COMBAT IN BUILT-UP AREAS

Subcourse Number IN0531

United State Army Infantry School
Fort Benning, A 31!05"55!3
# credit hours
$ffecti%e &ate' &ecember 1!!(

OVERVIEW
In this subcourse you )ill learn the *rinci*les go%erning military o*erations in urbani+ed
terrain, s*ecifically ho) to )age combat in built"u* areas,
-here are no *rere.uisites for this subcourse,
Unless other)ise stated, the masculine gender of singular *ronouns is used to refer to
both men and )omen,
-$/0INA1 1$A/NIN 2B3$4-I5$'
A4-I2N' 6ou )ill identify the *rinci*les of combat in built"u* areas,
42N&I-I2N' 6ou )ill be gi%en information from F0 !0"10"1,
S-AN&A/&' -o demonstrate com*etency of this tas7, you must achie%e a
minimum of 80 *ercent on the subcourse e9amination,
/$F$/$N4$S
'
-he material contained in this subcourse )as deri%ed from
the follo)ing *ublication'
F0 !0"10"1

Table of Contents
Subcourse 2%er%ie)
1esson 1' :rinci*les of 4ombat in Built"u* Areas
:art A' Introduction to 4ombat in Built"u* Areas
:art B' Intelligence :re*aration of the Battlefield
:art 4' 2ffensi%e 2*erations
:art &' &efensi%e 2*erations
:ractice $9ercise
1esson (' 4ombat -echni.ues in Built"u* Areas
:art A' Fundamental 4ombat S7ills in a Built"U* Area
:art B' $m*loyment and $ffects of ;ea*ons in Built"u* Areas
:art 4' 02U- -echni.ues
:ractice $9ercise
IN0531 $dition & $9amination

LESSON 1
PRINCIPLES OF COMBAT IN BUILT-UP AREAS

OVERVIEW
1$SS2N &$S4/I:-I2N'
In this lesson you )ill learn the *rinci*les guiding combat in built"u* areas and military
o*erations on urbani+ed terrain <02U-=, 6ou )ill learn about the offensi%e and
defensi%e o*erations of *otential ad%ersaries, our o)n conce*t of the offense and defense
in an urban en%ironment )ith e9am*les of battalion tas7 force, com*any, and *latoon
attac7s on defended built"u* areas, 6ou )ill also learn the characteristics of built"u*
areas, and defensi%e o*erations at the battalion, com*any, and *latoon le%els,
-$/0INA1 1$A/NIN 2B3$4-I5$'
A4-I2N' Identify the *rinci*les of combat in built"u* areas,
42N&I-I2N' 6ou )ill be gi%en information from F0 !0"10"1,
S-AN&A/&' -he *rinci*les of combat in built"u* areas )ill be identified
in accordance )ith F0 !0"10"1,
/$F$/$N4$S -he material contained in this lesson )as deri%ed from the
' follo)ing *ublication'
F0 !0"10"1

INTRODUCTION
-he increased *o*ulation and accelerated gro)th of cities ha%e made the *roblems of
combat in built"u* areas an urgency for the U,S, Army, -his ty*e of combat cannot be
a%oided, -he distribution of smaller, built"u* areas )ithin the urban com*le9 ma7e
isolation by encirclement increasingly difficult, 0ilitary o*erations on urbani+ed terrain
<02U-= can no) be defined as the future battlefield in $uro*e and Asia )ith brigade
and higher"le%el commanders focusing on these o*erations, At the tactical le%el, the
battalion commander and his subordinates must focus on the actual combat in built"u*
areas, -his subcourse *ro%ides the infantry battalion commander and his subordinates a
source for tactics, techni.ues, and *rocedures for fighting in built"u* areas,

PART A - INTRODUCTION TO COMBAT IN BUILT-UP AREAS
1, Bac7ground,
Friendly and enemy doctrine reflect the fact that more attention must be gi%en to urban
combat, $9*anding urban de%elo*ment affects military o*erations as the terrain is
altered, Although the current doctrine still a**lies, the increasing focus on lo) intensity
conflict <1I4=, urban terrorism, and ci%il disorder em*hasi+es combat in built"u* areas is
una%oidable,
a, Air1and Battle, Air1and Battle doctrine describes the Army>s a**roach to
generating and a**lying combat *o)er at the o*erational and tactical le%els, It is
based on securing or retaining the initiati%e and e9ercising it aggressi%ely to
accom*lish the mission, -he four basic Air1and Battle tenets of initiati%e, agility,
de*th, and synchroni+ation are constant, &uring combat in built"u* areas, the
*rinci*les of Air1and Battle doctrine still a**ly "" only the terrain o%er )hich
combat o*erations )ill be conducted has changed,
b, 4ities, 4ities are the centers of finance, *olitics, trans*ortation, communication,
industry, and culture, -herefore, they ha%e often been scenes of im*ortant battles
<Figure 1"1=,
<1= 2*erations in built"u* areas are conducted to ca*itali+e on the strategic
and tactical ad%antages of cities and to deny those ad%antages to the
enemy, 2ften, the side )hich controls a city has a *sychological ad%antage
)hich is usually enough to determine the outcome of larger conflicts,
<(= $%en in insurgencies, combat occurs in cities, In de%elo*ing nations,
control of only a fe) cities is often the 7ey to control of national resources,
-hus, urban guerrilla )ar is .uic7ly re*lacing rural guerrilla )ar as the
most common form of insurgency, -he city riots of the 1!?0s and the
guerrilla and terrorist o*erations in Santo &omingo, 4aracas, Belfast,
0anagua, and Beirut indicate the many situations )hich can result in
combat o*erations in built"u* areas,
<3= Built"u* areas also affect military o*erations because of the )ay they
alter the terrain, In the *ast @0 years, cities ha%e e9*anded, losing their
)ell"defined boundaries as they e9tend into the countryside, Ne) road
systems ha%e o*ened areas to ma7e them *assable, Aigh)ays, canals, and
railroads ha%e been built to connect *o*ulation centers, Industries ha%e
gro)n along those connectors creating Bstri* areas,B /ural areas, although
retaining much of their farm"li7e character, are connected to the to)ns by
a net)or7 of secondary roads <Figure 1"(=,
Fi!"e 1-1# Cities $onteste% %!"in &'t( $ent!") $onfli$ts#
<@= -hese trends ha%e occurred in most *arts of the )orld, but they are the
most dramatic in ;estern $uro*e, $uro*ean cities tend to gro) together to
form one %ast built"u* area, $ntire regions assume an unbro7en built"u*
character, as is the case in the /uhr and /hein 0ain com*le9, Such gro)th
*atterns bloc7 and dominate the historic armor a%enues of a**roach, and
decrease the amount of o*en maneu%er area a%ailable to an attac7er, It is
estimated a ty*ical brigade sector, )ill include (5 small to)ns, most of
)hich )ould lie in the more o*en a%enues of a**roach <Figure 1"3=,
<5= $9tensi%e urbani+ation *ro%ides conditions the defending force can
e9*loit, Used )ith mobile forces on the adCacent terrain, antitan7 forces
defending from built"u* areas can dominate a%enues of a**roach, greatly
im*ro%ing the o%erall strength of the defense <Figure 1"@=,
<?= Forces o*erating in such areas may ha%e elements in o*en terrain,
%illages, to)ns, or small and large cities, $ach of these areas calls for
different tactics, tas7 organi+ation, fire su**ort, and combat ser%ice
su**ort <4SS=,
Fi!"e 1-&# U"ban te""ain s*"a+l
c, -he -hreat in Built"u* Areas, -he 4ommon)ealth of Inde*endent States and
other nations using former So%iet doctrine, de%ote much of their training to urban
combat e9ercises, Indications are, they too belie%e such combat )ould be
una%oidable in future conflicts, &uring the late 1!#0s, they *ublished hundreds of
articles on combat in built"u* areas,
<1= -he stated *referred form of attac7ing a city is from the march to
.uic7ly neutrali+e the city, Should that attac7 fail, the units )ould be
organi+ed for an attac7 by storm, attaching armor, artillery, and engineers
to their motori+ed rifle battalions, -hey )ould *robably ha%e assaulted
built"u* areas )ith strong forces, because the loss of men and e.ui*ment
)as considered less im*ortant than the loss of time,
Fi!"e 1-,# U"ban a"eas blo$-in .ane!/e" a"eas
<(= A list of success re.uirements for offensi%e o*erations in built"u* areas
ha%e been de%elo*ed by the former so%iet *lanners, -hese re.uirements
)ere'
4oncealing *re*aration of assault grou*s,
Using sur*rise to sei+e enemy strong*oints at the city>s edge,
/a*idly e9*loiting initial success by the immediate follo)"u* of
*re*aratory fires,
Using hea%y )ea*ons in a direct"fire role by tas7"organi+ed assault
grou*s,
<3= -he threat of combat in built"u* areas cannot be limited to former
So%iet doctrine, -hroughout many -hird ;orld countries, the *ossibility
of combat in built"u* areas e9ists through acts of insurgents, guerrillas,
and terrorists,
Fi!"e 1-0# A/ailable fiel%s of fi"e
(, 4haracteristics and 4ategories of Built"u* Areas,
2ne of the first re.uirements for conducting o*erations in built"u* areas is to understand
the common characteristics and categories of such areas,
a, 4haracteristics, Built"u* areas consist mainly of man"made features such as
buildings, Buildings *ro%ide co%er and concealment, limit fields of obser%ation
and fire, and bloc7 mo%ement of troo*s, es*ecially mechani+ed troo*s, -hic7"
)alled buildings *ro%ide ready"made, fortified *ositions, -hin")alled buildings
)ith fields of obser%ation and fire may also be im*ortant,
<1= Streets are usually a%enues of a**roach, Ao)e%er, forces mo%ing along
streets are often canali+ed by the buildings and ha%e little s*ace for off"
road maneu%er, -hus, obstacles on streets in to)ns are usually more
effecti%e than those on roads in o*en terrain since they are more difficult
to by*ass,
<(= Subterranean systems found in some built"u* areas are easily
o%erloo7ed but can be im*ortant to the outcome of o*erations, -hey
include sub)ays, se)ers, cellars, and utility systems <Figure 1"5=,
Fi!"e 1-1# Un%e""o!n% s)ste.s
b, 4ategories, Built"u* areas are classified into four categories'
5illages <*o*ulation of 3,000 or less=,
Stri* areas <urban areas built along roads connecting to)ns or cities=,
-o)ns or small cities <*o*ulation u* to 100,000 and not *art of a maCor
urban com*le9=,
1arge cities )ith associated urban s*ra)l <*o*ulation in the millions,
co%ering hundreds of s.uare 7ilometers=,
$ach area affects o*erations differently, 5illages and stri* areas are commonly
encountered by com*anies and battalions, -o)ns and small cities in%ol%e
o*erations of entire brigades or di%isions, 1arge cities and maCor urban com*le9es
in%ol%e units u* to cor*s si+e and abo%e,
3, S*ecial 4onsiderations,
Se%eral considerations are addressed herein concerning combat in built"u* areas,
a, Battles in Built"u* Areas, Battles in built"u* areas usually occur )hen one or
more of the follo)ing conditions are *resent'
A city is bet)een t)o natural obstacles and there is no by*ass,
-he sei+ure of a city contributes to the attainment of an o%erall obCecti%e,
-he city is in the *ath of a general ad%ance and cannot be surrounded or
by*assed,
:olitical or humanitarian concerns re.uire the sei+ure or retention of a city,
b, -arget $ngagement, In the city, the ranges of obser%ation and fields of fire are
reduced by structures as )ell as by the dust and smo7e of battle, -argets are
usually briefly e9*osed at ranges of 100 meters or less, As a result, combat in
built"u* areas consists mostly of close, %iolent combat, Infantry troo*s )ill use
mostly light antitan7 )ea*ons, automatic rifles, and hand grenades, 2**ortunities
for using antitan7 guided missiles <A-0s= are rare because of the short ranges
in%ol%ed and the many obstructions interfering )ith missile flight,
c, Small"unit Battles, Units fighting in built"u* areas often become isolated,
ma7ing combat a series of small"unit battles, Soldiers and small"unit leaders must
ha%e the initiati%e, s7ill, and courage to accom*lish their missions )hile isolated
from their *arent units, A s7illed, )ell"trained defender has tactical ad%antages
o%er the attac7er in this ty*e of combat, Ae occu*ies strong *ositions, )hereas the
attac7er must be e9*osed in order to ad%ance, reatly reduced line"of"sight
ranges, built"in obstacles, and com*artmented terrain re.uire the commitment of
more troo*s for a gi%en frontage, -he troo* density for both an attac7 and defense
in built"u* areas can be as much as three to fi%e times greater than for an attac7 or
defense in o*en terrain, Indi%idual soldiers must be trained and *sychologically
ready for this ty*e of o*eration,
d, 0unitions and S*ecial $.ui*ment, Forces engaged in fighting in built"u* areas
use large .uantities of munitions because of the need for reconnaissance by fire,
)hich is due to short ranges and limited %isibility, 1ight antitan7 )ea*ons
<1A;s=, rifle and machine gun ammunition, @0"mm grenades, hand grenades,
e9*losi%es, and flame )ea*ons are high"usage items in this ty*e of fighting, Units
committed to combat in built"u* areas also must ha%e s*ecial e.ui*ment such as
gra**ling hoo7s, ro*e, sna*lin7s, colla*sible *ole ladders, ro*e ladders,
construction materials, a9es, and sandbags, ;hen *ossible, those items should be
either stoc7*iled or brought for)ard on"call, so they are easily a%ailable to the
troo*s,
e, 4ommunications, Another characteristic of combat in built"u* areas is degraded
radio communications caused by the mass of buildings and a high concentration
of electrical *o)er lines, -his includes the ne) series of radios, 0any buildings
are constructed so radio )a%es )ill not *ass through them, 4ombined )ith the
difficulty of obser%ation, this can hinder control, Urban o*erations re.uire
centrali+ed *lanning and decentrali+ed e9ecution, 6ou must trust your
subordinates> initiati%e and s7ill, )hich can only occur through training, -he state
of your unit>s training is a %ital, decisi%e factor in the e9ecution of o*erations in
built"u* areas,
f, Stress, A related *roblem of combat in built"u* areas is stress, 4ontinuous close
combat, intense *ressure, high casualties, fleeting targets, and concealed enemy
fire *roduce *sychological strain and *hysical fatigue for the soldier, Such stress
re.uires consideration for the soldiers> and small"unit leaders> morale and the
unit>s es*rit de cor*s, /educe stress by rotating units committed to hea%y combat
for long *eriods,
g, /estrictions, -he la) of )ar *rohibits unnecessary inCury to noncombatants and
needless damage to *ro*erty, -his may restrict the commander>s use of certain
)ea*ons and tactics, Although a disad%antage at the time, this restriction may be
necessary to *reser%e a nation>s cultural institutions and to gain the su**ort of its
*eo*le, Units must be highly disci*lined so the la) of land )arfare and the rules
of engagement are obeyed,
<1= 4ombat in built"u* areas has historically *resented soldiers )ith the
o**ortunity for looting )hich alienates the ci%ilian *o*ulation, ;hen
soldiers loot, they are tem*ted to discard needed e.ui*ment so they can
carry their stolen goods, causing a loss of combat efficiency,
<(= 1ooting can cause a brea7do)n of disci*line, reduce alertness, increase
%ulnerability, and delay the *rogress of the unit, 6ou must strictly enforce
orders against looting and e9*editiously dis*ose of %iolations against the
Uniform 4ode of 0ilitary 3ustice <U403=,

PART B - INTELLI2ENCE PREPARATION OF T3E
BATTLEFIELD
Intelligence *re*aration of the battlefield <I:B= is a 7ey element of o*erations conducted
in built"u* areas "" intelligence is an im*ortant *art of e%ery combat decision, -o succeed
as fighters in built"u* areas, you must 7no) the nature of built"u* areas and analy+e its
effect on both enemy and friendly forces, -his *art of the lesson consists of information
concerning the de%elo*ment of an I:B for any built"u* area,
1, /egional Urban 4haracteristics,
4ities of the )orld are characteri+ed by density of construction and *o*ulation, street
*atterns, com*artmentali+ation, and the *resence of utility systems, -he difference in
built"u* areas are in si+e, le%el of de%elo*ment, and style,
a, S*ecific 4haracteristics of Urban Areas, A summary of regional urban
characteristics follo)s,
<1= 0iddle $ast and North Africa, All nations in the region can be reached
by sea and urbani+ation rates are high, -his region has long, hot, dry
summers and mild )inters, ma7ing life outside cities difficult, In s*ite of
its %ast deserts, greater urban congestion has resulted, Ancient cities ha%e
e9*anded into the current metro*olises and many ne) cities ha%e been
created because of the *etroleum industry <mainly in the :ersian ulf=,
<(= 1atin America, 0ost urban centers can be reached by sea )ith many
ca*itals ser%ing as *orts, -his is a region )ith a mainly tro*ical climate, Its
architecture has a strong S*anish influence characteri+ed by broad a%enues
radiating out)ard from a central *la+a )ith a large church and to)n hall,
U**er and middle class sections combine )ith urban centers, )hile the
lo)er class sections are located further out,
<3= Far $ast, $9ce*t for 0ongolia, all nations in this region can be reached
by sea, Urbani+ation is dense, es*ecially in coastal cities )here modern
commercial centers are surrounded by %ast industrial de%elo*ments and
residential centers,
<@= South Asia, -his region has a great $uro*ean influence )ith )ide busy
streets )hich are o%ercro)ded, Urban centers may be com*osed mainly of
*oorer nati%e sections )ith fe) or no *ublic ser%ice and alleys no more
than a yard )ide,
<5= Southeast Asia, -his region also has strong $uro*ean influences )ith
all ca*itals and maCor cities ser%ing as sea*orts, Urban centers contain both
the older, high"density nati%e .uarters )ith tem*les or religious shrines,
and modern sections )ith boule%ards, *ar7s, and )arehouses,
<?= Sub"Sahara Africa, In contrast to other regions, this region cannot be
accessed by sea and has im*assable terrain, $9ce*t for a fe) 7ingdoms,
to)ns did not e9ist before the arri%al of the $uro*eans, As a result, urban
areas are relati%ely modern and )ithout an Bold .uarters,B although many
do ha%e Bshanty to)ns,B
b, 4haracteristics of Urban Areas, A ty*ical urban area consists of the city core,
commercial ribbon, core *eri*hery, residential s*ra)l, outlying industrial areas,
and outlying high"rise areas, $ach of the model>s regions has distincti%e
characteristics, 0ost urban areas resemble the generali+ed model sho)n in Figure
1"?,
Fi!"e 1-4# T)*i$al b!ilt-!* a"ea
<1= In most cities, the core has undergone more recent de%elo*ment than
the core *eri*hery, As a result the t)o regions are often .uite different,
-y*ical city cores of today are made u* of high"rise buildings, )hich %ary
greatly in height, 0odern *lanning for built"u* areas allo)s for more o*en
s*aces bet)een buildings than in old city cores or in core *eri*heries,
2utlying high"rise areas are dominated by this o*en construction style
more than city cores <Figures 1"8 and 1"#=,
Fi!"e 1-5# Cit) $o"e

Fi!"e 1-6# O!tl)in (i(-"ise a"ea
<(= 4ommercial ribbons are ro)s of stores, sho*s, and restaurants built
along both sides of maCor streets through built"u* areas, Usually, such
streets are (5 meters )ide or more, -he buildings are uniformly t)o to
three stories tall ""about one story taller than the d)ellings on the streets
behind them <Figure 1"!=,
Fi!"e 1-7# Co..e"$ial "ibbons
<3= -he core *eri*hery consists of streets 10 to (0 meters )ide )ith
continuous fronts of bric7 or concrete buildings, -he building heights are
fairly uniform "" t)o or three stories in small to)ns, 5 to 10 stories in large
cities <Figure 1"10=,
Fi!"e 1-1'# Co"e *e"i*(e")
<@= /esidential s*ra)l and outlying industrial areas consist of lo)
buildings one to three stories tall, Buildings are detached and arranged in
irregular *atterns along the streets )ith many o*en areas <Figures 1"11 and
1"1(=,
Fi!"e 1-11# Resi%ential s*"a+l

