FIELDCRAFT ORDERS

FIELDCRAFT There are three types of Orders, 1 Patrol Orders 2 Ambush Orders 3 Battle Orders

Orders Orders are always given in a standard sequence and whenever possible with the aid of a model. This helps everyone to understand because the pattern is familiar. It also helps to prevent important matters being forgotten and aid subordinates in their extraction of orders. This appeals to all three sets of orders, patrol, ambush and battle orders .

The order sequence Preliminaries Ground Situation Task organization Mission Execution Service support Command and signal Questions Synchronise watches

Patrol Orders There are three types of Patrols, 1 Reconnaissance (recce) Patrol 2 Standing Patrol 3 Fighting Patrol

1 Reconnaissance (Recce) Patrol These are patrols of a minimum strength for the task, usually one N.C.O. and three cadets, which gain information by observation and operate by stealth. They avoid combat except for self-protection or to take advantage of an unusual opportunity. Things you look for while doing a recce patrol, Enemy Strengths, Weapons, Defences, Routines, Habits, Patrol Activity, Minefields, Wire, Trip flares and Fixed lines.

2 Standing Patrol These are patrols of a minimum strength of one N.C.O. and three cadets which gain information of enemy movement and prevent or disrupt enemy infiltration. They move into position as quietly as possible and try to remain concealed and gain their information until they are required to withdraw or, if discovered, fight their way out. Their main tasks are to: Watch and listen on likely enemy approaches. Watch over dead ground in front of and between friendly localities. Watch over minefields and obstacles.

3 Fighting Patrols These are patrols organized with strength and armament to accept combat in orders to fulfil their role. (usually a minimum of two N.C.O’s and nine cadets) their roles are, Attacking enemy patrols. Interfering with enemy parties. Distracting enemy attention from other activities. Carrying out raids. Capturing prisoners for identification purposes. Tank hunting. Laying ambushes. Protecting reconnaissance (recce) and working parties of other arms. Escorting stretcher parties.

Patrol orders in depth Preliminaries Before issuing formal orders a commander must ensure that certain preliminaries are carried out. He must ensure that his ‘O’ group is seated in the formation required for the task. He should also issue map coordinates so that maps may be folded correctly and issue any air photographs if they are available. If a model is used the 2IC must describe it and give scale and direction of north. The IC will also tell the section what to do if they are attacked while the orders are going on The IC must also give: Time of first light Time of last light The moonstate The weather

Patrol orders in depth Ground The ground should be described in relation to the operation about to be carried out. Prominent objects and features to which reference will be made in the orders should be pointed out. All reference points must be named with the reason for their significance e.g. hill wood (grid 123456) – our assembly area’. In most operation it will be impossible to describe the ground from an OP. to give the cadets an idea of the ground over which they are going to move and fight, a model should be constructed.

Patrol orders in depth Situation enemy forces known or estimated enemy strengths, locations and actions which might affect the completion of the sections mission; as much detail as possible should be included. Also, the ground in relation to the enemy must be considered. This reflects the close relationship between enemy forces and ground which should always be considered together. The way you get this information is by doing a recce patrol and your looking for: Enemy Strengths, Weapons, Defences, Routines, Habits, Patrol Activity, Minefields, Wire, Trip flares and Fixed lines.

Patrol orders in depth Situation friendly forces You need to know if you have any friendly forces in the area so you don’t attack them so when you have your orders group from the platoon commander you will be told if there are any so you need to know: Company / platoon plan Own position Other positions Minefields, wires, trip flares and fixed lines.

Patrol orders in depth Task organization The task organization of the operation in hand should be described by the IC. This should include any attachments and detachments.

Patrol orders in depth Mission The mission is a clear, concise statement of the task to be achieved and its purpose. The mission stated by a section commander in his orders is that given to him by the platoon commander. It should not be modified or changed without reference to his platoon commander. When you tell the section the mission you say it twice the make sure that they understand it.

Patrol orders in depth Execution The execution is the main part of the orders this is were you do you actions on e.g. what you do if you are POW are you get lose. The orders are done in phases so you have to outline the number of phases e.g. 5 phases Phase 1 preparatory move Phase 2 route out Phase 3 action on objective Phase 4 withdraw Phase 5 route back You have to go in depth with each phase as well

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 1 preparatory moves 1) Time of leaving base area 2) Method of move 3) Loading plan personnel and equipment 4) Route to location of DOP (drop of point) 5) Arcs of observation /fire 6) Order of march 7) Action if ambushed 8) Action at DOP 9) Time out

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 2 route out 1)To FRV and objective                                      

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 2 route out 2) Action at halts 3) Action at R.Vs 4) Action at final RV / firm base 5) Action on encountering enemy if seen/ambushed. Signal to open fire 6) Action with prisoners 7) Drill for obstacles. Action on mines and trip wires 8) Action on lights 9) Action with casualties 10) Action if separated from patrol or lost

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 3 action on objective 1) Cover/fire group 2) Position 3) Signal to open fire 4) Action if seen by enemy 5) Recce

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 4 withdraw 1) Signal to withdraw 2) Order of march 3) Action position in FRV 4) Headchecks and signal to move out 5) Action with PWs 6) Action if separated from patrol or lost

