Attack in General

Question 1

Aim of Attack

Answer 1

1. Destroy an enemy force.
2. Seize and hold ground which is either required for own troops or to deny its use to the enemy.
3. Contain an enemy force or divert its attention from other areas of operation.

*At lower levels the aim will normally be given in terms of capturing ground.

Question 2

Types of Attack
(Quick Attack)

Answer 2

It is an attack carried out against hastily organized enemy defense or when the defender is unable to prepare extensive obstacles and when its anti-tank layout and defensive fire may not have been fully coordinated.

1. Time is of paramount importance.
2. Requires speed in mounting the attack for better results.
3. Requires certain level of decentralization.
4. Taking of certain amount of risk.
5. Achieved through good battle procedure and well-practiced battle drills.

Question 3

(Deliberate Attack)

Answer 3

It is an attack carried out against a highly organized enemy with well-coordinated defense.

1. Careful and detailed planning is required.
2. Coordination of all available resources.
3. Detailed information about the enemy and terrain is required.

Question 4

Basic Considerations of Attack

Answer 4

1. Combat Superiority
2. Surprise
3. Firm Base
4. Depth and Frontage of the attack
5. Maintenance of momentum
6. Reserve
7. Reorganization
8. Fire support
9. Favorable air situation
10. Axis of maintenance

Question 5

1. Combat Superiority

Answer 5

a. To concentrate a superior force at the decisive point and time.
b. Calculated risk may be taken by exploiting the advantage of
(i) Superior Training
(ii) Dynamic Leadership
(iii) Offensive Spirit
(iv) High Morale and
(v) Discipline of the attacking forces

Question 6

2. How can Surprise be achieved during Attack?

Answer 6

a. Restricting movement by day.
b. Careful concealment and camouflage.
c. Simulating radio traffic.
d. Registration of artillery guns on other sectors.
e. Use of smoke screens to cover moves by day.
f. Dummies.
g. Hiding the time and direction of attack.

Question 7

3. What does a Firm Base ensure during Attack?

Answer 7

a. The enemy cannot wrest the initiative at the very outset by a spoiling attack and dislocating the attack even before it has been launched.
b. The attacking troops can fall back on the firm base if the attack fails.
c. The commander will not have to react to an enemy counterattack and thus loose the initiative.

*Held by troops other than those belonging to a formation, or a unit being launched into the attack or by the reserves of the attacking formation or unit.

Question 8

4. Depth and Frontage of Attack

Answer 8

a. Ensures concentration of force.
b. Enables deep penetration.
c. Ensures maintenance of momentum.
d. Allows quick mopping up.

Question 9

5. Maintenance of Momentum

Answer 9

a. Attacking in depth.
b. Adequate reserves.
c. Correct positioning and timely employment of reserves.
d. Rapid regrouping and bringing up of fresh troops.

Question 10

10. Axis of Maintenance

Answer 10

An axis of maintenance must be cleared and kept open for the maintenance of the force:
a. Need not necessarily be a road.
b. Axis of attack and axis of maintenance need not necessarily be the same.

Question 11

RAID vs ATTACK

Answer 11

1. Raid: Surprise till the last moment.
   Attack: Surprise may be lost at stages.
2. Raid: Ground is temporarily held or not
   held at all.
   Attack: Ground is held.
3. Raid: Inferior Strength.
   Attack: Numerical Superiority.
4. Raid: Speedy withdrawal.
   Attack: No withdrawal.
5. Raid: Objective of raid is part of an
   overall attack plan.
   Attack: Aim is to destroy the enemy or
   capture an area.
6. Raid: Involves infiltration, conduct and
   exfiltration.
   Attack: Involves preparation, assault
   and reorganization.

Question 12

Stages of Attack

Answer 12

1. The Preparatory Stage
2. The Assault Stage
3. The Reorganization Stage

Question 13

1. The Preparatory Stage

Answer 13

a. Includes planning, deployment and issue of order.
b. Covers all the actions from the beginning until the crossing of the Start Line.