Fi!"e 1-1&# O!tl)in in%!st"ial a"eas
(, Analysis of Buildings,
An analysis of buildings *ro%ides essential information in de%elo*ing the conce*t of
combat o*erations in built"u* areas,
a, -y*es of 4onstruction, -he t)o basic ty*es of building construction are mass
<or frameless= and framed,
<1= 0ass"construction Buildings, 0ass"construction buildings are those in
)hich the outside )alls su**ort the )eight of the building and its contents,
-he older mass"construction buildings are usually made of thic7 bric7 or
stone )alls, 0ass"construction buildings normally ha%e thic7er )alls and
fe)er )indo)s than framed buildings, -he )indo)s must be aligned
%ertically so the )alls can su**ort the )eight of the building, Additional
su**ort es*ecially in )ide buildings, comes from using load"bearing
interior )alls, strong*oints <called *ilasters= on the e9terior )alls, cast"iron
interior columns, and arches or braces o%er the )indo)s and doors <Figure
1"13=, 0odern ty*es of mass"construction buildings are )all"and"slab
structures such as many modern a*artments and hotels, and Btilt"u*B
structures, commonly used for industry or storage, 0ass"construction
buildings are built in many )ays as follo)'
-he )alls can be built in *lace using bric7, bloc7, or *oured"in"
*lace concrete,
-he )alls can be *refabricated and Btilt"u*B or reinforced"concrete
*anels,
-he )alls can be *refabricated and assembled li7e a number of
bo9es,
Fi!"e 1-1,# Mass-$onst"!$tion b!il%in
<a= Bric7 Buildings, Bric7 buildings are the most common and
most im*ortant of the mass"construction buildings, In $uro*e, bric7
buildings are commonly co%ered )ith a stucco %eneer so the bric7s
do not sho) <Figure 1"1@=,
Fi!"e 1-10# B"i$- b!il%ins
2ne of the most common uses of bric7 buildings is the small
commercial store, -hese bric7 stores are found in all built"u* areas,
but most commonly in the core *eri*hery <Figure 1"15=,
Fi!"e 1-11# B"i$- sto"e
<b= ;arehouses, Another common mass"construction building in
industrial areas and along commercial ribbons is the )arehouse, It
is built of *oured"in"*lace concrete reinforced )ith steel bars or of
*refabricated )alls that are Btilt"u*,B -he )alls of )arehouses
*ro%ide good co%er although the roof is %ulnerable, -he
)arehouses> large o*en bays *ermit firing of antitan7 guided
missiles <A-0s= and, because they are normally found in
outlying areas, often afford ade.uate fields of fire for A-0s,
-hese buildings are built on slabs, )hich can normally su**ort the
)eight of %ehicles and can *ro%ide e9cellent co%er and
concealment for tan7s <Figure 1"1?=,
<c= Bo9")all Buildings, Another mass"construction building is the
bo9")all *rinci*le ty*e, It is made from *refabricated concrete
*anels, )hich are made u* of si9 to eight"inch"thic7 reinforced
concrete, -he outside )all is often glass, -he bo9")all *rinci*le
building *ro%ides good co%er, e9ce*t at the glass )all,
Fi!"e 1-14# Wa"e(o!se
-he rooms are normally too small for A-0s to be fired, A good
circulation *attern e9ists from room to room and from floor to
floor, -hese buildings are commonly used as hotels or a*artments
and are located in residential and outlying areas <Figure 1"18=,
Fi!"e 1-15# Bo8-+all *"in$i*le b!il%in
<d= :ublic athering :laces, :ublic gathering *laces <churches,
theaters= are mass"construction buildings )ith large, o*en interiors,
-he )alls *ro%ide good co%er, but the roof does not, -he interior
)alls are not load"bearing, and are normally easy to breach or
remo%e, -hese buildings ha%e ade.uate interior s*ace for firing
A-0s, -hey are often located ne9t to *ar7s or other o*en areas
and, therefore, ha%e fields of fire long enough for A-0s, :ublic
gathering *laces are most common in core, core *eri*hery,
residential, and outlying high"rise areas <Figure 1"1#=,
Fi!"e 1-16# P!bli$ at(e"in *la$e
<(= Frame 4onstruction, Framed buildings are su**orted by a s7eleton of
columns and beams, and are usually taller than frameless buildings, -he
e9terior )alls are not load"bearing and are referred to as either, hea%y"clad
or light"clad buildings, Aea%y"clad )alls )ere common )hen framed
buildings )ere first introduced, -heir )alls are made of bric7 and bloc7,
)hich are sometimes almost as thic7 as frameless bric7 )alls, although not
as *rotecti%e, 1ight"clad )alls are more modern and may be constructed
mostly of glass <Figure 1"1!=,
Fi!"e 1-17# F"a.e% b!il%ins
<a= Aea%y 4lad, Aea%y"clad framed buildings are found in core and
core *eri*hery areas, -hey can be recogni+ed by a classic style or
architecture in )hich each building is designed )ith three sections
"" the *ediment, shaft, and ca*ital, Unli7e the bric7 building, the
)alls are the same thic7ness on all floors, and the )indo)s are set
at the same de*th throughout, 2ften the frame members <the
columns= can be seen, es*ecially at the ground floor, -he cladding,
consisting of layers of terra cotta bloc7s, bric7, and stone %eneer,
does not *ro%ide as good a co%er as the )alls of bric7 buildings, It
*rotects against small"arms fire and light shra*nel, but does not
*ro%ide much *rotection against hea%y )ea*ons <Figure 1"(0=,
Fi!"e 1-&'# 3ea/)-$la% f"a.e b!il%in
-he floor *lans of these buildings de*end u*on their functions,
2ffice buildings normally ha%e small offices surrounding an
interior hall, -hese offices ha%e the same dimensions as the
distance bet)een columns <some large offices are as large as t)o
times the distance bet)een columns=, -hese rooms are too small to
*ermit firing of A-0s but do *ro%ide some co%er for sni*ers or
machine gunners <Figure 1"(1=,
Fi!"e 1-&1# Floo" *lan of (ea/)-$la% f"a.e% offi$e
b!il%in +it( offi$e an% .ilita") %etails
&e*artment stores normally ha%e large o*en interiors, Such areas
*ermit firing A-0s <if there are ade.uate fields of fire=, 2ften a
me++anine le%el )ith a large bac7blast area *ermits firing do)n
onto tan7s, Steel fire doors often e9ist bet)een sections of the store
<Figure 1"((=,
Fi!"e 1-&&# 3ea/)-$la% f"a.e% %e*a"t.ent sto"e
-he steel fire doors are acti%ated by heat, 2nce closed, they are
difficult to breach or force o*en, but they effecti%ely di%ide the
store into sections <Figure 1"(3=,
Fi!"e 1-&,# Fi"e +all an% fi"e %oo"
Another ty*e of hea%y"clad, framed building is used as a high"rise
factory <Figure 1"(@=, Such buildings can normally be easily
recogni+ed because the concrete beams and columns are %isible
from the outside, -hey are usually located in older industrial areas,
-he large )indo)s and o*en interior fa%or the use of A-0s,
Because the floors are often made to su**ort hea%y machinery, this
building *ro%ides good o%erhead co%er,
Fi!"e 1-&0# 3i(-"ise fa$to")
<b= 1ight 4lad, 0ost framed buildings built since ;orld ;ar II are
light"clad buildings, -hey are found in both core and outlying high"
rise regions, -heir )alls consist of a thin layer of bric7, light)eight
concrete, or glass, Such materials *ro%ide minimal *rotection
against any )ea*on, Ao)e%er, the floors of the buildings are much
hea%ier, and *ro%ide moderate o%erhead co%er <Figure 1"(5=,
Fi!"e 1-&1# Li(t-$la% f"a.e b!il%in
-he rooms in light"clad frame buildings are much bigger than those
in hea%y"clads, -his feature along )ith the> fact the buildings
usually stand detached from other buildings, fa%ors em*loyment of
A-0s, -he interior *artitions are thin and light, and are easy to
breach <Figure 1"(?=,
Fi!"e 1-&4# Roo.s in li(t-$la% f"a.e st"!$t!"e
<c= arage, Another ty*e of framed building is the garage, )hich is
often found in cities and has no cladding, -he garage is one of the
fe) buildings in an urban area in )hich all floors su**ort %ehicles,
It *ro%ides a means to ele%ate %ehicle"mounted, tube"launched,
o*tically"trac7ed, )ire"guided <missiles= <-2;s=, and the o*en
interiors *ermit firing of A-0s, arages are normally high
enough to *ro%ide a 3?0"degree field of fire for antiaircraft
)ea*ons, For e9am*le, a Stinger could hide under the to* floor of
the garage, come out to engage an aircraft and then ta7e co%er
again <Figure 1"(8=,
Fi!"e 1-&5# 2a"ae
b, Floor :lans, Floor *lans in buildings follo) *redictable *atterns, 2ne of the
factors that determines floor *lans is building sha*e <Figure 1"(#=, -he basic
*rinci*le go%erning building sha*e is that rooms normally ha%e access to outside
light, -his *rinci*le hel*s to analy+e and determine the floor *lans of large
buildings,
Fi!"e 1-&6# B!il%in s(a*es an% si9es
c, /esidential Areas, -he t)o basic ty*es of houses in the )estern )orld are
located in and around cities and in rural areas, 4ity houses are normally mass"
construction bric7 buildings )hile rural buildings in the continental U,S, are
commonly made of )ood, In ermany, )ood is e9tremely scarce and rural
buildings are normally constructed of concrete bloc7s <Figure 1"(!=,
Fi!"e 1-&7# T)*es of (o!sin
<1= Another common ty*e of building structure in $uro*e is called the
Aof"style a*artment building <Figure 1"30=,
Fi!"e 1-,'# 3of-st)le a*a"t.ent b!il%in
<(= In the mideast and tro*ical regions the most common housing is the
enclosed courtyard, Aouses are added one to another )ith little regard to
the street *attern, -he result is a croo7ed narro) ma+e )hich is harder to
mo%e through or fire in than dense $uro*ean areas <Figure 1"31=,
Fi!"e 1-,1# En$lose% $o!"t)a"%
c, 4haracteristics of Buildings, 4ertain characteristics of both mass"constructed
and frame"style buildings can be hel*ful in analy+ing a built"u* area <see Figure
1"3(=,
Fi!"e 1-,&# C(a"a$te"isti$s of b!il%ins
d, &istribution of Building -y*es, 4ertain ty*es of buildings dominate certain
*arts of a city )hich establishes *atterns )ithin a city, Analysis of the distribution
and nature of these *atterns has a direct bearing on military *lanning and )ea*on
selection <Figure 1"33=,
Fi!"e 1-,,# Dist"ib!tion of b!il%in t)*es
<1= 0ass 4onstruction, 0ass"construction buildings are the most
common structures in built"u* areas forming about t)o"thirds of all
building ty*es, Bric7 structures account for nearly ?0 *ercent of all
buildings es*ecially in $uro*e,
<(= 4ore Area, Steel and concrete framed multistory buildings ha%e
an im*ortance far beyond their one"third contribution to total
ground floor area, -hey occu*y core areas "" a city>s most %aluable
land "" )here, as centers of economic and *olitical *o)er, they
ha%e a high *otential military significance,
<3= 2*en S*ace, 2*en s*ace accounts for about 15 *ercent of an
a%erage city>s area, 0any o*en s*aces are grass"co%ered and are for
*ar7s, athletic fields and golf coursesD some are broad, *a%ed areas,
-he largest o*en s*aces are associated )ith suburban housing
de%elo*ments )here large tracts of land are recreation areas,
<@= Streets, Streets ser%ing areas consisting of mostly one ty*e of
building normally ha%e a common *attern, In do)nto)n areas for
e9am*le, high land %alues result in narro) streets, Street )idths are
grou*ed into three maCor classes' se%en to 15 meters, located in
medie%al sections of $uro*ean citiesD 15 to (5 meters, located in
ne)er *lanned sections of most cities, and @5 to 50 meters, located
along broad boule%ards or set far a*art on large *arcels of land, As
you can see in Figure 1"3@, )hen a street is narro), obser%ing or
firing into )indo)s of a building across the street can be difficult
because the obser%er is forced to loo7 along the building rather
than into its )indo)s, ;hen the street is )ider the obser%er has a
better chance to loo7 and fire into the )indo) o*enings,
Fi!"e 1-,0# Line-of-si(t %istan$es an% anles of obli:!it)
3, -errain and ;eather Analysis,
-errain analysis for the battle in a built"u* area differs significantly from that of o*en
country, )hereas a )eather analysis does not, Although s*ecial considerations *eculiar to
the urban en%ironment must be considered, a )eather analysis for urban combat is mostly
the same as for other o*erations,
a, Built"u* Area 4onsiderations of the I:B, Se%eral s*ecial considerations ha%e
im*lications in a terrain analysis and must be considered )hen de%elo*ing the
tactical *lan for combat, S*ecial terrain *roducts must be de%elo*ed to include
s*eciali+ed o%erlays, ma*s, and *lans augmented by %ertical or handheld imagery,
-he de*iction of N2"2, S12;"2, 7ey terrain, obstacles, and a%enues of
a**roachEmobility corridors must focus on the terrain analysis,
<1= 0ilitary ma*s, normally the basic tactical terrain analysis tools, do not
*ro%ide sufficient detail for a terrain analysis in built"u* areas, &ue to
gro)th, to)ns and cities are constantly adding ne) structures and
demolishing e9isting ones, -herefore, any ma* of a built"u* area,
including city ma*s or *lans *ublished by the city, state, or national
go%ernment, )ill be inaccurate and obsolete,
<(= -he nature of combat can radically alter the terrain in a built"u* area in
a short *eriod, Incidental or intentional demolition of structures can
change the to*ogra*hy of an area and destroy reference *oints, create
obstacles to mobility, and *ro%ide additional defensi%e *ositions for
defenders,
<3= 0a*s and diagrams of the follo)ing are of 7ey im*ortance during
urban o*erations'
Se)er systems,
Sub)ay systems,
Underground )ater systems,
$le%ated rail)ays,
0ass transit routes,
FuelEgas su**ly and storage facilities,
$lectric *o)er stations and emergency systems,
0ass communications facilities <radio, tele*hone=,
Se)er and sub)ay systems *ro%ide co%ered infiltration and small"unit
a**roach routes, $le%ated rail)ays and mass transit routes *ro%ide
mobility bet)een city sectors and *oint to locations )here obstacles might
be e9*ected, Utility facilities are 7ey targets for insurgents, guerrillas, and
terrorists and their destruction can hinder the ca*abilities of a defending
force,
<@= 4ertain *ublic buildings must be identified during the terrain"analysis
*hase of an I:B, Aos*itals, clinics, and surgical facilities are critical
because the la)s of )ar *rohibit their attac7 )hen not being used for
military *ur*oses other than medical su**ort, As command and control
brea7s do)n during urban o*erations, hos*itals become an im*ortant
source of medical su**ort to combat forces, -he locations of ci%il defense
air raid shelters and food su**lies are critical in dealing )ith ci%ilian
affairs, -he same is true during insurgency, guerilla, or terrorist actions,
<5= Stadiums, *ar7s, s*orts fields, and school *laygrounds are of high
interest during both con%entional and uncon%entional o*erations in built"
u* areas, -hey *ro%ide ci%ilian holding areas, interrogation centers,
insurgent segregation areas, and *risoner of )ar holding facilities, -hese
o*en areas also *ro%ide helico*ter landing sites, -hese areas *ro%ide
logistic su**ort areas and offer air resu**ly *ossibilities because they are
often centrally located )ithin a city or city district,
<?= 4onstruction sites and commercial o*erations are of interest such as
lumberyards, bric7yards, steelyards, and railroad maintenance yards, -hey
ser%e as *rimary sources of obstacle and barrier construction materials
)hen rubble is not *resent or is insufficient, -hey can also *ro%ide
engineers )ith materials to strengthen e9isting rubble obstacles or )ith
materials for antitan7 hedgehogs or crib"ty*e roadbloc7s,
<8= /oads, streams, and bridges *ro%ide high"s*eed a%enues of mo%ement,
-hey also *ro%ide su**orting engineer units locations to analy+e as
demolition targets and to estimate re.uirements for e9*losi%es,
<#= :ublic baths, s)imming facilities, and cisterns are useful in *ro%iding
bathing facilities, -hese facilities also *ro%ide an alternate )ater source
)hen *ublic utilities brea7 do)n,
<!= A close liaison and )or7ing relationshi* should be de%elo*ed )ith
local go%ernment officials and military forces, In addition to information
on items of s*ecial interest, they may *ro%ide information on the
*o*ulation, si+e, and density of the built"u* areaD fire fighting ca*abilitiesD
the location of ha+ardous materialsD *olice and security ca*abilitiesD ci%il
e%acuation *lansD and 7ey *ublic buildings, -hey may also *ro%ide $nglish
translators if needed,
b, 0ilitary As*ects of Urban -errain, Urban terrain analysis is based on the fi%e
military as*ects of terrain in res*ect to indi%idual buildings and street layouts, -he
restricti%e nature of urban terrain causes concern )ith minimum rather than
ma9imum )ea*on ranges,
<1= 2bser%ation and Fields of Fire,
<a= &ense /andom 4onstruction, ;ea*on ranges and obser%ation
distances seldom e9tend more than 100 meters, Narro) streets limit
tan7 turret tra%erse and do not allo) for minimum A-0 ranges,
Buildings and narro) streets restrict the de*loyment of hea%y
direct"fire )ea*ons, Short obser%ation distances and fields of fire
re.uire assigning small sectors to defending units,
<b= 4losed"orderly Bloc7, 2bser%ation and fields of fire e9tend u*
to 350 meters and are sufficient for hea%y direct"fire )ea*ons and
A-0s in most areas, Streets and o*en areas *ermit establishing
normal su**orting fires, Indirect fire obser%ation is limited by
numerous tall buildings and smo7e, Flan7ing fires can normally be
established along straight sections and in other o*en s*aces,
Attac7ing forces re.uire small narro) attac7 +ones and high troo*
density,
<c= &is*ersed /esidential Area, ;inding streets often reduce
)ea*on ranges to less than (50 meters, but straight street sections
usually e9tend )ea*on ranges, Buildings, hedges, bushes, )alls,
and other obstructions limit the effecti%eness of small"arms,
A-0s, and hea%y direct"fire )ea*ons, -he defender can establish
mutually su**orting fires )hile the attac7er cannot,
<d= Aigh"rise Areas, Both offensi%e and defensi%e o*erations may
establish mutually su**orting fires bet)een buildings, 0a9imum
)ea*on ranges are achie%ed by *ositioning )ea*ons in the u**er
stories of buildings,
<e= IndustrialEtrans*ortation Areas, -hese areas are often situated
on the outs7irts of cities, 2*en areas *ro%ide e9cellent obser%ation
and fields of fire o%er the entire area and facilitate close air su**ort
<4AS= and indirect fires em*loyment, Smo7e from burning fuel
storage could hinder accurate fire direction,
<(= 4o%er and 4oncealment,
<a= &ense /andom 4onstruction, Buildings *ro%ide many
concealed infantry *ositions and isolated armored %ehicle *ositions,
-hic7 masonry, stone, and bric7 )alls offer *rotection from direct
fire, Ade.uate o%erhead *rotection is found only in basements
since most roofs, ceilings, and floors are constructed of )ood or
*laster, Underground systems offer *rotection and often *ermit
mo%ement bet)een battle *ositions,
<b= 4losed"orderly Bloc7, Aea%y construction *ro%ides *rotection
against direct and indirect fires, Ao)e%er buildings selected for
shelter must be e%aluated for their ability to )ithstand colla*se,
Underground systems are e9tensi%e and *ro%ide storage areas,
*rotection, and mobility, -hose underground systems not used must
not be bloc7ed by either obstacles or maneu%er elements,
Ad%ancing along o*en streets should be a%oided if *ossible,
<c= &is*ersed /esidential Areas, ;alls, fences, hedges, and houses
*ro%ide limited co%er and concealment, 2%erhead *rotection
%aries, but basement *ositions usually *ro%ide sufficient o%erhead
co%er, 4onstruction often *ermits the concealment of and *ro%ides
limited co%er for armored %ehicles,
<d= Aigh"rise Areas, Aigh"rise structures *ro%ide *rotection from
indirect fires but, only limited *rotection from direct fires, 4o%er
and concealment are often not a%ailable unless adCacent buildings
are secured, Attac7ing forces must em*loy hea%y co%ering fire,
smo7e, and ra*id mo%ement from one building to another,
<e= IndustrialEtrans*ortation Areas, 1ittle co%er and concealment is
a%ailable in these areas due to the construction and the dis*ersed
nature of the buildings, Some concealment is offered by buildings
but shed"ty*e buildings should be a%oided,
<3= 2bstacles,
<a= &ense /andom 4onstruction, Narro) streets )ith buildings
constructed directly on the street facilitate the construction or
creation of obstacles, &emolition of structures creates instant
rubble obstacles,
<b= 4lose"orderly Bloc7, ;ider streets and hea%y construction
ma7e rubble less of an obstacle, 2bstacles are difficult to construct,
2nce constructed, obstacles are difficult to reduce or by*ass
because they are easily controlled by fire,
<c= &is*ersed /esidential Areas, /ubble is not a significant
obstacle, 0ost obstacles in the streets are easily by*assed, but they
do reduce mobility,
<d= Aigh"rise Areas, 0ines bet)een buildings are the most
effecti%e obstacles, /ubble is not a factor unless maCor structures
are destroyed,
<e= IndustrialEtrans*ortation Areas, /ailyards, ele%ated rail)ays,
and road)ays, ram*s, loading doc7s, numerous high"tension lines,
canals, o%er*asses, *i*elines, and o%erhead obstructions such as
cranes create significant obstacles to mo%ement, Armored %ehicles
should a%oid railyards if *ossible, /ailroad trac7s .uic7ly damage
%ehicles and the o*en yards *ro%ide e9cellent defensi%e fields of
fire, /ubble is normally easily by*assed,
<@= Fey -errain $9am*les, -he follo)ing are e9am*les of 7ey terrain'
Sub)ay systems,
Se)er systems,
Underground )ater systems,
Utility <gas and electric= generation, holding, and transmission
facilities,
-ele*hone e9changes,
/adio and tele%ision stations,
/ail and transit ser%ice connecting *oints,
Stadiums, *ar7s, s*orts fields, and schoolyards,
-all buildings <roofto*s=,
<5= A%enues of A**roach,
<a= -he battalion is the most effecti%e force of any si+e )hich can
be em*loyed under urban conditions, -herefore a%enues of
a**roach are analy+ed only for battalion and smaller"unit
o*erations,
<b= A%enues of a**roach are dictated by the urban *attern and the
actual mission, and co%er unusually narro) frontages, ;hen
*ossible, multi*le a%enues are em*loyed to *ermit flan7ing and
rear"area attac7s in su**ort of the main effort, <See Figure 1"35 for
the )idths of a%enues of a**roach in the fi%e basic ty*es of urban
terrain,=,
Fi!"e 1-,1# Wi%t(s of a/en!es of a**"oa$(
c, &e%elo*ment of 2%erlays, -he modified combined obstacle o%erlay <0422=
sho)s the *atterns of construction <for e9am*le, high"rise, dis*ersed residential,
etc,= in the area and de*icts 7no)n obstacles and a%enues of a**roachEmobility
corridors, -he a%enue of a**roachEmobility corridor o%erlay sho)s urban
underground systems and should be *re*ared )hen a**ro*riate,
<1= An 0422 is *re*ared using ma*s of the built"u* area or *hoto ma*s
of the city, If ma*s are not a%ailable, imagery of the built"u* area should
be annotated )ith the information,
<(= An a%enue of a**roachEmilitary corridor o%erlay for urban
underground systems is re.uired in areas )here the underground systems
<se)er, )ater, sub)ay, gas, steam, or tele*hone= ha%e *i*es, tunnels, or
cul%erts large enough for an indi%idual to cra)l through, -he o%erlay
should sho) the si+e of the tunnels, *i*es, and cul%erts and their
a**ro9imate orientation, 4olor"coding hel*s to distinguish systems of
%arious ty*es and si+es, Subsurface a%enues of a**roachEmobility
corridors are listed in order of *riority based on the li7elihood of use,
d, S*ecial ;eather 4onsiderations, Some )eather effects *eculiar to an urban
en%ironment are discussed in the follo)ing *aragra*hs,
<1= /ain or melting sno) often floods basements and sub)ay systems,
-his is es*ecially true )hen automatic *um*ing facilities that normally
handle rising )ater le%els are de*ri%ed of *o)er, /ain also ma7es storm
and other se)er systems ha+ardous or im*assable, 4hemical agents are
)ashed into underground systems by *reci*itation, As a result, these
systems contain agent concentrations much higher than surface areas and
become contaminated Bhot s*ots,B -hese effects become more *ronounced
as agents are absorbed by bric7 or unsealed concrete se)er )alls,
<(= 0any maCor cities are located along canals or ri%ers )hich often
creates a *otential for fog in the lo)"lying areas, IndustrialEtrans*ortation
areas are the most affected by fog due to their *ro9imity to )ater)ays,
<3= Air in%ersion layers are common o%er cities es*ecially cities located in
lo)"lying Bbo)lsB or in ri%er %alleys, In%ersion layers tra* dust and other
*ollutants reducing %isibility, and often creating a greenhouse effect )hich
causes a rise in ground and air tem*erature,
<@= -he heating of buildings during the )inter, and the reflection and
absor*tion of summer heat ma7es built"u* areas )armer than surrounding
o*en areas during both summer and )inter, -his difference can be as great
as 10 to (0 degrees, and can add to the already high logistics re.uirements
of urban combat,
<5= ;indchill is not as *ronounced in built"u* areas, Ao)e%er, the
configuration of streets, es*ecially in closed"orderly bloc7 and high"rise
areas, can cause )ind canali+ation, -his increases the effects of the )ind
on streets *aralleling the )ind direction, )hile cross"streets remain
relati%ely )ell *rotected,
<?= 1ight data <day, night, reduced %isibility, etc,= ha%e s*ecial significance
during urban o*erations, Night and *eriods of reduced %isibility fa%or
sur*rise, infiltration, detailed reconnaissance, attac7s across o*en areas,
sei+ure of defended strong*oints, and reduction of defended obstacles,
Ao)e%er, the difficulties of night na%igation in restricti%e terrain, )ithout
reference *oints and near the enemy, forces reliance on sim*le maneu%er
*lans )ith easily recogni+able obCecti%es,
@, -hreat 2ffensi%e 2*erations,
Although the doctrine established by the former ;arsa) :act nations em*hasi+ed
by*assing built"u* areas, their commanders recogni+ed the need to *re*are for combat in
these areas, Since %irtually e%ery ideology antagonistic to U,S, interests )as trained and
e.ui**ed by the former So%iet bloc to a large e9tent, the continued study of So%iet
doctrine )ill be e9ceedingly %alid for the foreseeable future, -hreat doctrine states that
formations attac7ing across de%elo*ed regions should e9*ect to encounter at least one
large built"u* area e%ery @0 to ?0 7m, as )ell as many %illages and stri* areas restricting
or bloc7ing a%enues of a**roach, -he decision to attac7 built"u* areas could be based on
tactical, strategic, or *olitical considerations and )ould normally be made at Army le%el
or abo%e, -hreat forces )ould attac7 urban areas to accom*lish the follo)ing'
-o sei+e *olitical, industrial, logistical, and communications facilities,
-o destroy defending forces )ithin a built"u* area,
-o gain *assage through a built"u* area that cannot be by*assed,
a, -y*es of Attac7s, -hreat doctrine *rescribes t)o ty*es of attac7s for sei+ing a
built"u* area' the sur*rise attac7 <also called an attac7 from the march= and the
deliberate attac7,
<1= Sur*rise Attac7, A sur*rise attac7 is the *referred form of sei+ing a
built"u* area, It is a fast, bold mo%ement from the line of march by a
strong for)ard detachment to sei+e an undefended or lightly defended
built"u* area, A successful sur*rise attac7 )ould a%oid a costly and long
street"by"street, house"to"house battle, and )ould *ermit the attac7ing
force to mo%e through the city )ithout losing momentum, -he sur*rise
attac7 often see7s to ca*ture intact 7ey facilities such as bridges, railroads,
airfields, industrial com*le9es, and utilities,
<a= -he for)ard detachment is normally a reinforced motori+ed
rifle battalion of a motori+ed rifle di%ision gi%en the sur*rise attac7
mission, -he for)ard detachment normally by*asses defending
troo*s on the built"u* area>s a**roaches, If light resistance is
encountered, the for)ard detachment sei+es the most im*ortant
obCecti%es <buildings or bridges= and 7ey streets, s*litting the area
into isolated *oc7ets of resistance so they can be destroyed
*iecemeal, -he attac7ing force lea%es stay"behind elements in
*ositions they ha%e cleared to 7ee* the )ithdra)ing forces from
reestablishing a defense and reoccu*ying *ositions through the
area,
<b= If the sur*rise attac7 fails, the for)ard detachment tries to sei+e
a foothold in the outs7irts or an adCacent 7ey terrain feature and
)aits for the main body to arri%e,
<c= Airborne or heliborne forces su**ort ground for)ard
detachments by sealing off flan7s or the rear of the obCecti%e area,
-hese forces could also be em*loyed as a for)ard detachment to be
used directly in or around the built"u* area, A for)ard detachment
o*erating outside the range of for)ard artillery )ould normally
recei%e intensi%e reconnaissance and 4AS from high"*erformance
aircraft and helico*ters,
<(= &eliberate Attac7, A deliberate attac7 is conducted )hen the sur*rise
attac7 fails or )hen the built"u* area is )ell defended, -his attac7 )ould
in%ol%e a larger force, re.uire more *re*aration, and ha%e more artillery,
mortar, and roc7et su**ort than a sur*rise attac7,
<a= Isolation of the obCecti%e city is accom*lished by denying
reinforcement and resu**ly of city defenders and by bloc7ing
esca*e routes, -he si+e and com*osition of the force tas7ed )ith
isolating an obCecti%e city are determined by the area>s si+e, sha*e,
and adCacent terrain, A motori+ed rifle regiment might ha%e t)o
motori+ed rifle battalions to isolate the city, An e9it could be
intentionally *ermitted to lure defenders out of the city and into
o*en terrain )here they could be attac7ed, After isolating the city,
other units conducts a siege )hile the isolation force brea7s contact
and continues its ad%ance, If his timetable *ermits, the attac7ing
commander conducts a siege to a%oid a costly direct assault <Figure
1"3?=,
<b= /econnaissance is continuous during all *hases of the deliberate
attac7, Infiltrators disguised as refugees, or other reconnaissance
units, can o*erate in a built"u* area for as long as si9 days before
an assault, /econnaissance information can be su**lemented by
studying city ma*s and *lans, and by obtaining current information
from local residents, /econnaissance teams might conduct raids to
ca*ture *risoners and documents, or to destroy *o)er systems and
other 7ey facilities, So%iet troo*s )ould ha%e conducted e9tensi%e
reconnaissance to learn of the follo)ing'
Fi!"e 1-,4# Isolation of t(e ob;e$ti/e $it)
&efensi%e dis*ositions,
4o%ered a**roaches,
1ocations and strengths of defensi%e strong*oints on the
city>s outer edge,
0ain routes through the area,
Fey buildings dominating the built"u* area,
Underground *assages,
<c= An intense *reassault bombardment )ith ho)it+ers, roc7ets,
mortars, and high"*erformance aircraft )ould *recede the
deliberate attac7, :riority of fires )ould be allocated to the main
attac7 to destroy defensi%e *ositions on the city>s edge, Artillery
attached to assaulting units normally )ould not *artici*ate in the
bombardment but )ould be reser%ed for direct fire su**ort, 2ther
goals of the bombardment are to destroy communications facilities,
hea%y )ea*ons *ositions, command *osts, tall structures, troo*
em*lacements, and reser%es,
Inca*acitating or non*ersistent, lethal chemicals could be em*loyed
during the bombardment to inflict casualties )hile *re%enting the
destruction of 7ey facilities,
Smo7e is usually em*loyed during artillery *re*arations to
su**ress the defender )hile attac7ing forces negotiate obstacles on
the a**roaches and )ithin the obCecti%e area,
Any em*loyment of nuclear )ea*ons *robably )ould ha%e
occurred during the bombardment if the city>s facilities )ere not
needed to su**ort future o*erations, Nuclear )ea*ons could ha%e
been em*loyed on the city>s edge to ru*ture outer defenses to
*ermit a ra*id assault into the city>s center, or they might ha%e been
used )ithin the city>s center to destroy defending reser%es,
<d= -hreat forces )ould attac7 to secure a foothold and 7ey
obCecti%es during or immediately follo)ing the bombardment, 2ne
or t)o battalions might attac7 each 7ilometer of the city>s
circumference, Attac7ing units )ould be em*loyed on the most
fa%orable a%enues of a**roach, Simultaneous attac7s on the flan7s
and in the rear )ould ca*ture s*ecific obCecti%es and fragment the
defenses, Ao)e%er, frontal assaults )ould be conducted only )hen
a city cannot be flan7ed,
b, 2rgani+ation, A motori+ed rifle di%ision <0/&=, organi+ed according to So%iet
doctrine, usually has one motori+ed rifle regiment <0//= conduct the main attac7
of a built"u* area, ;ithin this 0// there are three reinforced motori+ed rifle
battalions <0/Bs= called assault detachments, )hich are the basic enemy units in
city )arfare,
<1= 2ne reinforced assault detachment is designated as the main attac7
force, -his battalion is reinforced by attaching a tan7 com*any, a battery
of self"*ro*elled artillery for direct fire, an antitan7 gun battery, an
engineer *latoon, and an NB4 reconnaissance com*any, An additional
artillery battalion might be *laced in direct su**ort for indirect fire in the
battalion>s +one,
<(= 0otori+ed rifle com*anies, designated as grou*s, are organi+ed )ithin
the 0/B, ;hen conducting the main attac7, motori+ed rifle com*anies are
reinforced )ith a tan7 *latoon, artillery battery, chemical and
flamethro)er units, and an engineer s.uad, 2ften the battalion antitan7
gun *latoon is attached to the motori+ed rifle com*any *erforming the
main attac7, $lements of units attached to motori+ed rifle com*anies often
are further attached do)n to *latoon le%el, gi%ing each *latoon at least one
tan7 or artillery gun, -hese attachments allo) inde*endent o*erations by
*latoons in sei+ing their obCecti%es, -hese attachments could be made
do)n to s.uad le%el,
<3= -he second echelon 0//s and 0/Bs are organi+ed the same as the
main attac7 elements <first echelon=, -his arrangement allo)s for
re*lacement of the first echelon )ithout changing attachments during the
battle,
c, Su**orting $lements, Units conducting the main attac7 are reinforced )ith a
%ariety of su**orting elements,
<1= -an7s, -an7s su**orting motori+ed rifle com*anies may be em*loyed
by *latoons in sections or singly )ith a motori+ed rifle s.uad, A rifle
s.uad mo%es )ith each tan7 and *ro%ides close security, relying on the
tan7 for *rotection and fire su**ort, -he lead tan7 normally fires at lo)er
)indo)s and doors of buildings )hile follo)ing tan7s fire into u**er
floors on both sides of the street, -an7s also su**ort the attac7 by firing on
sus*ected *ositions, destroying barricades, and engaging o**osing armor,
<(= Artillery, /ussian forces recogni+ed the difficulty of centrali+ed fire
control and the decreased effecti%eness of indirect fire in cities, For these
reasons o%er half of their artillery may be attached and em*loyed in a
direct"fire role, -he artillery commander is normally located )ith the
motori+ed rifle battalion commander,
<a= &irect fire is used to create breaches in buildings, )alls, and
barricades, uns dis*lace for)ard alternately under co%er of hea%y
fire from other guns, tan7s, and motori+ed rifle units, ;ithin the
city, self"*ro*elled artillery )ea*ons are often em*loyed as assault
)ea*ons and are attached to infantry *latoons and s.uads,
<b= &i%ision artillery grou*s under di%ision centrali+ed control are
used in a counterfire role, 0assed fire from these batteries of hea%y
artillery is used against large buildings or fortified *ositions, 2ther
missions for the di%ision artillery grou* include interdiction and
destruction of the defender>s su**ly installations, head.uarters, and
communications centers,
<3= Antiaircraft Artillery, &octrine of former so%iet em*loys antiaircraft
)ea*ons to *rotect artillery em*lacements, e9*osed signal installations,
and ammunition dum*s <mobile 4:s normally mo%e into buildings
offering *rotection=, -he 01!#?, GSU (3"@, (S?, GSU 58"(, GU, and G:U
multi*le machine guns are also used to su**ress the defending force>s
)ea*ons on the u**er stories of buildings, -he lighter antiaircraft )ea*ons
are often mounted on roofto*s, $m*loyment of air su**ort is usually for
reconnaissance, fire adCustment, and air defense,
<@= 4lose Air Su**ort, 4AS from fighters is usually aimed at *re%enting
the mo%ement of reser%es or reinforcement of the defenders in a to)n,
<5= 0ortars, 0ortars co%er the defender>s routes of mo%ement such as
street intersections and alleys, -hey are em*laced close to their targets,
behind )alls or inside buildings )ith destroyed roofs, From these
concealed *ositions, mortars can *rom*tly *ro%ide effecti%e fire su**ort
for assault grou*s,
<?= $ngineers, $ngineers are attached to motori+ed rifle com*anies and
gi%en one of the follo)ing missions'
Breach obstacles on a**roaches to the built"u* area,
4lear *assages through rubble and barricades,
Bloc7 or clear underground *assages,
4lear or lay mines as re.uired,
<8= Flamethro)er Units, -hese units are attached to bloc7 or clear both
abo%eground and underground *assages,
d, 4onduct of the Attac7, -he conduct of the attac7 in%ol%es the engineer element
and the first" and second"echelon assault grou*s, -here are se%eral o*tions as to
their em*loyment de*ending u*on the a%ailability of fire su**ort,
<1= &uring or immediately after *re*aratory fires, engineers mo%e for)ard
under the co%er of smo7e )ith e9*losi%es to neutrali+e barriers and to
breach minefields on routes into the city, First"echelon assault grou*s
attac7 to secure a foothold t)o or three bloc7s dee* on the city>s edge,
After securing the initial foothold and ru*turing the outer defenses, the
first echelon may continue to attac7 or the second echelon may *ass
through the foothold and attac7 along designated streets from one
obCecti%e to another,
<(= -he attac7 )ithin the city is characteri+ed by bold, ra*id mo%ements to
secure assigned obCecti%es, Buildings along the route are not
systematically searched or cleared unless resistance )as strong, By*assed
defenders aren>t left to be eliminated by the follo)"on echelons or reser%e,
If the leading echelon is sto**ed or slo)ed, the follo)"on echelons or
reser%e may be committed to continue to the obCecti%e,
<3= &etected )ea7nesses in defenses are e9*loited by mounted attac7s,
Infantry mounted on tan7s, fighting %ehicles, or truc7s mo%e along streets
to their assigned obCecti%es,
<@= In the assault of an obCecti%e, the assaulting forces tries to isolate the
*osition by fire or by securing adCacent buildings, Isolation is stressed to
*re%ent defenders from esca*ing to a rear)ard *osition and to deny
reinforcement, Attached artillery and tan7s are used to su**ress defensi%e
fires and to breach )alls for assaulting infantry,
<5= Ad%ances along streets are a%oided to reduce e9*osure to effecti%e fire,
&octrine of the former So%iet>s stresses the use of co%ered routes such as
a%ailable sub)ays, tunnels, and se)ers, Artillery and tan7s may create
co%ered routes by blasting through inter%ening building )alls, 2nce the
assault of the obCecti%e began, su**orting fires shift to u**er stories and to
adCacent buildings, Assaulting infantry clear in se.uence, the ground floor,
basement, stair)ays, and each higher floor, 2nce secured, the *osition is
*re*ared to re*el counter"attac7s,
<?= After securing battalion obCecti%es and neutrali+ing defensi%e
o**osition, assault forces mo%e beyond the city to minimi+e the ris7 of
nuclear or chemical attac7 )hile massed in the city, &etailed clearance
o*erations are normally *assed to follo)ing units or to security
formations,
e, Night Attac7, Night o*erations are conducted by the former So%iets in built"u*
areas to accom*lish the follo)ing'
By*ass outlying %illages being used by the defenders,
Sei+e initial obCecti%es on the city>s edge )hich could be reached only by
an attac7 across o*en ground,
Attac7 across o*en areas <*ar7s, streets= )ithin cities,
Sei+e strong*oints,
/educe street obstacles )hich are )ell *rotected by mines and co%ered by
fires,
$9*loit successes of daylight o*erations by 7ee*ing *ressure on the
defense,
<1= ;ith e9tensi%e night training and by use of night %ision e.ui*ment the
former So%iets could be effecti%e in night o*erations, -heir forces )ere
e.ui**ed )ith night %ie)ers, night dri%ing and aiming de%ices, and
sni*ersco*es, -heir doctrine stresses habitually attac7ing during reduced
%isibility,
<(= Night attac7s are normally *receded by detailed reconnaissance,
/econnaissance units attem*t to infiltrate the obCecti%es to obtain detailed
information and to guide assault forces, -he difficulty of night na%igation
in cities and the *ro9imity of defending forces fa%or a sim*le maneu%er
*lan )ith close, easily recogni+ed obCecti%es,
<3= 0otori+ed rifle assault forces normally attac7 in one echelon )ith units
de*loyed on line, Sur*rise is achie%ed by )ithholding fire su**ort until
after the infantry assault has been detected, 2nce the attac7 is disco%ered,
direct"su**ort artillery illuminates the obCecti%e, Attached tan7s and
artillery then Coin assault forces and su**ress the defenses )ith direct fires,
;hen sur*rise cannot be achie%ed, night assaults may be *receded by
direct fire against strongly defended buildings, &irect su**ort artillery and
mortars attem*t to seal off the obCecti%e area )ith indirect fire,
Illumination guides forces, illuminates obCecti%es, and blinds the defender,
After securing obCecti%es, assault forces consolidate to re*el
counterattac7s,
5, -hreat &efensi%e 2*erations,
;hile recogni+ing the need to defend built"u* areas, ;arsa) :act doctrine stresses the
need to establish a defense )ell for)ard in order to engage and defeat the attac7er on the
a**roaches and flan7s of the built"u* area, -he forces of the former So%iet )ould re%ert
to defense of a built"u* area only under the follo)ing conditions'
Attac7ing forces brea7 through for)ard defenses,
-he area is of *olitical, strategic, or economic im*ortance,
-he area is a sea*ort or other critical communications or trans*ortation com*le9,
a, -y*es of &efenses, &octrine of the former So%iet *rescribes the 0/B to defend
as *art of a regimental"si+e unit, Strong*oints constitute each defensi%e *osition,
Fires are coordinated bet)een strong*oints, 4ommunication trenches are *re*ared
bet)een and )ithin *ositions, Ambushes are set u* in the ga*s bet)een defensi%e
*ositions, Structures im*eding effecti%e fire are demolished,
b, 2rgani+ation, 0/B defenses are generally organi+ed into t)o echelons to
*ro%ide greater de*th and reser%es, 4om*any strong*oints are *re*ared for
*erimeter defense and form the basis for the battalion defensi%e *osition, -he
reser%e is located in a se*arate strong*oint,
<1= -he rear ser%ice areas are selected to ca*itali+e on the concealment and
co%er afforded by the built"u* area, &ummy strong*oints are constructed
to decei%e the enemy, and *ositions for securing and defending the
entrances to and e9its from underground structures and routes are
established, Security *ositions are *re*ared for)ard of first"echelon
defensi%e *ositions,
<(= ;ithin a built"u* area, a com*any may defend se%eral buildings )ith
mutually su**orting fires or a single large building, $ach *latoon defends
one or t)o buildings or one or t)o floors of a single building, Strong*oints
are normally *re*ared in solidly constructed buildings, at intersections, at
entrances to *ublic *ar7s and s.uares, or adCacent to bridges,
c, 0issions, -he 0/B defends as *art of a regimental"si+e unit on a main or
secondary a%enue of a**roach, -he battalion can be in the first or second echelon,
or in the reser%e,
<1= 2n the main a%enue of a**roach <first echelon=, the 0/B ta7es the
follo)ing actions'
/ecei%es the main attac7,
Inflicts decisi%e damage on the attac7ing forces to *re%ent a
brea7through,
<(= ;hen in the second echelon, or, on a secondary a%enue of a**roach,
the 0/B'
:re%ents flan7ing and rear"area attac7s,
Aolds defended sites,
:re%ents further ad%ances by an attac7ing force that has *enetrated
the built"u* area,
4onducts counterattac7s to restore first"echelon *ositions,
<3= -he reser%e 0/B'
/einforces or re*laces the first"echelon battalion,
4o%ers breaches caused by chemical and nuclear )ea*ons,
Aolds dee* sites )hose retention is %ital to the o%erall defense,
$9tinguishes or contains fires threatening friendly forces,
4onducts rear area security,
?, -hreat $%aluation and Integration,
-he threat e%aluation *rocess for urban combat uses a three"ste* *rocess' de%elo* a threat
data base, determine enemy ca*abilities, and de%elo* a doctrinal tem*late file as threat
e%aluation for o*en terrain, Ao)e%er, direct the focus of the e%aluation effort to)ard
battalion"si+e and smaller o*erations as units of this si+e are considered the most
effecti%e for urban o*erations, -hreat integration for the urban battle is accom*lished
through the de%elo*ment of situation, e%ent, and decision su**ort tem*lates,
8, 4ounterinsurgency, 4ounterguerrilla, and 4ounterterrorist 2*erations, &uring urban
counterinsurgency, counterguerilla, and counterterrorist o*erations, your threat e%aluation
is similar to that for lo)"intensity conflict,
a, :o*ulation status o%erlays are *re*ared for the obCecti%e city sho)ing *otential
neighborhoods or districts )here a hostile *o*ulation could be encountered, Also
*re*ared are o%erlays sho)ing insurgentEterrorist safe houses, head.uarters,
7no)n o*erating areas, contact *oints, and )ea*ons su**ly sources, 6our
o%erlays )ill include buildings )hich are 7no)n, or could become, e9*losi%es,
ammunition, or )ea*ons storage sites,
b, Underground routes are of *rimary concern )hen considering insurgent and
terrorist a%enues of a**roach and lines of communications, Se)ers, sub)ays,
tunnels, cisterns, and basements *ro%ide mobility, concealment, co%er, and
storage sites for insurgents and terrorists, $le%ated rail)ays, *edestrian
o%er*asses, roofto*s, fire esca*es, balconies, and access ladders *ro%ide mobility
and concealment and can ser%e as relati%ely good fighting or sni*er *ositions,
c, Although doctrinal tem*lates are not de%elo*ed for urban insurgency and
terrorist o*erations, *attern analysis )ill re%eal ho) the insurgent or terrorist
grou* o*erates and )hat its *rimary targets are, 2nce the grou*>s method of
o*eration is determined, you can de%elo* insurgent tra* ma*s, -hese ma*s should
*in*oint li7ely sabotage targets, 7idna* or assassination targets, ambush *oints,
and bombing targets, ;hen de%elo*ing these ma*s, consider the follo)ing as
*rimary insurgent and terrorist targets'
$lectric *o)er generation and transmission facilities,
as *roduction and holding facilities,
;ater and se)er *um*ing and treatment *lants,
-ele*hone e9changes and facilities,
/adio and tele%ision stations,

PART C - OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
ood co%er and concealment in a built"u* area gi%es its defenders the ad%antage ""
attac7ers must fight from the outside into a )ell"defended *osition, ;hile a decision to
attac7 a maCor built"u* area usually rests at a le%el higher than battalion, commanders at
all le%els must be *re*ared to fight in such areas, A commander may attac7 a built"u*
area to achie%e the follo)ing ad%antages'
-o secure and control critical features <bridges, road nets=,
-o return the area to friendly control for *olitical reasons,
-o contain an enemy force,
Because it cannot be by*assed,
A%oid attac7s on built"u* areas )hen the follo)ing conditions are *resent'
Sei+ure of the area is not re.uired to su**ort future o*erations and by*assing is
tactically feasible,
Sufficient force is not a%ailable to sei+e and clear the area,
-he area has been declared an Bo*en cityB to *re%ent ci%ilian casualties or to
*reser%e cultural or historical sites,
1, -y*es of 2ffensi%e 2*erations,
2ffensi%e o*erations in built"u* areas are based an offensi%e doctrine and are
im*lemented based on mission, enemy, troo*s, terrain, and time a%ailable <0$--"-=
factors, At battalion le%el, the offense ta7es the form of either a hasty or deliberate attac7,
-he hasty or deliberate attac7 is characteri+ed by as much *lanning, reconnaissance, and
coordination as time and the situation *ermit,
a, Aasty Attac7, 4onduct a hasty attac7 )hen retaining momentum is crucial, It is
feasible )hen the enemy has not fortified his *ositions, *ermitting the attac7ing
force to o%er)helm the defense )ithout *rotracted combat,
-hree tas7s are common to a hasty attac7' finding a )ea7 *oint or ga* in enemy
defensesD fi9ing for)ard enemy elementsD and .uic7ly mo%ing through or around
the )ea7 *oint or ga* to 7ey or decisi%e terrain, -hose tas7s cannot al)ays be
e9ecuted in the same order, 6ou must e9*loit o**ortunities as they a**ear, For
e9am*le, leading units of a battalion may be engaged )ith for)ard enemy
elements )hen it becomes a**arent a )ea7 *oint e9ists in the defensi%e *osition,
In another case, a reconnaissance force may disco%er a ga* and then be ordered to
sei+e the terrain controlling the ga* to *re%ent enemy reinforcement, S*eed is
al)ays essential "" if momentum is lost, the hasty attac7 )ill fail,
<1= Because the built"u* area is itself an obstacle, you conduct a hasty
attac7 in such an area differently than in o*en terrain, Incom*lete
intelligence and the concealment a%ailable in built"u* areas may re.uire
the maneu%er unit to mo%e through, rather than around, the friendly unit
fi9ing the enemy in *lace, 4ontrol and coordination become most
im*ortant to reduce congestion at the edge of the area,
<(= Follo)"u*, on"order missions, or fragmentary orders may be gi%en to a
force conducting a hasty attac7 so it can react to a contingency once its
obCecti%e is secured,
b, &eliberate Attac7, A deliberate attac7 is a fully synchroni+ed o*eration
em*loying all a%ailable assets against the enemy defense, It is re.uired )hen
enemy *ositions are )ell *re*ared, )hen the built"u* area is large or se%erely
congested, or )hen the element of sur*rise has been lost,
Normally, there are three ste*s in the deliberate attac7 of a built"u* area' isolate
the area <obCecti%e=, secure a foothold, and clear the area, Ao)e%er, the deliberate
attac7 must be *receded by thorough and aggressi%e reconnaissance to identify
a%enues of a**roach, obstacles, and strong*oints,
S-$: 1' Isolating the area in%ol%es sei+ing terrain dominating the area so the
enemy cannot su**ly or reinforce its defenders, 6ou can ta7e this ste* at the same
time as the foothold and clearance ste*s, If isolating the area is the first ste*, there
should be no *ause before the follo)ing ste*s that )ould gi%e the defender time to
react <Figure 1"38=,
Fi!"e 1-,5# Isolation b) a battalion tas- fo"$e
S-$: (' Sei+ing a foothold in%ol%es sei+ing an intermediate obCecti%e that
*ro%ides co%er from enemy fire and a *lace for attac7ing troo*s to enter the built"
u* area, A foothold is normally one to t)o city bloc7s and is an intermediate
obCecti%e of a com*any, As the com*any attac7s to secure the foothold, it should
be su**orted by su**ressi%e fire and smo7e <Figure 1"3#=,
Fi!"e 1-,6# Battalion foot(ol%
S-$: 3' 4learing the area in%ol%es considering 0$--"- factors before
determining to )hat e9tent the built"u* area must be cleared, 6ou may decide to
clear only those *arts necessary for the success of your mission if "",
An obCecti%e must be sei+ed .uic7ly,
$nemy resistance is light or fragmented,
-he buildings in the area are of light construction )ith large o*en areas
bet)een them, In that case, you )ould clear only those buildings along the
a**roach to your obCecti%es or only those buildings necessary for security
<Figure 1"3!=,
Fi!"e 1-,7# Clea"nin b!il%ins alon t(e "o!te of atta$-
2n the other hand, a unit may ha%e a mission to systematically clear an area of all
enemy, or it may assume that mission in the face of strong, organi+ed resistance or
in areas ha%ing strongly built buildings close together, -herefore, one or t)o
com*anies may attac7 on a narro) front against the enemy>s )ea7est sector, -hey
mo%e slo)ly through the area, clearing systematically from room to room and
building to building, -he other com*any su**orts the clearing units and is
*re*ared to assume their mission <Figure 1"@0=,
Fi!"e 1-0'# S)ste.ati$ $lea"an$e +it(in assine% se$to"s
(, :lanning an Attac7,
An attac7 *lan against a )ell"defended built"u* area must be based on 0$--"- factors,
As in any attac7, the *lan must ha%e a scheme of maneu%er and fire su**ort *lan )hich is
closely integrated and de%elo*ed to im*lement the commander>s conce*t, -he attac7 *lan
must also co%er the details of security, combat ser%ice su**ort, and communications,
a, Scheme of 0aneu%er, In an attac7 on a large built"u* area, a battalion )ould
*robably *artici*ate as *art of an attac7ing brigade, In that case, the battalion may
ha%e to isolate the obCecti%e or sei+e a foothold, If the obCecti%e is a smaller, built"
u* area, a battalion or com*any may accom*lish the entire mission inde*endently,
assigning subordinate tas7s to its com*anies or *latoons, In either case, the
maneu%er *latoons are assigned the entry and clearance tas7s,
<1= -he Foothold, ;hen attac7ing to sei+e a foothold, the battalion
normally assigns a for)ard com*any the first bloc7 of buildings as its first
obCecti%e, ;hen an obCecti%e e9tends to a street, only the near side of the
street is included, -he com*any>s final obCecti%e may be buildings at the
far edge of the built"u* area or 7ey terrain on the far side, Fey buildings or
grou*s of buildings also may be assigned as intermediate obCecti%es,
Buildings along the route of attac7 should be identified by numbers to
sim*lify assigning obCecti%es and re*orting <Figure 1"@1=,
Fi!"e 1-01# Cont"ol .eas!"es an% e8a.*le of a n!.be"in s)ste.
<(= 4learing, ;hen the unit is in%ol%ed in clearing, by*assing buildings
increases the ris7 of attac7 from the rear or flan7, -hus, the clearing unit
must enter, search, and clear each building in its +one of action <limit of
ad%ance H12AI=, A single building may be an obCecti%e for a rifle s.uad
or, if the building is large, for a rifle *latoon or e%en a com*any, ;hen the
commander>s conce*t is based on s*eed or )hen conducting a hasty attac7,
a battalion may be directed not to clear its entire +one,
<3= :hase 1ines, Use *hase lines to re*ort *rogress or to control the
ad%ance of attac7ing units, :rinci*al streets, ri%ers, and railroad lines are
suitable *hase lines )hich should be on the near side of the street or o*en
area, In systematic clearing, a unit may ha%e the mission to clear its +one
of action u* to a *hase line, In that case, the unit commander chooses his
o)n obCecti%es )hen assigning missions to his subunits,
<@= Boundaries <1imit of Ad%ance=, Battalion and com*any boundaries are
usually set )ithin bloc7s so a street is included in a com*any +one,
Boundaries must be *laced to ensure both sides of a street are included in
the +one of one unit <Figure 1"@(=,
Fi!"e 1-0&# <one an% bo!n%a"ies
<5= 4hec7*oints, :lan to locate chec7*oints and contact *oints at street
corners, buildings, rail)ay crossings, bridges, or any other easily
identifiable feature, 4hec7*oints aid in re*orting locations and controlling
mo%ement, 4ontact *oints are used to designate s*ecific *oints )here units
ma7e *hysical contact,
<?= Attac7 :osition, An attac7 *osition may be occu*ied by for)ard units
for last"minute *re*aration and coordination, -he attac7 *osition is often
behind or inside the last large building before crossing the line of de*arture
<1&=, -he 1& should be the near side of either a street or rail line,
<8= Front, A unit>s assigned frontage for the attac7 of a built"u* area
de*ends on the si+e of buildings and the resistance antici*ated, A com*any
normally attac7s on a one" to t)o"bloc7 front, and a battalion on a t)o" to
four"bloc7 front, based on city bloc7s a%eraging 185 meters in )idth,
<#= 2bscurants, -he first *hase of the attac7 should be conducted )hen
%isibility is *oor, $9*loit *oor %isibility to cross o*en areas, to gain access
to roofto*s, to infiltrate enemy areas, and to gain a foothold, If the attac7
must be made )hen %isibility is good, use smo7e to conceal your
mo%ement,
<!= Formations, -he formation used in an attac7 de*ends on the )idth and
de*th of the +one to be cleared, the character of the area, enemy resistance,
and the formation ado*ted by the ne9t higher command,
<10= /eser%es, -he reser%e should be mobile and *re*ared for
commitment, Because of the a%ailable co%er in built"u* areas, the reser%e
can stay close to for)ard units, Battalion reser%es normally follo) one to
t)o bloc7s to the rear of the lead com*any, If a com*any reser%e is
a%ailable, it follo)s )ithin the same bloc7 so it can immediately influence
the attac7, A unit )ith a reser%e mission may be called u*on to *erform
one or more of the follo)ing tas7s'
Attac7ing from another direction,
$9*loiting an enemy )ea7ness or friendly success,
4learing by*assed enemy *ositions,
Securing the rear or a flan7,
0aintaining contact )ith adCacent units,
Su**orting or counterattac7ing by fire,
<11= Scouts, -he reconnaissance *latoon is normally em*loyed to screen
the battalion>s flan7s and rear, Its ca*ability for reconnaissance and
security is some)hat reduced in built"u* areas, Scouts can also hel* isolate
a %illage or small to)n, -hey must be *re*ared to dismount and enter
buildings for reconnaissance or for setting u* obser%ation *osts <2:s=,
Infantry *latoons and s.uads conduct reconnaissance *atrols and man 2:s
to su**lement the scout *latoon effort,
<1(= $ngineers, For)ard com*anies may ha%e engineers attached for
*ro%iding immediate su**ort, $ngineers e.ui**ed )ith the 08(# combat
engineer %ehicle <4$5= can .uic7ly clear rubble and other obstructions
using the blade or the 1?5"mm demolition gun, 2ther tas7s gi%en the
engineers include'
:re*aring and using e9*losi%es to breach )alls and obstacles,
Finding and hel*ing to remo%e mines,
&estroying fortifications to a ma9imum range of !(5 meters )ith
the demolition gun,
4learing barricades and rubble to ease mo%ement,
4ratering roads and other countermobility measures,
<13= Security, Security in a built u* area *resents s*ecial *roblems, All
troo*s must be alert to an enemy )ho may a**ear from the flan7s, from
abo%e, or from underground *assages <Figure 1"@3=,
Fi!"e 1-0,# Ene.) fi"in f"o. flan-
b, Fire Su**ort :lan, -he fire su**ort *lan may re.uire e9tensi%e air and artillery
bombardment to *recede the ground attac7 on a built"u* area, -his su**orting fire
su**resses the defender>s fire, restricts his mo%ements, and *ossibly destroys his
*osition, Ao)e%er, use of indirect fire in built"u* areas )ith hea%ily clad
construction creates rubble, -his can be used effecti%ely for co%er, but may also
restrict the mo%ements of attac7ing troo*s, For that reason, an artillery *re*aration
should be short and %iolent, Assaulting troo*s must closely follo) the artillery fire
to e9*loit its effect on the defenders, ;hile the enemy is su**ressed by the
su**orting fire, maneu%er units mo%e near the final coordination line <F41=, As
the attac7ing force assaults the obCecti%e, fires are lifted or shifted to bloc7 enemy
)ithdra)al or to *re%ent the enemy from reinforcing their *osition,
:rior coordination must be made to determine the techni.ues and *rocedures to
use for communication, target identification, and shifting of fires, -he fire su**ort
*lan can include the integration of tan7s, infantry )ea*ons, artillery, 4$5s, and
dismounted fires, Fire su**ort can be categori+ed into indirect and direct fires,
<1= Indirect Fires, Indirect fire is em*loyed in its normal role of su**ort to
the maneu%er units,
<a= Indirect artillery fire is *lanned to isolate obCecti%es, to *re%ent
reinforcement and resu**ly, to neutrali+e 7no)n and sus*ected
command and obser%ation *osts, and to su**ress enemy defenders,
&ue to the restricted nature of urban terrain, most indirect artillery
fires )ill be high"angle,
<b= 0ortars are the most res*onsi%e indirect"fire )ea*ons, -hey
can hit targets of o**ortunity at the close ranges ty*ical of combat
in built"u* areas, For)ard obser%ers mo%e )ith the for)ard units to
adCust fire on targets as re.uested by the su**orted troo*s,
<(= &irect Fires, -he direct"fire system is the most effecti%e fire su**ort in
built"u* areas, 2nce a target can be located in a building, one or t)o
direct"fire rounds can accom*lish )hat entire sal%os of indirect"fire
artillery cannot, &irect fire su**ort is 7ey to success in fighting in built"u*
areas, 0ost direct fire su**ort is *ro%ided by armor but can also be
*ro%ided by ho)it+ers and 4$5s, -an7s, ho)it+ers, and 4$5s can create
rubble and building and street damage restricting mo%ement for the
attac7ing force,
<a= -an7s su**ort by fire )hen lead units are sei+ing a foothold,
&uring the attac7 of a built"u* area, tan7s o%er)atch the infantry>s
initial assault until an entry into the area has been secured, -an7s
must be su**orted by infantry"organic )ea*ons to su**ress enemy
strong*oints and by A-0s )hile they mo%e into o%er)atch
*ositions, $m*loy tan7s to ta7e ad%antage of the long range of their
main armament, -his can usually be achie%ed )ith tan7s em*loyed
outside the built"u* area, )here they remain for the duration of the
attac7 to co%er high"s*eed armor a%enues of a**roach, -his is
es*ecially true during the isolation *hase,
<b= In house"to"house and street fighting, tan7s mo%e do)n the
streets *rotected by the infantry and in turn su**ort the infantry by
firing their main guns and machine guns into enemy *ositions or
2:s, -an7s are the most effecti%e )ea*on for hea%y fire against
structures and may be used to clear rubble )ith do+er blades
<Figure 1"@@=,
Fi!"e 1-00# Tan- in %i"e$t fi"e s!**o"te% b) infant")
<c= 1arge"caliber artillery rounds shot by direct fire are effecti%e for
destroying targets in buildings, If a%ailable, self"*ro*elled 155"mm
ho)it+ers can use direct fire to destroy or neutrali+e bun7ers, hea%y
fortifications, or enemy *ositions in reinforced concrete buildings
<Figure 1"@5=, Artillery guns em*loyed in a direct"fire role must be
*ositioned close to the infantry to *ro%ide security against an
enemy ground attac7,
<d= -an7s are %ulnerable in built"u* areas )here streets and alleys
*ro%ide ready"made fire lanes for defenders, 0otori+ed traffic is
greatly restricted, canali+ed, and %ulnerable to ambush and close"
range fire, -an7s are at a further disad%antage because their main
guns cannot be de*ressed sufficiently to fire into basements or be
ele%ated to fire into u**er floors of buildings at close range <Figure
1"@?=,
Fi!"e 1-01# A"tille") in a %i"e$t fi"e "ole

Fi!"e 1-04# Tan- %ea% s*a$e
<e= In mo%ement do)n narro) streets, or do)n )ider streets )ith
narro) *aths through debris, infantry should mo%e ahead of the
tan7s, clearing the buildings on each side, -he mo%ement of
*ersonnel across o*en areas must be *lanned )ith a s*ecific
destination in mind, Su**ression of enemy *ositions and smo7e to
co%er infantry mo%ement should also be included in the *lan, ;hen
needed, tan7s mo%e u* to *laces secured by the infantry to hit
suitable targets, ;hen that area is cleared, the infantry again mo%es
for)ard to clear the ne9t area, &ue to the restricted mo%ement and
limited obser%ation of buttoned"u* tan7s, infantry must clear the
route in ad%ance of the tan7s, -he tan7s and infantry should use the
tra%eling o%er)atch mo%ement techni.ue, Infantrymen can
communicate )ith the tan7 cre)s by using arm"and"hand signals
and radio,
<f= For mo%ement do)n )ider streets infantry *latoons normally
ha%e a section of attached tan7s )ith one tan7 on each side of the
street "" tan7s should not be em*loyed singly, 2ther tan7s of the
attached tan7 *latoon should mo%e behind the infantry and fire at
targets in the u**er stories of distant buildings, In )ide boule%ards
you can em*loy a tan7 *latoon secured by one or more infantry
*latoons, -he infantry can secure the for)ard mo%ement of the lead
tan7s, )hile the rear)ard tan7s o%er)atch the mo%ement of the
lead units,
<g= If an infantry unit must tra%el streets too narro) for this ty*e of
tan7 su**ort, it uses tan7s in single file for su**ort, -he tan7s mo%e
and fire to co%er each other>s a**roach )hile the infantry *ro%ides
A-0 fire from buildings,
<h= ;here feasible, tan7s may dri%e inside buildings or behind
)alls for *rotection from enemy antitan7 missile fire, Buildings
should first be cleared by the infantry, 4hec7 ground floors to
ensure they )ill su**ort the tan7 and there is no basement into
)hich the tan7 could fall and become tra**ed, ;hen mo%ing, all
bridges and o%er*asses should be chec7ed for mines and booby
tra*s, and for load ca*acity, S*ecific infantry elements should be
assigned to *rotect s*ecific tan7s,
<i= &irect"fire systems organic to infantry battalions "" mainly
A-0s, recoilless rifles <in some units=, and 1A;s "" are initially
em*loyed to su**ort the sei+ure of a foothold, -hen, if necessary
they are brought for)ard to fight enemy armor )ithin the to)n,
:ositioning of antitan7 )ea*ons in buildings must allo) for enough
s*ace for bac7blasts, Antitan7 )ea*ons are not as effecti%e as tan7
rounds for neutrali+ing targets behind )alls, -hey neutrali+e a
target only if the target is located directly behind the *oint of
im*act, A-0s are at a greater disad%antage because of their ?5"
meter arming distances )hich limits em*loyment in close"range
engagements li7e those in built"u* areas,
3, $9am*le of a Battalion -as7 Force Attac7 of a Built"u* Area,
Because com*anies or com*any teams may become isolated during the o*eration, some
su**ort elements are attached, As sho)n in this e9am*le, -eam B and 4om*any 4 are
for)ard units tas7ed )ith clearing the %illage, $ach has engineers attached, -an7s are
used to hit hardened targets *rotected by buildings or rubble, -hey may also be used to
blo) an entry *oint in buildings )hen the normal entrances are co%ered by enemy fire,
-he 4$5 is used for similar tas7s against tough buildings and to clear rubble, All of these
actions could be modified for use by any ty*e of infantry unit,
a, Situation, Bonnland, the obCecti%e area, sits astride a maCor road and must be
sei+ed so friendly forces can use the road to continue the attac7, It is dominated by
high ground on either hide, Bonnland and the surrounding terrain are defended by
enemy motori+ed rifle troo*s in *latoon strong*oints, -he tas7 force <-F= is
organi+ed as follo)s'
-$A0 A
AE1"8( 0ech <"=
3EAE1"1 Armor
1 A- Sec
1 Stinger -m
-F 42N-/21
Scouts
A%y 0ort :lt
$ 4o <"=
Stinger, Sec <"=
AE1@ $ngr <"=
4$5
-$A0 B
BE1"8( 0ech <"=

