Section Formations
This lesson forms part of the larger tactics learning on the conduct of patrolling. However, it is important from an early stage that all members of the section are aware of the main formation types and their application. The formations taught in this lesson are carried out silently following the receipt of a field signal, taught in another lesson. It is also important you have learned about organisation and grouping to better understand the terms ‘section’ and ‘platoon.’
Contents
Introduction
As any formation of cadets moves tactically in the field, they must do so with discipline and consideration of the tactical situation. Im most cases it is the patrol commander who makes the decision about what formation to use, but each member of the section must have an appreciation of why a particular formation may have been chosen, and also what their role in the formation is. When selecting an appropriate formation the commander will need to consider a number of factors.
- The formation must be chosen to ensure the they has control over the patrol. The passage of information from front to back must be efficient, but also control of the formation in the event that the come under attack and must respond. To ensure control, the commander will place themselves near the front of the formation. The 2IC of the patrol will be near the back of the formation to ensure control of the rear elements.
- The above control is also dependant on the size of the formation. It is unlikely that one formation for a section level patrol would be appropriate for a whole platoon. The commander may chose to deploy a number of different formations for each section within that patrol to make best use of the remaining factors.
- The formation chosen must make best use of the ground they are covering. For example crossing an open field puts the patrol at risk but it is fast, when moving through a forest offers protection but is much slower.
- The ground must provide an element of protection to the formation. Depending on the tactical situation there may be an exception of contact with the enemy. Selecting suitable ground and formations to anticipate this will help ensure future tactical success.
- Finally selecting a formation that offers concealment to the patrol. Using the ground so that the patrol remains concealed from likely enemy positions will reduce the chances of early contact.
As the patrol advances across differing terrain, it will likely change formation depending on the terrain and cover available, the enemy threat and also the likely tasks that each element of the formation will have. For example in a platoon formation, the section nominated to be the fire support section will want to cover a large area to provide maximum firepower towards the likely enemy position, whereas the section nominated as a reserve section will want greater protection and concealment so as not to be seen or be at risk from early contact.
As a rule of thumb, the members at the front protect the front and provide early warning (also known as the ‘point’ or ‘scout’) , the member at the rear protects the rear of the formation (also known as ‘tail end charlie’) and each of the members making up the middle of the formation stagger themselves covering either left or right. This ensures total coverage of the patrol formation with view and with firepower.
The distance between each member of the patrol varies with the terrain, but is generally reliant on the limit of control. A distance of around 5-7 meters during daytime would be acceptable, but at night in total darkness each member of the section may be so close as to have a hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them. Regardless of the situation, it is important not to bunch up into a large cluster which presents as an easy target to the enemy.
I will cover the four main formations; single file, file, extended line and arrowhead. I will use diagrams to help demonstrate the formation. On the diagram will be a green direction of travel arrow, eight silhouette figures with rifles, and a light grey arc representing the arcs of fire each member of the section has.
Single File
Single file is the simplest formation, but is often dismissed because it places members of the section close to each other and they can be easily targeted from the front or rear. It is also not very easy to react to an attack from the front. However it is very useful when navigating using linear features such as tree lines or natural boundaries and narrow tracks. At section level it enables easy command and control, but any larger and communication becomes slow.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Good protection to the flanks Useful for moving along linear features Easy to navigate thick vegetation or forests, or along narrow tracks Good for crossing obstacles | Poor protection to the front Can result in poor observation to the sides as people focus on moving forwards Slow communication in larger formations |
File
Sometimes known as ‘staggered file’ due to the staggered or alternating nature of the patrol members, this formation is used when there is space on either side of a track or road. It offers greater protection than single file, with two section members facing the front, two to the rear and two to each side.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Ideal for tracks, lanes or roads Easier to communicate within the section Greater all round protection than file May be useful at night keeping the section close in | Not suitable for open ground or linear features The section are closer together and present a smaller target |
Extended Line
With the majority of the section firepower facing the front, extended line is a good formation when intending to conduct an assault. Because of the spread out section, communication can be difficult, and the section is exposed to attack from the flanks and rear. Ideal for crossing open ground where the threat is to the front.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Concentrated firepower to the front in preparation for an assault Good for crossing exposed open ground | Difficult command and control Weak protection to the flanks (left and right) and exposed rear Not suitable for tight terrain such as urban environments |
Arrowhead
A variation on extended line, arrowhead takes into account the vulnerability to the flanks and sweeps the flanking members to the rear creating the arrowhead shape. The section can respond to fire from the front, but also has a degree of side protection. Ideal for crossing open countryside where the threat is unknown, but anticipated to the front.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Concentrated firepower to the front in preparation for an assault Good for crossing exposed open ground | Weak rear protection Not suitable for tight terrain such as urban environments |
Formation Hand Signals
Covered in the field signals lesson, here are hand signals for file, extended line and arrowhead. Single file is indicated with a single hand raised in the air.
Formation Example
In the aerial image below, we have 4 sections approaching an enemy held village. The known enemy positions are marked with a small Figure 11 target; there are three along the top representing the perimeter of the village, and to the bottom of the image is a single outlying enemy sentry post. The approaching section, each utilising a different formation are marked using the black silhouettes, and named in white text.
This is an image used to demonstrate how formations can be used to cover ground, it is not an example of how a platoon would assault a village.
1 Platoon 1 Section
Extended line – Approaching the western edge of the village, this section is in extended line in preparation for an assault. The extended line allows them to quickly return fire and start fire and movement towards the position. The section will be split up into their two fire teams, charlie and delta, with the section commander and 2IC near the middle of the formation to ease communication between them.
1 Platoon 2 Section
File – Using a natural track between two small forest blocks, this section is using file to give them the best protection as they approach likely enemy positions at the edge of the village. They have two weapons to the front, and are protecting their flanks, while also watching their rear so they are not cut off. If the enemy position they are approaching does start to fire on them, they can quickly respond with 2 or 4 weapons, and then withdraw back into the cover of the forest to plan their assault.
2 Platoon 1 Section
Single file – This section is using the line of the edge fo the forest to approach and protect the road to the south of the village. They are unaware of the enemy sentry position in the forest, but because of their low profile they are using natural cover to stay out of sight. If they do come under fire from that position, they will only have limited firepower to the front and the section commander will need to work hard to destroy the position.
2 Platoon 2 Section
Arrowhead – Crossing the open ground to the south of the village, this section is using arrowhead to approach. With a number of positions to their front and flank, arrowhead allows the section commander to be in a position to respond to any threat should the enemy open fire from either direction. Just like extended line, the section will be split up into their two fire teams, charlie and delta, with the section commander and 2IC near the middle of the formation to ease communication.
Summary
While the choice of formation is normally down to the patrol commander to decide, each section member should be aware what options are available and why each formation has been chosen. As a section member, you must also be able to respond to a hand signal and formation when it has been indicated, and understand about the formation, your spacing, and actions upon receiving the signal.
