2187 (CANVEY ISLAND) SQUADRON
FIELD & MILITARY SKILLS TRAINING
Table of Contents
Patrol Harbours & Sentries ........................................................................... 2
Definition: ..................................................................................................... 2
Where to Put a Patrol Harbour? ................................................................... 2
Setting up a Patrol Harbour .......................................................................... 3
Sentries - old eyes, new eyes....................................................................... 4
Ambushes ...................................................................................................... 5
The Killing Group.......................................................................................... 5
The Stop groups ........................................................................................... 5
The FRV group ............................................................................................. 6
Setting an ambush ....................................................................................... 6
Observation Posts ......................................................................................... 8
Introduction .................................................................................................. 8
Setting up an OP .......................................................................................... 8
Equipment .................................................................................................... 8
Observing the enemy ................................................................................... 8
Using the information ................................................................................... 8
Harbour Clearances ....................................................................................... 8
The purpose of a harbour clearance. ........................................................... 8
Methods of clearing. ..................................................................................... 8
Planned clearances ...................................................................................... 9
Planned clearances: static line ..................................................................... 9
Planned clearances: Quiet ......................................................................... 10
Unplanned clearances ................................................................................ 10
Counter-Ambush Drills ................................................................................ 11
Scenario 1 .................................................................................................. 11
Scenario 2 .................................................................................................. 11
Section Attacks ............................................................................................ 12
Patrol Harbours & Sentries
Definition:
A defensible location which a platoon or section can administer to themselves
prior to and during intensive patrol activity.
There are four reasons for the existence of patrol harbours;
 Avoiding detection
 RV after filtering behind enemy lines
 Admin during long Patrols
 Provide a base from which to mount Patrols
Where to Put a Patrol Harbour?
Concealment
Patrol harbours should be located such that they are not easily seen.
This should indicate that it should be located in the tree line, and all bashers
should be as low into the ground as possible. If there are any natural troughs
in the ground these can be used, or you can dig your own trough to keep
yourself as low down as possible. Twigs, leaves and earth can be employed
to cover your basher and help it to blend into the surroundings.
Easily defensible
There should be cover on all sides if at all possible to restrict the number of
ways and enemy patrol can enter.
Away from habitation
Pretty obvious really - the closer you are to people, the more likely you are to
be found.
Away from steep slopes
Another easy one. If you're on one side of a hill, the enemy has a greater
chance of sneaking up on you, using the hill as cover. Also if it is on the top of
a hill, although easily defendable, the enemy are going to find you quicker and
if your mission is to recce, you don’t want them to know that you are there.
Away from marsh or bog land
If you don’t want your patrol harbour to sink and you don’t like all your kit
being soaked through all the time, then it’s a good idea to stay away from
marshes and bogs.
Away from obvious locations.
If you were the enemy, where would you look? Well don’t put it there.
Away from suspected or previously used locations
If they've been used before then people now where they are. Don’t use them.
Once a good site has been selected the patrol can move in and occupy the
harbour position. This is a most vulnerable time so good drills are very
important.
Setting up a Patrol Harbour
1. Set up an FRV about 200m away from the site and send in a recce patrol to
search the area.
2. If area is deemed OK the following procedure is used for the setting up of
the patrol harbour.
The three sections of the platoon enter the area leaving three section in a line
and then, the remaining two sections turn as if to make a triangle.
Now with two sides of the triangle they turn to make the third side.
The patrol harbour now has three sides.
The platoon HQ is set up in the centre of the triangle to make it easier to find
and easier to find everyone from.
As the harbour is being set up, sentries are placed on each corner of the
triangle as the platoon walks round to offer defence. When the triangle is
complete, each section pairs off into twos for the bashers. One stands guard
whilst the other builds the basher.
The bashers are set up to be under knee height as the lower they are, the
less likely it is that they will be seen.
Once set up a permanent sentry rota takes effect to guard the patrol harbour.
Also, passwords are put into effect.
Sentries - old eyes, new eyes.
Sentries are rotated to avoid people falling asleep. Each duty (or stag) lasts
about an hour and a half. Old eyes, new eyes means there is always
someone on with good night vision. It means that the sentries are staggered
at 45 minute intervals. This means when a person has just arrived on stag
duty and doesn’t really have his or her night sight, there is already someone
who has been there for 45 minutes and has his or her night sight. 45 minutes
later when the "old eyes" leaves. The new eyes has become the old eyes and
another new eyes arrives.
As the patrol harbour is being set up and whilst in it, although this is where
you will live whilst you are in the field, you must remember that you are still on
exercise and try to be as quiet as possible at all times as you don’t know how
close the enemy are to you or if they are listening in on conversation.
Ambushes
There are four groups in an ambush party:



The Killing group.
2 Stop or Cut-Off groups
The FRV group.