(EAE1"1 Armor
(E(EAE1@ Armor
1 A- Sec
1 Stinger -m
420:AN6 4
4E1"8( 0ech <"=
3E(EAE1@ Armor
1 A- Sec
1 Stinger -m

-$A0 41A;
AE1"1 Armor <"=
3EAE1"8( 0ech <"=
3EBE1"8( 0ech <"=
1E$E1E1"8( 0ech and 1
Stinger -m

b, &eliberate Attac7, -he -F commander *lans to conduct a deliberate attac7 of
the %illage, -he attac7 has three ste*s'
<1= S-$: 1' Isolating the 5illage, -o isolate the %illage, the -F
commander orders -eam A and -eam 41A; to sei+e the high ground on
either side of the %illage <Figure 1"@8=,
Fi!"e 1-05# Isolation of t(e /illae
<(= Ste* (' Sei+ing the Foothold, -he scout *latoon hel*s isolate the
%illage by screening bet)een the t)o for)ard teams, ;ith -eam B and the
antitan7 com*any <"= o%er)atching, 4om*any 4 attac7s to sei+e the
foothold, -he -F mortars and su**orting artillery fire smo7e to conceal 4
4om*any>s a**roach <Figure 1"@#=,
Fi!"e 1-06# Co.*an) C atta$-s to sei9e t(e foot(ol%
<3= S-$: 3' 4learing the Buildings, ;hen they ha%e secured the foothold,
-eam B mo%es for)ard to Coin 4om*any 4 in the foothold, -he antitan7
com*any <"= continues to o%er)atch, -he %illage is di%ided into t)o
com*any +ones, $ach com*any clears its res*ecti%e +one, building by
building <Figure 1"@!=,
Fi!"e 1-07# Clea"in 9ones
c, Aasty Attac7 Against an 2ut*ost, A -F in a mo%ement to contact to Bonnland
encounters an out*ost in a small grou* of buildings, -his situation does not call
for a deliberate attac7 on the built"u* area, but the out*ost should be eliminated so
follo)ing units may mo%e along the route <Figure 1"50=,
Fi!"e 1-1'# Mo/e.ent fo".ation
<1= -he -F commander, must maintain the momentum of his -F and
commit only enough combat *o)er to neutrali+e the out*ost, Ae orders the
lead team <-eam -an7= on the )est a9is to by*ass the out*ost and to
continue mo%ing,
<(= 1i7e)ise, -eam A on the other a9is continues its mo%ement, -eam B,
the trailing team on the )est a9is, is ordered to clear the out*ost and then
to catch u* )ith the rest of the -F, -he team ordered to clear the out*ost
should ha%e *riority of fire, It may ha%e additional -2;s attached from
the antitan7 com*any to hel* isolate and neutrali+e the out*ost <Figure 1"
51=,
Fi!"e 1-11# 3ast) atta$- to $lea" t(e b!ilt-!* o!t*ost
d, Sei+ure of a Fey 2bCecti%e, 0any built"u* areas are built around 7ey features
such as road Cunctions or bridges, In this e9am*le, the 7ey feature is a bridge o%er
a ri%er, A normal deliberate attac7 )ould not succeed here because it )ould gi%e
the enemy enough time to destroy the bridge, Instead, the commander must *lan a
ra*id ad%ance through the built"u* area, lea%ing the tas7 of clearing to follo)ing
units,
<1= -his ty*e of o*eration has the highest chance of success )hen the
enemy has not had time to set u* a )ell"established defense, Because of
the im*ortance of the obCecti%e, the *rime considerations are to get through
the area fast before the enemy can react and to sei+e the obCecti%e )hile it
is still intact,
<(= -he -F should a%oid contact )ith the enemy, If enemy resistance is
encountered it should be by*assed, -ime"consuming combat must be
a%oided so the -F can arri%e at the bridge as .uietly as *ossible,
<3= -he -F commander organi+es his -F for mo%ement on t)o a9es to
allo) for more fle9ibility in reacting to enemy contact, -he lead unit on
each a9is reconnoiters as it mo%es, 1ead units must find enemy *ositions,
fi9 them by fire, and .uic7ly by*ass them,
<@= -he units mo%e mounted to)ard the built"u* area, 2n reaching the
edge of the built"u* area, troo*s stay mounted until they meet enemy
resistance so as not to slo) the ad%ance, :latoons are dro**ed off to
assume bloc7ing *ositions and to secure the -F ad%ance,
<5= 2nce the obCecti%e is sei+ed, the -F establishes a *erimeter defense,
-he com*anies clear buildings and e9*and the si+e of the *erimeter until it
is large enough to secure the bridge against enemy action, Attached
engineers e9amine the bridge and clear it of any e9*losi%es <Figure 1"5(=,
Fi!"e 1-1&# Sei9!"e of a -e) ob;e$ti/e
e, Infiltration, -his e9am*le describes the actions of an infantry battalion
conducting an infiltration )ith engineers attached, ;ith some modification, it
could also a**ly to a dismounted mechani+ed infantry battalion,
<1= -he outs7irts of a to)n may not be strongly defended, Its defenders
may ha%e only a series of antitan7 *ositions, security elements on the
*rinci*al a**roach, or *ositions bloc7ing the a**roaches to 7ey features in
the to)n, -he strong*oints and reser%es are dee*er in the city,
<(= A battalion may be able to sei+e a *art of the to)n by infiltrating
*latoons and com*anies bet)een those enemy *ositions on the outs7irts,
0o%ing by stealth on secondary streets, by using the co%er and
concealment of bac7 alleys and buildings, the battalion may be able to
sei+e 7ey street Cunctions or terrain features, to isolate enemy *ositions,
and to hel* follo)ing units *ass into the built"u* area, Such an infiltration
should be *erformed )hen %isibility is *oor and no ci%ilians are in the
area,
<3= -he battalion is best organi+ed into t)o infiltration com*anies )ith
engineers attached to each and a reser%e com*any )ith engineers attached,
$ach com*any should ha%e an infiltration lane from 500 to 1,500 meters
)ide,
<@= -he infiltrating com*anies ad%ance on foot, )ith stealth, using
a%ailable co%er and concealment, 0ortar and artillery fire can be used to
di%ert the enemy>s attention and co%er the sound of infiltrating troo*s,
<5= -2;s are *ositioned to co%er li7ely a%enues of a**roach for enemy
armored %ehicles, -he reconnaissance screens the battalion>s more
%ulnerable flan7s,
<?= As the com*anies mo%e into the built"u* area, they secure their o)n
flan7s, Security elements may be dro**ed off along the route to )arn of a
flan7 attac7, $ngineers assist in breaching or by*assing minefields or
obstacles encountered, $nemy *ositions are a%oided but re*orted,
<8= -he infiltrating com*anies *roceed until they reach their obCecti%e, At
that time, they consolidate, reorgani+e, and arrange for mutual su**ort,
-hey *atrol to their front and flan7s, and establish contact )ith each other,
-he com*any commander may establish a limit of ad%ance to reduce
chances of enemy contact or to ensure safety from friendly forces,
<#= If the infiltration *laces the enemy in an untenable *osition and he
must )ithdra), the rest of the battalion is brought for)ard for the ne9t
*hase of the o*eration, If theenemy does not )ithdra), the battalion must
clear the built"u* area before the ne9t *hase of the o*eration <Figure 1"53=,
Fi!"e 1-1,# Infilt"ation
f, Securing a /oute, A mechani+ed infantry battalion may ha%e to clear buildings
to secure a route through a city, Ao) .uic7ly the battalion can clear the buildings
de*ends on the enemy resistance and the si+e and number of the buildings, In
outlying areas, for)ard units *roceed by bounds from road Cunction to road
Cunction, 2ther *latoons *ro%ide flan7 security by mo%ing do)n *arallel streets
and by *robing to the flan7s,
<1= &e*ending on the re.uired s*eed and enemy situations, the infantry
may either mo%e mounted or dismounted, -he *latoons mo%e do)n the
)idest streets, a%oiding narro) streets, $ach s.uad o%er)atches the s.uad
to its front, 7ee*ing )atch on the o**osite side of the street, -he
o%er)atching carrier teams are secured by dismounted troo*s, $9ce*t for
those troo*s, the rest of the infantry may stay mounted until re.uired to
dismount by enemy fire or to attac7 an enemy"held building,
<(= ;hen contact )ith the enemy is made, the tan7s su**ort as usual,
Su**orting fire fi9es and isolates enemy *ositions )hich dismounted
troo*s maneu%er to attac7,
<3= :hase lines can be used to control the rate of the com*any>s ad%ance
and other action, For e9am*le, at each *hase line the for)ard com*anies
might reestablish contact, reorgani+e, and continue clearing <Figure 1"5@=,
Fi!"e 1-10# Clea"in alon a "o!te
@, 4om*any -eam Attac7 on a Built"u* Area,
-he follo)ing are techni.ues )hich might be em*loyed by a com*any, -hese may be
inde*endent o*erations but are normally *art of a battalion o*eration,
a, Attac7 on a Bloc7, -o attac7 a bloc7 in a built"u* area, a com*any should be
reinforced )ith tan7s and engineers, -he o*eration can be accom*lished either by
an infantry unit or, by a dismounted mechani+ed infantry unit using its carrier"
mounted machine guns for fire su**ort,
<1= -his o*eration is characteri+ed by *latoon attac7 su**orted by both
direct and indirect fires, Success de*ends on isolating the enemy *ositions
<)hich often become *latoon obCecti%es=, su**ressing enemy )ea*ons,
sei+ing a foothold in the bloc7, and clearing the bloc7>s buildings room by
room,
<a= -as7 organi+ation of the com*any %aries because of the nature
of the built"u* area, For e9am*le a nonmechani+ed infantry
com*any fighting on the outs7irts of a city might organi+e as
follo)s'
-)o rifle *latoons reinforced )ith engineers "" to assault,
2ne rifle *latoon "" reser%e,
2ne tan7 *latoon "" in su**ort of the assaulting rifle
*latoons,
<b= In a core or core *eri*hery area, that same com*any might be
organi+ed as follo)s'
-)o rifle *latoons, each )ith engineers and tan7s, under the
*latoon leader>s o*erational control <2:42N= "" to assault,
<-he engineers and tan7s are *laced under the *latoon
leader>s 2:42N due to the inde*endent, isolated combat to
be e9*ected in those areas,=,
2ne *latoon "" in reser%e,
All a%ailable direct" and indirect"fire )ea*ons should be
used to isolate obCecti%e buildings, &irect fire do)n streets
and indirect fire in o*en areas bet)een buildings hel*s in
the obCecti%e isolation,
<(= -an7s, machine guns, and other direct"fire su**ort )ea*ons fire on the
obCecti%e from co%ered *ositions, -hese )ea*ons should not be fired for
*rolonged *eriods from one *osition, -he gunners should use a series of
*ositions and dis*lace from one to another to gain better fields of fire and
to a%oid being targeted by the enemy, &irect"fire su**ort tas7s are
assigned as follo)s'
0achine guns fire along streets and into )indo)s, doors, and so
forth,
-2;s and &ragons fire at enemy tan7s and other armored
%ehicles,
-an7s fire at targets *rotected by )alls and ma7e entrances in
buildings <Figure 1"55=,
/iflemen engage targets of o**ortunity,
<3= Before an assault, the com*any commander should em*loy smo7e to
conceal the assaulting *latoons, Ae secures their flan7s )ith direct"fire
)ea*ons and by em*loyment of the reser%e if necessary,
Fi!"e 1-11# Co.*an) atta$- of a st"on*oint
<a= 4oncealed by smo7e and su**orted by direct"fire )ea*ons, an
assaulting *latoon attac7s the first isolated building, -he *latoon
must close on the building .uic7ly )hile the enemy is still stunned
by su**orting fire, -he com*any commander must closely
coordinate the assault )ith its su**orting fire so the fire is shifted at
the last *ossible moment,
<b= -he s.uads and *latoons clear each building, After sei+ing the
bloc7, the com*any consolidates and reorgani+es to re*el a
counterattac7 or to continue the attac7,
<c= A mechani+ed infantry com*any )ould be organi+ed on similar
lines, -he assault *latoons should be dismounted, -he Bradley
fighting %ehicle>s <BF5>s= (5"mm gun and attached tan7s can
*ro%ide direct"fire su**ort,
b, Attac7 on an $nemy 2ut*ost, $arlier, this *art of the lesson discussed the
actions of a tas7 force )hen it encountered an enemy out*ost, -his e9am*le
discusses the actions of the com*any team ordered to ma7e the hasty attac7
<Figure 1"5?=,
Fi!"e 1-14# 3ast) atta$- of an o!t*ost
<1= -he com*any team commander uses a form of fire and mo%ement, Ais
tan7s and -2;s assume o%er)atch *ositions from )hich they can fire on
the out*osts, 7ee* the enemy from esca*ing, and destroy any
reinforcements,
<(= -he rifle *latoons then mo%e into the area, -hey do not attac7 head on,
but from a co%ered route so as to hit the out*ost at a %ulnerable *oint, As
the *latoons a**roach the out*ost, smo7e is em*loyed to screen their
mo%ement and su**orting fires are shifted, 2nce the *latoons close on the
out*ost, they clear the buildings .uic7ly and consolidate, -he com*any is
then ready to continue o*erations,
c, Sei+ure of a -raffic 4ircle, A com*any may ha%e to sei+e a traffic circle either
to secure it for friendly use or to deny it to the enemy <Figure 1"58=, -his
o*eration consists of sei+ing and clearing the buildings that control the traffic
circle and bringing direct"fire )ea*ons into *osition to co%er it, -his is
accom*lished by either clearing the routes of mines and obstacles so they can be
used by friendly traffic, or by laying mines on the routes to *re%ent enemy use,
<1= After gathering all a%ailable intelligence on the terrain, enemy, and
*o*ulation, the commander *lans for the follo)ing ste*s'
Isolate the obCecti%es,
Sei+e and clear the buildings along the traffic circle under co%er of
tan7s, A-0s, and machine guns,
4onsolidate and *re*are for counterattac7,
<(= Friendly troo*s should not %enture into the traffic circle until it is under
friendly control, A traffic circle is a natural 7ill +one,
<3= -he com*any should be organi+ed as follo)s'
A security element <charged )ith isolating the traffic circle and
neutrali+ing enemy troo*s defending it= "" one rifle *latoon )ith
engineers,
An assault element "" t)o rifle *latoons reinforced )ith engineers,
A su**ort element <*ro%iding direct"fire su**ort for the assault
element= "" the com*any>s -2;s and attached tan7s,
A reser%e "" one rifle *latoon,
<@= At %arious stages in this o*eration, those roles may change, For
e9am*le, the assault element may clear buildings until the su**ort element
can no longer su**ort it, -hen the reser%e can be committed to the assault,
It may also ha**en that one of the assault *latoons is in a better *osition to
isolate the traffic circle, At that time, the isolating *latoon )ould become
an assault *latoon,
Fi!"e 1-15# Sei9!"e of a t"affi$ $i"$le
d, Sei+ure of Fey -errain, A bridge or o%er*ass s*anning a canal, high)ay, or
railroad is an e9am*le of 7ey terrain in a city, -herefore, sei+ing such a crossing
*oint intact and securing it for friendly use is a li7ely mission for a rifle com*any,
<1= For this mission, a rifle com*any should ta7e the follo)ing actions'
4lear the buildings on the near ban7 that *ermit a clear %ie) of the
bridge and *ro%ide good fields of fire for su**orting )ea*ons,
Juic7ly su**ress enemy )ea*ons on the far ban7 )ith direct fire,
Use screening smo7e to limit enemy obser%ation and reduce
interference )ith friendly direct fires,
Sei+e a bridgehead <buildings dominating the bridge= on the far
ban7 by an assault across the bridge,
Secure a *erimeter around the bridge so engineers can clear any
obstacles and remo%e demolitions on the bridge,
<(= -he first ste* in sei+ing a bridge is to clear the buildings on the near
ban7, Find out )hich buildings dominate a**roaches to the bridge,
Buildings *ermitting you to em*loy light antitan7 )ea*ons <1A;s=,
&ragons, machine guns, and riflemen are cleared )hile su**orting fire
*re%ents the enemy from reinforcing his troo*s on the far ban7 and 7ee*s
enemy demolition *arties a)ay from the bridge,
<3= In su**ressing the enemy>s *ositions on the far ban7, gi%e *riority to
those *ositions from )hich the enemy can fire directly do)n the bridge,
-an7s and machine guns are effecti%e in this role, -2;s, &ragons, and, in
some cases, 1A;s can be used against enemy tan7s co%ering the bridge,
-he com*any fire su**ort officer <FS2= should *lan artillery and mortar
fires to su**ress infantry and antitan7 )ea*ons,
-he obCecti%es of the assaulting *latoons are buildings dominating
a**roaches to the bridge, 2ne or t)o *latoons assault across the bridge
using all a%ailable co%er )hile concealed by smo7e, -hey are su**orted by
the rest of the com*any and attached tan7s, 2nce on the other side, they
call for the shift of su**orting fire and start clearing buildings, ;hen the
first buildings are cleared, su**orting fire is shifted again and the assault
continues until all the buildings in the obCecti%e area are cleared,
<@= At this *oint, the engineers clear the bridge and its a**roaches of all
mines, demolitions, and obstacles, -he com*any commander may e9*and
his *erimeter to *re*are for counterattac7, 2nce the bridge is cleared, the
tan7s and other su**ort %ehicles are brought across to the far ban7 <Figure
1"5#=,
Fi!"e 1-16# Sei9!"e of a b"i%e
e, /econnaissance, In a fast"mo%ing situation, a com*any may ha%e a mo%ement
to contact through a built"u* area along a high)ay, Similarly, a com*any may
ha%e to reconnoiter such a route to *re*are for a battalion tas7 force attac7, -his
ty*e of mission is best accom*lished by a mechani+ed infantry com*any )ith an
attached tan7 *latoon, if a%ailable,
<1= -his o*eration is characteri+ed by alternating *eriods of ra*id
mo%ement to .uic7ly co%er distances and much slo)er mo%ement for
security, -he s*eed of mo%ement selected de*ends on the terrain and
enemy situation <Figure 1"5!=,
<(= In o*en areas )here ra*id mo%ement is *ossible, a tan7 section should
lead, In closer terrain, the infantry should lead )hile o%er)atched by the
tan7s, Another mechani+ed rifle *latoon and the other tan7 section should
mo%e on a *arallel street, Artillery fire should be *lanned along the route,
$ngineers accom*any the lead *latoon on the main route to hel* clear
obstacles and mines,
Fi!"e 1-17# Mo/e.ent to $onta$t alon a (i(+a)
t("o!( a $it) =$o..e"i$al "ibbon>
<3= -he team should sei+e the 7ey *oints on the high)ay <crossroads,
bridges, and o%er*asses= by combinations of the follo)ing actions'
Bet)een 7ey *oints, the team mo%es )ith the infantry mounted
)hen contact is not li7ely,
At 7ey *oints or )hen enemy contact is li7ely, the team mo%es
dismounted to clear enemy *ositions or to secure the 7ey *oint,
-an7s su**ort the dismounted troo*s,
<@= In *eri*heral or stri* areas, this ad%ance should be on one a9is )ith the
lead unit )ell for)ard and security elements chec7ing side streets as they
are reached, In the city core, this o*eration is conducted as a coordinated
mo%ement on t)o or three a9es for more flan7 security,
<5= $nemy *ositions can be either destroyed by the team itself or, if the
need for s*eed is great, by*assed and left to follo)ing units,
<?= -he subunits of the team must coordinate their action, -he com*any
commander re*orts all information collected to the battalion tas7 force,
5, :latoon Attac7 on a Built"u* Area,
:latoons seldom *erform inde*endent o*erations in combat in built"u* areas, but because
of the ty*e of combat to be e9*ected, they can become isolated and seem to be alone,
-hese *aragra*hs discuss techni.ues that might be em*loyed by a *latoon under such
conditions, -hese o*erations are conducted as *art of a com*any o*eration,
a, Attac7 of a Building, -he most common *latoon offensi%e mission in a built"u*
area is the attac7 of a building, -he *latoon must 7ill the defenders and secure the
building,
<1= -he attac7 in%ol%es isolating the building to *re%ent the esca*e or
reinforcement of its defenders <normally coordinated at com*any le%el=D
su**ressing the defenders )ith tan7, machine gun, and mortar fireD
entering the building at the least"defended *oint or, through a hole
breached by tan7 fireD and clearing the building, -o clear it, troo*s
normally go .uic7ly to the to* floor and clear from the to* do)n, -here
must be close coordination bet)een the assault and su**ort elements of the
*latoon using radios, tele*hones, arm"and"hand signals, or *yrotechnics,
<a= If a *latoon is attac7ing a building inde*endently, it should be
organi+ed )ith an assault element, su**ort element, and security
element to co%er its flan7s and rear, In addition to its o)n su**ort
elements, the *latoon can be su**orted by tan7s and other elements
of the com*any,
<b= If one *latoon is attac7ing, su**orted by the rest of the
com*any, security may be *ro%ided by the other rifle *latoons, -he
assault has three ste*s'
S-$: 1' Isolate the building,
S-$: (' $nter the building,
S-$: 3' 4lear the building methodically room by room and floor
by floor,
<c= -he clearing is *erformed by the rifle s.uads, )hich *ass
successi%ely through each other <lea*frogging= as rooms and floors
are secured, :latoons clearing buildings should be reinforced )ith
engineers to hel* )ith demolition <Figure 1"?0=,
Fi!"e 1-4'# Atta$- of a b!il%in
b, 0o%ement &o)n a Street, ;hen mo%ing in built"u* areas, a *latoon follo)s
the same *rinci*les of mo%ement as in other areas, Ao)e%er, some mo%ement
techni.ues must be modified to adCust to a built"u* area, -his discussion focuses
on the mo%ement do)n the street of the lead *latoon of a rifle com*any, either
mechani+ed or nonmechani+ed,
<1= -he *latoon members must be *re*ared to return fire immediately,
-hey must also be alert for any signs of the enemy and re*ort this
information *rom*tly,
<(= -he s*eed of mo%ement de*ends on the ty*e of o*eration, terrain, and
degree of enemy resistance, In outlying or lightly defended areas, a
mechani+ed infantry *latoon *roceeds along the street mounted, but sends
dismounted men for)ard to reconnoiter 7ey *oints <crossroads, bridges=,
In the center of a built"u* area or in situations )hen there is hea%y
fighting, the *latoon mo%es on foot )ith t)o s.uads leading "" one an each
side of the road "" using all a%ailable co%er, -hey mo%e through the
buildings, if feasible, to a%oid e9*osure on the streets, -he s.uads gi%e
each other mutual su**ort,
<3= $nemy action against the *latoon might consist of an ambush on the
street, enfilade fire do)n the streets, sni*er fire from roofto*s, or artillery
or mortar fire,
<@= For *rotection from those dangers, the *latoon should mo%e through
buildings and along )alls, use tan7s for fire su**ort, station men on the
roofs or u**er stairs for o%er)atch, and search for defenders in all three
dimensions,
<5= -he *latoon mo%es in t)o elements' a maneu%er element <one s.uad on
narro) streets, t)o s.uads on )ide streets= that mo%es for)ard, scouts
danger areas, and closes )ith the enemyD and an o%er)atch element <the
rest of the *latoon and its su**orting )ea*ons= that mo%es behind the
maneu%er elements secures the flan7s and rear and *ro%ides fire su**ort,
-hese t)o elements, or *arts of them, can e9change roles <Figure 1"?1=,
c, 4ounterattac7s, A *latoon may be gi%en the mission of counterattac7ing for one
of t)o reasons' reca*turing a defensi%e *osition or a 7ey *oint, destroying or
eCecting an enemy footholdD or sto**ing an enemy attac7 by stri7ing his flan7,
forcing him to sto* and ado*t a hasty defense,
<1= :latoon counterattac7s are *lanned at com*any le%el to meet each
*robable enemy *enetration, -hey must be )ell coordinated and e9ecuted
%iolently, :referably, counterattac7s should be directed at an enemy flan7
and su**orted )ith direct and indirect fire,
<(= In outlying areas, )here the terrain is relati%ely o*en, a mechani+ed
infantry *latoon accom*anied by tan7s can a**roach the counterattac7
obCecti%e mounted for s*eed, -he tan7s destroy the enemy>s tan7s and
hea%y )ea*ons )hile the infantry dismounts to clear the obCecti%e, In
central or more congested areas, the tan7s *rogress deliberately, from *oint
to *oint, *ro%iding close su**ort to the dismounted troo*s, 4ounterattac7s
re.uire the follo)ing'
Fi!"e 1-41# Mo/e.ent %o+n a st"eet
An analysis of the *robable a%enues of enemy a**roach,
/econnaissance and rehearsal along each counterattac7 route and of each
*ro*osed o%er)atch *osition,
4onstruction of obstacles and fighting *ositions to canali+e or bloc7 the enemy,
a*s or lanes through these obstacles if the counterattac7s are to be .uic7 enough
to affect the action,
/a*id and aggressi%e e9ecution "" leaders must set the e9am*le,
Fle9ibility to react to unforeseen circumstances,

PART D - DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
In a built"u* area, the defender ta7es ad%antage of the abundant co%er and concealment,
Ae also considers restrictions to the attac7er>s maneu%erability and obser%ation abilities,
By using the terrain and fighting from )ell"*re*ared and mutually su**orting *ositions, a
defending force can inflict hea%y losses on, or defeat a larger attac7ing force,
1, &efense 4onsiderations,
6ou must decide )hether defending a built"u* area is needed to successfully com*lete
your mission, 4onsider the issues co%ered in the follo)ing *aragra*hs )hile ma7ing your
decision,
a, /easons for &efending Built"u* Areas, -he follo)ing are a**ro*riate reasons
for defending built"u* areas,
<1= 4ertain built"u* areas contain strategic, industrial, trans*ortation, or
economic com*le9es )hich must be defended for strictly *sychological or
national morale *ur*oses e%en if they do not offer a tactical ad%antage to
the defender, Because of the s*ra)l of such areas, combat *o)er is
re.uired for their defense, -hus, the decision to defend these com*le9es is
the res*onsibility of *olitical authorities or the theater commander,
<(= 6our needs to shift and concentrate combat *o)er and to mo%e large
amounts of su**lies o%er a )ide battle area, dictate that you retain %ital
trans*ortation centers, Since most trans*ortation centers ser%e large areas,
you must defend all of the built"u* area to control such centers,
<3= -he )orld)ide increase in s*ra)ling built"u* areas has made it
im*ossible for forces conducting combat o*erations to a%oid cities and
to)ns, 0ost a%enues of a**roach are straddled by small to)ns e%ery fe)
7ilometers and must be controlled by defending forces, -hese areas can be
used as battle *ositions or strong*oints, Bloc7ed streets can canali+e
attac7ing armor into mined areas or +ones co%ered by antiarmor fire, If an
attac7er tries to by*ass a built"u* area, he may encounter an array of tan7"
7illing )ea*ons, -o clear such an area, the attac7er must sacrifice s*eed
and momentum, and e9*end many resources, A city or to)n can easily
become a maCor obstacle,
<@= Forces can be concentrated in critical areas, &ue to the tactical
ad%antages to the defender, a )ell"trained force defending a built"u* area
can inflict maCor losses on a su*erior attac7ing force, Aa%e the bul7 of
your combat *o)er a%ailable for use in o*en terrain, Ao)e%er, defenders
in built"u* areas *erform an economy"of"force role,
<5= Forces can be )ell concealed in built"u* areas, Aerial *hotogra*hy,
imagery, and sensory de%ices cannot detect forces de*loyed in cities,
4ommand *osts <4:s=, reser%es, 4SS com*le9es, and combat forces
em*laced )ell in built"u* areas are hard to detect,
b, /easons For Not &efending Built"u* Areas, 4onsider the follo)ing reasons for
not defending built"u* areas,
<1= -he location of the built"u* area does not su**ort the o%erall defensi%e
*lan, If the built"u* area is too far for)ard or bac7 in a unit>s defensi%e
sector, is isolated, or is not astride an enemy>s e9*ected a%enue of
a**roach, you may choose not to defend it,
<(= Nearby terrain allo)s the enemy to by*ass on co%ered or concealed
routes, Some built"u* areas, mainly smaller ones, are by*assed by main
roads and high)ay systems, An easily by*assed built"u* area "" normally
)ill be,
<3= Structures )ithin the built"u* area do not ade.uately *rotect the
defenders, $9tensi%e areas of lightly built or flammable structures offer
you little *rotection, 6ou may choose not to defend built"u* areas near
flammable or ha+ardous industrial areas, such as refineries or chemical
*lants,
<@= &ominating terrain is close to the built"u* area, If the built"u* area can
be dominated by an enemy force occu*ying close terrain, you might
choose to defend from there rather than the built"u* area, -his a**lies
mainly to small built"u* areas such as %illages,
<5= Better fields of fire e9ist outside the built"u* area, 6ou may choose to
base all or *art of your defense on the long"range fields of fire e9isting
outside a built"u* area, -his a**lies mainly to armor"hea%y forces
defending sectors )ith multi*le, small, built"u* areas surrounded by farm
areas,
<?= -he built"u* area has cultural, religious, or historical significance, -he
area may ha%e been declared an Bo*en city,B in )hich case, by
international la), it is demilitari+ed and must be neither defended nor
attac7ed, -he *resence of large numbers of noncombatants, hos*itals, or
)ounded *ersonnel may also affect your decision not to defend a built"u*
area,
(, 4haracteristics of Built"u* Areas,
-he defense of a built"u* area is organi+ed around 7ey terrain features, buildings, and
areas *reser%ing the integrity of the defense and *ro%iding ease of mo%ement, 2rgani+e
and *lan your defense by considering fire ha+ards, obstacles, communications
restrictions, co%er and concealment, a%enues of a**roach, and fields of fire and
obser%ation,
a, Fire Aa+ards, A defender>s detailed 7no)ledge of the terrain *ermits him to
a%oid areas li7ely to be fire ha+ards, All cities are %ulnerable to fire, es*ecially
those )ith many )ooden buildings, 6ou can deliberately set fires to accom*lish
the follo)ing'
-o disru*t and disorgani+e the attac7ers,
-o canali+e the attac7ers into more fa%orable engagement areas,
-o obscure the attac7er>s obser%ation,
b, 2bstacles, A city itself is an obstacle since it canali+es and im*edes an attac7,
1i7ely a%enues of a**roach should be bloc7ed by obstacles and co%ered by fire,
Barriers and obstacles should be em*laced in three belts,
<1= -he first belt the enemy )ill encounter is at the nearest buildings
across from and *arallel to the main defensi%e *osition, -his belt consists
of )ire and im*ro%ised barriers, both inside buildings and outside, in o*en
areas, danger areas, and dead s*ace, -hese barriers and obstacles should be
hea%ily booby tra**ed, -his belt im*edes enemy mo%ement, brea7s u* and
disorgani+es attac7 formations, and inflicts casualties,
<(= -he second belt is *laced bet)een the first belt and the main defensi%e
*osition buildings, but out of handgrenade range from defensi%e *ositions,
It im*edes mo%ement, channels the enemy into the best fields of fire,
brea7s u* attac7 formations, and inflicts casualties, -his belt is not meant
to sto* enemy soldiers *ermanently, It should be constructed efficiently to
gi%e the most benefit "" not to be an im*enetrable )all, It consists mainly
of )ire obstacles, im*ro%ised barriers, road craters, and mine fields, It
should be boobytra**ed hea%ily <including tri*")ire"acti%ated 4laymores=,
-ri*le"strand concertina is *laced along the 0?0>s final *rotecti%e line
<F:1= <as designated earlier )ith engineer ta*e= to slo) the enemy on the
F:1 and allo) the machine gun to be used effecti%ely,
<3= -he third belt is the defensi%e *osition>s denial belt, It consists of )ire
obstacles *laced around, through, and in the defensi%e buildings and close"
in mine fields, It im*edes and com*licates the enemy>s ability to gain a
foothold in the defensi%e area, It should be booby tra**ed and 4laymores
should be used e9tensi%ely, both tri*")ire acti%ated and command
detonated, -he booby tra*s and 4laymores should be *laced )here they
)ill not cause friendly casualties,
<@= All a%enues of a**roach <surface and subsurface= must be denied, &o
not o%erloo7 the use of field"e9*edient obstacles such as carts, light *oles,
and so on <Figure 1"?(=, or the em*lacement of anti*ersonnel and antitan7
mines,
Fi!"e 1-4&# E8a.*les of fiel%-e8*e%ient obsta$les
c, 4ommunications /estrictions, ;ire is the *rimary means of communication for
controlling the defense of a city and for enforcing security, Ao)e%er, )ire can be
com*romised if it>s interdicted by the enemy, /adio communication in built"u*
areas is normally degraded by structures and a high concentration of electrical
*o)er lines, -he ne) family of radios may correct this *roblem, but all units
)ithin the built"u* area may not ha%e these radios, -herefore, radio is an alternate
means of communication, 0essengers can be used )ell as another means of
communication, 5isual signals may also be used but are often not effecti%e
because of the screening effects of buildings, )alls, and so forth, Signals must be
*lanned, )idely disseminated, and understood by all assigned and attached units,
Increased noise <the din of battle= ma7es the effecti%e use of sound signals
difficult,
d, 4o%er and 4oncealment, :re*are *ositions using the *rotecti%e co%er of )alls
floors, and ceilings, Soldiers should al)ays im*ro%e *ositions using materials at
hand, ;hen the defender must mo%e, he can reduce his e9*osure by doing the
follo)ing'
Using *re*ared breaches through buildings,
0o%ing through reconnoitered and mar7ed underground systems,
Using trenches and se)age systems,
Using the concealment offered by smo7e and dar7ness to cross o*en areas,
-o accom*lish his mission, the attac7er must ad%ance by crossing streets and
o*en areas bet)een buildings )here he is e9*osed to fires from concealed
)ea*ons *ositions,
e, A%enues of A**roach, As the defender, you must not only consider the
con%entional a%enues of a**roach into and out of the city, but also the a%enues
)ithin built"u* areas abo%e and belo) ground le%el, -he defender normally has
the ad%antage, Ae 7no)s the city and can mo%e ra*idly from *osition to *osition
through buildings and underground *assages,
f, Fields of Fire and 2bser%ation, :osition )ea*ons to obtain ma9imum effect and
mutual su**orting fire, -his allo)s for engagements out to ma9imum effecti%e
ranges, Artillery for)ard obser%ers <F2s= should be )ell abo%e street le%el to
adCust fires on the enemy at ma9imum range, Fires and final *rotecti%e fires
<F:Fs= are *lanned on the most li7ely a**roaches to allo) for their ra*id shifting
to threatened areas,
3, &efensi%e :lan at Battalion 1e%el,
-he built"u* area defensi%e *lan at battalion le%el de*ends on the si+e and location of the
area, 0any factors must be considered before instituting such a *lan,
a, &efense of a 5illage, A battalion tas7 force <-F= assigned a defensi%e sector
that includes a %illage could incor*orate the %illage as a strong*oint in its defense
<Figure 1"?3=, -his use of a built"u* area is most common )here the %illage
stands astride a high"s*eed a%enue of a**roach or )here it lies bet)een t)o
difficult obstacles, -o incor*orate such an area into its defense, the battalion -F
must control the highground on either side of the %illage to *re%ent the enemy
from firing from those areas into the %illage,
<1= -he maCority of the -F tan7s should be em*loyed )here the maneu%er
room is the greatest <on the 7ey terrain to the flan7s of the %illage=, -his is
also )here the -F -2;s should be em*loyed, As the security force
)ithdra)s and the com*anyEteam assumes the fight, -2;s can assume
o%er)atching *ositions in de*th,
Fi!"e 1-4,# Defense of a /illae
<(= Although the battalion -F>s dis*osition should *re%ent large enemy
forces from threatening the rear and flan7s of the %illage, the danger of
small"unit enemy infiltration means the %illage must be *re*ared for all"
round defense,
<3= $ngineers re.uired for team mobility o*erations should stay )ith the
com*anyEteam in the to)n to *ro%ide continuous engineer su**ort if that
com*anyEteam becomes isolated, $ngineer su**ort for the rest of the -F
should be centrally controlled by the -F commander, $ngineer assets may
be in direct su**ort <&S= of the other com*anyEteams, -he *riority of
barrier materials, demolitions, and mines should go to the com*anyEteam
in the %illage,
<@= -he -F commander should use the 7ey terrain on the %illage>s flan7s
for maneu%er to *re%ent the %illage>s defense from becoming isolated, -he
strong*oints in the to)n should *ro%ide a firm location )here the enemy
can be sto**ed, around )hich counterattac7s can be launched,
b, &efense of a Sector, Along )ith defending a %illage, a battalion -F may be
gi%en the mission of defending a sector in a city <Figure 1"?@=, -he battalion
should ta7e ad%antage of the outlying structures to *ro%ide early )arning and to
delay the enemy, Ad%antage is also ta7en of the tougher interior buildings to
*ro%ide fi9ed defense, -his defense should co%er an area of about four to t)el%e
bloc7s s.uare,
Fi!"e 1-40# Defense of a b!ilt-!* se$to"
<1= -he battalion -F de*loyment begins )ith the reconnaissance *latoon
reconnoitering the built"u* area to *ro%ide an area reconnaissance and
location of the enemy, At the edge of the area, )here fields of fire are the
greatest, the battalion -F should de*loy BF5s and I-5s and other
antiarmor )ea*on systems to *ro%ide long"range antiarmor defense,
<(= -he for)ard edge of battle area <F$BA= should include the most
formidable buildings in the sector, For)ard of the F$BA, the battalion -F
organi+es a guard force )hich could be a reinforced com*any, -he guard
force concentrates on causing the enemy to de*loy )ithout engaging the
enemy in decisi%e combat, -his can be done through ma9imum use of
ambushes and obstacles, and of co%ered and concealed routes through
buildings for disengagement, -he guard force inflicts casualties and delays
the enemy but a%oids decisi%e engagement since buildings beyond the
F$BA do not fa%or the defense, As the action nears the F$BA, the guard
force detects the location of the enemy>s main attac7, U*on reaching the
F$BA, the guard force can be used as a reser%e and reinforce other
elements of the battalion, or it can counterattac7 to destroy an enemy
strong*oint,
<3= -he defense along the F$BA consists of a series of strong*oints set u*
similar to that earlier described in the com*any defense of the %illage, Fey
terrain features such as strong buildings, road Cunctions, and good firing
*ositions should be the center of the strong*oint defense, Buildings should
be *re*ared for defense as discussed in 1esson (, :art 4 of this subcourse,
<@= -he battalion>s attached tan7s are normally used to engage enemy
tan7s, co%er obstacles by fire, and engage in counterattac7s, $m*loy them
in *latoons )here *ossible, but in contested areas they may be em*loyed
in sections,
<5= Use artillery fire to su**ress and blind enemy o%er)atch elements, to
engage enemy infantry and the a**roaches to the door, to *ro%ide
counterbattery fire, and to su**ort counterattac7s using both indirect and
direct fire,
<?= Attach engineers to the delaying force to hel* in laying mines and
constructing obstacles, clearing fields of fire, and *re*aring routes to the
rear, -hese routes should also ha%e obstacles, $ngineers are in su**ort of
the force in the strong*oints to hel* *re*are fighting *ositions,
c, &elay Along a 4ommercial /ibbon, &elays )ea7en the enemy and gain enough
time to organi+e a strong defense, -hey are often conducted by co%ering force
units for)ard of a main battle area <0BA= defense, -his ty*e mission is best
assigned to a mechani+ed infantry battalion -F,
<1= A delay along a commercial ribbon consists of a succession of
ambushes and battle *ositions <Figure 1"?5=,
<a= Ambushes are *lanned on o%er)atching obstacles and are
closely coordinated but decentrally e9ecuted, -he de*loyment of
the battalion -F is realigned at im*ortant cross streets, -he
ambushes can be combined )ith limited"obCecti%e attac7s on the
enemy>s flan7s, -hese are usually effecti%e in the edge of o*en
s*aces, *ar7s, )ide streets, and so on, -hey should be e9ecuted by
tan7s and su**orted by infantry,
Fi!"e 1-41# Dela) alon a $o..e"$ial "ibbon
<b= :lace your battle *ositions )here hea%y )ea*ons, such as tan7s,
antitan7 )ea*ons, and machine guns, )ill ha%e the best fields of
fire, Such locations are normally found at maCor street
intersections, *ar7s, and at the edges of o*en residential areas,
:re*are your battle *ositions carefully and deliberately, /einforce
them by obstacles and demolished buildings and su**ort them by
artillery and mortars, -hey should inflict ma9imum losses on the
enemy and cause him to de*loy for a deliberate attac7,
<(= -an7s and antitan7 )ea*ons ha%e *re*ared *rimary and alternate
*ositions to reduce their %ulnerability, 4oordination must be continuous
)ith )ithdra)ing ambushes until they are safely )ithin the battle *osition,
<3= -he battalion -F is most effecti%e )hen de*loyed in t)o delaying
echelons, alternating bet)een conducting ambushes and fighting from
battle *ositions, As the enemy threatens to o%errun a battle *osition, the
com*any disengages and delays using ambush tactics bac7 to)ard the ne9t
battle *osition, As the com*any *asses through the com*any to the rear, it
establishes another battle *osition, Use smo7e and demolitions to aid in the
disengagement, 6ou can em*loy security elements on the flan7 to *re%ent
the enemy from out"flan7ing the delay, A small reser%e can be used to
react to une9*ected enemy action and to conduct continued attac7s on the
enemy>s flan7,
<@= Use engineers to su**ort the -F, -he direction of engineer effort is
centrali+ed to su**ort the *re*aration of battle *ositions, It should be
decentrali+ed to su**ort the force committed to ambush,
<5= -he )idth of the -F +one de*ends on the nature of the buildings and
obstacles along the street and the time the enemy must be delayed,
@, &efensi%e :lan At 4om*any 1e%el,
-he defensi%e *lan in built"u* areas at com*any le%el de*ends on the si+e and location of
the area, 6ou ha%e many factors to consider before instituting such a *lan,
a, &efense of a 5illage, 2nce the com*any commander has com*leted his
reconnaissance of the %illage, he scouts the surrounding terrain and, )ith the
information assembled, de%elo*s his *lan for the defense <Figure 1"??=, 2ne of his
first decisions is )hether to defend )ith his infantry on the leading edge of the
%illage, or farther bac7 )ithin the %illage,
Fi!"e 1-44# Defense of a /illae
<1= Se%eral factors )ill influence your decision, First, you must 7no) the
ty*e of enemy your com*any )ill defend against, If the threat is mainly
dismounted infantry, the greater danger is allo)ing them to gain a foothold
in the to)n, If the threat is armor or motori+ed infantry, the greatest danger
is that massi%e direct fire )ill destroy the com*any>s defensi%e *ositions,
6ou must also consider the terrain for)ard and to the flan7s of the %illage
from )hich the enemy can direct fires against your *ositions,
<(= :latoons are gi%en a small grou* of buildings in )hich to *re*are their
defense, *ermitting the *latoon leader to establish mutually su**orting
s.uad"si+ed *ositions, -his increases the area the *latoon can control and
ham*ers the enemy>s ability to isolate or by*ass a *latoon, A *latoon is
res*onsible for the road through the %illage, -he rest of the com*any is
*ositioned to *ro%ide all"round security and defense in de*th,
<3= A *osition for the com*any mortars must be chosen that *rotects
mortars from direct fire and allo)s for o%erhead clearance, -he com*any>s
BF5sEA:4s are *laced in *ositions to the rear of the buildings and interior
courtyards )here their )ea*on systems can *ro%ide added rear and flan7
security, 4ombat %ehicles are assigned *rimary, alternate, and
su**lementary *ositions as )ell as *rimary and secondary sectors of fire,
-hey should be *ositioned in defilade behind rubble and )alls or inside
buildings for mo%ement into and out of the area, 4ontrol of the *latoon>s
BF5sEA:4s by the *latoon leader is re.uired for resu**ly, 0$&$5A4,
and ra*id re*ositioning during the battle,
<@= 1ocate a for)ard 4: )here you can *osition your com*any trains,
4hoose a location near the high)ay to ease reco%ery and maintenance
o*erations, $stablish a com*any 2: )here the fields of obser%ation are
best,
<5= 6ou must also decide )hich buildings must be rubbled, -o defeat the
enemy you need good fields of fire, but rubbling the buildings too soon or
rubbling too many, may disclose your e9act locations and destroy co%er
from direct fire, :osition the com*any>s -2;s on high ground in and
around the to)n to attain good fields of fire to the front and flan7s,
<?= If a tan7 *latoon is a%ailable from the -F, *lace the tan7s along the
leading edge )here ra*id fire )ill com*lement the -2;s and &ragons,
-he tan7 *latoon leader selects the e9act firing *ositions and assigns
sectors of fire, If faced by enemy infantry, the tan7s mo%e to alternate
*ositions )ith the *rotection of the infantry, -hese alternate *ositions
allo) the tan7s to engage to the front, as )ell as the flan7s, )ith as little
mo%ement as *ossible, After they are )ithdra)n from the leading edge of
the to)n, the tan7s can *ro%ide a mobile reser%e for the team,
<8= :lan the F:Fs to address the biggest threat to the *latoon "" enemy
infantry, ;hen firing an F:F inside a built"u* area, mortars are more
effecti%e than artillery, -his is true because their higher angle of fall gi%es
them a greater chance of im*acting on the street,
<#= 2bstacles, mainly anti%ehicle obstacles, are easily constructed in a
built"u* area, 6ou need to sto* enemy %ehicles )ithout interfering )ith
your o)n mo%ement in the %illage, -herefore, e9ecute the em*lacement of
cratering charges at 7ey street locations on order, $m*lace mines on the
outs7irts of the to)n and along routes the com*any )ill not use,
<!= Su**orting engineers use 4@ and other e9*losi%es to ma7e firing *orts,
mouseholes, and demolition obstacles, Based u*on your *riority of )or7,
tell the engineer s.uad leader to assist each of the infantry *latoons
*re*aring the %illage for defense, and to e9ecute the team>s obstacle *lan,
-he s.uad leader>s mission is to tell the infantrymen e9actly )here to *lace
the demolitions and ho) much is needed for the desired effect, Ae also
assists in the em*lacement and recording of the minefields as )ell as the
*re*aration of fighting *ositions,
<10= Ammunition e9*enditure is usually high )hen fighting in a built"u*
area, -o a%oid mo%ing around the %illage )ith ammunition resu**ly
during the battle, direct more ammunition be stoc7*iled in each occu*ied
*latoon and s.uad *osition, Also order the *latoons to stoc7*ile
firefighting e.ui*ment, drin7ing )ater, food, and first"aid su**lies at each
s.uad *osition, 2ther factors you should consider are the follo)ing'
/esu**ly,
0$&$5A4,
4ommunications,
Firefighting,
Slee* and alert *eriods,
Security,
1imited %isibility,
4i%ilian control,
<11= -o ensure ade.uate communications, the com*any installs a )ire net
and de%elo*s a *lan for *yrotechnic signals, Bac7u* )ire should be laid in
case *rimary lines are cut by %ehicles or enemy fires, Also *lan for the use
of messengers throughout the %illage,
b, &efense of a Bloc7, A com*any in a built"u* area may ha%e to defend a bloc7
in a core *eri*hery or residential area, It conducts this o*eration according to the
defensi%e scheme of the battalion, -he o*eration is coordinated )ith the action of
security forces charged )ith delaying to the front of the com*any>s *osition, -he
defense ta7es ad%antage of the *rotection of buildings dominating the roads,
<1= A )ell"organi+ed com*any defense does the follo)ing'
Sto*s the enemy>s attac7 on the roads by using obstacles and
enfilade fire,
&estroys the enemy by ambush and direct fire from *re*ared
*ositions,
$Cects the enemy from footholds or remains in *lace for a
counterattac7 conducted by battalion,
<(= -he o*eration of the com*any is more effecti%e if it has time to
reconnoiter the terrain and to *re*are obstacles and fire lanes, 5ehicles not
needed for the defense should be grou*ed in the combat trains at battalion,
-he 2:s should be su**lemented by *atrols, mainly at night, and
communications should be )ire, 2rgani+e the com*any to *ro%ide a series
of 2:s, a defense, and a reser%e tas7ed )ith counterattac7s,
<3= -he defensi%e forces ambush on the a%enues of a**roach, co%er the
obstacles by fire, and *re*are a strong defense inside the buildings, -he
reser%e can be tas7ed )ith the follo)ing'
/einforce the fires of the defense,
/eact to a danger on the flan7,
4ounterattac7 to thro) the enemy from a foothold,
<@= $ngineers are centrally controlled at com*any le%el, -hey construct
obstacles, *re*are access routes, and assist in *re*aring defensi%e
*ositions, A com*any or section of tan7s attached to the com*any *ro%ides
hea%y direct"fire su**ort, engages enemy tan7s, and su**orts
counterattac7s,
c, 4om*any &elay, A com*any delay can be *art of a battalion>s defense <Figure
1"?8=, Its o*erations destroy enemy reconnaissance elements for)ard of the
outs7irts of the to)n, *re%ent their *enetration of the built"u* areas, and gain and
maintain contact )ith the enemy to determine the strength and location of the
main attac7,
Fi!"e 1-45# Dela) in a b!ilt-!* a"ea
<1= :re*are the com*any>s sector )ith obstacles to increase the effect of
the delay, $ngineers *re*are obstacles on main routes, but a%oid some
co%ered and concealed routes 7no)n by the friendly troo*s for
reinforcement, dis*lacement, and resu**ly, -hese routes are destroyed
)hen no longer needed,
<(= Antitan7 guided missiles are *ositioned on the outs7irts of the to)n to
destroy the enemy at ma9imum range, -hey should be located in defilade
*ositions or in *re*ared shelters, -hey fire at %isible targets and then fall
bac7 or *roceed to alternate *ositions, :latoons are assigned sectors from
500 to 800 meters )ide, -hey are reinforced )ith sensors or ground
sur%eillance radars <S/s= *laced on the outs7irts or on higher ground,
:latoons delay by using *atrols, 2:s, and ambushes and by ta7ing
ad%antage of all obstacles, $ach action is follo)ed by a disengagement and
)ithdra)al, By day the defense is dis*ersedD at night it is more
concentrated, 4lose coordination is %ital,
<3= -an7s su**ort the *latoon by engaging enemy tan7s, *ro%iding
reinforcing fires, aiding the disengagement of the *latoons, and co%ering
obstacles by fire,
d, &efense of a -raffic 4ircle, A rifle com*any or team may be assigned the
mission of defending a 7ey traffic circle in a built"u* area to *re%ent the enemy
from sei+ing it <Figure 1"?#=,
<1= If you are tas7ed )ith this mission, analy+e enemy a%enues of
a**roach and the buildings dominating those a%enues, :lan all *ossible
fire *o)er on the traffic circle itself and on the a**roaches to it, 6ou
should also *lan for all"round defense of the buildings dominating the
traffic circle to *re%ent encirclement, :re*are as many co%ered and
concealed routes bet)een these buildings as *ossible, -his ma7es it easier
to mass or shift fires, and to e9ecute counterattac7s,
Fi!"e 1-46# Defense of t"affi$ $i"$le
<(= 2bstacles can also deny the enemy the use of the traffic circle,
2bstacle *lanning in this case must consider if friendly forces are
su**osed to use the traffic circle, -2;s and &ragons can fire across the
traffic circle if fields of fire are long enough, -an7s engage enemy tan7s
and *ro%ide hea%y direct"fire su**ort for counterattac7s,
5, &efensi%e :lan at :latoon 1e%el,
-he defensi%e *lan in built"u* areas at *latoon le%el de*ends on the si+e and location of
the area, Again, many factors must be considered before you institute such a *lan,
a, &efense of a Stron.*oint, 2ne of the most common defensi%e tas7s a *latoon
)ill be gi%en is the strong*oint defense of a building, *art of a building, or a
grou* of small buildings <Figure 1"?!=, -he *latoon>s defense is normally
integrated into the com*any>s mission <defense of a traffic circle, and so forth=,
-he *latoon must 7ee* the enemy from gaining a foothold in the buildings, It
ma7es the best use of its )ea*ons and su**orting fires, organi+es all"round
defense, and counterattac7s or calls for a com*any counterattac7 to eCect an
enemy )ho has gained a foothold, -he *latoon leader analy+es his defensi%e
sector to recommend to the com*any commander the best use of obstacles and
su**orting fires,
<1= -he *latoon is organi+ed into a series of firing *ositions located to
co%er a%enues of a**roach, to co%er obstacles, and to *ro%ide mutual
su**ort, Sni*ers may be located on the u**er floors of the buildings,
Unengaged elements should be ready to counterattac7, fight fires, or
reinforce other elements of the *latoon,
Fi!"e 1-47# Defense of a st"on*oint
<(= &e*ending on the length of the mission, the *latoon should stoc7*ile
the follo)ing'
:ioneer e.ui*ment, <a9es, sho%els, hammers, *ic7et *ounders=,
Barrier material <barbed )ire, sandbags=,
0unitions <es*ecially grenades=,
Food and )ater,
0edical su**lies,
Firefighting e.ui*ment,
b, &efense Against Armor and Antiarmor Ambushes, -he terrain common to
built"u* areas is )ell"suited for an infantry>s defense against armored forces,
Armored forces try to a%oid built"u* areas but may be forced to *ass through
them, A )ell"trained infantry can inflict hea%y casualties on such armored forces,
<1= Built"u* areas ha%e certain traits )hich fa%or infantry antitan7
o*erations,
<a= /ubble in the streets can be used to bloc7 enemy %ehicles,
conceal mines, and co%er and conceal defending infantry,
<b= -he streets restrict armor maneu%er, fields of fire, and
communications, thereby reducing the enemy>s ability to reinforce,
<c= Buildings *ro%ide co%er and concealment for defending
infantry,
<d= /oofto*s, alleys, and u**er floors *ro%ide good firing *ositions,
<e= Se)ers, storm drains, and sub)ays *ro%ide underground routes
for infantry forces,
<(= Antiarmor o*erations in built"u* areas in%ol%e the follo)ing *lanning
ste*s'
<a= S-$: 1' 4hoose a good engagement area, $nemy tan7s should
be engaged )here most restricted in their ability to su**ort each
other, -he best )ay for infantrymen to engage tan7s is one at a
time, so they can destroy one tan7 )ithout being o*en to the fires
of another, -y*ical locations include narro) streets, turns in the
road, B-B intersections, bridges, tunnels, s*lit"le%el roads, and
rubbled areas, 1ess ob%ious locations can also be used by using
demolitions or mines to create obstacles,
<b= S-$: (' Select good )ea*ons *ositions, -he best )ea*ons
*ositions are *laces )here the tan7 is )ea7est and the infantry is
most *rotected, A tan7>s ability to see and fire are limited, mainly
to the rear and flan7s if the tan7s are buttoned u*, Figure 1"80
sho)s the )ea*ons and %isual dead s*ace of a buttoned"u* tan7
against targets located at ground le%el, Similar dead s*ace e9ists
against targets located o%erhead,
-o the infantry force, the best *laces to fire on tan7s are at
the flan7s and rear at ground le%el, or at the to* of tan7s if
the force is in an ele%ated *osition in a building, A suitable
antitan7 defense might be set u* as sho)n in Figure 1"81,
-he best *lace to engage a tan7 from the flan7 is o%er the
second road )heel at close range, -his is best done at a
corner so the tan7 cannot tra%erse the turret to
counterattac7,
Fi!"e 1-5'# Tan-s $annot fi"e at $lose-"ane?
st"eet-le/el? an% o/e"(ea% ta"ets

