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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMOPERATIONSCommanders directing retrograde operations planand coordinate complementary operations to enhancethe probability of success. These operations shouldattempt to reduce the enemy’s strength, concentrateforces in another area, prepare stronger defenses, ormaneuver the enemy into areas where he is vulnerableto counterattacks. As in other operations, depth is important.Enemy movement is impeded in depth;countermobility, interdiction, and long-range fires areintegrated to slow his advance.Commanders combine different forms of retrogradeinto simultaneous or sequential actions. For instance,the withdrawal of one unit may precede theretirement of another. Another unit’s delaying actionmay cover both operations. Synchronizing these operationsrequires detailed planning, close and continuouscoordination, and precise execution.DELAYSUnits conduct delays when forces are insufficientto attack or defend or when the design of the operationdictates maneuvering the enemy into an area forsubsequent counterattack. Delays gain time forfriendly forces to reestablish the defense, to cover adefending or withdrawing unit, to protect a friendlyunit’s flank, and to participate in an economy-of-forceeffort. Delays also slow or break up enemy momentumor do not allow it to begin.Considering the Factors of METT-TCommanders preparing to delay consider the factorsof METT-T in their estimate of the situation.Mission. The mission states the highercommander’s delay requirements, outlines the conceptof operations, and specifies the duration and terrainlimitations. If the commander’s intent is to employthe delaying force in subsequent operations, he mustspecify the critical parameters of the delay¡duration,terrain to retain or deny, and the nature of the subsequentoperation.Enemy. The strength, location, tactics, mobility,and capabilities of the enemy have a direct impact onhow the commander plans for and organizes a delay.Some important considerations are the enemy’s likelycourses of action and his vulnerabilities to friendlycounterattack, interdiction, nonlethal technology, aerialattack, and obstacles. Commanders also examine theenemy’s capabilities to conduct air attacks on the delayingforce, to insert forces behind friendly units, andto employ weapons of mass destruction.Terrain and Weather. Terrain determines the extentof the commanders’ options for designing delays.Open, unobstructed terrain makes delays more difficult.While such terrain favors the use of armored,mechanized, and aviation units by the delaying force,it requires major engineer effort. The delaying forcemay be subject to air attack and long-range, observedfires.Close or broken terrain slows enemy movementbut also makes maintaining contact with the enemymore difficult. In wooded, swampy, or rugged terrain,infantry forces are ideal units for a delay. Theprimary effect of weather on the delay is to enhanceor degrade cross-country movement, aviation support,and obstacle construction. Limited visibility requiresgreater troop unit numbers to cover a given sector andaffects the way troops maneuver and fight.Troops. The troops available to the delaying commanderswill determine their operational design. As arule, a delaying force should be at least as mobile asthe enemy. Because delaying commanders attempt toavoid decisive combat, their forces should be capableof constructing significant obstacles and deliveringaccurate, long-range fires. The organization and trainingof cavalry units make them uniquely suited to conducta delay and cover other delaying forces.When infantry units move by air to positions indepth, they provide great flexibility to a delaying unit,although their limited mobility makes disengagementcomplex. Delaying forces rely heavily on artillery,attack helicopters, CAS, and engineers. The longerthese forces are required to delay, the more supportthey will need. MI units assist by tracking the dispositionsof the enemy and impeding enemy operationsby interrupting communications.A delay can be most effective when deception confusesthe enemy as to the true dispositions and intentionsof the delaying force. Deception, therefore, canbe a force multiplier in conducting delaying actions.Freedom of movement is essential to a successful delay.Therefore, when the force cannot achieve air supremacy,the positioning of air defense assets aroundcritical points is important.Time Available. Time to prepare and the durationof the delay are the commanders’ final preliminary11-2