CHAPTER 7
INDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Digging In
This chapter presents the principles of constructing,
camouflaging, and using individual protective
Start digging in when the combat situation requires
measures. Camouflaging is nothing more than hiding or
or allows it, and take advantage of all available natural
concealing your position or equipment by blending it in
cover. You should have an entrenching tool; however,
with the natural or local surroundings to avoid detection
you can dig with your bayonet or helmet, or both. When
by the enemy. Intelligent use of the terrain sometimes
necessary, clear the brush to improve your FIELD OF
reduces the labor and time required for the construction
FIRE (the direction you will be firing at the enemy).
of emplacements or positions to provide you protection
while firing at the enemy. In many cases the natural
Since the Seabees work with ditchdiggers, back-
configuration of the ground provides emplacements that
hoes, and other types of heavy construction equipment,
require little, if any, improvements. The following
you probably have access to this equipment to help in
information gives you guidance on the correct
digging and building your fighting emplacement. Of
application of these protective measures.
course this depends upon where it is, what the defensive
situation is, and how long you are expected to stay in the
position.
COVER AND CONCEALMENT
Construction
COVER is protection from the fire of hostile
Construction includes the improvement of earth-
weapons. It may be natural or artificial. Natural cover
works by placing logs or other objects in defensive
(ravines, hollows, and reverse slopes) and artificial
positions, such as along parapets (a wall or bank) and
cover (fighting holes, trenches, and walls) protect you
overhead. A position should be continually improved as
from flat trajectory fire (projectiles traveling at nearly
long as it is occupied.
horizontal angles), and partially protect you from
high-angle fire and the effects of nuclear explosions.
Another area in which a Seabee might show a
difference in the construction of his defensive position
CONCEALMENT is protection from hostile
would be if a battalion used a prefabricated fighting hole
ground or air observation, but not from hostile fire. It,
made from corrugated metal, or a bunker made of block
too, is natural or artificial. Natural concealment is
or concrete with a metal plate for a roof. Since Seabees
provided by objects in their natural locations, such as
have access to construction materials, their positions can
bushes, grass, and shadows. Artificial concealment is
be made more permanent. Seabee positions are used as
made from materials, such as burlap, nets, or tents, or
abase camp, or a central position, where they can go to
from natural material.
project sites and return when the project has been
The best combat position provides, at one and the
completed.
same time, maximum cover and maximum
concealment.
Concealment of Fresh Soil
The appearance of fresh soil betrays the location of
FIGHTING EMPLACEMENTS
your emplacement to enemy observers. Therefore, the
plan for your dug-in emplacement must include some
way to dispose of the soil. Use part of it to make a parapet
A FIGHTING EMPLACEMENT is the position
or ridge around the emplacement. When you start
you occupy for the purpose of firing your weapon at the
enemy. It provides a good firing position with maximum
digging in, first slice off the top turf and set it aside. Then
cover and concealment. A temporary position is
as you dig out fresh soil, use it to build a parapet around
converted to a fighting emplacement, or its character, as
the position about 6 inches high and 3 feet wide. Then
such, may be improved by digging in, construction,
lay the turf back on this parapet. If more fresh soil must
concealment of fresh soil, and improvement.
come out, place it in a sandbag or on a canvas and move
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