The Killing Group
This is the group that starts the ambush. When the enemy has wandered far
enough into the killing ground, the ambush commander (who is always in the
killing group), will commence shooting by firing his or her weapon as a signal
to the rest of the group to start firing.
The people in this group should be the best shooters and there will be some
LSW's and some LAW's. They must be able to destroy the enemy quickly and
easily. They stop firing when there is no-one left to shoot at, or "cease-fire" is
called.
The Stop groups
Sometimes called the "cut off groups" these groups do not fire with the killing
party but "cut off" the enemy should they decide to turn back or run on.
The stop groups are positioned either side of the killing group so they can
FRV
Cut Off
Killing Group
Cut Off
Enemy
indicate to the ambush commander which direction the enemy is coming from,
via the communications cord.
They can inform the ambush commander as to when all the enemy are inside
the ambush site, and when they are about to exit it, so that they are all inside
when the ambush takes place for maximum effect.
The FRV group
This group waits for the ambush party to return. They protect the FRV and
provide covering fire if necessary for the returning ambush party.
Setting an ambush
What is an ambush?
An ambush is a short range, surprise attack on the enemy, which they are
certain to lose. It is over very quickly and is meant to destroy enemy morale,
and deter them from coming back.
Planning an ambush
Where to put your ambush:
 Where the terrain changes: forest to path/open ground.
 Tree line to hedgerow.
 Where the enemy are sure to go,
 Patrol routes,
 Entrance/exit to enemy FOB (forward operating base) - however, not
too close or the enemy will call in extra backup.
 Watering/food points.
 Villages - to get supplies etc.
 Find an arms dump or other building - they go inside and you blow it
up.
Recce the ambush site
A recce should be carried out on the ambush site before giving the preliminary
orders. sometimes, however you will be limited to aerial photographs, maps,
patrol reports etc. if possible you should try to observe the ambush from the
enemies point of view, and confirm the following:
 Killing ground and the position of killing group and stop groups,
including booby traps, flares and mines.
 Concealment of groups, including their approach route.
 View of killing ground and/or enemy approaches.
 FRV and routes to/from it (multiple, in case of last minute change of
plan)
Briefing
The ambush commander should be very thorough in briefing the party. There
should be plenty of time made available for rehearsals and preparation.
All the following must be covered:




Entry order on arrival.
Position of groups and fire arcs.
Action to be taken if surprised.
Action to be taken if ambush site recce patrol do not return in X
minutes.

Before withdrawing to the FRV from the patrol harbour, thorough
preparation is required.
 All rifles should be cleaned and tested, all special equipment (e.g.
ropes, NVG's) should be tested.
 All radio communication equipment should have batteries replaced and
then should also be thoroughly tested.
 All patrol members should camouflage themselves.
There should be a rehearsal in similar terrain to the ambush site during
daylight hours so all the procedures can be run through and checked.
When in the ambush site the following must be done:
 Check that you were not followed by any recce parties from the enemy.
 Set of booby traps.
 Lay of communication cord.
 Establish arcs of fire.
 Final rehearsal of ambush
 Signal for 'ambush set'.
Then the ambush is ready to take place.
Observation Posts
Introduction
Observation of a target is normally done from an OP (observation point)
where a standing patrol will observe and note enemy movements.
Setting up an OP
Extensive reconnaissance is required to ensure that the OP is both secure
and defendable. After the OP is entered, constant defence through sentries
and patrols should be kept, and regular radio contact maintained.
Equipment
Generally, an OP patrol will have binoculars to observe the enemy with.
These have to be used as sparsely as possible as the enemy will probably be
able to see the glare of them and realise you are there. Other equipment you
may have depends on when you are observing them. You may have a
SUSAT for low light observation as this amplifies the available light slightly. If
you are very lucky you will have NVG's which use infrared, or heat detecting
equipment to work.
Observing the enemy
It is very important that the enemy are continually observed and all enemy
movements are noted. Guard/sentry changes are vitally important as this
information can make a harbour clearance easier.
Using the information
All information gained should, either at set timings or by accordance with
SOP's, be passed on to patrol HQ.
Harbour Clearances
The purpose of a harbour clearance.
Whilst in the field a patrol is mainly self-sufficient. A well-executed harbour
clearance can almost completely wipe out an enemy patrol. Removing 1
patrol can dramatically reduce the operations of the enemy also reducing their
morale and possibly even cause so much disruption to the enemy's plans as
to force a withdrawal from the battle arena.
Methods of clearing.
A harbour clearance may be planned (based on reconnaissance and
observation) or unplanned (based on short-length observation or interception
of communications).
For both instances some SOP's should be followed.
1. Unless vitally necessary NO hostages will be taken (the purpose of a
harbour clearance is to wipe out the enemy completely.)
2. Any casualties from your own patrol must be assumed dead to prevent
other possible fatalities.
3. Timings are vitally important, as are fire arcs to prevent blue on blue
fire.
