Platoon Defensive Operations

A tank platoon combat trainer at the NTC has the opportunity to evaluate about 28 tank platoons a year as they go through several tactical operations. A common, ma,jor problem during defensive operations was that platoon leaders were unable to effectively control platoon fires. Too often, the OPFOR overran battle positions because defenders lost control. Platoons did not know when to fire, where to fire, and exactly how the platoon was to execute its defense. As a result, personnel were needlessly killed, vehicles destroyed, and the missions ended in failure. AARs brought out many reasons why missions fail. But in most cases, the platoons lost because they did not fight as teams, and the entire defense was nothing more than a free-for-all. The platoons did not make up range cards, sketch cards, or platoon fire plans, or - if they had made them - they lacked vital information, or were impossible to read or understand. Unfortunately, units are putting less and less emphasis on platoon fire plans during the preparation for a defensive operation. Our present first-rate tanks, the M1 and the MlAl, give us a definite advantage over any adversary, but this doesn’t mean that we are excused from the planning and procedures our tactical doctrine specifies. A platoon leader must develop a defensive fire plan and maintain strong command and control within his platoon if his unit is to engage and destroy an attacker. This is especially true if that attacker has a numerical advantage. At any given time, the platoon lender must be able to distribute and control the fires of all direct and indirect weapons quickly and accurately, maintain that control, and not become too involved in the firing of his own tank. Bcforc a tank platoon moves into its battle position, the platoon commander and his tank commanders must dismount and conduct a walking reconnaissance of the position, observing it from the planned engagement areas. Then the platoon commander will assign tank positions and sectors of fire for each tank. It is important, when choosing tank positions, to look for sites providing maximum fields of fire while enhancing survivability with adequate cover and concealment. The platoon leadcr must place his own tank in the position that will best allow him to observe and control his team, keeping in mind his own cover and concealment needs. He must ensure that fire sectors overlap, and that his platoon sector overlaps those of flanking platoons. If he does this, he will have at least two tanks acquiring targets in overlapping sectors. He will point out to his TCs all avenues of approach, target reference points (TRPs), obstacles, triger lines, final protective fires (FPF), engagement areas, dead spaces, and key terrain. After this, each TC will move his vchicle into position and begin making range or sketch cards, in addition to the other duties listed in his platoon

SOP.

