Introduction

Knowledge of enemy positions, equipment and dispersal of that equipment is paramount to battlefield success and the Squad leader who possesses such information holds a tactical advantage. If one is to achieve victory then one must have all the information he possibly can about the area of operations and to gain that information he must have a means of obtaining it, in terms of small unit combat this means the men under his command. If a SL is presented with a battle space and knows the general direction of the enemy he has two basic choices:

(1). Form a plan based on the terrain and the general area of the enemy and move out without any real knowledge of where the enemy will setup and how their equipment will be dispersed.

(2). Allocate 1-2 men to move forward of the squad and search out the enemy while he positions his squad in a safe position in the immediate area of his starting position. Once he has knowledge of the enemy's position and can form a nearly flawless plan of attack.

This paper will discuss tried and true reconnaissance tactics for both defensive and offensive recon as well as proper movement and observation techniques. Given the nature of DH and it's engine and realism itself there is no reason why these techniques should not prove invaluable if properly applied.

Basics: Setting up your recon team.

The size and makeup of your recon team is determined by a few factors such as the number of troops at your disposal, the mission at hand and the size of the map, are you playing a small map? Are you attacking a fixed enemy position? You should instantly determine what you want your recon mission to accomplish and what you are willing to lose.

Size: Your recon team should never number more than two and they should always carry rifles, in case you lose the team you will not be losing crucial weapons. In addition a small number of men is far harder to detect than a large number. If you have one squad only send one man and if you have two squads send two men, one from each squad so that neither takes a double loss. In the case of one squad determine whether or not the mission is practical because you cannot afford the loss in men.

Who to allocate: The best individuals to allocate to a recon team are your more inexperienced squad members so that you do not lose seasoned veterans before the commencement of the fight. Inexperienced squad member does not automatically mean newer members but those with less shooting skills and those with less knowledge of infantry theory. The members of your recon team however must possess excellent communication skills so that they may accurately and quickly identify enemy locations, they should have good knowledge of the Keypad system (i.e. Foxtrot 5 K4) and be able to properly describe terrain features.

The Mission: What do you want the recon mission to accomplish? Do you want to find out where the enemy is? Do you already know where they are and wish to know the dispersal of their personal and equipment? Do you wish to send your recon team out in the heat of battle to find a flank on the enemy or probe their defenses? You must decide what it is you want your recon team to do. No recon mission should last more than 3-5 mins.

Tactics: Proper application of your recon element

We shall look at the different ways to apply a recon element offensively, defensively and as a tool to misinform and distract the enemy.

Offensive Recon

Recon as an offensive tool can be used in two ways

(1) To find out the location and setup of the enemy in A/A and A/D

(2) To determine the layout of enemy defenses and the dispersal of equipment in A/D.

A/A: In this case forming and successfully applying a recon element can be quite dangerous but also very rewarding. If you can locate the enemies direction of attack then you have the opportunity to cut him off, setup MGs in favorable positions and know where best to allocate your manpower. You must move quickly and you must move aggressively once your recon element has provided you with intelligence. If you execute this properly the results can be apocryphal for the enemies. You should keep in mind that a recon mission is not always practical in A/A.

Setup: The first thing the squad leader should do is instantly put his men into a concealed position near the starting point, have them get down and assign them fields of fire. He should then allocate one to two riflemen with good communication skills but little battlefield experience

A/D: This is where the recon mission is at its most valuable because you know the enemy is in a fixed location and they are not going to materialize on your flanks. Your recon team is at a low risk of annihilation and they can effectively observe a target from concealed positions possibly even sighting in mortar fire.Because you have been provided with dispersal of the enemy and his equipment you can form a better plan of attack than you would if you knew only his general position.

Setup: The squad should move into the general area of the enemy and take a secure position. The recon element should then make careful progress toward the enemy and stay low.

Movement and tactics A/A: The recon element should move very fast staying inside buildings or near any available cover, avoiding detection is advised but not critical. Keep in mind that the enemy may mistake your recon element for your units position, if this occurs then keep your recon element in position (Why will be covered below in "Ambush and misinformation: Using your Recon element as a means of deceit."). Once your recon element has detected the enemy and has detailed as much information as possible plan your movement and pull them in or rendezvous with them.

