[Dozer523]

ANNEX G (Breaking Out of Encirclement Tips) to Detachment B-52 (Project Delta) Reconnaissance Tips of the Trade.

Breaking Out of Encirclement Tips

1. Too many times Recon Teams which have not planned for or practiced methods to “break out” from an encirclement have been encircled by the enemy. The following methods and suggestions have worked for others in the past and it is hoped that this will be of assistance to you in the future if you find yourself and your team in such a situation.
a. Team encircled, the sooner you attempt to break out the better chance you will have to do so effectively and with the least amount of casualties. The longer you wait the stronger the enemy becomes.

2. Preparation for breaking out of the encirclement: Plans must be made prior to the break out attempt or to take care of the following:
a. Rucksacks and equipment left behind must be destroyed by someone.
b. dead must be left behind. Someone must remove any classified documents such as SOI’s, notebooks, maps, etc.
c. One or two persons, depending upon the size of the team must have the mission, during the break out assault, of rear security. This will include assisting any personnel who may be wounded before or during the attempt. Additionally they should recover documents from personnel killed during the break out movement. No attempt should be made to take the KIA with them.
d. Keep in mind that the successful completion of your mission depends on getting information back to headquarters. All personnel must be reminded of the important information the team has observed.

3. Formation to use. The most effective method a small element can use (5 to 12 man teams) is to form a pyramid configuration, with the base of the pyramid leading. The following actions must take place:
a. The team forms into position.
b. CS rounds from M-79’s and / or CS grenades are fired or thrown to the flanks.
c. WP grenades are thrown to the rear.
d. A claymore mine and / or fragmentation grenades are fired or thrown in the direction the team will move.
e. Immediately after the claymore and / or grenades go off to the front, the team moves out.
f. The first element of line will fire on full automatic. The others hold fire.
g. When the first elements’ magazines are empty, the second element moves through them and continues the fire.
h. When the second element has emptied their magazines the first element will have reloaded and passed through them, taking up the assault, but will only fire on semi- automatic.
I. Once the team starts to move it must move rapidly, but never run, and never stop until completely out of the encirclement.

4. Supporting fires: Artillery, helicopter gunships and TAC Air, if available, should be used to assist your break out attempt. These are discussed below:
a. Supporting artillery fire, within range, can be effectively employed to pave your way out of encirclement or near encirclement. When foul or inclement weather prevents your use of helicopter or TAC air for support, you must use artillery if available. Artillery support, when available, should be requested at the first sign of trouble for many times it can be fired in your direction before air support can arrive on station to assist you. It is a common practice, as you out of the area as quickly as possible. Enemy forces follow the same doctrine. When you desire to break out, with the aid of artillery, first have the fires placed completely around your position, then having selected your desired heading, “walk” the artillery in front of you. This will effectively lead you out of the danger area and you may even pick up a shell shocked or wounded PW on your way out.
b. Helicopter gunships can assist you with almost continuous close in fire support, firing directly in front and to the rear during your break out attempt. The effect this fire will have is dependent upon the density of the vegetation, location of your team, and whether or not your supporting aircraft can see you or your signals. You may have to direct their fires by adjusting from the strike of rounds and rockets.
c. Tactical airstrikes can assist you in your attempt to break out of an encirclement. To do this call for the bombs in the direction you desire to move. Since the enemy will get as close to the team as possible to avoid airstrikes, it is preferred to call the bombs first and then have the TAC Air fire his machine guns and 20 mm in front of you as you move out. They can place machine gun fire much closer to your then bombs.