ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 187 of 440
Offensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 171 may be either stationary or moving. For a meeting engagement to occur, both forces do not have to be surprised by their meeting. PLANNING FOR A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT A-58. The enemy situation is normally vague or unknown when a unit is given a movement to contact mission. The primary consideration in planning a movement to contact is the determination of action that is anticipated during the movement and the requirement for maneuver when contact is made. A movement to contact is organized (at a minimum) with a security force—which includes a covering force to the front, flank guards, and a rear guard—an advance guard, and a main body. A-59. The security force develops the situation and prevents unnecessary or premature deployment of the main body. Its mission may include destroying enemy reconnaissance, securing key terrain, or containing enemy forces. The security force operates well forward of the main body. The security force performs the mission of a zone reconnaissance across the entire unit's front. A-60. To maintain flexibility of the maneuver after contact, the commander puts forward the minimum force possible. The mission of screen and guard are the best suited mission. Which mission is used is determined by the enemy situation, terrain, and amount of risk. A-61. The flank and rear security protects the main body from observation, direct fire, and surprise attack. These forces may be strong enough to defeat an enemy attack or to delay it long enough to allow the main body to deploy. Flank and rear security operate under the control of the unit. Flank security travels on routes parallel to the route of the main body. It moves by continuous marching or by successive or alternate bounds to occupy key positions on the flanks of the main body. Flank security also maintains contact with the advance guard and rear security. A-62. The advance guard is normally furnished and controlled by the leading element of the main body. It is organized to fight through enemy forces identified by the covering force or to make sure the main body can deploy uninterrupted into attack formations. Necessary combat support, such as engineers and artillery, are integrated into the advance guard. A-63. The main body contains the bulk of the unit's combat power. It is organized to conduct hasty attack or defense on short notice. March dispositions of the main body must permit maximum flexibility during movement and when contact with the enemy has been established. Elements of the main body may be committed to reduce pockets of resistance contained or bypassed by the covering force or may be left for elimination by following and support units. Elements of a covering force that are assigned containing missions are relieved as rapidly as possible to rejoin the covering force and avoid dissipating their strength. Bypassed enemy forces may be at strong points, garrisoned cities, or reserve locations. A-64. Three techniques ensure immediate responsive fires: Decentralization of calls for fire. Calls for fire are directly sent to designated firing batteries. Movement of artillery units. Associated batteries move directly behind the units they support. For choke points, a battery moves in the middle of the movement sequence rather than behind to ensure the lead element does not out-range its artillery support. Batteries might also consider moving by platoon to ensure one element is always in position to provide immediate fires. Shifting of priority targets to the lead element. Targets can be plotted on the next probable area of expected enemy contact. If no contact is expected, shift the priority target to the next area of expected enemy contact. A-65. Engineer assets move with the security force and advance guard to assist with mobility operations. The objective is to maintain the speed of the main body and not become impaired by obstacles. Any engineer assets that move with the main body focus on ensuring route clearance and road mobility so support elements can keep pace with tactical movement. A-66. A movement to contact is characterized by increased consumption of petroleum, oil, and lubricants, increased vehicular maintenance requirements, and reduced ammunition expenditure. Planning should be geared toward pushing supplies forward. The speed of the operation and high petroleum, oil, and lubricant consumption necessitate careful planning of sustainment operations.