CHAPTER 9- WITHDRAWAL

 

SECTION 1. GENERAL

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

·    A withdrawal may be conducted deliberately as part of a pre-arranged plan, or more hastily as the result of a change in the tactical situation. The basic considerations remain the same but the time available for planning and battle procedure differs.

 

·    Withdrawal reasons;

 

o    As a result of local defeat.

 

o    To avoid battle under unfavourable operational or logistic conditions.

 

o    To confirm with the movement of friendly forces.

 

o    To draw the enemy into an unfavourable situation.

 

o    To gain time.

 

·    Every opportunity must be taken to harass, exhaust and inflict casualties on the enemy. Offensive operations will compel the enemy to move cautiously and will boost the morale of the withdrawing force.

 

 

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS

 

·    A successful withdrawal at battalion level depends on;

 

-    Simplicity and flexibility.

 

-    Surprise.

 

-    Security.

 

-    Clean break.

 

-    Offensive action.

 

-    Maintenance of morale.

 

 

·    Simplicity and flexibility;

 

o    Withdrawal at battalion level is difficult as it involves the rearward movement of many troops and much equipment, limited routes, not well known by soldiers and often under significant enemy pressure. These difficulties can be managed by having a simple plan with;­

 

    Good clear orders at all levels.

 

­    Good control measures.

 

­    Realistic timing.

 

­    Good administrative arrangement.

 

 

o    Tight timing must be avoided if flexibility is to be maintained.

 

o    The following details should be considered in formulating the plan;

 

-    Rear reconnaissance parties – 2IC from each level, battalion to platoon, reconnoitre the new position in rear together with representatives of headquarters company platoons and supporting arms under command or in-direct support.

 

-    RV – an RV must be selected for each unit and sub-unit to enable the commanders to regain control of their commands.

 

-    Check-points –established at easier recognizable places on the route back to the RV to enable commanders to gain information on the withdrawal progress and troops that have left the position.

 

-    Quick passage of information – information should reach sub-unit commanders quickly so that decision can be made with full knowledge of the facts.

 

-    Sub-unit move intact – this may not be feasible in the earlier stages but there should be provision for regrouping at the earliest possible moment.

 

-    Centralized control – this must not be the expense of the freedom necessary for sub-unit commanders to execute the plan.

 

-    Traffic control – all necessary stores and vehicles must be sent back from the position at the earliest opportunity.

 

·    Surprise:

 

o    To maintain secrecy and gain surprise;

 

-    Continue the normal pattern of activity on the front right up to the time of withdrawal.

 

-    Avoid an increase or decrease in radio traffic; observe strict security and make full use of secure means for classified messages.

 

-    Give sub-unit commanders details required for planning purposes in good time (i.e warning orders.

 

-    All abnormal movement, including vehicles, should take place during darkness.

 

-    Employ careful tasking and routine of aircraft as increased air activity may compromise the plan.

 

-    Plan harassing fire, if applicable, to cover the noise of rearward movement of tanks and vehicles.

 

·    Security:

 

o    Protection must be carefully planned during a withdrawal even when divisional security forces are deployed. The critical time is during the move back until protection is provided by an intermediate position or a covering force ahead of the new main position. The need for security from infiltrators, air attack and airborne attack will always exist.

 

o    During evacuation, an intact front should be maintained as long as possible. Normal patrol activity on the front and between company localities should also be maintained.

 

o    Flank security can be provided by flank guard. If tanks and APC are available, a mobile reserve can be formed to deal with the enemy who have eluded the flank guards.

 

·    Clean break:

 

o    During movement at battalion level, a rear guard and if necessary flank guards, may be used to relieve pressure on the column.

 

o    To prevent the danger of defeat in detail, a battalion may withdraw through one or more firm bases. Pre-planning must be carried out for the action to be taken by sub-units to meet the more likely situations which could arise.

 

o    To gain a clean break, it must move to the rear as quickly as possible. At the same time it must hamper the mobility of the pursuing enemy by imposing caution and delay. The enemy’s vehicular mobility can be reduced by route denial and mining.

 

o    The maximum use of obstacles, both natural and artificial obstacles will gain time for the withdrawal, and particularly for the preparation and occupation on the main position.

