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