Thomas Hardye School CCF

transcript

Patrol Harbours

A patrol harbouris a position established

to provide securitywhen a patrol halts

for an extended period.

Patrol HarboursPossible reasons for the establishment of the harbour are:

a. To avoid detection.

a. To lie up whilst a detailed reconnaissance of an objective is made prior to the formation of a final plan and issue of detailed orders.

a. To form a base from which operations can be mounted, e.g. attack, ambush, reconnaissance, or establishing OPs.

a. To provide an RV after infiltration into an enemy area by small groups, or after withdrawing from such an area.

a. To provide security for an administrative halt after long periods of movement or close contact.

SECTION 3

SECTIO

Section 1 LSW gunner

Section 2 LSW gunner

Section 3 LSW gunner Section 2 LSW gunner

The most common application of the patrol harbour is the establishment of a triangular harbour by a platoon. The drill can be adapted by a smaller patrol.

The triangular harbour at platoon level ensures the following:

a. All round defence with an LSW at each corner of the triangle, and in the middle of each side of the triangle, thus providing mutual support in an attack.

b. Ease of command with the platoon HQ in the centre of the triangle.

c. Ease of administration with a simple, compact layout.

SelectionThe selection of a possible harbour area can be done from:

a map,

an air photograph,

aerial reconnaissance or on the ground.

The detailed siting must be confirmed by reconnaissance and the area secured before occupation.

In selecting the area, the following points must be considered (LAM).

– Location:• Choose an area:

a. Which can be easily defended.b. Where there is dense vegetation, to provide cover from the ground and the air.c. Away from human habitation areas regularly used by civilians.d. With access to a source of water.e. With reasonable routes in and out.f. Where communications are good.

– Avoid:a. An obvious position.b. Ridge lines or crests which may be used as routes.c. Roads, tracks, etc.d. Wet areas, steep slopes and small valleys.

– Mission:• The harbour must be located so that it best enables the patrol to

accomplish its task.

Selection

For the swift and efficient occupation of a patrol harbour a well understood drill is essential. It should be carried out using hand signals with a minimum of noise. Variations are numerous, but a suggested drill is as follows:

(Sharpe’s) Snap Ambush(Rifles) Reconnaissance(Often) Occupation(Cry) Clearance Patrols(Singing) Sentries(Waterloo) Work(Rhymes) Routine

Occupation

Snap AmbushThe platoon halts short of the selected area. It should break track and lay an ambush on its previous route to engage any enemy patrol following or tracking the platoon.

Reconnaissance

TO AMBUSH SITE

The reconnaissance party, consisting of:

The Platoon Commander

A Platoon runner

No.1 Section – Section Commander

No.1 Section – LSW gunner

will go forward to site the harbour in detail.

The Platoon Serjeant remains in command of the main body, with Section 2ic’s in command of their sections.

In selecting the area, the following points must be considered (LAM).

– Location:• Choose an area:

a. Which can be easily defended.b. Where there is dense vegetation, to provide cover from the ground and the air.c. Away from human habitation areas regularly used by civilians.d. With access to a source of water.e. With reasonable routes in and out.f. Where communications are good.

– Avoid:a. An obvious position.b. Ridge lines or crests which may be used as routes.c. Roads, tracks, etc.d. Wet areas, steep slopes and small valleys.

– Mission:• The harbour must be located so that it best enables the patrol to

accomplish its task.

Selection

ReconnaissanceOn arrival at the site of the harbour the Platoon Commander will site the section LSW gunners at each point of the triangular harbour. Perimeter wire is then laid to ensure that the sides of the triangle are straight for when the main body occupies the harbour.

Once the section commanders are happy on the siting for their respective sections, and have identified 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock and the position of the Platoon HQ, the section commanders and the Platoon runner can patrol back to collect the main body.

Occupation

Section 1 will enter the patrol harbour through the 12o’clock position and move around all three sides of the triangle to identify the boundaries of the harbour area.

Occupation

The Section Commander will then place his section in pairs along their side of the harbour and will then identify arcs of fire ensuring the positioning of the LSW gunners provides all round defence, whilst the other two sections, and Platoon HQ follow the same procedure.

Clearance Patrols

Each section will then send out a clearance patrol. This patrol will leave the harbour area from the adjacent sections LSW gunner at the point of the triangle, and return through their own sections LSW gunner at the point of the triangle.

Sentries

If we look at number one section is isolation, after the sentries have been placed, the section that then begin constructing the harbour area itself.

Firstly the bracken from the ground and branches up to head height are cleared from the track plan. This will enable movement around the track plan at night to be conducted in silence.

The bracken from the ground and branches up to head height can also be thrown outside of the harbour area to hinder any enemy movement at night.

Finally the section can build their bashas.

Routine

Clean WeaponsOrdersEatSleepWash

Thomas Hardye School CCF

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