Question 14

2. The Assault Stage

Answer 14

a. The troops cross the Start Line, close in with the enemy and overruns his position.
b. Assault stage may be divided into phases if the objective cannot be captured in the initial stage.

Question 15

3. The Reorganization Stage

Answer 15

Troops having captured the bijective, reorganize themselves to consolidate their position and prepare to meet any possible counter attack.

Question 16

Periods of Attack

Answer 16

1. Preparatory Period
2. Break-In Period
3. Dog-Fight Period
4. Break-out Period
5. Pursuit

Question 17

1. Preparatory Period

Answer 17

a. Domination of the enemy.
b. Logistic arrangement.
c. Collection of information.
d. Planning and issue of orders.
e. Surprise and deception measures.
f. Deployment of electronic warfare means.
g. Concentration of troops.
h. Deployment of artillery.
i. Development of communication setup.

Question 18

a. Domination of the Enemy

Answer 18

(i) Capturing key areas.
(ii) CB.
(iii) Aggressive patrolling and special mission patrols.
(iv) Elimination of BOPs.
(v) Air effort and interdiction.
(vi) Close air support for destruction of gun areas.
(vii) Coordination of electronic warfare.

Question 19

b. Logistics Arrangements

Answer 19

(i) Calculation and provision of requirements.
(ii) Location of requirements.
(iii) Effects of surprise and security.
(iv) Traffic control.

Question 20

c. Collection of Information

Answer 20

(i) Strength and disposition of the enemy.
(ii) Details of his defense including obstacles.
(iii) Location of guns, reserves and HQs.
(iv) Enemy’s capabilities, intention and likely reactions.
(v) Surveillance devices.
(vi) Early Warning Capabilities.

Question 21

e. Surprise and Deception Measures

Answer 21

(i) Camouflage and concealment.
(ii) Construction of dummies.
(iii) Restriction of the movement by day.
(iv) Registration of artillery targets on other sectors.
(v) Simulation of concentration of troops, guns and dumps on other sectors.
(vi) Simulate radio traffic.
(vii) Drowning noises of tanks and vehicles by artillery fire and low flying aircraft.
(viii) Use of smoke screen.
(ix) Prevention of identification of new unit when patrolling.

Question 22

2. Break-In Period

Answer 22

Entails:
a. Punching a hole in the enemy’s defense.
b. Breaching of the obstacle.
c. Securing of bridgehead on the enemy’s side of the obstacle.

Question 23

3. Dog-Fight Period

Answer 23

Entails enlargement of the BH

Question 24

4. Break-Out Period

Answer 24

a. Continuation of the dog fight with the enemy’s reserve being used and his resistance begin to crumble.
b. Speed up attack and take calculated risks.
c. Deny the enemy, opportunity to reorganize and regain his balance.
d. Cut off enemy’s route of withdrawal by destroying or dislocating the enemy HQs and troops in the rear areas of the defended zone.
e. Use of highly mobile force such as mechanized infantry and heliborne forces for this period.

Question 25

PERIOD OF ATTACK vs. STAGES OF ATTACK

Answer 25

1. PoA: Encompasses the whole gambit of
   attack.
   SoA: Stages of attack forms a part of
   the periods of attack.
2. PoA: Includes preparation, break-in,
   dogfight, break-out and pursuit.
   SoA: Includes preperation, assault and
   reorganization.
3. PoA: Applicable to Division level and
   above.
   SoA: Applicable at all levels.
4. PoA: No clear demarcation as to when
   one finishes and other begins.
   SoA: Clear demarcation exists.
5. PoA: Units will be involved in one
   period of attack at a time.
   SoA: Stages of attack take place during
   break-in, dogfight and break-out
   period.
6. SoA: Involved in all stages of attack.

Question 26

Maneuvers in Attack
(Forms of Maneuver)

Answer 26

1. Frontal Attack:
   a. Direct Approach
   b. Indirect Approach
2. Penetration
3. Infiltration
4. Envelopment:
   a. Vertical
   b. Single
   c. Double
   d. Turning Movement

Question 27

1. Frontal Attack

Answer 27

This form of maneuver is appropriate at the corps and higher level when it is intended to strike a weaker enemy all along the front within the zone of the attacking force.