Fi!"e 1-51# A *latoon@s antia".o" %efense
For safe engagement from an ele%ated *osition, infantrymen
should allo) the tan7 to a**roach to a range three times the
ele%ation of the )ea*ons <Figure 1"80=,
-o engage at a greater range is to ris7 counterfire since the
)ea*on>s *osition )ill not be in the tan7>s o%erhead dead
s*ace, Ao)e%er, o%erhead fire at the rear or flan7 of the
tan7 is e%en more effecti%e, Alternate and su**lementary
*ositions should be selected to enforce all"round security
and to increase fle9ibility,
<c= S-$: 3' 4oordinate target engagement, -an7s are most
%ulnerable )hen buttoned u*, -he first tas7 of the tan7"7illing
force is to force the tan7s to button u* using mortar fire and sni*er
fire, -he ne9t tas7 is to coordinate the fires of the antitan7 )ea*ons
so that if there is more than one target in the engagement area, all
targets are engaged at the same time,
<3= Armored %ehicles are often accom*anied by infantry in built"u* areas,
Antiarmor )ea*ons must be su**orted by an effecti%e all"round
anti*ersonnel defense <Figure 1"8(=,
<@= At a *lanned signal, <for e9am*le the detonation of a mine= all targets
are engaged, If all targets cannot be engaged simultaneously, they are
engaged in the order of the most dangerous first, Although tan7s *resent
the greatest threat, infantry fighting %ehicles such as the So%iet B0:s are
also dangerous because their infantry can dismount and destroy friendly
antiarmor *ositions, If the friendly force is not secured by se%eral
infantrymen, *riority of engagement might be gi%en to enemy A:4s,
/ubble and mines should be used to reduce target mobility and ac.uire
more targets,
Fi!"e 1-5&# Coo"%inate% antitan- a.b!s(
d, 4onduct of an Armored Ambush, A rifle com*any can use its attached tan7
*latoon to conduct an armored ambush in a built"u* area <Figure 1"83=, -o do so,
the armored *latoon should be reinforced )ith an 0( BF5 or an 0113A(
armored *ersonnel carrier <A:4= and one or t)o s.uads from the rifle com*any,
-he ambush can be effecti%e against enemy armor if it is conducted in an area
cleared and reconnoitered by friendly forces,
<1= -he o*eration in%ol%es maneu%er on an obstacle"free road net)or7,
2bstacles outside the ambush area can be used to channeli+e and delay the
enemy, -he ambushing tan7 *latoon must 7no) the area,
<(= -he ambushing armor should be located in a dis*ersed, camouflaged
*osition situated about 1,000 meters from the e9*ected enemy a%enue of
a**roach, A security *ost located at a cho7e *oint obser%es and re*orts the
a**roach, s*eed, security *osture, and acti%ity of the enemy, -his role is
assigned to a scout )ho uses the BF5EA:4 to mo%e from 2: to 2:, ;hen
the enemy is re*orted at a center *oint, the tan7 *latoon leader 7no)s ho)
much he must mo%e his tan7s into ambush *osition,
Fi!"e 1-5,# A".o"e% a.b!s(
<3= -he tan7s mo%e .uic7ly from their hide *ositions to firing *ositions,
ta7ing ad%antage of all a%ailable concealment, -hey try for flan7 shots on
the a**roaching enemy "" the a%erage range is 300 to @00 meters, Such
long ranges do not e9*ose tan7s to the enemy infantry, 2nce the enemy is
engaged, tan7s brea7 contact and mo%e to a rally *oint )ith close security
*ro%ided by an infantry s.uad, -hey then mo%e to a ne) ambush site,
LESSON &
COMBAT TEC3NIAUES IN BUILT-UP AREAS

OVERVIEW
In this lesson you )ill learn the fundamental urban combat s7ills of mo%ement, entry,
firing, na%igation, and camouflage, -he lesson also co%ers the em*loyment and effects of
)ea*ons in built"u* areas, subterranean o*erations, and other military o*erations on
urban terrain <02U-=,
-$/0INA1 1$A/NIN 2B3$4-I5$'
A4-I2N' Identify the fundamental urban combat s7ills, the *rinci*les
of )ea*on em*loyment and effects in built"u* areas,
subterranean o*erations, urban fighting *ositions, and
techni.ues used to attac7 and clear buildings,
42N&I-I2N' 6ou )ill be gi%en information from F0 !0"10"1,
S-AN&A/&' -he fundamental combat s7ills, *rinci*les of )ea*on
em*loyment and effects in built"u* areas, subterranean
o*erations, and urban fighting *ositions, and techni.ues
used to attac7 and clear buildings )ill be identified in
accordance )ith F0 !"10"1,
/$F$/$N4$S
'
-he material contained in this lesson )as deri%ed from the
follo)ing *ublication'
F0 !0"10"1

INTRODUCTION
Successful combat o*erations in built"u* areas de*end on the *ro*er em*loyment of the
rifle s.uad, $ach member must be s7illed in the techni.ues of combat in built"u* areas'
mo%ing, entering buildings, clearing buildings, em*loying hand grenades, selecting and
using firing *ositions, na%igating in built"u* areas, and camouflaging,

PART A - FUNDAMENTAL COMBAT SBILLS IN A BUILT-UP
AREA#
1, 0o%ement,
0o%ement in built"u* areas is the first fundamental s7ill the soldier must master,
0o%ement techni.ues must be *racticed until they become habitual, -o reduce e9*osure
to enemy fire, the soldier a%oids silhouetting himself, a%oids o*en areas, and selects his
ne9t co%ered *osition before mo%ement,
a, 4rossing a ;all, 6ou must learn the correct method of crossing a )all <Figure
("1=, After you ha%e reconnoitered the other side, .uic7ly roll o%er the )all,
7ee*ing a lo) silhouette, -he s*eed of your mo%e and a lo) silhouette deny the
enemy a good target,
Fi!"e &-1# Sol%ie" $"ossin a +all
b, 0o%ement Around 4orners, -he area around a corner must be obser%ed before
you mo%e beyond it, -he most common mista7e a soldier ma7es at a corner is
allo)ing his )ea*on to e9tend beyond the corner, thus, e9*osing his *osition,
6ou should sho) your head belo) the height an enemy soldier )ould e9*ect to
see it, -he correct techni.ue for loo7ing around a corner <Figure ("(=, is to lay flat
on the ground and do not e9tend your )ea*on beyond the corner of the building,
;ear your 7e%lar helmet and e9*ose your head <at ground le%el= only enough to
*ermit obser%ation,
Fi!"e &-&# Co""e$t te$(ni:!e fo" loo-in a"o!n% a $o"ne"
c, 0o%ement :ast ;indo)s, ;indo)s *resent another ha+ard to the soldier and
small"unit leader, -he most common mista7e in *assing a )indo) is e9*osing
your head, If you sho) your head <Figure ("3=, an enemy gunner inside the
building could engage you through the )indo) )ithout e9*osing himself to
friendly co%ering fires,
Fi!"e &-,# Sol%ie" .o/in *ast a +in%o+
<1= ;hen using the correct techni.ue for *assing a )indo), the soldier
stays belo) the )indo) le%el, Ae ma7es sure he does not silhouette
himself in the )indo)D he BhugsB the side of the building, An enemy
gunner inside the building )ould ha%e to e9*ose himself to co%ering fires
if he tried to engage the soldier,
<(= -he same techni.ues used in *assing first"floor )indo)s are used
)hen *assing basement )indo)s <Figure ("@=D ho)e%er, the most common
mista7e in *assing a basement )indo) is not being a)are of it, &o not
)al7 or run *ast a basement )indo), since you *resent a good target to an
enemy gunner inside the building, -he correct *rocedure for negotiating a
basement )indo) is to stay close to the )all of the building and ste* or
Cum* *ast the )indo) )ithout e9*osing your legs,
Fi!"e &-0# Sol%ie" *assin base.ent +in%o+s
d, Use of &oor)ays, &oor)ays should not be used as entrances or e9its since they
are normally co%ered by enemy fire, If you must use a door)ay as an e9it, mo%e
.uic7ly through it to your ne9t *ositions staying as lo) as *ossible to a%oid
silhouetting yourself <Figure ("5=, :reselection of *ositions, s*eed, a lo)
silhouette, and the use of co%ering fires must be em*hasi+ed in e9iting door)ays,
Fi!"e &-1# Sol%ie" e8itin a %oo"+a)
e, 0o%ement :arallel to Buildings, Soldiers and small units may not al)ays be
able to use the inside of buildings as a route of ad%ance, -herefore, they must
mo%e on the outside of the buildings <Figure ("?=, Smo7e and co%ering fires, and
co%er and concealment should be used to hide mo%ement, 4orrectly mo%ing on
the outside of a building, the soldier BhugsB the side of the building, stays in the
shado), *resents a lo) silhouette, and mo%es ra*idly to his ne9t *osition <Figure
("8=, If an enemy gunner inside the building fires on a soldier, he e9*oses himself
to fire from other s.uad members, Furthermore, an enemy gunner farther do)n
the street )ould ha%e difficulty detecting and engaging the soldier,
Fi!"e &-4# Sol%ie" .o/in o!tsi%e a b!il%in
Fi!"e &-5# Sele$tion of t(e ne8t *osition
f, 4rossing 2*en Areas, 2*en areas such as streets, alleys, and *ar7s should be
a%oided )hen *ossible, -hey are natural 7ill +ones for enemy cre)"ser%ed
)ea*ons, -hey can be crossed safely only if certain fundamentals are a**lied by
the indi%idual or small"unit leader,
<1= ;hen crossing an o*en area, the soldier de%elo*s a *lan for his o)n
mo%ement, <;hene%er *ossible, use smo7e to conceal the mo%ement of all
soldiers,= Ae runs the shortest distance bet)een the buildings and mo%es
along the far building to the ne9t *osition <Figure ("8, A and B=, By doing
so, he reduces the time he is e9*osed to enemy fire,
<(= Before mo%ing to another *osition, the soldier should ma7e a %isual
reconnaissance and select the *osition for the best co%er and concealment,
At the same time, he should select the route he )ill ta7e to get to that
*osition,
g, Fire -eam $m*loyment, 0o%ing as a fire team, from building to building or
bet)een buildings, *resents a *roblem because a fire team *resents a large target
to enemy fire <Figure ("#=, ;hen mo%ing from the corner of one building to
another, the fire team should mo%e across the o*en area in a grou*, 0o%ing from
the side of one building to the side of another *resents a similar *roblem, and the
techni.ue of mo%ement em*loyed is the same, -he fire team uses the building as
co%er, In mo%ing to the adCacent building, team members should 7ee* a distance
of 3 to 5 meters bet)een themsel%es and, using a *lanned signal, ma7e an abru*t
flan7ing mo%ement <on line= across the o*en area to the ne9t building,
Fi!"e &-6# Fi"e tea. .o/e.ent
h, 0o%ement Bet)een :ositions, ;hen mo%ing from *osition to *osition, each
soldier must be careful not to mas7 his su**orting fires, ;hen he reaches his ne9t
*osition he must be *re*ared to co%er the mo%ement of other members of his fire
team or s.uad, Ae uses his ne) *osition effecti%ely, and fires his )ea*on from
either shoulder,
<1= -he most common error a soldier can ma7e )hen firing from a fighting
*osition is firing o%er the to* of his co%er and thus silhouetting himself
against the building to his rear, *ro%iding the enemy )ith an easy target,
-he correct techni.ue for firing from a co%ered *osition is to fire around
the side of the co%er, reducing your e9*osure to the enemy <Figure ("!=,
Fi!"e &-7# Sol%ie" fi"in f"o. a $o/e"e% *osition
<(= Another common error is for a right"handed firer to try to fire from the
right shoulder around the left corner of a building, Firing left"handed
around the left corner of a building ta7es ad%antage of the co%er afforded
by the building <Figure ("10=, /ight"handed and left"handed soldiers
should be trained to ada*t co%er and concealment to fit their manual
orientation, Also, soldiers should be able to fire from their o**osite
shoulders if needed,
Fi!"e &-1'# Fi"in left(an%e% a"o!n% t(e $o"ne" of a b!il%in
i, 0o%ement Inside a Building, ;hen mo%ing )ithin a building under attac7
<Figure ("11=, a%oid silhouetting yourself in doors and )indo)s, If forced to use a
hall)ay <Figure ("1(=, stay against the )all to a%oid *resenting a target to the
enemy,
Fi!"e &-11# Mo/e.ent +it(in a b!il%in !n%e" atta$-
Fi!"e &-1&# 3all+a) *"o$e%!"es
<1= -he enemy often boobytra*s )indo)s and doors, ;hen entering a
room, a%oid using the door handle, Instead, fire a short burst of automatic
fire through the door around the latch and then 7ic7 it o*en, If boobytra*s
are detected, they should be mar7ed, re*orted, and by*assed,
<(= Before entering each room, Bcoo7 offB a hand grenade by remo%ing the
grenade>s safety *in, releasing the safety le%er, counting by thousands <one
thousand and one, one thousand and t)o=, and then thro)ing the grenade
into the room, Be careful of thin )alls and floors, 5oice alerts should be
gi%en )hile thro)ing grenades, -he 0F3 A( concussion <offensi%e= hand
grenade is the *referred hand grenade during offensi%e o*erations, since it
)ill not *roduce fragments )hich can go through the )all and inCure the
soldiers outside and )ill reduce ci%ilian casualties during *recision and
surgical 02U- o*erations, ;hen friendly forces thro) grenades, the
command is BFrag 2utKB ;hen an enemy grenade has been identified,
friendly forces shout BrenadeKB
;A/NIN,
Fragments from hand grenades may inCure
soldiers outside the room, Also, coo7ing
off hand grenades can be dangerous unless
*ro*erly *erformed,
<3= et in fast and s*ray the room )ith automatic fire, As soon as the hand
grenade goes off, rush into the room <Figure ("13=, s*ray the room )ith
fire, and .uic7ly bac7 against a near )all to obser%e the entire area, -he
second man enters immediately behind you, engages any targets )ith a
short burst of automatic fire, and then systemically searches the room,
0ean)hile, the su**ort *arty, in *osition outside the room being cleared,
*ro%ides outside security,
Fi!"e &-1,# P"o$e%!"es fo" t(e fi"st sol%ie" ente"in a "oo.
<@= Al)ays use %oice alerts, 5oice alerts and signals )ithin the assault
team are e9tremely im*ortant, 6ou must al)ays let others in the assault
team 7no) )here you are and )hat you are doing, 2nce a room has been
cleared, the assault team yells, B4learKB to inform the su**ort *arty, Before
lea%ing the room and reCoining the su**ort *arty, the assault team yells
B4oming outKB ;hen mo%ing u* or do)n a staircases the assault team
yells B4oming u*B or B4oming do)n,B
<5= 0ouseholes measure about ( feet )ide and are blo)n or cut through a
)all so soldiers can enter a building or a room <Figure ("1@=, -hey are
safer entrances than doors because doors can be easily booby tra**ed and
should be a%oided, As )ith any entry, a hand grenade is thro)n in first,
Fi!"e &-10# Sol%ie"s ente"in t("o!( a .o!se(ole
(, $ntry -echni.ues,
;hen entering a building, enter )ith minimum e9*osure, Select the entry *oint before
mo%ing to)ard the building, A%oid )indo)s and doors, Use smo7e to conceal your
ad%ance to the building, Use demolitions, tan7 rounds, combat engineer %ehicles <4$5s=,
and so on, to ma7e ne) entrances, :recede your entry )ith a grenade, $nter immediately
after the grenade e9*lodes, and be co%ered by one of your buddies,
a, U**er Building 1e%els, 4learing a building from the to* do)n is the *referred
method, 4learing or defending a building is easier from an u**er story, ra%ity
and the building>s floor *lan become assets )hen thro)ing hand grenades and
mo%ing from floor to floor,
<1= An enemy )ho is forced to the to* of a building may be cornered and
fight des*erately or esca*e o%er the roof, But an enemy )ho is forced
do)n to the ground le%el )ill li7ely )ithdra) from the building, thus
e9*osing himself to friendly fires from the outside,
<(= 5arious means, such as ladders, drain *i*es, %ines, helico*ters, or the
roofs and )indo)s of adCoining buildings may be used to reach the to*
floor or roof of a building, In some cases, one soldier can climb onto the
shoulders of another and reach high enough to *ull himself u*, Another
method is to attach a gra**ling hoo7 to the end of a scaling ro*e so a
rifleman can scale a )all, s*ring from one building to another, or gain
entrance through an u*stairs )indo),
b, Use of 1adders, 1adders offer the .uic7est method to gain access to the u**er
le%els of a building <Figure ("15=, Units can get ladders from local ci%ilians or
stores, or material to build ladders can be obtained through su**ly channels, If
re.uired, ladders can be built )ith resources a%ailable throughout the urban area,
For e9am*le, lumber can be ta7en from inside the )alls of buildings <Figure ("
1?=, Although ladders )ill not *ermit access to the to* of some buildings, they
)ill offer security and safety through s*eed,
Fi!"e &-11# Usin la%%e"s to et to !**e" le/els

Fi!"e &-14# 2ettin l!.be" f"o. insi%e t(e +alls
c, Use of the ra**ling Aoo7, Select a suitable gra**ling hoo7 and ro*e, -he
gra**ling hoo7 should be sturdy, *ortable, easily thro)n, and e.ui**ed )ith
hoo7s that can hold inside a )indo), -he scaling ro*e should be 5E# to 1 inch in
diameter and long enough to reach the obCecti%e )indo), -ie 7nots in the ro*e at
1"foot inter%als to ma7e climbing easier, Follo) the *rocedures outlined belo),
<1= ;hen thro)ing the gra**ling hoo7, stand as close to the building as
*ossible <Figure ("18=, -he closer you stand, the less e9*osure to enemy
fires, -he closer the range, the less hori+ontal distance you must thro) the
hoo7,
<(= 0a7e sure there is enough ro*e to reach the target, Aold the hoo7 and a
fe) coils of ro*e in the thro)ing hand, -he remainder of the ro*e, in loose
coils, should be in the other hand, Allo) the ro*e to *lay out freely, -he
thro) should be a gentle, e%en, u*)ard lob of the hoo7 )ith the other hand
releasing the ro*e as it *lays out,
<3= 2nce the gra**ling hoo7 is inside the )indo) <or on the roof=, *ull on
the ro*e to obtain a good hold before beginning to climb, ;hen using a
)indo), *ull the hoo7 to one corner to ensure chances of a good BbiteB
and to reduce e9*osure to lo)er )indo)s during the climb,
Fi!"e &-15# 2"a**lin (oo- t("o+n at $lose "ane
<@= -he use of gra**ling hoo7s is the least *referred method for gaining
entry to u**er le%els of buildings, -hey should be used only as a last resort
and a)ay from *otential enemy *ositions, -his method may *otentially be
used on adCacent buildings offering concealed locations and a connecting
roof to enemy *ositions,
d, Scaling ;alls, ;hen forced to scale a )all during e9*osure to enemy fire, use
all a%ailable concealment, Smo7e and di%ersionary measures im*ro%e the chances
of a successful e9*osed mo%ement, ;hen using smo7e for concealment, *lan for
)ind direction and effects of the smo7e, Use fire, shouting, and fa7e mo%ement to
distract the enemy,
<1= A soldier scaling an outside )all is %ulnerable to enemy sni*er fire,
Soldiers )ho are mo%ing from building to building and climbing buildings
should be co%ered by friendly fire, Areas bet)een buildings offer good
fields of fire to the enemy, :ro*erly *ositioned friendly )ea*ons can
su**ress and eliminate enemy fire, -he 0(03 grenade launcher is
effecti%e in clearing the enemy from rooms inside buildings <Figure ("1#=,
Fi!"e &-16# Usin t(e M&', "ena%e la!n$(e" to $lea" ene.) !nfi"e
<(= -he soldier scaling a )all )ith a ro*e should a%oid silhouetting himself
in )indo)s of uncleared rooms and a%oid e9*osing himself to enemy fires
from lo)er )indo)s, Ae should climb )ith his )ea*on slung o%er the
firing shoulder to .uic7ly bring it to a firing *osition, Ae should clear the
lo)er room )ith a hand grenade before ascending outside the )indo)s,
-he soldier does this by first loosening the safety *in so he only needs one
hand to thro) the grenade, -he obCecti%e u**er"story )indo) should not
be entered before a hand grenade has been thro)n in,
<3= -he soldier enters the obCecti%e )indo) )ith a lo) silhouette <Figure
("1!=, $ntry can be head firstD ho)e%er, a *referred method is to hoo7 a
leg o%er the )indo) sill and enter side)ays, straddling the ledge as sho)n
in the figure,
Fi!"e &-17# Sol%ie" ente"in t(e ob;e$ti/e +in%o+
e, /a**elling, /a**elling <Figure ("(0= is a combat techni.ue soldiers can use to
descend from the roofto* of a tall building into a )indo), Urban fighters should
learn the basic seat"hi* ra**el,
<1= -o set u* the ra**el site, be sure the ro*e reaches the bottom, 4arefully
test the anchor *oint and ins*ect to see that the ro*e )ill run around it
)hen *ulled from belo), :ad friction *oints along the edge of the )all to
*re%ent the ro*e from being cut,
<(= In the seat"hi* ra**el, the main friction is ta7en u* by a sna*lin7
inserted in a ro*e seat fastened to the body, -his is a fast method of getting
do)n a )allD it is also used in ra**elling from helico*ters,
<3= Before attaching the S)iss seat <Figure ("(1= and hoo7 sna*lin7, tuc7
your battle dress uniform <B&U= Cac7et into your trousers "" loose clothing
or e.ui*ment around the )aist may be *ulled into the sna*lin7, loc7ing the
ra**el,
Fi!"e &-&'# Ra**ellin
<@= -o ra**el, *ut on leather )or7 glo%es and stand to one side of the ro*es
<)hen bra7ing )ith the right hand, stand on the left sideD )hen bra7ing
)ith the left hand, stand on the right=, Sna* the ro*es into the sna*lin7,
<5= -a7e u* some slac7 in the ro*es bet)een the sna*lin7 and anchor
*ointD bring the ro*es underneath, around, and o%er the sna*lin7, sna**ing
into the ro*es again, <-his results in a turn of the ro*es around the solid
shaft of the sna*lin7 that does not cross itself )hen under tension, ;hen
using a single ro*e, ma7e t)o turns,=
Fi!"e &-&1# T)in of t(e S+iss seat
<?= Facing the anchor *oint, carefully bac7 o%er the edge of the obstacle
and lean )ell out, almost at a right angle to the surfaceD this is the B1B
*osition <Figure ("((=, i%e the signal B2n ra**el,B If the tactical situation
re.uires silence, use *lanned %isual signals,
Fi!"e &-&&# T(e CLC *osition
<8= &escend using the u**er hand as a guide and the lo)er hand to bra7e,
Aold the bra7ing hand behind and slightly abo%e the hi*, Bra7e by closing
the hand and *ressing the ro*e against the body,
<#= 4ontinue to B)al7B do)n, loo7ing at the ground o%er the bra7ing hand,
-o go faster, *ush off the )all )ith a slight ho* and descend in bounds
)ith the bra7e hand e9tended to)ard the ground,
<!= i%e the signal B2ff ra**elB u*on reaching the bottom, and straighten
the ro*es, <;hen silence is re.uired, use a *lanned signal for *ulling on
the ro*es,=
<10= ;hen the last man is do)n, reco%er the ro*e by *ulling on one side of
the double ro*e, :ulling it smoothly *re%ents the rising end from )hi**ing
around and binding the ro*e, Stand clear of the falling ro*e,
f, $ntry at 1o)er 1e%els, Buildings should be cleared from the to* do)n,
Ao)e%er, it may be im*ossible to enter a building at the to*D therefore, entry at
the bottom or a lo)er le%el may be the only course of action, ;hen entering a
building at the lo)er le%el, soldiers a%oid entry through )indo)s and doors since
both can be easily boobytra**ed and are usually co%ered by enemy fire,
<1= Ideally, )hen entering at lo)er le%els, demolitions, artillery, tan7 fire,
antitan7 )ea*ons fire, or similar means are used to create a ne) entrance
to a%oid booby tra*s, Juic7 entry is re.uired to follo) u* the effects of the
blast and concussion,
<(= ;hen the only entry to a building is through a )indo) or door,
su**orting fire should be directed at that location, If no su**orting fire is
a%ailable, 1A;s can be em*loyed instead,
<3= Before entering, soldiers thro) a coo7ed"off hand grenade into the ne)
entrance to reinforce the effects of the original blast, ;hen ma7ing a ne)
entrance in a building, they consider the effects of the blast on the building
and adCacent buildings, If there is the *ossibility of a fire in an adCacent
building, soldiers coordinate )ith adCacent units and obtain *ermission
before starting the o*eration, In )ooden frame buildings, the blast may
cause the building to colla*se, In stone, bric7, or cement buildings,
su**orting fires are aimed at the corner of the building or at )ea7 *oints in
the building construction, <S*ecific lo)er"le%el entry techni.ues are sho)n
in Figures ("(3 through ("(5,=
Fi!"e &-&,# Lo+e"-le/el ent") te$(ni:!es

