While patrolling toward the harbour site, the platoon commander should be positioned behind the point section.

The platoon sergeant will be with the reserve section at the rear.

There should be a gap of 5 to 15 meters between each man during daylight, depending on the ground and threat, and gaps just short of visibility during darkness.

This is to maintain communication but minimise casualties from automatic fire, mortar or artillery rounds.

When nearing the selected harbour site, the platoon will break track and establish a snap or hasty ambush.

At this stage, the commander will only take a recce party forwards.

Notice no words are spoken, hand signals are used.

Everyone knows the drill and simply carries it out.

The lead section goes firm, followed by the platoon commander who takes his place in the centre.

2 section follows, and finally 3 section completes the triangle.

There are other types of ambush which may be used depending on the ground and the threat.

For example, a linear snap ambush may be more appropriate.

Before any further movement takes place, there will be a 5 minute soak period.

The platoon now has established all-round protection, and so will be able to engage any enemy patrol following or tracking them.

Hello, Charlie, Charlie 1, this is 1 0 Alpha.

In pair, Bergen down and cover your respective arcs.

Bergens are removed using the Buddy Buddy system.

1 of the pair remains alert to the enemy threat, whilst the other removes his burgon so effective fire can be provided should the need arise.

Now with the platoon safely positioned, the platoon commander is ready to recce the exact location for the harbour.

The recce group will comprise the following.

The platoon commander, the radio operator, the runner, 3 section commanders and 3 LSW gunners, 1 drawn from each of the Delta fire teams to act as protection or guides.

The Recce Group moves off while the remainder of the platoon remains alert in the ambush formation under the command of the platoon sergeant.

As the platoon commander nears his chosen location, he stops the recce group at the proposed 6 o'clock position and confirms the exact spot for his harbour.

The platoon commander goes with his signaller and runner to the proposed location of the platoon HQ.

The signaller establishes communication with company HQ.

The harbour location is only viable if good communications can be established.

Hello 0, this is mic 1 0, radio check, over.

The harbour will be set up as an inverted triangle.

The top right hand corner is the 2 o'clock position and the top left the 10 o'clock.

1 section will occupy the side of the triangle from 6 to 2 o'clock, 2 section from 2 to 10 o'clock and 3 section from 10 o'clock back to the 6 o'clock position.

The platoon commander leaves the LSW gunner from 1 section at the 6 o'clock position and leaves the recce group off around the harbour.

Each soldier confirms the 6 o'clock position with the soldier following as they pass.

The platoon commander shows 1 section commander his line from 6 to 2 o'clock as well as his arcs.

Moving round the triangle in an anti-clockwise direction, the LSW gunner from 3 section.

He then identifies 3 section commander's line from the 10 o'clock position back to the 6 o'clock position at the apex of the triangle.

During this move round the position, the platoon commander will also point out the location of the platoon HQ and recce the platoon sergeant's position.

Having sorted out the positions, the platoon commander sends 1 of the section commanders and the runner back to the snap ambush area to bring the platoon in.

The platoon enters through the 6 o'clock position.

Each section will be met by their section commander at the start of their section lines.

Delta Fire Team will peel out first within each section and lead the rest of their section in.

This is so that the Delta Fire Team is reunited with its LSW gunner.

Each section follows on until they're met by their respective section commanders who lead them into their positions and show individuals their arcs of fire.

This order of march will allow an LSW gunner at each apex and in the middle of each section.

The platoon will also be in the correct order of march to leave the harbour location.

This may vary according to the tactical situation or unit SOPs.

The buddy-buddy system is also used in the harbour.

When everyone is in, the platoon sergeant confirms to the platoon commander.

The platoon commander then checks the position, accompanied by the platoon sergeant, to familiarise himself with the area.

The platoon is now in its harbour and the occupation is nearly complete.

However, this is a vulnerable time and until the area is checked and sentries posted, Everyone must remain alert or stood to.

There is a soak period before any further action is taken.