Question 28

2. Penetration

Answer 28

a. Rupture of defenses.
b. Widening of the gap.
c. capture of the objective.

*If overwhelming support of troops and firepower is available multiple penetrations may be executed.

Question 29

Basic Considerations (Penetration)

Answer 29

a. Enemy’s flanks are unassailable and is favored when enemy is over extended and weak spots exist in his defense which can be detected.

b. On a narrow front should have the requisite superiority and must be in sufficient depth to maintain the momentum till the final objective is gained.

c. Depth of the enemy’s dispositions and quantum of forces available to the attacker.

Question 30

Conduct (Penetration)

Answer 30

A division may undertake penetration by itself or as a part of a corps penetration.

Question 31

4. Envelopment (Basic Consideration)

Answer 31

Ground envelopment is feasible when the enemy has an assailable flank.

Question 32

Conduct
Double Envelopment
Turning Movement

Answer 32

The turning movement differs from envelopment in the following ways:

(i) The turning force bypasses the enemy’s main defenses and does not attempt to attack his main position either from the flank or from the rear, it avoids major engagement route.

(ii) The turning force advances rapidly on to its objective to seize vital areas well in the enemy’s rear.

(iii) Instead of fighting the enemy in his main position, either the entire force or a major portion of it is drawn out of the prepared defenses and then destroyed on ground of the attacker’s choosing.

(iv) The turning force will normally be operating independently and will be out of supporting distance from the rest of the force operating in the sector.

Question 33

Infantry Battalion in Attack
(Preparatory Stage)

Answer 33

a. Issue of Warning Order
b. Collection of information.
c. Reconnaissance and appreciation by the Battalion commander.
d. Issue of preliminary orders.
e. Reconnaissance by sub-unit commanders and detailed reconnaissance by Battalion commander.
f. Detailed orders by the Battalion Commander.
g. Briefing of troops.
h. Arrival of troops in Assembly Area.
i. Move from Assembly Area to FUP and SL.

Question 34

Infantry Battalion in Attack
(Reconnaissance and Appreciation)

Answer 34

a. Objective
b. Phases
c. Grouping
d. Axis of Advance
e. Assembly Area, FUP and SL
f. Timings
g. Boundaries
h. Flank protection
i. Rate of advance
j. Reorganization
k. Exploitation
l. Employment of other arms
m. Crossing of obstacles
n. Logistics

Question 35

Battalion Commander’s Consideration for Company Objective

Answer 35

1. Strength and disposition of the enemy.
2. Ground and obstacles which have to be overcome.
3. Frontage and depth of the objective.
4. Troops and supporting fire required to capture and hold objective.

Question 36

What does Rate of Advance depend upon?

Answer 36

1. Whether the attack is by day or by night.
2. Type of country to be crossed and the state of ground.
3. Density of enemy obstacle.
4. Degree of opposition.
5. Fire support available.

*During Deliberate Attack against well prepared defenses: 100m in 4 mins.

*During Day Attack in favorable ground against hastily prepared defense: 100m in 2 mins.

Question 37

Assault Stage

Answer 37

1. Control battle.
2. Advance towards the objective.
3. Fighting through the objective.
4. Open trenches.
5. Bunkers.
6. Trench system.
7. Mopping up.
8. Success signal.

Question 38

Reorganization Stage

Answer 38

1. Immediate sighting of the weapons.
2. Readjustment of subunits.
3. Adjustment of pre-arranged artillery DF plan.
4. Digging in and converting of enemy defenses.
5. Establishing OPs, LPs and sending out patrols.
6. Bringing up and sighting close support weapons.
7. Replenishment of ammunition and bringing up of reorganization stores.
8. Laying of line communication.
9. Evacuation of casualties.
10. Reconstituting of reserves for exploitation.

