| AHOY,
this is a segment from the planning section of my Fragmented Fighting Facts aka Tri-F, i.e. a collection of my military notes, one can google it up. Like with the rest of Tri-F I've lade out the info as I be-leave one might need to recall it.
Part D) PATROL ORDER:
Last updated 02/10/09
This is Information pertaining to patrols, you will always have alternates, even a complete alternative sheet.
CALL SIGN/SHACKLE SHEET: this is all information used in communicating i.e. call signs for mission success, failure, abort, medivac, all secure, friendly or foe WIA KIA MIA, and or POWs etc. there would be a section called a Shackle sheet for encoding of numbers.
1) Unit information – call sign, name used to refer to your unit. Frequency, channel or phone number.
2) Unit position – call sign, grid coordinates (Gs), could also be address. Feature of recognition (F.O.R.) some sort of land mark for others to find your location, or for you to use upon return.
3) Time of departure - time patrol is set to start. Use 24 hour and synchronize with all units or Marines involved.
4) Point of departure – call sign, Gs, F.O.R., Estimated time of arrival (ETA) that is when you should be there and prepared to leave.
5) Line of departure – call sign, Gs, F.O.R., E.T.A., in this case E.T.A. is when you will arrive at line of departure. At which time contact with foe is not only possible it is likely.
6) Patrol routes - call signs, cardinal or azimuth direction, distance or time to remain on course. F.O.R. and suggested formations. There are multiple routes and you need reminding that you are on track. There for you will have call signs and features (plural) of recognition. Usually F.O.R. indicates a change in formation. So unit is better situated for different terrain.
7) Check points – call signs, Gs, F.O.R., ETA. Check points are usually in the range of 1km in jungle terrain. They are intersections of patrol routes; normally indicate a change in course. You well check your location and orientation do a roll call, check weapons, equipment, make any adjustments to schedules at these points.
8) Rally points - call signs, Gs, F.O.R. rally points are locations Marines can regroup with one another if they get separated. There is a final rally point that is used for regrouping after your unit has gone though objective. Because you will often scatter and leave objective in all directions, so witnesses cannot make guess as to your general direction of travel, or your next objective. This also gives each Marine chance to spot any enemy scouts or reinforcements. If you are spotted on your way to the final rally point. You should lead foe away. The Final rally point dose have an ETA because you will not won’t to wait around there very long. You also have a password or signal and avenue or direction of approach, also approach time intervals. Example, at hour or half hour marks. A rule of thumb is one or two can brake all the rules, many not any. This keeps you from killing some poor delirious just trying to get there bastards. One or two troops are not going to take your position. Large units on the other hand have no excuse. (PPP projected protective party) You can also post a Reception unit out in direction of approach (like a door butler). This unit can also serve as a maneuver counter attack unit if Final rally point is attacked. Note in some circumstances (deep in enemy terrain with only one extraction point) it is safer for the entire unit to withdrawal from objective as a fighting column.
9) Objective – call sign, Gs, F.O.R. for air operations, features that stand out from the ground may not make good landmarks from the air, especially at night. These are the sort of things you should be looking for: Coastline in distinctive stretches, especially with breaking surf or white sand beaches, river mouths over 100 meters wide or sharp promontories or inlets. Bends in rivers more than 100 meters wide. Heavily wooded banks will reduce their visibility. Canals, their straight course and consistent width make them easy to spot, except where the surrounding countryside follows a uniform pattern. Lakes at least a ½ square mile in area with a distinctive shape or feature. Woods and forests a square mile or more in size, with clear-cut boundaries or some special identifying feature. Major road and highway intersections. Railways, especially when there is snow on the ground. The general plan of attack; Who, what, where, when, why, how. In defense a unit doubles or triples its combat power. 3/1 ratio applies not just to Infantry but equipment. Ratio varies with size of force, platoon level maybe 10-1, theater 1-1 or 1-2 because only small part of terrain fought over at a time. But with larger ratio less time to win. Information good, terrain/weather good day raid. Information bad, terrain/weather bad night raid. The worst the weather, longer the battle, more fatigue, greater the casualties |
