MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Squad Tactics
Offensive Operations
Definition
Offensive operations aim at destroying or
defeating the enemy in order to impose the will of
the Army on the enemy and achieve decisive
victory. Offensive operations are used to deprive
the enemy of resources, seize terrain, deceive or
divert the enemy, develop intelligence or hold an
enemy in position.

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Characteristics of the Offense

Surprise
Concentration
Tempo
Audacity

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Types of Offensive Operations

Movement to Contact
Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Movement to Contact (MTC)

An operation to develop the situation and establish or

regain contact with the enemy
Used when the tactical situation is vague or not
specific enough to conduct an attack, or when the
enemy has broken contact
A properly planned and executed MTC will allow
friendly forces freedom of action
Normally conducted at battalion or brigade level
Smallest element conducting MTC is company
Squads and platoons conduct MTC as part of a
larger force (company and above MTC)

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Fundamentals

Focus all efforts on finding the enemy

Make initial contact with smallest element
possible
Secure the main body from becoming
decisively engaged by the enemy
Task organize and select movement
formations that allow rapid deployment and
attack
Keep forces within supporting distances
Maintain contact with enemy

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Movement to Contact Techniques

Approach March
Search and Attack

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Approach March:
Planning Considerations

METT-TC
On order or follow on missions for subordinate units
Decision Points

When do I commit main body

Will reinforcing the advance guard destroy the enemy or must
I maneuver the main body to attack the enemy?
When and how do I commit the reserve?
How do I use the main body or reserve if my flanks are
attacked?

Balance speed and ability to maintain mutual support

with elements
Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility
Control measures and coordination with adjacent units

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Common Maneuver Elements

Advance Guard

Sometimes called Forward Security

Element (FSE)

Main Body
Security

Flank and Rear (Screen or Guard)

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Advance Guard
I ordered the advance guard (one squad)
to hold the farmhouse for an additional five
minutes, and then retireI quickly ordered
a platoonto open fire on the area to the
left and the advance guard began to drop
back under this fire protection.
- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
In his book, Infantry Attacks.

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Advance Guard

Moves forward of and within supporting range of Main

Bodys weapon systems
Protects Main Body from surprise enemy contact
Ensures uninterrupted movement of Main Body by
reducing obstacles, create passage lanes, or identifies
bypass routes
Fixes the enemy to allow Main Body to develop the
situation
Determines and reports enemy composition,
disposition, strength, flanks and gaps
Protects Main Body while Main Body is deploying

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Main Body

The primary mission of the Main Body is

to maneuver to destroy the enemy
The commander designates tasks or
missions to each unit in the main body

Main effort to destroy the enemy

Follow and support missions
Reserve

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Flank and Rear Security

Provided by the maneuver unit traveling on a

flank or to the rear of the Main Body

The trail company traveling in battalion column acts

as the battalions rear guard
The battalion traveling on the left of a brigade
movement will use their battalion scouts to screen
the left flank

Can be dismounted, mounted or aviation units

Used to delay an enemy force by buying time
for the Main Body to react

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Search and Attack

A technique primarily conducted by light

forces and supported by heavy forces
Executed at the battalion level
Uses platoon or squad-size elements
Recon element finds the enemy
Fixing force develops the situation
Finishing force conducts hasty or
deliberate attack to destroy the enemy

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

MTC: Purposes of Search and Attack

Destroy the enemy

Deny unhindered use of friendly area by the
enemy
Protect a larger force by preventing the enemy
from massing, disrupting or destroying friendly
forces
Collect information on the enemy to confirm
enemy courses of actions predicted during the
intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB)
process

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Search and Attack:

Planning Considerations

METT-TC
Decentralized operations at squad and platoon level
Mutual support to respond to other units in contact
Length of operation may require unit rotation
Soldiers load impacts stealth and mobility
Resupply and Medevac
Positioning of key leaders and personnel
Employment of key weapons
Requirement and location of patrol bases
How to enter the zone of operation
Details of unit linkup

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Offense: Attack

An operation that destroys or defeats the

enemy, secures terrain, or both
Ambush
Spoiling Attack
Counterattack
Raid
Feint
Demonstration

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Raid

Swift entry into hostile territory to secure

information, confuse the enemy, or
destroy installations
Ends with a planned withdrawal
Also used to rescue and recover
individuals/equipment in danger of
capture

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Offense: Exploitation

Offensive operation that rapidly follows a

successful attack
Necessary due to the fact that total annihilation
of the enemy on the objective are rare
Exploitation operations are designed to
aggressively pursue the enemy in order to
finish or disorganize the enemy in depth to
prevent the enemy from occupying alternate
defenses, consolidating and reorganizing or
counterattacking to regain the initiative

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Offense: Pursuit

An offensive operation to catch or cut off

an enemy attempting to escape in order
to destroy the enemy
Normally follows a successful
exploitation operation
May also result in any successful offense
or defense operation that causes the
enemy to break down and flee the
battlefield

MSL 301, Lesson 6b: Offensive Operations

Enemy Contact! Now What?

Attack?

Exploit?
Pursuit?
Defend?

Hasty or Deliberate?

Hasty or Deliberate?

Retrograde?

Delay?
Withdrawal?