Question 39

Company Commander’s Orders Must Contain

Answer 39

1. All relevant information including the Battalion Commander’s outline plan.
2. Coy cdr’s intention.
3. Formation for the attack.
4. Platoon objectives.
5. Inter platoon and company boundaries.
6. Assembly area, FUP and SL.
7. Axis of advance.
8. Rate of advance.
9. Methods of crossing obstacles.
10. Action on capturing the objective.
11. Fire plan including the employment of armor, MMG and RL detachment.
12. H-hour.
13. Success signal.
14. Administration details.

Question 40

What is the Battle Procedure after the receipt of Warning Order at the Battalion Level?

Answer 40

Battle Procedure at BN Level:
1. CO, after receiving the WO issues his own WO and moves to Bde ‘O’ Group RV.
2. Collection of information.
3. BN Cdr’s reccee and appreciation.
4. Issue of preliminary orders by the BN Cdr.
5. Recce by Coy Cdr and detailed reccee by BN Cdr.
6. Detailed orders by BN Cdr.
7. Briefing of troops.
8. Arrival of troops in the assembly area.

Question 41

What tasks can be given to an Infantry Battalion during Attack Operation?

Answer 41

Tasks to an Inf BN during Attack operation:
1. To clear/capture BOP.
2. To capture advance position, forward zone, defended localities.
3. Secure corridor independently or in conjunction.
4. To clear the center line.
5. To establish Bridge Head.
6. Enlargement of the bridge head.
7. Occupy/capture the enemy’s lightly held areas in depth.
8. To provide firm base.
9. Take over areas captured by the mechanized forces.
10. Mopping up of areas overrun by mech forces.
11. To carry out heli-borne ops to capture br/vital areas in depth.

Question 42

What are the Different Stages of Attack? Discuss Briefly What Each Stage Entails.

Answer 42

1. Preparatory Stage
   a. Issue of WO.
   b. Collection of info.
   c. Cdr’s recce and appreciation.
   d. Issue of preliminary orders.
   e. Recce by subunit commanders.
   f. Detailed orders by Cdr.
   g. Briefing of troops.
   h. Arrival of troops in assembly
   area/forward assembly area.
   i. Marrying up of supporting elements.
   j. Move from assembly area/forward
   assembly area to FUP and SL.
2. Assault Stage:
   a. Advance to the Objective: Advance from SL must
   confirm to the timing laid down for the assault. Inf
   should keep as close as possible to the artillery fire
   support in order to assault the enemy before he
   recovers from the effect of shelling.b. Fighting Through the Objective: When the forward
   edge of the enemy defended locality have been
   overrun, the difficult task of fighting through the
   objective begins.
   *This is the most critical time of attack and success will
   depend largely on the initiative, skill and determination
   of the junior leadership.c. Mopping up: When the main resistance of the enemy
   has been overcome, small pockets of resistance may
   still exist in the objective. The liquidation of these
   resistances is called mopping up.d. Reorganization Stage: Reorganization as each
   objective is captured must be organized for defense
   immediately against possible counterattack and as a
   firm base for further operations.
   *Exploitation
   *Full benefit from hard fighting is reaped and casualty
   saved by exploitation.
   *Every effort should be made to advance beyond the
   objective thereby upsetting the enemy’s counterattack
   plan.

Question 43

What Are the Factors That a Commander Should Consider While Formulating His Plan For Attack?

Answer 43

Factors considered by a commander while formulating attack plan:

1.Objective - Each objective is considered with respect to the following:
a. Extent and size.
b. Quantum of troops holding it and
weapons.
c. Tank ability of feature and terrain.
d. Location in relation to other features
like domination, depth and mutual
support.
e. Domination of ground in front both
by observation and fire.
f. Will its capture facilitate the capture
of other objectives.
g. Requirement of troops to capture
and hold it.

*Deductions - (Analysis of Objective):
a. Order of capture of the objective.
b. Phases.
c. Employment of troops to capture and
hold.
d. Employment of armor in assault/fire
support role.

