1. PATROLLING

2. Field Marshall Viscount Slim KG GCB GCME GCVO CBE DSO MC
PATROLLING
“In warfare, patrolling is the basis of success. It not only gives eyes to the side that excels at it, and blinds its opponents, but through it the soldier learns to move confidently in the element in which he works”
Field Marshall Viscount Slim KG GCB GCME GCVO CBE DSO MC

3. Patrolling The Aims of Patrolling Types of Patrol
Co-Ordination and Planning of Patrols
Rehearsals
Weapons and Equipment
Conduct of Patrols
Debriefing and Patrol Reports

4. The Aims of Patrolling 1. To obtain information
2. To disrupt or destroy enemy forces
3. To dominate “No Man’s Land”

5. 1. To Obtain Information Plan needs accurate info
Patrols reliable means of acquiring it

6. 2. To Disrupt Or Destroy Enemy Forces
Day and night
All phases of war
Good on own morale
Bad on enemy morale
Often used in counter-revolutionary warfare - like Northern Ireland

7. 3. To dominate “No Man’s Land”
Key to aggression in defence

8. Types of Patrol
Recce patrols
Standing Patrols
Fighting Patrols

9. Recce Patrols Use observation and stealth Minimum equipment
Fight only in self-defence

10. Tasks of Recce Patrols Collection of topographical info
Location of enemy positions
Details of known enemy positions, minefields and obstacles
Obtaining info on enemy habits, equipment,movements and routes used

11. Tasks of Recce Patrols Checking our own minefields and obstacles
Conducting RADIAC

12. Standing Patrols Normally used in defence Early warning
Small, easily concealed
Good comms
Indirect fire support

13. Tasks of a Standing Patrol
Watch and listen on likely enemy approaches
Cover dead ground
Cover minefields and obstacles which cannot be covered by main position
During mobile defence, prevent infiltration into unoccupied hides or battle positions

14. Standing Patrols
In work phase of Defence, position past limit of hearing
Equipped with LAW
Remote Ground Sensors (RGS) can assist, not replace
Observation Posts (OPs)

15. Standby Patrols Ready to fight as per a fighting patrol
Provide assistance to other patrols after contact
Take on tasking from patrol in difficulty
Follow up contacts
Follow up on info

16. Fighting Patrols Specific tasks Manned and equipped to fight
Minimum platoon strength

17. Tasks of Fighting Patrols
Denying enemy patrols freedom of action
Destroying/disrupting enemy protective patrols - standing patrols, listening posts
Harassing enemy working parties

18. Tasks of Fighting Patrols
Distract enemy as part of deception plan
Raids
Protect recce and work parties of other arms
Ambushes

19. Co-Ordination and Planning of Patrols
Must be responsibility of one officer
Responsibilities:
Keeping patrol reports for reference
Patrol situation map
Passing info to patrol comds
Deconfliction
Warn friendly units of times and routes

20. Co-Ordination and Planning of Patrols
Full battle procedure
Study maps, aerial photos, int and patrol reports

21. Rehearsals Help to understand orders Noisy Rehearsals
Silent Rehearsals
Realistic as possible
Thoroughness vital

22. Rehearsals Must Cover Order of march Changing formation or direction
Obstacle crossings
Action on enemy
Action on halts and RVs
Action on objective
Special Signals

23. Rehearsals Must Cover Action on lights CASEVAC and PW escort
Action on lost or separated
Action on re-entry to own lines or position
Different routes in and out
ASK if in doubt

24. Weapons and Equipment Dictated by task / type of patrol
Single /automatic fire
Bayonets
Flares - pre-prepared
Webbing - proper fit, noiseless
Smooth surfaces camouflaged
Waterproofs

25. Weapons and Equipment Normal issue boots should be worn
NB method of recording info - dictaphone, pencil and paper
Maps unmarked in case of capture
CWS - carry SUSAT as well
Navigation - shaded torch, pacing

26. Conduct of Patrols Final inspection Don’t take info on you
Noise at night - ears better than eyes, yours and the enemy’s
Formations and drills simple
Check on man following
Close up on halts for passage of info
Comd close to, not at, the front

27. Conduct of Patrols
Radio Op - next to comd; know codewords, report lines etc
Route in different from route out
Routes broken into legs
RVs between legs (!) - listening halts
ERVs - rallying points on dispersal
Avoid obvious routes / cover

28. Conduct of Patrols Last RV is FRV - Final RV
Must be recced and secured
Final kit adjustments in FRV
Reorg back in FRV after action on objective

29. Debriefing and Patrol Reports
Debriefing and reports vital to full value of patrol
Earliest possible
Written report
Sketches very useful
Debrief by officer who briefed patrol

30. QUESTIONS?