Fi!"e &-&0# Lo+e"-le/el ent") te$(ni:!es =$ontin!e%>

Fi!"e &-&1# Lo+e"-le/el ent") te$(ni:!es =$ontin!e%>
g, Aand renades, 4ombat in built"u* areas <mainly during the attac7= re.uires
e9tensi%e use of hand grenades since one must be used to clear each room of a
building, -hro) a grenade before negotiating staircases, mouseholes, and so on,
-his usually re.uires the use of both hands and the o%erhand and underhand
methods of thro)ing, -he grenade should be allo)ed to Bcoo7 offB for t)o
seconds to *re%ent the enemy from grabbing the grenade and tossing it bac7,
Note' B4oo7ing offB a hand grenade in%ol%es *ulling the
safety *in, releasing the safety le%er or Bs*oon,B
counting t)o seconds <one thousand and one, one
thousand and t)o=, thro)ing the hand grenade, and
immediately ta7ing co%er,
<1= -he construction material used in the building being cleared influences
the use of grenades, If the )alls of a building are made of thin material,
such as sheetroc7 or thin *lyboard, the soldier must either lie flat on the
floor )ith his helmet *ointing to)ards the area of detonation, or mo%e
a)ay from any )all that might be *enetrated by grenade fragments,
<(= Soldiers should thro) grenades in an o*ening before entering a
building to eliminate enemy )ho might be near the entrance <Figure ("(?=,
-he 0(03 grenade launcher is the best method for *utting a grenade in an
u**er story )indo),
<3= ;hen a hand grenade must be used, the soldier thro)ing the grenade
should stand close to the building, using it for co%er, At the same times the
indi%idual and the rest of the element should ha%e a *lanned area to mo%e
to for safety if the grenade does not go through the )indo) but falls bac7
to the ground,
Fi!"e &-&4# T("o+in a "ena%e in an !**e"-le/el o*enin
<@= -he soldier thro)ing the grenade should allo) the grenade to coo7 off
for at least t)o seconds, and then ste* out far enough to lob the grenade in
the u**er"story o*ening, 6our )ea*on should be 7e*t in the nonthro)ing
hand so it can be used if needed, 6our )ea*on should ne%er be laid
outside or inside the building, 2nce the grenade has been thro)n into the
o*ening <Figure ("(8=, assaulting troo*s mo%e s)iftly to enter the
building,
Note' -he correct method for thro)ing a grenade through a
)indo) re.uires the soldier to stand close to the
building, using it for co%er, -he soldier indicates a
grenade has been thro)n by yelling BFrag out,B
Fi!"e &-&5# 3an% "ena%e t("o+n t("o!( a +in%o+
;A/NIN,
After thro)ing the grenade, the soldier
must immediately announce loudly that a
grenade has been thro)n and then ta7e
co%er since the grenade may bounce bac7
or be thro)n bac7, or the enemy may fire
at him,
<5= If soldiers must enter the building by the stairs, they first loo7 for
booby tra*s, -hen they thro) a grenade through the stair)ell door, let it
detonate, and .uic7ly mo%e inside, -hey can use the staircase for co%er,
<?= -he best )ay to enter a building is to breach the e9terior )all, Again, a
grenade must be thro)n through the hole using all a%ailable co%er, such as
the lo)er corner of the building <Figure ("(#=,
<8= ;hen a door is the only means of entering a room, soldiers must
be)are of fire from enemy soldiers )ithin the room and be)are of booby
tra*s, &oors can be o*ened by using the hand, by 7ic7ing, by firing, or by
using *ioneer tools such as an a9e, ;hen o*ening a door, soldiers must not
e9*ose themsel%es to firers through the door, A t)o"man team should be
used )hen doors are o*ened by hand, $ach soldier should stay close to one
side of the door)ay so as not to e9*ose himself in the o*en doorframe,
Ao)e%er, it is better to o*en the door by 7ic7ing or firing, ;hen 7ic7ing,
one man stands to the side )hile the other 7ic7s <Figure ("(!=,
Fi!"e &-&6# Lo+e" $o"ne" of a b!il%in !se% fo" $o/e"
<#= 2nce the door is o*en, a hand grenade is tossed in, After the grenade
e9*lodes, soldiers mo%e in )hile firing short bursts of automatic fire, If the
doorframe is sturdy and cannot be 7ic7ed o*en, soldiers must shoot the
door o*en or brea7 it do)n )ith an a9e, -he *rocedure for entering the
room is the same as for 7ic7ing the door o*en,
<!= Another )ay to enter a room is to blast mouseholes )ith demolitions,
In mo%ing from room to room through mouseholes, soldiers must use
grenades as in mo%ing through door)ays, As they enter the mousehole,
they should use the floor or adCacent )all for co%er,
Fi!"e &-&7# Sol%ie" -i$-in a %oo" o*en#
<10= ;hile clearing the bottom floor of a building, soldiers may encounter
stairs )hich must also be cleared, 2nce again, grenades *lay an im*ortant
role, -o climb the stairs, soldiers should first ins*ect for booby tra*s, then
toss a grenade to the head of the stairs or the ne9t landing <Figure ("30=,
/emember to use %oice commands )hen thro)ing grenades, 2nce the
grenade has detonated, thro) another grenade o%er and behind the
staircase banister and into the hall)ay, destroying any enemy hiding to the
rear, Using the staircase for co%er, thro) the grenade underhand to reduce
the ris7 of it bouncing bac7 and rolling bac7 do)n the stairs,
<11= After the stairs ha%e been cleared, assaulting forces mo%e to the to*
floor and clear it, using the methods already described, U*on securing the
to* floor, forces mo%e do)nstairs to clear the center and bottom floors,
and to continue )ith the mission,
Note' Since large .uantities of hand grenades are used )hen
clearing buildings, a continuous su**ly must be
a%ailable to forces ha%ing this mission )ithin a built"
u* area,
Fi!"e &-,'# Sol%ie" tossin a "ena%e !* a stai"+a)
3, Firing :ositions,
;hether a unit is attac7ing, defending, or conducting retrograde o*erations, its success or
failure de*ends on the ability of the indi%idual soldier to *lace accurate fire on the enemy
)ith the least e9*osure to return fire, 4onse.uently, the soldier must immediately see7
and *ro*erly use firing *ositions,
a, Aasty Firing :osition, 6ou normally occu*y a hasty firing *osition in the attac7
or the early stages of the defense, It is a *osition from )hich you can *lace fire
u*on the enemy )hile using a%ailable co%er for *rotection from return fire, 6ou
may occu*y it %oluntarily, or be forced to occu*y it due to enemy fire, In either
case, the *osition lac7s *re*aration before occu*ation, Some of the more common
hasty firing *ositions in a built"u* area and techni.ues for occu*ying them are'
corners of buildings, firing from behind )alls, firing from )indo)s, firing from
un*re*ared loo*holes, and firing from the *ea7 of a roof,
<1= 4orners of Buildings, -he corner of a building *ro%ides co%er for a
hasty firing *osition if used *ro*erly,
<a= 6ou must be ca*able of firing your )ea*on both right" and left"
handed to be effecti%e around corners, A common error made in
firing around corners is firing from the )rong shoulder, -his
e9*oses more of your body to return fire than necessary, By firing
from the *ro*er shoulder, you can reduce the target e9*osed to
enemy fire,
<b= Another common mista7e )hen firing around corners is firing
from the standing *osition, 6ou e9*ose yourself at the height the
enemy )ould e9*ect a target to a**ear, and ris7 e9*osing the entire
length of your body as a target for the enemy,
<(= ;alls, ;hen firing behind )alls, you fire around co%er "" not o%er it
<Figure ("31=,
Fi!"e &-,1# Fi"in a"o!n% $o/e"
<3= ;indo)s, In a built"u* area, )indo)s *ro%ide con%enient firing *orts,
Normally you )ould )ant to a%oid firing from the standing *osition since
it e9*oses most of your body to return fire from the enemy and could
silhouette you against a light"colored interior beyond the )indo), -his is
an ob%ious sign of the firer>s *osition, es*ecially at night )hen the mu++le
flash can easily be obser%ed, ;hen *ro*erly firing from a )indo) <Figure
("3(=, the soldier is )ell bac7 into the room to *re%ent the mu++le flash
from being seen, and he is 7neeling to limit e9*osure and a%oid
silhouetting himself,
Fi!"e &-,&# Sol%ie" fi"in f"o. a +in%o+
<@= 1oo*holes, 6ou can fire through a hole torn in the )all and a%oid
)indo)s <Figure ("33=, Stay )ell bac7 from the loo*hole so the mu++le of
the )ea*on does not *rotrude beyond the )alls and the mu++le flash is
concealed,
Fi!"e &-,,# Sol%ie" fi"in f"o. a loo*(ole
<5= /oof, -he *ea7 of a roof *ro%ides a %antage *oint for sni*ers
increasing their field of %ision and the ranges at )hich they can engage
targets <Figure ("3@=, A chimney, a smo7estac7, or any other obCect
*rotruding from the roof of a building can reduce the si+e of the target
e9*osed and should be used as sho)n in the figure,
Fi!"e &-,0# Sol%ie" fi"in f"o. t(e *ea- of a "oof
<?= ;hen the soldier is subCected to enemy fire and none of the *ositions
mentioned abo%e are a%ailable, he must try to e9*ose as little of himself as
*ossible, ;hen a soldier in an o*en area bet)een buildings <a street or
alley= is fired u*on by an enemy in one of the buildings to his front and no
co%er is a%ailable, he should lie *rone as close as *ossible to a building on
the same side of the o*en area as the enemy, -o engage the soldier, the
enemy must then lean out the )indo) and e9*ose himself to return fire,
<8= ;hen no co%er is a%ailable, target e9*osure can be reduced by firing
from the *rone *osition, by firing from shado)s, and by *resenting no
silhouette against buildings,
b, :re*ared Firing :osition, A *re*ared firing *osition is one built or im*ro%ed to
allo) the firer to engage a *articular area, a%enue of a**roach, or enemy *ositions
reducing his e9*osure to return fire, $9am*les of *re*ared *ositions include the
follo)ing'
Barricaded )indo)s,
Fortified loo*holes,
Sni*er *ositions,
Antitan7 *ositions,
0achine gun *ositions,
<1= -he natural firing *ort *ro%ided by )indo)s can be im*ro%ed by
barricading the )indo), lea%ing a small hole for the firer>s use <Figure ("
35=, -he barricading may be accom*lished )ith materials torn from the
interior )alls of the building or any other a%ailable material, ;hen
barricading )indo)s, a%oid the follo)ing'
Fi!"e &-,1# Win%o+ fi"in *osition
Barricading only the )indo)s to be used as firing *orts, -he enemy
)ill soon determine the barricaded )indo)s are firing *ositions,
Neat, s.uare, or rectangular holes easily identified by the enemy, A
barricaded )indo) should not ha%e a neat, regular firing *ort, -he
)indo) should 7ee* its original sha*e so the *osition of the firer is
hard to detect, Firing from the bottom of the )indo) gi%es the firer
the ad%antage of the )all because the firing *ort is less ob%ious to
the enemy, Sandbags are used to reinforce the )all belo) the
)indo) and to increase *rotection for the firer, All glass must be
remo%ed from the )indo) to *re%ent inCury to the firer, 1ace
curtains *ermit the firer to see out and *re%ent the enemy from
seeing in, ;et blan7ets should be *laced under )ea*ons to reduce
dust, ;ire mesh o%er the )indo) 7ee*s the enemy from thro)ing
in hand grenades,
<(= Although )indo)s usually are good firing *ositions, they do not
al)ays allo) the firer to engage targets in his sector,
<a= -o a%oid establishing a *attern of al)ays firing from )indo)s,
an alternate *osition is re.uired such as the *re*ared loo*hole
<Figure ("3?=, -his in%ol%es cutting or blo)ing a small hole into
the )all to allo) the firer to obser%e and engage targets in his
sector,
Fi!"e &-,4# P"e*a"e% loo*(oles
<b= Sandbags are used to reinforce the )alls belo), around, and
abo%e the loo*hole, -)o layers of sandbags are *laced on the floor
under the firer to *rotect him from an e9*losion on a lo)er floor <if
the *osition is on the second floor or higher=, A )all of sandbags,
rubble, furniture, and so on, should be constructed to the rear of the
*osition to *rotect the firer from e9*losions in the room,
<c= A table, bedstead, or other a%ailable material *ro%ides o%erhead
co%er for the *osition, -his *re%ents inCury to the firer from falling
debris or e9*losions abo%e his *osition,
<d= -he *osition should be camouflaged by 7noc7ing other holes in
the )all, ma7ing it difficult for the enemy to determine )hich hole
the fire is coming from, Siding material should be remo%ed from
the building in se%eral *laces to ma7e loo*holes less noticeable,
<3= A chimney or other *rotruding structure *ro%ides a base from )hich a
sni*er *osition can be *re*ared, :art of the roofing material is remo%ed to
allo) the sni*er to fire around the chimney, Ae should stand inside the
building on the beams or on a *latform )ith only his head and shoulders
abo%e the roof <behind the chimney=, Sandbags *laced on the sides of the
*osition *rotect the sni*er>s flan7s,
<@= ;hen the roof has no *rotruding structure to *ro%ide *rotection, the
sni*er *osition should be *re*ared from underneath on the enemy side of
the roof, -he *osition is reinforced )ith sandbags, and a small *iece of
roofing material should be remo%ed to allo) the sni*er to engage targets in
his sector <Figure ("38=, -he missing *iece of roofing material should be
the only sign a *osition e9ists there, Ao)e%er, other *ieces of roofing
should be remo%ed to decei%e the enemy as to the true sni*er *osition, -he
sni*er should be in%isible from outside the building, and the mu++le flash
must be hidden from %ie),
<5= Some rules and considerations for selecting and occu*ying indi%idual
firing *ositions are as follo)'
0a7e ma9imum use of a%ailable co%er and concealment,
A%oid firing o%er co%erD )hen *ossible fire around it,
A%oid silhouetting against light"colored buildings, the s7yline, and
so on,
4arefully select a ne) firing *osition before lea%ing an old one,
Fi!"e &-,5# Sni*e" *osition
A%oid setting a *atternD fire from both barricaded and unbarricaded
)indo)s,
Fee* e9*osure time to a minimum,
Begin im*ro%ing a hasty *osition immediately after occu*ation,
Use construction material for *re*ared *ositions that is readily
a%ailable in a built"u* area,
/emember, *ositions *ro%iding co%er at ground le%el may not
*ro%ide co%er on higher floors,
<?= -he rifle s.uad, during an attac7 on and in defense of a built"u* area, is
often reinforced )ith attached antitan7 )ea*ons, -herefore, the rifle s.uad
leader must be able to choose good firing *ositions for the antitan7
)ea*ons under his control,
<8= 5arious *rinci*les of em*loying antitan7 )ea*ons ha%e uni%ersal
a**lications such as' ma7ing ma9imum use of a%ailable co%erD trying to
achie%e mutual su**ortD and allo)ing for the bac7blast )hen *ositioning
recoilless )ea*ons, -2;s, &ragons, and 1A;s,
<#= 2*erating in a built"u* area *resents ne) considerations, Soldiers must
select numerous alternate *ositions, *articularly )hen the structure does
not *ro%ide co%er from small"arms fire, -hey must *osition their )ea*ons
in the shado)s and )ithin the building,
<!= In attac7ing a built"u* area, the recoilless )ea*on and A-0 cre)s
are se%erely ham*ered in choosing firing *ositions due to the bac7blast of
their )ea*ons, -hey may not ha%e enough time to 7noc7 out )alls in
buildings and clear bac7blast areas, -hey should select *ositions )hich
allo) the bac7blast to esca*e such as corner )indo)s <Figure ("3#= )here
the round fired goes out one )indo) and the bac7blast esca*es from
another, -he corner of a building can be im*ro%ed )ith sandbags to create
a firing *osition,
Fi!"e &-,6# Co"ne" fi"in *osition
<10= A !0"mm recoilless rifle </41/= cre) firing from the to* of a
building can use the chimney for co%er <Figure ("3!=, -he rear of this
*osition should be reinforced )ith sandbags and could also be used by a
&ragon team,
Fi!"e &-,7# 7'-.. "e$oilless "ifle tea. fi"in f"o. "oofto*
<11= $m*loy recoilless )ea*ons and A-0s in streets and other o*en
areas to ma7e use of rubble, corners of buildings, destroyed %ehicles, and
anything affording co%er <Figure ("@0=,
Fi!"e &-0'# P"e*a"e% *ositions !sin b!il%in fo" o/e"(ea% $o/e"
-hey can mo%e along roofto*s to obtain a better angle in )hich to engage
enemy armor, ;hen buildings are ele%ated, *ositions can be *re*ared
using a building for o%erhead co%er, 4are must be ta7en in *lacement of
the )ea*ons so the bac7blast under the building does not damage or
colla*se the building or inCure the cre),
<1(= -he machine gun has no bac7blast, so it can be *ositioned almost
any)here, In the attac7s, )indo)s and doors offer ready"made firing *orts
<Figure ("@1=, Ao)e%er, the enemy normally has )indo)s and doors
under obser%ation and fire during combat, so a%oid ob%ious em*lacements,
Any o*ening in )alls created during the fighting may be used, ;hen other
holes are not *resent, small e9*losi%e charges can create loo*holes <Figure
("@(=, /egardless of )hat o*enings are used, machine guns should be )ell
)ithin the building and in the shado)s,
Fi!"e &-01# E.*la$e.ent of a .a$(ine !n in a %oo"+a)

Fi!"e &-0&# Use of a loo*(ole +it( a .a$(ine !n
<13= U*on occu*ying a building, soldiers often board u* all )indo)s and
doors, By lea%ing small ga*s bet)een the slots, soldiers can use )indo)s
and doors as good alternati%e firing *ositions,
<1@= 1oo*holes should be used e9tensi%ely in the defense, -hey should not
be constructed in any logical *attern, nor should they all be at floor or
table"to* le%el, 5arying their height and location ma7es them hard to
*in*oint and identify, &ummy loo*holes, shingles 7noc7ed off, or holes
cut that are not intended to be used as fighting *ositions, aid in the
dece*tion, 1oo*holes located behind shrubbery, under doorCambs, and
under the ea%es of a building are hard to detect, In the defense, as in the
offense, a firing *osition can be constructed using the building for
o%erhead co%er,
<15= Increased fields of fire can be obtained by locating the machine gun in
the corner of the building or sandbagged under a building <Figure ("@3=,
Fi!"e &-0,# San%bae% .a$(ine !n e.*la$e.ent !n%e" a b!il%in
A%ailable materials, such as des7s, o%erstuffed chairs, couches, and other
items of furniture, should be integrated into the construction of bun7ers to
add co%er and concealment <Figure ("@@=,
Fi!"e &-00# Co"ne" .a$(ine !n b!n-e"
<1?= Although gra+ing fire is desirable )hen em*loying the machine gun,
it may not al)ays be *ractical or *ossible, ;here destroyed %ehicles,
rubble, and other obstructions restrict the fields of gra+ing fire, the gun can
be ele%ated to )here it can fire o%er obstacles, -herefore, firing from
loo*holes on the second or third story may be necessary, A firing *latform
can be built under the roof <Figure ("@5= and a loo*hole constructed,
Again, the e9act location of the *osition must be concealed by 7noc7ing
off shingles in isolated *atches o%er the entire roof,
Fi!"e &-01# Fi"in *latfo". b!ilt !n%e" a "oof
c, -arget Ac.uisition, Built"u* areas *ro%ide uni.ue challenges to units, Buildings
mas7 mo%ement and the effects of direct and indirect fires, -he rubble from
destroyed buildings, along )ith the buildings themsel%es, *ro%ide concealment
and *rotection for attac7ers and defenders, ma7ing target ac.uisition difficult, A
city offers definite a%enues of a**roach )hich can easily be di%ided into sectors,
<1= -he techni.ues of *atrolling and using obser%ation *osts a**ly in the
city as )ell as in )ooded terrain, -hese techni.ues enable units to locate
the enemy, to de%elo* targets for direct and indirect fires in the defense,
and to find unco%ered a%enues of a**roach in the offense,
<(= 0ost )ea*ons and %ehicles ha%e distinguishing signatures, -hese come
from design features or from the en%ironment in )hich the e.ui*ment is
used, Some e9am*les follo)'
Firing a tan7 main gun in dry, dusty, and debris"co%ered streets
raises a dust cloud,
A tan7 being dri%en in built"u* areas *roduces more noise than one
mo%ing through an o*en field,
Soldiers mo%ing through rubble on a street or in the halls of a
damaged building create more noise than in a )ooded area,
Soldiers must recogni+e signatures so they can locate and identify targets,
Seeing, hearing, and smelling assist in detecting and identifying signatures
leading to target location, identification, and ra*id engagement, Soldiers
must loo7 for targets in areas )here they are most li7ely to be em*loyed,
<3= -arget ac.uisition is continuous, )hether halted or mo%ing, Built"u*
areas *ro%ide both the attac7er and defender )ith good co%er and
concealment, but it usually fa%ors the defender because of the ad%antages
achie%ed, -his ma7es target ac.uisition e9tremely im*ortant since the side
firing first may )in the engagement,
<@= ;hen a unit is mo%ing and enemy contact is li7ely, the unit must ha%e
an o%er)atching element, -his *rinci*le a**lies in built"u* areas Cust as it
does in other 7inds of terrain, Ao)e%er, in built"u* areas the o%er)atching
element must obser%e both the u**er floors of buildings and street le%el,
<5= Stealth should be used )hen mo%ing in built"u* areas since little
distance se*arates attac7ers and defenders, Use only arm" and"hand signals
until contact is made, -he unit should sto* *eriodically to listen and )atch,
ensuring it is not being follo)ed or the enemy is not mo%ing *arallel to the
unit>s flan7 for an ambush, /outes should be carefully chosen so buildings
and *iles of rubble can be used to mas7 the unit>s mo%ement,
<?= 2bser%ation duties must be clearly gi%en to s.uad members to ensure
all"round security as they mo%e, -his security continues at the halt, All the
senses must be used to ac.uire targets, es*ecially hearing and smelling,
Soldiers soon recogni+e the sounds of %ehicles and *eo*le mo%ing through
rubble"littered streets, -he smell of fuel, cologne, and coo7ing food can
disclose enemy *ositions,
<8= 2bser%ation *osts are *ositions from )hich soldiers can )atch and
listen to enemy acti%ity in a s*ecific sector, -hey )arn the unit of an
enemy a**roach and are ideally suited for built"u* areas, 2:s can be
*ositioned in the u**er floors of buildings, gi%ing soldiers a better %antage
*oint than at street le%el,
<#= In the defense, a *latoon leader *ositions 2:s for local security as
ordered by the com*any commander, -he *latoon leader selects the
general location but the s.uad leader sets u* the 2: <Figure ("@?=,
Normally, there is at least one 2: for each *latoon, An 2: consists of t)o
to four men and is )ithin small"arms su**orting range of the *latoon,
1oo7 for *ositions )ith good obser%ation of the target sector, Ideally, an
2: has a field of obser%ation o%erlaying those of adCacent 2:s, -he
*osition selected for the 2: should ha%e co%er and concealment for units
mo%ing to and from the 2:, Use the u**er floors of houses or other
buildings, $nsure the s.uad leader does not select ob%ious *ositions, such
as )ater to)ers or church stee*les, )hich attract the enemy>s attention,
Fi!"e &-04# Sele$tion of OP lo$ation
<!= -each your soldiers ho) to scan a target area from 2:s or from their
fighting *ositions, Use of *ro*er scanning techni.ues enable s.uad
members to .uic7ly locate and identify targets, ;ithout o*tics, a soldier
searches .uic7ly for ob%ious targets, using all his senses to detect target
signatures, If no targets are found and time *ermits, he ma7es a more
detailed search <using binoculars, if a%ailable= of the terrain in the assigned
sector using the 50"meter method, First, he searches a stri* 50 meters dee*
from right to leftD then he searches a stri* from left to right that is farther
out, o%erla**ing the first stri*, -his *rocess is continued until the entire
sector is searched, In the city core or core *eri*hery )here the obser%er is
faced )ith multi"story buildings, the o%erla**ing sectors may be going u*
rather than out,
<10= Soldiers )ho man 2:s and other *ositions should em*loy target
ac.uisition de%ices, -hese de%ices include binoculars, image"
intensification de%ices, thermal sights, ground sur%eillance radar <S/=,
remotely em*loyed sensors </$0S= and *latoon early )arning systems
<:$;S=, All of these de%ices enhance the unit>s ability to detect and
engage targets, Se%eral ty*es of de%ices should be used since no single
de%ice can meet e%ery need of a unit, A mi9 might include :$;S sensors
to co%er out"of"sight areas and dead s*ace, image"intensification de%ices
for close range, thermal sights for camouflage, and smo7e *enetration for
lo)"light conditions, A mi9 of de%ices is best because se%eral de%ices
*ermit o%erla**ing sectors and more co%erage, and the ca*abilities of one
de%ice can com*ensate for limitations of another,
<11= -arget ac.uisition techni.ues used at night are similar to those used
during the day, At night, )hether using daylight o*tics or the unaided eye,
a soldier does not loo7 directly at an obCect but a fe) degrees off to the
side, -he side of the eye is more sensiti%e to dim light, ;hen scanning
)ith off"center %ision, he mo%es his eyes in short abru*t, irregular mo%es,
At each li7ely target area, he *auses a fe) seconds to detect any motion,
<1(= Sounds and smells can aid in ac.uiring targets at night since they
transmit better in the cooler, dam*er, night air, /unning engines, %ehicles,
and soldiers mo%ing through rubble"co%ered streets can be heard for great
distances, 2dors from diesel fuel, gasoline, coo7ing food, burning tobacco,
after"sha%e lotion, and so on, re%eal enemy and friendly locations,
d, Flame 2*erations, Incendiary ammunition, s*ecial )ea*ons, and the ease )ith
)hich incendiary de%ices can be constructed from gasoline and other flammables
ma7e fire a true threat in built"u* area o*erations, &uring defensi%e o*erations,
firefighting should be a *rimary concern, -he *ro*er ste*s must be ta7en to
reduce the ris7 of a fire that could ma7e a chosen *osition indefensible,
<1= Soldiers choose or create *ositions )ithout large o*enings, -hese
*ositions *ro%ide as much built"in co%er as *ossible to *re%ent *enetration
by incendiary ammunition, All unnecessary flammable materials are
remo%ed, including ammunition bo9es, furniture, rugs, ne)s*a*ers,
curtains, and so on, Any electricity and gas coming into the building must
be shut off,
<(= A building of concrete"bloc7 construction, )ith concrete floors and a
tin roof, is an ideal *lace for a *osition, Ao)e%er, most buildings ha%e
)ooden floors or subfloors, )ooden rafters, and )ooden inner )alls,
)hich re.uire im*ro%ement, Inner )alls are remo%ed and re*laced )ith
blan7ets to resemble )alls from the outside, S*read sand t)o inches dee*
on floors and in attics to retard fire,
<3= All a%ailable firefighting gear is *re*ositioned so it can be used during
actual combat, For the indi%idual soldier such gear includes entrenching
tools, helmets, sand, and blan7ets, -hese items are su**lemented )ith fire
e9tinguishers not in use,
<@= Fire is so destructi%e it can easily o%er)helm *ersonnel regardless of
e9traordinary *recautions, Soldiers *lan routes of )ithdra)al so a *riority
of e%acuation can be sent from fighting *ositions, -his allo)s soldiers to
e9it through areas )hich are free from combustible material and *ro%ide
co%er from enemy direct fire,
<5= -he confined s*ace and large amounts of combustible material in built"
u* areas influence the enemy to use incendiary de%ices, -)o maCor first"
aid *roblems that are more urgent than in the o*en battlefield are' burns,
and smo7e and flame inhalation )hich creates a lac7 of o9ygen, -hese can
easily occur in buildings and render the %ictim combat ineffecti%e,
Although there is little defense against flame inhalation and lac7 of
o9ygen, smo7e inhalation can be greatly reduced by )earing the indi%idual
*rotecti%e mas7, /egardless of the fire ha+ard, defensi%e *lanning for
combat in built"u* areas must include aidmen, Aidmen must reach %ictims
and must ha%e e9tra su**lies for the treatment of burns and inhalation
inCuries,
<?= 2ffensi%e o*erations also re.uire *lans for firefighting, -he success of
the mission can easily be threatened by fire, :oorly *lanned use of
incendiary munitions can ma7e fires so e9tensi%e they become obstacles to
offensi%e o*erations, -he enemy may use fire to co%er his )ithdra)al and
to create obstacles and barriers to the attac7er,
<8= ;hen *lanning offensi%e o*erations, the attac7er must consider all
a%ailable )ea*ons, -he best t)o )ea*ons for creating fires are the 0(0(
F1ASA and the flamethro)er, )hich is currently out of Army in%entory
but can be obtained by s*ecial re.uest through logistics channels, -he
flamethro)er is the better training )ea*on since )ater can be substituted
for the flame and the effect of the )ea*on can be measured by the
*enetration of the )ater, -here is currently no training round for the 0(0(,
;hen using fire in an o*eration, firefighting su**ort must be a%ailable to
a%oid using combat soldiers to fight fires, 4hoose your targets during your
initial *lanning to a%oid accidentally destroying critical facilities )ithin
the built"u* area, ;hen using flame o*erations in a built"u* area, set
*riorities to determine )hich critical installations <hos*itals, *o)er
stations, radio stations, and historical landmar7s= should ha%e *rimary
firefighting su**ort,
<#= $%ery soldier *artici*ating in the attac7 must be ready to deal )ith fire,
-he normal firefighting e.ui*ment a%ailable includes the entrenching tool,
helmet <for carrying sand or )ater=, and blan7ets <for snuffing out small
fires=, Fire e9tinguishers are a%ailable on each of the %ehicles su**orting
the attac7,
@, Na%igation in Built"u* Areas,
Built"u* areas *resent a different set of challenges in%ol%ing na%igation, &ee* in the city
core, the normal terrain features de*icted on ma*s may not a**ly "" buildings become the
maCor terrain features and units become tied to streets, Fighting in the city destroys
buildings )hose rubble bloc7s streets, Street and road signs are destroyed during the
fighting if they are not remo%ed by the defenders, 2*erations in sub)ays and se)ers
*resent other uni.ue challenges, Ao)e%er, ma*s and *hotogra*hs are a%ailable to hel*
the unit o%ercome these *roblems, -he global *ositioning system can *ro%ide na%igation
abilities in built"u* areas,
a, 0ilitary 0a*s, -he military city ma* is a to*ogra*hical ma* of a city, usually a
1'1(,500 scale, delineating streets and sho)ing street names, im*ortant buildings,
and other urban elements, -he scale of a city ma* can %ary from 1'(5,000 to
1'5,000, de*ending on the im*ortance and si+e of the city, density of detail, and
intelligence information,
<1= S*ecial ma*s, *re*ared by su**orting to*ogra*hic engineers, can assist
units in na%igating in built"u* areas, -hese ma*s ha%e been designed or
modified to gi%e information not co%ered in a standard ma*, )hich
includes ma*s of road and bridge net)or7s, railroads, built"u* areas, and
electric *o)er fields, -hey can be used to su**lement military city ma*s
and to*ogra*hical ma*s,
<(= 2nce in the built"u* area, soldiers use street intersections as reference
*oints much as they )ould use hills and streams in rural terrain, 4ity ma*s
su**lement or re*lace to*ogra*hic ma*s as the basis of na%igation, -hese
ma*s enable units mo%ing in the built"u* area to 7no) )here they are and
to mo%e to ne) locations e%en though streets ha%e been bloc7ed or a 7ey
building destroyed,
<3= -he old techni.ues of com*ass reading and *ace counting can still be
used, es*ecially in a blac7ed"out city )here street signs and buildings are
not %isible, 4om*ass a+imuth readings can be thro)n off from the high
metal content and *resence of electrical fields in the city, 4arefully
obser%e your com*ass so you )ill be a)are of this condition, Se)ers must
be na%igated in much the same )ay, 0a*s *ro%iding the basic layout of
the se)er system are maintained by city se)er de*artments, -his
information includes directions the se)er lines run and distances bet)een
manhole co%ers, Along )ith basic com*ass and *ace count techni.ues,
such information enables a unit to mo%e through the city se)ers,
<@= 4ity utility )or7ers are assets to units fighting in built"u* areas, -hey
can *ro%ide ma*s of se)ers and electrical fields and information about the
city, -his is im*ortant es*ecially )ith regard to the use of the se)ers,
Se)ers can contain *oc7ets of methane gas )hich is highly to9ic to
humans, 4ity se)er )or7ers 7no) the locations of these danger areas and
can ad%ise a unit ho) to a%oid them,
b, Aerial :hotogra*hs, 4urrent aerial *hotogra*hs are also e9cellent su**lements
to military city ma*s and can be substituted for a ma*, A to*ogra*hic ma* or
military city ma* could be obsolete if it )as com*iled many years ago, A recent
aerial *hotogra*h sho)s changes )hich ha%e ta7en *lace since the ma* )as
made, -his could include destroyed buildings and streets bloc7ed by rubble as
)ell as enemy defensi%e *re*arations, 0ore information can be gained by using
aerial *hotogra*hs and ma*s together than using either one alone,
5, 4amouflage,
-o sur%i%e and )in in combat in built"u* areas, you must su**lement co%er and
concealment )ith camouflage, -o *ro*erly camouflage men, carriers, and e.ui*ment,
soldiers must study the surrounding area and ma7e *ositions loo7 li7e the local terrain,
a, A**lication, 2nly the material needed for camouflaging a *osition should be
used since e9cess material could re%eal the *osition, ather the camouflage
material from a )ide area, For e9am*le, if defending the city *ar7, all of the *ar7
is used for resources "" do not denude a small area near a fighting *osition for
camouflage material, -his )ill ma7e it stic7 out li7e a Bsore thumb,B
<1= Buildings *ro%ide numerous concealed *ositions, Armored %ehicles
can often find isolated *ositions under arch)ays or inside small industrial
or commercial structures, -hic7 masonry, stone, or bric7 )alls offer
e9cellent *rotection from direct fire and *ro%ide concealed routes,
<(= After camouflage is com*leted, the soldier ins*ects *ositions from the
enemy>s %ie)*oint, Ae ma7es routine chec7s to see if the camouflage
remains natural loo7ing and actually conceals his *osition, If it does not
loo7 natural, the soldier must rearrange or re*lace it,
<3= :ositions must be *rogressi%ely camouflaged as they are *re*ared,
;or7 should continue until all camouflage is com*lete, ;hen the enemy
has air su*eriority, )or7 may be *ossible only at night, Shiny or light"
colored obCects )hich could attract attention from the air must be hidden,
Fires can only be lit in enclosed or hidden areas to a%oid being seen by the
enemy,
<@= Shirts should be )orn since e9*osed s7in reflects light and attracts the
enemy, $%en dar7 s7in reflects light because of its natural oils,
<5= 4amouflage face *aint is issued in three standard, t)o"tone stic7s,
;hen issue"ty*e face"*aint stic7s are not a%ailable, burnt cor7, charcoal,
or lam*blac7 can be used to tone do)n e9*osed s7in, Use mud as a last
resort since it dries and *eels off, lea%ing the s7in e9*osed, It may also
contain harmful bacteria,
b, Use of Shado)s, Buildings in built"u* areas thro) shar* shado)s )hich can be
used to conceal %ehicles and e.ui*ment <Figure ("@8=, Soldiers should a%oid areas
not in shado)s, 5ehicles may ha%e to be mo%ed *eriodically as shado)s shift
during the day, $m*lacements inside buildings *ro%ide better concealment,
<1= Soldiers should a%oid the lighted areas around )indo)s and loo*holes,
-hey )ill be better concealed if they fire from the shado)ed interior of a
room <Figure ("@#=,
<(= A lace curtain or *iece of cheesecloth *ro%ides additional concealment
to soldiers in the interior of rooms if curtains are common to the area,
Interior lights are *rohibited,
Fi!"e &-05# Use of s(a%o+s fo" $on$eal.ent

Fi!"e &-06# Con$eal.ent insi%e a b!il%in
c, 4olor and -e9ture, Standard camouflage *attern *ainting of e.ui*ment is not as
effecti%e in built"u* areas as a solid, dull, dar7 color hidden in shado)s, Since
re*ainting %ehicles before entering a built"u* area is not al)ays *ractical, the
lighter sand"colored *atterns should be subdued )ith mud or dirt,
<1= -he need to brea7 u* the silhouette of helmets and indi%idual
e.ui*ment e9ists in built"u* areas the same as it does else)here, Ao)e%er,
burla* or can%as stri*s are a more effecti%e camouflage than foliage
<Figure ("@!=, :redominant colors are normally bro)ns, tans, and
sometimes grays rather than greens, but each camouflage location should
be e%aluated,
Fi!"e &-07# 3el.et $a.o!flae% +it( b!"la* st"i*s
<(= ;ea*ons em*lacements should use a )et blan7et <Figure ("50=,
can%as, or cloth to 7ee* dust from rising )hen the )ea*on is fired,
Fi!"e &-1'# Wet blan-et !se% to -ee* %!st %o+n
<3= 4ommand *osts and logistical em*lacements are easier to camouflage
and better *rotected if located underground, Antennas can be remoted to
u**er stories or to higher buildings based on remote ca*abilities, Field
tele*hone )ire should be laid in conduits, in se)ers, or through buildings,
<@= Soldiers should consider the bac7ground to ensure they are not
silhouetted or s7ylined, but rather blend into their surrounding, -o defeat
enemy urban camouflage, soldiers should be alert for the follo)ing
common camouflage errors'
-rac7s or other e%idence of acti%ity,
Shine or shado)s,
An unnatural color or te9ture,
0u++le flash, smo7e, or dust,
Unnatural sounds and smells,
0o%ement,
<5= &ummy *ositions can be used effecti%ely to distract the enemy and
ma7e him re%eal his *osition by firing,
<?= Built"u* areas afford co%er, resources for camouflage, and locations for
concealment, -he follo)ing basic rules of co%er, camouflage, and
concealment should be adhered to'
<a= Use the terrain and other camouflage habits to suit your
surroundings,
<b= $m*loy dece*ti%e camouflage of buildings,
<c= 4ontinue to im*ro%e *ositions, /einforce fighting *ositions
)ith sandbags or other shra*nel and blast"absorbent material,
<d= 0aintain the natural loo7 of the area,
<e= Fee* *ositions hidden by clearing a)ay minimal debris for
fields of fire,
<f= 4hoose firing *orts in incons*icuous s*ots )hen a%ailable,
Note' /emember, a force that co%ers and conceals itself has a
significant ad%antage o%er a force that does not,

PART B - EMPLODMENT AND EFFECTS OF WEAPONS IN
BUILT-UP AREAS
-his *art of the lesson describes )ea*ons> ca*abilities and effects against generic targets,
It focuses on s*ecific em*loyment considerations *ertaining to combat in built"u* areas,
and it addresses both organic infantry )ea*ons and combat su**ort )ea*ons,
1, $ffecti%eness of ;ea*ons and &emolitions,
-he characteristics and nature of combat in built"u* areas affect the results and
em*loyment of )ea*ons, 1eaders at all le%els must consider the follo)ing factors in
%arious combinations )hen choosing their )ea*ons,
a, Aard, smooth, flat surfaces are characteristic of urban targets, /arely do rounds
im*act *er*endicular to these flat surfaces, but at some angle of obli.uity, -his
reduces the effect of most rounds and increases the threat of ricochets, -he
tendency of rounds to stri7e glancing blo)s against hard surfaces means that u* to
(5 *ercent of im*act"fu+ed e9*losi%e rounds may not detonate )hen fired onto
rubbled areas,
b, $ngagement ranges are close, Studies and historical analyses ha%e sho)n that
only fi%e *ercent of all targets are more than 100 meters a)ay, About !0 *ercent
of all targets are located 50 meters or less from the identifying soldier, Fe)
*ersonnel targets )ill be %isible beyond 50 meters and usually occur at 35 meters
or less, 0inimum arming ranges and troo* safety from bac7blast or fragmentation
effects must be considered,
c, $ngagement times are short, $nemy *ersonnel *resent only fleeting targets,
$nemy"held buildings or structures are normally co%ered by fire and often cannot
be engaged )ith deliberate, )ell"aimed shots,
d, &e*ression and ele%ation limits for some )ea*ons create dead s*ace, -all
buildings form dee* canyons that are often safe from indirect fires, Some )ea*ons
can fire rounds to ricochet behind co%er and inflict casualties, -arget engagement
from obli.ue angles, both hori+ontal and %ertical, demands su*erior
mar7smanshi* s7ills,
e, Smo7e from burning buildings, dust from e9*losions, shado)s from tall
buildings, and the lac7 of light *enetrating inner rooms all combine to reduce
%isibility and to increase a sense of isolation, Added to this is the mas7ing of fires
caused by rubble and man"made structures, -argets, e%en those at close range tend
to be indistinct,
f, Urban fighting often becomes a confused melee )ith se%eral small units
attac7ing on con%erging a9es, -he ris7s from friendly fires, ricochets, and
fratricide, must be considered during the *lanning *hase of o*erations and control
measures continually adCusted to lo)er these ris7s,
g, Both the firer and target may be inside or outside buildings, or they may both
be inside the same, or se*arate buildings, -he enclosed nature of combat in built"
u* areas means you must consider the )ea*on>s effect, such as mu++le blast and
bac7blast, as )ell as the round>s im*act on the target,
h, Usually the man"made structure must be attac7ed before enemy *ersonnel
inside are attac7ed, -herefore, you choose )ea*ons and demolitions based on
their effects against masonry and concrete rather than against enemy *ersonnel,
i, 0odern engineering and design im*ro%ements mean most large buildings
constructed since ;orld ;ar II are resilient to the blast effects of bomb and
artillery attac7, $%en though modern buildings may burn easily, they often retain
their structural integrity and remain standing, 2nce high"rise buildings burn out,
they are still useful to the military and are almost im*ossible to damage further, A
large structure can ta7e (@ to @# hours to burn out and get cool enough for soldiers
to enter,
C, -he most common )orld)ide building ty*e is the 1(" to (@"inch bric7")all
building, -he table in Figure ("51 lists the fre.uency of occurrence of building
ty*es )orld)ide,
Fi!"e &-11# T)*es of b!il%ins an% f"e:!en$) of o$$!""en$e
(, 01? /ifle and S.uad Automatic ;ea*on,
-he 01?A1E01?A( rifle is the most common )ea*on fired in built"u* areas, -he
01?A1E01?A( rifle is used to 7ill enemy *ersonnel, to su**ress enemy fire and
obser%ation, and to *enetrate light co%er, 6ou can use 5,5?"mm tracer fire to designate
targets for other )ea*ons,
a, $m*loyment, 4lose combat is the *redominant characteristic of urban
engagements, /iflemen must be able to hit small fleeting targets, bun7er
a*ertures, )indo)s, and loo*holes, -his re.uires *in*oint accuracy )ith )ea*ons
fired in the semiautomatic mode, Filling an enemy through an #"inch loo*hole at
a range of 50 meters may be a challenge, but one that )ill be common in combat
in built"u* areas,
<1= ;hen fighting inside buildings, three"round bursts or ra*id
semiautomatic fire should be used, -o su**ress defenders )hile entering a
room, a series of ra*id three"round bursts should be fired at all identified
targets and li7ely enemy *ositions, -his is more effecti%e than long bursts
or s*raying the room )ith automatic fire, Fire from an underarm or
shoulder *ositionD not from the hi*,
<(= ;hen targets re%eal themsel%es in buildings, the most effecti%e
engagement is the .uic7"fire techni.ue )ith the )ea*on u* and both eyes
o*en, Accurate, .uic7 fire not only 7ills enemy soldiers, but also gi%es the
attac7er fire su*eriority,
<3= ;ithin built"u* areas, burning debris, reduced ambient light, strong
shado) *atterns of %arying density, and smo7e, all limit the effect of night
%ision and sighting de%ices, -he use of aiming sta7es in the defense and of
the *ointing techni.ue in the offense, both using three"round bursts, are
night"firing s7ills re.uired of all infantrymen, -he indi%idual laser aiming
light can sometimes be used effecti%ely )ith night %ision goggles <N5s=,
$nsure any soldier using N5s is teamed )ith at least one soldier not
)earing them,
b, ;ea*on :enetration, -he *enetration achie%ed )ith a 5,5?"mm round de*ends
on the range to the target and the ty*e of material being fired against, -he 01?A(
and SA; achie%e greater *enetration than the older 01?A1, but only at longer
ranges, At close range, both )ea*ons *erform the same, Single 5,5?"mm rounds
are not effecti%e against structural materials <as o**osed to *artitions= )hen fired
at close range "" the closer the range, the less the *enetration,
<1= For the 5,5?"mm round, ma9imum *enetration occurs at (00 meters, At
ranges less than (5 meters *enetration is greatly reduced, At 10 meters
*enetration by the 01? round is *oor due to the tremendous stress *laced
on this high"s*eed round )hich causes it to ya) u*on stri7ing a target,
Stress causes the *roCectile to brea7 u* and the resulting fragments are
often too small to *enetrate,
<(= $%en )ith reduced *enetration at short ranges, interior )alls made of
thin )ood *aneling, sheetroc7, or *laster are no *rotection against 5,5?"
mm rounds, 4ommon office furniture such as des7s and chairs cannot sto*
these rounds, but a layer of boo7s 1# to (@ inches thic7 can,
<3= ;ooden frame buildings and single cinder bloc7 )alls offer little
*rotection from 5,5?"mm rounds, ;hen clearing such structures soldiers
must ensure friendly casualties do not result from rounds *assing through
)alls, floors, or ceilings,
<@= Armor"*iercing rounds are slightly more effecti%e than ball
ammunition in *enetrating urban targets at all ranges, -hey are more li7ely
to ricochet than ball ammunition, es*ecially )hen the target *resents a
high degree of obli.uity,
c, :rotection, -he follo)ing common barriers in built"u* areas sto* a 5,5?"mm
round fired at less than 50 meters'
2ne thic7ness of sandbags,
A ("inch thic7 concrete )all <unreinforced=,
A 55"gallon drum filled )ith )ater or sand,
A small ammunition can filled )ith sand,
A cinder bloc7 filled )ith sand <the bloc7 )ill *robably shatter=,
A *late glass )indo)*ane at a @5"degree angle <glass fragments )ill be
thro)n behind the glass=,
A bric7 %eneer,
A car body <an 01?A1E01?A( rifle *enetrates but normally )ill not e9it=,
d, ;all :enetration, Although most structural materials re*el single 5,5?"mm
rounds, continued and concentrated firing can breach some ty*ical urban
structures <see Figure ("5(=,
Fi!"e &-1&# St"!$t!"al *enet"ation $a*abilities of t(e 1#14 "o!n%
aainst t)*i$al !"ban ta"ets ="ane &1 to 1'' .ete"es>
<1= -he best method for breaching a masonry )all is by firing short bursts
<three to fi%e rounds= in a unsha*ed *attern, -he distance from the gunner
to the )all should be minimi+ed for best results "" ranges as close as (5
meters are relati%ely safe from ricochet, Ballistic eye *rotection, *rotecti%e
%est, and helmet should be )orn,
<(= Ball ammunition and armor"*iercing rounds *roduce almost the same
results but armor"*iercing rounds are more li7ely to fly bac7 at the firer,
-he 5,5?"mm round can be used to create either a loo*hole <about 8 inches
in diameter= or a breach hole <large enough for a man to enter=, ;hen used
against reinforced concrete, the 01? rifle and SA; cannot cut the
reinforcing bars,
3, 0achine uns <8,?( mm and ,50 caliber=,
In the urban en%ironment, the Bro)ning ,50"caliber machine gun and the 8,?("mm 0?0
machine gun *ro%ide high"%olume, long"range automatic fires for the su**ression or
destruction of targets, -hey *ro%ide final *rotecti%e fire along fi9ed lines and can be used
to *enetrate light structures "" the ,50"caliber machine gun is most effecti%e in this role,
-racers from both machine guns are li7ely to start fires but the ,50"caliber tracer is more
a*t to do so,
a, $m*loyment, -he *rimary consideration im*acting on the em*loyment of
machine guns )ithin built"u* areas is the limited a%ailability of long"range fields
of fire, Although machine guns should be em*laced at the lo)est le%el *ossible,
gra+ing fire at ground le%el is often obstructed by rubble,
<1= -he ,50"caliber machine gun is often em*loyed on its %ehicular mount
during both offensi%e and defensi%e o*erations, If necessary it can be
mounted on the 03 tri*od mount for use in the ground role or in the u**er
le%els of buildings, ;hen mounted on a tri*od, the 50"caliber machine gun
can be used as an accurate long"range )ea*on and can su**lement sni*er
fires,
<(= -he 0?0 machine gun is cumbersome, ma7ing it difficult to use inside
)hile clearing a building, Ao)e%er it is useful outside to su**ress and
isolate enemy defenders, -he 0?0 can be fired from either the shoulder or
the hi* to *ro%ide a high %olume of assault and su**ressi%e fires, -he use
of the long sling to su**ort the )ea*on and ammunition is *referred,
<3= Because of their reduced *enetration *o)er, 0?0 machine guns are
less effecti%e against masonry targets than ,50"caliber machine guns,
Ao)e%er their a%ailability and light )eight ma7e them )ell suited to
augment hea%y machine gun fire or to be used in areas )here ,50"caliber
machine guns cannot be *ositioned, or as a substitute )hen hea%y machine
guns are not a%ailable, -he 0?0 machine gun can be em*loyed on its
tri*od to deli%er accurate fire along fi9ed lines and then can .uic7ly be
con%erted to bi*od fire to co%er alternate fields of fire,
b, :enetration, -he ability of the 8,?("mm and ,50"caliber rounds to *enetrate are
also affected by the range to the target and ty*e of material fired against, -he
8,?("mm round is affected less by close ranges than the 5,5?"mmD the ,50"caliber>s
*enetration is reduced least of all,
<1= At 50 meters the 8,?("mm ball round cannot *enetrate a single layer of
sandbags, It can *enetrate a single layer at (00 meters, but not a double
layer, -he armor"*iercing round does only slightly better against sandbags,
It cannot *enetrate a double layer but can *enetrate u* to 10 inches at ?00
meters,
<(= -he *enetration of the 8,?("mm round is best at ?00 meters, but most
urban targets are closer, -he longest effecti%e range is usually (00 meters
or less, -he table in Figure ("53 e9*lains the *enetration ca*abilities of a
single 8,?("mm <ball= round at closer ranges,
Fi!"e &-1,# Penet"ation $a*abilities of a sinle 5#4&-.. "o!n%
<3= -he ,50"caliber round is also o*timi+ed for *enetration at long ranges
<about #00 meters=, For hard targets, ,50"caliber *enetration is affected by
obli.uity and range, Both armor"*iercing and ball ammunition *enetrate
1@ inches of sand or (# inches of *ac7ed earth at (00 meters, if the rounds
im*act *er*endicular to the flat face of the target, -he table in Figure ("5@
e9*lains the effect of a @5"degree obli.uity on a ,50"caliber machine gun>s
*enetration,
Fi!"e &-10# N!.be" of "o!n%s nee%e% to *enet"ate a "einfo"$e%
$on$"ete at a &1-%e"ee obli:!it)
c, :rotection, Barriers offering *rotection against 5,5?"mm rounds are also
effecti%e against 8,?("mm rounds )ith some e9ce*tions, -he 8,?("mm round can
*enetrate a )indo)*ane at a @5"degree obli.uity, a hollo) cinder bloc7, or both
sides of a car body, It can also easily *enetrate )ooden frame buildings, -he ,50"
caliber round can *enetrate all of the commonly found urban barriers e9ce*t a
sand"filled 55"gallon drum,
d, ;all :enetration, 4ontinued and concentrated machine gun fire can breach
most ty*ical urban )alls, Such fire cannot breach thic7 reinforced concrete
structures or dense natural stone )alls, Internal )alls, *artitions, *laster, floors,
ceilings, common office furniture, home a**liances, and bedding can be easily
*enetrated by both 8,?("mm and ,50"caliber rounds <Figures ("55 and ("5?=,
Fi!"e &-11# St"!$t!"e *enet"atin $a*abilities of 5#4&-.. "o!n% =NATO ball>
aainst t)*i$al !"ban ta"ets ="ane &1 .ete"s>

