Battle Positions
Selecting and fighting
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
The immediate purpose of any defensive operation is
to defeat an enemy attack. Military forces defend until
they gain sufficient strength to attack. Additionally,
defensive operations are undertaken to gain time, to
hold key terrain, to preoccupy the enemy in one area
so friendly forces can attack elsewhere, and to erode
enemy resources at a rapid rate while reinforcing
friendly operations.
3 Levels of Preparation of a
Platoon Battle Position
• Reconnoiter - A ground or map recon
• Prepare - Planning and preparation phases
• Occupy - the complete preparation of the
BP
PLANNING
• It is critical that the platoon leader
understands where the commander wants to
kill the enemy.
• It is also essential that he identify platoon
sectors of fire and tentative platoon BP’s as
well as TRP’s that define the company
engagement area.
Primary Concerns of the PLT
• Select fighting positions that allow the
Platoon to concentrate and mass lethal fires
into designated sectors of fire.
Conditions needed for a
Deliberate Defense
• Adequate time is available
• The enemy is not expected or has not been
located within direct fire range
• A friendly element forward of the BP
provides security for the platoon
Moving to Hide Position
• Conduct a Tactical movement to the Hide
Position
• Assume a Herringbone formation and
establish local security
• Vehicles occupy and Shut down
simultaneously
Preparing for a Recon
• PL briefs reconnaissance group
• PSG designates, briefs, and inspects
security element
• PL designates NCOIC for elements left in
the hide on the following
– Security and Maintenance
– Contingency plan in event of enemy contact
Preparing for a Recon cont.
• PL, PSG, and security element move to the
BP
Conducting Reconnaissance
• PL, PSG, TCs, and security element mark
the BP covering the following elements
– Engagement Area
– General layout of the BP and surrounding
terrain
– Key Terrain corresponding to the Platoons
graphic control measures
– OP locations to cover possible enemy avenues
of approach
Conducting Reconnaissance cont.
– Existing obstacles and possible locations for
reinforcing obstacles
– Key locations in the BP and Engagement area
marked using limited visibility materials\
• Following the Reconnaissance of the BP
and surrounding area, confirms, reviews the
following
– Company team scheme of maneuver
Conducting Reconnaissance cont.
– Platoon scheme of maneuver, to include trigger
points, break points, and
disengagement/displacement criteria
– Platoon sector of fire
– Covered and concealed routes into, out of, and
within the BP and to subsequent BPs
Conducting Reconnaissance cont.
• PL emplaces Ops as necessary and briefs
the following
– Overwatch responsibilities
– Contingency plans, covering actions to be taken
if the platoon does not return on time or enemy
contact
– Displacement criteria and signals
Conducting Reconnaissance cont.
• PL coordinates with adjacent units and
confirms the following
– Location of OP
– Overlapping sectors of observance and direct
fire
– Dead space
– Locations and types of obstacles
– Indirect fire data
Conducting Reconnaissance cont.
– Communications information and procedures
– Routes into, out of, and between platoon and
adjacent unit BP
• Reconnaissance group moves back to the
Hide
Recon
• Plt Ldr and TC will
Identify Primary BP
• Plt Ldr and TC will
Identify Alternate BP
• Plt Ldr and TC will
Identify Supplementary
BP
Subsequent and Supplementary BP
• Subsequent BP’s are
those that orient on
sectors of fire along the
same avenue of approach
as the primary/alternate
positions.
• Supplementary BP’s are
orientated on sectors of
fire along different
avenues of approach.
Occupying the BP
• Vehicles start simultaneously and move
covered and concealed routes to the Hide
positions on Order
• On PL order vehicles move simultaneously
into turret-down positions “LOWSKY”
Turret Down Position
• Position allow the
tanks to fire only their
caliber .50 or loader's
M240 machine gun.
Occupying the BP cont.
• On PL orders vehicles move simultaneously
into hull-down positions “TOPHAT”
Hull Down Position
• Tank crews orient on
the engagement area
and complete their
sketch cards.
• Main Gun and Coax
Machine gun clear the
berm.
Occupying the BP cont.
• TCs and gunners develop vehicle sketch
cards
• Once sketch cards are completed vehicles
back down to hide positions and shut down
their engines
• TCs provide a copy of sketch cards to the
PL
Occupying the BP cont.
• PL consolidates the sketch cards and
finalizes the platoon fire plan
Platoon Sketch Card
 Individual tank positions.
 Platoon sector or engagement
area.
 TRPs.
 Range lines, trigger points, and
break points (these may
coincide).
 OPs (if used).
 Obstacles (if used).
 Indirect fire targets, including
final protective fires (FPF), if
allocated.
 Dead space.
Improving the BP
• PL updates the platoon and commander on
changes to the occupation plan and
implements actions to complete occupation
– Changes as a result of coordination and
commanders guidance
– Vehicle maintenance and prep to fire checks
Improving the BP cont.
• PL directs and/or supervises improvement
activities
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Establish thermal TRPs
Locations of M8/M8A1
Emplacement of obstacle IAW Cos guidance
Emplacement of decoys
Improving the BP cont.
• PSG conducts following improvements
– Camouflaging of vehicles and equipment
– Installation of Hotloop
– Direct emplacement of prestock ammunitions
and other supplies
Improving the BP cont.
• TCs conduct the following
– Ensure that vehicle positions afford clear fields
of fire
– If engineers are available, supervise and proof
construction of dug-in fighting positions
– Direct emplacement of M8/M8A1 alarms
Selecting Battle Position
• TC should be responsible for the improvement of his firing
position.
• He must ensure the location, orientation, and depth of the
hole are correct before the engineer departs for the next
fighting position.
• He should also be aware of the importance of selecting a
site with a background that will break up the silhouette of
his vehicle this helps to prevent skylining.
Completing Occupation
• Conduct rehearsals
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Special rehearsal (individual/crew tasks)
Map rehearsal
Communications rehearsal
Key Leader rehearsal
Sand table/terrain model rehearsal
Force on force rehearsal
Rehearsal with all crews observing designated
platoon vehicle as it moves in the engagement
area
Completing Occupation cont.
• Complete occupation activities and
priorities of work
• Complete the occupation to ensure the
platoon is prepared to defend by the time
specified
• Execute the Defense