"The eye-opener of the day for Chuck Meadows and his Marines was how many men it took to secure a row of buildings, for it wasn't simply a matter of attacking past them. To secure a row of buildings, Golf/2/5 was learning--but had not quite learned--a unit had to secure every room in every one of the structures, had to fight a war in three dimensions rather than the usual two."
INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
An attack in an urban area is one of the most difficult operations a Marine is likely to undertake. While modern weapons and surveillance and target acquisition systems may allow us to engage the enemy at great distances in most environments, the density of urban areas reduces this edge to a street by street, building by building fight. Typically, urban combat is confusing, tiring and can often end up in bloody hand to hand combat.
STALINGRAD VIDEO Three Minutes.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide the student with the basic knowledge to conduct offensive operations in an urban environment.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Reference: MCO 3501.3b
M2A.10.18, M2A.10.19, M2A.10.20, M2A.10.21, M2A.10.22, 0311.4.10
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Understand the planning considerations and conduct of offensive operations in urban terrain in accordance with MCWP 3-35.4.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Know the planning considerations for offensive operations.
2. Know the two types of attacks during MOUT.
3. Know the five phases of offensive operations during MOUT.
4. Know the various weapons considerations during MOUT.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught through lecture utilizing a Powerpoint presentation and short video clips.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested during practical application exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Planning
The following considerations must be taken into account when planning an urban offensive operations:
a. Simplicity:
1) The plan must be simple, flexible and understood at the lowest level.
2) Orders should concentrate on limited objectives.
3) Allow junior commanders to use initiative (Urban Combat is the Squad Leader's War).
4) Must allow sufficient time for changes in the plan to be passed down to the lowest level in order to avoid fratricide.
b. Information:
1) The urban environment offers the defender excellent concealment.
2) Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) should use all available sources, this includes maps, sewer and electrical plans, guide books, blueprints, etc.
3) Maps should be distributed to the lowest level.
4) Area noncombatants should be thoroughly questioned as they may possess information on the enemy, mine fields, booby traps, city layout, and other items that will impact on your mission. This type of information may be of the utmost importance to your operation.
c. Force Ratios:
1) Traditionally urban combat produces high casualties, the attacking force ratio should be well in excess of 3:1 over the defender.
2) In the battle for Berlin during World War II, the attacking Soviet Red Army had a force ratio of 8:1 over the defending German forces.
d. Logistics:
1) Urban warfare is a "sponge" on resources, expect a significant increase in ammunition consumption, Marines will have to carry far more than the normal combat load and plan for frequent resupply.
2) Urban warfare requires equipment that is not part of the standard load, requirements include ladders, ropes, grappling hooks and other MOUT specific items such as mouse hole charges for blowing entry points into buildings.
3) The potential for high casualty rates means that a simple but effective medical evacuation plan must be planned for and implemented.
4) The urban environment canalizes units into potential kill zones, this will mean that logistic support to forward units may be difficult. Take this into account during the planning phase.
5) Use cleared buildings for protection when pushing logistics forward.
e. Control:
1) Units should be given easily recognizable boundaries and control measures.
2) Areas should be divided into sectors, with phase lines to control the rate of advance.
3) Commanders should be forward in order to control progress; at the same time, they should not be at a point where they would inhibit the decision making process of junior commanders/leaders.
4) When communications fail, runners, linkmen or visual signals should be utilized in accordance with establish Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs).
5) Develop simple SOPs on how to mark buildings, routes of entry, clearing, requesting engineers or medevac, etc It this is not fratricide will occur.
6) NATO markings:
a) Flag/chem light at entry point. Marines must enter through this point as it has been cleared of enemy threat and booby traps. It must be easily recognizable to Marines approaching the building.
b) Flag/chem light to mark the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT) as the battle progresses. Following clearance of each room, Marines utilizing a marking system will mark the forward most room cleared. This allows supporting units to shift fires two rooms ahead as you clear the next room. This is very important in avoiding fratricide.
c) Colors (example):
1) Red - Building not yet cleared (located at entry point).
3) Green: Building cleared (located at entry point).
4) Yellow: Casualties present.
5) Blue: Engineer support required.
6) White: FLOT.
f. Tempo and momentum:
1) Although a fast tempo is necessary for the initial break-in stage, the tempo should be slowed after break-in to allow the attacking force to regain its balance.
2) In the attack there are peaks and valleys, fast violent action during clearance followed by reorganization. This DOES NOT mean to stop the momentum, it means you have to control the momentum even if this means slowing down.
3) As squads move forward, it is important to prevent one unit from getting too far in front of the others. Otherwise the unit will become strung out and chances of fratricide will increase.
4) As casualties mount, reserves and additional units must be ready to execute a passage of lines in order to maintain the momentum.
5) "SLOW IS SMOOTH - SMOOTH IS FAST."
2. Conduct:
Offensive operations are planned and conducted based on METT. At the tactical level, offensive operations are either deliberate or hasty.
a. A deliberate attack is a fully coordinated operation that employs the Marine Air Ground Task Force's (MAGTF) combined arms team against the enemy. A deliberate attack uses precise planning based on detailed information, preparation and rehearsals.
b. The Five Phases of the Attack:
1) Phase I: Reconnoiter the Objective - Intelligence gathering and reconnaissance/surveillance are critical to the planning process and success of the operation. Use all available intelligence resources to gain vital information and use it in your planning.
