FIELDCRAFT Patrol Orders www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol Orders There are three types of Patrols Reconnaissance (recce) Patrol Standing Patrol Fighting Patrol www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

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 out for during a recce patrol: Enemy Strengths, Weapons, Defences, Routines, Habits, Patrol Activity, Minefields, Wire, Trip flares and Fixed lines. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Standing Patrols These are patrols with a minimum strength of one N.C.O. and three cadets which gain information of enemy movement etc. and prevent or disrupt enemy infiltration of your position. They move into position as quietly as possible and try to remain concealed and gather their information until they are required to withdraw or, if discovered, fight their way out. Their main tasks are to: Watch likely enemy approaches to your position. Watch over dead ground in front of and between friendly positions and watch over friendly minefields and obstacles. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Fighting Patrols These are patrols organised with a strength and armament enough to fulfil their orders. Usually a minimum of two N.C.O’s and nine cadets. Their role is to: Attack enemy patrols. Interfere with enemy work parties. Distract enemy attention from other activities/areas. Carry out raids on enemy positions. Capture prisoners for information gathering. Tank hunting. Laying ambushes. Protecting friendly recce patrols and working parties Escorting stretcher parties. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

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 etc. that 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 moon state The expected weather www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Ground The ground should be described in relation to the mission 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 etc. In most operations it will be impossible to describe the ground properly from a map. To give the cadets a better idea of the ground over which they are going to move and fight, a model should be constructed. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Situation enemy forces Known or estimated enemy strengths and locations which might affect the completion of the 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. You gather this information by doing a recce patrol looking for: Enemy Strengths, Weapons, Defences, Routines, Habits, Patrol Activity, Minefields, Wire, Trip flares and Fixed lines. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

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

Patrol orders in depth: Task organisation The task organisation of the operation in hand should be described by the OC. This should include details of any attachments and detachments associated with the operation. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Mission The mission should be 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 and make sure they understand it! www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution The execution is the main part of your orders. This is were you go over your ‘actions on’ e.g. what you do if you are POW or you get lost/separated. The orders are given in set 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 also have to go in depth with each phase as well. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution phase 1 preparatory moves Time you’ll be leaving base area. Method of movement. Loading plan for personnel and equipment. Route to location of DOP (drop of point). Arcs of observation /fire. Order of march. Action if ambushed. Action at DOP. Time out. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution phase 2 route out Action taken at halts Action taken at R.Vs Action taken at final RV / firm base Action taken on encountering enemy if seen/ambushed. Signal to open fire Actions with prisoners Drill for obstacles. Action taken on mines and trip wires Action taken on & with lights Action taken for dealing with casualties Actions taken if separated from patrol or lost www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution phase 3 action on objective Cover/fire group Position Signal to open fire Action if seen by enemy Recce www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution phase 4 withdrawal Signal to withdraw Order of march Action position in FRV Head count and signal to move out Action with PWs Action if separated from patrol or lost www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Execution phase 5 route back Same points as for route out: Action taken at halts Action taken at R.Vs Action taken at final RV / firm base Action taken on encountering enemy if seen/ambushed. Signal to open fire Actions with prisoners Drill for obstacles. Action taken on mines and trip wires Action taken on & with lights Action taken for dealing with casualties Actions taken if separated from patrol or lost www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Co – ord instructions Timings Meals Rest Rehearsals Inspections Times in and out Debrief www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

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 www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Command and signal Chain of command everyone must have a role e.g you have 8 cadets each cadet must be an IC – 8IC Hand signals. Signal to open fire. Use of radios. Passwords. Debrief / Patrol report. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Questions After issuing orders, time must be given for consideration of the orders, then each member of the ‘O’ group must be allowed to ask questions in turn. Finally, questions from the 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 process. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

Patrol orders in depth: Synchronisation watches Before an ‘O’ group (Orders Group) disperses all watches must be synchronised to ‘gunner time’ thus ensuring accurate coordination between all involved and any supporting artillery for the fire plan. Artillery support is unlikely in a cadet operation however having all cadets operating on the same time is just as important. www.acftraining.co.uk © ACF Training 2015

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