Defensive Operations

Question 0

The infantry may also conduct the defense to achieve one or more of the following purposes:

Answer 0

1. Gain time
2. Retain key terrain
3. Support other operations
4. Preoccupy the enemy in one area while friendly forces attack him in another
5. Erode enemy forces at a rapid rate while reinforcing friendly operations

Question 1

What is the purpose of defense?

Answer 1

The immediate purpose of a defensive operation is to defeat an enemy attack and gain the initiative for offensive operations

Question 2

What are the 3 types of defensive operations?

Answer 2

1. Area defense
2. Mobile defense
3. Retrograde defense

Question 3

What are the characteristics of the defense?

Answer 3

1. Preparation
2. Security
3. Disruption
4. Massing effects
5. Flexibility

Question 4

What is the defensive sequence ?

Answer 4

1. Recon and security operations and enemy preparatory fires
   - security force
   - guides
2. Occupation and preparation
3. Approach of main attack
4. Enemy assault
5. Counter attack
6. Consolidation and reorganization

Question 5

What are planning considerations for movement and manuever when doing defensive operations?

Answer 5

Movement and manuever

1. Depth and dispersion
2. Flank positions
3. Displacement planning
4. Direct fire suppression
5. Cover and concealment
6. Indirect fires and smoke

Question 6

In defensive operations what are Obstacle integration considerations?

Answer 6

1. Obstacle integration
2. Mobility
3. Counter mobility
   - tactical obstacles
   
   • protective obstacles
   • supplementary obstacles

Question 7

What are planning considerations for protection and sustainment?

Answer 7

Protection

• air defense
• survivability

Sustainment

• pre positioning and caches
• positioning of company trains

Question 8

What are the defensive techniques?

Answer 8

1. Defend in sector
2. Defend from a battle position
3. Defend a strongpoint
4. Defend a perimeter
5. Defend in a linear defense
6. Defend in a non linear defense
7. Defend on a reverse slope

Question 9

What is the defend in sector technique?

Answer 9

1. Consists of phase line sectors, a series of mutually supporting BP on armor restrictive terrain
2. Positions are arrayed in depth
3. Strength of defense is flexibility
4. Orients on enemy not retaining terrain
5. Effective as it allows enemy to expose his flanks and assets

Question 10

Define characteristics for defend a sector:

Answer 10

Consists of phase line sectors, a series mutually supporting BPs on armor restrictive terrain

Positions are arrayed in depth

Strength of defense is flexibility

Orients on enemy not retaining terrain

Question 11

Defend from a battle position characteristics:

Answer 11

Primary, alternate, supplementary, and subsequent

More linear and centralized

Achieves surprise and allow maneuver

Effective in concentrating combat power into engagement area

Question 12

Defend a strong point characteristic:

Answer 12

Holds key terrain

Provides a pivot point

Blocks an avenue of approach

Canalizes the enemy

Question 13

Defend a perimeter:

Answer 13

Platoon prepared a perimeter defense when there are no friendly units adjacent to it

Disperse the plt in a circular configuration for all around security

Question 14

Defend in a non linear defense:

Answer 14

Enemy oriented

Depends on suprise, offensive action

Used when commanders find it hard to select one decisive point on which to focus combat power

Question 15

Reverse slope defense:

Answer 15

Units deployed on terrain that is masked from enemy direct fires

Key to this defense is control of the crest of the hill with direct fires

Question 16

Engagement area:

Answer 16

Where the commander intends to contain and destroy an enemy force using the masses fires of all available weapons

Question 17

What are priorities of work?

Answer 17

Establish security 
Position key weapons 
Clear fields of fire and prepare range cards 
Prepare fighting positions 
Employ obstacles 
Prepare alternate positions 
Stockpile ammo, water, and food