Saturday, October 30, 2010

THE MILITARY RAID


The Military Raid



The raid has long been used by inferior forces to attack a larger, better-equipped force. The number one advantage that must be achieved is complete and total surprise, for the benefit of causing shock, confusion and sometimes even panic among the defenders. Besides the shock action, the raid also takes advantage of the mobility of light troops and planned escape routes to inflict a relatively large amount of damage while incurring very little casualties among the raiding force. The purposes range from merely inflicting damage to capturing enemy supplies for use by the light force themselves, in the best Mao tradition.

The U.S. Army Rangers, arguably a "light" infantry force, defines it as such:

"A raid is a combat operation to attack a position of installation followed by a planned withdrawal. Squads do not conduct raids. The sequence of platoon actions for a raid is similar to those for an ambush. Additionally, the assault element of the platoon may have to conduct a breach of an obstacle. It may have additional tasks to perform on the objective; for example, demolition of fixed facilities."

The U.S. Marines have a pretty slick manual devoted entirely to raids, MCWP 3-43.1

Historically, when World War Two began to go badly for the Japanese, they lost control of the air and sea and their own artillery could not hope to match the increasingly overwhelming firepower of the Allies. The raid became an often-used tactic in an attempt to compensate for their own lack of firepower. While many small raids were successful, they could do nothing to turn the inevitable tide of the war.

Still, it is always good to look at the tactics of other nations, to see what went right and what went wrong, to learn lessons, and to pick up little things not covered in American manuals which could be of use.


JAPANESE RAIDS IN VARIOUS THEATERS
COMBAT METHODS OF SMALL RAIDING PARTIES
The Japs regard raiding parties as small investments that may pay big dividends. In each case the maximum damage that a handful of troops can inflict is the goal.
Increasing activity in the form of small Japanese raiding parties, which infiltrate through Allied lines in an effort to launch surprise attacks against materiel and key personnel, has become a decided trend in the last few months of fighting in the Pacific.
Clearly intended as a compensation for the lack of artillery and air superiority in battle areas, these attacks may vary from concerted raids by trained units to small suicide assaults executed by ordinary Jap service or combat foot soldiers.
PELELIU
Prior to the operations on Morotai and Peleliu, the Japanese have reported, raids and surprise attacks by small groups had been carried out sporadically, for the most part, and without proper coordination. Moreover, the effectiveness of these raids has been momentary. Methods now are becoming more systematic and uniform, the enemy states. “The Peleliu garrison knew that death awaited,” Imperial Army Headquarters goes on to say. “Each line officer, of course, and each technical, finance, and medical officer, as well—everyone worthy of the name of officer--took his place at the head of a small band of subordinates, and carried out training and other preparations, determined to create death-defying fighting units.” Although this statement is extravagant, as are the claims of success made for these raiding parties by the enemy, it is true that training of small infiltration and close-combat teams was undertaken by the Peleliu garrison, and that a number of raids were attempted.
The Japanese especially recommend the use of a flexible unit of small, coordinated teams, of a type employed on Peleliu. “Although procedures must vary, depending on the target, Allied dispositions, terrain, time, and changes in battle conditions, it generally is best to entrust an infiltration raiding attack to a small number of men operating under cover of darkness. This is especially true when each team is composed of only two or three men, who try to infiltrate Allied positions without being detected by searchlights and other warning equipment.”
On Peleliu it was considered that the most promising targets were Allied tanks (whether on the move or organized into a strongpoint within a bridgehead), fire points surrounded by simple obstacles (including land mines), signal liaison centers, warning and searchlight installations, Allied commanders, and bunched-up troops.
“In counterattacks executed under intense bombing and artillery fire,” the Japanese said, after Peleliu, “the recommended strategy is to send a large number of infiltration and close-combat teams to probe into the enemy lines from many directions and along a wide front. Within the enemy lines four waves of these teams will attack at night according to a ‘saturation plan.’ It is particularly important that the enemy’s tanks and artillery, the backbone of his combat power, be destroyed. In advancing for this purpose, personnel must take all possible advantage of the terrain—small caves, folds in the land, shell craters, and thickets. After infiltrating, the teams should keep themselves concealed within the enemy’s lines for one or two nights, so that the enemy can be caught off his guard by means of surprise attacks on a subsequent night.”
The Peleliu operations led the Japanese to recommend the use of small amphibious commando teams equipped with small boats (collapsible and other improvised boats, small rafts, and at times even small landing barges), gasoline in drums, incendiary equipment, mines, depth charges, and small arms. The teams attempt to harass Allied landing craft under cover of darkness, while the raiding parties are launching surprise attacks in beachhead sectors. Also, amphibious commando teams may be supplemented by “suicide swimmers”.
MOROTAI
During the past winter it was discovered on Morotai that certain “fundamental instructions” had been given to Japanese soldiers who had been selected, or who had volunteered, to lead small raiding parties in commando operations.
Leaders were to select men who were “daring, quick, healthy, and conscientious” or were to use experienced men. Uniforms—and presumably equipment, too—were to be as light as possible. The danger of leaving footprints was stressed, and the use of rubber-soled canvas tabi was recommended.
Flanks were to be kept moving, and precautions taken not to invite air bombardment. Raising parties were not to linger in any one place. Everyone was to be camouflaged. During the approach, parties were to take advantage of heavy rainstorms and cold weather.
Raiding parties were advised to take cover immediately upon discovering an Allied force and to make sure of their aim at close range. Allied patrols and guards were to be engaged by surprise attacks.