Fi!"e &-14# St"!$t!"e *enet"atin $a*abilities of #1'-$alibe" ball
aainst t)*i$al !"ban ta"ets ="ane &1 .ete"s>
<1= -he 0?0 machine gun can be hard to hold steady to re*eatedly hit the
same *oint on a )all, -he dust created by the bullet stri7es also ma7es
*recise aiming difficult, Firing from a tri*od is usually more effecti%e"than
)ithout, es*ecially if sandbags are used to steady the )ea*on, Short bursts
of three to fi%e rounds fired in a U"ty*e *attern are best,
<(= Breaching a bric7 %eneer *resents a s*ecial *roblem for the 0?0
machine gun, /ounds *enetrate the cinder bloc7, but lea%e a net"li7e
structure of unbro7en bloc7, $9cessi%e ammunition is re.uired to destroy a
net since most rounds only *ass through a *re%iously eroded hole, 2ne or
t)o minutes )or7 )ith an $"tool, cro)bar, or a9e can remo%e this )eb
and allo) entry through the breach hole,
<3= -he ,50"caliber machine gun can be fired accurately from the tri*od
using the single"shot mode, -his is the most efficient method for
*roducing a loo*hole, Automatic fire in three" to fi%e"round bursts in a U"
ty*e *attern, is more effecti%e in *roducing a breach,
@, renade 1aunchers <@0"mm 0(03 and 0F 1!=,
Both the 0(03 dual"*ur*ose )ea*on and the 0F 1! grenade machine gun fire @0"mm
high"e9*losi%e <A$= and high"e9*losi%e, dual"*ur*ose <A$&:= ammunition,
Ammunition for these )ea*ons is not interchangeable, but the grenade and fu+e assembly
that actually hits the target are identical, Both )ea*ons *ro%ide *oint and area destructi%e
fires as )ell as su**ression, -he 0F 1! has a much higher rate of fire and a longer range,
-he 0(03 is much lighter and more maneu%erable,
a, $m*loyment, -he main consideration affecting the em*loyment of @0"mm
grenades )ithin built"u* areas is the ty*ically short engagement range, -he @0"
mm grenade has a minimum arming range of 1@ to (# meters, If the round stri7es
an obCect before it is armed, it )ill not detonate, Both the A$ and A$&: rounds
ha%e 5"meter casualty radii against e9*osed troo*s, )hich means the absolute
minimum safe"firing range for combat is 31 meters, -he @0"mm grenades can be
used to su**ress the enemy in a building, or inflict casualties by firing through
a*ertures or )indo)s, -he 0F 1! can use its high rate of fire to concentrate
rounds against light structures, -his concentrated fire can create e9tensi%e
damage, -he @0"mm A$&: round can *enetrate the armor on the flan7, rear, and
to* of So%iet B0:s and B-/s, -roo*s can use the 0(03 from u**er stories to
deli%er accurate fire against the to* dec7s of armored %ehicles, 0ulti*le hits are
normally re.uired to achie%e a 7ill,
b, ;ea*on :enetration, -he @0"mm A$&: grenade has a small sha*ed charge that
*enetrates better than the A$ round, It also has a thin )ire )ra**ing that bursts
into a dense fragmentation *attern, creating casualties out to fi%e meters, Because
they e9*lode on contact, @0"mm rounds achie%e the same *enetration regardless
of range, -he table in Figure ("58 e9*lains the *enetration ca*abilities of the
A$&: round,
Fi!"e &-15# Penet"ation $a*abilities of t(e 3EDP "o!n%
<1= If *roCected into an interior room, the @0"mm A$&: can *enetrate all
interior *artition"ty*e )alls, It s*linters *ly)ood and *laster )alls ma7ing
a hole large enough to fire a rifle through, It is better to ha%e A$&: rounds
*ass into a room and e9*lode on a far )all e%en though much of the
round>s energy is )asted *enetrating the bac7 )all <see Figure ("5#=, -he
fragmentation *roduced in the room causes more casualties than the high"
e9*losi%e Cet formed by the sha*ed charge,
Fi!"e &-16# Ai. *oint fo" 0'-.. 3EDP
<(= Fragments from the A$&: round do not reliably *enetrate interior
)alls, -hey are also sto**ed by office furniture, sandbags, helmets, and
*rotecti%e %ests <fla7 Cac7ets=, -he 0(03 dual"*ur*ose )ea*on has the
inherent accuracy to *lace grenades into )indo)s at 1(5 meters and
bun7er a*ertures at 50 meters, -hese ranges are significantly reduced as
the angle of obli.uity increases, 4ombat e9*erience sho)s that 0(03
gunners cannot consistently hit )indo)s at 50 meters )hen forced to aim
and fire .uic7ly,
c, ;all :enetration, -he 0(03 cannot reasonably deli%er the rounds needed to
breach a ty*ical e9terior )all, -he 0F 1! can concentrate its fire and achie%e
)all *enetration, Firing from a tri*od, using a loc7ed"do)n tra%ersing and
ele%ating mechanism is best for this role, Bric7, cinder bloc7, and concrete can be
breached using the 0F 1!, Indi%idual A$&: rounds can *enetrate si9 to eight
inches of bric7, -he only material *ro%en to be resistant to concentrated @0"mm
fire is dense stone, such as that used in some $uro*ean building construction, No
*recise data e9ist as to the number of rounds re.uired to *roduce loo*holes or
breach holes )ith the 0F 1!, Ao)e%er, the rounds> e9*losi%e effects are dramatic
and should e9ceed the *erformance of the ,50"caliber machine gun,
5, 1ight and 0edium /ecoilless ;ea*ons,
1ight recoilless )ea*ons are used to attac7 enemy *ersonnel, field fortifications, and light
armored %ehicles, -hey ha%e limited ca*ability against main battle tan7s, es*ecially those
e.ui**ed )ith reacti%e armor, e9ce*t )hen attac7ing from the to*, flan7s, or rear, -his
category of )ea*ons includes the follo)ing'
08( light antitan7 )ea*on <1A;=,
A-@E#,
0@8 &ragon,
!0"mm recoilless rifle </41/=,
Shoulder"launched, multi*ur*ose assault )ea*on <S0A;=,
A%ailable foreign )ea*ons such as the /:"8,
a, $m*loyment, 2ther than defeating light armored %ehicles, the most common
tas7 for )hich light recoilless )ea*ons are used is to neutrali+e fortified firing
*ositions, &ue to their small )arhead, they are not as effecti%e in this role as
hea%ier )ea*ons such as a tan7 main"gun round, -heir light )eight does allo)
soldiers to carry se%eral and they can be used from inside or on to* of buildings,
<1= 1ight and medium recoilless )ea*ons, )ith the e9ce*tion of the
S0A; and A-#, em*loy sha*ed"charge )arheads, As a result, the hole
they *unch in )all is too small to use as a loo*hole, -he fragmentation and
s*all these )ea*ons *roduce are limited, Sha*ed"charge )arheads do not
neutrali+e enemy soldiers behind )alls unless they are located directly in
line )ith the *oint of im*act,
<(= Against structures, sha*ed"charge )ea*ons should be aimed about si9
inches belo), or to the side of a firing a*erture <see Figure ("5!=, -his
enhances the *robability of 7illing the enemy behind the )all, A round that
*asses through a )indo) )astes much of its energy on the bac7 )all,
Since these sha*ed"charge rounds lac7 the )ire )ra**ing of the @0"mm
A$&:, they burst into fe) fragments and are often ineffecti%e casualty
*roducers,
Fi!"e &-17# Point of ai. fo" a s(a*e%-$(a"e +ea*on
aainst a .ason") st"!$t!"e
<3= Sandbagged em*lacements *resent a different *roblem <see Figure ("
?0=, Because sandbags absorb much of the energy from a sha*ed"charge,
the rounds should be aimed at the center of the firing a*erture, $%en if the
round misses the a*erture, the bun7er )all area near it is usually easiest to
*enetrate,
Fi!"e &-4'# Point of ai. fo" a san%bae% e.*la$e.ent
<@= 1ight and medium recoilless )ea*ons obtain their most effecti%e short"
range antiarmor shots by firing from u**er stories, or from the flan7s and
rear, ;hen firing at main battle tan7s, these )ea*ons should al)ays be
em*loyed against these )ea7er areas in %olley, series, or *aired firings,
-hey normally re.uire multi*le hits to achie%e a 7ill on a tan7, Flan7s, to*,
and rear shots hit the most %ulnerable *arts of armored %ehicles, Firing
from u**er stories *rotects the firer from tan7 main gun and coa9ial
machine gun fire since tan7s cannot shar*ly ele%ate their cannons, -he
B0:"( can ele%ate its 30"mm cannon to engage targets in u**er stories,
-he B-/"series armored %ehicles can also fire into u**er stories )ith their
hea%y machine gun,
<5= 0odern infantry fighting %ehicles such as the B0:"( and the B-/"#0,
ha%e significantly im*ro%ed frontal *rotection against sha*ed"charge
)ea*ons, 0any main battle tan7s ha%e some form of reacti%e armor in
addition to their thic7 armor *late, Aead"on, ground"le%el shots against
these %ehicles ha%e little *robability of obtaining a 7ill, $%en )ithout
reacti%e armor, modern main battle tan7s are hard to destroy )ith a light
antiarmor )ea*on,
<?= -he easiest techni.ue to use to im*ro%e the *robability of hitting and
7illing an armored %ehicle, is to increase the firing de*ression angle, A @5"
degree do)n)ard firing angle doubles the *robability of a first"round hit
as com*ared to a ground"le%el shot <see Figure ("?1=,
Fi!"e &-41# P"obabilit) of a$(ie/in at (it at %iffe"ent anles
!sin an M5&A& LAW
b, Bac7blast, Bac7blast characteristics must be considered )hen em*loying all
recoilless )ea*ons, &uring combat in built"u* areas, the bac7blast area in the
o*en is more ha+ardous due to all the loose rubble and the channeling effect of the
narro) streets and alleys, Figure ("?( sho)s the bac7blast areas of United States
light and medium recoilless )ea*ons in the o*en,
<1= ;hen firing recoilless )ea*ons in the o*en, soldiers should *rotect
themsel%es from blast and burn inCuries caused by the bac7blast, All
*ersonnel should be out of the danger +one, Anyone not able to %acate the
caution +one should be behind co%er, Soldiers in the caution +one should
)ear helmets, *rotecti%e %ests, and eye *rotection, -he firer and all
soldiers in the area should )ear ear*lugs,
Fi!"e &-4&# Ba$-blast a"eas of li(t "e$oilless +ea*ons in t(e o*en
<(= Since the end of ;orld ;ar II, the U,S, Army has conducted e9tensi%e
testing on the effects of firing recoilless )ea*ons from )ithin enclosures,
Beginning as early as 1!@#, tests ha%e been conducted on e%ery ty*e of
recoilless )ea*on a%ailable, In 1!85 the U,S, Army Auman $ngineering
1aboratory at Aberdeen :ro%ing rounds in 0aryland conducted
e9tensi%e firing of 1A;s, &ragons, !0"mm /41/s, and -2; from
masonry and frame buildings and from sandbag bun7ers, -hese tests
sho)ed firing these )ea*ons from enclosures *resented no serious
ha+ards, e%en )hen the o%er*ressure )as enough to *roduce structural
damage to the building, -he follo)ing are other findings of this test,
<a= 1ittle ha+ard e9its to the gunnery or cre) from any ty*e of
flying debris, 1oose items )ere not hurled around the room,
<b= No substantial degradation occurred to the o*erator>s trac7ing
*erformance as a result of obscuration or blast o%er*ressure,
<c= -he most serious ha+ard that can be e9*ected is hearing loss,
-his must be e%aluated against the ad%antage gained in combat
from firing from co%er, -o *lace this ha+ard in *ers*ecti%e, a
gunner )earing ear*lugs and firing the loudest combination <the
&ragon from )ithin a masonry building= is e9*osed to less noise
ha+ard than if he fired a 1A; in the o*en )ithout ear*lugs,
<d= -he safest *lace for other soldiers in the room )ith the firer is
against the )all from )hich the )ea*on is fired, :lastic ignition
*lugs are a ha+ard to anyone standing directly behind a 1A; or
-2; )hen it is fired,
<e= Firers should ta7e ad%antage of all a%ailable sources of
%entilation by o*ening doors and )indo)s, 5entilation does not
reduce the noise ha+ard, but it hel*s clear the room of smo7e and
dust, and reduces the effecti%e duration of the o%er*ressure,
<f= -he only difference bet)een firing these )ea*ons from
enclosures and firing them in the o*en, is the duration of the
*ressure fluctuation,
<g= Frame buildings, es*ecially small ones can suffer structural
damage to the rear )alls, )indo)s, and doors, 1arge rooms suffer
slight damage if any,
<3= /ecoilless )ea*ons fired from )ithin enclosures create some
obscuration <smo7e= inside the room, but almost none from the gunner>s
*osition loo7ing out, Inside the room, obscuration can be intense, but the
room remains inhabitable, -he table in Figure ("?3 sho)s the effects of
smo7e and obscuration,
<@= -he &ragon causes the most structural damage, but only in frame
buildings, -here does not seem to be any threat of inCury to the gunner,
since the damage is usually to the )alls a)ay from the gunner, -he most
damage and debris is from flying *laster chi*s and *ieces of )ood trim,
1arge chun7s of *lasterboard can be dislodged from ceilings, -he
bac7blast from 1A;, &ragon, or -2; rarely dis*laces furniture, Figure
("?@ sho)s the test results of structural damage and debris,
Fi!"e &-4,# S.o-e an% obs$!"ation

Fi!"e &-40# St"!$t!"al %a.ae an% %eb"is .o/e.ent
<5= -o fire a 1A; from inside a room the follo)ing safety *recautions
must be ta7en <see Figure ("?5=,
Fi!"e &-41# Fi"in a LAW insi%e a "oo.
<a= At least @ feet of clearance should e9ist bet)een the rear of the
1A; and the nearest )all,
<b= At least (0 s.uare feet of %entilation <an o*en 8" by 3"foot door
is sufficient= should e9ist to reduce or *re%ent structural damage to
the building "" the more %entilation the better,
<c= All glass should be remo%ed from )indo)s,
<d= All *ersonnel in the room should be for)ard of the rear of the
)ea*on and should )ear helmets, *rotecti%e %ests, ballistic eye
*rotection, and ear*lugs,
<e= All combustible material should be remo%ed from the rear of
the )ea*on,
<f= 4eiling height should be at least 8 feet,
<?= -o fire a !0"mm /41/, A-@E#, or S0A; from inside a room, the
follo)ing safety *recautions must be ta7en <see Figure ("??,=
<a= -he building must be of sturdy construction,
<b= -he ceiling should be at least 8 feet high )ith any loose *laster
or ceiling boards remo%ed,
Fi!"e &-44# Fi"in a 7'-.. RCLR? AT0E6? o" SMAW f"o. insi%e a b!il%in
<c= -he floor si+e should be at least 15 feet by 1( feet, <-he larger
the room, the better,=,
<d= At least (0 s.uare feet of %entilation <room o*enings= should
e9ist to the rear or side of the )ea*on, An o*en 8" by 3"foot door
)ould *ro%ide minimum %entilation,
<e= All glass should be remo%ed from )indo)s and small loose
obCects remo%ed from the room,
<f= Floors should be )et to *re%ent dust and dirt from blo)ing
around and obscuring the gunner>s %ision,
<g= All *ersonnel in the room should be for)ard of the rear of the
)ea*on,
<h= All *ersonnel in the room should )ear helmets, *rotecti%e %ests,
ballistic eye *rotection, and ear*lugs,
<i= If the gunner is firing from the *rone *osition, his lo)er body
must be *er*endicular to the bore of the )ea*on or the blast could
cause inCury to his legs,
c, ;ea*on :enetration, -he most im*ortant tas7s to be *erformed against
structures are the neutrali+ation of fortified firing *ositions, *ersonnel, and
)ea*ons behind barriers, /ecoilless )ea*ons can be used in this roleD none
ho)e%er, is as effecti%e as hea%y direct"fire )ea*ons or standard demolitions,
$ach recoilless )ea*on has different *enetrating ability against %arious targets,
:enetration does not al)ays mean the destruction of the integrity of a *osition,
Usually, only those enemy soldiers directly in the *ath of the s*all from a high"
e9*losi%e antitan7 <A$A-= round become casualties, 2ther soldiers inside a
fortification could be deafened, da+ed, or shoc7ed but could e%entually return to
action,
<1= 08( 1A;, -he 1A;, although light and easy to use, has a small
e9*losi%e charge and limited *enetration, It can be defeated by a double"
layer bric7 )all, bac7ed by four feet of sandbags, since it cannot *roduce a
loo*hole in this ty*e construction, -he 1A; re.uires about 15 meters to
arm, If it hits a target before it arms, it usually does not detonate, <-he
1A; is being re*laced by the A-@ in the U,S, Army in%entory of
munitions,= -he 1A; can *enetrate the follo)ing'
-)o feet of reinforced concrete, lea%ing a dime"si+ed hole and
creating little s*all,
Si9 feet of earth, lea%ing a .uarter"si+ed hole )ith no s*all,
$ight inches of steel <flan7s, rear, and to* armor of most armored
%ehicles=, lea%ing a dime"si+ed hole,
<(= 013? #@"mm 1auncher <A-@=, -he A-@ is hea%ier than the 1A; )ith
a diameter of #@ millimeters, )hich gi%es the )arhead much greater
*enetration, -he A-@ can *enetrate more than 18,5 inches <@50 mm= of
armor *late, Its )arhead *roduces highly destructi%e results behind the
armor, -ests against ty*ical urban targets are still ongoing, but the A-@
should *enetrate at least as )ell as the !0"mm recoilless rifle if not better,
-he A-@ has a minimum arming distance of 10 meters, )hich allo)s it to
be fired successfully against close targets, unners should be )ell co%ered
by *rotecti%e e.ui*ment )hen firing at close targets,
<3= !0"mm /ecoilless rifle, -he !0"mm recoilless rifle is being *hased out
of the U,S, Army in%entory of )ea*ons but it is still used in some units, Its
light )eight and maneu%erability combined )ith great *enetrating *o)er
ma7e the !0"mm /41/ a useful )ea*on during combat in built"u* areas,
-he !0"mm /41/ has an anti*ersonnel round effecti%e against e9*osed
enemy, -he flechette *roCectiles fired by this anti*ersonnel round cannot
*enetrate structural )alls, but can *ierce *artitions and )ooden"framed
buildings, -he anti*ersonnel round has no minimum range, but the A$A-
round is not armed until it has tra%eled 35 to 50 feet, -he !0"mm A$A-
round can *enetrate the follo)ing'
-hree and one half feet of *ac7ed earth, lea%ing a ("inch hole )ith
no s*all,
-)o and one half feet of reinforced concrete, creating a small
loo*hole <less than 3 inches )ide= )ith little s*all,
-en inches of armor *late, lea%ing a .uarter"si+ed hole,
<@= Shoulder"launched, 0ulti*ur*ose Assault ;ea*on <S0A;=, -he
S0A; is being issued to U,S, 0arine 4or*s units, It has been ty*e"
classified and in time of )ar, Army units could find it a%ailable, -he
S0A; is a light)eight man"*ortable assault )ea*on easily carried and
*laced into action by one man, It is used against fortified *ositions, but it is
also effecti%e against light"armored %ehicles, -he S0A; has a !"mm
s*otting rifle and a 3,#"*o)er telesco*e )hich ensure accuracy o%er ranges
common to combat in built"u* areas, -he S0A; has e9cellent
inca*acitating effects behind )alls and inside bun7ers, and can arm )ithin
10 meters, It fires the same dual"mode fu+ed round as the A-# and it has
another round designed for e%en greater effect against armored %ehicles,
-he S0A; has the same *enetration ability as the A-# "" it can destroy
most bun7ers )ith a single hit, 0ulti*le shots can create breach holes e%en
in reinforced concrete,
<5= /:"8, -he /:"8 is a common threat )ea*on )orld)ide, It is
light)eight and maneu%erable and is accurate o%er ranges common to
combat in built"u* areas, In a conflict almost any)here in the )orld, U,S,
forces must *rotect themsel%es against /:s, -he /: )arhead is
moderately effecti%e against armored %ehicles, *articularly 0113 armored
*ersonnel carriers, It is less effecti%e against common urban hard targets, It
has a limited effect against reinforced concrete or stone, -y*ically, the
round *roduces a small hole )ith little s*all, -he /: *roduces a small
hole in earth berms, )ith little blast effect and no s*all, A tri*le layer of
sandbags is usually *rotection against /: rounds, Because of its fu+e
design, the /: can often be defeated by a chain"lin7 fence erected about
@ meters in front of a *osition, $%en )ithout such a barrier, a high
*ercentage of /: rounds fired against urban targets are duds due to
glancing blo)s,
d, ;all Breaching, ;all breaching is a common combat tas7 in built"u* areas for
)hich light recoilless )ea*ons can be used, Breaching o*erations im*ro%e
mobility by *ro%iding access to building interiors )ithout using e9isting doors or
)indo)s, Breaching techni.ues can also be used to create loo*holes for )ea*ons
*ositions or to allo) hand grenades to be thro)n into defended structures, Breach
holes for troo* mobility should be about (@ inches <?0 centimeters= in diameter,
1oo*holes should be about # inches <(0 centimeters= in diameter <see Figure ("
?8=, None of the light recoilless )ea*ons organic to maneu%er battalions <)ith the
*ossible e9ce*tion of the A-# and S0A;= *ro%ide a one"shot )all"breaching
ability, -o breach )alls a number of shots should be *lanned,
<1= 2f all the common building materials, hea%y stone is the most difficult
to *enetrate, -he 1A;, A-@, !0"mm /41/, and /:"8 usually )ill not
*enetrate a hea%y $uro*ean"style stone )all, Surface cratering is usually
the only effect,
<(= 1ayered bric7 )alls are also difficult to breach )ith light recoilless
)ea*ons, Some bric7 )alls can be *enetrated by multi*le firings,
es*ecially if they are less than three bric7s thic7, Fi%e 1A; rounds fired at
the same s*ot on an eight"inch <double"bric7= )all normally *roduces a
loo*hole, Aea%ier )ea*ons, such as the A-@ and !0"mm /41/, may
re.uire fe)er rounds, -he A-# and S0A; *roduce a hole in bric7 )alls
that is often large enough to be a breach hole,
Fi!"e &-45# Ta$ti$al !ses of (oles in .ason") +alls
<3= ;ooden structural )alls offer little resistance to light recoilless
)ea*ons, $%en hea%y timbered )alls are *enetrated and s*lintered, -hree
1A; rounds fired at the same area of a )ood"frame )all usually *roduce
a man"si+ed hole, -he A-# and S0A; ha%e a de%astating effect against a
)ood"frame )all, A single round *roduces a breach hole as )ell as
significant s*all,
<@= Because of its high %elocity, the A-@ may *enetrate a soft target, such
as a car body or frame building before e9*loding,
<5= None of the light recoilless )ea*ons are as effecti%e against structural
)alls as demolitions or hea%ier )ea*ons such as tan7 main guns, field
artillery, or combat engineer %ehicle demolition guns, 2f all the light
recoilless )ea*ons, the S0A; and A-# are the most effecti%e,
?, Antitan7 uided 0issiles,
Antitan7 guided missiles <A-0s= are used mainly to defeat main battle tan7s and other
armored combat %ehicles, -hey ha%e a moderate ca*ability against bun7ers, buildings,
and other fortified targets commonly found during combat in built"u* areas, -his
category of )ea*ons includes the already mentioned tube"launched, o*tically"sighted,
)ire"command"lin7"guided <-2;= and &ragon missiles,
a, $m*loyment, -2;s and &ragons *ro%ide o%er)atch antitan7 fires during the
attac7 of a built"u* area and an e9tended range ca*ability for the engagement of
armor during the defense, ;ithin built"u* areas, they are best em*loyed along
maCor thoroughfares and from the u**er stories of buildings to attain long"range
fields of fire, -heir minimum firing range of ?5 meters could limit firing
o**ortunities in the confines of densely built"u* areas,
<1= 2bstacles, ;hen fired from street le%el, rubble or other obstacles could
interfere )ith missile flight, At least 3,5 feet <1 meter= of %ertical clearance
o%er such obstacles must be maintained, Figure ("?# sho)s the most
common obstacles to A-0 flights found in built"u* areas, :o)er lines
are a s*ecial obstacle *resenting a uni.ue threat to A-0 gunners, If the
*o)er in the lines has not been interru*ted, the A-0 guidance )ires
could create a short circuit, -his )ould allo) e9tremely high %oltage to
*ass to the gunner in the brief *eriod before the guidance )ires melted,
-his %oltage could either damage the sight and guidance system, or inCure
the gunner, Before any A-0 is fired o%er a *o)er line, an attem*t must
be made to determine )hether or not the *o)er has been interru*ted,
Fi!"e &-46# Co..on obsta$les to AT2M fli(ts
<(= &ead S*ace, -hree as*ects of dead s*ace affecting A-0 fires are
arming distance, ma9imum de*ression, and ma9imum ele%ation,
<a= Both the &ragon and -2; missiles ha%e a minimum arming
distance of ?5 meters )hich se%erely limits their use in built"u*
areas, Fe) areas in the inner city *ermit fires much beyond the
minimum arming distance "" ground"le%el, long"range fires do)n
streets or rail lines, and across *ar7s or *la+as are *ossible, A-0s
may be used effecti%ely from u**er stories or roofs of buildings to
fire into other buildings,
<b= -he -2; is limited much more than the &ragon by its
ma9imum de*ression and ele%ation, -he ma9imum de*ression and
ele%ation limits of the -2; mount could result in dead s*ace and
*reclude the engagements of close targets <see Figure ("?!=, A
target located at the minimum arming range <?5 meters= cannot be
engaged by a -2; cre) located any higher then the si9th floor of
a building due to ma9imum de*ression limits, At 100 meters the
-2; cre) can be located as high as the ninth floor and still engage
the target,
Fi!"e &-47# TOW .a8i.!. ele/ation an% %e*"ession li.itations
<3= Bac7blast, As for the light recoilless )ea*ons, bac7blast for A-0s is
more of a concern during combat in built"u* areas than in o*en country,
Any loose rubble in the caution +one could be *ic7ed u* and thro)n by the
bac7blast, -he channelling effect of )alls and narro) streets is e%en more
*ronounced and results in a greater bac7blast effect, If the A-0
bac7blast stri7es a )all at an angle it can *ic7 u* debris or be deflected
and cause inCury to un*rotected *ersonnel <Figure ("80=, Both A-0s
<-2; and &ragon= can be fired from inside some buildings, In addition to
the helmet and *rotecti%e %est, eye *rotection and ear*lugs should be )orn
by all *ersonnel in the room,
Fi!"e &-5'# AT2M ba$-blast in an o*en st"eet
<a= -o fire a -2; from inside a room, the follo)ing safety
*recautions must be ta7en <Figure ("81='
-he building must be of sturdy construction,
-he ceiling should be at least 8 feet high,
-he floor si+e of the room should be at least 15 by 15 feetD
larger if *ossible,
At least (0 s.uare feet of room %entilation should e9ist to
the rear of the )ea*on, An o*en 8" by 3"foot door is
sufficient, Additional %entilation can be created by
remo%ing sections of interior *artitions,
All glass must be remo%ed from the )indo)s and all small
loose obCects remo%ed from the room,
Fi!"e &-51# TOW fi"e% insi%e a "oo.
All *ersonnel in the room should be for)ard of the rear of
the -2;,
All *ersonnel in the room should )ear ballistic eye
*rotection and ear*lugs,
Nine inches <(3 centimeters= of clearance must be bet)een
the launch tube and the a*erture through )hich it is fired,
<b= -o fire a &ragon inside a room, the follo)ing safety *recautions
must be ta7en'
-he building must be of sturdy construction,
-he ceiling should be at least se%en feet high,
-he floor si+e should be at last 15 by 15 feetD larger if
*ossible,
At least (0 s.uare feet of %entilation should e9ist <room
o*enings= to the rear of the )ea*on, An o*en se%en" by
three"foot door )ould *ro%ide minimum %entilation,
All glass should be remo%ed from )indo)s, and small loose
obCects remo%ed from the room,
-he room should be clean or the floors must be )et to
*re%ent dust and dirt <7ic7ed u* by the bac7blast= from
obscuring the %ision of other soldiers in the room,
All *ersonnel in the room must be for)ard of the rear of the
)ea*on,
All *ersonnel in the room must )ear ballistic eye *rotection
and ear*lugs,
At least a ?"inch clearance must e9ist bet)een the launch
tube and a*erture through )hich it is fired,
b, ;ea*on :enetration, A-0s can *enetrate and destroy hea%ily armored tan7s,
-hey ha%e large )arheads em*loying the sha*e"charge *rinci*le, Because of their
si+e, these )arheads can achie%e significant *enetration against ty*ical urban
targets, :enetration ho)e%er does not mean a concurrent destruction of the
structural integrity of a *osition, -he sha*ed"charge )arhead *roduces relati%ely
little s*all, $nemy *ersonnel not standing directly behind or near the *oint of
im*act of an A-0 may esca*e inCury,
<1= Standard -2; 0issiles, -he basic -2; missile can *enetrate # feet
of *ac7ed earth, @ feet of reinforced concrete or 1? inches of steel *late,
-he im*ro%ed -2; <I-2;=, the -2; (, and the -2; (A all ha%e been
modified to im*ro%e their *enetration, -hey all *enetrate better than the
basic -2;, All -2; missiles can defeat tri*le sandbag )alls, double
layers of earth"filled 55"gallon drums, and 1#"inch log )alls,
<(= -2; (B, -he -2; (B uses a different method of defeating enemy
armor, It flies o%er the target and fires an e9*losi%ely formed *enetrator
do)n onto the to* armor )hich is thinner, Because of this design feature,
the -2; (B missile cannot be used to attac7 nonmetallic structural
targets, ;hen using the -2; (B missile against enemy armor, gunners
must a%oid firing directly o%er other friendly %ehicles, disabled %ehicles,
or large metal obCects such as )ater or oil tan7s,
<3= &ragon 0issile, -he &ragon missile can *enetrate # feet of *ac7ed
earth, @ feet of concrete, or 13 inches of steel *late, It can attain effecti%e
short"range fire from u**er stories, or from the rear, or flan7s of a %ehicle,
-hese engagements are targeted against the most %ulnerable *arts of tan7s
and can entra* tan7s in situations )here they are unable to counterfire,
$le%ated firing *ositions increase the first"round hit *robability, Firing
do)n at an angle of (0 degrees increases the chance of a hit by ?8 *ercent
at (00 meters, A @5"degree do)n angle doubles the first"round"hit
*robability com*ared to a ground"le%el shot,
c, Breaching Structural ;alls, Firing A-0s is the least efficient means to defeat
structures, Because of their small basic load and high cost, A-0s are better
used against tan7s or enemy"fortified firing *ositions, -hey can be effecti%e
against bun7ers or other identified enemy firing *ositions,
8, Flame ;ea*ons,
Flame )ea*ons are characteri+ed by both *hysical and *sychological casualty"*roducing
abilities, Flame does not need to be a**lied )ith *in*oint accuracy, but care must be
ta7en to ensure the flames do not s*read to structures needed by friendly forces, 1arge
fires in built"u* areas are catastro*hic, If they burn out of control, fires can create an
im*enetrable barrier for hours, -he most common United States flame )ea*ons are the
0(0( F1ASA and the 03@ )hite *hos*horus <;:= grenade, -he 0(A1"8 and the 0!"8
*ortable flamethro)ers are stored in )ar reser%e status as standard B4B items, -heir
a%ailability is limited,
a, $m*loyment, Flame )ea*ons used against fortified *ositions should be aimed
directly at the a*erture, $%en if the round or burst misses, enough flaming
material enters the *osition to cause casualties and to disru*t the enemy
occu*ants, -he 03@ ;: grenade is difficult to thro) far, or into a small o*ening
such as a bun7er a*erture, Ao)e%er its effects are dramatic )hen thro)n into a
room or building,
b, $ffects, -he three standard flame )ea*ons ha%e different effects against ty*ical
urban targets,
<1= 0(0( F1ASA, -he 0(0( F1ASA can deli%er area fire out to 500
meters, In combat in built"u* areas, the range to targets is normally much
less, :oint targets, such as an alley)ay or bun7er, can usually be hit from
(00 meters, :recision fire against a bun7er a*erture is *ossible at 50
meters,
<a= -he F1ASA )arhead contains a thic7ened flame agent )hich
ignites )hen e9*osed to air, -he minimum safe combat range is (0
meters, )hich is the bursting radius of the roc7et )arhead due to
s*lashbac7, If the *roCectile stri7es a hard obCect along its flight
*ath and brea7s o*en, it )ill burst into flames e%en if the fu+e has
not armed, 0(0( roc7et *ac7s must be *rotected from small"arms
fire and shell fragments that could ignite them, -he 0(0( has a
bac7blast that must be considered before firing <see Figure ("8(=,
Urban conditions affect this bac7blast e9actly the same as the 1A;
<see *aragra*h B5=, -he same considerations for firing a 1A;
from an enclosed area a**ly to the 0(0(,
Fi!"e &-5&# Ba$-blast a"ea of t(e M&'& FLAS3
<b= -he 0(0( F1ASA is not effecti%e in *enetrating ty*ical urban
targets, It can *enetrate u* to 1 inch of *ly)ood at (00 meters and
at close range it can *enetrate some )ooden doors, -he roc7et
reliably *enetrates )indo) glass, -he 0(0( does not damage bric7
or cinder bloc7 construction, -he flame agent s*lattered against the
to* flan7s and rear of light armored %ehicles can be effecti%e, -he
*sychological effect of hits by flame roc7ets on closed"in cre)men
is significant,
<c= A round detonating near or on a %ehicle>s rear dec7 or engine
com*artment could set the %ehicle on fire, A )heeled %ehicle such
as the B-/ could ha%e its tires se%erely damaged by the 0(0(,
0odern /ussian tan7s and B0:s ha%e an NB4 *rotecti%e
o%er*ressure system that could *re%ent flame from reaching the
%ehicle>s interior,
<(= 03@ ;: Aand renade, -he 03@ is used to ignite and destroy
flammable obCects es*ecially )ooden structures, It is also used to create an
immediate smo7e cloud to conceal mo%ement across a narro) o*en s*ace
such as a street, Its smo7e is not to9ic but can cause cho7ing in hea%y
concentrations,
<a= -he grenade>s e9*losion, bright flash, smo7e, and burning ;:
*articles, all combine to ma7e the 03@ one of the most effecti%e
*sychological )ea*ons a%ailable, -he 03@ hand grenade thro)s
;: fragments u* to 35 meters from the *oint of detonation, -hese
fragments can attach to clothing or s7in and continue burning,
Because of its )eight, most infantrymen can thro) this grenade
only 30 to @0 meters,
<b= -he soldier must a%oid inCury from friendly use of the 03@, As
)ith the 0(0(, the 03@ can ignite if the ;: inside is e9*osed to
the air, Bullets and shell fragments ha%e been 7no)n to stri7e and
ru*ture 03@ grenades, therefore, grenades must be *rotected from
enemy fire,
<c= -he 03@ ;: grenade is an effecti%e )ea*on against enemy
armored %ehicles )hen used in the close confines of combat in
built"u* areas, It can be thro)n or dro**ed from u**er stories onto
enemy %ehicles, -he 03@ can be combined )ith flammable
li.uids, detonating cords, blasting ca*s, and fu+e igniters to create
the Beagle fireball,B a field"e9*edient antiarmor de%ice,
<d= -he 03@ is also e9cellent as a screening de%ice, A grenade can
be thro)n from behind co%er into an o*en street or *la+a, ;hen it
e9*lodes, the enemy>s obser%ation is tem*orarily obscured, -hus
friendly forces can .uic7ly cross the o*en area, If the enemy fires,
it is unaimed and *resents less of a danger, If screening smo7e is
used to co%er a s.uad>s mo%ement across short o*en areas, it )ill
reduce e9*ected casualties from small"arms fire by about !0
*ercent,
<3= 0(AI"8 and 0!"8 :ortable Flamethro)ers, :ortable flamethro)ers
ha%e a much shorter effecti%e range than the 0(0( <(0 to 50 meters= but
re.uire no s*ecial bac7blast consideration, -he *sychological and *hysical
effects of the *ortable flamethro)er are im*ressi%e, ;hen used against
troo*s behind a street barricades, the flamethro)er can be fired in a
tra%ersing burst to co%er a )ide frontage, A blind"angle burst can be fired
to e9*loit the s*lattering effect of the thic7ened fuel )ithout e9*osing the
gunner <see Figure ("83=,
<a= A burst of unlit fuel <)et shot= can be fired )ith the
flamethro)er and ignited )ith a subse.uent shot, creating an
intense fireball, -his techni.ue is effecti%e in destroying ca*tured
e.ui*ment or for 7illing enemy soldiers in se)ers, If the enemy has
established a *osition in a )ooden building, you can burn the
building do)n )ith flame, Flame is also effecti%e )hen fired onto
the bac7 dec7 of tan7s or at %ision bloc7s,
<b= -hic7ened fuel is difficult to e9tinguish and therefore, you must
decide )hat can and )ill burn before you em*loy flame, 1imits
im*osed on collateral damage, either *olitical or tactical, are the
most serious constraints to the use of flames, If the *ortable
flamethro)er is issued in combat in built"u* areas, it )ill *robably
be used by s*ecially trained *ersonnel, $nsure the flame o*erator is
*ro%ided ade.uate security as he a**roaches the target, -he enemy
)ill concentrate his fire on any flamethro)ers he detects,
Fi!"e &-5,# Blin%-anle b!"st
<c= Although *in*ointing targets at night is difficult, consider using
flamethro)ers at night for the *sychological as )ell as destructi%e
effect on the enemy,
#, Aand renades,
Aand grenades are used e9tensi%ely during combat in built"u* areas, Smo7e grenades are
used for screening and signalling, 6ou can use riot control grenades to dri%e the enemy
out of dee* fortifications, 4oncussion <offensi%e= grenades are used to clear the enemy
out of rooms and basements, and they are the most used e9*losi%e munition during
intense combat in built"u* areas, In ;orld ;ar II, it )as common for a battalion fighting
in a city to use o%er 500 fragmentation grenades each day,
a, $m*loyment, Smo7e and riot control grenades ha%e similar em*loyment
techni.ues, Fragmentation grenades are used to *roduce enemy casualties,
<1= -he AN"0# hydrogen chloride <A4= grenade *roduces a dense )hite
or grey smo7e, It burns intensely and cannot be easily e9tinguished once it
ignites, -he smo7e can be dangerous in hea%y concentrations because it
ma7es breathing difficult and causes cho7ing, -he 0# grenade is normally
used for screening, It *roduces a slo)ly building screen of longer duration,
than that of the 03@ ;: grenade, )ithout the *roblem of collateral
damage caused by scattered burning *articles,
<(= -he 01#"series smo7e grenades *roduce se%eral different colors of
smo7e )hich are used for signalling, 6ello) smo7e is sometimes difficult
to see in built"u* areas, Ne)er %ersions of yello) smo7e grenades are
more %isible than before,
<3= -he 08A3 chemical smo7e <4S= riot control grenade can be used to
dri%e enemy troo*s out of fortifications )hen ci%ilian casualties or
collateral damage constraints are considerations, Built"u* areas often
create %ariable and shifting )ind *atterns, ;hen using 4S grenades,
soldiers must *re%ent the irritating smo7e from affecting friendly troo*s,
-he 4S grenade burns intensely and can ignite flammable structures,
$nemy troo*s )earing e%en rudimentary chemical *rotecti%e mas7s can
)ithstand intense concentrations of 4S gas,
<@= -he 0?8 fragmentation grenades are commonly used during combat in
built"u* areas, -hey *ro%ide su**ression during room"to"room or house"
to"house fighting and can be used )hile clearing rooms of enemy
*ersonnel, ;hen used at close ranges the grenade can be Bcoo7ed offB for
t)o seconds to deny the enemy time to thro) it bac7, -he fragmentation
grenade can be rolled, bounced, or ricocheted into areas unreachable by
@0"mm grenade launchers, Soldiers should be e9tra cautious )hen
thro)ing grenades u* stairs, -his is not the most desired method of
em*loyment,
<5= -he 0F3A( offensi%e hand grenade, commonly referred to as the
concussion grenade, *roduces casualties during close combat )hile
minimi+ing the danger to friendly *ersonnel, -he grenade *roduces se%ere
concussion effects in enclosed areas, It can be used for light blasting and
demolitions and for creating breach holes in interior )alls, -he concussion
*roduced by the 0F3A( is much greater than that of the 0?8, It is %ery
effecti%e against enemy soldiers )ithin bun7ers, buildings, and
underground *assages,
b, $ffects, $ach ty*e of hand grenade has its o)n s*ecific effect during combat in
built"u* areas,
<1= -he urban area effects of smo7e grenades are nominal, Smo7e
grenades *roduce dense clouds of colored or )hite smo7e )hich remain
stationary in the surrounding area, -hey can cause fires if used
indiscriminately, If tra**ed and concentrated )ithin a small s*aces, their
smo7e can suffocate soldiers,
<(= -he 0(? fragmentation grenade has more %aried effects in combat in
built"u* areas, It *roduces a large amount of small high"%elocity fragments
)hich can *enetrate sheetroc7 *artitions and are lethal at short ranges <15
to (0 meters=, Fragments lose their %elocity .uic7ly and are less effecti%e
beyond (5 meters, -he fragments from an 0(? grenade cannot *enetrate a
single layer of sandbags, a cinder"bloc7 or bric7 building, but they can
*erforate )ood frame and tin buildings if e9*loded close to their )alls,
<3= Fragmentation barriers inside rooms consisting of common office
furniture, mattresses, doors, or boo7s, can be effecti%e against the 0(?
fragmentation grenade, For this reason a room should ne%er be considered
safe because one or t)o 0(? grenades ha%e been detonated inside it,
Fragmentation grenades detonated on the floor not only thro) fragments
laterally, but also send fragments and s*all do)n)ard to lo)er floors,
:redicting ho) much s*all )ill occur is difficult since flooring material
%aries, but )ooden floors are usually affected the most,
<@= Some /ussian grenades thro) fragments much larger than those of the
0(?, 1ight barriers and interior )alls )ould *robably )ould be defeated
by those grenades, but not the 0(?, A maCor *roblem )ith the 0(?
grenade is its tendency to bounce bac7 off hard targets, Fragmentation
grenades are often directed at )indo) o*enings on the ground floor or
second floor, At ranges as close as (0 meters a thro)er>s chances of
missing a standard one"meter by one"meter )indo) are high, -he 0(?
fragmentation grenade normally brea7s through standard )indo) glass
and enters a room, If the grenade stri7es at a shar* angle or the glass is
thic7 *late, the grenade could be deflected )ithout *enetrating,
<5= Aand grenades are difficult )ea*ons to use, -hey in%ol%e a high ris7 of
fratricide, 4onduct *recombat training )ith hand grenades as *art of
normal *re*arations, Soldiers must be es*ecially careful )hen thro)ing
hand grenades u* stairs,
<?= -he *ins of both fragmentation and concussion grenades can be
re*laced if the thro)er decides not use the )ea*on, -his *in re*lacement
must be done carefully,
<8= 0ission, enemy, terrain, troo*s, and time a%ailable <0$--"-= and the
rules of engagement </2$= )ill dictate )hat ty*e of grenade is used to
clear each room, Because of the high e9*enditure of grenades, units should
use butt *ac7s or assault *ac7s to carry additional grenades of all ty*es,
Additional grenades can also be carried in em*ty ammunition or canteen
*ouches,
!, 0ortars,
-he urban en%ironment greatly restricts lo)"angle indirect fires because of o%erhead
mas7ing, ;hile all indirect"fire )ea*ons are subCect to o%erhead mas7ing, mortars are
less affected than field artillery )ea*ons, due to the mortar>s higher traCectory, For lo)"
angle artillery fires, dead s*ace is about fi%e times the height of the building behind
)hich the target sits, For mortar fire, dead s*ace is only about one"half the height of the
building, Because of these ad%antages, mortars are e%en more im*ortant to the infantry
during combat in built"u* areas,
a, $m*loyment, Not only can mortars fire into the dee* defilade created by tall
buildings, but they can also fire out of it, 0ortars em*laced behind buildings are
difficult for the enemy to accurately locate, and e%en harder for him to hit )ith
counterfire, Because of their light )eight, e%en hea%y mortars can be hand carried
to firing *ositions inaccessible to %ehicles,
<1= 0ortars can be fired through the roof of a ruined building if the
ground"le%el flooring is solid enough to )ithstand the recoil, If there is
only concrete flooring in the mortar *latoon>s area, mortars can be fired
using sandbags as a buffer under the base*lates and curbs as anchors and
braces, Aiming *osts can be *laced in dirt"filled cans,
<(= -he ?0"mm, #1"mm, and 108"mm mortars of the U,S, Army ha%e
limited affect on structural targets, $%en )ith delay fu+es, they seldom
*enetrate more than the u**er stories of light buildings, Ao)e%er their
)ide area co%erage and multi"o*tion fu+es ma7e them useful against an
enemy force ad%ancing through streets, through other o*en areas, or o%er
rubble, -he 1(0"mm mortar is moderately effecti%e against structural
targets, ;ith a delay fu+e setting, it can *enetrate dee* into a building and
create great destruction,
<3= 0ortar *latoons often o*erate as se*arate firing sections during combat
in built"u* areas, -he lac7 of large o*en areas can *reclude establishing a
*latoon firing *osition, Figure ("8@ sho)s ho) t)o mortar sections,
se*arated by only one street, can be effecti%e in massing fires and be
*rotected from counter"mortar fire by em*loying defilade and dis*ersion,
<@= All three of the standard mortar *roCectiles are useful during combat in
built"u* areas, Aigh"e9*losi%e fragmentation is the most commonly used
round, ;: is effecti%e in starting fires in buildings and forcing the enemy
out of cellars and light"frame buildings, It is also the most effecti%e mortar
round against dug"in enemy tan7s, $%en near"misses blind and su**ress
the tan7 cre), forcing them to button u*, Aits are difficult to achie%e but
are effecti%e,
Fi!"e &-50# S*lit-se$tion .o"ta" o*e"ations on a%;a$ent st"eets
<5= Because the artificial roughness of urban terrain reduces )ind s*eed
and increases atmos*here mi9ing, mortar smo7e tends to *ersist longer and
gi%e greater co%erage in built"u* areas than in o*en terrain,
<?= Urban mas7ing im*acts on the use of illumination, In built"u* areas it
is often necessary to *lan illumination behind friendly *ositions )hich
*laces friendly troo*s in shado)s and enemy troo*s in the light,
Illumination rounds are difficult to adCust and are often of limited use
because of the dee*"canyon nature of the urban area, /a*idly shifting )ind
currents in built"u* areas also affect mortar illumination ma7ing it less
effecti%e,
b, $ffects of 0ortar Fire, -he multi"o*tion fu+e on ne)er U,S, mortar rounds
ma7es them effecti%e )ea*ons on urban terrain, &elay settings can increase
*enetration slightly, and *ro9imity bursts can increase the lethal area co%ered by
fragments, -all buildings can cause *ro9imity"fu+ed mortar rounds to detonate
*rematurely if they *ass too closely,
<1= Si9ty"mm 0ortar, -he ?0"mm mortar round cannot *enetrate most
roofto*s, e%en )ith a delay setting, Small e9*losi%e rounds are effecti%e
ho)e%er in su**ressing sni*ers on roofto*s and *re%enting roofs from
being used by enemy obser%ers, -he ?0"mm ;: round is not normally a
good screening round due to its small area of co%erage, In combat in built"
u* areas ho)e%er, the tendency of smo7e to linger and the small areas to
be screened, ma7e it more effecti%e, &uring the battle for Aue in South
5ietnam, ?0"mm ;: rounds )ere used to create small short"term smo7e
screens to conceal mo%ement across o*en areas such as *ar7s, *la+as, and
bridges, Fragments from ?0"mm A$ rounds landing as close as 10 feet,
cannot *enetrate a single sandbag layer or a single"layer bric7 )all, -he
effect of a ?0"mm mortar A$ round ma7ing a direct hit on a bun7er or
fighting *osition is e.ui%alent to one or t)o *ounds of -N-, Normally the
blast )ill not colla*se a *ro*erly constructed bun7er but can cause
structural damage, -he ?0"mm mortar )ill not normally crater a hard"
surfaced road,
<(= #1"mm 0ortar, -he #1"mm mortar has much the same effect against
urban targets as the ?0"mm mortar, It has a slightly greater lethal area and
its smo7e rounds <;: and /: Hred *hos*horusI= are more effecti%e, A
direct hit is e.ui%alent to about four *ounds of -N-, -he #1"mm round
cannot significantly crater a hard"surfaced road, ;ith a delay setting the
#1"mm round can *enetrate the roofs of light buildings,
<3= 108"mm 0ortar, -he 108"mm mortar can affect moderately hard urban
targets, It is more effecti%e than the #1"mm mortar, $%en )hen fired )ith a
delay fu+e setting, the round cannot *enetrate dee* into ty*ical urban
targets, -he mortar>s lethal fragment area is some)hat increased in built"
u* areas, because its blast *ic7s u* significant amounts of debris and
thro)s it out)ard, -he minimum range of the 108"mm mortar is the main
constraint in its use during battle in a built"u* area, 2f all the United States
mortars, the 108"mm is the least ca*able in reaching targets in dee*
defilade, -he 108"mm mortar slightly craters a hard"surfaced road, but not
enough to *re%ent %ehicle traffic,
<@= 1(0"mm 0ortar, -he 1(0"mm mortar is large enough to ha%e a maCor
effect on common urban targets, It can *enetrate dee* into a building,
causing e9tensi%e damage because of its e9*losi%e *o)er, A minimum of
1# inches of *ac7ed earth or sand is needed to sto* the fragments from a
1(0"mm A$ round im*acting 10 feet a)ay, -he effect from a direct hit
from a 1(0"mm round is e.ui%alent to almost 10 *ounds of -N- and can
crush fortifications built )ith commonly a%ailable materials, -he 1(0"mm
mortar round can create a large but shallo) crater in a road surface )hich
is not dee* or stee*"sided enough to bloc7 %ehicular mo%ement, Ao)e%er,
craters could be dee* enough to damage or destroy storm"drain systems,
)ater and gas *i*es, and electrical or *hone cables,
<5= -hreat 0unitions, -he *aragra*hs abo%e discuss the mortar rounds
a%ailable to U,S, troo*s, -he follo)ing t)o *aragra*hs address the
/ussian munitions U,S, troo*s could encounter in combat in built"u*"areas
around the )orld,
<a= 1?0"mm 0ortar, -he 1?0"mm mortar of the former So%iet can
inflict massi%e damage to almost any urban structure, 2nly large
buildings and dee* cellars offer *rotection against this )ea*on,
$%en )ell"built bun7ers can be crushed by near"misses, -he effect
from a direct hit by this )ea*on is e.ui%alent to o%er 15 *ounds of
-N-, -he 1?0"mm mortar creates significant craters in urban road
surfaces, -hese craters are se%eral meters )ide and are dee*
enough to interfere )ith %ehicular mo%ement, -he 1?0"mm mortar
can destroy storm drainage systems, )ater mains, and underground
*o)er lines,
<b= (@0"mm 0ortar, -he (S@ (@0"mm self"*ro*elled mortar of the
former So%iet is designed to destroy hea%y fortifications, A%erage
buildings do not *ro%ide certain *rotection from this mortar, Its A$
rounds )eigh o%er (#0 *ounds, It has a concrete"*iercing round for
use in urban areas, -he (S@ can fire one round *er minute, A round
)ill do massi%e damage to urban road surfaces, brea7ing and
hea%ing large slabs of road surface many yards from the *oint of
im*act, A to)ed (@0"mm mortar )as also in the in%entory of
/ussia and the former ;arsa) :act countries,
10, (5"mm Automatic un,
-he (5"mm automatic gun mounted on the 0(E03 Bradley fighting %ehicle <BF5= and
on the U,S, 0arine 4or*s 1A5"(5 <light armored %ehicle= offers infantrymen a ne) and
effecti%e )ea*on to aid them during combat in built"u* areas, -he *rimary roles of BF5s
and 1A5"(5s during combat in built"u* areas are to *ro%ide su**ressi%e fire and to
breach e9terior )alls and fortifications, <See *aragra*h B3 for the su**ression effects and
*enetration of the 8,?("mm coa9ial machine gun,= -he )all and fortification breaching
effects of the (5"mm automatic gun are maCor assets to infantrymen fighting in built"u*
areas,
a, 2bli.uity, -he (5"mm gun *roduces its best urban target results )hen fired
*er*endicular to a hard surface <+ero obli.uity=, In combat in built"u* areas
ho)e%er, finding a co%ered firing *osition *ermitting lo) obli.uity firing is
unli7ely unless the streets and ga*s bet)een buildings are )ide, 0ost shots
im*act the target at an angle )hich normally reduces *enetration, ;ith the armor"
*iercing, discarding"sabot )ith tracer <A:&S"-= round, an angle of obli.uity of
u* to (0 degrees can actually im*ro%e breaching, -he rounds tend to dislodge
more )all material for each shot, but do not *enetrate as dee*ly into the structure,
b, -arget -y*es, -he (5"mm gun has different effects )hen fired against different
urban targets,
<1= /einforced 4oncrete, /einforced concrete )alls )hich are 1( to (0
inches thic7, *resent *roblems for the (5"mm gun )hen trying to create
breach holes, It is relati%ely easy to *enetrate, fracture, and clear a)ay the
concrete, but the reinforcing rods remain in *lace, -hese create a BCail
)indo)B effect by *re%enting entry, but allo)ing grenades or rifle fire to
be *laced behind the )all, Steel reinforcing rods are normally 3E@ inch
thic7 and ? to # inches a*art "" there is no .uic7 and easy )ay of cutting
these rods, -hey can be cut )ith demolition charges, cutting torches, or
s*ecial *o)er sa)s, Firing )ith either A:&S"- or high"e9*losi%e"
incendiary )ith tracer <A$I"-= rounds from the (5"mm gun )ill not
al)ays cut these rods,
<(= Bric7 ;alls, Bric7 )alls are more easily defeated by the (5"mm gun
regardless of their thic7ness and they *roduce the most s*all,
<3= Bun7er ;alls, -he (5"mm gun is de%astating )hen fired against
sandbag bun7er )alls, 2bli.uity has the least affect on the *enetration of
bun7er )alls, Bun7ers )ith earth )alls u* to 3? inches thic7 are easily
*enetrated, At short ranges ty*ical of combat in built"u* areas, defeating a
bun7er should be easy, es*ecially if the (5"mm gun can fire at an a*erture,
c, Burst Fire, -he (5"mm gun>s im*act on ty*ical urban targets seem magnified if
the firing is in short bursts, At close ranges the gunner might need to shift his
*oint of aim in a s*iral *attern to ensure the second and third bursts enlarge the
hole, $%en )ithout burst fire, sustained (5"mm gun fire can defeat almost all
urban targets,
d, ;ea*on :enetration, -he *enetration achie%ed by the t)o combat rounds <A$I"
- and A:&S"-= differ slightly "" both are e%entually effecti%e, Ao)e%er, the best
target results are not achie%ed )ith either of the combat rounds, At close range
against structural targets, the training round <-:"-= is significantly more effecti%e,
-he -:"- round ho)e%er has little utility )hen used against enemy armored
%ehicles, It )ill rarely, if e%er, be carried into combat,
<1= A:&S"-, -he armor"*iercing, discarding"sabot )ith tracer round
*enetrates urban targets by retaining its 7inetic energy and blasting a small
hole dee* into the target, -he A:&S"- round gi%es the best effects behind
the )all and the armor"*iercing core <*enetrator= often brea7s into t)o or
three fragments )hich can create multi*le enemy casualties, -he A:&S"-
needs as fe) as four rounds to achie%e lethal results behind )alls, -he
table in Figure ("85 sho)s the number of A:&S"- rounds needed to create
different"si+e holes in common urban )alls,
Fi!"e &-51# B"ea$(in effe$ts of &1-.. APDS-T "o!n%s
<a= ;hen firing single rounds, the A:&S"- round *ro%ides the
greatest ca*ability for behind"the")all inca*acitation, -he A:&S"-
round can *enetrate o%er 1? inches of reinforced concrete )ith
enough energy left to cause enemy casualties, It *enetrates through
both sides of a )ood"frame or bric7"%eneer building, Field
fortifications are easily *enetrated by A:&S"- rounds, -he table on
Figure ("8? e9*lains the number of A:&S"- rounds needed to
create different"si+e holes in commonly found bun7ers,
<b= -he A:&S"- round creates a ha+ardous situation for e9*osed
*ersonnel because of the *ieces of sabot thro)n off the round,
:ersonnel not under co%er for)ard of the (5"mm gun>s mu++le and
)ithin the danger +one, could be inCured or 7illed by these sabots
e%en though the *enetrator *asses o%erhead to hit the target, -he
danger +one e9tends at an angle of about 10 degrees belo) the
mu++le le%el, out to at least 100 meters, and about 18 degrees left
and right of the mu++le, Figure ("88 sho)s the ha+ard area of the
A:&S"- round,
Fi!"e &-54# N!.be" of &1-.. APDS-T "o!n%s nee%e% to $"eate
%iffe"ent si9e (oles in b!n-e"s

