Platoon Battle Drills

There are Four Platoon Battle Drills: 1. Preparation for Battle. 2. Reaction to the point section coming under effective enemy fire. 3. The Assault. 4. The Reorg.

1. Battle Preparation. As with Section battle drills remember PAWPESO and in addition to this: - Signals. These should be confirmed. Communications from Platoon HQ to section commanders should be via radio, failing this a whistle or word of mouth. One man in each section is detailed as a link man to watch the Platoon commander at all times for any signals or orders. - Formations. The normal formation for a platoon advancing on its own is One Up. If the platoon is part of a larger force or is going into a deliberate attack it is normal to use Two Up. Although this reduces control at the point, it does mean that twice as much firepower can be brought down than with One Up. - Control. This is essential for success. The Platoon commander must be in such a position as he can maintain full control over all 3 sections. Platoon HQ may be split up with the platoon commander, his signaller and runner in one group and the platoon sergeant in another as a troubleshooter. 2. Reaction to the point section coming under effective enemy fire. This comprises three stages. It is triggered by the point section coming under fire and withdrawing off the killing ground to cover. The whole platoon then prepares for a Platoon Attack. I. a. The platoon commander gets into a position of observation to make his Battle Appreciation and then sends a Contact Report to the Company Commander. b. Meanwhile, the platoon sergeant gets the rest of the platoon as far forward as possible but keeping the other two sections out of the firefight. c. He then summons the other two section commanders and holds them for the platoon commander to give his O Group.

II. a. If the platoon commander decides the enemy position is too strong for the point section to assault on its own he will send his runner back to the platoon sergeant with a warning order and RV for the O Group and an RV for the rest of the platoon. b. He then briefs the point section commander that he will act as Fire Support Section. c. He then sends a SITREP detailing his intentions to the Coy. Commander. III. a. As soon as the runner arrives at the rear two sections the platoon sergeant will send the two rear section commanders to the O Group RV with the runner. b. He then moves the rest of the platoon to the FUP RV. c. He also makes any administrative groupings or changes, e.g. re-distribution of ammunition to the Fire Support Section. d. The platoon commander is simultaneously moving to the O Group RV with his party where he gives his orders to the two rear section commanders whose sections will now form the Assault Sections for the Platoon Attack. 3. The Assault. a. Orders - The platoon commander will give his battle orders to the O Group. These need only cover the following subjects : Enemy position strength and weapons, Mission, Left/Right Flanking, Position of Fire Support Section, Route to start line, Section tasks : 1 Sect.., 2 Sect., 3 Sect, The Limit of Exploitation, Any other variations or special tasks. He then rejoins the rest of the platoon at the FUP RV with his O Group. While the section commanders each brief their sections he will brief the platoon sergeant as to what he is to do in the assault. It is normal for the Platoon commander to place himself directly between and in front of the two Assault Sections. The Platoon sergeant usually is placed directly behind the Platoon commander so that he can have an overall view of the two Assault Sections and act as a troubleshooter while the Platoon Commander leads the platoon onto the enemy position. He will at all times be accompanied by his signaller while the runner remains behind with the platoon sergeant. b. The Approach - The Section on the flank in which the assault is going will always move first. Hence, the section on the left flank will lead off to the Start Line in a left flanking assault and vice-versa. At this stage Platoon HQ will be between the two Assault Sections in the order of march. If during the move to the start line either section comer under fire from another enemy position the gun group of the lead section is to peel off to neutralise it. If this is not sufficient, he will order the whole of the section in question to act as Fire Support while the last section assaults the position, or if absolutely necessary, he contacts Coy. HQ and calls for a Company Attack.

c. The Attack - as soon as both sections have arrived at the Start Line the platoon commander will quickly point out the objective and axis and then lead the assault onto the enemy position. First assaulting by sections and then Fire Teams. Speed is now of the utmost importance as by the time the Assault Sections arrive at the Start Line they are more than likely to be in contact with the enemy. As the assault goes in the Fire Support Section will intensify its rate of fire before switching it to behind the enemy position as the Assault Sections Fight Through. This is to ensure that none of the assaulting troops are compromised by friendly fire and also to catch any enemy as they may attempt to withdraw as their position is overrun. Variations: -One section may not be committed and held in reserve, particularly if the enemy position is expected to be In Depth. - Re-enforcing the Fire Support Section with the Gun Group or a Fire Team from one of the Assault Sections. - Using the point section as Assault Section and one of the others as Fire Support. (Only if the ground dictates this.) 4. The REORG. The aim of this phase is to set up a hasty defensive position as quickly as possible in case the enemy mounts a counter attack. Unless the advance is to immediately continue, shell scrapes should be dug. In order to ensure everything occurs as smoothly as possible, each member of the platoon has a specific task. The Platoon commander : - Call the Fire Support section into the REORG position. - Establish Platoon HQ in the centre of this. - Send a brief SITREP to Coy. HQ e.g. "Objective taken, reorganizing." - As soon as the platoon sergeant reports he will send a full CONTACT REPORT detailing : Time, Grid, Enemy Action, His action, result, details of any POWs, CASEVACS and Ammunition, Ration, water or First Aid Replens that are required. - Confirm arcs of each section and siting of LSW positions.