Step 7. Leaders account for soldiers, report (ACE), reorganize as necessary, and continue the mission.
React to Ambush Drill
In a near ambush (within hand-grenade range), use the following procedures:
Step 1. Immediately return fire.
Step 2. Take up covered positions.
Step 3. Throw fragmentation, concussion, and smoke grenades.
Step 4. Immediately after the grenades detonate, the soldiers in the kill zone assault through the ambush using fire and movement, while soldiers not in the kill zone identify enemy positions, initiate suppressive fire, take up covered positions, and shift fires as soldiers in the kill zone assault through the ambush.
In a far ambush (beyond hand-grenade range), use the following procedures:
Step 1. Soldiers receiving fire immediately return fire, take up covered positions, and suppress the enemy by destroying or suppressing enemy crew-served weapons first, obscuring the enemy position with smoke, and sustaining suppressive fires.
Step 2. Soldiers not receiving fires move by a covered and concealed route to a vulnerable flank of the enemy position and assault using fire and movement.
Step 3. Soldiers in the kill zone continue suppressive fires and shift fires as the assaulting element fights through the enemy position.
In both near and far ambushes, the platoon leader then calls for mortar or artillery fire to isolate the enemy or to attack as the enemy retreats. Leaders account for soldiers, report (ACE), reorganize as necessary, and continue the mission.
Knock-Out Bunker Drill
The knock-out bunker drill is used when the platoon identifies enemy in bunkers.
Step 1. The platoon initiates contact.
1.The squad in contact establishes a base of fire.
2.The platoon leader, communications operator (COMMO), FO, and one machine-gun team move to the squad in contact.
3.The platoon sergeant moves the second machine-gun team forward and takes charge of the base of fire.
Step 2. The base-of-fire element destroys or suppresses enemy crew-served weapons first and uses smoke to obscure the enemy position. The FO calls for and adjusts indirect fire.
Step 3. The platoon leader determines whether he can maneuver by identifying the following:
1.The enemy bunkers, other supporting positions, and any obstacles.
2.The size of the enemy force engaging the platoon.
3.A vulnerable flank of at least one bunker.
4.A covered and concealed flanking route to the bunker.
Step 4. The platoon leader determines which bunker to knock out and directs a squad not in contact to assault it.
Step 5. If necessary, the platoon sergeant repositions base-of-fire elements to isolate the enemy bunker.
Step 6. The assault squad, along with the platoon leader and FO, moves along the covered and concealed route.
1.The squad leader moves with the assaulting fire team.
2.The assaulting fire team approaches the bunker from its blind side.
3.Soldiers constantly watch for other bunkers or enemy positions in support of the known bunker.
4.Upon reaching the last covered and concealed position, the fire team leader and automatic rifleman remain in place and add their fires to suppressing the bunker, while the squad leader positions himself where he can best control his teams.
5.On the squad leader’s signal, the base-of-fire element lifts or shifts fires to the opposite side of the bunker from the assaulting team’s approach.
6.A rifleman and grenadier continue forward to the blind side of the bunker. One soldier takes up a covered position near the exit while the other cooks off (two seconds maximum) a grenade, shouts “Frag out!” and throws it through an aperture.
7.After the grenade detonates, the soldier covering the exit enters the bunker, firing short bursts to destroy the enemy.
8.The squad leader inspects the bunker to ensure that it has been destroyed.
9.The squad leader then reports, reorganizes as needed, and continues the mission.
Step 7. The platoon leader repositions the base-of-fire element as necessary to continue to isolate and suppress the remaining bunkers as squads are maneuvered to knock them out.
Enter and Clear a Trench Drill
The enter and clear a trench drill is used when the platoon is moving and identifies enemy in a trench line, and the platoon leader determines that he can maneuver and assault the trench line.
Step 1. The platoon leader directs one squad to enter the trench and secure a foothold.
Step 2. The platoon leader designates the entry point of the trench line and the direction of movement once the platoon begins clearing.
Step 3. The platoon sergeant positions soldiers and machine guns to suppress the trench and isolate the entry point.
Step 4. The platoon leader directs the platoon FO to initiate a fire mission, if necessary, in support of the assault. The platoon FO maintains accurate battle tracking of all friendly elements to facilitate quick clearance of fires. He lifts or shifts fires to isolate the objective as the assault team advances.
Step 5. The assaulting squad executes actions to enter the trench and establish a foothold. The squad leader signals to the platoon leader that the foothold is secure and the follow-on elements can move into the trench. The squad leader remains at the entry point and marks it. The platoon follows the success of the seizure of the foothold with the remainder of the platoon as part of the platoon actions to clear a trench line.
Step 6. The platoon leader moves into the trench with the assaulting squad.
Step 7. The platoon leader directs one of the base-of-fire squads to move into the trench and begin clearing it in the direction of movement from the foothold.
Step 8. The base-of-fire element repositions as necessary to continue suppressive fires.
Step 9. The assaulting squad passes the squad that has secured the foothold and executes actions to take the lead and clear the trench.
•The squad leader designates a lead fire team and a trail fire team.
•The lead fire team and the squad leader move to the forward most secure corner or intersection. The squad leader tells the team securing that corner or intersection that his squad is ready to continue clearing the trench. The trail fire team follows, maintaining visual contact with the last soldier of the lead team.
•Note: The fire support element must be able to identify the location of the lead fire team in the trench at all times.
•Note: Throughout this battle drill, the team leader positions himself at the rear of the fire team to have direct control (physically, if necessary) of his soldiers. Other soldiers in the fire team rotate the lead to change magazines and prepare grenades. Rotating the lead provides constant suppressive fires down the trench and maintains the momentum of the attack as the squad clears the trench.
•The lead fire team passes the element securing the foothold. The following then occurs:
—The lead soldier of the fire team moves abreast of the soldier securing the corner or intersection, taps him, and announces, “Taking the lead.”
—The soldier securing the corner or intersection acknowledges that he is handing over the lead by shouting, “Okay!” He allows the fire team to pass him.
•The lead fire team starts clearing in the direction of movement. They arrive at a corner or intersection. The following then occurs: