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--- tactics:firefight [2016/03/21 21:07] – [Firefights] snippers
+++ tactics:firefight [2025/08/03 14:24] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 The first thing to consider when planning is the LOS any given location provides. If troops are in positions with poor lines of sight they will not be able to support in a firefight. If two elements are to support each other they must have LOS on positions where enemies can engage the other unit.
-**The more rifleman with LOS on a target the faster he will die.**
+**The more riflemen with LOS on a target the faster the target will die.**
 Hills and high ground tend to offer good LOS. In return though they can also be engaged from a multitude of positions. Cover and concealment (trees/rocks/forests/buildings) block line of sight. It is often wise to at least place some infantry on high ground to find the enemy.
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 //Blue pair lead:// Blue set.
 ==== Peeling ====
-Peeling generally used to shift an element to the left or right. It provides the opportunity to have more guns on target than bounding overwatch as the moving element can be smaller. Peeling is typically employed when the unit is already in a line formation.
+Peeling generally used to shift an element to the left or right. It provides the opportunity to have more guns on target than bounding overwatch as the moving element can be smaller. Peeling is typically employed when the unit is already in a line formation. The number of people peeling at once can be specified by the leader. By default just one person will peel at a time.
 Example: Peeling used in a fireteam.
 {{:tactics:peel_1.jpg?300|}}
+Step 1) Fireteam is a line formulation and order to peel is issued
+//Fireteam leader says:// A1 peel left.
 {{:tactics:peel_2.jpg?300|}}
+Step 2) Right most person starts peeling and says he is moving. The new right most person keeps firing but alert so that he can move as soon as soon as the previous man is in position.
 {{:tactics:peel_3.jpg?300|}}
+Step 3) He arrives.
 {{:tactics:peel_4.jpg?300|}}
+Step 4) The next right most person starts peeling and says he is moving.  The new right most person keeps firing but alert so that he can move as soon as soon as the previous man is in position.
 {{:tactics:peel_5.jpg?300|}}
+Step 5) He arrives.
 {{:tactics:peel_6.jpg?300|}}
+Step 6) The next right most person starts peeling and says he is moving.  The new right most person keeps firing but alert so that he can move as soon as soon as the previous man is in position.
 {{:tactics:peel_7.jpg?300|}}
+Step 7) He arrives.
 {{:tactics:peel_8.jpg?300|}}
+Step 8) The next right most person starts peeling and says he is moving.  The new right most person keeps firing but alert so that he can move as soon as soon as the previous man is in position.
 {{:tactics:peel_9.jpg?300|}}
-Flanking
+Step 9) He arrives.
+The peeling move should be repeated as long as necessary to reach the intended final position.
-===== Strategy 101: How to win a firefight =====
+===== Strategy 101: Winning a firefight =====
+In the previous sections we discussed some tactics you can employ to get the best out of various situations. In this section we focus on the overall strategy of winning a firefight as dictated by the platoon leader and somewhat by the squad leaders.
-==== Find, Fix, Flank and Finish ====
+One thing often overlooked by commanders is the benefit of **mutual support** between elements. Elements that are close together such that they have line of sight on positions where the other element could be engaged from can provide mutual support. Having another element supporting will help to ensure the enemy gets engaged from yet another angle and get more fire on target greatly increasing the chances of the enemy taking causalities and lowers the chances of friendlies taking them. Ideally squads should be position to offer mutual support to other squads.
-==== Assault strategy ====
+==== Find, Fix, Flank and Finish ====
+Find, fix, flank & finish (The four Fs) is a strategy created by the US army during World War 2 for winning firefights. It demonstrates the principles needed to decisively win a firefight.
-==== Defence strategy ====
+=== Find ===
+Finding the enemy is a critical task. Knowing the positions and composition of the enemy forces will greatly aid in producing a viable plan to destroy them. When planning to advance through enemy territory you should typically aim to:
+  * **Minimize the chance of the enemy unexpectedly ambushing your forces** (where possible). When planning an advance it is essential to consider the potential of hidden/unexpected enemy positions and consider how much damage they could inflict.
+  * **Maximize the visibility of friendly units**. High ground typically offers vast sight lines and having an element or two provide 360 coverage from high positions might be wise. Also spreading the platoon out offers more visibility. Friendly units will then be able to call enemy positions over the radio so the entire team can better anticipate them.
-MISC
+=== Fix ===
+Fixing has the primary aim of keeping the enemy in place such that they can not withdraw or return fire. This requires using overwhelming firepower. This is typically achieved through having friendly units fire in large volume at the enemy positions. Ideally setting up in positions that offer dominate positions over the enemy positions. From these positions they will then suppress the enemy. Armoured vehicles are ideal as they can easily provide immense firepower on the enemy positions.
-Platoon leader – enemy’s most likely course of action.
+=== Flank ===
+Once the enemy is fixed in position. A frontal assault is typically quite dangerous due to the high likelihood of friendly fire and secondly the enemy likely to anticipate it and it may even be their most guarded flank. As such an assaulting element will be used to assault assault the enemies' weakpoint with the purpose of maximizing damage. If coordinated properly as the assaulting elements move. The units that are fixing the enemy will shift their fire to avoid friendly fire.
+=== Finish ===
+The assaulting element will continue to exploit the weakness and should be able to finish the assault of the enemies position and mop up any remaining enemies.
+Summary: Use overwhelming firepower to keep the enemy in place then use a flanking element to assault the position.
-Reconnaissance
+==== Assault Strategy ====
+Using 'Find, Fix, Flank and Finish' is a good idea for assaulting. It can even be used repeatedly. The important thing to do is to isolate at least some of the enemies then you can fix, flank and finish them. You may also be able to force their supporting elements to withdraw making an assault on the isolated force even easier.
-Deny the enemy the chance to block LOS/withdraw
+==== Defence Strategy ====
+All you need to do is make it as hard as possible for the enemy force to implement the above principles. For instance taking the high ground and spotting the enemy first will provide an early advantage. Most importantly you must focus on minimizing the effectiveness of any enemy attempt to fix and/or flank your forces. Therefore you should aim to prevent the enemy from isolating any of your forces. Having elements that can mutually support each other will help avoid isolation. Using a tiered defence with concealed withdrawal routes will help prevent the enemy from fixing your forces. Keeping elements providing security may help in preventing the enemy from flanking you. You must also anticipate and prepare for an attack from any direction.