The party leader was to instruct his guards to use hand grenades against Allied gasoline and ammunition dumps. Also, hand grenades were to be tossed into Allied officers’ quarters.
The principle of making every count was emphasized. When firing upon an Allied patrol, the first Allied soldier in line was to be killed, and the remainder in succession. [However, an Intelligence Bulletin reader on Luzon notes that, in his unit’s experience, the Japanese seldom fired upon the scouts, but waited for the third or fourth man in the hope that he would prove to be the patrol leader. In all battle areas, the Japanese continue to regard small-unit leaders as primary targets.]
It was pointed out that a raiding party might attack to advantage during an air raid.
If attacked, in turn, members of a raiding party were to observe the strength, armament, and equipment of the Allied force—presumably so that all this subsequently could be reported by survivors. Japanese troops were urged not to be afraid of the concentrated mortar fire which could be expected to follow their use of rifles and grenades.
Japanese wounded either were to be hidden, or put to death. It was stressed that they must not fall into Allied hands. This led to mention of the necessity of capturing Allied soldiers for interrogation purposes.
When surrounded by an Allied force, Japanese soldiers either were to break through the encirclement or commit suicide. Nevertheless, provision was made for conduct in case of capture by Allied troops. In particular the Japanese were warned not to divulge unit code names or the strength of units. It may be noted, incidentally, that the Japanese rarely furnish their troops with such “instructions in case of capture”, lest the death-in-battle-or-suicide tradition be weakened.
BURMA
In Burma, the Japanese are making extensive use of so-called “materiel raiding parties”, as well as combat and reconnaissance patrols. Parties are not sent out haphazardly, with general instructions to destroy any materiel. Most active during periods of Japanese attacks, the raiders try to destroy selected equipment that may have an important bearing on the course of the battle. Motor transport bringing forward Allied supplies, as well as artillery pieces engaged in harassing Japanese attacks, constitute typical targets. It should be noted, too, that the Japanese avoid the willful destruction of any Allied equipment that they believe they may be able to capture later on and put to their own use.
Such raiding parties have not hesitated to launch aggressive surprise attacks against Allied personnel operating, or bivouacked, in the vicinity of equipment that the Japs have selected for destruction. On one occasion, for example, a raiding party attacked a vehicle park, drove the defending troops into the surrounding hills, and then destroyed the vehicles by the simple expedient of bayoneting the gasoline tanks and igniting the escaping gasoline. On another occasion, a raiding party succeeded in working its way among some British artillery gun crews while they were firing at night. The Japs destroyed some of the equipment by means of magnetic antitank mines, and killed some of the crews before they could comprehend exactly what was happening. But the surviving gunners—by rallying and killing most of the raiding party, and driving off the remainder—prevented the Japs from achieving large-scale damage.
The Japanese also have been known to try to slip through the perimeter defenses of airstrips, in the hope that they could place bombs—either of the magnetic type or equipped with short delay fuzes—in front of aircraft radiators, in air scoops, in the baggage compartments of aircraft, and so on. Raiding parties attempting missions of this

type are likely to carry Bangalore torpedoes, for use against wire defenses.
Materiel raiding parties in Burma appear to consist primarily of infantry and such other troops (generally engineers) as may be dictated by the nature of the respective missions.
LUZON
Information regarding the theory of small Japanese suicide assault units, and the use of Formosans by such groups, was obtained on Luzon.
The enemy envisaged the destruction of U.S. guns, tanks, headquarters buildings, and other installations as the primary missions of these raiding parties. The composition and size of a unit depended upon the nature of its mission, but a three- to five-man group, under a competent noncom, leading private, or first-class private, was considered desirable under average circumstances. The Japanese felt that a number of such groups (five three-man groups or three five-man groups, for example) under a suitable officer or noncom should be used to attempt raids deep into hostile territory, utilizing gaps in hostile dispositions, and to launch simultaneous attacks against several such objectives as airfields, tank assembly points, and so on.
The idea of using Formosans as the “feelers” for a raiding party during concealed movement was looked upon favorably by the Japanese. The principle behind this was that the Formosans’ acuteness of vision and hearing, as well as their physical ability to cope with rugged terrain, made them especially suited for night reconnaissance. Leaders of raiding parties were ordered to maintain the relationship of master and servent between themselves and the Formosans.
In most instances a three-man group was considered sufficient for an attack on a headquarters, a signal station, an assembly point, or a fuel or ammunition dump. Only explosives which could be carried easily were to be used, and a large quantity of incendiaries was recommended for the attacks on the dumps.
LEYTE
During the fighting on Leyte U.S. troops in some areas had to deal frequently with raiding parties bent upon attacking and destroying heavy artillery weapons, tanks, and bridges.
An average raiding patrol of this type consisted of approximately 20 men under the leadership of a Jap officer. Each man was armed with a rifle with only ten rounds of ammunition, and each carried a magnetic armor-piercing mine. Apparently, these raiding parties carried very little food with them, and depended for rations upon what they could forage. Because their mission was to attach their magnetic mines to vehicles and guns, these raiding troops would not engage U.S. troops in combat except in self-defense, or to further their mission.
A distinction must be made, of course, between suicide assault units and small aiding parties that are expected to return, is possible, to a parent unit.
It is well worth noting that the Japanese in the Philippines have found suicide attacks by small raiding parties unusually costly in the loss of key personnel. Recognizing that such a trend is likely to affect the subsequent conduct of battle adversely, at least one Japanese army has directed that privates, rather than officers or noncoms, be assigned to lead suicide patrols consisting of two or three men.
RAIDS BY SKI TROOPS
In addition to surprise and shock action, light forces also take the most advantage from sheer mobility. In jungles, mountains and, increasingly, in large urban areas, light infantry type insurgents enjoy a great advantage when it comes to mobility in places where not even armored vehicles can go, which provide cover and concealment from aircraft, and which allow them to use their fleetness to outrun or out-maneuver heavily laden modern infantry of industrialized nations. Ski troops in mountains or areas of deep snow, such as Finland and Russia, enjoy unbelievable mobility compared to regular line infantrymen.
From the German Gebirgsjaeger Manual
Because of its mobility the ski patrol is particularly fitted to execute, besides reconnaissance, minor combat missions to disturb and harass the enemy. Detachments on skis which are organized for the sole purpose of executing limited combat missions are designated as ski assault troops.
A raiding party is used chiefly for the demolition or destruction of distant objectives or for missions behind enemy lines. It must be able to accomplish combat missions independently, fighting for several days without relying on the supply installations of the main unit. In particular, raiding parties may be employed:
a. To conduct reconnaissance in force over large areas;
b. To destroy enemy artillery positions, to annihilate troops and reserves separated from their units, and to raid command posts;
c. To destroy shelters, supply installations, and transport facilities;
d. To intercept and destroy food or ammunition supply columns and to cut off and interfere with enemy supply and communication lines;
e. To protect wide sectors against enemy guerrillas, paratroops, and airborne troops.
The organization and equipment of the ski assault unit are based on the requirements of the mission. The strength of the unit varies between a squad and a platoon. The strength of a raiding party ranges from a platoon up to a company. As a rule, heavy weapons and antitank weapons are attached. The mobility of the raiding party, however, must not be impaired thereby.
In selecting equipment to be taken along, the aim must be to achieve the greatest possible economy in weight. The equipment which will permit the individual soldier to maintain his fighting strength must be based on the tactical requirements of the contemplated action. Written orders or maps with overlays which may be of value to the enemy must not be taken along.
Maximum fire power and mobility are decisive factors in determining the type and number of weapons with which the individual ski trooper should be equipped. Therefore, the men must be equipped with the largest possible number of automatic weapons, rifles with telescopic sights, and a correspondingly large supply of ammunition.
EMPLOYMENT OF A RAIDING PARTY
General Combat Principles
Skill in outwitting the enemy, courage, and a ruthlessly aggressive spirit are prime requisites for the success of ski patrols, assault units, and raiding parties. Fast action, in which the element of surprise is utilized, secures superiority, even against a far stronger enemy. In a surprise engagement with the enemy, to attack is almost always the right thing to do.

The main principles of combat procedure are:
(1) To get off the roads into the snow, and approach the enemy cross country.
(2) To get out of the villages and march through woods.
(3) To remain mobile.
If the mission leads behind enemy lines, it is advisable to utilize the night or foggy weather in order to penetrate the outposts of the enemy. Through early reconnaissance it must be determined where openings in the enemy's defenses are located and where his flanks may be by-passed.
A meeting with numerically superior, equally mobile enemy units must be avoided, if the mission can be accomplished without combat. Envelopment or surprise by the enemy must be prevented by increased watchfulness. Every commitment demands the exact formulation of an operational plan by the leader. The plan and mission must be known to every member of the ski patrol, assault unit, or raiding party.
In general, the plan must cover the following phases of the mission: route of march, main track, conduct if contact is made with the enemy, execution of the specific mission, rendezvous after the mission has been accomplished, return to the main body.
The Approach March
The approach march requires careful husbanding of strength in order to enable the unit to reach its objective in good physical condition. The return route will be designated during the approach march and will be marked when necessary. Ski patrols of squad strength break their own trails. They generally send scouts ahead. Raiding parties send out one of several trail-breaking details, which also provide security during the march. Marching on several parallel sets of tracks reduces the depth of the column and at the same time increases preparedness for combat. To save strength, it may be advantageous, in certain areas, to tow ski patrols and raiding parties behind horses or motor vehicles.
Tracks of unknown origin must be treated with the greatest suspicion. They may have been prepared by the enemy and may be mined or may lead to an ambush. Small detachments may prevent accurate estimation of their strength by the enemy by ordering all men to insert their poles in the same places as the preceding men, or by keeping their poles raised in certain areas. Consequently the enemy will be unable to make an accurate count of the pole marks in the snow.
The manner of carrying the weapons depends on the degree of readiness for combat which is necessary, and will be ordered by the unit commander. The approach is made by bounds from observation point to observation point, using covered routes. If it is necessary to pass places which are subject to observation and which are particularly dangerous during daylight, parts of the unit will be deployed to provide protection until the unit has passed. Then they will rejoin the units as soon as possible. At night, silence in all movements is an important factor. The direction of the wind may be decisive in selecting a route of approach. In moonlight the march should follow a shadowed route as much as possible in order to provide concealment from the enemy.
Within range of the enemy, it is necessary to decide whether skis should be kept on or stacked, how far hand sleds may go, and whether snowshoes should be put on. In order to obtain cover and concealment, it is often necessary to use detours or terrain unfavorable for skiing. The troops then march on foot or on snowshoes. An attempt must be made at all times to gain, under cover, heights from which it will be possible to make a rapid descent through terrain which is under fire or observation.
Tactics
Combat and tactical measures depend on the mission and the enemy situation. The missions of ski assault units and raiding parties generally require bold and sudden execution. The aim must be to give the enemy no rest at any time and to weaken and paralyze his fighting power without enabling him to utilize his numerical superiority.
Skillful and versatile leadership may annihilate a much stronger enemy or at least inflict heavy losses on him. In woods and at night small detachments may shake the morale of the enemy tremendously through mobile and surprise attacks. Careful preparation and lightning action are the basis for success of all missions of this kind.
The strength and location of the enemy as well as the terrain he occupies must be carefully reconnoitered before entering battle. Strict care must be taken, however, to see that the contemplated action is not guessed by the enemy. An engagement will always be opened by surprise fire. The more suddenly it hits the enemy and the less he is able to take quick defensive measures, the more effective it will be. Opening fire too early often means saving the enemy from complete annihilation.
To deceive the enemy with regard to the strength of the attacking unit, it may be practical to stage the attack on a broad front or with several detachments firing simultaneously from several directions. If possible, the combat position will be established in terrain which is unfavorable for hostile counterattack but which permits the ski unit to shift or withdraw under cover.
Ski patrols, assault units, or raiding parties are not suited for a prolonged engagement, because of their usually limited ammunition supply. They detach themselves from the enemy after forcing a decision, or complete his destruction in close combat.
Night is generally best for carrying out harassing missions. It facilitates disengaging from the enemy after completion of a mission in order to increase his confusion by attacking him again elsewhere. The attack should be made from a direction that will facilitate the cutting of the enemy's communications with his rear. If sufficient forces are available, total encirclement of the enemy is most likely to succeed. If a mission has failed or only partially succeeded, the leader decides whether or not the mission will be continued, repeated at another point, or abandoned.
Viet Cong Raids in Vietnam
In traditional set-piece conventional open battles between two armies, Viet Cong and later North Vietnamese Army forces tended to be immediately stomped flat by Western firepower. Seeing no survival in following that route, the Vietnamese changed their tactics. Again, light forces enjoyed mobility, concealment, and local knowledge operating in jungle terrain. It was hard even for air assault troops to catch a sizable number of them to do battle with.
The raid provided these light, poorly-equipped forces to utilize their mobility and the elements of surprise to hit back at much superior enemy forces in static positions. Although these raids actually inflicted little damage in the grand scheme of things, they provided huge propaganda and morale victories, especially when they destroyed aircraft, the largest and most visible symbol of American might.
Small Unit Raids in Vietnam
It is important to know how the tactics recommended by Giap are practiced by VC/NVA today. They embody two principal features. First, grind down the enemy by a series of harassing actions and small scale attacks, and then entrap him in a situation not of his own choosing.
They are guided by the “Four Quicks and One Slow.” That is, quick advance, quick assault, quick battlefield clearing, quick withdrawal, and slow preparation. Emphasis is placed on detailed planning (sand table models are often used), thorough reconnaissance, and rehearsals. Rarely do they deliberately risk their resources, except when they believe the probability of success is high.

Photographs of the destruction of American aircraft such as this C-130 were quite disheartening on the Home Front.
Another successful Viet Cong offensive tactic is the raid. Careful selection and reconnaissance of the target is important. Since the conservation of VC forces is a paramount consideration, the most vulnerable targets are usually sought; e.g., isolated villages, security posts, paramilitary organizations or government offices. A raid is often coordinated with an ambush of the relieving force.
The VC raid force consists of the following:
1. Specialized elements (bangalore torpedo teams, demolition teams, grenade teams, and ladder teams).
2. Firepower units (automatic rifles, light and heavy machineguns, and mortars)
3. Assault troops (one or two infantry assault units).
4. Liaison, communications, reconnaissance and command.
Captured VC documents and information gained from prisoners and defectors seem to bear out the fact that two types of raids exist. In one document they are called “overt and cover” raids. In mother, they are known as “superior strength” raids and “secret and surprise data” raids. A third document uses the nomenclature “power tactics and limited tactics.” Whatever names are chosen to describe them, these two tactics are defined as follows:
1. Power Tactics: The Viet Cong employ forces and firepower more than ten times greater than that of the adversary in order to overpower enemy positions.
2. Limited (or surprise) Tactics: The VC approach the target secretly and attempt to breach enemy fortifications and security without being discovered. This has been a favorite tactic of the VC.
The power raid makes the maximum use of firepower and shock action to demoralize and paralyze the enemy from the very beginning. With support from the firepower units, the specialized elements move in first. They clear lanes for the assault troops by blasting fences and wire, exploding mines, uncovering traps and underground defense systems, and bridging ditches or moats.
As one member of the specialized element falls, another immediately replaces him in a human wave type breaching operation. Once the lanes are cleared, the two assault units begin advancing toward the target, one behind the other, with the rear unit providing a base of fire. If the lead unit falters, it is replaced by the second unit. When the assault units overrun the target, the results of the battle are determined and quick withdrawal is effected.
During the withdrawal phase, all dead and wounded VC, valuable equipment, and prisoners of war are carried away. The firepower element withdraws first under the cover of a rear-guard team, which withdraws last. Because it is usually necessary to begin fighting at a distance, more VC casualties are incurred in power raids than in surprise raids.
The surprise raid depends primarily upon stealth, not power. First, the firepower units quietly advance close to the target. The specialized elements go about their work quietly, cutting fences and wires rather than blasting them, removing mines rather than exploding them and discovering traps by hand rather than by inspection.
The involved nature of the task accounts for the specialized element being larger than is required by the power raid unit. Once the raid is discovered, remaining obstacles are blasted and “power” tactics are resorted to. Because the surprise raid attacks an unsuspecting and unprepared enemy, it usually results in fewer Viet Cong casualties than does the power raid. However, since the surprise raid requires a relatively great amount of time to breach fortifications, an alert defense poses a serious obstacle.
Mujahideen Raids in Afghanistan
Raids against Soviet air bases in Afghanistan also proved to be a morale blow to the folks back home, and also took out some of the worst threats to Mujahideen operations. Often their main goal, however, was to supply themselves from the enemy's larders with arms, ammunition and other supplies.
Long before Chairman Mao ever uttered the words, "Replenish our strength with all the arms and most of the personnel captured from the enemy. Our army's main sources of manpower and materiel are at the front." lightning Confederate raids during the American Civil War by commanders such as Mosby, Forrest, and Stuart liberated huge amounts of Union supplies...even entire wagon trains...for use to supplement the CSA's always fragile and often insufficient supply lines while at the same time also cutting the well-equipped Union's own support system.
Mujahideen Raids
Raids served several purposes. Such high profile attacks as those on the Soviet embassy and the DRA KHAD (secret police) headquarters and MoD in Kabul, and on district HQs demonstrated the ability of the Mujahideen to strike anywhere, with consequent effects on the morale of both sides. They were used to destroy enemy facilities and/or to draw government or Soviet troops into ambush. Raids on security outposts undermined enemy morale. Above all they were a primary source of arms and ammunition for the guerrillas.
Like ambushes, raids depended for success on good intelligence (often coming from within DRA/militia ranks), careful recce, covert deployment and concentration, flank and rear security, surprise and careful co-ordination. Fire suppression of supporting posts, quick execution and withdrawal were usually important to negate enemy reactions.
The Mujahideen generally preferred quite large raiding parties, from scores to a few hundreds of fighters, rather than the dozen or so used by special forces. In part, this was due to the need for manpower to carry off spoils and casualties. Late afternoon and, more commonly, night were the times of choice for raids as darkness generally inhibited enemy reactions and rendered artillery and air support ineffectual.
"Look mom! See what we got?"...Russian GAZ jeep, RPG's, a PKM machine gun, and Kalashnikovs.
Two major problems beset raiders. Protective minefields were effective against fighters lacking mine detection and clearance means more effective than a nearby flock of sheep to drive into the obstacle or the use of boulders as stepping-stones. And lack of radio communications often hindered coordination of fire support, assault, logistic support and security groups.
Night fire raids were also a popular tactic. The bombardment of outposts, bases, airfields and city targets with rockets, mortars, recoilless anti-tank weapons and sometimes howitzers was a daily event. The aim was to destroy materiel, harass the enemy, deprive him of sleep and demonstrate the depressing ubiquity of the Mujahideen. Multiple, pre-surveyed fire positions would be established to enable weapons to "shoot and scoot", avoiding retaliatory counter-bombardment.
Soviet and DRA failings usually contributed to the success of raids. DRA and militia posts were always preferred targets as the defenders would usually run away or give up after token resistance. Both government and Soviet troops were operating blind as they lacked intelligence, and both, partly for this reason, suffered from a "bunker mentality", preferring to hole up in their field works rather than dominate the surrounding countryside.
The Mujahideen owned the night, a precondition for successful approach marches and withdrawals. Often, fearing ambush if they sallied forth, Soviet/DRA forces near enough to intervene actually confined themselves to speculative artillery fire. Counter-attacks were rare and never appeared to be pre-planned, and withdrawals were not followed up immediately.
These partisans no doubt received detailed intelligence from local inhabitants.
Although reconnaissance is stressed in preparing for a raid, American reconnaissance depends heavily upon electronic surveillance from its technological wizardry. On the ground, a scan from a distance through binoculars or night vision equipment by the patrol leader and an assistant or two is all too often the only ground reconnaissance available. As George Washington said, and military leaders like Patton and Rommel adhered to, "No reconnaissance at a distance will suffice."
Third World forces, lacking firepower, use carefully gathered intelligence, often collected over long periods of time, not only through careful observation but even acquired inside the enemy bastion itself, through civilians, turncoats and sappers.
Although dated, this WWII Partisan Leader's Manual provides a detailed list of just some of the important things to look for when preparing a raid on an enemy outpost.
RECONNAISSANCE OF ENEMY FORCES
The points on which you should get information are:
a. Strength of the detachment, number of officers, NCO’s, etc.
b. Who commands the detachment?
c. Are the troops active or reserve? Are they old or young men? To what regiment or district do they belong.
d. What arms and equipment do they carry? Have they machine guns?
e. Is there a reserve of arms in the post? Where are they kept?
f. What are the orders for safe custody of arms? Are they locked up?
g. What means of communication has the post got? Can any of these be destroyed when necessary?
h. What sentries does the post provide—
a. On the railway, bridge, or store it is guarding?
b. On the post itself?
i. At what hours are sentries relieved—
a. By day?
b. By night?
j. How is the relief carried out?
k. Is there a group of men in the post always ready for immediate action? How strong is it?
l. How long is each sentry’s beat? What are its limits?
m. What places can these sentries not see except by going to them.
n. Are any civilians allowed to approach or enter the post, selling food, papers, etc? Can you use any of these civilians to get information?
o. Are there any searchlights in position?
p. Is the post protected with barbed wire? Is this wire electrified? How do soldiers get in and out?
q. Where does the post get its water supply from? Can the source of water be destroyed?
r. How often is the post and its guards inspected by someone from outside?
s. How far away is the nearest re-enforcements and how long would it take to come? Can it be ambushed on the way by another party?
t. Can your destructive work be undertaken while the post is being fired on, or must the post first be destroyed completely?
u. Can the post be blinded by smoke bombs for long enough to allow the destruction to be done?
v. Are there watch-dogs, alarms, traps, etc?

BIBLES DESECRATED...CHRISTIANS RIOT IN THE STREETS!

Muslim students in Malawi desecrate New Testaments

Muslim students attending a Catholic primary school in Malawi tore up New Testaments that were being distributed by the Gideons International organization, which promotes the distribution of Bibles.

The International Press is widely reporting this story around the world, with even overseas news reporters saying that they fear for their own safety as Christian violence continues to spread. Television and print media journalists have universally condemned Christian acts of violence in response to this act of freedom of expression by the Malawi students and warn of possible international Christian uprisings in the streets. The United States State Department has issued unusually strongly worded warnings for citizens to avoid travel to Christian countries. The President of the United States and top-ranking military commanders begged for the desecration to stop for fear of putting our troops in danger from Christian retribution. In Paris, several blocks of flats were burned to the ground, cars overturned and set afire, and numerous policemen injured by rioting Christians. Other Christians have issued fatwahs for the deaths of the Malawi students. Top officials around the world have declared states of emergency in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Ireland and elsewhere as bands of Christians rampage through the streets, beating, stoning, and, in some cases, be-heading Muslims. Experts worry that the death toll may number in the thousands.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU “BUSH STOLE THE ELECTION!”

Yes indoodly doo boys and girls. It’s that time of year, election time. I’m supposed to remind you to go out and vote in the mid-terms because YOUR VOTE COUNTS. Actually, if voting could actually change the government, it would be illegal. But you should go out and vote anyway, even if it is generally tilting at windmills. YOUR VOTE COUNTS, but some votes count more than others, and some voters vote more than others.


The scene of a recent massive Democrat voter registration drive in Chicago.
We’re all familiar with the Chicago political machine, where the slogan has always been, “Vote early and vote often.” Just the deceased and fictional voters will probably be enough to put the Democrats over the top. But just in case, actual ballots also contain ”mistakes” to point actual voters in the right, or rather left, direction.
"The last name of Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney is misspelled as "Whitey" on electronic-voting machines in nearly two dozen wards -- about half in predominantly African-American areas -- and election officials said Wednesday the problem cannot be corrected by Election Day.
At the municipal and county level other non Democrat candidates just happened to have their names misspelled, too. For instance, the GOP candidate for Dog catcher, William Kieger’s name appeared on the ballots as William KKKieger and Third Party candidate for Sewer Chief, Adam Hiller, was misspelled Adolph Hitler. Chicago election officials say there is nothing that can be done at this late date, and even if there was they didn’t give a damn anyway.
Also in Chicago (go figure) First Princess Michelle Obama was in a polling place, electioneering for her hubby and having voters take their pictures with her. When it was pointed out that this was actually illegal, Michelle was naturally excused. The election official who came to her defense, enabled me to skip even thinking about a joke regarding this matter, when he was quoted as saying…and I’m not making this up…”You kind of have to drop the standard for the first lady, right? I mean, she’s pretty well liked and probably doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
If that's what your friends have to say about you...
Several states, including Illinois (where 35 counties just happened to miss the deadline for sending out military ballots) and New York, blamed a “clerical error” when it became known that absentee military ballots could not be mailed until March of next year. “Those fascist baby-killing criminal bastards will get their chance to cast a ballot…someday.” said NYC election official Eileen Left, looking longingly at her Woodstock memorabilia. (I actually got my absentee ballot 2 weeks after the election when stationed overseas.) While it is too difficult to put a soldier's ballot in an envelope, Illinois and other states do somehow find time to hand-deliver ballots to other people "serving the country", as in serving time in prison. The cons don't even have to apply; the ever helpful Chicago political machine brings enough for everybody, probably even some extras, when they come.
In Minnesota, volunteer poll watchers formerly belonging to the Al Franken campaign, were already finding “uncounted” straight ticket Democrat party ballots in hollow logs, under rocks, and even submerged in airtight containers in 9,992 of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. “If any non-Democrats win any race, we’ll find more, no problem,” lisped a former Franken campaigner, “Because we're good enough, we're smart enough, and doggone it, people like us!”
In Cincinnati, another city known as a pillar of election integrity, public school children were bussed to polling places and given sample ballots (with only Democrats on them) to learn how to be good citizens and vote.“No Cincinnati Public School personnel engaged in the promotion of candidates or any political party,” CPS attorney Mark Stepaniak noted in a written release. “It was mere coincidence that if the kids voted for the Democrat a bucketful of candy fell out of the voting machine.”
Our good old pals at ACORN, even though they disbanded the organization by that name, are back to their old tricks again, under the clever guise of newly-named organizations but “completely unrelated” community organizer groups such as BURR OAK SEED, RED OAK SEED, SCRUB OAK SEED, BLACK OAK SEED, and JUST PLAIN NUTS. When it was revealed that a precinct with a total population of 3,400 people had already had 7,923,026 Democrat absentee ballots cast, they claimed that allegations of voter fraud were just an evil plot by the Tea Parties, who should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the racist crime of “Hate Speech” for having the poor taste to point out the irregularities.
While we’re on the subject of ACORN, one of their bogus “completely different” front organizations, Project Vote, is being run by one Amy Busefink. “Busefink and another ACORN employee, Christopher Edwards, were charged with by the state of Nevada with ‘26 felony counts of voter fraud and 13 of providing unlawful extra compensation to those registering voters.’…the trial of Busefink and ACORN is set to begin November 26.” What’s ridiculous, is that I didn’t even have to embellish that statement.
Nevada voters are claiming that the new electronic voting machines, shaped like slot machines, ring up three “Harry Reid” votes every time the lever is pulled. Some elderly voters also complained that when they tried to push the button for any candidate other than Harry Reid on touch-screens, other new voting machines electrocuted them with 7,000 volts. State election officials stated that perhaps the machines need to be “recalibrated” or that voters are “just too friggin’ stupid” to use a touch screen.
One Clark County official, who just happened to be a lifelong registered Democrat, denied any irregularities. “’In fact, although over 160,000 people have voted early in Clark County, those allegations that have been made have gone directly to the media as opposed to election board officers,’ he said.” At which point he gestured towards the "board officers", two hulking men named Vito and Rocko, who had volunteered to come up from the Las Vegas casino they usually work at to, “Make sures dey ain't no problems, if ya knows what I mean."

