Welcome to the INFANTRY AMBUSH AND COUNTER-AMBUSH FAQ.

This FAQ is divided into two chapters they are as follows:

Chapter One—Ambush. Contains information on
the preparation, occupation and execution
techniques required to successfully complete an
ambush, and

Chapter Two—Counter-ambush. Contains
information on the tactics, techniques and
procedures used to counter the effects of an enemy
ambush.

CHAPTER 1
AMBUSHES
INTRODUCTION
1. An ambush is a surprise attack upon a moving or temporarily
halted enemy by a force lying in wait. It is usually a brief encounter
and does not require the capture and holding of ground.
2. The ambush is undoubtedly one of the oldest stratagems of
battle. Even the invention and refinement of modern weapons, motor
vehicles and aircraft have had little effect on the ambush pattern and
techniques. The attack from ambush in ancient days was an action at
close quarters, and it still is, despite the range of modern weapons.
3. Ambushes may be used in front of and behind enemy
deployment areas, against any type of force. A series
of successful ambushes should make the enemy apprehensive and
cautious in movement. Continued success should finally inflict a
virtual paralysis on the enemy.

AIMS OF AMBUSHING
4. The aims of ambushing are as follows:
a. To Kill the Enemy. Well-laid ambushes are an
effective way in which to kill the enemy. They offer
the opportunity to inflict high casualties on the
enemy with minimum resources.
b. To Disrupt Enemy Movement. Ambushes may be
used in front of and behind the forward edge of the
battle area. A series of successful ambushes will
disrupt the enemy's freedom of movement.
c. To Gain Information. Ambushes can be laid as a
means of obtaining information about the enemy or
to capture a prisoner.
d. To Provide Security. Continued success in
ambushing restricts enemy movement and reduces
his ability to obtain information.

AMBUSH SITES
5. Suitable places for ambush include:
a. Known enemy routes in forward and rear areas.
b. Areas where a marked change of vegetation occurs,
such as the junction of the tree line and tundra.
c. Probable lines of enemy withdrawal after a
successful attack by our forces.

TYPES
6. There are two types of ambush:
a. deliberate; and
b. immediate.

7. The Deliberate Ambush. A deliberate ambush is one
planned and executed as a separate operation. Generally, time allows
for planning, preparation, and rehearsal in great detail. The deliberate
ambush may vary in size from a small four-man ambush to a major
operation using an Infantry battalion. Many opportunities exist for
small-scale ambushes; the ambush of up to platoon strength is the
normal size used. Successful large-scale ambushes are more difficult
to achieve but every opportunity must be taken to do so. Some
examples of these are:
a. in counter insurgency operations, luring an enemy
follow-up force into a prepared ambush position;
and
b. when information provides exact enemy locations,
such as an assembly area, or the movement of large
numbers of reinforcements.

8. The Immediate Ambush. An immediate ambush is one set
with a minimum of planning to anticipate imminent enemy action, or
is a purely defensive technique by a force such as a patrol. In these
circumstances, little or no time is available for reconnaissance before
occupation of the site. The degree of success achieved depends upon
the initiative of the commander concerned, prior rehearsal of proven
drills and teamwork.

PREREQUISITES TO SUCCESS
9. Instantaneous co-ordinated action against a surprised enemy
contained within a well covered killing zone is essential for success.
This requires:
a. Security. It is necessary to deny the enemy
knowledge of the friendly force's intentions during
the preparation and execution of the ambush.
b. Camouflage and Concealment. In the ambush,
protection from observation and surveillance is
essential. The members of the ambush must be
hidden and Concealment from enemy night vision aids
and/or electronic detection devices must be considered,
as well as ensuring that there is an absence of light, noise,
movement and abnormal smells.
c. A Simple Clear Plan. The plan for the ambush
must be simple. It should cover all possible
contingencies and must include clear directions on
how the ambush is to be initiated and terminated.
d. Maximum Use of Fire Power. All available fire
power must be coordinated to achieve the best
result. The maximum weight of fire must be
brought to bear on the enemy immediately—the
ambush is initiated so that the enemy does not have
time to extricate himself from the kill zone.
e. A High Standard of Battle Discipline. Ambushing
demands a high standard of battle discipline. Once
in their fire positions, soldiers must remain
motionless with safety catches off, refraining from
scratching, slapping at insects, smoking, eating,
drinking or relieving themselves. An ambush can be
ruined by the accidental discharge of a weapon or by
an excited soldier firing before the order is given.
Unless this standard of battle discipline can be
reached in all aspects, it is useless to embark on an
ambush.

