FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMOPERATIONSdefending. The entire formation moves throughplanned escape routes created by the attacking force.If the force cannot break out, the senior commandercontinues to defend while planning for and assistingin a link-up with a relieving force.Reserves preserve commanders’ flexibility in thedefense. They provide the source of combat powerthat commanders can commit at the decisive moment.Commanders may use reserves to counterattack theenemy’s main effort to expedite his defeat, or they mayelect to exploit enemy vulnerabilities, such as exposedflanks or support units and unprotected forces in depth.Reserves also provide a hedge against uncertainty.Reserves may reinforce forward defensive operations,block penetrating enemy forces, conduct counterattacks,or react to a rear area threat.Timing is critical to counterattacks. Commandersanticipate the circumstances that require committingthe reserves. At that moment, they seek to wrestthe initiative from the attacker. They commit theirreserves with an accurate understanding of movementand deployment times. Committed too soon, reservesmay not have the desired effect or may not be availablelater for a more dangerous contingency. Committedtoo late, they may be ineffective. Once commanderscommit their reserves, they should immediatelybegin regenerating another reserve from uncommittedforces or from forces in less threatened sectors.During battle, protection of rear areas is necessaryto ensure the defender’s freedom of maneuverand continuity of operations. Because fighting in therear area can divert combat power from the main effort,commanders carefully weigh the need for suchdiversions against the possible consequences and prepareto take calculated risks in rear areas. To makesuch decisions wisely, commanders require accurateinformation to avoid late or inadequate responses andto guard against overreacting to exaggerated reports.Threats to the rear area arise throughout the battleand require the repositioning of forces and facilities.When possible, defending commanders contain enemyforces in their rear areas, using a combination of passiveand active defensive measures. While commanderscan never lose focus on their primary objectives,they assess risks throughout their battle space and commitcombat power where necessary to preserve theirability to accomplish the mission.Commanders protect their forces at all times. Theyachieve the effects of protection through skillful combinationsof offense and defense, maneuver and firepower,and active and passive measures. As they conductoperations, they receive protective benefits fromdeep and close operations as they disrupt the attacker’stempo and blind the enemy reconnaissance efforts.Defenders also employ passive measures such as camouflage,terrain masking, and OPSEC to frustrate theenemy’s ability to find them. Commanders should remainaware that their forces are at risk. They shouldadjust their activities to maintain the ability to protecttheir forces from attack at vulnerable points.Weapons of mass destruction present defenderswith great risks (see Chapter 6). These weapons cancreate gaps, destroy or disable units, and obstruct thedefender’s maneuver. Commanders anticipate the effectsof such weapons in their defensive plans. Theyprovide for dispersed positions for forces in depth,coordinating the last-minute concentration of units onpositions with multiple routes of approach and withdrawal.They also direct appropriate training andimplement protective measures.TERMINATING THE DEFENSEAn attacking enemy, through its own maneuvers,losses, errors, exhaustion, skillful friendly defense, orother causes, may be in such an unfavorable positionthat the initiative passes to the defender. The defenderthen has a prospect of success in conducting a decisivecounterattack to reach a tactical decision and transitionto the offensive. Without a compelling reason todefend, such as those conditions described herein, thedefender attacks.10-6