have to be carried out for any of
the following reasons:
 To disengage from an unsuccessful battle
 To draw the enemy into an unfavorable
position
 To gain time without fighting
 To conform with movements of flank
formations
 To allow the use of part of the force elsewhere
 To avoid battle under unfavorable conditions
 To regain tactical control over a confused
situation
Cont..
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7.  A withdrawal may have to be conducted in the face
of the following enemy threats
 The over-running of withdrawing troops inan
attempt to turn the operation into a rout
 An air attack, particularly by day. The more
sophisticated the enemy and the more open the country,
the more severe, and effective, these attacks will be
 An envelopment and encircling operation by ground,
airborne and/or heliborne troops, including the seizure of
defiles on the withdrawal route
 The use of chemical agents to cause casualties, to
slow down movement by forcing the wearing of NBC
clothing and respirators or to lower morale
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8. EXPLANATION OF TERMS
 The following terms are used:
 Present Defensive Position : The present defensive
position is the position currently occupied and which is
to be abandoned
 New Main Position: A new main position is the next
permanent defensive position to which the force is to
withdraw and occupy
 Intermediate Position: An intermediate
position is a position between the present defensive
position and a new main position which is held as a
temporary measure to gain time for the preparation of
the new main position
Cont..
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9.  Covering Troops : Covering troops are mobile
troops of all arms formed into a force whose task is
to provide security for the intermediate and new
main position by carrying out screen or guard tasks
 Preliminary Demolitions : Preliminary Demolitions
are those which can be fired, as soon after
preparation as is convenient, on the orders of the
officer responsible for them
 Reserved Demolitions :Reserved Demolitions are
Demolitions which are controlled because they play
a vital part in the tactical plan. They are selected by
the commander and must be guarded, until the
demolition is successfully exploded by a force know
as the demolition guard. Authority to fire such a
demolition is retained by the commander or is
delegated by him to a nominated officer
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10. PRINCIPLES
 Flexibility
 Simplicity
 Offensive action
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11. IMPORTANT FACTORS
 Acquisition of information
 Maintenance of morale
 Control
 Security
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12. CONTROL MEASURES
TIMINGS
 Denial Time
 No Rearward Movement
 Thinning Out
 Final Abandonment
 Clear of a Line
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13.  Report Lines
 RVs
PHYSICAL MEASURES
 Check Points
 Embussing Point
 Helicopter LZ
 Security
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14. SECURITY
 During Planning Stage
 During Execution
 Communications
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15. PLANNING
PREPARATION OF THE NEXT POSITION
 Rear Reconnaissance Party :
 BG - 2 IC
 Support Coy Comd
 Armour Sqn Rep
 Recce Pl Sgt
 Mortar Rep
 Anti Tank Pl Rep
 Rifles Pl Reps
 Engr Rep.
 CT - 2 IC
Cont …
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16.  Tk Tp Guide
 RSO
 Army Aviation Rep
 RP
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17. ANTI ARMOUR DEFENCE
 Tanks by Day and Night
 Anti Tank Wpns on Likely Approaches
 Anti Tank Helicopters
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18. FIRE PLAN
 DF on Call from FEBA to the embussing point
 Smoke cover to degrade enemy surveillance
 Harassing Fire
 Covering Fire for any Counter attack
Note:
 Fire Plan can be activated by Arty/Mortar or
Heavy/Medium MGs
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19.  Reconnaissance and improvement of
withdrawal routes
 Closing minefield gaps and patrol lanes
 Booby trapping
 Blocking likely enemy routes
SURVEILLANCE PLAN, PATROL
POLICY, ENGINEERING PLAN
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20. CONDUCT OF THE WITHDRAWAL
 There are essential major differences between a
withdrawal by night and day
 Sequence of event can achieve success either by
day or night
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21. Present Defensive Position
Intermediate
Position
Next Main Position
1a
1b
2b
2a
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22. Platoon
RV
....
.
.
Combat
Team
RV
Combat
Team
RV
Combat Team
RV
Combat Team check
Point
Platoon Check Point
. Battle Group Check
Point (RSM)
Battle Group RV
Protected by depth
Combat Team
Battle Group Embussing
Point
F Echelon Waiting
Area
Armoured
Squadron
RV
Next Position
Troop RV
...
...
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23. LOGISTICS
 Must Prevent useful material falling in to enemy
hands. Followings to be considered:
 Fully replenished before the withdrawal
 Essentials to be sent early
 Planning for destruction of equipments /
Stocks.
 Sound CASVAC system
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24. CONCLUSION
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