The convoy should only be halted when the
to detect the vehicles and get multiple hits. However,
artillery concentration is ahead of the convoy. The
this method has several disadvantages:
convoy commander should look for an alternate route
1. Easier for the enemy pilot to spot the convoy as
around the impact area and the convoy should remain
it begins to disperse.
prepared to move out rapidly.
2. Volume and density of small-arms fire are
The missions and/or terrain may require the
reduced.
convoy to continue. If this is the case, increase speed
3. Takes longer to reorganize the convoy after the
and spread out to the maximum extent the terrain will
attack.
allow. Casualties can be reduced by the following:
Avoiding the impact area
ARTILLERY OR INDIRECT FIRE
Increasing speed
Enemy artillery units or indirect fire weapons may
Increasing dispersion
be used to destroy logistic convoys or to harass and
Wearing individual protective equipment
interdict the forward movement of supplies and
personnel. Artillery fires are either preplanned fire or
Using the vehicle for protection
fires called in and adjusted on a target of opportunity
by a forward observer. Of the two, the adjusted fires
IMMEDIATE ACTION DRILLS
present the more complex problem as the artillery
The guerrilla normally seeks contact with
barrages can be adjusted to follow the actions of the
organized units only under favorable tactical
convoy.
circumstances; for example, ambushes. When contact
is made under less favorable circumstances, the
Active Defense
guerrilla attempts a rapid withdrawal. In either case,
small-unit encounters with guerrillas are likely to be
Active defensive measures against artillery are
sudden, violent, and of short duration. Slow reactions
limited but must not be overlooked. It is important
to an ambush can result in excessive losses or the loss
that several personnel are highly capable of calling in
of an opportunity to punish the guerrilla unit. Contact
a fire mission. Active measures would include the
is often made at close range, particularly when
following:
operating in jungle, temperate zone forests, woods, or
1. Directing counterbattery fire if the direction and
heavy brush. Immediate action drills aid small units
approximate distance to the enemy artillery can be
in reacting quickly and properly.
estimated.
I m m e d i a t e action drills are predrilled,
2. Directing small-arms fire or artillery fires
prerehearsed reactions to contact or anticipated
against the enemy forward observer if they can be
contact with the enemy. Immediate action drills are
located.
most frequently used by rifle platoons and squads.
They are used during the conduct of foot patrols and
3. Coordinating air strikes against the enemy
dismounted movements in close terrain against
artillery.
guerrillas.
Passive Defense
The variety of drills is limited only by the
imagination and initiative of the unit leader and the
The convoy commander has three passive defense
state of training of the unit. It is impractical to develop
options when confronted with incoming artillery
drills covering every contingency; however, it is
rounds. The options are as follows:
important to develop a drill for each of the most
frequently occurring situations. The response to a
Halt in place.
given situation must not be stereotyped, as the enemy
Continue to march.
may ultimately capitalize upon rigid adherence to the
same tactics.
Disperse quickly to concealed positions.
Immediate action drills stress simplicity,
Regardless of the option selected, the actions to be
aggressiveness, and rapid execution. They demand
taken and the signal directing the action should be
alertness and a high state of individual training. Drills
covered in the unit SOP.
