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

"When the larger force concentrates its combat power on a narrow front to break through enemy defenses, the air assault task force may bypass main defenses to destroy artillery positions, command posts, logistics and communications facilities and to secure key terrain in the enemy's rear" (263).

"No, we can't quit now. We have to find a way out of this before daylight. I have an idea...Mizogouchi, Cowper, and I will move forward to higher ground and try to establish radio contact. If we can reach someone on the radio, maybe we an get help" (255).

"It makes little difference how clearly the circumstances say that the fault was not one's own. The shock which comes of seeing one's own men...killed & of pondering one's own hand in the making of their fate leads almost inevitably to a mood of self-accusation & bitterness - the tokens of moral defeat. The more able & conscientious the commander, the more likely it becomes that he will react in this way" (246).

"No, the slaughter comes in the pursuit, Davis thought steeling his soul with determination. If we run now, they have us. If we fight, we can take some of these bastards with us. 'Stand fast. We're fighting here. Keep up the fire!' Davis shouted" (227).

"The greatest weakness of the BP Alamo position was that the defense was linear and placed the entire platoon within the range of all the attacker's weapons. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel once said, 'It is easy to break a line.' The disadvantage of a linear defense is that the enemy can mass superior combat power and break the defense an any single point" (217).

"'Negative. No one is going anywhere until we patrol the high ground on our flanks'...The lieutenant unfolded his map & beckoned for the platoon sergeant to bend down to see as he pointed out key terrain. 'Send Jordan's squad to check out the high ground on the south wall...Send Tyler's squad to check out the north wall. Get Mizogouchi to work on putting in Minefield M1'" (191).

"Security. Take away the enemy's reconnaissance & you are on the road to victory. Deny him the ability to see your preparations & you add to your ability to win. There are many ways to protect your platoon from surprise attack. Some ways are passive...others are active. The most critical active security measures are to conduct patrols against enemy observation posts 7 to establish your own observation posts" (186).

"Tyler, your mission is to establish and man two observation posts. Establish one on the north wall, on Hill 865. We'll call that one OPNorth. Establish the second OP on the south wall, high enough to see both the east and wet sides of Wadi Al Sirree. Attach your SAW gunners and the rest of your squad to Sergeant Piper" (175).

"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).