CHAPTER 4 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENSIVE TACTICS

Seabee battalions are primarily a defensive unit during combat and must consider the planning of defensive tactics as top priority. Poor planning of defensive tactics will not only endanger the battalion but will also endanger all other units involved with the operation. Other units assigned to the theater of operation depend on Seabee units to defend their area of responsibility. Defensive operations for Seabee battalions include those actions taken for destroying or trapping a hostile force, denying an enemy access to an area and reducing the capabilities of the enemy. The goal is to accomplish these actions with minimum or no losses to the battalion. This chapter covers in depth the concept of defense, the fundamentals of defense, the types of defense, and the platoon, squad, and fire team defensive positions. Also covered are the crew-served weapons employment, the platoon fire plan, and the company fire plan. Although this chapter speaks mainly of defensive tactics for a Seabee battalion, Seabee units can also implement the context of this chapter. CONCEPT OF DEFENSE In the defense, the defender takes every opportunity to seize the initiative and to destroy the enemy. The defender seizes the initiative by forcing the enemy to react in conformity with the defensive plan of the battalion and exploiting the enemy weaknesses. As a platoon commander or assistant company commander, it is important for you to know how the defensive plan relates to the overall defensive operation. Seabees are required to set up a defensive perimeter or, in extreme cases, defend the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA). The defensive tactics used in each case are similar. NOTE: For simplicity purposes the defensive perimeter or the defensive lines will be referred to as the FEBA.

DEFENSIVE AREAS defensive areas, established at the defensive perimeter or FEBA, include the security area, the forward defense area, and the reserve area. Each of these areas is allocated forces and fires as a part of the complete defense plan (fig. 4-1). Security Area The battalion security area begins at the FEBA or the defensive perimeter and normally extends 500 meters to the front and to the flanks of the battalion. Depending on where battalion security elements are used, this area can be increased. Seabee forces in the security area include the listening post, the observation post, and the patrols that furnish information about the enemy; delay, deceive, and disrupt the enemy as much as possible. Division forces, operating deep in the security area (beyond 500 meters), will consist of general outposts (GOPs), combat outposts, flank security forces, division aerial surveillance elements, and patrols. As a platoon commander or patrol leader, you must be aware of all forces operating in the security area.

Figure 4-1.- Battalion defensive areas. Forward Defense Area (FDA) The forward defense area extends rearward from the defensive line or FEBA to the rear boundaries of the frontline companies that are used as the forward defense echelon of the battalion. The composition of the forward defense echelon depends upon the form of defense used.

Reserve Area Extending from the rear boundary of the forward defense echelon (frontline companies) to the rear boundary of the defense of the battalion is the reserve area. The reserve forces and those uncommitted forces under battalion control occupy positions in the reserve area and add depth to the defensive position. The reserve is the principal means by which the battalion commander influences the defensive battle and regains the initiative.