ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 179 of 440
Offensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 163 PLANNING FOR A GAP CROSSING A-20. Planning for a gap crossing follows the military decision making process, but it is important to take in consideration, the types of gap crossings, gap crossing fundamentals, and understanding the control measures involved when determining how best to breach an obstacle. Types of Gap Crossings A-21. Just like a breach, gap crossing can be deliberate, hasty, or covert. Hasty crossing has the further sub-set of in-stride crossing. These categories can then be further defined as either wet-gap or dry-gap crossings. For example in a hasty dry-gap crossing, friendly forces must determine how best to cross an obstacle such as an anti-vehicle ditch, a crater, a dry riverbed, or a partially blown bridge. While in a deliberate wet-gap crossing, friendly forces are determining how to project combat power to the exit bank of a river or other type of significant water obstacle at a faster rate than the enemy can concentrate forces for a counter attack. Gap Crossing Fundamentals A-22. Gap crossing fundamentals include— Surprise. Extensive preparation (less for hasty crossing). Flexible planning. Traffic management. Organization. Speed. Surprise A-23. The range and lethality of modern weapons can allow a smaller force to defeat a larger force exposed via crossing a gap. Gaps create this possibility by— Limiting a force to a small number of crossing sites. Splitting the force's combat power on both sides of a gap. Exposing the force to fires while crossing a gap. A-24. Surprise minimizes disadvantages and prevents an enemy from massing forces or fires at a crossing site. To achieve surprise, commanders enforce security measures such as camouflage; noise control; and thermal, electromagnetic, and light discipline. In particular, commanders closely control movement and concealment of gap-crossing equipment and other obvious gap-crossing preparations. Despite modern technologies, skillful use of night obscurants can still be effective. A deception plan and operations security, better known as OPSEC, are key factors that will contribute to achieving surprise. Extensive Preparation A-25. Comprehensive intelligence of enemy composition and disposition and crossing area terrain must be accomplished early since planning depends on an accurate and complete intelligence picture. Commanders plan and initiate a deception plan early to mask actual preparations. Deception activities should conceal the time and location of the crossing, beginning before and continuing throughout the preparation period. Work necessary for improving routes to handle the traffic volume of the crossing should occur early to avoid interfering with other uses of the routes. This requires a detailed traffic plan carefully synchronized with the deception plan.