Lesson-7-scouting-and-patrolling

The ground recon. Whenever possible, do a “sneak and peak.” The map might be out of
date, or there may be some detail nor captured on the map.
Sergeant Pebble very carefully makes his way to the northern OP (triangle at 110925, 1 on
the aerial). He makes sure the platoon CP arranges to have the OP alerted that an NCO will be
arriving, and please not to shoot him (OPs in a case like this usually have wire communications
to the company CP). He pauses to let the OP know the timing, as he plans to cross the patrol’s
line of departure (LD) at that point. Since the OP will probably be relieved before the patrol SP
time, he exacts a solemn promise that the relieving OP be briefed to expect the patrol.
Sergeant Pebble now proceeds to scan the ground beforehand with the trusty M3 binoculars
his platoon leader has loaned him.
NOTE: The enemy is probably watching everything from their OP’s. An officer or NCO
spotted scanning with binoculars is a sure sign that there is some mischief afoot, and an
alert lookout will report the event to his Zugführer unless he is a complete idiot. Never
assume the enemy is stupid. Use careful concealment.
Okay, I have not the energy or time to drive two hours to Benning, talk my way into the
training area, and take pictures of the ground Sergeant Pebble is reconnoitering. Next best thing,
though not an option open to Pebble, is a current Google image of the area shown in the map at
Figure 1.
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Figure 2: Sergeant Pebble’s observation point is at the northern OP, manned by 1st Platoon
(1 marks the spot). The mission is to look for the suspected Jagdpanzers (red
arrow at GRID 118922. He notes that there are fairly thick woods of scrub pine
(something not made clear on the map) for about 500 meters on a direct line between
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