Marine's Guide to Infantry Vol 1-Infantry Formations
Posted: 2008-11-18 16:32
Hello fellow Tacticians (Or Non-Tacticians)
Firstly, I'm sorry if I shouldn't have posted here, i just thought It was the most obvious place. Secondly, I'd like to see If any of these tactics are wrong, or their names are incorrect- I apologise I am no military tactician.
Formation 1: File[/FONT]
This tactic is not a favorite of mine, but can be very useful. I mainly use this tactic when crossing bridges or rivers. I used it recently on Al Basrah when crossing the bridge by the village in Al Basrah, as it keeps the squad in a organized unit, and if there is a IED or RPG around the area it would only be able to take out one, possibly two depending on the spacing with one shot/detonation.
When you expect to be flanked I suggest you send you line to a 45 degree angle facing the way you think you will be attacked from, so you are in a diagonal line to the flank you are being flanked on.
Spacing-Name tag distance (50m)
Formation-Medic at the end, Officer at the front, others can be your own personal choice.
Areas for use-Bridges, Rivers and Main roads.
Formation 2: Extended Line
The Horizontal is a favorite of mine for a squad searching for caches, as it covers more ground than the previous formation, and is easy to organise compared to the last one I spoke about. I recommend you don't use this in built up areas, as its hard with all the urban terrain surrounding you. The Horizontal line should be also used when engaging a enemy, on a embankment, or flat on the ground, as it means you've got a good line of fire going down on the enemy.
S
pacing-Name tag distance or less (50m)
Formation-Medic and officer next to each other, Heavy machine gunner in the centre.
Areas for use-Cache searching, dense forests and jungles.
Formation 3: Scatter Formation
Easily the most commonly used formation, it is standard formation for a Infantry squad, and is simple to organise (Note: Most of the time it will not need organizing). I use this when moving in cities, but you can use it where ever you feel necessary. It is usually just everyone in a big group moving together, not the most complicated ones.
Spacing-20-30m
Formation-Officer in the middle
Areas for use-Cities, and Forests.
Formation 4: Arrow Head
Some of you, probably most would never have used/seen this formation before, that's because it's uncommon, but in the right place, and used by the right people can be very effective. Arrowhead is simple, but shouldn't be used in the wrong place, it will be disastrous. It is basically the shape of a arrow head, and is used when assaulting a small place e.g. a compound as the enemy has to change his range every time he fires at a new target, which gets very annoying.
Spacing-30m
Formation-Rifleman at the front, Officer halfway down a flank, medic at the rear of a flank. Note; Medic could go behind the top of the arrow, for cover depending on the weapons you will be facing.
Areas for use-When assaulting a certain target over open ground.
Check Out Volume 2, for more Infantry Tactics.
P.S Pictures for the last two, to come later.
Firstly, I'm sorry if I shouldn't have posted here, i just thought It was the most obvious place. Secondly, I'd like to see If any of these tactics are wrong, or their names are incorrect- I apologise I am no military tactician.
Formation 1: File[/FONT]
This tactic is not a favorite of mine, but can be very useful. I mainly use this tactic when crossing bridges or rivers. I used it recently on Al Basrah when crossing the bridge by the village in Al Basrah, as it keeps the squad in a organized unit, and if there is a IED or RPG around the area it would only be able to take out one, possibly two depending on the spacing with one shot/detonation.
When you expect to be flanked I suggest you send you line to a 45 degree angle facing the way you think you will be attacked from, so you are in a diagonal line to the flank you are being flanked on.
Spacing-Name tag distance (50m)
Formation-Medic at the end, Officer at the front, others can be your own personal choice.
Areas for use-Bridges, Rivers and Main roads.
Formation 2: Extended Line
The Horizontal is a favorite of mine for a squad searching for caches, as it covers more ground than the previous formation, and is easy to organise compared to the last one I spoke about. I recommend you don't use this in built up areas, as its hard with all the urban terrain surrounding you. The Horizontal line should be also used when engaging a enemy, on a embankment, or flat on the ground, as it means you've got a good line of fire going down on the enemy.
S
pacing-Name tag distance or less (50m)
Formation-Medic and officer next to each other, Heavy machine gunner in the centre.
Areas for use-Cache searching, dense forests and jungles.
Formation 3: Scatter Formation
Easily the most commonly used formation, it is standard formation for a Infantry squad, and is simple to organise (Note: Most of the time it will not need organizing). I use this when moving in cities, but you can use it where ever you feel necessary. It is usually just everyone in a big group moving together, not the most complicated ones.
Spacing-20-30m
Formation-Officer in the middle
Areas for use-Cities, and Forests.
Formation 4: Arrow Head
Some of you, probably most would never have used/seen this formation before, that's because it's uncommon, but in the right place, and used by the right people can be very effective. Arrowhead is simple, but shouldn't be used in the wrong place, it will be disastrous. It is basically the shape of a arrow head, and is used when assaulting a small place e.g. a compound as the enemy has to change his range every time he fires at a new target, which gets very annoying.
Spacing-30m
Formation-Rifleman at the front, Officer halfway down a flank, medic at the rear of a flank. Note; Medic could go behind the top of the arrow, for cover depending on the weapons you will be facing.
Areas for use-When assaulting a certain target over open ground.
Check Out Volume 2, for more Infantry Tactics.
P.S Pictures for the last two, to come later.