Speaker 0: While patrolling toward the harbour site, the platoon commander should be positioned behind the point section. The platoon sergeant will be with the reserve section at the rear. There should be a gap of 5 to 15 meters between each man during daylight, depending on the ground and threat, and gaps just short of visibility during darkness. This is to maintain communication but minimise casualties from automatic fire, mortar or artillery rounds. When nearing the selected harbour site, the platoon will break track and establish a snap or hasty ambush.

At this stage, the commander will only take a recce party forwards. The platoon breaks track and turns left. Notice no words are spoken, hand signals are used. Everyone knows the drill and simply carries it out. Each man peels into position.

The lead section goes firm, followed by the platoon commander who takes his place in the centre. 2 section follows, and finally 3 section completes the triangle. There are other types of ambush which may be used depending on the ground and the threat. For example, a linear snap ambush may be more appropriate. Before any further movement takes place, there will be a 5 minute soak period.

The platoon now has established all-round protection, and so will be able to engage any enemy patrol following or tracking them.

Speaker 1: Hello, Charlie, Charlie 1, this is 1 0 Alpha. In pair, Bergen down and cover your respective arcs.

Speaker 0: 1-2,

Speaker 1: Charlie, acknowledge, over.

Speaker 0: Bergens are removed using the Buddy Buddy system. 1 of the pair remains alert to the enemy threat, whilst the other removes his burgon so effective fire can be provided should the need arise. Now with the platoon safely positioned, the platoon commander is ready to recce the exact location for the harbour. The recce group will comprise the following. The platoon commander, the radio operator, the runner, 3 section commanders and 3 LSW gunners, 1 drawn from each of the Delta fire teams to act as protection or guides.

The Recce Group moves off while the remainder of the platoon remains alert in the ambush formation under the command of the platoon sergeant. As the platoon commander nears his chosen location, he stops the recce group at the proposed 6 o'clock position and confirms the exact spot for his harbour. The platoon commander goes with his signaller and runner to the proposed location of the platoon HQ. The signaller establishes communication with company HQ. The harbour location is only viable if good communications can be established.

Speaker 1: Hello 0, this is mic 1 0, radio check, over.

Speaker 0: Established. The harbour will be set up as an inverted triangle. The 6 o'clock position is the apex. The top right hand corner is the 2 o'clock position and the top left the 10 o'clock. 1 section will occupy the side of the triangle from 6 to 2 o'clock, 2 section from 2 to 10 o'clock and 3 section from 10 o'clock back to the 6 o'clock position.

The platoon commander leaves the LSW gunner from 1 section at the 6 o'clock position and leaves the recce group off around the harbour. Each soldier confirms the 6 o'clock position with the soldier following as they pass. The platoon commander shows 1 section commander his line from 6 to 2 o'clock as well as his arcs. Moving round the triangle in an anti-clockwise direction, the LSW gunner from 3 section. He then identifies 3 section commander's line from the 10 o'clock position back to the 6 o'clock position at the apex of the triangle.

During this move round the position, the platoon commander will also point out the location of the platoon HQ and recce the platoon sergeant's position. Having sorted out the positions, the platoon commander sends 1 of the section commanders and the runner back to the snap ambush area to bring the platoon in. The platoon enters through the 6 o'clock position. Each section will be met by their section commander at the start of their section lines. Delta Fire Team will peel out first within each section and lead the rest of their section in.

This is so that the Delta Fire Team is reunited with its LSW gunner. Each section follows on until they're met by their respective section commanders who lead them into their positions and show individuals their arcs of fire. This order of march will allow an LSW gunner at each apex and in the middle of each section. The platoon will also be in the correct order of march to leave the harbour location. This may vary according to the tactical situation or unit SOPs.

The buddy-buddy system is also used in the harbour. When everyone is in, the platoon sergeant confirms to the platoon commander. The platoon commander then checks the position, accompanied by the platoon sergeant, to familiarise himself with the area. The platoon is now in its harbour and the occupation is nearly complete. However, this is a vulnerable time and until the area is checked and sentries posted, Everyone must remain alert or stood to.

There is a soak period before any further action is taken.

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Patrol Harbour - Occupation