2) Phase II: Isolate the Objective - Designed to isolate the objective and prevent reinforcement or withdrawal.
a) The isolation force will place observation around the build-up area to look for possible break-in points and the enemy disposition.
b) The isolation force is a combined arms force. For example. a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sized MAGTF would consist of reconnaissance units, an infantry battalion, an artillery battery, a composite squadron, and possibly armor depending on the MEU's composition.
c) Indirect fire has a critical role in this phase and will be discussed in depth in a later period of instruction.
3) Phase III: Secure a Foothold
a) Involves an attack to obtain a foothold in the built-up area.
b) Usually done on a narrow frontage to prevent the defender from being able to make the best use of his weapon systems.
c) All available direct and indirect fire should be concentrated on the break-in points to suppress and obscure enemy weapon systems and observation.
d) If the assets are available, combined arms preparation fires should be considered in order to provide the greatest shock effect just prior to the main assault.
e) Ideally, Phase III will be conducted at night or when using covered approaches utilizing smoke.
f) A deception plan should be considered. Although it may reduce the strength of the main force slightly, it may cause the enemy to commit his forces at the wrong time or location. It does not require many Marines, but should be convincing.
Sharpes Siege Video - 4 minutes.
4) Phase IV: Clearance
a) Once the break-in has been conducted, attacking units should fight systematically towards their objectives.
5) Phase V: Reorganization - During this phase it is important for Marines not to lose focus. There are still many tasks to be accomplished, the primary ones are as follows:
a) A security force must be deployed immediately to counter any enemy counterattack.
b. A hasty attack is where a maneuver force conducts an attack as a result of unexpected contact during movement through a built-up area. A hasty attack contains the same five phases as a deliberate attack. The difference is there is less time to plan and rehearse.
3. Weapons Considerations:
a. Rifle: The M16A2 is not as well suited to MOUT as the M-4 carbine because of its long barrel and stock length.
b. M-4 Carbine: A shortened, lighter version of the M16 that has been modified with a flat top upper receiver. The flat top allows for the mounting of optics that enhance the Marine's ability to operate in an urban environment.
c. M240 G: Though cumbersome, the M240 G significantly increases the firepower available to assaulting units. It should be placed with the support element providing cover fire.
d. M249 SAW: The SAW is a lightweight weapon that is easily carried and provides an excellent
base of fire to the squad. The SAW should be utilized in the support role to cover the movement of the assault element. However, it can also be used by the assault element to provide additional firepower in the attack.
e. MK-153 83mm SMAW: The SMAW is an assault weapon that is essential for use against fortified positions, light armored vehicles, and to blow entry mouse holes. The minimum arming distance of ten meters is perfect for the limited engagement ranges associated with urban combat. It is especially important during MOUT to remember that the SMAW has a back blast.
f. AT-4: The AT-4's minimum arming distance of ten meters is also ideal for the limited engagement ranges associated with urban combat. The AT-4 is well suited to be used as an isolation weapon. Like the SMAW, the AT-4 has a back blast that must be planned for. Use it along hallways or in rooms that have windows and doors open in the back.
g. Snipers: Marine snipers are a significant asset in urban combat. They can be used as fire support for the investment and break-in as well as for crossing open spaces.
h. Armor: Tanks are great as fire support during the initial break-in as well as to neutralize any defensive strong points. Keep in mind the elevation restrictions on the main gun, it may not be able to engage high windows. When planning any operation, always remember that tanks can be severely channelized in an urban environment and will be susceptible to anti-armor weapons. As a general rule, you should have at least 500 meters of cleared frontage when operating with tanks.
i. Mortars: Because of the mortar's high trajectory of fire, mortar's have a distinct advantage over artillery during MOUT. Mortars can provide a high rate of fire but have less penetration capability than artillery rounds. Mortars are also well suited for clearing roof tops and enemy avenues of retreat from buildings.
j. Artillery: Although artillery has a great penetration capability it has low angle of fire (even using a high angle setting). This low angle has its drawbacks in the MOUT environment where potential targets may be masked by tall buildings. Artillery can, however, be used very effectively in the direct fire mode. Artillery can also be effective in isolating a built-up area as well as providing counter battery, harassing, and interdiction fires.
k. Aviation: Close Air Support (CAS) can be very effective during the isolation phase as well as for destroying targets in depth. Helicopters are essential for troop deployment, medevac and resupply. However, the anti-air threat in an urban environment may substantially limit the freedom of air movement.
l. Air Defense: If the enemy has even a partial air superiority, air defense is essential and is particularly well suited to the urban environment. The best method of creating an air defense umbrella is by using an integrated, rural fringe and urban air defense network.
m. MOUT Specific Equipment: Marines should utilize the special assault kits to gain entry into buildings, sewers, etc. The kit includes ropes, sledge hammers and mouse hole charges. It is essential that all Marines are well trained and rehearsed in the use of MOUT specific equipment.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
b) All movement across open area should be covered by effective fire and smoke.
c) SMAW (bunker busters) can be used to take out hardened positions and blow entry holes.
d) Units can advance on parallel streets to allow for mutual support.
e) Again, it is important not to allow any one part of the advance to get too far forward as they will become vulnerable to counterattack and isolation.
f) Buildings that have been taken should remain occupied or at least under observation to prevent enemy re-infiltration.
i) Always maintain situational awareness in order to avoid Marine on Marine engagements.
b) Civilian, military and enemy wounded and dead must be evacuated.
c) Enemy Prisoners of War (EPW) must be processed for evacuation.
d) Resupply must be conducted in order to conduct follow on operations.
e) A mutually supporting, defense in depth must be established.
f) The restoration and turnover of city services is conducted.
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