employed. The most logical course of action after
convoy know what the arm signals mean no matter
dismounting is to take cover, immediately establish a
which arm signals are used.
base of fire, and use a maneuver element against the
Procedure when communication is lost
enemy ambush positions. Speed of execution is
Action on vehicle breakdown
critical.
Actions on ambush
COUNTERACTION TACTICAL
Action in danger areas
CONSIDERATIONS
Call for fire procedures
The most effective counteraction to ambushes is a
Check points
flanking attack by elements not in the killing zone
Location of friendly forces
quickly followed by relentless pursuit of the enemy.
Attention must be given to the following tactical
AMBUSH DEFENSE AND ACTION ON
considerations:
CONTACT
1. In actions when no troops have entered the
Whatever the precautions and preparations, the
killing zone, the convoy commander launches an
ambush is nearly always an unexpected encounter.
immediate flanking attack on the enemy position, using
Counter ambush drills are simple courses of action
supporting fires from machine guns and mortars.
designed to deal with the problem of the unexpected
2. Fire in the killing zone may be from only one
encounter. They call for immediate, positive, and
side of the road with a small holding force on the
offensive action. The action on ambush is to drive
opposite side. To contain the convoy element in the
through the ambush area or stop before running into
killing zone, the enemy will place mines and booby
it, then to attack the enemy immediately from the flank
traps on the holding force side. Take care when
or the rear. When vehicles are fired upon, the
assaulting the main ambush force because mines are
following actions are taken:
commonly used to protect its flanks.
1. Drivers attempt to drive through the killing
3. In actions where some portions of the vehicles
zone.
are ahead and out of the killing zone and the remainder
are halted short of the zone, the portion that has not yet
2. Personnel return fire immediately.
entered the killing zone initiates the flanking attack. If
3. When vehicles are clear of the killing zone, they
the convoy commander is not pressent, the senior vehicle
are halted. Occupants dismount and take immediate
commander takes command and directs the attack.
offensive action against the enemy positions.
Troops in vehicles which are ahead of the killing zone
4. Subsequent vehicles approaching the killing
dismount. Under the command of the senior vehicle
zone halt short of the zone. Occupants debark and take
commander, the troops return to the vicinity of the
immediate offensive action against the enemy
killing zone and exploit the situation.
positions.
4. The best way an armored vehicle can help in
If hardened vehicles are forced to halt in the
counter ambush action is by moving into the killing
killing zone, all available weapons are used to return
zone to engage the enemy at short range. In this way it
can give good covering fire to the flanking attack or
fire immediately. Occupants remain in the vehicle. On
provide protection for those troops caught in the killing
the first perceptible slackening of enemy fire,
zone.
occupants dismount. When riding in a "soft" vehicle
and caught in a killing zone, occupants dismount
It is possible that the convoy commander may be
immediately. In both cases, occupants dismount
killed, wounded, caught in the killing zone, or
under the covering fires of the four corner sentries,
positioned on the wrong side of the zone. It is
who initially remain aboard. The occupants then
essential that all vehicle commanders and squad
deploy to the side directed by the vehicle commander
leaders know their responsibilities for organizing and
and take the enemy under fire to cover the dismount
directing a counter ambush action. This is clearly
of the four sentries.
stated in unit convoy orders and emphasized at
briefings. The techniques outlined above are
After dismounting, if no cover is available, an
immediate frontal assault against the enemy is
practiced repeatedly until the reaction procedures
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