Many tankers mistakenly feel that range or sketch cards are no longer necessary. But they are, and for three important reasons. First, crews that rely totally on the full capability of their primary fire control system are not considering the possibility of cquipment failure, or the effects of foul weather. A range or sketch card will provide the TC and gunner with all the needed information to fire in a degraded mode. Combat, unlike gunnery, will not provide you a chance to re-qualiQ. Secondly, a range or sketch card will give the entire crew a better understanding of all the elements (TRPs, obstacles, FPF, etc.) within its sector, reduce confusion, and remind them of actions to take during enemy contact. The more information each crew member has, the better he will fight. In the event of a relief in place, the new crew will need the information on the range or sketch card, especially if the relief takes place during darkness. A third reason is that the platoon leader will need a copy from each crew, including his own, so that he may draw up his platoon fire plan. It is important that each TC give the platoon leader his copy no later than 30 minutes after he moves into position because his information 20 ARMOR - may greatly affect the accuracy of the platoon lire plan. He may discover there is more dead space than was originally expected, or that certain crews might not be able to cover certain TRPs or obstacles. A platoon fire plan is nothing more than a composite of all range or sketch cards with some additional information put in by the commander to help him in fire distribution. Five copies should be made - one for each TC, one for the platoon commander, and one for the company commander who should gct his copy no later than 45 minutes after the platoon is in position. Each TC must have a copy so that platoon command may continue if the commander loses commo or dies. The lire plan will be a simple sketch showing key terrain features and enemy avenues of approach. The information will be everyhing the platoon leader plans for his dcfense, and should include the following:. Target Reference Points (TRPL TRPs are easily identifiable terrain features that will help the platoon leader mass his fires, aid in calling for indirect fire, and prevent confusion, within the platoon, about direction of lire during the leader’s lire commands. By looking at the plan’s tank-to-target list (which tank can engage which TRP), the commander will immediately know which tank can engage which target. The lire plan will list all battalion and company TRPs and indirect fire targets. He can identify and label as targets any key areas within the platoon sector not covercd by these TRPs. Obsbcles. The plan should show all obstacles, man-made or natural, and cover each obstacle by direct and indirect lire. Obstacles - “Too often, leaders scribble fire plans on the back of 2404s, MRE boxes, paper sacks, a wad of toilet paper, 3-by-5 cards, scratch paper, or on the back of someone’s hand. This is probably better than nothing... I’ will 5top, clclay, and/or canalize the enemy into engagement areas. They will also deny the enemy access to key terrain. It is vital that the platoon leader recognize and use these obstacles by supporting them with massed lires at key locations. The enemy will try to breach obstacles with all his assets. It is at this time that he is most vulnerable.. Dead Space. Dead space can provide the enemy a protected area where he can hide and/or maneuver. Defenders must deny these areas. They can cover them with direct fire from another platoon, or with indirect fire and obstacles.. Trigger Lines. Trigger lines or points are easily identifiable areas forward of the platoon’s battle position which mark a point of entry into the engagement area. This is the point where the platoon will begin its engagement if the platoon leader is unable to issue a fire command. Showing trigger lines on the range or sketch card prevents confusion about when to lire. The use of trigger lines will prevent the enemy from closing in on the BP unopposed. 0 FPF. The plan must show a final protective lire line. An FPF is a prearranged wall of direct and indirect fire used as a last resort to slow or stop enemy movement onto your position. Your PFP should be no closer than 1,200 meters.. Engagement k u. An engagement area is the area the platoon leader designates for the concentration of his platoon’s fires. A platoon’s engagement area is the same as, or is in support of, the company’s engagement area. With all his information at hand, the platoon leader must complete the legend to his range or sketch card. He must show his tank-to-target list and any specific instructions. He must indicate magnetic north, his position ID, unit information, and datehime group. All this information is vital to a relief platoon. The platoon leader should place himself in the position of a relieving commander. Wouldn’the like t o have all this information at hand if he was taking over a strange position? The above information is the niini-iwim lor a lire plan. However, if the commander desires, or if higher authority requests it, a fire plan can include an M-8 alarm position, OPLP position, alternate and supplementary positions, forward passage points, and trigger lines for each weapon system. Unit SOPS will dictate additional items of information. You must also remember to make range or sketch cards and fire plans for your alternate and supplementary positions. Ensure that your fire plan is complete and legibile so that you or anyone else can understand and apply it. Too often, leaders scribble fire plans on the back of 2404 MRE boxes, paper sacks, a wad of toilet paper, 3-by-5 cards, scratch paper, or on the back of someone’s hand. This is probably better than nothing but a printed form is far better. With this form, all vital information is neatly listed and ready for 1 ARMOR - 21

Fig. 2 use by the platoon commander, his TCs, or any relieving commander. Figures 1 and 2 show two completed platoon fire plans, each with a 1/25,000 grid system. Terrain and area of responsibility will dictate whether the fire plan must be drawn to scale. When completed, the forms will contain all the required information. Following the checklist will ensure this. When a platoon has a complcted and distributed tire plan at hand, it is ready to defend. Now it will fight as a team because each member knows his mission and the platoon's mission. The platoon leader is better able to control his platoon fires because he has all the information in his fire plan. When the enemy attacks, tank crews will identify the vehicles and send accurate spot reports to the platoon commander. He can then call for accurate indirect fire at long ranges which may cause the enemy command and control to break down. As the enemy advances, spot reports will continue to flow to the platoon leader. When the enemy reaches the obstacles, the platoon leader will be able to quickly distribute his fires by shifting his indirect fires and issuing a platoon fire command. He will know what tanks can engage what targets by looking at his fire plan. The plan will eliminate confusion within the platoon because the firing tanks will know the target type, its direction, the type of ammunition to use, and the number of rounds to fire. Non-firing tanks will be able to assist firing tanks by observing fire, which will result in the faster destruction of the enemy without wasting ammunition. When the enemy masses to breach the obstacles, the platoon commander can mass his fires at the critical points. Heavy casualties in men and equipment will force the enemy to retreat. This all takes place because the platoon leader is at all times in control because he has adequate range or sketch cards. Even with sophisticated weapons systems such as the M1 and MlAl, the platoon leader needs a clear, graphic fire plan for a successful defense. For this reason, the platoon SOP should call for making and using range or sketch cards, and platoon training must include this process. Reactions must be automatic in battle, and command and control must prevail to eliminate confusion. Advanced technology is useless if we cannot apply it. First Lieutenant Dennis

M. Verpoorten, commissioned in Armor in 1984 as a distinguished military graduate of the University of Nebraska, sewed as a tank platoon and scout platoon leader in the 2-72 Armor. Now sewing at the National Training Center, he has been a tank platoon and scout platoon observer-controller.