You can usually use streams, ridges, and trees as
EVASION TRAVEL
guides in open country and as a means of retracing your
The route that you select to travel while trying to
route. On overcast days, in areas where the vegetation
is dense, or whenever the country appears the same,
evade the enemy depends upon the situation in which
mark your route. Use bent bushes, rocks, or notches
you find yourself, the weather conditions, and the nature
placed on the back sides of trees at approximately eye
of the terrain. Whether you select a ridge, stream, valley,
level. Mark bushes by cutting vegetation or bending it
coastline, dense forest, or mountain range to follow, be
so the under and lighter side of the leaves are facing
sure it is the safest rather than the easiest way.
upward. These signs are especially conspicuous in dense
Experience has proven that the most difficult route is
vegetation. But use them with discretion because you
frequently the safest.
risk discovery by the enemy when you mark your route
A route along a ridgeline is usually easier to follow
too plainly.
than one through a valley. Game trails are frequently on
Even with a map, do not guide too confidently on
top of ridges, and you can use them to guide your travel.
man-made features or landmarks that are likely to
Also, you find less vegetation, frequent high points for
change. The only safe landmarks are natural features,
observing landmarks, and few streams and swamps to
such as rivers and hills. In the jungle, for example, when
ford.
a village site marked on a map is investigated, it often
The use of a stream as a route is of particular
is an overgrown clearing. Similarly, one rainy season
advantage in strange country because it provides a fairly
can change the course of a small stream or close an
definite course and might lead to populated areas; also,
unused trail with dense shrub.
the stream may provide you with fish and water and
Use trails as guides that lead in the general direction
serve as a vehicle for travel by boat or raft. However, be
of friendly forces; and when you come to a fork, use the
prepared to ford, detour, or cut your way through the
path that appears most traveled as a guide. If you guide
thick vegetation lining the stream. When you are
on the wrong trail and find yourself lost, stop and try to
following a stream in mountainous country, watch for
remember the last time you were sure of your location
falls, cliffs, and tributaries as checkpoints. In flat
Mark your location where you were lost and start
country, streams usually meander, are bordered by
backtracking. Sooner or later you will discover a
swamps, and are thick with undergrowth. Travel on
recognizable feature with which you can pinpoint your
these streams provides little opportunity to observe
position.
landmarks.
Traveling at night is safe in the desert or open
When you decide to follow a coastline, you can
country but is not advisable in strange, wooded country.
figure on a long, roundabout route. But it is a good
However, if you do travel at night, use a shielded light
starting point, an excellent base line from which to get
only when necessary to find your way over rough,
dangerous spots or to read a map or compass. Since your
your bearings, and a probable source of food.
eyes adjust to the darkness, alight blinds you to all but
In strange country, study outstanding terrain
a small area that is illuminated. You can keep a fairly
features as you travel, and concentrate on maintaining
accurate course for short distances in open country by
your course. Climb to a high point and look at the
picking a bright star near the horizon as a guide star in
general pattern of the land, character of the vegetation,
your line of travel. Then line up the trees and other
the drainage patterns, and the trend of mountains and
skyline landmarks ahead with the star. Be sure to check
ridges. Choose a prominent landmark that you can see
your direction frequently with the North Star or the
while you travel. As you near this landmark, line up
Southern Cross and change guide stars whenever you
another one ahead of you.
need to change direction.
If you are traveling in a dense forest, you probably
You may have to detour frequently in rough country.
will not be able to spot distant landmarks. You can hold
To do this, you should try to follow methods, such as the
a course by lining up on two trees forward of your
one shown in figure 6-1. This method is used for
position in your direction of travel. As soon as you pass
estimating distance and average angle of departure for
the first one, line up another beyond the second. You
short detours. On your return from the detour, you
might find it helpful to look back occasionally to check
estimate the angle and distance to regain your original
the relative positions of landmarks or ground slope and
line of travel. For greater accuracy, count paces and use
contour.
a compass. Another method (fig. 6-2) allows you to
6-2
