Phases of War

DEFENCE

CONCEPT OF POSITIONAL DEFENCE

Positional defence is used when it is

necessary to prevent a particular feature
or area, falling into enemy hands.
Form a tactical combination capable of
denying the ground and destroying attack
upon it.

Manoeuvre in positional defence is largely

confined to the operation of screens or
guards aggressive patrolling
The repositioning of supporting armour
the occupation of alternative positions and
the Use of reserves for counter attack and
Counter penetration tasks.

Battle positions are chosen to deny ground

of tactical importance to the enemy and to
cover killing zones.
Vital ground is selected by the brigade
commander.
Important ground within the battle group
area of responsibility will be designated by
the CO.
The main killing zone will usually also be
selected by the brigade commander and
often be based on a natural obstacle.

DEFENCE
DEFINITIONS
Positional Defence
Positional defence relies
upon the use of prepared positions on commanding
ground, mutually supporting firepower and obstacles to
prevent the enemy penetrating the framework of the
defence.
Mobile Defence In mobile defence the aim is to
defeat an enemy within an area of considerable depth by
fighting from a series of alternative pre- reconnoitered
and if possible prepared battle positions in preference to
an attempt to defeat him on a specifically defined
position. This form of defence is enforced either when
the ratio of troops to ground is insufficient for

EXPLANATION OF TERMS

Vital Ground
Vital ground is ground the
possession of which by an enemy will make the occupation
of the area by friendly forces impossible. It is of such
significance that if it is lost and the defence is to
continue it must be recaptured. It is normally selected by
a formation commander.

Important Ground Important ground is ground

which it is highly desirable rather that essential to hold.
Though it will not be abandoned lightly and steps will be
taken to recapture it by immediate counter attack if this
can be done without committing too much of the reserve a
commander must be prepared to concede it provided that
the enemy has paid a significantly high price. A CO will
normally select his own important ground.

Deliberate Defence
A deliberate defensive
position is one selected and prepared when out of contact
with an enemy. There should be time for detailed
reconnaissance and planning on chosen ground and for
construction and concealment of positions without enemy
ground interference.
Hasty Defence
In an emergency a defence may
of necessity have to be built up under threat of or in the
face of an enemy. It may not therefore be possible to
choose the best ground and defensive positions may have
to be taken up at the furthest point reached in an attack.
Such a defence may later become deliberate in this case
it may be necessary to re plan and to re site the defence
on more suitable ground.

Area of Responsibility An area of responsibility

is the specific area assigned to the battle group of the
conduct of tactical operations.

Defended Locality
This is an area of ground
occupied by a platoon or combat team which is organized for
all round defence.

Defended post
A position held by a small sub
unit e. g section posts are ground together for mutual
support and each group then becomes a defended locality.

Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) The

general line of our own troops (excluding screens hoards
and patrols) nearest to the enemy.

Killing Zone
A killing zone is an area into which
a commander plans to force the enemy to concentrate in
order to destroy him with conventional force power, In
nuclear warfare where tactical nuclear weapons are used
for destroying the enemy it is known as the Nuclear Killing
Zone. (NKZ)

Protective Forces
Covering Troops covering troops are any body or
detachment of troops which provide security for a larger
force by observation reconnaissance attack of defence or
by combination of these methods.

Covering Force
Those covering troops established
by the highest tactical commander to provide security for
his force.

Screen
Covering troops deployed with the
primary task of observation identifying and reporting on
enemy movements.

Guard
Covering troops deployed with the
primary task of delaying the enemy for a specified period in
addition to observing and reporting the movements.

Manoeuvre Terms
Immediate Counter Attack
Destroy
penetration into defended localities

local

enemy

Deliberate Counter
Regain ground in the battle group
area and should pre- planned and be prepared with care.

Counter Penetration Halting enemy forward movement

by repositioning troops to block their line of advance.

PRICIPLES OF DEFENCE

Mutual Support

Depth

All Round Defence

Concealment

Anti -Armour Plan

To canalize and destroy attacking tanks
and APCs.
The sitting in conjunction with
obstacle plan tanks ambush plan.
* Fire Plan.
* The Serve lance Plan.
* Patrol Policy.

the

COMBAT TEAM IN DEFENCE

A combat team in positional defence

will be supported by.
Integral Components.
Rifle Company.
FOO.
MFC.

Planning
Allotment of troop/posns.
Mutual Sp.
DF Tasks.
Protecting.
Orders for opening fire.

CONDUCT OF THE BATTLE GROUP

DEFENSIVE BATTLE
Best Considered in four stages.

Occupation of the position.

The preparatory stage before the enemy closes up to
position.
The enemy assault.
The action of battle group reserves.

PREPATION

Throughout this stage work on improving and

strengthening the positions will continue.
As the enemy closes up to the position the battle
group screen/guard will be withdrawn.
Once it has reached its clean break line the
screen /guard will withdraw as fast possible into
the
main position.
withdrawal routes will be mined .

 Morale will

be maintained.

Enemy reconnaissance will be hampered.

Enemy plans for attack will be disrupted.
Information will be obtained on the
enemy's intention.

BATTLE
PROCEDURE

INTRODUCTION

AIM
THE AIM OF THIS LECTURE IS TO
MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE
BATTLE PROCEDURE, IN ORDER TO
ACHIEVE THE ENDSTATE OF YOUR
IMMEDIATE COMMANDER.

SEQUENCE

Battle Procedure.

Components.

Principles.

Functional Grouping.

BATTLE PROCEDURE

Battle procedure is the drill for ensuring that

soldiers are launched in to battle as quickly and
efficiently as possible, fully briefed and prepared so
that each knows what he has to do when he has to
do, it and what support is available.

CONTENTS

A warning order.

Reconnaissance.

Initial movement.

Orders.

THE PRINCIPLES

Anticipation.

Efficient Drills.

Concurrent Activity.
Functional Grouping.

Rover Group.

Orders Group.

Harbour and Rear Reconnaissance.

The Main Body.

FUNCTIONAL GROUPING

Rover Group.

Orders Group.

Harbour and Rear Reconnaissance.

The Main Body.

CONCLUSION