10. Very careful preliminary training is required as only well
trained troops with the highest standards of camouflage, concealment
and fire discipline can hope to achieve success.

FACTORS
11. The following are some of the factors that must be considered
when planning an ambush:

12. Surprise. The success of an ambush is dependent upon
surprise being achieved. All planning must aim at achieving surprise.
The means of achieving surprise include:
a. attention to security;
b. the selection of the ambush site;
c. effective camouflage and concealment;
d. the avoidance of a set pattern in layout and
technique used in each ambush;
e. good battle discipline; and
f. radio discipline.

13. The Enemy. A detailed knowledge of the enemy must be
obtained from all available sources including patrol reports, recent
contact incident reports, intelligence reports and summaries and
information from local civilian inhabitants. Of particular interest to
the ambush commander during the planning period are the following:
a. likely enemy strength, composition and method of
movement;
b. front and flank security, main body and rearguard
elements;
c. the means of identifying the enemy, particularly if
operations are being conducted with allied troops;
d. any recent enemy movement patterns, including
their ability to concentrate fire.

14. Friendly Forces. When planning the ambush it is important
for the commander to be aware of the locations of friendly forces
operating near the area.

15. Layout. The principles of ambush layout are:
a. All Possible Approaches Must be Covered.
Information rarely gives the enemy's exact route.
Irrespective of information gained, the enemy may
still approach from an unexpected direction. The
failure to consider this factor causes many ambushes
to be unsuccessful. It is essential that all likely
approaches be covered.

EXECUTION
SPRINGING THE AMBUSH
16. When a sentry sights the enemy he communicates via tug
line, radio or telephone and gives the signal for the direction of
approach and size of the enemy party. When the enemy appears in the
kill zone each man aims awaiting the order to fire. The ambush should
be sprung when as many enemy as possible are in the kill zone and the
range has been reduced to a minimum. There must be no halfheartedness
or premature action. All men must clearly understand
their orders, and the drill for opening fire as follows:
a. A small-scale ambush is normally sprung by the
commander, but should any enemy act as though he
has seen the ambush, any man who sees this action
should spring the ambush. Because of the risk of the
ambush being prematurely sprung, only well-trained
and experienced soldiers should be sited in those
positions close to the kill zone where an alert enemy
could discover the ambush.
b. All shots must be aimed to kill. Once fire has been
opened men often have to adjust their positions to
fire at moving targets.

WITHDRAWAL
17. It is at this stage that the ambush is most vulnerable. If no
assault is planned, a fast withdrawal should be made during the brief
period of enemy confusion and before he has re-established control. A
rendezvous is necessary for the ambush party as members may take
some time to clear the site.

SMALL DELIBERATE AMBUSHES
INTRODUCTION
18. This section deals in particular with the layout of small-scale
deliberate ambushes that are up to platoon size in strength.

