Platoon Night Attack

Question 1

Pros and Cons of Night Operations

Answer 1

Pros
* We have the technological advantage and can take advantage of that
* Less EN security at night while they are sleeping
* EN slower, burnt out, human factors
* Maintain tempo
* We have the surprise and psycho advantage
* Use limited vis to avoid heavy losses
* Compensate for lack of combat power
Cons
* C2
* Degradation of congnitive abilities
* Mvmnt to Obj is more difficult (navigation)
* Setting conditions
* Fratricide
* CASEVAC in the dark

Question 2

Types of Night Attacks

Answer 2

Illuminated (flares, mortars, utilizing to see)
* Use when EN has same or like technological abilities
* Can’t be done unless you know where the EN is
* Weather! Bad illum when you can’t see with nods w/too much fog/cloud cover
* Used to confuse EN about dir of attk
* When speed is essential over stealth and surprise (when is moonrise and when is moonset?)
Non-Illuminated (nods down, IRs, lasers)
* We have tech advantage
* Natural illum is in our favor
* Stealth and surprise is more important than speed and control
* Our Marines are well trained to non-illuminated attk (train your Marines!)

Question 3

What is the PLD?

Answer 3

Probable Line of Delployment
* Usually perpendicular to the direction of attack; it is a line on the ground (either natural or man-made) that can be the last covered/concealed position prior to the objective and forward of the LOD
* Provides a platoon with direction by facilitating the transition to an on- line formation in front of the enemy
* Close enough to the enemy positions so the distance moved in the assault is relatively short and the amount of obstacles are limited
* Ideally, is set on terrain that shields it from discovery by the enemy.

Question 4

What are the different techniques for loading the PLD?

Answer 4

• Bent-L
• Crow’s Foot
• Combination (Crow’s Foot and Bent L)