 

 

·    Offensive action:

 

o    The enemy can be slowed down and move cautiously by employment of some of the following techniques;

 

-    Aggressive patrolling.

 

-    Limited counter-attacks if the enemy becomes over-confident and is prepared to take risks.

 

-    Artillery and mortar fire.

 

-    Ambushing by the rear parties or snipers.

 

-    Minefields and booby traps, when formation policy permits it.

 

-    Demolition and route denial action.

 

-    Close air support.

 

·    Maintenance of morale:

 

o    Morale may be maintained by insisting on the following;

 

-    Reliable information.

 

-    Good administrative arrangements.

 

-    Practising the withdrawal in training.

 

-    Offensive action whenever possible.

 

·    Civilian population:

 

o    It is not the basic consideration, but the attitude of the civilian population is an important factor in the withdrawal. An unfriendly civilian population may remain in the area of withdrawal and attempt to disrupt it by sabotage and treachery. On the other hand, a friendly population will probably attempt to move back at the same time as our troops. Precaution should also be taken to prevent enemy troops or hostile civilians interfering with friendly civilians.

 

o    The control refugees may be;­    

 

Directed from the roads and tracks into temporary staging areas until the operational situation allows for their movement.­    

 

Diverted along separate routes, if available.

 

 

SECTION 2. WITHDRAWAL IN OPEN AND CLOSE COUNTRY BY DAY AND NIGHT

 

WITHDRAWAL IN OPEN COUNTRY

 

·    By day – the extrication of forward troops by day is difficult. The enemy may discover the exact time of withdrawal and may bring aimed or observed fire onto the withdrawing troops. Enemy attack may also occur. The enemy will endeavour to follow up the withdrawal and to maintain pressure on the forward troops or in conjunction with a wide out flanking movement. To overcome this the CO must be prepared to;

 

-    Use covered routes and make use of smoke to mask or conceal movement and thus reduce the effectiveness of the enemy’s fire.

 

-    Use heavy fire-power from all available artillery, armour and infantry weapons to suppress enemy fire and to prevent a close follow-up by the enemy troop.

 

-    Withdraw forward troops first through firm bases provided by rear platoons and companies.-    Provide flank protection.·    

 

By night – at night it is normal to withdraw rear companies first. The aim is to prevent enemy learning the actual time of withdrawal and make close follow up. An intact front and normal activity, particularly with patrols and harassing fire, are maintained as essential precautions. The strength remaining must be such that the position can still be denied to the time given. It should indicate that the position is held strongly. Withdrawing rear companies first, always offers the advantage of simplicity and ease of control and is normal procedure at night. However, should the appreciation of the probable enemy action lead to the conclusion that they may attack at or before the time of denial, it may prove imprudent to plan on withdrawing all rear companies first. There is the risk that penetration may   be achieved and then, almost certainly, the last troops out would need to fight a running battle unaided until they pass behind a firm base position.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL IN CLOSE COUNTRY

 

·    By day – rapid pursuit is difficult, observation by the enemy is more limited and any attempt to envelop the flank is usually slow and exhausting. Delay is more easily imposed by ambushes laid by the withdrawing troops. The restricted visibility makes it easier to deceive the enemy that the position is held in strength. However, in close country enemy can launch sudden attack from close in to the position. This is further aggravated by the restricted fields of fire. Therefore, it is difficult to make a clean break.o    To decide whether rear companies should be withdrawn first or whether all or some should remain to assist the foremost companies to make the clean break, the factors to consider are as follows:

 

a)    The considerable fire-power and man-power organic to the rifle company. In conjunction with the dispositions of the companies, this factor will help determine whether;

 

1)    Penetration of the battalion area can be prevented for sufficient time by the forward companies alone.

 

2)    The forward companies have the capacity to extricate themselves unaided by rear companies, using combat power to gain a clean break.

 

b)    Whether the location on the ground can cover the withdrawal of the forward elements and whether control can be retained throughout the manoeuvre in the event of the enemy pressing the forward companies closely during their withdrawal. The withdrawal by day in close country is preferred for the rear companies, however it may not always be sound tactically.·    

 

By night – can be carried out in close country but very difficult to control and should be avoided if possible.

