msl 301, lesson 6b: offensive operations definition offensive operations aim at destroying or...

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Definition

Offensive operations aim at destroying or defeating the enemy in order to impose the will of the Army on the enemy and achieve decisive victory. Offensive operations are used to deprive the enemy of resources, seize terrain, deceive or divert the enemy, develop intelligence or hold an enemy in position.

Squad TacticsOffensive Operations


Characteristics of the Offense

Surprise Concentration Tempo Audacity


Types of Offensive Operations

Movement to Contact Attack Exploitation Pursuit


Movement to Contact (MTC) An operation to develop the situation and establish or

regain contact with the enemy Used when the tactical situation is vague or not

specific enough to conduct an attack, or when the enemy has broken contact

A properly planned and executed MTC will allow friendly forces freedom of action

Normally conducted at battalion or brigade level Smallest element conducting MTC is company Squads and platoons conduct MTC as part of a

larger force (company and above MTC)


MTC: Fundamentals Focus all efforts on finding the enemy Make initial contact with smallest element

possible Secure the main body from becoming

decisively engaged by the enemy Task organize and select movement

formations that allow rapid deployment and attack

Keep forces within supporting distances Maintain contact with enemy


Movement to Contact Techniques

Approach March Search and Attack


Approach March: Planning Considerations METT-TC On order or follow on missions for subordinate units Decision Points

When do I commit main body Will reinforcing the advance guard destroy the enemy or must

I maneuver the main body to attack the enemy? When and how do I commit the reserve? How do I use the main body or reserve if my flanks are

attacked? Balance speed and ability to maintain mutual support

with elements Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility Control measures and coordination with adjacent units


MTC: Common Maneuver Elements

Advance Guard Sometimes called Forward Security

Element (FSE) Main Body Security

Flank and Rear (Screen or Guard)


Advance Guard

“I ordered the advance guard (one squad) to hold the farmhouse for an additional five minutes, and then retire…I quickly ordered a platoon…to open fire on the area to the left and the advance guard began to drop back under this fire protection.”

- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

In his book, Infantry Attacks.


MTC: Advance Guard Moves forward of and within supporting range of Main

Body’s weapon systems Protects Main Body from surprise enemy contact Ensures uninterrupted movement of Main Body by

reducing obstacles, create passage lanes, or identifies bypass routes

Fixes the enemy to allow Main Body to develop the situation

Determines and reports enemy composition, disposition, strength, flanks and gaps

Protects Main Body while Main Body is deploying


MTC: Main Body

The primary mission of the Main Body is to maneuver to destroy the enemy

The commander designates tasks or missions to each unit in the main body Main effort to destroy the enemy Follow and support missions Reserve


MTC: Flank and Rear Security Provided by the maneuver unit traveling on a

flank or to the rear of the Main Body The trail company traveling in battalion column acts

as the battalion’s rear guard The battalion traveling on the left of a brigade

movement will use their battalion scouts to screen the left flank

Can be dismounted, mounted or aviation units Used to delay an enemy force by buying time

for the Main Body to react


MTC: Search and Attack A technique primarily conducted by light

forces and supported by heavy forces Executed at the battalion level Uses platoon or squad-size elements Recon element finds the enemy Fixing force develops the situation Finishing force conducts hasty or

deliberate attack to destroy the enemy


MTC: Purposes of Search and Attack Destroy the enemy Deny unhindered use of friendly area by the

enemy Protect a larger force by preventing the enemy

from massing, disrupting or destroying friendly forces

Collect information on the enemy to confirm enemy courses of actions predicted during the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process


Search and Attack: Planning Considerations METT-TC Decentralized operations at squad and platoon level Mutual support to respond to other units in contact Length of operation may require unit rotation Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility Resupply and Medevac Positioning of key leaders and personnel Employment of key weapons Requirement and location of patrol bases How to enter the zone of operation Details of unit linkup


Offense: Attack An operation that destroys or defeats the

enemy, secures terrain, or both Ambush Spoiling Attack Counterattack Raid Feint Demonstration


Raid

Swift entry into hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or destroy installations

Ends with a planned withdrawal Also used to rescue and recover

individuals/equipment in danger of capture


Offense: Exploitation Offensive operation that rapidly follows a

successful attack Necessary due to the fact that total annihilation

of the enemy on the objective are rare Exploitation operations are designed to

aggressively pursue the enemy in order to finish or disorganize the enemy in depth to prevent the enemy from occupying alternate defenses, consolidating and reorganizing or counterattacking to regain the initiative


Offense: Pursuit An offensive operation to catch or cut off

an enemy attempting to escape in order to destroy the enemy

Normally follows a successful exploitation operation

May also result in any successful offense or defense operation that causes the enemy to break down and flee the battlefield


Enemy Contact! Now What? Attack?

Hasty or Deliberate? Exploit? Pursuit? Defend?

Hasty or Deliberate? Retrograde?

Delay? Withdrawal?

msl 301, lesson 6b: offensive operations definition offensive operations aim at destroying or...

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