2. Approaches:
   a. Domination up to the last objective
   or limit of exploitation.
   b. Going of armor and infantry by day/
   night and deployment.
   c. Suitable assembly area.
   d. Suitable FUP, S: and its security.
   e. Order of capture of objective.
   f. Distance from assembly area to FUP
   and to the objective.
   g. Phases and requirement of troops
   for each phase.
   h. Interference on each approach, at
   what stage and from where.
   i. Move of vehicles, stores, support
   weapon for reorganization.
   j. Ground beyond objective with
   suitable for establishment of

*Blocks and Likely Areas form where
enemy can launch Counterattack.
*(Deductions From Approaches):
a. Preference of approaches.
b. Day/night attack.
c. Assembly area, FUP, SL, troops to
secure these, objective, phases, fire
plan and use of armor along each
approach.
d. Rate of advance.
e. Reorganization.

3. Relative Strength and Assessment of Troops to Task:
   a. Enemy examines the troops available
   and discusses how he is likely to fight
   the battle.
   Reinforcement/Counterattack
   capabilities and likely direction of same.
   b. Own troops availability and enemy
   interference along each approach and
   own requirement of troops and support
   arms to overcome this.

*Deductions:
a. Preference of approach.
b. Employment of troops on each
approach including order of capture of
objective, phases, troops including
reserves, employment of armor,
artillery, engineer and air support.
c. Employment of troops for blocking.

4. Time and Space:
   a. Assess tome bracket available.
   b. Workout timing on each approach to
   include time required for recce, orders,
   movement of troops and completion of
   operation.
   c. Based on this the earliest and latest
   H-hour should be worked out.
   d. In case time stipulation on capture of
   objective is laid down, the timing would
   be worked out backwards.

*Deductions:
a. H-hour.
b. Timing for move on each approach.
c. Timing for various phases on each
approach.
d. Time for the completion of whole
operation.

Question 44

What is the Battle Procedure After Receipt of WO at a Coy Level?

Answer 44

Battle Procedure at Coy Level:
1. Coy Cdr issues his WO and moves to BN ‘O’ Group RV.
2. Coy ‘O’ Group moves to Coy ‘O’ Group RV.
3. Coy Cdr receives preliminary orders, and, in the meantime, ‘F’ Group moves to ‘F’ Group RV after NMB.
4. Coy Cdr carries out preliminary recce and issues preliminary orders.
5. Coy Cdr receives detailed orders, carries out detailed recce and issues detailed orders.
6. Pl ‘O’ Group moves to Pl ‘O’ Group RV and Pl Cdr issues detailed orders.
7. Briefing of troops is carried out, ‘F’ Group moves to FUP and deploys for attack.
8. ‘T’ Group moves to the given RV.
9. At H-hour, troops cross SL and moves towards the objective.

Question 45

SELECTION, SECURING and MARKING of FUP

Answer 45

1. Selection of FUP - Considerations:
   a. Concealed from the enemy.
   b. Should not be likely enemy DF task.
   c. If possible, square and close to the
   objective.
2. FUP Securing Drill:
   a. Securing party stops short of FUP
   site.
   b. Search party moves forward and
   carries out search of the area.
   c. Recce party moves forward and
   carries out recce of the area and
   subunits are given areas of
   responsibility by securing party
   commander.
   d. Respective subunits under the
   subunit commander moves forward to
   occupy the area of responsibility.
3. FUP Marking Party - Composition:
   *(Resp: Asst Adjt/Recce and Surveillance
   Pl Cdr) Composition:
   a. Runner
   b. Radio operator
   c. Personnel from respective sections
   d. Guides from all companies
   e. Recce and Svl JCO/NCO

Question 46

Attack Question 1 (a)
What are the points to be kept in mind while selecting the FUP?

Answer 46

The points to be kept in mind are as follows:
1. Concealed from the enemy.
2. In an area which is not likely En DF Task.
3. If possible, square and close to the objective.

Question 47

Question 1 (b)
What do you understand by Securing of FUP? How would the FUP selected by you be secured? What is the Securing Drill?

Answer 47

*Securing of FUP:
(i) It implies preventing the enemy from
interfering with, assault echelon, the move of
reserves and subsequent maintenance of
troops holding the objective.
(ii) The protection provided must cater for
interference both by fire and actual assault.
(iii) The securing subunit commander must
appreciate and accordingly place elements on
dominating heights to counter it.

