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field craft guide; my latest venture
Topic Started: 1 Sep 2009, 05:41 PM (1,411 Views)
derryovsk
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Warrant Officer Second Class
hi

i know there are a few regs on here so i thought before i printed this and gave it to my cadets that some of you fine chaps good have a read though and pick out the mistake i've proberly made.


BASIC FIELDCRAFT

CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT
The enemy is looking for you. Do not make it easy for them; ensure you merge into your
surroundings as much as possible. Remember, he who sees the opposition first without
being seen has the advantage. Fieldcraft motto: TO SEE WITHOUT BEING SEEN


Shape. Blend in with your surrounding and break up your distinctive human
shape as much as possible.

Shadow. Keep in the shadows of larger objects and ensure your shadow is not
alerting the enemy to your location.

Silhouette. Do not stand against the skyline or lean out of windows.

Shine. Do not contrast with your surrounding and ensure neither you nor your
equipment shines.

Spacing. Keep spread out. Avoid regular spacing of personnel; keep vehicles
and tents spaced apart. At day the best spacing is 5-7 metres, at night is 3-5 metres.

Sudden Movement. Movement must be slow and cautious. Remember the human eye is
drawn to fast movement, especially at night.




Do not sit in the sun, but remain in shadow when in a position likely to be
overlooked by the enemy.

At all times: do not smoke, light fires, or use torch light unless permission is given
and it is absolutely necessary.

Always follow the briefed track plans when in harbour areas.
Wear and replace cam cream as the threat dictates.

Do not allow insect or animals to distract you or frighten you.

Avoid well known track's as a smart enemy will have an overwatch or ambush set up at some point.


REACTING TO AN EFFECTIVE SMALL ARMS ATTACK

Effective means that your section is taking casualties, or rounds are splashing at your feet.

You need to able to recognise an attack directed against you and take the correct actions
to protect yourself and return fire if appropriate.
The mnemonic used is as follows,
DASH, DASH, DOWN, CRAWL, OBSERVE, SIGHTS, MUZZLE CLEARANCE, FIRE.

TAKE COVER
Dash to the nearest cover.
Get Down, crawl into the position and observe.
Check that the weapon sights are correctly set, check muzzle clearence and fire at the enemy

ADOPTING A FIRE POSITION
The ideal fire position offers:
Full use of personal weapons.
Protection from high explosive and small arms fire.
Cover from view and a concealed route in and out.
An unobstructed view of a wide and deep arc of fire.

LOCATING THE FIRER
WHY THINGS ARE SEEN
Shape.
Shadow.
Silhouette.
Shine
Light
Movement



SCANNING AND SEARCHING
Divide ground into areas of foreground, middle distance and distance.
Scan each area horizontally, starting with the foreground, using short overlapping
movements.
Move the head rather than just the eyes to minimise fatigue, but be aware of
giving your position away by sudden movement.


NIGHT VISON
Night adaptation of the eyes takes around 30-45 minutes.
Work using red light, if suitable to the task, as this will not affect your night
adaptation.
Objects can be seen better at night if you do not stare straight at them. Look
above, below or to the side of an object you are observing.


JUDGING DISTANCE
An object may seem closer than it actually is under the following conditions.
The light is bright or the sun is shining from behind the observer.
It is larger in size than other object surrounding it.
It is higher than the observer.

An object may seem further away than it actually is under the following conditions.
The light is poor or the sun in directly in front of the observer.
It is smaller than the objects around it.
You are looking across a valley or down a street.
You are lying down

METHODS OF JUNDING DISTANCE
UNIT OF MEASURE
All ground between you and the target must be visible to use this method.
Any unit of measure that is familiar to you can be used, for example a football
pitch which is approximately 100 metres long.
Estimate how many units of this measure can be placed between your position and
the target.
This method is not reliable for ranges in excess of 400 metres.


APPERANCE METHOD
This method compares an object with its surroundings.
You must know what objects look like at various distances.
A good indication is given by the amount of detail visible.
At 100 metres - a person is clear in all detail.
At 200 metres - a person is clear in all detail, the colour of the skin and
equipment is identifiable but not 100% clear.
At 300 metres - a clear body outline can be seen, face colour is visible but
all other details are blurred.

AIDS TO JUDGING DISTANCE
KEY RANGES
If the distance to an area or point is already known, the distance may be used as a key
range. It is possible to use the key range to judge the distance to a nearby area or object.


HALVING
Select an object or an area in a direct line, halfway between you and the target, and
estimate the range to this midpoint. You can then double the estimation to produce the
range to the target.

BRACKETING
Use one of the 2 methods of judging distance to estimate:
The maximum possible distance to the target.
The minimum possible distance to the target.
Take the distance to the target as midway between your maximum and minimum
estimates.


TARGET INDICATION
ARC OF FIRE
This is a know area where targets are likely to be. It is indicated in the following
sequence:
Axis. The centre of the arc.
Left and Right Arc. Indicate the extent of the arc.
Reference Points. Prominent and permanent objects that are given a name and
range i.e., a church in the bottom right corner of the arc would be known as:
Church - range 200.

DIRECT METHOD
This method is used to indicate obvious targets. The range, where to look and a
description are given.
Example,
100 - Half left - 2 enemy in open.

REFERENCE POINT METHOD
Used to indicate less obvious targets. It may be used together with the direct method and
words such as above, below, slightly, left or right.
Example,
300 - Gate (reference point) - 1 man by each gatepost.

