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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMFM 100-5Figure 11-2. Delay from Alternate Positionscovering force fails to slow the enemy. All availablefires, electronic warfare assets, and obstacles supportthe withdrawal of these closely engaged forces. Deepoperations may be useful in relieving pressure on unitsin contact with the enemy. Commanders must tightlycontrol rearward movement and maintain synchronizationthroughout the force.If the withdrawal begins without enemy pressure,the covering force may remain in position to prolongthe deception. If the enemy does not attack during thewithdrawal, covering forces and rear guards remainbetween the enemy and the main body. The main bodymoves as rapidly as possible rearward. After the mainbody withdraws a safe distance, the covering force canmove to intermediate or final positions. Every withdrawingforce element must be capable of defendingitself, at least temporarily, against ground attack.Reports of enemy activity in the rear area are amatter of great urgency. When the enemy blocksmovement to the rear, commanders either shift to alternateroutes to bypass the interdicted area or attackthrough the roadblock. When simultaneous withdrawalof all forces is not practicable, commanders deter-mine the sequence of withdrawal. Withdrawing themost heavily engaged units from the greatest actual orpotential pressure area may result in enemy attemptsto encircle or destroy the remaining units. Withdrawingthe least heavily engaged units first may find commandersunable to withdraw those most heavily engagedor most dangerously threatened. Commandersdecide which course of action best preserves the forcewhile accomplishing the mission.When corps or divisions withdraw, their reservesremain well forward to assist other units by fire orground attacks. While units withdraw under pressure,reserves launch spoiling attacks to disorganize anddelay the enemy. Reserves can extricate encircled orheavily engaged forces.Defending forces may provide the withdrawingunit with fire support, EW support, air defense, andlogistical assistance. More importantly, they assumesector responsibility once the withdrawing force passesthrough them. When a defending force is in position,the withdrawing unit coordinates support as early aspossible. The unit conducts the withdrawal in the usualway until the withdrawing force passes behind the11-5