Ambush Flashcards
What is ambush?
An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed position by a force lying in wait upon an unsuspecting moving or temporarily halted group of insurgents and it is either immediate or deliberate in nature. It is usually a brief, close range encounter.
What is the aim of ambush?
(a) Capture or destroy insurgents, their weapon and equipment.
(b) Capture or destroy a selected important personnel/insurgent.
(c) Obtain information of intelligence value.
(d) Act as a diversion to draw attention away from another area of operation.
(e) Impose caution and create fear in the minds of the insurgent, and to inhibit their movement.
What are the salient variations between Conventional and Unconventional Ambush?
(a) Intelligence.
(b) Reaction Time.
(c) Recognition.
(d) Insurgent Tactics.
(e) Pursuit.
What are the differences between ambush by hostiles and SF?
a) Aim. The aim of hostile amb could be to:
(a) Inflict casualties on security forces.
(b) Collect arms, ammunition and eqpt
(c) Demoralize Security Forces
(d) Carry out propaganda
b) Detailed Reconnaissance.
c) Organization.
What are the types of ambush?
Types of Ambush
(a) In terms of Area.
Single or multiple ambushes may be laid out depending on the option of insurgent to use one or more route.
(i) Single Ambush. A single ambush is one where the insurgent is almost certain or can be induced to use one route so that a single ambush position can be sited to cover one selected killing area.
(ii) Multiple Ambushes. More often the exact insurgent route will not be known, and a number of separate ambushes must be sited to cover killing areas on each route in the area where insurgents are expected to enter. This is known as multiple ambushes.
(b) In terms of time available to Lay Ambush.
Opportunity or deliberate ambush is laid out depending on the time available to react. Ambush site may be single or multiple based on number of routes to enter
(i) Opportunity Ambush.
(ii) Deliberate Ambush
(a) Short Term Ambush. - for up to 12 hours.
(b) Long Term Ambush. - more than 12 hours
On which factors the strength of the ambush party will generally depend on?
(i) Strength and composition of hostiles
(ii) Troops available
(iii) Time
(iv) Terrain
(v) Aim of ambush
What are the basic considerations of ambush?
- Surprise.
- Command and Control.
- Concentrated Fire.
- Simplicity.
- Determination.
- Self-Discipline.
- Suitable Ground.
How surprise can be maintained in ambush?
(a) No unnecessary movement during recce and occupation of ambush site or while at the site.
(b) Ambush parties will have to be carefully selected and distributed. Each party should have a concealed place to stay to avoid detection/suspicion.
(c) No person should leave any trails or ‘‘Tell-tale’’ signs while occupying the site of the ambush.
(d) Approach the site from a concealed place or during night.
(e) All weapons should be kept loaded and ready to fire in advance to avoid unnecessary movement/noise when the hostiles get into ambush.
(f) Avoid smoke by day and light by night at the site.
(g) Detain civilians who have discovered the ambush till the site is vacated.
(h) Natural vegetation in and around the ambush site should not be disturbed.
What are the examples of such ambush sites?
(a) Likely routes and RV’s in the neighborhood of suspected insurgent bases i.e. routes from population center to hideouts in forests.
(b) Lines of communication which may be used by insurgents.
(c) Approaches to positions of own troops.
(d) Areas of activity by own troops which attract insurgent attention either by
design or default like water points.
(e) Established infiltration routes.
(f) Known routes followed by insurgents to traverse their area of interest.
What are the some examples of suitable sites for a killing area for ambush?
(a) Narrow defiles.
(b) Crossing places in a fast flowing river/nullah .
(c) Road or Track bends especially blind curves.
(d) Near water Points.
(e) Such a place where is a hill on one side of the track and steep slope towards
the other side.
(f) Approaches to isolated huts in fields and villages.
(g) Any dominating piece of ground.
(h) Where the ground provides a good killing ground but limited number of
convenient, escape routes for the hostiles.
What are the sequence of events of ambush?
(a) Planning.
(b) Initial Reconnaissance.
(c) Orders.
(d) Preparation.
(e) Move to and Occupation of the FRV (ambush base).
(f) Final Reconnaissance.
(g) Confirmatory Orders.
(h) Occupation.
(j) Work Routine.
(k) Ambush Set and Routine in Ambush.
(l) Springing.
(m) Withdrawal.
What are the points that should be borne in mind while planning an ambush?
The following points should be borne in mind while planning an ambush:-
(a) A careful study of hostile habits and movements should be made.
(b) The position selected should be one frequented or likely to be visited by
hostiles and where maximum fire can be brought to bear upon them.
(c) The ambush may be laid on one side of the track or both sides. If it is on one side only, the hostiles may disappear on the far side. On the other hand, if it is laid on both sides, there is a danger of the ambush party firing at each other. The ground will generally dictate the pattern to be adopted.
(d) Movement of the hostile gangs is often preceded by innocent looking civilians who act as their scouts, or civil screen.
(e) Pre-arranged drill should be rehearsed for laying an ambush, so that a patrol can instantaneously occupy an ambush position without detailed orders.
Once everybody is in position there should be a listening period before the work routine commences. What are the points that may include?
(a) Laying of Claymores, trip flares, ambush lights, obstacles and booby traps. This should be done quietly and deliberately in pairs; one covering the other as they move and then set up the devices.
(b) Camouflage using foliage brought from the FRV.
(c) Laying of communications cord. If communications cord is to be used one
man should lay it from the scout to the ambush commander’s signaler in the center of the killing group. He must ensure that it does not snag or disturb vegetation when pulled. The communications cord should be laid in front of the killing group to ensure there is no interference during long term ambush rotations and so that it can been seen by all in the killing group if it is pulled.
(d) Communications tests by all systems.
Once the ambush has been sprung, how the sit from here will develop?
Once the ambush has been sprung the sit from here will develop in one of the following ways:
(a) The dead and wounded are searched, the wounded are evacuated, and the amb force is withdrawn.
(b) The ambush is immediately withdrawn and the posn is abandoned without conducting searches.
(c) If sprung at night the ambush may well stay in position until first light and then carry out the search before withdrawing.
(d) An immediate assault is mounted from the ambush by the insurgent.
(e) If the ambush was carried out with only the use of Claymores there is a potential that the insurgent may have mistaken the explosions for indirect fire or a booby trap, remaining unaware of the ambush party. If nerve is maintained there is an opportunity to spring a second small arms ambush on any CASEVAC party sent to the investigate the original Claymore explosions.
What are the aids to night vision which may be useful?
(a) Optical weapons sights.
(b) Night sights- NVD, Night Vision Goggles.
(c) MIRA/Thermal sights.