 

 

SECTION 3. PLANNING OF THE WITHDRAWAL

 

PRELIMINARY PLANNING

 

·    Planning stage –  when planning for a withdrawal, the CO will consider:

 

-    The orders given to him by his superior.

 

-    The distance between the present position and the new main position and the time needed to reconnoitre and prepare the latter.

 

-    The need for intermediate positions.

 

-    The terrain between the present and the new main position and how it can be used to best effect.

 

-    Weather, going and the degree and duration  of darkness.

 

-    Enemy strength, dispositions, reaction times and likely intention.

 

-    The relative mobility of the two forces.

 

-    The air situation.

 

-    The logistic situation.

 

·    In the detailed planning of a withdrawal, the following aspects should be closely examine:

 

-    Timing of the withdrawal.

 

-    Preparation of the new main position.

 

-    Obstacles.

 

-    Non-essential troops and vehicles.

 

-    Timing.

 

-    Control.

 

-     Reserves.

 

-    Air defence.

 

-    Communications.

 

-    Deception.

 

-    Electronic emission.

 

 

REAR RECONNAISSANCE

 

·    A battalion rear reconnaissance party is sent to the new main position to arrange the defensive layout and to guide the troops in as they arrive.

 

·    Reconnaissance routes and RV – the formation commander lays down the routes of withdrawal and RV for each battalion. To provide co-ordination and security, the CO also selects company RV and the routes and timings each company will use to move to the battalion rendezvous.

 

·    For night withdrawal, reconnaissance by day and night is desirable. These parties then act as guides during the withdrawal.

 

 

BATTALION RV

 

·    A battalion RV should, if possible, be:

 

-    An area on which the enemy has not fired artillery and which has probably not been registered.

 

-    Out of range of enemy flat trajectory weapons and mortar fire.

 

-    Large enough to permit the allotment of a separate area to each sub-unit using the RV.

 

-    Easily accessible from the front and rear.

 

-    An area which requires a minimum of troops for its defence.

 

-    Near a suitable turn around area if the battalion is to embus.

 

-    Concealed from air and ground observation.

 

-    On the route of withdrawal.

 

·    Arrangement must be made for the following:-    

 

Defence –preliminary reconnaissance by representatives from first company will assist rapid deployment on arrival.-    

 

control– an officer controls the movement in and out of the RV. A daylight reconnaissance of the area is necessary.

 

 

BATTALION CHECK-POINT

 

·    A battalion check-point is a point along the withdrawal route where companies converge on the way to a battalion RV. It should be easily recognizable but not an obvious enemy fire task.

 

·    There must be communication between the battalion RV, check-point(s)and CP by radio and/or line.

 

 

COMPANY RV

 

·    company RV should be easily recognizable points, usually located in rear of the depth platoon on the axis of withdrawal, and defilade to enemy fire and observation.

 

·    when a company has completed its concentration at the RV, the company commander receives reports from all platoons and then moves the company to the battalion RV.

 

·    A company check-point is only necessary when control is difficult because of the ground, enemy fire, or where the route from the platoon to the RV is difficult.

 

 

REAR PARTIES

 

·    Typical task for rear parties;

 

-    Closing minefield gaps after the last patrols are in.

 

-    Firing demolitions after troops have withdrawn.

 

-    Providing standing patrols on vulnerable approaches.

 

·    Rear parties rely on covering fire and speed of manoeuvre for their withdrawal.

 

 

SEQUENCE OF WITHDRAWAL

 

·    Prior to issuing his orders the CO should:

 

-    Issue a warning order.

 

-    Detail any changes in the standard composition of rear reconnaissance parties, select an RV and time for their concentration, and arrange transport for their concentration, and arrange transport for their movement.

 

-    Arrange for battalion transport to be pooled if necessary under the transport officer.

 

-    Select battalion and company RV routes from company rendezvous to the battalion RV and the battalion check-point.

 

-    Decide on the task and composition of rear parties.

 

-    Assess what firm base positions will be required.

 

-    Decide on;

 

§    The sequence of withdrawal of companies.