CLOCK-RAY METHOD
This method is used to indicate less obvious targets that may hard to locate using the
other methods discussed in this guide. Rather than using the location of the target on it's
own we use an obvious reference point such as a signpost, bridge, gate, or other such
object as a reference. Then by using an imaginary clock face over that object you can
give an indication to the target itself.
Example,
9 o'clock of signpost - 2 enemy.

REACTION TO FIRE CONTROL ORDERS
Having identified a target using the methods in the previous section, a fire control order is
given by the commander. Fire Control Orders (FCO) are used to bring fire to bear on the
enemy quickly and effectively.
The sequence of an FCO is as follows (GRIT):
GROUP. Indicates who is being addressed: "Section", "Fire Team", "Number 2
Rifleman", "Gun Group", etc.

RANGE. This indicates the distance to the target in metres. "200", "300", etc.

INDICATION. This indicates where and what to look for."centre of axis lone house",etc

TYPE OF FIRE.

Deliberate. (1 shot every 6 seconds) used for long range or
sustained engagements.

Rapid. (1 shot every 2 seconds) most commonly used type of
fire. Ideal for keeping the enemies head down while not using
excessive ammunition.

Burst. (2-3 Round bursts on automatic-lsw) Used for close range
engagements or where a high volume of fire is necessary.

Watch and Shoot. Used when the commander wishes members
of the section to fire at any enemy they see at the given location
without further instruction.



TYPES OF FIRE CONTROL ORDERS

FULL
Given if there if sufficient time. "Section - 300 - center of axis - 9 o'clock of signpost - 2 enemy seen - rapid fire"

BRIEF
Given when there is little time and the target is obvious. "Delta fire team - quarter right of axis
- rapid fire".

DELAYED
Given when the movements of friendly forces or the enemy are known or can be guessed.
"Section - 300 - signpost - right 3 o'clock - 2 trees - gap in trees - await my
order...fire".

INDIVIDUAL
Given when it is impractical for the commander to control the time to open fire so he
passes the responsibility to the individual(s) concerned, or to preserve ammunition. "riflemen 2 and 3 - 300 - center of axis - gate -
enemy moving left to right - watch and shoot watch and shoot".


REMEMBER- TO SEE WITHOUT BEING SEEN



Written by SGT James Derry South Elmsall Detachment E-Company
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fiorehellheart
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Warrant Officer First Class
Cool
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☺Dave38x
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DubDubDubDubDub
lot of stuff there, when i was in cadets the Para's taught us to loose a few rounds in the general direction of enemy fire (where you can hear it coming from) on the first Dash when reacting to effective enemy fire.

If your teaching this as a lesson then one thing to emphasize is winning the firefight. Get more rounds going towards them than are coming towards you and they are gonna get their heads down, giving you more time to act/shoot accurately :)
Edited by Dave38x, 1 Sep 2009, 09:51 PM.
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# Digits
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Shadowkin
Why would you give away your position so cheaply?
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☺Dave38x
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DubDubDubDubDub
Digits
1 Sep 2009, 09:50 PM
Why would you give away your position so cheaply?
wha?

when dashing or once you are trying to win the firefight?
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Corrupt
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Warrant Officer Second Class
You would not believe how badsome people are at this
We sprang an ambush on an exercise with the RAF Reg the othe week and all the students just looked bemused about what he hell to do until one stood up and fired a single round asif this would scare us away.

5-7 metres by day? I was always told 10-15 at least!

Make sure you emphasize that once they get down and crawl its to make sure their head doesnt pop up where it went down but a metre or so to the side
Edited by Corrupt, 1 Sep 2009, 10:17 PM.
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# the_great_gonzo
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Wg Cdr
Derry,

Instead of printing this why not approach your local TA or regular Army Regt/Raf Regt/Armed Forces Careers Office as they will most definatley point you int the direction of someone who can help you with this. Most should be able to provide you pre-printed and "pongo-proof" TM cards, failing that see if you can get the field craft pages from an old RAF Aide Memoire, as they don't go out of date (unlike first aide). Again these cards are water-resistant but not water proof so you'll be able to use them in the field during lessons etc.

Worth a phone call, usually if you speak to the UNIT Adjt they are oten most helpfull, especially towards cadet groups and the like.

When I get back to my unit I'll put in a call to a few of my mates on 34Sqn, 2FP wing and 10 field Sqn (RE) to see what they can do. You might also try Catterick Garrison seeing how the Infantry Training Centre is there now, it's their bread and butter after all!
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# Old Guard
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Entertainment officer...Meet the gang cos the boys are here.....
there was not that long ago an all colour full of piccies book on general issue that covered all the basics like that. I must still be available. I may even still have a copy I will have to look
just did a quick online search and there is quite a bit out there. have you tried the cadets interbal resources? ATC used to have all ther pamphelts available on line at one point so i would guess that there is some form of Intranet that would have such things.
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☺Dave38x
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DubDubDubDubDub
it does sound a lot like the forces bible section on cam/concealment / reacting to effective enemy fire...

my mate may have *forgotten* to hand his bible back in on leaving the raf :P
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☺Jasevx
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Techmarine
Ambush's always work on paper, in reality, withdrawing is what the enemy expect so fire and manoevre towards them can throw them off guard.
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