Harry Reid finds a new campaign manager.
"I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes."
Houston, we also have a problem. Houston Democrat Shiela Jackson-Lee, the rocket scientist who asked NASA if the Mars Rover could see the flag Neil Armstrong planted on the red planet (I’m not even making that one up) was also glad-handing folks and electioneering those standing in lines at their polling place. When caught with her hand in the cookie jar by poll watchers, Lee claimed that she was only asking for help from local intellectuals to, “help me stack up the big brightly colored boxes so I can finally reach that yummy banana.”
Jackson, accompanied by three brawny SEIU “Union Reps” in purple T-shirts who kept slapping the palms of their hands with large wooden clubs marked “Compliments of the New Black Panther Party…Get out of Jail Free.”, also said she was just watching out for voter intimidation from the evil, racist Tea Baggers.
Completely neutral and unbiased Obama Department of Justice Obergruppenfuhrer Eric “Heinrich” Holder said that any allegations of irregular poll watching practices were very serious and would be investigated by numerous incompetent Federal law enforcement agencies and punished to the fullest possible extent of the law. “For instance, in Philadelphia we have already charged one election volunteer associated with the Tea Parties with ten counts of Hate Crimes for splattering ‘racist’ blood from his skull onto several Black Panther night sticks.”
All over the country, especially in big city Liberal strongholds like San Francisco and Seattle, some municipalities are implementing programs to “Get out the Illegal Alien Vote”. In some places, illegals are actually going door to door campaigning, proudly admitting that they’re illegals. Interviewed on CBS News by Katie Couric, one illegal sobbed that it was getting hard to support herself and 27 illegal family members on just her anchor baby’s government support and demanded more benefits for non-citizens from tax-paying citizens. Unfortunately, she spoke in Spanish so that Katie’s remaining 32 viewers didn’t understand it anyway.



“I see nothing wrong with letting non-citizens vote,” said the perky but ever objective Katie. “Or with unregistered voters casting multiple votes. Or even with domestic animals, including goldfish, voting…as long as they vote for the right people, and not those filthy Tea Party Nazis.”
Hold onto your hats, boys and girls. It’s gonna be quite a ride. The hell of it is, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Gun Nut Roundup Oct. 2010

Bill Would Streamline Importation of Antique Weapons

In the last installment of the Roundup we reported that the Obama administration had blocked the import of several hundred-thousand surplus M1 Garands and M1 Carbines from South Korea, fearing they could be used for "illicit purposes."  A new bill sponsored by Senators John Tester and Max Baucus, both from the great state of Montana, would allow American-made weapons that were transferred to a foreign government to be re-imported and sold in the U.S.

According to KXLF News, Butte, under the Collectible Firearms Protection Act "firearms that are lawfully possessed by a foreign government-and that are more than 50 years old and considered antiques or relics-may be re-imported to properly licensed groups and sold without written permission from the U.S. Departments of State or Defense."  Unfortunately the bill would require the signature of the very president who is sandbagging the import of the weapons, or a 2/3 majority of the wussies in Congress to override his veto, neither of which seems likely.

Iowa Gun Group Seeks Constitutional Amendment

Iowa is one of only six states that has nothing in its state constitution protecting the right to keep and bear arms.  The Iowa Firearms Coalition (formerly Iowa Carry) and NRA will be seeking to change that in the 2011 legislative session.  The language of the amendment they propose is as follows:

The right of individuals to acquire, keep, possess, transport, carry, and use arms to defend life and liberty and for all other legitimate purposes is fundamental and inviolable. Licensing, registration, special taxation, or any other measure that suppresses or discourages the free exercise of this right is forbidden.
According to the Iowa Constitution, an amendment must be approved by two successive legislatures before it can be placed before Iowa voters for a vote.

Vote Pro-Gun In November!

Gun nuts need to be sure to vote in the upcoming election.  But who to vote for?  The NRA endorses any incumbent who's not rabidly anti-gun (sewage like John McCain, for instance) and grades everyone on the curve.  I like the strict rating system that Gun Owners of America uses better.  Check out the Gun Owners of America- Political Victory Fund site here and click on your state to see your candidates' grades.  So far GOA only rates candidates for federal office, not state office like NRA.  For state candidates, if your gut tells you a candidate is a douchebag, but he receives high marks from NRA, I'd trust my gut.

Use the ballot box this November, but keep the bullet box handy.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

UN-ASSING THE AO





Withdrawal action. Un-assing the AO. Retrograde action. Disengaging. Strategic withdrawal. Getting’ outta Dodge. Retirement. Fall back. Turn tail. Attack in another direction (Marines only). Beating feet. Or, as King Arthur put it so eloquently in regards to the Killer Rabbit in Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail, “Run away! Run away!”
Whatever you want to call it, there comes a time when the best course of action is just to get the hell away from a superior enemy force. It is actually one of the hardest military tasks to perform successfully, without the withdrawal turning into a rout. To the Western way of thinking, this is usually considered “manly”, but it sometimes makes good sense in a particular situation. The Eastern and guerilla mentality sees it as a perfectly viable course of action with no dishonor in turning tail almost before the last shots echo out. But as the old saying goes: “He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.”

Here’s a short lesson from the official U.S. Army course on the subject, INFANTRY PLATOON DEFENSE, with tactics for withdrawal, delay and disengagement towards the end of the chapter.

Let’s examine some of the tactics used by some of our enemies (and a handful of friends) in the past and in the present. Under-estimating and/or deigning to learn lessons from the enemy has often been a costly failing which could have been corrected easily enough.
USE OF SNIPERS
Snipers have traditionally played a vital role in covering withdrawals and delaying enemy pursuit, with their effectiveness all out of proportion to their small numbers. The word “sniper” was often over-used during WWII, to include men armed with machine pistols or even light machineguns, but the effect was the same.
German, Russia: Some of Germany’s top WWII snipers on the Eastern Front certainly agreed that such a use of crack marksmen worked very well in a delaying action:

“In most cases four to six snipers were ordered to rear guard and eliminate any enemy appearing; very good results. Use machine guns for rear guard only in emergencies since snipers delayed enemy's advance by one or two hits without easily revealing his own position.”