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 5 route back

Patrol orders in depth Execution phase 5 route back 2) Action on halts 3) Action at RVs 4) Action on encountering enemy if seen ambushed. Signal to open fire 5) Action on POW 6) Action on casualties 7) Action if separated from patrol or lost 8) Action on arrival at PUP (pick up point) 9) Time in

Patrol orders in depth Co – ord instructions 1) Timings 2) Meals 3) Rest 4) Rehearsals 5) Inspections 6) Times in and out 7) Debrief

Patrol orders in depth Service and support Service support is easy to remember as long as you keep D.E.W.A.R.M.P.T. IN MIND D = Dress E = Equipment and tools W = Weapons A = Ammunition R = Rations and water M = Medical P = Prisoners of war (POW) T = Transport

Patrol orders in depth Command and signal 1) Chain of command everyone must have a row e.g you have 8 cadets each cadet must be an IC – 8IC 2) Hand signal 3) Signal to open fire 4) Use of radio 5) Password 6) Debrief / Patrol report

Patrol orders in depth Questions After issuing orders, time must be given for consideration, then each member of the ‘O’ group must be allowed to ask questions in his turn. Finally, questions from commander will ensure that individuals have correctly understood the orders. For a complicated operation, such as a patrol, it is often best to give the opportunity for questions at the end of the order.

Patrol orders in depth Synchronization watches Before an ‘O’ group disperses all watches must be synchronization to ‘gunner time’ thus ensuring accurate coordination with the supporting artillery for the fire plan

Ambush Orders Ambush orders follow the format given for patrol orders up to phase 2

Ambush Orders Prelims Time of first light Time of last light The moonstate The weather Ground Situation Enemy Forces, Strengths, Weapons, Defences, Routines, Habits, Patrol Activity, Minefields, Wire, Trip flares and Fixed lines. Friendly Forces, Company / platoon plan, Own position, Other positions, Minefields, wires, trip flares and fixed lines.

Ambush Orders Mission Execution Phase 1 preparatory move Phase 2 route out Phase 3 action on firm base Phase 4 occupation of ambush Phase 5 action on approach of enemy Phase 6 withdrawal Phase 7 route back

Ambush Orders Phase 1 preparatory move 1) Time of leaving base area 2) Method of move 3) Loading plan personnel and equipment 4) Route to location of DOP (drop of point) 5) Arcs of observation /fire 6) Order of march 7) Action if ambushed 8) Action at DOP 9) Time out

Ambush Orders Phase 2 Route out 1)To FRV and objective

Ambush Orders Phase 2 Route out 2) Action at halts 3) Action at R.Vs 4) Action at final RV / firm base 5) Action on encountering enemy if seen/ambushed. Signal to open fire 6) Action with prisoners 7) Drill for obstacles. Action on mines and trip wires 8) Action on lights 9) Action with casualties 10) Action if separated from patrol or lost

Ambush Orders Phase 3 Action on firm base 1) Method of entry 2) Individual positions and arcs of fire 3) Sentries 4) Routine 5) Admin 6) Action if surprised 7) Action if recce fails to return

Ambush Orders Phase 4 Occupation of Ambush 1) Order of march 2) Method of entry 3) Individual positions 4) Laying of: a) Mines b) Booby traps, etc c) Warning devices 5) Laying of comm cables, etc 6) Arcs of fire 7) Signal of ambush site 8) Time ambush set

Ambush Orders Phase 5 Action on a approach of Enemy Warning signals from cut-off groups Signal to fire Action of cut-offs Action if located by enemy before ambush spring Action if attacked

Ambush Orders Phase 6 Withdrawal Signal to move off Order of march Action if enemy follow

Ambush Order Phase 7 Route back

Ambush Orders Phase 7 Route back 2) Action on halts 3) Action at RVs 4) Action on encountering enemy if seen ambushed. Signal to open fire 5) Action on POW 6) Action on casualties 7) Action if separated from patrol or lost 8) Action on arrival at PUP (pick up point) 9) Time in

Ambush Orders Co - ord instructions 1) Timings 2) Meals 3) Rest 4) Rehearsals 5) Inspections 6) Times in and out 7) Debrief

Ambush Orders Service support Service support is easy to remember as long as you keep D.E.W.A.R.M.P.T. IN MIND D = Dress E = Equipment and tools W = Weapons A = Ammunition R = Rations and water M = Medical P = Prisoners of war (POW) T = Transport

Ambush Orders Command and signal 1) Chain of command everyone must have a row e.g you have 8 cadets each cadet must be an IC – 8IC 2) Hand signal 3) Signal to open fire 4) Use or radio 5) Password 6) Debrief / Patrol report

Ambush Orders Questions Synchronise watches

Battle Orders When in contact with the enemy there will be many occasions when it is necessary to issue orders quickly. Such orders are known as battle orders.

Battle Orders Situation Enemy Forces Locations Strengths Arcs of fire

Battle Orders Mission Say it twice

Battle Orders Execution Direction of assault (left or right flanking) Position of the fire section Route, FUP and assault position

Battle Orders Questions