Wdl Flashcards
Lay Back Position
An area of ground that is occupied by subordinate units of infantry or armour to cover by fire daylight withdrawal infantry in contact to enable them to breal off without involving in a running fight.
Non-Essentials
[ASASA]
In a withdrawal operation, those weapons, transport and personal whose presence in the defence is not necessary are known as non-essentials.
The following are non-essentials for an inf bn:
a) Á’ Echelon transport
b) Surplus vehicles of ‘F’ echelon.
c) Antitank guns after last light; if illumination is not available
d) Stores and ammunition dumped in the area.
e) Administrative personnel
Reasons fir undertaking withdrawal operation
[HDCAAG]
a) Harass, exhaust and ultimately destroy the enemy.
b) Draw the enemy into an unfavorable position
c) Conform to move of own troops on flanks
d) Allow the use of a part of the force elsewhere
e) As a result of a tactical defeat
f) Gain time without fighting a decisive battle
Basic considerations of withdrawal
[CSREMM]
a) Cause maximum damage the enemy
b) Security and speed
c) Retain centralized control and decentralized execution
d) Exploit advantages of terrain
e) Mobility of the force
f) Maintain freedom of action
Strength of withdrawing force to prepare a new position depends on:
[NETT]
a) Number of intermediate positions.
b) Enemy pressure
c) Time available
d) Terrain
Intermediate position should be (Characteristics)
[CPFSSS]
a) Cannot be easily by-passed
b) Provide covered routes of withdrawal
c) Far enough apart to permit a clear break and avoid a running fight
d) Strong enough to compel the enemy to deploy a major portion of his force.
e) Sufficiently far apart to ensure that the enemy has to regroup and redeploy his artillery for each successive intermediate position
f) Sited on ground suitable for defence by the minimum number of troops.
Factors for the number of intermediate positions required
[DMTAAS]
a) Distance from the present to the new main position
b) Hobility of the withdrawing force.
c) Time necessary to prepare the new main position
d) Availability of troops
e) Amount of delay which can be imposed at each intermediate position
f) Speed with which the enemy can follow up
Who lays basic timing
a) The basic timings are always laid by the commander responsible for the conduct of withdrawal operations
The basic timings are
a) Time upto which the position is to be denied
b) Time before which there will be no rearward movement except normal movement and that of recce parties
Factors to be considered while deciding NMB or the time when there will be no rearward movement
[Minimum TTRN]
[Min TTRN Secerecy]
a) Minimum number of troops required on the position in order to deny it up to the time laid down
b) Time required to withdraw troops from present position to new main position
c) Time required for the preparation of the main defences
d) Road space available.
e) Need for secrecy and concealment of any rearward movement.
What timing are included in additional timings
[IPT] = Infantry/position/troops
a) Time at which infantry units in contact may begin to thin out
b) Time at which the position will finally be a bandoned, that is the time at which rear parties finally abandon the position at night.
c) Time by which all troops will be clear of a line in rear of the position to be abandoned (Coordinating Line)
Procedure/ Sequence of night withdrawal
[ATA Min Posn]
a) All non-essential vehicle, equipment and personnel
b) Troops not in actual contact with the enemy
c) All troops, except the minimum number required to hold the position up to the time of denial
d) Minimum force Living behind rear parties
e) Position finally abandoned by rear parties
Differences Day/Night
[FWLRT] [Forward Whole Lay Rear Time]
1 a) Fwd locs withdraw through dept locs
a) Depth loss withdraw before fwd locs
2b) Whole bn has to stay at the position till the time of denial.
b) Depth coy may thin out before time of denial. Only min force stays.
3c) Lay back positions may be occupied
c) There will be no lay back positions
4)d) There will be no rear parties
d) Rear parties will be left behind
5e) Time of abandonment and /or time by which the troops must be clear of the co-ordinating line is not laid down
e) Both or one of the two timing may be laid down
Secrecy in withdrawal can be achieved by
[EWANNDCC]
a) Early issue of a cover plan
b) Wireless silence which should continue if already imposed
c) All movement, other than normal ear ducted order cover of darkness
d) No abnormal action by troops in contact up to the time of denial
e) Normal harassing fire and patrolling
f) Disclosure of plan to only essential persons until the last possible moment
g) Careful control and timing of demolitions
h) Concealment of activity on intermediate position and the new main position
Maintenance of morale of troops during withdrawal can be achieved by:
[DCREGG]
a) Discipline
b) Confidence un commanders
c) Reliable information of the actual situation
d) Efficient control of movement
e) Good Administration and man management
f) Good arrangements for physical well being
Info about the enemy in withdrawal
a) Number and types of tanks, if any
b) State of mobility of the enemy as a whole
c) Strength and capabilities of the enemy as a whole
Info about own troops required for bn commander.
a) Whether intermediate positions are being held
b) Whether covering troops are being deployed
c) Timings of withdrawal
d) Strength of the troops required to remain in position up to the time of denial
The battalion commander must be given the following timings for each position he has to hold.
a) No more from present position, excluding recce parties before………..h
b) Position will be denied up to………..h
c) Thinning out may commence at ………..h
d) Position will be abandoned at ………..h
e) When necessary, all troops must clear the coordinating line by…………h
Composition of rear party during a Battalion withdrawal
[CSF]
a) A company of infantry possibly a platoon from each forward company
b) A Section or more of infantry mortars (generally in support)
c) A forward observation officer
Stages of withdrawal
Stage1: Withdrawal of non-essential
Stage2: Protective troops required for CP, RV and Embussing area
Stage3: Remainder of the battalion
Stage4: Rear parties (applicable at night wdl only)
Sequence of withdrawal by day.
a) Forward companies in contact withdraw carred by fire from companies in depth
b) Forward companies having withdrawn take lay back position
c) Companies in depth withdraw, covered by fire from lay back position
d) Process is repeated units a clean break is achieved
Task of minimum force is to deny battalion defended area up to the time of denial.
Composition of minimum force
[ERSE] [RISE]
a) Infantry supporting weapons
b) Rifle companies in forward defended localities
c) Sufficient headquarters personnel to ensure tactical command and control
d) Exclude sub units specifically ordered by brigade to go back to start preparation of defense in the intermediate position or in the new main position