Fi!"e &-55# APDS %ane" 9one
<(= A$I"-, -he high"e9*losi%e"incendiary )ith tracer round *enetrates
urban targets by blasting a)ay chun7s of material,
<a= -he A$I"- round does not *enetrate an urban target as )ell as
the A:&S"-, but it creates the effect of stri**ing a)ay a greater
amount of material for each round, -he A$I"- does more damage
to an urban target )hen fired in multi*le short bursts because the
accumulati%e im*act of multi*le rounds is greater than the sum of
the indi%idual rounds, -he table sho)n in Figure ("8# e9*lains the
number of A$I"- rounds needed to create different"si+e holes,
<b= -he A$I"- round does not *ro%ide single"round *erforation or
inca*acitating fragments on any e9ternal masonry structural )alls,
It can create first"round fragments behind )ood"frame and bric7"
%eneer )alls, A$I"- rounds cannot *enetrate a bun7er as .uic7ly as
A:&S"-s, but they can create more damage inside the bun7er once
the e9ternal earth has been stri**ed a)ay, Against a hea%y bun7er,
about @0 rounds of A$I"- are needed to stri* a)ay the e9ternal
earth shielding and breach the inner lining of concrete or timber,
Fi!"e &-56# N!.be" of &1-.. 3E-I "o!n%s nee%e% to $"eate %iffe"ent si9e (oles
11, -an7 4annon,
-he *o)erful high"%elocity cannon mounted on the 01, 0lAl, 0?0, and 0@# series
tan7s gi%es you a 7ey re.uirement for %ictory in built"u* areas "" hea%y direct"fire
su**ort, Although the infantry assumes the lead role during combat in built"u* areas,
tan7s and infantry )or7 as a close team, -an7s mo%e do)n streets *rotected by the
infantry and in turn su**ort the infantry )ith fire, -he tan7 is one of the most effecti%e
)ea*ons for hea%y fire against structures, -he *rimary role of the tan7 cannon during
combat in built"u* areas is to *ro%ide hea%y direct"fire against buildings and strong*oints
identified as targets by the infantry, -he )all and fortification breaching effects of the
105"mm and 1(0"mm tan7 cannon are maCor assets to infantrymen fighting in built"u*
areas,
a, 2bli.uity, -an7 cannons *roduce their best urban target effects )hen fired
*er*endicular to a hard surface <+ero obli.uity=, &uring combat in built"u* areas
ho)e%er, finding a co%ered firing *osition *ermitting lo)"obli.uity firing is
unli7ely, 0ost shots stri7e the target at an angle that )ould normally reduce
*enetration, ;ith tan7 cannon A:&S rounds, obli.uity angles u* to (5 degrees
ha%e little affect, but angles greater than @5 degrees greatly reduce *enetration,
For e9am*le, a 105"mm A:&S round cannot *enetrate a t)o"inch reinforced
concrete )all at an angle of obli.uity greater than @5 degrees due to *ossible
ricochet,
b, Ammunition, Armor"*iercing, fin"stabili+ed, discarding"sabot <A:FS&S=
rounds are the most commonly carried tan7 ammunition, -hese rounds are best
used against armored %ehicles, 2ther, more effecti%e ty*es of ammunition can be
carried for use against masonry targets, -he 105"mm cannon has high"e9*losi%e
antitan7 <A$A-= and ;: rounds in addition to A:&S, -he 1(0"mm cannon has
an effecti%e high"e9*losi%e, antitan7, multi*ur*ose <A$A-"0:= round,
c, 4haracteristics, Both 105"mm and 1(0"mm tan7 cannons ha%e t)o s*ecific
characteristics limiting their em*loyment in built"u* areas' limited ele%ation and
de*ression, and short arming ranges, In addition the 01 and 01A1 tan7s ha%e
another characteristic not in%ol%ed )ith its cannon, but affecting infantrymen
)or7ing )ith it "" e9tremely hot turbine e9haust,
<1= -he 01 and 0lAl tan7 can ele%ate its cannon L(0 degrees and de*ress
it "10 degrees, -he 0?0 and 0@# series tan7s ha%e u**er limits of L1!
degrees and lo)er limits of "10 degrees, -he lo)er de*ression limit creates
a 35"foot <10,#"meter= ground"le%el dead s*ace around a tan7, 2n a 1?"
meter")ide street <common in $uro*e= this dead s*ace e9tends to the
buildings on each side <see Figure ("8!=,
Fi!"e &-57# Tan- $annon %ea% s*a$e at st"eet le/el
Similarly, there is an o%erhead +one in )hich the tan7 cannot fire <see
Figure ("#0=, In the offensi%e, this dead s*ace offers ideal locations for
short"range antiarmor )ea*ons and allo)s hidden enemy gunners to fire at
the tan7 )hen the tan7 cannot fire bac7, It also e9*oses the tan7>s most
%ulnerable areas' the flan7s, rear, and to*, Infantrymen mo%e ahead,
alongside, and to the rear of tan7s to *ro%ide close *rotection, -he e9treme
heat *roduced immediately to the rear of the 01"series tan7s *re%ents
dismounted infantry from follo)ing closely, but *rotection from small"
arms fire and fragments is still *ro%ided by the tan7>s bul7 and armor, -he
0l"series tan7s also ha%e a blind s*ot caused by the 0"degree of de*ression
a%ailable o%er *art of the bac7 dec7, -o engage any target in this area, the
tan7 must *i%ot to con%ert the rear target to a flan7 target,
Fi!"e &-6'# Tan- $annon %ea% s*a$e abo/e st"eet le/el
<(= -he 105"mm A$A- round arms )ithin (5 to 30 feet and the 1(0"mm A$A-"
0: round arms at about 3? feet, -hese arming distances allo) the tan7 to engage
targets from short ranges, -he armor of the tan7 *rotects the cre) from both the
blo)bac7 effects of the round and enemy return fire, -he A:FS&S round does not
need to arm, and can therefore be fired at almost any range, 3ust as discussed
earlier )ith regard to the BF5>s A:&S"- rounds, the discarding *ortions of the
tan7>s sabot round can be lethal to dismounted and e9*osed infantry for)ard of
the tan7,
d, -arget $ffects, Aigh"e9*losi%es antitan7 rounds are most effecti%e
against masonry )alls, -he A:FS&S round can *enetrate dee*ly into a
structure, but does not create a large hole or dis*lace much s*all behind the
target, In contrast to lighter A$A- rounds <A-0s=, tan7 A$A- rounds
are large enough to dis*lace enough s*all to inflict casualties inside a
building, 2ne A$A- round normally creates a breach hole in all but the
thic7est masonry construction "" bric7"%eneer and )ood"frame
construction are demolished by a single round, $%en the 1(0"mm A$A-
round cannot cut all the reinforcing rods, )hich are usually left in *lace
and often hinder entry through the breach hole <see Figure ("#1=, Both
A$A- and A:FS&S rounds are effecti%e against all field fortifications,
2nly large earth berms and hea%y mass construction buildings can *ro%ide
*rotection against tan7 fire,
Fi!"e &-61# Tan- 3EAT "o!n% effe$ts on "einfo"$e%-$on$"ete +alls
e, $m*loyment, -an7"hea%y forces by themsel%es could be at a se%ere
disad%antage during combat in built"u* areas, but a fe) tan7s )or7ing )ith the
infantry can be most effecti%e, es*ecially if they )or7 )ell together at the small"
unit le%el, -an7s, infantry, and engineer tas7 forces are normally formed to attac7
a fortified area, Indi%idual tan7s or *airs of tan7s can )or7 together )ith rifle
s.uads or *latoons,
<1= -an7s need infantry on the ground to *ro%ide security in built"u* areas
and to designate targets, Against targets *rotected by structures, tan7s are
escorted for)ard to the most co%ered location *ro%iding a clear shot, 2n"
the"s*ot instructions by the infantry unit leader ensures the tan7s> fire is
accurate and its e9*osure is limited, -he tan7 commander may ha%e to halt
in a co%ered *osition dismount, and reconnoiter his route for)ard into a
firing *osition,
<(= ;hen the tan7>s main gun fires, it creates a large fireball and smo7e
cloud, In the confines of a built"u* area, dirt and masonry dust are also
*ic7ed u* and added to this cloud, -he target is further obscured by the
smo7e and dust of the e9*losion, &e*ending on local conditions, this
obscuration could last as long as t)o or three minutes, Infantry can use this
*eriod to re*osition or ad%ance unseen by the enemy, 4aution must be
e9ercised ho)e%er, because the enemy might also sei+e the o**ortunity to
mo%e,
<3= -an7 cannon creates an o%er*ressure and noise ha+ard to e9*osed
infantrymen, All dismounted troo*s )or7ing near tan7s should )ear their
Fe%lar helmet and *rotecti%e %est, as )ell as ballistic eye *rotection, If
*ossible they should also )ear ear*lugs and a%oid the tan7>s frontal ?0"
degree arc during firing,
<@= -an7s are e.ui**ed )ith *o)erful thermal sights used to detect enemy
*ersonnel and )ea*ons hidden in shado)s and behind o*enings, &ust,
fires, and thic7 smo7e significantly degrade these sights,
<5= -an7s ha%e turret"mounted grenade launchers that *roCect screening
smo7e grenades, -he grenades use a bursting charge and burning red
*hos*horous *articles to create this screen, Burning *articles can easily
start uncontrolled fires and are ha+ardous to dismounted infantry near the
tan7, -he tan7 commander and the infantry small"unit leader must
coordinate )hen, and under )hat conditions, these launchers are used,
renade launchers are a useful feature to *rotect the tan7, but they can
cause significant *roblems if un)isely em*loyed,
<?= -he tan7>s si+e and armor can *ro%ide dismounted infantry )ith co%er
from direct"fire )ea*ons and fragments, ;ith coordination, tan7s can
*ro%ide mo%ing co%er for infantrymen as they ad%ance across small o*en
areas, Ao)e%er, enemy fire stri7ing a tan7 but not *enetrating, is a maCor
threat to nearby infantry, Fragmentation generated by antitan7 rounds and
ricochets off tan7 armor ha%e historically been a *rime cause of infantry
casualties )hile )or7ing )ith tan7s in built"u* areas,
<8= Some tan7s are e.ui**ed )ith do+er blades )hich can be used to
remo%e rubble barriers under fire, breach obstacles, or seal e9its,
1(, 4ombat $ngineer 5ehicle &emolition un,
-he combat engineer %ehicle <4$5= is a s*ecial *ur*ose engineer e.ui*ment trac7ed
%ehicle *ro%iding a hea%y demolition ca*ability, A 50"caliber machine gun is mounted in
the commander>s cu*ola, -he main armament is *ro%ided by a 1?5"mm main gun )ith a
8,?("mm machine gun mounted coa9ially, -he main gun fires a high"e9*losi%e *lastic
<A$:= round of great *o)er, -he )ea*on>s ma9imum range is !(5 meters,
a, -arget $ffects, -he A$: round is %ery effecti%e against masonry and concrete
targets, -he *ushing and hea%ing effects, caused by the A$: round>s base
detonating fu+e and large amount of e9*losi%e, can demolish barriers and 7noc7
do)n )alls, 2ne round *roduces a one"foot diameter hole in a se%en"inch thic7
reinforced concrete )all, -he round>s effects against bun7ers and field
fortifications are dramatic, often crushing or smashing entire )alls,
b, $m*loyment, -he 4$5 is normally used for s*ecial engineer tas7s in direct
su**ort of infantry battalions, 6ou gi%e it the same close infantry *rotection and
target designation as tan7s, Although the 4$5 consists of a tan7 hull and a short"
barrelled turret, it is not a tan7 and cannot be used against enemy tan7s, It is an
e9cellent hea%y assault su**ort %ehicle )hen used *ro*erly as *art of a combined
engineer"infantry team,
13, Artillery and Na%al unfire,
A maCor source of fire su**ort for infantry forces fighting in built"u* areas is the fire of
field artillery )ea*ons, If the built"u* area is near the coast, na%al gunfire can be used,
Field artillery em*loyment can be in either the indirect" or direct"fire mode,
a, Indirect Fire, Indirect artillery fire is not effecti%e in attac7ing targets )ithin
)alls and masonry structures, It tends to im*act on roofs or u**er stories rather
than structurally critical )all areas or *illars,
<1= ;ea*ons of at least 155"mm are necessary against thic7 reinforced
concrete, stone, or bric7 )alls, $%en )ith hea%y artillery, large
e9*enditures of ammunition are re.uired to 7noc7 do)n buildings of any
si+e, -all buildings also create areas of indirect"fire dead s*ace )hich are
areas unengageable by indirect fire due to a combination of building height
and angle of fall of the *roCectile <see Figure ("#(=, Usually the dead s*ace
for lo)"angle indirect fire is about fi%e times the height of the highest
building o%er )hich the rounds must *ass,
Fi!"e &-6&# In%i"e$t-fi"e %ea% s*a$e =lo+ anle>
<(= $%en )hen it is theoretically *ossible to hit a target in a street o%er a
tall building, another *roblem arises because of range *robable error <:$=,
2nly 50 *ercent of the rounds fired on the same data can be e9*ected to
fall )ithin one range :$ of the target, -his means that )hen firing indirect
fire into built"u* areas )ith tall buildings, it is necessary to double the
normal ammunition e9*enditure to o%ercome the *roblem of a reduced
target area and range :$, Also u* to (5 *ercent of all A$ rounds are duds
due to glancing off hard surfaces,
<3= Na%al gunfire, because of its flat traCectory, is e%en more affected by
terrain mas7ing, It is %ery difficult to adCust onto the target because the
gun"target line is constantly changing,
b, &irect Fire, Self"*ro*elled artillery *ieces are not as hea%ily armored as tan7sD
but they can still be used during combat in built"u* areas if ade.uately secured by
infantry, -he most li7ely use of U,S, artillery in an urban direct"fire role is to
reinforce tan7 fires against tough or im*ortant urban targets, Because of their
a%ailability and habitual relationshi* )ith infantry, tan7s remain a more common
direct"fire su**ort means than self"*ro*elled artillery, Self"*ro*elled artillery
should be used in this role only after an analysis of the need for hea%y direct fire
and the tradeoff in%ol%ed in the scattering of artillery fire*o)er, S: artillery has
the same need for close security and target designation as tan7s,
c, -arget $ffects, 0edium caliber <155"mm= and hea%y caliber <(03"mm= direct
fire has a de%astating affect against masonry construction and field fortifications,
Smaller artillery *ieces <105"mm= are normally to)ed, and therefore are difficult
to em*loy in the direct"fire mode, -heir target effects are much less destructi%e
than the larger caliber )ea*ons,
<1= 155"mm Ao)it+ers, -he 155"mm self"*ro*elled ho)it+er offers its
cre) mobility and limited *rotection in built"u* areas, It is effecti%e due to
its rate of fire and *enetration, Aigh"e9*losi%e rounds can *enetrate u* to
3# inches of bric7 and unreinforced concrete, :roCectiles can *enetrate u*
to (# inches of reinforced concrete )ith considerable damage beyond the
)all, A$ rounds fu+ed )ith concrete"*iercing fu+es *ro%ide an e9cellent
means of *enetrating strong reinforced concrete structures, 2ne round can
*enetrate u* to @? inches, Fi%e rounds are needed to reliably create a 1,5"
meter breach in a one"meter thic7 )all, About 10 rounds are needed to
create a similar breach in a )all 1,5 meters thic7, Su*er.uic7 fu+ing causes
the rubble to be blo)n into the building, )hereas delay fu+ing tends to
blo) the rubble out)ard into the street,
<(= (03"mm Ao)it+ers, -he (03"mm ho)it+er is the most *o)erful direct"
fire )ea*on a%ailable to the Army, It has a slo) rate of fire, but its
*roCectile has e9cellent *enetration abilities, 2ne round normally creates a
breach hole in )alls u* to 5? inches thic7, -he ho)it+er cre) is e9*osed to
enemy fire, -he %ehicle only carries three rounds on board )hich limits its
use,
<3= Na%al 4annon, -he most common na%al cannon used to su**ort
ground troo*s is the 5"inchE5@ caliber gun, In either single or double
mounts, this )ea*on has a high rate of fire and is roughly e.ui%alent to the
155"mm ho)it+er in target effect, -he hea%iest guns used to engage land
targets are the 1?"inch guns of the recently reno%ated Io)a"class
battleshi*s, ;hen used singly or in sal%o, these massi%e guns can
*enetrate any structure common to a built"u* area, -heir blast effect is
destructi%e to buildings u* to a bloc7 a)ay from the *oint of im*act,
Battleshi* gunfire rarely, if e%er, is used for close su**ort of ground
troo*s, Its long range and destructi%e *o)er can be controlled and adCusted
ahead of ad%ancing forces by aerial obser%ers, to clear or destroy enemy
strong*oints and su**orting artillery,
1@, Aerial ;ea*ons,
Both rotary and fi9ed")ing aircraft can .uic7ly deli%er large %olumes of fire*o)er o%er
large built"u* areas, S*ecific targets are hard to distinguish from the air, Successful
a**lication of aerial fire *o)er demands good ground"to"air communications, A%iators
historically tend to o%erestimate the effects of high"e9*losi%e ordnance on defenders,
0odern large buildings are remar7ably resistant to damage from bombs and roc7et fire,
a, /otary";inged Aircraft, Armed attac7 helico*ters can be used to engage
targets in built"u* areas, $nemy armored %ehicles in small *ar7s, boule%ards, or
other o*en areas are good targets for attac7 helico*ters,
Note' -he target effects of -2; missiles and @0"mm
grenades carried by attac7 helico*ters ha%e already
been discussed,
<1= -he A$11FI/$ missile has a larger )arhead and greater range than
the -2;, but it too is a sha*ed"charge )arhead and is not s*ecifically
designed for use against masonry targets, 1aser target designation for the
A$11FI/$ may not be *ossible due to laser reflections off glass and shiny
metal surfaces, -he use of attac7 helico*ters to deli%er A-0s against
targets in the u**er stories of high buildings is sometimes desirable,
<(= -he (,85"inch folding"fin aerial roc7et and the (0"mm cannon common
to some attac7 helico*ters are good area )ea*ons to use against enemy
forces in the o*en or under light co%er, -hey are usually ineffecti%e against
a large masonry target, -he (0"mm cannon *roduces many ricochets,
es*ecially if A: ammunition is fired into built"u* areas,
<3= -he 30"mm cannon carried by the A*ache helico*ter is an accurate
)ea*on, It *enetrates masonry better than the (0"mm cannon,
b, Fi9ed";ing Aircraft, 4lose air su**ort to ground forces fighting in built"u*
areas is a difficult mission for fi9ed")ing aircraft, -argets are hard to locate and
identify, enemy and friendly forces could be intermingled, and enemy short"range
air"defense )ea*ons are hard to su**ress,
<1= Because enemy and friendly forces can be se*arated by only one
building, accurate deli%ery of ordnance is re.uired, 0ar7ing *anels, lights,
electronic beacons, smo7e, or some other *ositi%e identification of friendly
forces is needed,
<(= eneral"*ur*ose bombs from 500 to (,000 *ounds are moderately
effecti%e in creating casualties among enemy troo*s located in large
buildings, Aigh"di%e"angle bomb runs increase accuracy and *enetration
but also increase the aircraft>s e9*osure to antiaircraft )ea*ons, 1o)"di%e"
angle bomb runs using high drag <retarded= bombs can be used to get
bombs into u**er stories, :enetration is not good )ith high"drag bombs,
Sometimes aerial bombs *ass com*letely through light"clad buildings and
e9*lode on the outside,
<3= Aerial roc7ets and cannons are only moderately effecti%e against
enemy soldiers in built"u* areas since roc7ets lac7 the accuracy to
concentrate their effects, -he (0"mm cannon rounds *enetrate only slightly
better than the ,50"caliber round, (0"mm A: rounds can ricochet badly,
and tracers can start fires,
<@= -he 30"mm cannon fired from the A"10 aircraft is an accurate )ea*on,
It is moderately effecti%e against targets in built"u* areas *enetrating
masonry better than the (0"mm cannon,
<5= -he A4"130 aircraft has )ea*ons )hich are most effecti%e during
combat in built"u* areas, -his aircraft can deli%er accurate fire from a @0"
mm 5ulcan cannon, @0"mm ra*id"fire cannon, and 105"mm ho)it+er, -he
105"mm ho)it+er round is effecti%e against the roof and u**er floors of
buildings, -he A4"130 is accurate enough to concentrate its @0"mm
cannon and 105"mm ho)it+er fire onto a single s*ot to create a roofto*
breach )hich allo)s fire to be directed dee* into the building,
<?= 1aser and o*tically guided munitions can be effecti%e against high"
%alue targets, -he USAF has de%elo*ed s*ecial hea%y laser"guided bombs
to *enetrate hardened )ea*ons em*lacements, -hese ad%anced )ea*ons
)ere used )ith success during 2*eration &esert Storm, :roblems
associated )ith dense smo7e and dust clouds hanging o%er the built"u*
area and laser scatter can restrict their use, If the launching aircraft can
achie%e a successful laser designation and loc7"on, these )ea*ons ha%e
de%astating effects, *enetrating dee* into reinforced concrete before
e9*loding )ith great force, If launched )ithout a loc7"on or if the laser
s*ot is lost, these )ea*ons are un*redictable and can tra%el long distances
before they im*act,
15, &emolitions,
4ombat in built"u* areas re.uires the e9tensi%e use of demolitions, All soldiers, not Cust
engineer troo*s, should be trained to em*loy demolitions,
a, &emolitions, Bul7 demolitions come in t)o ty*es, -N- and 4@, $9*osed
soldiers must ta7e co%er or mo%e at least 300 meters a)ay from bul7 e9*losi%es
being used to breach )alls,
<1= -N- comes in .uarter" and one"*ound bloc7s, About fi%e *ounds of
-N- are needed to breach a nonreinforced concrete )all 1( inches thic7 if
the e9*losi%es are laid ne9t to the )all and are not tam*ed, If the
e9*losi%es are tam*ed, about t)o *ounds are sufficient,
<(= 4@ comes in many different si+ed bloc7s, About 10 *ounds of 4@
*laced bet)een )aist and chest high )ill blo) a hole in the a%erage
masonry )all large enough for a man to )al7 through,
b, Sha*ed 4harges, -here are t)o si+es of U,S, Army sha*ed charges, a 15"*ound
0(A3 and a @0"*ound 03A3, -he 03A3 is the sha*ed charge most li7ely to be
used in built"u* areas, It can *enetrate fi%e feet of reinforced concrete, -he hole
ta*ers from fi%e inches do)n to t)o inches, -he amount of s*all thro)n behind
the target )all is considerable, -here is also a large safety ha+ard area for friendly
soldiers,
c, Satchel 4harges, -here are t)o standard U,S, Army satchel charges' the 01#3
and the 038, Both come in their o)n carrying satchel )ith detonators and
blasting cords, $ach )eighs (0 *ounds, -he 01#3 has 1? indi%idual 1 1E@"*ound
bloc7s that can be used se*arately, ;hen used untam*ed, a satchel breaches a
three"foot thic7 concrete )all, Satchel charges are %ery *o)erful, &ebris is
thro)n great distances, Friendly troo*s must mo%e a)ay and ta7e co%er before
detonation,
d, 4ratering 4harges, -he standard U,S, Army cratering charge is a @3"*ound
cylinder of ammonium nitrate, -his e9*losi%e does not ha%e the shattering effect
of bul7 -N- or 4@, It is more useful in deliberate demolitions than in hasty ones,