*FUP Securing Drills:
(i) Securing party stops short of FUP site.
(ii) Search party moves forward and carries
out search of the area.
(iii) Recce party moves forward and carries
out recce and the subunits are given areas of
responsibility.
(iv) Respective subunits under the subunit
commanders move forward to occupy the
area of responsibility.

Question 48

Question 1 (c)
Who is responsible for marking the FUP? What is the composition of this party? How would the FUP be marked?

Answer 48

*Composition of FUP Marking Party:
(i) IO
(ii) Runner
(iii) Radio operator
(iv) Personnel form respective sections
(v) Guides from all companies
(vi) Int JCO/Sgt

Question 49

How do you visualize your company launching an attack after crossing the Start Line till your Reorganization?

Answer 49

*Advance to the Objective:
(a) Assault company will negotiate the mine
fields in platoon rods.
(b) Should the leading man become a
casualty, the next man will continue leading
the platoon rod.
(c) Nest/interference in mine fields will be
dealt with as per orders of the commander
and drills.
(d) Coy Cdr must ensure that once on move
the platoons must not be stopped by
anything less than effective fire.
(e) Platoons should try and reach as close as
possible to the objective without using its own
fire.
(f) Care must be taken not to expose men
unnecessarily in the open during the final
assault.
(g) As individual enemy posts are assaulted,
weapons will be suitably positioned to cover
the assault.
(h) The platoon should use fore and move
tactics, if the fire is very effective of the
enemy.

*Fighting Through the Objective:
(a) Once the leading platoon has closed up
with the objective, platoon commander will
indicate the objective i.e. Bunker to each
section.
(b) Section commanders will clear the bunker
as per the practiced drill.
(c) The third platoon will be launched after the
capture of the forward section.
(d) Once complete objective has been
captured, success will be reported to the
company commander.
(e) Company will carry out immediate
reorganization to beat back any local counter
attack launched by the enemy.

*Bunker Clearing Drill (Actions):
(a) Closing on to the bunker by fire and move.
(b) Destruction of bunker by hand grenade or
ch.
(c) Search and clearance of the bunker.
(d) Organization:
(i) Assault Group:
Grenade lobbing party - 2
Exit Group - 2
Bunker clearing Group - 3
(ii) Support Group:
Section 2IC - 1
LMG No’s - 2
Rifle No’s - 2

Question 50

What actions are taken during Immediate and Final Reorganization at Company Level?

Answer 50

*Immediate Reorganization:
(a) Regain command and control.
(b) Redistribution of ammunition.
(c) Adjustment of section, platoon and
company.
(d) Dispositions.
(e) Siting of LMGs.
(f) Sending out patrols.
(g) Digging in/converting enemy defenses.

*Final Reorganization:
(a) Moving forward of reorganization stores.
(b) Replenishment of ammunition.
(c) Coordination of anti-tank, MMGs, mortars
and artillery DFs.
(d) Reconstituting reserves.
(e) Casualty Evacuation

Question 51

Problems of Reorganization at Night

Answer 51

1. Regaining control of subunits.
2. Tendency to relax after capture.
3. Defense against local counterattack.
4. Fetching up of support weapons at the earliest.

Question 52

Essentials for a Successful Reorganization

Answer 52

1. Duplicate communication.
2. Commanders to have under study who knows commander’s plan and CO’s intentions.
3. Detailed orders for getting support weapons and reorganization stores.
4. Commanders to arrive at the objective earliest.
5. Orders of reorganization be known to all.
6. Artillery and mortars to prepare smoke screen at first light.

Question 53

What do you understand by Exploitation in Attack Operation?

Answer 53

*Exploitation:
1. Full benefits from hard fighting to be reaped and casualty saved by exploitation.
2. Every effort should be made to advance beyond the objective thereby upsetting the enemy’s counterattack plan and gaining more time for reorganization.
3. In the event of quick success, commanders at all levels must use initiative with regards to seize tactical features ahead of his objective.