LAYOUT
19. Elements may be employed in two ways:
a. Area Ambush. Where there is more than one
approach, all approaches must be covered.
Approaches should be covered in depth to catch
enemy scattering from the position of the ambush
known as an area ambush. (See Figure 1-1.) It
consists of a series of small groups, each with its
own commander, sited as part of an overall plan to
encompass a particular enemy party which is
expected. The ambush party moves to a dispersal
point from which groups move by selected routes to
their positions. The ambush commander may be
able to position only one group in detail, leaving the
remainder to be positioned by the group
commanders themselves.


b. Limited Ambush. When, because of the ground, there is
only one likely approach, a group or groups may be sited in depth with
all-round defence at a place on that route which gives adequate
concealment. This is a limited ambush. It is used when the area
ambush is impossible or as part of an area ambush, along a very likely
approach track. Basic forms of limited ambushes are L Shaped
(Figure 1-2A), V Shaped (Figure 1-2B) and Straight Line (Figure 1-
2C).








CHAPTER 2
COUNTER-AMBUSH

SECTION 1
GENERAL

INTRODUCTION
1. In all levels of conflict, any military force that has to move is
vulnerable to attack by ambush. This includes columns and patrols
moving on foot, vehicle convoys, trains and rivercraft. The object of
the attack from ambush varies from complete destruction of the target
to the imposition of delay.

RESPONSIBILITIES
2. The whole area of operations is vulnerable to attack and
ambush. Everyone must be aware of the threat of ambush and
must be proficient in counter-ambush drills.

3. The enemy will be less confident of their ability to execute an
ambush if they are unable to achieve worthwhile results from such
operations, or if they suffer heavy casualties because of our counter
action. The enemy ambush can be beaten by immediate positive
offensive measures which are thoroughly understood and practised by
all soldiers. Counter measures can be divided into:
a. precautions taken to avoid or detect an ambush; and
b. action on being ambushed.

SECTION 2.
COUNTER-AMBUSH ACTION FOR A FORCE MOVING ON FOOT

AVOIDANCE OF AMBUSH
4. Any column or detachment moving outside a secure area
must be prepared to counter enemy ambush tactics. The obvious
measure is to avoid being ambushed. This may be done by denying
the enemy knowledge of our movements or by detecting the location
of possible enemy ambush sites.

5. To avoid ambush:
a. Except in completely secure areas, roads and tracks
should never be used if they can be avoided.
b. Plan and use deception whenever possible.
c. During movement, full dispersion and movement by
bounds must be practised and controlled. All
movement must be tactically grouped.
d.Thorough reconnaissance to the front and flanks is
required.

BREAKING OUT OF AN AMBUSH
6. A force laying an ambush has the advantages of selection of
site, initiative and surprise. A force moving on foot must always be
prepared to counter enemy ambushes. The basis of the counterambush
battle is controlled, immediate offensive action. This involves
the immediate return of fire by those caught in the kill zone and a
controlled reaction by the rest of the force.

7. It is appreciated that there can be no hard and fast rule for
breaking out of an ambush. There is, however, one essential rule that
is common to all counter actions. It is:
a. Immediate offensive action must be taken to break
out of the kill zone as rapidly as possible.

8. A different drill particularly suited to close country and to
restricted enemy fields of fire is an immediate assault in one direction
into the ambush. Such a drill must be planned and rehearsed prior to
the action. The only orders required, if any, are "Follow me",
"GO" or some other simple words to achieve an immediate
reaction.

ACTION IF THE WHOLE OF A FORCE IS AMBUSHED
9. The force must take aggressive action to fight its way out of
the immediate kill zone. The following courses are available:
a. Launch an immediate assault. This is dependent
upon the degree of control retained in relation to the
enemy's main strength and dispositions.
b. Form a hasty defensive perimeter whilst the
commander(s) decide whether to attack part of the
ambush in order to break out, or whether the force
should break down into small groups to filter out. In
either case, the force must later reform at a preplanned
rendezvous.
c. On occasion, during the immediate assault to break
out of the kill zone, it may be possible to seize
ground on which a reasonable defensive perimeter
can be established. The aim would then be to hold
this perimeter, to bring in support against the enemy
position or to wait the arrival of a mobile relief
force.