Planned clearances
A standing patrol/squad is left in a defensive position with two snipers trained
on the harbour sentries.
The rest of the patrol in four squads, move out. Squads A&B (left and right)
move to the sides of the patrol harbour and squads C&D (left and right) move
to the rear of the harbour.
At a predetermined time C&D create a distraction, (e.g. a thunderflash) and
move to the sides of the harbour where A&B were stationed, the snipers take
out the enemy sentries and A&B move to the front, running through the
entrance of the harbour (A keeping to the left and B keeping to the right)
clearing as many enemy as possible. (weapons on automatic)
A&B complete their run-through and set off a signal (e.g. a flare) when they
reach the FRV at an angle behind the harbour.
On the signal C&D run through the same entrance 'mopping up' any
remaining enemy and move to the FRV.
The entire patrol and the standing patrol observe the harbour and take out
any remaining enemy.
After a specified amount of time or on a signal the standing patrol move
through the harbour, search it and eliminate any remaining enemy.
Also at this time you can establish if any of your patrol that was wounded has
survived. All wounded members of your own patrol know to lie still and try to
shield themselves during this as if they move they will be shot.
Planned clearances: static line
A patrol harbour can be situated behind a tree line with a large area of open
ground in front of it. This is easy to defend and can make clearance very
difficult.
A standing patrol is stationed in a position where they can observe the
clearance and offer assistance.
The patrol divides into two sections (Charlie and Delta) each having an
infiltration squad and move towards the tree line.
When fired upon, the two sections 'pepperpot' towards the tree line.
When the sections are at a predetermined distance from the tree line the
sections move into line.
When in line, the main parts of the sections maintain covering fire whilst the
infil. squads move to the left and right of the main patrol and set up the FRV.
Once in the FRV the infil. squads set of a signal (e.g. thunderflash or flare)
and Charlie section runs through as quickly as possible.
When reaching the FRV, Charlie section set off a signal and Delta section
runs through the harbour.
The standing patrol then move in extended line through the harbour to kill any
remaining people.
Planned clearances: Quiet
Sometimes stealth is of the essence, especially when Special Forces are
involved. Silenced weapons or knives would be used and specific targets
specified in the briefing.
The whole patrol move into predetermined positions around the harbour.
At a set time the sentries are taken out silently and the entire patrol attack
from all around simultaneously.
The section re-orgs inside the bunker forming an all round defence and
eliminating any other enemy.
Unplanned clearances
The patrol split into Charlie and Delta sections and both run through (left and
right) the harbour entrance taking out the sentries as they go.
When out of the harbour they immediately set up firing positions with
corresponding fire arcs.
Suppressive fire and grenades are used until it is deemed that the harbour is
clear.
The sections then run through (Charlie first) clearing the rest of the harbour,
re-org and move in extended line to inspect and clear the remnants of the
harbour.
Counter-Ambush Drills
When a section is ambushed, the personnel caught in the ambush have only
one way to escape; that is to fight through the ambush itself. The personnel
cannot go left or right, as they will be killed by the enemy cut-off groups. They
cannot move away from the enemy as the killing zone extends a long way in
that direction.
The ambushed section may find itself in one of two scenarios:
1. All of the section is caught in the ambush.
2. Only the front part of the section is caught in the ambush.
Scenario 1
The Section Commander realises that the whole of the section is trapped, and
gives orders that the section pepper-pots through the enemy ambush. He reorgs after a safe distance.
Scenario 2
The part of the section not caught in the ambush must immediately flank and
give fire against the enemy. Firing must stop, or be redirected, when the rest
of the section pepper-pots through. The section re-orgs after a safe distance.
Section Attacks
Preparation
Reaction to Effective Enemy Fire
Enemy Location
Winning the fire-fight
Attack
Re-org
The Preparation part of PREWAR can be split down further:
Protection
Ammunition
Weapons
Personal Camouflage – should be appropriate to the surroundings.
Equipment
Rifle
Signals – Description of any special signals or commands that may be issued.
Orders – Brief sentence outlining the mission. Should be repeated for
emphasis.
For this a section is split into three groups:
 Covering fire group
 Charlie killing group
 Delta killing group
Alternatively for a troop attack, a whole section may be used in each of these
roles.
Stage 1 – Section comes under effective enemy fire.
Indicates fire
Enemy
Section
Stage 2 – Section locates enemy and returns fire.
Indicates fire
Enemy
Section
Stage 3 – Section splits, one half flanking left or right, depending on cover available.
Enemy
C
&
D
Covering Fire Group
Stage 4 – C & D Fight through the enemy, pepper-potting.
Enemy
C
D
NB: Covering Fire Group stop
firing when C&D fight
through.
Covering Fire Group
Stage 5 – Re-org. Covering Fire Group follow route of C&D*.
Enemy
Re-org
C&D
Searchers may be
sent to check
enemy casualties.
Covering Fire Group
*This is because this
route is known to be
clear of enemy.