MCWP-3-11.3-Scouting-and-Patrolling

Scouting and Patrolling _________________________________________________________________________________ 13-3the patrol leader quickly reorganizes the patrol andbegins the return movement to friendly lines.13005. AMBUSH PATROLS13004. CONTACT PATROLSGeneralContact patrols establish and/or maintain contact tothe front, flanks or rear by—l Establishing contact with an enemy force when thedefinite location of the force is unknown.l Maintaining contact with enemy forces throughdirect and/or indirect fires, or observation.l Avoiding decisive engagement with the enemy.Task Organization and EquipmentTask organization and equipment depend on theknown enemy situation and anticipated enemy contact.A patrol sent out to establish contact with an enemyforce is organized, armed, and equipped to overcomeresistance of light screening forces in order to gaincontact with the main enemy force. It is not organizedand equipped to engage the main enemy forces incombat. Communication is paramount; radios must bereliable over the entire distance covered.Actions at the ObjectiveThe patrol leader selects a series of objectives. Oncean objective is reached, the patrol leader initiates aplanned set of actions in order to establish andmaintain contact with the enemy. These plans andactions are guided by the missions to establish ormaintain contact—not to engage in decisive combat.Contact with the enemy is maintained for the purposesof surveillance, applying pressure, and preventingseizure of the initiative. If the contact patrol becomesdecisively engaged with the enemy, many of the tasksoriginally assigned to the patrol cannot be accomplished,since the enemy has seized the initiative andfriendly forces are not forced to react.GeneralAn ambush is a surprise attack from a concealedposition upon a moving or temporarily halted target. Itis one of the oldest and most effective types of militaryactions. Ambush patrols conduct ambushes of enemypatrols, resupply columns, and convoys. The intent ofan ambush is to place the enemy in a dilemma wherestaying in the kill zone or attempting to move out of itprove equally lethal. The ambush may include anassault to close with and decisively engage the enemy,or the attack may be by fire only.Purpose of AmbushesAmbushes are executed for the general purpose ofreducing the enemy’s over-all combat effectivenessand for the specific purpose of destroying its units.The cumulative effect of many small ambushes onenemy units lowers enemy troop morale and harassesthe enemy force as a whole.Destruction is the primary purpose of an ambushbecause loss of men killed or captured, and loss ofequipment and supplies destroyed or captured, reducesthe overall combat effectiveness of the enemy.Harassment, though less apparent than physicaldamage, is a secondary purpose of ambushes.Frequent ambushes force the enemy to divert menfrom other missions to guard convoys, troopmovements, and carrying parties. When enemy patrolsfail to accomplish their mission because they areambushed, the enemy is deprived of valuable information.A series of successful ambushes causes theenemy to be less aggressive and more defensiveminded. His men become apprehensive, overlycautious, reluctant to go on patrols, seek to avoid nightoperations, are more subject to confusion and panic ifambushed, and in general, decline in effectiveness.Classification of AmbushesA deliberate ambush is one in which prior informationabout the enemy permits detailed planning before thepatrol departs for the ambush site. Information neededto plan a deliberate ambush includes the size,composition, and organization of the force to beambushed; how the force operates; and the time it will