Training Notes - The Attack

Sorry for taking so long but as promised here are the notes I used for the training weekend. They are a mix of extracts from the relevant FMs and my own experience. I hope you find them useful.

The Attack
Conduct of Attack
The Squad leader permits his squad to open fire only when it is necessary in order to advance.
At the first firing position, the squad seeks to gain fire superiority over the enemy to its front. This is gained by subjecting the enemy to fire of such accuracy and intensity that his fire becomes so inaccurate and so reduced in volume as to be ineffective. Once gained, it must be maintained.
Unless supporting weapons or other units can maintain fire superiority, enough members of the squad must remain in position and firing to maintain it. The automatic rifles capacity for putting down a large volume of fire makes it useful for this purpose.
Meanwhile, other members of the squad move forward, take up firing positions closer to the enemy, and, by their fire, cover the forward movement of the rearward members.
By this combination of fire and movement, the squad advances close enough to capture the hostile position by assault.
The method of further advance is determined by the effectiveness of the hostile fire and by the nature of the terrain. Complete fire superiority is required for men to advance over open ground in the face of an unbeaten enemy. The squad must take advantage of every irregularity of the ground to provide protection against hostile fire.
The squad can advance as a unit only when completely hidden from hostile fire or when fire superiority is maintain by over units. Therefore, the squad usually works forward by irregular or successive advances of individuals.
Rushes by individuals or small groups are used to move from cover-to-cover across short stretches of terrain. Even in open terrain, the well trained rifleman will be able to locate and use limited cover, such as slight depressions and rises.
Over very open ground and when any part of the squad is moving, the squad increases it's rate of fire.
Squad Leader
The Squad Leader must maintain control of the firing of his squad, so as to make best use of his resources. He must maintain forward momentum, constantly looking to move his squad closer to the enemy and within assault range. He prevents members of the squad from becoming too spread out and becoming too bunched up. During lulls, he checks ammunition and has ammunition collected from the dead.
The Assault
The assault is delivered at the earliest moment that promises success. The squad, or part of the squad, advances to the hostile position as close as it can, allowing for supporting fire. Once in position, supporting fire is lifted. Assault fire may be employed to prevent the enemy manning his position. In the final stage, the hostile position is over-run in a single rush with bayonet. Against an entrenched enemy, the final charge may be proceeded by a hand grenade volley.
Assault Fire
Is the fire delivered by a unit during its assault on a hostile position. Riflemen, with bayonets fixed, taking advantage of cover, advance rapidly toward the enemy and fire as they advance into areas known or likely to contain hostile personnel.
Reorganization
After a successful assault, the Squad Leader reorganizes his squad and prepares to advance or repel any counterattack. As part of the re-org, the Squad Leader should; check casualties within his squad, check ammo within his squad, arrange a search of the enemy position and their dead for Intel and correctly handle PoWs. All this is to be reported to the Platoon Leader.

Very good Tony!!! Excellent stuff!!!

Cheers for putting that together.

Dan.

I have more to come, Defense, Scouting, Patrolling and Fire control.

If I can find the time I might be able to put together a bit on drill ( so you can practice before East Kirkby)

Yes mate, very good, we need to start putting it into effect now, will be interesting I'm sure.