German, France: “We found that the Germans usually tried to pin down our leading elements by directing fire from machine pistols and other small weapons against their front and machinegun fire against their rear. The Schmeisser machine pistol has a high cyclic rate of fire, but is by no means accurate. It was used extensively by German snipers who placed themselves 3 or 4 miles outside towns or villages, along roads leading to these communities. The snipers would cut in on the leading element of a company or battalion in order to hold it back. They would fire until they were out of ammunition, and then would jump out of their trees and come running towards our lines, shouting ;Kamerad!’ Each sniper wore a specially camouflaged uniform and also had camouflaged his weapon by painting it and tying leaves to it so that it would blend with the surrounding foliage. An important mission of German snipers was to delay the advance of our columns into populated places. This was why they fired on our leading elements, instead of holding their fire and trying to engage a larger force.”
German, Italy: “Individual snipers armed with light machine guns, submachine guns, or rifles were concealed in the vineyards and trees forward of, and on the flanks of, the main German positions. The mission of these snipers probably was to protect the German flanks and to harass the United Nations force.”
Red Army, Russia: Red Army tactics included covering a retreat with 3-4 snipers accompanied by a single automatic rifleman, with the latter cautioned to fire sparingly and change positions often.
Japanese, WWII, Burma: The Japanese in WWII made use of snipers, some of them armed with light machine guns, in delaying actions in Burma.
“Sometimes, instead of outposts, a screen of snipers would be pushed forward from the main position. On occasions when a sniper screen was used in place of outposts, the snipers would fire a few rounds at the advance guard, slip out of their trees, retire 100 yards to a new position, then fire and retire again at the first opportunity. This procedure was continued until the snipers had fallen back to the main defense position.”
FORCING THE ENEMY TO DEPLOY

An assault is an exhausting endeavor, especially when conducted repeatedly.
This is one of the most important missions of delaying elements or a rear guard. Every time the enemy is force to deploy his troops into battle formation, lay down covering fire, and flank and/or assault, it robs him of time, expends prodigious amounts of ammunition, and eventually exhausts the assault troops.
There is also a powerful psychological effect, as the enemy is forced to react to you and loses the initiative. As well, if the rear guard continually sneaks out the backdoor to leave the assault teams storming vacant positions and inflicting very small casualties, it quickly becomes discouraging.
Rebels, Chechnya: “The insurgents intend ambushes…to impede…the enemy. The type of ambush chosen depends on the combat situation, the correlation of forces, and the terrain. If the purpose is to delay the movement of forces and assets, to alter their direction, or to force a premature deployment into combat positions, then the insurgents can use a significantly smaller force than they would need for ambushes to destroy or capture the enemy…only a few insurgents can detain a company-size or smaller unit for several hours…”
Japanese, WWII, Burma: It was the function of the outposts to open fire as soon as the Allied advance guard came within range, and so pin down the leading elements and force them to deploy and waste time probing for the flanks of the Jap position. This accomplished, the outpost would retire before it was encircled
Native fighters, German East Africa [Tanzania]: “After discharging their firearms, the natives retire hastily…to get ahead of the column so that they may repeat their attack…By constantly harassing their enemy in this way, they hope, while avoiding serious losses on their own side, to tire him out, compel him to expend his ammunition and gradually reduce his power of resistance till he can finally be overwhelmed…”
German, Italy: Fire will be opened at extreme ranges on an enemy advancing for a major attack…” [to force them to deploy early.]
AMBUSH, OBSTACLES & LIMITED COUNTER-ATTACKS
German, Mountain Ski Troops: German Gebirgsjaeger mountain and ski troops, especially small raiding parties who often encountered larger enemy groups, employed the age-old and still-used “fish hook” technique of ambushing their back trail during withdrawals.


“If possible, ambush positions will be established on ridges from which it is possible to direct effective enfilading fire at the enemy during his slow ascent, while the troops not yet in position dodge quickly to the rear (fig. 28).”
German, WWII, Italy: Every opportunity to inflict casualties on an enemy advancing recklessly must be taken by carrying out limited counterattacks.”
British, Crete: When Allied forces on Crete were forced to retreat from the German airborne forces on Crete, the paratroops were quick to spot the withdrawal. Fortunately for the retreating British, Greek and Commonwealth troops, their retrograde was covered by a company of Maoris. With their warrior hearts, chilling cries, and unexpected, aggressive bayonet charges, they repeatedly sent the pursuing Germans fleeing in disarray. Due in large part to the Maoris and their unconventional tactics, the British retreat was successfully conducted overnight with very few casualties.
Red Chinese, Korea: Tactical traps were employed by the enemy to lure United Nations troops into an area. Withdrawals were made by some enemy troops to entice UN forces into a hasty exploitation. Other enemy troops positioned themselves to strike the flank or flanks force, in an attempt to destroy small UN units. In selecting an ambush site, the number of riflemen on the first line decreased, but an increase of automatic weapons was provided. The bulk of the enemy troops deployed under cover to afford a quick attack.”
Rebels, Chechnya: [Guidelines for jihadist commanders include] “Conduct an organized withdrawal in small groups while deploying ambushes and delivering retaliatory fire if the forces of law and order launch a surprise attack on a broad front. Maintain psychological pressure on the forces of law and order by firing on them regularly.”
Viet Cong, Vietnam: It should be noted that the VC have a negligible ability to support a withdrawal with indirect fire weapons. His chief defenses against pursuit are the use of rapid movement, ambushes, booby traps and snipers along his routes of withdrawal.”
USE OF RESTRICTIVE OR IMPASSABLE TERRAIN

The worse the terrain, the easier it is for a small rearguard to greatly delay the opponent’s advance with a relative handful of men. In addition to mountains, urban terrain can be considered a formidable terrain barrier.
Taliban, Afghanistan: The Taliban used Afghanistan’s varying terrain to their advantage when defending against Coalition offensives. In the mountainous Gumbad valley of northern Kandahar, insurgents fought from behind piles of rocks on a mountain face, fled through irrigation ducts designed to channel snowmelt, and disappeared over the ridgeline into a nearby mountain range totally inaccessible to Coalition forces except by air…In Kandahar’s lush and heavily cultivated Panjwayi valley, the Taliban fired from the cover of fields and orchards, and moved unobserved through the valley’s many irrigation canals…In the third offensive, insurgents ambushed advancing troops in outlying areas to the south, and employed a sniper whose position was never identified. In all three instances, the insurgents fled using pre-planned escape routes minutes before air support arrived...The insurgents broke contact shortly before the aircraft arrived. They escaped by climbing up a set of irrigation ducts running down the mountain. They then flooded the ducts to prevent the soldiers below from giving chase.”
Red Chinese, Korea: The covering force or delaying party which covered an enemy withdrawal was usually selected from the last unit to break contact with United Nations Forces….The covering forces ranged in size from a 3-man group to a platoon, although a squad was normally employed…These delaying parties were placed at strategic points where the land was least favorable to attack, where the roads were poor and natural approaches few. Thus, a small number of men armed with automatic weapons were able to hinder a United Nations attack.”
Mujahideen, Afghanistan: “The Mujahideen from Lezhi retreated south while a 20-man Mujahideen force blocked the Manay Kandow pass. The pass is dominated by a high peak which is capped with a thick rock slab. Under the slab was a natural cave which the Mujahideen improved. The cave could accommodate the 20 Mujahideen during artillery and air strikes. The Mujahideen also dug communications trenches so that they could quickly reoccupy their fighting positions once the firing stopped. The firing positions dominated the Tani plain and were well positioned to stop any infantry attack. The DRA [Soviet puppet government forces] repeatedly attacked the pass but could make no headway. The infantry would attack, meet withering Mujahideen fire and stop. Then massed air and artillery would pound the area. The infantry would again try to attack, but would again be stopped immediately. The procedure would then repeat itself, but the DRA made no headway during its 10-day attack. After 10 days, the DRA called in heavy Soviet airstrikes which continuously hit the mountain top. The thick rock slab began to sway and rock. The Mujahideen were afraid that the rock slab might shift and crush their cave, so they finally withdrew.”
Finnish, Finland: Grossly outnumbered by Soviet forces equipped with modern tanks, aircraft and artily, the Finnish Defense Forces during the 1939-40 Winter War became masters of the unseen delay and withdrawal with extreme economy of forces. In the thick forests and deep snow of the central regions, the mechanized Soviet Army was literally trapped on the few existing roads, unable to maneuver or flank. Without skis or snowshoes, not even the infantrymen could move off the roads in snow several feet deep. It didn’t take much for small groups of snipers to halt a Soviet advance. In one case near Lake Suojarvi, a well camouflaged sharpshooter with a Lahti automatic rifle held up an entire Russian regiment for over an hour.
Above the Arctic Circle in Lapland, a flat endless tundra devoid of trees seemed to be made for rapid advances. But in a scorched earth policy, the Finns, out-numbered five to one and without any tanks or anti-tanks guns, destroyed each and every man-made or natural feature which might provide Red Army soldiers any food, shelter or warmth as the winter temperatures dropped to as low as 40 below zero. Despite a lack of cover, the Arctic nights provided long hours darkness and blizzards swept the landscape, allowing warmly dressed native Lapp snipers to whittle away at the Russian soldiers practically at will.