 

§    The time rear localities may start withdrawing.

 

§    The time forward localities may start thinning out.

 

·    The warning order should include the battalion task, earliest time at which movement may begin, time and place of rendezvous for orders and if possible, key timings and outline of movement of rear reconnaissance parties.

 

·    The sequence of withdrawal depends upon the tactical situation. A typical sequence is as follows:

 

-    all non-essential vehicles, equipment and troops are cleared from forward areas as soon as possible after the time rearward movement can commence.

 

-    thinning out begins in accordance with the battalion plan.

 

-    all remaining troops, except rear parties, withdraw at the time of denial.

 

-    rear parties withdraw in accordance with specific orders.

 

 

SECTION 4. CONDUCT OF THE WITHDRAWAL

 

BREAKING CONTACT

 

·    normal activity must be maintained until the last possible moment. If the enemy becomes aware of the withdrawal and attacks, forward companies and in the worst case the whole battalion, may have to disengage by fire and movement.

 

·    The CO will normally remain at the CP until after the time of denial. After this time, he should move as quickly as possible to the RV.

 

·    Company commanders check their localities before leaving and then withdraw with the last platoons of their companies. They  must remain in radio contact with their platoons and company RV. On arrival at the company RV, they are given a report on the state of each platoon.

 

 

THE MOVE BACK

 

·    after concentration at its RV, each company move rearward as a complete sub-unit using similar formations as in the advance. Troops maybe detailed for flank and rear protection. Casualties are carried on stretchers as far as the RAP, which is normally at the battalion RV.

 

·    Time spent in the RV should be as short as possible. Company mount or start marching to the rear as soon as possible after arrival. The rearmost company is responsible for the rear protection of the column.

 

·    Platoon and company headquarters guides take over and lead troop to their new position and the battalion than deploys for area defence.

 

 

SURVEILLANCE PLAN

 

·    In a daylight withdrawal, surveillance device will be withdrawn early with the non-essential vehicles and equipment.

 

·    At night or in condition of poor visibility, surveillance device will remain in position as long as possible. Sufficient time must be allowed for the withdrawal of bulky equipment.

 

·    In order to ensure maximum secrecy, strict counter-surveillance measures must be enforced. The CO must include clear orders on the use of white light and all active devices including IR when vehicles and troops are moving.

 

PATROL POLICY

 

·    Normal patrol activity must continue throughout the operation. Additional patrols may be required to cover gaps, ambush any enemy following up or to picket withdrawal routes.·    it is preferable that fighting patrols return before denial time.

 

OTHER TASKS WHEN PART OF A LARGER FORCE

 

·    when a battalion  is part of a large formation conducting a withdrawal, it may be required to perform the following tasks:

 

o    occupy an intermediate position.

 

o    provide security elements.

 

o    provide a flank guard.

 

·    occupation of an intermediate position – the battalion normally covers a wider front than in area defence. Consequently companies may have to accept wider frontage, and emphasis will be placed on the maximum use of weapons at long range.

 

·    Provision of security elements –a battalion may be required to provide part of a covering force or a screen on the likely enemy approaches to:

 

o    the intermediate position.

 

o    the new main position.

 

·    a battalion acting in this capacity is to impose maximum delay on the enemy advance, provide early information on his probable intentions and movements and increase the security of the main body.

 

·    When acting as a covering force or a screen, the battalion should be provided with tactical mobility, preferably apc, artillery and if possible tanks, should be allocated to support the operation until the task is complete.

 

·    If the battalion is located astride the formation withdrawal route(s)it will be responsible for covering the withdrawal as soon as  the rear elements of the main body have moved through.

 

·    Provision of flank guards– if the main body is threatened during its movement by attack from the one or both flanks, flank guards may be deployed in addition to thee covering force or screen to prevent enemy interference. Part or all of the battalion may be employed on this tasks.

 

·    Guards will be positioned on likely enemy approaches from the flank to critical points on the route(s)and to the intermediate position.

 

·    Detailed coordination must be achieved between the movement of the flank guard, the main body and the covering post.

 

·    Flank guard require mobility fire support from artillery and/or mortars and may require anti-armour weapons.