Movement and tactics A/D: The whole squad should move with noise discipline toward the general area of the enemy and do as they would in A/A, setup in a safe position and assign sectors of fire and pick your team, an A/D recon element should consist of experienced members (more below) In A/D you may consider assigning an FO to the recon element so as to provide a softening barrage. The recon element should move with absolute stealth, using both noise discipline and concealment. When the recon team nears the enemies position they should crawl In (Hedgerow or dirt) or immediately enter a building and begin to observe. When observing from a hedgerow or dirt mound they should inch up very slowly just enough to gain a visual on the enemy, when observing from a house stay back from windows or in the corners of them, stay crouched. The recon team should then begin describing the layout of the enemy and the dispersal of their equipment. They should define and report the directional arc of enemy MGs and provide information on potential direction of assaults and proper smoke placement, this is why you want veteran soldiers on an A/D recon team, you need men who understand assault tactics and smoke placement. Unlike an A/A recon element an A/D recon element is in little danger of annihilation because the enemy is in an already fixed position. Once the recon element has detailed all the information it can keep them in place (If the location is favorable) otherwise pull them back in and form your plan of attack. If you choose to leave your recon element in place and move to their location you must allocate one member of the squad moving to meet the recon team to the other squad so as to avoid unnecessary movement and shuffling (Remember a two man recon element Consists of a member of each squad, disregard in the case of one man recon teams) and equally allocate your forces between squads.

Cont. in Pt.2

Defensive Recon


As a defender in A/D recon missions are almost never practical but a forward position may provide information on the direction of enemy approach and thus a chance for re positioning of MGs.

Ambush and misinformation: Using your recon element as a means of deceit

A recon element can be used for more than just information, it can be a powerful assets for ambushing and deceiving the enemy.

Has your recon team been cut off? Have they been spotted? Have you decided that you would like to use them as bait? We shall explore a few different ways a recon element can be used as a guerrilla force or bait for the enemy so you can provide an ambush.

Cut off and behind enemy lines: If while in the course of its mission your recon element finds itself cut off from its unit by maneuvering of the enemy all is not lost, they can be applied in a new role. When the recon element discovers its status as cut off and it remains undetected continue to have them provide information on enemy movement as you would and then you have a few options.

(1). It the enemy is moving away from the general direction of your main squad you can have your recon element fire on the enemy possibly giving them the idea this is your primary position. If this achieved you can then, based off of your recon elements information maneuver your squad behind the enemy and hit his rear.

(2) If your recon element reports the enemy moving toward the general area of your primary unit then you will have advanced information and thus be able to set up accordingly and your recon element can move in and attack from behind or at the very least inspire confusion and panic in the enemy ranks.

(3) You can use your recon element as a guerilla force as well. Keeping your primary unit in place your recon team can wait for the enemy to pass and then fire on them from behind, when the enemy responds and adjusts its movement have your recon element slink away and setup in new position that has a visual on the previous position, at this point move your main unit out. When the enemy arrives and finds no one occupying the position have your recon element fire on them again convincing them that this is the direction of your units, they will then more than likely go into full combat mode having no idea your about to attack them from behind.

If you choose to apply the above as battlefield tactics before you send your recon element out then allocate them an SMG, the volume of fire and importance of the weapon will almost assuredly convince the enemy that this is your general position.

Cut off and under attack: What to do when your recon element has been cut off and is being assaulted by an enemy squad

If this occurs then the recon element can expect to be destroyed but they may attempt to hold their position until friendlies arrive but in this instance their primary mission is eliminating as many enemy targets as possible and providing as much intel as they can before being wiped out.

(1) The position occupied greatly determines the chances a recon element has for survival. If caught in the open or with only terrain (Hedgerows, dirt, walls, craters ect) as cover then their chances are slim to nil. In this situation hunker down and wait, try and pick the enemy off and keep down, the longer you stay alive and distract the enemy the more time friendlies have to get to your position. If the enemy charges you throw your grenades and fight until it's over. Always keep a lookout for an escape.

(2) A recon element stands a better chance within a structure. Get to the second floor. Engage the enemy from the windows as long as you can, while keeping low. When the enemy has reached the house position at the top of the stairwell, if possible position yourself so the enemy will walk up with their back to you. Throw grenades downstairs. If you are a member of the primary unit en route to relieve the recon element then enter the house quickly and dynamically, the enemy will not expect you.

Conclusion

We have explored many different ways a small team of men can be effective on the battlefield and how they can provide their SL with invaluable information and how they can be applied as an unconventional force. If a SL applies this tactics he is not assured victory but the odds are tipped heavily in his favor.

SS-Oscha.Singer.1.SS LSSAH