DISPERSAL & PRE-PLANNED ESCAPE ROUTES
Viet Cong, Vietnam: Recognition of the VC doctrine of emergency dispersal is of vital importance to successful pursuit. The VC commander may exercise one of two options, both of which are based on prior planning. He may elect to withdraw his force as a unit(s) or order dispersal into small groups. If emergency dispersal should be required due to pursuit, blocking of the withdrawal route or intensive air effort, small unit leaders take over again, possibly ordering total dispersal on a man for man basis. If the unit commander sends a few men off in different directions to draw fire and mislead the aircraft, when dispersing as individuals and being pursued by ground forces.”
Japanese, Burma: After the withdrawal had begun, the Japanese would disperse in groups of three or four men, who would work their way back over unmapped trails and rendezvous at an assembly point about ½ to 1 mile to the rear. From here the rear guard would proceed in column down the trail until it came to the position selected for the next stand.”
German, Mountain Ski Troops: As long as the raiding party is under fire, it will retreat, if possible, on previously prepared tracks made from one assembly point to another, as designated by the leader. Ski tracks often remain visible for a long time and betray the route. Therefore, the enemy must be deceived as to the return route by dummy tracks, loops, and false route signs. In newly fallen snow the tracks may be blurred by spruce branches dragged by the last skier. If the enemy pursues, as many delays as possible must be arranged for him. These include sudden fire from ambush, trail-breaking through difficult terrain, preparation of road blocks and obstacles, and mining of trails.”
Taliban, Afghanistan: Most ambush positions were carefully placed to facilitate a quick retreat. Fields, irrigation ditches, bunkers, and small compounds provided cover for insurgents to escape unnoticed from the air or to wait out bombardment.”
Native fighters, Tanzania: [The native soldier’s]…mobility and incredible marching powers, coupled with accurate knowledge of the country, maker him able to carry out apparently impossible detours. He has no fixed line of retreat, for after a defeat his forces break up into small parties, which retire in all directions and concentrate again at points previously agreed upon, often in the rear of the victorious troops.”
USE OF LIMITED VISIBILITY
Bad weather has always been a mixed blessing to the infantryman. (I never really did see the Army’s thinking that one needs to go out and practice being cold, wet and miserable. Ma Nature and Mr. Murphy will take care of that eventually. But that’s neither here nor there.) When it comes time for an undetected advance or withdrawal, “Infantry Sunshine” becomes the grunt’s best friend.

“Infantry Sunshine” provides cover for a withdrawal.
Japanese, Burma: When the Jap rear guard abandoned a delaying position, such a move was made at night, usually starting about 1 hour after sunset… they were accustomed to leaving a light machine gunner or a sniper in position until first light. He would fire an occasional burst to create the impression that the position was still occupied.”
German, Italy: In the Italian campaign, it was noted that the Germans usually withdrew in the early morning, between 0200 and 0400 hours. The rearmost delaying parties were equipped with smoke grenades, pots, and candles to concealment of their movements with smoke screens
Red Army, Russia: [Organized withdrawals were conducted] “Especially at night and during the extended periods of morning and evening fog that are characteristic of damp forests and swamps, the evacuation of a position cannot be observed from the air or ground.”
Mujahideen, Afghanistan: That night, the weather cooperated with the breakout. There was a heavy gusty wind which blew sand around. The noise of the wind and the dust concealed us as we moved between the enemy tanks. There were many Mujahideen in that cordon. There were Mujahideen from two districts and other areas as well. About 2,000 Mujahideen escaped into the night. The dust and wind also helped the civilians exfiltrate and covered their escape. When we got out, the wind died down.”
PRESERVATION OF FRIENDLY FORCES
This is the crux of the whole matter. A withdrawal that leaves your forces scattered and in disarray, without cohesive units, is a wide open invitation for defeat in detail or a complete rout. It’s a tricky matter to pull it off successfully. But there are ways.
Japanese, Burma: By such actions [small rearguards & snipers firing and retreating] the Japs avoided the isolation and eventual destruction of any sizable portion of their troops.”
Native fighters, Tanzania: “The natives think themselves beaten in a fight only when they have suffered great losses: flight and escape with small losses they regard as success.”

Viet Cong, Vietnam:
VC will seek concealment in the local area in preference to panic and purposeless flight. The individual’s knowledge of fieldcraft, evasion techniques, and familiarity with the local area are decisive factors. If pursued to a settlement, he is taught to hide his weapon and other equipment and demand concealment from the villagers whose fear of possible reprisal from the VC may provide him temporary protection. His personal safety is the VC’S only responsibility. If VC personnel have to hide out for weeks before returning to their unit, this is acceptable as they have no requirement to be back by reveille, and in their absence, they leave no vital installations unguarded or in danger of attack.”
Taliban, Afghanistan: In populated areas, insurgents often hid their weapons, mingled with civilians, and waited until nightfall to retrieve their arms. The insurgents rarely took serious casualties in hit-and-run ambushes. Their command-and-control often broke down when US or British forces struck from multiple directions and closed. Yet, Taliban fighters were rarely cornered. When assaulted by a large, heavily armed force, they tended to melt away well ahead of time – particularly in the mountains – and return later after Coalition forces withdrew.”
Unfortunately, even after all this, you can’t just kick back and have a brewski, eh. It’s time to get your poop in a group and get ready for the next round. Still, it sure beats being tits up in the mud or locked in a POW cage.