PART C - MOUT TEC3NIAUES
1, Subterranean 2*erations,
Fno)ledge of the nature and location of underground facilities is of great %alue to both
the urban attac7er and defender, -o e9*loit the ad%antages of underground facilities, you
need to ta7e a thorough reconnaissance, -his *art of the lesson describes the techni.ues
used to deny the enemy use of these features, the tactical %alue of subterranean *assage
techni.ues, and the *sychological as*ects of e9tended o*erations in subterranean
*assages,
a, -actical 5alue, In larger cities, subterranean features include sun7en garages,
underground *assages, sub)ay lines, utility tunnels <Figure ("#3=, se)ers, and
storm drains, 0ost of these features allo) the mo%ement of many troo*s, $%en in
smaller $uro*ean to)ns, se)ers and storm drains *ermit soldiers to mo%e beneath
the fighting and surface behind the enemy,
<1= Subterranean *assages *ro%ide the attac7er )ith co%ered and concealed
routes into and through built"u* areas, -his enables the enemy to launch
his attac7 along roads leading into the city )hile infiltrating a smaller force
in the defender>s rear, -he obCecti%e of this attac7 is to .uic7ly insert a unit
into the defender>s rear, thereby disru*ting his defense and obstructing his
a%enues of )ithdra)al for his for)ard defense,
Fi!"e &-6,# T!nnels
<(= &e*ending u*on the strength and de*th of the defense, the attac7 along
the subterranean a%enue of a**roach could easily become the main attac7,
$%en if the subterranean effort is not immediately successful, it forces the
defender to fight on t)o le%els and to e9tend his resources to more than
Cust street"le%el fighting,
<3= -he e9istence of subterranean *assages forces the defender to defend
the built"u* area abo%e and belo) ground *assages are more of a
disad%antage to the defender than the attac7er, Ao)e%er, subterranean
*assages also offer some ad%antages, ;hen thoroughly reconnoitered and
controlled by the defender, subterranean *assages *ro%ide e9cellent
co%ered and concealed routes to mo%e reinforcements or to launch
counterattac7s, -hey also *ro%ide ready"made lines of communication for
the mo%ement of su**lies and e%acuation of casualties and *ro%ide *laces
to cache su**lies for for)ard com*anies, Subterranean *assages also offer
the defender a ready"made conduit for communications )ire )hich
*rotects it from trac7ed %ehicles and indirect fires,
b, &enial to the $nemy, Subterranean *assages are useful to the defender only to
the e9tent that the attac7er can be denied their use, -he defender has an ad%antage
in that, gi%en the confining dar7 en%ironment of these *assages, a small grou* of
determined soldiers in a *re*ared *osition can defeat a numerically su*erior force,
<1= -unnels afford the attac7er little co%er and concealment e9ce*t for the
dar7ness and any man"made barriers, -he *assage)ays *ro%ide tight fields
of fire and am*lify the effect of grenades, 2bstacles at intersections in the
tunnels set u* e9cellent ambush sites and turn the subterranean *assages
into a deadly ma+e, -hese obstacles can be .uic7ly created using chun7s
of rubble, furniture, and *arts of abandoned %ehicles inters*ersed )ith
01#A1 4laymore mines,
<(= A thorough reconnaissance of the subterranean or se)er system must
be made first, -o be effecti%e, obstacles must be located at critical
intersections in the *assage net)or7 so they tra* attac7ers in a 7ill +one
but allo) defenders freedom of mo%ement <Figure ("#@=,
Fi!"e &-60# Defense of a se+e" s)ste.
c, Subterranean /econnaissance -echni.ues, -he local reconnaissance mission
<*latoonEcom*any area of res*onsibility= should be gi%en to a s.uad"si+e element
<si9 or se%en *ersonnel=, $nough soldiers are in a s.uad to gather the re.uired
data )ithout getting in each other>s )ay in the confines of the tunnel, 2nly in
e9tremely large subterranean features should the si+e of a *atrol be increased,
<1= 6our *atrol leader should organi+e his *atrol )ith t)o riflemen "" one
tas7ed )ith security to the front <the *oint man= and one tas7ed )ith
security to the rear <Figure ("#5=, -he *atrol leader mo%es directly behind
the *oint man and na%igates and records data collected by the *atrol, -he
grenadier follo)s the *atrol leader and the demolitions man should follo)
the grenadier, 1ea%e t)o riflemen as a security *ost at the *oint of entry,
-hey are res*onsible for detecting any enemy )ho come u*on the *atrol
unit>s rear and for ser%ing as the communications lin7 bet)een the *atrol
leader and his higher head.uarters,
Fi!"e &-61# O"ani9ation of a *at"ol
<(= -he *atrol leader carries a ma*, com*ass, street *lan, and noteboo7 in
)hich he has )ritten the information he must gather for the *latoon leader,
-he grenadier carries the tools needed to o*en manhole co%ers, If the
*atrol is to mo%e more than (00 to 300 meters, or if the *latoon leader
directs, the grenadier should also carry a sound"*o)ered tele*hone <-A"1=
and )ire dis*enser <M0"30?A= for communications, </adios are
unreliable in this en%ironment=, $.ui* the *oint man )ith night %ision
goggles to maintain sur%eillance )ithin the se)er,
<3= All soldiers entering the se)er should carry a s7etch of the se)er
system to include magnetic north a+imuths, distances, and manholes, -hey
should also carry *rotecti%e mas7s, flashlights, glo%es, and chal7 for
mar7ing features along the route, -he *atrol should also be e.ui**ed )ith
a 1(0"foot safety ro*e to )hich each man is tied, -o im*ro%e footing in
sli**ery se)ers and storm drains, the *atrol could )ra* chic7en )ire or
screen )ire around their boots,
<@= A constant concern to troo*s conducting a subterranean *atrol is
chemical defense, $nemy chemical agents used in tunnels are encountered
in dense concentrations )ith no chance of dis*ersement, -he 0#
automatic chemical agent alarm system carried by the *oint man *ro%ides
instant )arning of the *resence of chemical agents, 0# detector *a*er can
also be used to detect chemical agents, At the first indication harmful
gases are *resent, the *atrol should mas7 u*,
<5= In addition to enemy chemical agents, no9ious gases from
decom*osing se)age can also *ose a threat, -hese gases are not detected
by the 0# chemical agent alarm system, nor are they com*letely filtered
by the *rotecti%e mas7, :hysical signs indicating their *resence in harmful
.uantities are nausea and di++iness, -he *atrol leader should be constantly
alert to these signs and 7no) the shortest route to the surface for fresh air,
<?= 2nce the *atrol is organi+ed and e.ui**ed it mo%es to the entrance of
the tunnel )hich is usually a manhole, ;ith the manhole co%er remo%ed,
the *atrol )aits 15 minutes before entry to allo) any gases *resent in the
tunnel to dissi*ate, -hen the *oint man descends into the tunnel to
determine )hether the air is safe to breathe and if mo%ement is restricted,
-he *oint man should remain in the tunnel for 10 minutes before the rest
of the *atrol follo)s, If he becomes ill or is e9*osed to danger, he can be
*ulled out by the safety ro*e,
<8= ;hen the *atrol is mo%ing through the tunnel, the *oint man mo%es
about 10 meters in front of the *atrol leader, 2ther *atrol members
maintain 5"meter inter%als, If the )ater in the tunnel is flo)ing faster than
(,5 meters *er second or if the se)er contains sli**ery obstacles, those
inter%als should be increased to *re%ent all *atrol members from falling if
one man sli*s, All *atrol members should stay tied into the safety ro*e so
they can easily be retrie%ed from danger, -he rear security man mar7s the
route )ith chal7 so other troo*s can find the *atrol,
<#= -he *atrol leader should note the a+imuth and *ace count of each turn
he ta7es in the tunnel, ;hen he encounters a manhole to the surface, the
*oint man o*ens it and determines the location, )hich the *atrol leader
then records, -he use of recognition signals <Figure ("#?= *re%ents
friendly troo*s from accidentally shooting the *oint man as he a**ears at a
manhole,
<!= 2nce the *atrol has returned and submitted its re*ort, you must decide
ho) to use the tunnel, In the offense, the tunnel could *ro%ide a co%ered
route to mo%e behind the enemy>s defenses, In the defense, the tunnel
could *ro%ide a co%ered *assage bet)een *ositions, In either case, the
*atrol members act as guides along the route,
<10= If the tunnel is to be bloc7ed, the *latoon should em*lace concertina
)ire, early )arning de%ices, and anti*ersonnel mines, A t)o"man *osition
is established at the entrance of the se)er <Figure ("#8=, It *ro%ides
security against the enemy trying to a**roach the *latoon>s defense and is
abandoned should the )ater rise,
Fi!"e &-64# Re$onition sinals

Fi!"e &-65# T+o-.an *osition establis(e% at t(e ent"an$e to a se+e"
It should be e.ui**ed )ith command"detonated illumination flares, ;hile
listening for the enemy, soldiers manning this *osition should not )ear
ear*lugs <they should *ut them in their ears Cust before firing=, -he
confined s*ace am*lifies sounds of )ea*ons firing to a dangerous le%el,
-he o%er*ressure from grenades, mines, and booby tra*s e9*loding in a
se)er or tunnel can ha%e ad%erse effects on friendly troo*s such as
ru*tured eardrums and )ounds from flying debris, Also, gases found in
se)ers can be ignited by the blast effects of such munitions, For this
reason, only small"arms )ea*ons should be em*loyed in tunnels and
se)ers, Friendly *ersonnel should be out of the tunnel or out of range of
the effects )hen mines or demolitions are detonated, Soldiers *ut on
mas7s at the first sign of a chemical threat,
d, :sychological 4onsiderations, 4ombat o*erations in subterranean *assages are
much li7e night combat o*erations, -he *sychological factors affecting soldiers
during night o*erations reduce confidence, cause fears, and increase a feeling of
isolation, -his feeling of isolation is further magnified by the tight confines of the
tunnels, -he layout of tunnels could re.uire greater dis*ersion bet)een *ositions
than is usual for o*erations in )ooded terrain,
<1= 6ou must enforce measures to dis*el the feelings of fear and isolation
e9*erienced by soldiers in tunnels, -hese measures include leadershi*
training, *hysical and mental fitness, slee* disci*line, and stress
management,
<(= 0aintain communication )ith soldiers manning *ositions in the
tunnels either by *ersonal %isits or by field tele*hone, 4ommunications
inform you of the tactical situation as )ell as the mental state of your
soldiers, Soldiers manning *ositions belo) ground should be gi%en as
much information as *ossible on the organi+ation of the tunnels and the
im*ortance of the mission, Brief them on contingency *lans and alternate
*ositions, should their *rimary *ositions become untenable,
<3= :hysical and mental fitness can be maintained by *eriodically rotating
soldiers out of tunnels so they can stand and )al7 in fresh air and sunlight,
Stress management is also a factor of o*erations in tunnels, Aistorically,
combat in built"u* areas has been one of the most stressful forms of
combat, 4ontinuous dar7ness and restricted maneu%er s*ace cause more
stress to soldiers than street fighting,
(, Fighting :ositions,
A critical *latoon" and s.uad"le%el defensi%e tas7 in combat in built"u* areas is the
*re*aration of fighting *ositions, Fighting *ositions in built"u* areas are usually
constructed inside buildings, -heir selection is based on an analysis of the area in )hich
the building is located and the indi%idual characteristics of the building,
a, 4onsiderations, 4onsider the follo)ing factors )hen establishing fighting
*ositions,
<1= :rotection, Select buildings *ro%iding *rotection from direct and
indirect fires, /einforced concrete buildings )ith three or more floors
*ro%ide suitable *rotection )hile buildings constructed of )ood, *aneling,
or other light material must be reinforced to gain sufficient *rotection, 2ne
to t)o"story buildings )ithout a strongly constructed cellar are %ulnerable
to indirect fires and re.uire construction of o%erhead *rotection for each
firing *osition,
<(= &is*ersion, A *osition should not be established in a single building
)hen it is *ossible to occu*y t)o or more buildings *ermitting mutually
su**orting fires, A *osition in one building )ithout mutual su**ort is
%ulnerable to by*ass, isolation, and subse.uent destruction from any
direction,
<3= 4oncealment, &on>t select buildings that are ob%ious defensi%e
*ositions <easily targeted by the enemy=, /e.uirements for security and
fields of fire could re.uire the occu*ation of e9*osed buildings, -herefore,
reinforcements *ro%ide suitable *rotection )ithin the building,
<@= Fields of Fire, -o *re%ent isolation, *ositions should be mutually
su**orting and ha%e fields of fire in all directions, 4learing fields of fire
could re.uire the destruction of adCacent buildings using e9*losi%es,
engineer e.ui*ment, and field e9*edients,
<5= 4o%ered /outes, &efensi%e *ositions should ha%e at least one co%ered
route for resu**ly, medical e%acuation, reinforcement, or )ithdra)al from
the building, -he route can be established by one of the follo)ing'
-hrough )alls to adCacent buildings,
-hrough underground systems,
-hrough communications trenches,
Behind *rotecti%e buildings,
<?= 2bser%ation, -he building should *ermit obser%ation of enemy a%enues
of a**roach and adCacent defensi%e sectors,
<8= Fire Aa+ard, A%oid selecting *ositions in buildings )hich are fire
ha+ards, If flammable structures must be occu*ied, the danger of fire can
be reduced by )etting do)n the immediate en%ironment, laying an inch of
sand on the floors, and *ro%iding fire e9tinguishers and fire"fighting
e.ui*ment, Also routes of esca*e must be *re*ared in case of fire,
<#= -ime, -ime a%ailable to *re*are the defense can be the most critical
factor, If enough time is not a%ailable, do not use buildings re.uiring
e9tensi%e *re*aration, 4on%ersely, buildings located in less desirable areas
)hich re.uire little im*ro%ement, could *robably become the centers of
defense,
b, :re*aration, :re*aration of fighting *ositions de*ends u*on *ro*er selection
and construction,
<1= Selecting :ositions <Figures ("## and ("#!=, Assign each )ea*on a
*rimary sector of fire to co%er enemy a**roaches, Alternate *ositions
o%er)atching the *rimary sector are also selected, -hese *ositions are
usually located in an adCacent room on the same floor, Assign each
)ea*on a su**lementary *osition to engage attac7s from other directions,
and an F:1,
Fi!"e &-66# Wea*on *ositions

Fi!"e &-67# Wea*on *ositions =$ontin!e%>
<(= Building :ositions, -here are many )ays to establish a fighting
*osition in a building,
<a= ;indo) *osition < Figure ("!0 = , Soldiers 7neel or stand on
either side of a )indo), -o fire do)n)ard from u**er floors,
tables or similar obCects can be *laced against the )all to *ro%ide
additional ele%ation, but they must be *ositioned to *re%ent the
)ea*on from *rotruding through the )indo), Ins*ect the *ositions
to determine the )idth of sector each *osition can engage,
Fi!"e &-7'# Win%o+ *osition
<b= 1oo*holes, -o a%oid establishing a *attern of al)ays firing
from )indo)s, ha%e loo*holes *re*ared in the )alls, Soldiers
should a%oid firing directly through loo*holes to enhance
indi%idual *rotection,
Se%eral loo*holes are usually re.uired for each )ea*on
<*rimary, alternate, and su**lementary *ositions=, -he
number of loo*holes should be carefully considered because
they can )ea7en )alls and reduce *rotection, 4onsult )ith
the engineers before an e9cessi%e number of loo*holes are
made, 1oo*holes are made by *unching or drilling holes in
)alls and should be *laced )here they are concealed,
Blasting loo*holes can result in a large hole easily seen by
the enemy,
1oo*holes should be cone"sha*ed to obtain a )ide arc of
fire, to facilitate engagement of high and lo) targets, and to
reduce the si+e of the e9terior a*erture <Figure ("!1=,
-he edges of a loo*hole s*linter )hen hit by bullets
therefore *rotecti%e linings such as an em*ty sandbag held
in *lace by )ire mesh )ill reduce s*alling effects, ;hen
not in use loo*holes should be co%ered )ith sandbags to
*re%ent the enemy from firing into or obser%ing through
them,
Fi!"e &-71# Cone-s(a*e% loo*(oles
Also ha%e loo*holes *re*ared in interior )alls and ceilings
of buildings to *ermit fighting )ithin the *osition, Interior
loo*holes should o%er)atch stairs, halls, and unoccu*ied
rooms and be concealed by *ictures, dra*es, or furniture,
1oo*holes in floors *ermit the defender to engage enemy
*ersonnel on lo)er floors )ith small"arms fire and
grenades,
Although )alls *ro%ide some frontal *rotection, they should
be reinforced )ith sandbags, furniture, filled )ith dirt, or
other e9*edients, $ach *osition should ha%e o%erhead and
all"round *rotection <Figure ("!(=,
Fi!"e &-7&# Position +it( o/e"(ea% an% all-"o!n% *"ote$tion
<3= 2ther 4onstruction -as7s, 2ther construction tas7s in basements, on
ground floors, and on u**er floors )ill need to be *erformed,
<a= Basements and round Floors, Basements re.uire *re*aration
similar to that of the ground floor, Any underground system not
used by the defender, *ro%iding the enemy access to the *osition
must be bloc7ed,
&oors , Unused doors are loc7ed, nailed shut, and bloc7ed
and reinforced )ith furniture, sandbags, or other field
e9*edients, 2utside doors can be booby tra**ed by
engineers or other *ersonnel,
Aall)ays , If not re.uired for your mo%ement, hall)ays
should be bloc7ed )ith furniture and tactical )ire <Figure ("
!3=, If authori+ed, use booby tra*s,
Stairs , Bloc7 stairs not used by the defense )ith furniture
and tactical )ire <see Figure ("!3= or remo%e them, If
*ossible all stairs should be bloc7ed and ladders used to
mo%e from floor to floor and then remo%ed )hen not being
used, Booby tra*s should also be em*loyed on stairs,
Fi!"e &-7,# Blo$-in (all+a)s an% stai"s
;indo)s , All glass should be remo%ed, ;indo)s not used
are bloc7ed )ith boards or sandbags,
Floors , 0a7e fighting *ositions in floors, If there is no
basement, fighting *ositions in the floors can gi%e
additional *rotection from hea%y direct"fire )ea*ons,
4eilings , Aa%e su**ort that can )ithstand the )eight of
rubble from u**er floors *laced under ceilings <Figure ("
!@=,
Unoccu*ied /ooms , /ooms not re.uired for defense are
bloc7ed )ith tactical )ire or boobytra**ed,
<b= U**er Floors, U**er floors re.uire the same *re*aration as
ground floors, ;indo)s need not be bloc7ed but they should be
co%ered )ith )ire mesh )hich bloc7s grenades thro)n from the
outside, -he )ire should be loose at the bottom to *ermit defenders
to dro* grenades,
<c= Interior /outes, /outes are re.uired that *ermit defending
forces to mo%e )ithin the building to engage enemy forces from
any direction, :lan and construct esca*e routes to *ermit ra*id
e%acuation of a room or the building,
Fi!"e &-70# Ceilin "einfo"$e.ent
Aa%e small holes <called mouse holes= made through interior )alls
to *ermit mo%ement bet)een rooms, 2nce you ha%e )ithdra)n to
another le%el, such holes are clearly mar7ed for both day and night
identification, Brief all *ersonnel as to )here the %arious routes are
located, 4onduct rehearsals so e%eryone becomes familiar )ith the
routes <Figure ("!5=,
Fi!"e &-71# Mo/e.ent bet+een floo"s
<d= Fire :re%ention, Buildings )ith )ooden floors and raftered
ceilings re.uire e9tensi%e fire *re%ention measures, -he attic and
other )ooden floors should be co%ered )ith about 1 inch of sand or
dirt, and buc7ets of )ater should be *ositioned for immediate use,
Aa%e firefighting materials <dirt, sand, fire e9tinguishers, and
blan7ets= *laced on each floor for immediate use, ;ater basins and
bathtubs should be filled as a reser%e for firefighting, All electricity
and gas is turned off, Fire brea7s can be created by destroying
buildings adCacent to the defensi%e *osition,
<e= 4ommunications, Aa%e tele*hone lines laid through adCacent
buildings or underground systems, or buried in shallo) trenches,
4onceal your radio antennas by *lacing them among ci%ilian
tele%ision antennas, along the sides of chimneys and stee*les, or
out )indo)s, &irect F0 communications a)ay from enemy early"
)arning sources and ground obser%ation, -ele*hone lines )ithin
the building should be laid through )alls and floors,
<f= /ubbling, /ubbling *arts of the building *ro%ides additional
co%er and concealment for )ea*ons em*lacements and should be
*erformed only by trained engineers,
<g= /oofto*s, :ositions in flat"roofed buildings re.uire obstacles
restricting helico*ter landings, /oofto*s accessible from adCacent
structure should be co%ered )ith tactical )ire or other e9*edients
and must be guarded, $ntrances to buildings from roofto*s can be
bloc7ed if com*atible )ith your o%erall defensi%e *lan, Any
structure on the outside of a building )hich could assist scaling the
buildings to gain access to u**er floors, or to the roofto* should be
remo%ed or bloc7ed,
<h= 2bstacles, :osition obstacles adCacent to buildings to sto* tan7s
and to delay infantry,
<i= Fields of Fire, Fields of fire should be im*ro%ed around the
defensi%e *osition, 6ou can ha%e selected buildings destroyed to
enlarge fields of fire, 2bstacles to antitan7 guided missiles, such as
tele*hone )ires should be cleared, Aa%e dead s*ace co%ered )ith
mines and obstacles,
c, Armored 5ehicle :ositions, Fighting *ositions for tan7s and infantry fighting
%ehicles are essential to a com*lete and effecti%e defensi%e *lan in built"u* areas,
<1= Armored 5ehicle :ositions, Select and de%elo* armored %ehicle
*ositions to obtain the best co%er, concealment, obser%ation, and fields of
fire, )hile retaining the %ehicle>s ability to mo%e,
<a= If fields of fire are restricted to streets, use hull"do)n *ositions
to gain co%er and to fire directly do)n streets <Figure ("!?=, From
these *ositions, tan7s and BF5s are *rotected and can ra*idly mo%e
to alternate *ositions, Buildings colla*sing from enemy fires are a
minimal ha+ard to the armored %ehicle and cre),
Fi!"e &-74# 3!ll-%o+n *osition
<b= -he hide *osition <Figure ("!8= co%ers and conceals the %ehicle
until time to mo%e into *osition for engagement of targets, Since
the cre) )ill not be able to see ad%ancing enemy forces, an
obser%er from the %ehicle or a nearby infantry unit is concealed in
an adCacent building to alert the cre), -he obser%er ac.uires the
target and signals the armored %ehicle to mo%e to the firing *osition
and to fire, After firing, the tan7 or BF5 mo%es to an alternate
*osition to a%oid com*romising the original location,
Fi!"e &-75# 3i%e *osition
<c= -he building hide *osition <Figure ("!#= conceals the %ehicle
inside a building, If basement hide *ositions are inaccessible, ha%e
engineers e%aluate the building>s floor strength and *re*are for the
%ehicle, 2nce the *osition is detected it should be e%acuated to
a%oid enemy fires,
Fi!"e &-76# B!il%in (i%e *osition
d, Antitan7 uided 0issile :ositions, $m*loy your A-0s in areas ma9imi+ing
their ca*abilities in the built"u* area, -he lac7 of a *rotecti%e trans*ort could
re.uire the )ea*on to be fired from inside or behind a building or behind the
co%er of *rotecti%e terrain <Figure ("!!=,
Fi!"e &-77# Antitan- !i%e% .issile *ositions
<1= ;hen A-0s are fired from a %ehicle or from street"le%el or bottom"
floor fighting *ositions, rubble can interfere )ith missile flight, ;hen
firing do)n streets, missiles must ha%e at least 30 inches of clearance o%er
rubble, 2ther obstacles to missile flight include trees and brush, %ehicles,
tele%ision antennas, buildings, *o)er lines and )ires, )alls and fences,
<(= A 1A; is best suited for built"u* areas because its 10"meter minimum
arming distance allo)s em*loyment at close range, 1A;s and other light
and medium antitan7 )ea*ons are not effecti%e against the front of modern
battle tan7s, Because tan7s ha%e the least armor *rotection on the to* and
rear dec7, and the tan7 *resents a larger target )hen engaged from abo%e,
1A;s should fire do)n onto tan7s,
e, Sni*er :ositions, Sni*ers contribute to combat in built"u* areas by firing on
selected enemy soldiers, An effecti%e sni*er organi+ation can trouble the enemy
far more than its cost in the number of friendly soldiers em*loyed,
<1= eneral areas <a building or grou* of buildings= are designated as
sni*er *ositions <Figure ("100=, but the sni*er selects the best *osition for
engagement, 0asonry buildings offering the best *rotection, long"range
fields of fire and all"round obser%ation are *referred, -he sni*er also
selects se%eral secondary and su**lementary *ositions to co%er his areas of
res*onsibility,
Fi!"e &-1''# Sni*e" *ositions
<(= $ngagement *riorities for sni*ers are determined by the relati%e
im*ortance of the targets to the effecti%e o*erations of the enemy, Sni*er
targets usually include tan7 commanders, direct"fire su**ort )ea*ons>
cre)men, cre)"ser%ed )ea*ons> cre)men, officers, for)ard obser%ers,
and radiotele*hone o*erators,
<3= Built"u* areas often limit sni*ers to firing do)n or across streets but
o*en areas *ermit engagements at long ranges, Sni*ers can be em*loyed to
co%er roofto*s, obstacles, dead s*ace, and ga*s in the final *rotecti%e fires
<F:Fs=,
3, Attac7ing and 4learing Buildings,
At *latoon and s.uad le%el, the maCor offensi%e tas7s for combat in built"u* areas are
attac7ing and clearing buildings )hich in%ol%e the follo)ing'
Su**ressing defensi%e fires,
Ad%ancing infantry assault forces,
Assaulting a building,
/eorgani+ing the assault force,
a, /e.uirements, /egardless of a structure>s characteristics or the ty*e of built"u*
area, there are four interrelated re.uirements for attac7ing a defended building'
fire su**ort, mo%ement, assault, and reorgani+ation, :ro*er a**lication and
integration of these re.uirements reduce casualties and hasten accom*lishment of
the mission, -he a**lication is determined by the ty*e of building to be attac7ed
and the nature of the surrounding built"u* area, For e9am*le, medium"si+e to)ns
ha%e numerous o*en s*aces and larger cities ha%e high"rise a*artments and
industrial and trans*ortation areas, )hich are se*arated by *ar7ing areas or *ar7s,
In a large built"u* area, you )ill need increased fire su**ort to su**ress and
obscure enemy gunners co%ering the o*en terrain and s*aces bet)een buildings,
4on%ersely, the centers of small" and medium"si+e to)ns )ith t)isting alleys and
country roads or adCoining buildings, *ro%ide numerous co%ered routes,
decreasing your fire su**ort re.uirements,
b, Fire Su**ort, Fire su**ort and other assistance to ad%ance the assault force are
*ro%ided by a su**ort force, -his assistance includes the follo)ing'
Su**ressing and obscuring enemy gunners )ithin the obCecti%e building<s=
and adCacent structures,
Isolating the obCecti%e building<s= )ith direct or indirect fires to *re%ent
enemy )ithdra)als, reinforcement, or counterattac7,
Breaching )alls en route to, and in the obCecti%e structure,
&estroying enemy *ositions )ith direct"fire )ea*ons,
Securing cleared *ortions of the obCecti%e,
:ro%iding re*lacements for the assault force,
:ro%iding resu**ly of ammunition and e9*losi%es,
$%acuating casualties and *risoners,
<1= -he si+e of the su**ort force is determined by the ty*e and si+e of the
obCecti%e building<s=, )hether the adCacent terrain *ro%ides o*en or
co%ered a**roaches, and the organi+ation and strength of enemy defenses,
<(= -he su**ort force could consist of only one infantry fire team )ith
0?0 machine guns, 0(@! SA;s, 0(03 grenade launchers, and 0(0(
multishot flame )ea*ons, In the case of Bradley"e.ui**ed units, the BF5
may *ro%ide su**ort )ith the (5"mm gun as the rifle team assaults, In
situations in%ol%ing a larger assault force, a *latoon or com*any reinforced
)ith tan7s, engineers, and self"*ro*elled artillery may be re.uired to
su**ort mo%ement and assault by an adCacent *latoon or com*any,
<3= After sei+ing obCecti%e buildings, the assault force reorgani+es and may
be re.uired to *ro%ide su**orting fires for a subse.uent assault, Assign
each )ea*on a target or area to co%er, Indi%idual small"arms )ea*ons
*lace fires on li7ely enemy )ea*on *ositions "" loo*holes, )indo)s, roof
areas, Sni*ers are best em*loyed in *lacing accurate fire through loo*holes
or engaging long"range targets, Aa%e the 0(0(s and 0(03s direct their
fires through )indo)s or loo*holes,
<@= Use 1A;s to breach )alls, doors, barricades, and )indo) barriers on
the ground le%el of structures, -an7 main guns and BF5 (5"mm guns
engage first"floor targets and breach )alls for attac7ing infantry, -an7
machine guns engage sus*ected *ositions on u**er floors and in adCacent
structures, In addition to destroying or )ea7ening structures, tan7 main
gun *roCectiles cause casualties by e9*losi%e effects and by hurling debris
throughout the interior of structures,
<5= Artillery and mortars use time fu+es to initially clear e9*osed
*ersonnel, )ea*ons, obser%ation *osts, and radio sites from roofto*s, -hey
then use delayed"fu+e action to cause casualties among the defenders
inside the structure by high"e9*losi%e, shra*nel, and falling debris,
Artillery can also be used in the direct"fire mode much li7e the tan7 and
4$5,
c, 0o%ement, -he assault force <s.uadE*latoonEcom*any= minimi+es enemy
defensi%e fires during mo%ement by ta7ing the follo)ing actions'
Using co%ered routes,
0o%ing only after defensi%e fires ha%e been su**ressed or obscured,
0o%ing at night or during other *eriods of reduced %isibility,
Selecting routes that )ill not mas7 friendly su**ressi%e fires,
4rossing o*en areas <streets, s*ace bet)een buildings= .uic7ly under the
concealment of smo7e and su**ression *ro%ided by su**ort forces,
0o%ing on roofto*s not co%ered by enemy direct fires,
<1= In lightly defended areas, the re.uirement for s*eed may dictate
mo%ing through the streets and alleys )ithout clearing all buildings, -hus
the maneu%er element should em*loy infantry to lead the column, closely
follo)ed and su**orted by BF5s or tan7s,
<(= ;hen dismounted, ha%e rifle elements mo%e along each side of the
street )ith leading s.uads 7ee*ing almost abreast of the lead tan7s, ;hen
not accom*anied by tan7s or BF5s, rifle elements can mo%e single file
along one side of the street under co%er of fires from su**orting )ea*ons,
-hey should be dis*ersed and mo%e along .uic7ly, $ach man is detailed to
obser%e and co%er a certain area such as second"floor )indo)s on the
o**osite side of the street,
d, Assault and 4learing, -he assault force, regardless of si+e, must .uic7ly and
%iolently e9ecute its assault and subse.uent clearing o*erations, 2nce momentum
has been gained, it is maintained to *re%ent the enemy from organi+ing a more
determined resistance on other floors or in other rooms, Fee* your assault force
mo%ing, but do not allo) the o*eration to become disorgani+ed,
<1= An assault in a built"u* area in%ol%es the elementary s7ills of close
combat, Indi%idual element leaders must ha%e the follo)ing ca*abilities'
Be trained in the re.uired techni.ues to defeat the enemy in a face"
to"face encounter,
Fee* themsel%es in e9cellent *hysical condition,
Aa%e confidence in their abilities,
<(= -he com*osition of the assault force %aries de*ending on the situationD
ho)e%er, the considerations for e.ui**ing the force remain the same, -he
assault force for a s.uad consists of three"man teams carrying only a
fighting load of e.ui*ment and as much ammunition as *ossible,
es*ecially grenades <Figure ("101=, A three"man su**ort team *ro%ides
su**ressi%e fire for the assault force, -he assault teams use maneu%er
techni.ues to clear a building room by room,
<3= -he 0(@! 0achine un is normally em*loyed )ith the su**ort
element but can also be used )ith the assault force to gain the ad%antages
of its more *o)erful round, -he &ragon might not be carried by the assault
force due to its )eight %ersus its e9*ected effecti%eness against the
building being assaulted, -he s.uad leader mo%es )ith the element from
)hich he can best control the s.uad, If the s.uad is understrength or
suffers casualties, *riority is gi%en to 7ee*ing the assault force u* to
strength at the e9*ense of the su**ort force <see the tables in Figures ("10(
and ("103=,
Fi!"e &-1'1# Rifle s:!a%

Fi!"e &-1'&# B"a%le) *latoon

Fi!"e &-1',# Alte"nati/e +it( an infant") "ifle *latoon
<@= -he criteria for the si+e of any *arty are the a%ailability of e.ui*ment
and *ersonnel, and the tactical situation, $ntry at the to* and fighting
do)n)ard is the *referred method of clearing a building <Figure ("10@=,
4learing a building is easier from an u**er story since gra%ity and building
construction become assets to the assault force )hen thro)ing hand
grenades and mo%ing from floor to floor, -his method is only feasible
ho)e%er, )hen access to an u**er floor or roofto* can be gained from the
)indo)s or roofs of adCoining, secured buildingsD or, )hen enemy air
defense )ea*ons can be su**ressed and troo*s trans*orted to the roofto*s
by helico*ter,
Fi!"e &-1'0# 3eli$o*te" !se% to $lea" a b!il%in
Aelico*ters should land only on buildings ha%ing s*ecial heli*orts on the
roofs or *ar7ing garages, Soldiers can ra**el onto the roof or dismount as
the helico*ter ho%ers a fe) feet abo%e the roof, -roo*s then breach the
roof or common )alls )ith e9*losi%es and use ro*es to enter the lo)er
floors, Stairs are guarded by friendly security elements )hen not used,
<5= Although the to*"to"bottom method is *referred for clearing a building,
assaulting the bottom floor and clearing u*)ard is a common method in all
areas e9ce*t )here buildings form continuous fronts, In this situation, the
assault force attem*ts to close on the flan7<s= or rear of the building, -he
assault team clears each room on the ground floor and then mo%ing u*,
begins a systematic clearance of the remaining floors,
<?= :referably, entry is gained through )alls breached by e9*losi%es or
gunfire, Assault teams a%oid )indo)s and doors since they are usually
co%ered by fire or are boobytra**ed, If tan7s are attached to the com*any,
they can breach the )all by using their main guns to fire at one entry *oint
<Figure ("105=,
Fi!"e &-1'1# Main !ns !se% to b"ea$( t(e e8te"io"
<8= 3ust before the rush of the assault forces, su**ressi%e fires on the
obCecti%e should be increased by the su**ort force and continued until
mas7ed by the ad%ancing assault force, 2nce mas7ed, fires are shifted to
u**er )indo)s and continued until the assault force has entered the
building, At that time, shift the fires to adCacent buildings to *re%ent
enemy )ithdra)al or reinforcement,
<#= Aa%e your assault *arties close .uic7ly on the building, Before entry
through the breached )all, a hand grenade is coo7ed off <*in *ulled, safety
le%er released, and held for t)o seconds before being thro)n= and
%igorously thro)n inside, Immediately after the e9*losion, assault *arties
enter and s*ray the interior, using three"round bursts and concentrating on
areas of the room that are *ossible enemy *ositions,
<!= 2nce inside the building, the *riority tas7s are to co%er the staircase
leading to u**er floors and the basement and to sei+e rooms o%erloo7ing
a**roaches to the building, -hese actions are re.uired to isolate enemy
forces )ithin the building and to *re%ent reinforcement from the outside,
-he assault *arties clear each ground floor room and then the basement,
<a= -he assault team leader determines )hich room<s= to clear first,
<b= -he su**ort team *ro%ides su**ressi%e fire )hile the assault
team is systematically clearing the building, It also *ro%ides
su**ressi%e fire on adCacent buildings to *re%ent enemy
reinforcements or )ithdra)al, -he su**ort team destroys any
enemy trying to e9it the building,
<c= After assault team 1 establishes a foothold in the building, a
soldier from assault team ( *ositions himself to *ro%ide security for
the foothold, Assault team 1 *roceeds to clear the first room,
Soldier 1 thro)s a grenade into the room and yells BFrag
outKB to alert friendly *ersonnel a hand grenade has been
thro)n to)ard the enemy,
;A/NIN,
If )alls and floor are thin, fragments from
hand grenades can inCure soldiers outside
the room,
After the grenade e9*lodes, soldier ( enters the room and
*ositions himself to the left of the door, u* against the )all,
s*raying the room )ith automatic fire and scanning the
room from left to right, <Soldiers 1 and 3 *ro%ide outside
room security,= Soldier ( gi%es a %oice command of BAll
clearB before soldier 3 enters the room,
Soldier 3 shouts B4oming inB and enters the room, Ae
*ositions himself to the right of the door, u* against the )all
and scans the room from right to left, <Soldier ( *ro%ides
inside room security and soldier 1 *ro%ides outside room
security,=,
Soldier 1 *ositions himself u* against the hall )all so he
can *ro%ide security outside the room and can also obser%e
into the room,
Soldier 3 *roceeds to clear the room )hile soldier (
*ro%ides inside room security, Soldier 1 remains at his
outside security *osition,
After the room is cleared, the clearing team shouts B4oming
outB and *roceeds to clear the ne9t room<s=, A soldier, from
the second assault team *ositions himself to co%er the
cleared room, -he cleared rooms are mar7ed in accordance
)ith <IA;= unit standing o*erating *rocedure <S2:=,
-his *rocedure is continued until the entire floor is cleared,
<10= If the assault force is *re*aring to clear a building from the to* floor
do)n, they should gain entrance through a common )all or the roof of an
adCoining building, Accom*anied by the com*any>s attached engineer
s.uad, the force uses a demolition charge to breach the )all and to gain
entrance to the to* floor, Access to lo)er floors and rooms may be gained
by breaching holes in the floor and ha%ing soldiers Cum* or slide do)n
ro*es to the lo)er floors, Stairs can be used if they are first cleared,
<11= ;hen using the to*"to"bottom method of clearing, security
re.uirements remain the same as for other methods <Figure ("10?=, After
the floor is breached to gain access to a lo)er floor, a grenade is allo)ed
to coo7"off and is dro**ed to the lo)er room, A soldier then s*rays the
lo)er room )ith gunfire using three"round bursts and dro*s through the
mousehole,
Fi!"e &-1'4# U**e" floo"s se$!"e%
<1(= $nsure your troo*s a%oid clearing rooms the same )ay each time by
ha%ing them %ary techni.ues so the enemy cannot *re*are for the assault
<Figure ("108=, As rooms are cleared, doors should be left o*en and a
*redetermined mar7 <cloth, ta*e, s*ray *aint= *laced on the doorCamb or
o%er the door,
Fi!"e &-1'5# Va")in te$(ni:!es fo" $lea"in "oo.s
<13= If there is a basement, it should be cleared as soon as *ossible,
*referably at the same time as the ground floor, -he *rocedures for
clearing a basement are the same as for any room or floor, but im*ortant
differences do e9ist, Basements often contain entrances to tunnels such as
se)ers and communications cable tunnels, -hese should be cleared and
secured to *re%ent the enemy from infiltrating bac7 into cleared areas,
<1@= -he most common ty*es of buildings encountered in clearing
o*erations are bric7 buildings, bric7 houses, bo9")all buildings, hea%y"
clad framed buildings, framed buildings, and light"clad framed buildings
<Figure ("10#=, -he best )ay to enter a bric7 building is to blo) a
breaching hole in the side )ith a tan7>s main gun, firing A$A-
ammunition, If tan7s are not a%ailable, a door or )indo) in the rear of the
building usually *ro%ides better co%er and concealment for entry than one
in the front, If there is enough co%er and concealment, the assault force can
enter the rear of the building at an u**er le%el using a fire esca*e or
gra**ling hoo7,
Fi!"e &-1'6# B!il%ins bein $lea"e%
<a= -o clear from building to building, the best method is to mo%e
from roofto* to roofto*, since the roofs of bric7 buildings are
usually easy to breach, -he )alls bet)een buildings are at least
three bric7s thic7 <a total of si9 bric7s bet)een buildings= and
re.uire large .uantities of demolitions to breach, ;alls are
normally easier to breach on an u**er floor than a lo)er floor since
the )alls are thinner on u**er floors, If roofto*s are co%ered by
fire, and if there are not enough demolitions to breach )alls
bet)een buildings, clearing from rear to rear of buildings is safer
than clearing from front to front,
<b= -he floor *lans in bric7 buildings are different on ground floor
le%els than on u**er le%els <Figure ("10!=,
Fi!"e &-1'7# Floo" *lans of b"i$- b!il%ins
<15= Bric7 Aouses, Bric7 houses ha%e similar floor *lans on each floor
<Figure ("110= therefore ground floors are cleared the same )ay as u**er
floors,
Fi!"e &-11'# Si.ila" floo" *lans
<1?= Bo9";all Buildings, Bo9")all buildings often ha%e reinforced
concrete )alls <Figure ("111=, )hich are difficult to breach due to the
reinforcing bars, -herefore, the best )ay to enter is to blo) do)n the door
or to blo) in one of the side )indo)s, -he floor *lans of these buildings
are *redictableD clearing rooms is usually done from one main hall)ay,
Interior )alls are also constructed of reinforced concrete and are difficult
to breach, -he stair)ays at the ends of the building must be secured during
clearing,
Fi!"e &-111# Bo8-+all *"in$i*le b!il%ins
<18= Aea%y"4lad Framed Buildings, Aea%y"clad framed buildings are
relati%ely easy to breach, because a tan7 can breach a hole in the cladding
<Figure ("11(=, -heir floor *lans are oriented around a stair)ay or
ele%ator, )hich must be secured during clearing, -he interior )alls of
these buildings can be breached, although they may re.uire use of
demolitions,
Fi!"e &-11&# 3ea/)-$la% f"a.e% b!il%ins
<1#= 1ight"4lad Framed Buildings, 2n light"clad framed buildings <Figure
("113= the clearing tas7s are usually the same' secure the central stair)ay
and clear in a circular *attern, ;alls are easier to breach since they are
usually thin enough to be breached )ith an a9e,
Fi!"e &-11,# Li(t-$la% f"a.e% b!il%in
e, /eorgani+ation, /eorgani+ation of the assault force in a cleared building must
be .uic7 to re*el enemy counterattac7s and to *re%ent the enemy from infiltrating
bac7 into the cleared building, After securing a floor <bottom, middle, or to*=,
selected members of the assault force are assigned to co%er *otential enemy
counterattac7 routes to the building, -hose sentinels alert the assault force and
*lace a hea%y %olume of fire on enemy forces a**roaching the building, -hey
guard the follo)ing'
$nemy mouseholes bet)een adCacent buildings,
4o%ered routes to the building,
Underground routes into the basement,
A**roaches o%er adCoining roofs,
As the remainder of the assault force com*lete search re.uirements, assign them
defensi%e *ositions, After the building has been cleared, the follo)ing actions are
ta7en'
/esu**ly and redistribute ammunition,
0ar7 the building to indicate to friendly forces the building has been
cleared,
Assume an o%er)atch mission and su**ort an assault on another building,
-reat and e%acuate )ounded *ersonnel,
&e%elo* a defensi%e *osition if the building is to be occu*ied for any
*eriod,