Patrolling Purpose, Types and Sequence

Training Value  Basis of good soldiering  Skills learned are transferable to many other areas –Discipline –Detailed preparation and planning –Wide range of fieldcraft skills –Map craft and real navigation –Problem solving –Skill at arms –Country craft –And its great fun and can be done almost anywhere

Patrols  There are three reasons for mounting a patrol: –To obtain up-to-date, accurate information –To dominate the ground between the enemy and own forces –To destroy and disrupt the enemy forces

Types of Patrol  Recce –Small patrol, gains info’ by stealth.  Standing –Probably small, gains info’ or disrupts enemy infiltration often from a static loc’.  Fighting –Could be quite large, Platoon or even Company strength, strong enough to accomplish a particular task.

Recce Patrol  Minimal strength – 1 x NCO + 3  Task to gain info’ by stealth  Will avoid combat unless forced to or to take advantage of an unusual opportunity.  Tasks include: –Ground recce – rivers and streams –Minefields –Locating En minefields, defences and DF’s –Investigating noises and movement –Listening posts, OP’s with ability to call down fire

Standing Patrol  Minimum strength – 1 x NCO + 3  Task to Gain information, prevent or disrupt Enemy infiltration  Move into position quietly, remain hidden until need to withdraw or discovered  Will fight way out  Tasks include: –Watch and listen for Enemy approach –Watch dead ground –Watch own minefields

Fighting Patrols  Strong enough for task set  Tasks include: –Destroying En’ patrols –Attacking En’ standing patrols –Disrupting En’ working parties –Distracting the En’ from other activities –Carrying out raids –Capturing prisoners for intelligence –Tank hunting. –Laying Ambushes –Protecting own working parties and recce patrols

Success of a patrol  Depends on : –good planning and preparation as well as –good action during the patrol

Sequence of Action  Patrol commander issues a WO  Carries out a recce  Makes a plan  Briefs the patrol members  Rehersals  Rest and final prep  Patrol  De-briefing

The Warning Order  The patrol commander will have received orders and been briefed by the IO  He will the issue a WO  It should contain: –Outline of the task –Members of the patrol –Time and place for briefing –Special instructions, wpns, equip

Carries out a Recce  Commander will study Air Photos, Maps, previous patrol reports  Selects OP for recce  Carries out recce from OP  Looks for: –Route to and from objective –Landmarks to aid nav at night –Dead ground and covered approaches –Obstacles –Likely places for Ambush (own and en) –En posn’s – likely DFs

Remember  Time spent in Recce is seldom wasted

Makes a plan  Considers Light, weather conditions, moon etc  Carries out an Combat Estimate –Aim –Factors –Courses Open –Plan  Draws a field sketch

Briefs the patrol members  Prepares a model  Prepares orders  Meets patrol at RV given in WO  Shows patrol ground if pos from OP  Gives orders to whole patrol –Normal Orders Headings PLUS –Detail for different phases of the patrol

Rehersals  These are essential if the patrol is to succeed. Will prevent unnecessary confusion and chat during the patrol  Practice ALL phases of the patrol

Rehersals  Moving out  Formations  Use of scouts  Movement  Action on objective  Firm Base  Action on lights  Encounter Drill  Crossing Obstacles  Casualty Evacuation  Prisoners  Lost procedure  Moving in

Rest and Final Prep  If time available – feed and rest members of patrol  Final Inspection –Dress and equipment light as possible but inc water and emergency rations –Dress and equipment well fitted and silent – jump up and down –No docs to be taken that would be useful to en

Patrol  Move out of own posn’ through a briefed sentry loc’  Navigation –Use compass and legs’ –Have a check navigator and pacer –If separated move to previous RV –Avoid prominent cover – edges of woods, tracks, hedges – likely en’ ambush loc’

Patrol  Fire Support –Pre-arranged or called for by radio –DFs from  Arty  Mortars  GPMG(SF) –In order to:  Distract En  Support on Objective  Help patrol to extricate itself

De-Briefing  Patrol Commander may debrief other members of the patrol  IO may debrief whole patrol or just commander  Verbal then written

Patrol Report  Date & Destination  Aim  Maps  Size and composition  Task  Times  Routes out and in  Terrain  Enemy  Condition of patrol  Conclusions and recommendations  Date & Time of report  Signature

Conclusion  Fieldcraft is a practical subject  Patrolling is a skill that can be learned and practiced by all  It is great fun for cadets  It teaches essential skills  BUT it requires careful preparation and planning

This Weekend  You will –Go through the entire patrolling process –Do everything except carry out the patrol which will be done as a TEWC