ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 203 of 440
Defensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 187 WITHDRAW B-26. Withdrawing units, whether all or part of a committed force, voluntarily disengage from an enemy to preserve the force or release it for a new mission. The purpose of a withdrawal is to remove a unit from combat, adjust defensive positions, or relocate forces. A withdrawal may free a unit for a new mission. A unit may execute a withdrawal at any time and during any type of operation. B-27. Units normally withdraw using a security force, a main body, and a reserve. The two types of withdrawals are assisted and unassisted. In an assisted withdrawal, the next higher headquarters provides security forces that facilitate the move away from the enemy. In an unassisted withdrawal, the unit provides its own security force. Withdrawals are generally conducted under one of two conditions: under enemy pressure and not under enemy pressure. Regardless of the type or condition under which it is conducted, all withdrawals share the following planning considerations: Keep enemy pressure off the withdrawing force. Position security elements, emplace obstacles, and cover by direct and indirect fire to delay the enemy. Maintain security. Know the enemy's location and possible courses of action. Observe possible enemy avenues of approach. Gain a mobility advantage. Gain an advantage by increasing the mobility of the brigade combat team, reducing the mobility of the enemy, or both. Reconnoiter and prepare routes. Each unit must know the routes or lanes of withdrawal. Establish priority of movement and traffic control if two or more units move on the same route. Withdraw nonessential elements early. Withdrawing nonessential elements early may include some command and control and sustainment elements. Move during limited visibility. Movement under limited visibility conceals moving units and reduces the effectiveness of enemy fires. Concentrate all available fires on the enemy. Alternate movement between elements so some of the force can always place direct or indirect fires on the enemy. PLANNING RETROGRADE OPERATIONS B-28. A retrograde requires detailed planning and extensive coordination. Synchronizing and integrating the unit's combat and supporting capabilities enables a commander to apply overwhelming combat power against selected advancing enemy forces. B-29. The nature of the delay is to maximize the use of terrain. The intelligence officer, therefore, must prepare a detailed modified combined obstacle overlay. This involves identifying possible areas from which occupying forces may cover enemy avenues of approach. The delaying force must be able to inflict maximum destruction without becoming decisively engaged. The commander must anticipate enemy maneuver and execute plans to counter it. A careful analysis of the enemy's avenues of approach and probable objectives usually yields usable information regarding the location of probable enemy vulnerabilities, which serves as the basis for the delay plan. B-30. The delay does not include decisive engagement. The delay is considered more difficult than the defense for the following reasons: Longer distances are required for triggering disengagement. Reconnaissance and counterreconnaissance operations must be highly mobile due to the defender's intent to forfeit terrain, thus preventing use of stay-behind patrols. More open terrain requires more effective obstacles to give the delaying force freedom of maneuver. Maintaining contact with the enemy makes decisive engagement difficult to avoid. B-31. Planners should consider the following when planning delay operations: Centralizing planning and decentralizing action. Coordinating flanks. Forcing the enemy to deploy and maneuver. Maintaining contact with the enemy.