Jeff Ragan’s Reviews > Infantry Combat: The Rifle Platoon: An Interactive Exercise in Small-Unit Tactics and Leadership > Status Update

"Observation posts must be sited for maximum view of the surrounding area, for clear radio communications, and for defensibility" (162).

"'One-six, this is OP North. I've got infantry heading up into Trail 4.' Davis held his breath. A night infiltration followed by an early dawn attack by armor was the worst possible scenario. It now made sense. The enemy had launched an air assault to hold the north end of Wadi Al Sirree, the exit. He was now launching a dismounted attack to secure the entrance" (148).

"'1-6, this is OP North. I've got infantry heading up into Trail 4.' It was all beginning to make sense now, Davis realized. The enemy had launched an air assault to seize the north end of Wadi Al Sirree, the exit. Now he was conducting a night infiltration attack to secure the western entrance of the valley. The enemy might have tried to air assault right on BP Yankee if our surprise fire hadn't scared him" (134).

"One of the major reasons that Davis lost was that he failed to secure his position before he established his defense...platoons & squads use both active & passive measures to enhance security. Platoons...add to their security by actions taken to deny enemy reconnaissance elements accurate information on friendly positions. This includes the destruction of enemy reconnaissance elements & the use of deception" (127).

"All right, this is it. You all know the plan. Move to your ambush positions along each trail. I'll set up Position Yankee looking both ways. You stop them from the front. I'll back you up and block any attempt by their infantry to take us from the east. If you see a dismounted attack developing, call me ASAP, and I'll call for fires through Sergeant Mark. Any questions?" (109-10).

"'We don't intend to fight from these positions. I plan to defend in each of the four trails of the western entrance...We'll move to our actual ambush positions along each trail early tomorrow morning. If hey try to come this way, we'll block them in these narrow trails,' David explained, pointing to the west. 'Bold plan,' Sandburg replied...'By the way, good job on bagging that enemy OP yesterday'" (101).

"'The artillery fire you called must have scared them away,' Piper said...'That was a damn good move...I always wanted a lieutenant who could call for fire.' 'Thanks,,,but Sergeant Mark deserves the credit.' 'Yeah, well, I'll bet you a month's pay that what we fired at last night was an enemy reconnaissance patrol, aiming to check us out. I doubt that they saw any of the positions we'll occupy tomorrow'" (95).

"The point of our defense is to maximize surprise & offensive action to stop the enemy in the trails. We'll place most of our obstacles in the south to help drive him north into the narrowest trails. Once the enemy arrives at the tank ditch, he'll either try to cross it or go north... As he enters the trails, I expect you to destroy the lead vehicle in each trail" (64).

"Piper hadn't taken the time to look at his position from the enemy's perspective. The shallow holes that the platoon was digging on the rise seemed awfully open and very obvious. the dark dirt and the black rocks piled in front of the holes clearly identified each fighting position. It was instantly apparent that the platoon would be fully within the range of he enemy's supporting fires" (45-46).

"Davis quickly saw that there were three ways to defend the valley: forward of the trails, behind the trials, or in the trails...A forward defense was the simplest option...Davis's second option was a reverse-slope defense...[It] would deny the platoon clear observation of the enemy...but it would provide better protection...third option was to block the enemy in each of the four trails that led into Wadi Al Sirree.