From a civillan defence enthusiasts to all other defence enthusiasts out there-

AMBUSH TECHNIQUES:

Ambush - is a sudden or surprise attack from a concealed position upon a moving or temporarily hated enemy force. Ambush is executed to reduce the enemy's combat effectiveness by harassment or destruction. When ambushes are staged more frequently against all types of hostile targets, the enemy tends to be more reluctant to send combat patrols in convoys or in a small group, especially if these enemy force in the rear acting as security troops. Consequently, they loss their aggressiveness and become more defensive minded. The loss of men and equipment has a critical effect on the part of the enemy. The interference with and the ultimate destruction of hostile reconnaissance and combat patrols will result in the none accomplishment of the patrol mission, thus depriving him of valuable intelligence information so necessary to effectively combat the guerrillas.

ORGANIZATION OF AMBUSH PATROLS

Two principles of ambush patrols:

1) Security - The primary function of the security elements is to protect the rear and flanks of the assault element.

2) Assault - is the force that captures or destroys the enemy. The ambush patrol leader places himself with assault element at the point where his first shot at the head of the enemy column signifies his command to open fire. Automatic weapons are placed to obtain enfilade fire on the enemy column and the remainder of the assault elements is placed so that their sector of fire cover the entire target. Once the action is completed at the objective and make a hasty research. After job completed, the assault element starts movement to a nearby rallying point proceed as rapidly as possible. Factors peculiar to an ambush that are considered essential to its successful execution:

1) Patience

2) Camouflage discipline

3) A good plan that is well-rehearsed

4) Prior knowledge of the enemy

The most important factors to consider is the selection of ambush site is influenced by the following:

1) Mission - the ambush site should be ideally suited for the conduct of a single mission, or a series of action.

2) Enemy - one should consider the probable size, strength, or composition of the hostile force to be ambushed. One must also know the likely combat formations the enemy uses and his reinforcement capabilities.

3)Terrain - the ambush site should be on a vantage point that provides clear fields of fire and observation, good cover and concealment and good routes of withdrawals.

Doctrinally there are two types of Ambush- Point Ambush and Area Ambush

LINE AMBUSH -- the assault and support elements are deployed generally parallel to the target’s route of movement (road, trail, streams). This positions the assault and support elements parallel to the long axis of the kill zone and subject the target to flanking fires. The size of the target which can be trapped in the kill zone is limited by the size area which the assault and security elements can cover with a great volume of fire. The target is trapped in the kill zone by natural obstacles, mines (Claymore, anti-tank, anti-personnel) explosives, and direct and indirect fire. A disadvantage of a line formation is that its may be so dispersed that it is larger that the kill zone. The line formation is good in close terrain which restrict the target’s maneuver and in open terrain where one flank is blocked by natural obstacles or can be locked by mines or explosives. Similar obstacles may be put between the assault and support elements and the kill zone to protect the patrol from the target’s counter-ambush actions. When a patrol is deployed this way, access lanes are left through the obstacles so the target can be assaulted. An advantage of line formation is the relative ease by which it can be controlled under all conditions of visibility.

“L” Formation –is a variation of line formation. The long leg of L (Assault Element) is parallel to the kill zone. This provides flanking fire. The short leg (support element) is at the end of, and at right angle to the kill zone. This provides infilade fire, which interlocks with fire from the other leg.

“Z” Formation – Is another variation of the line formation. The attack elements is deployed as in the “L” formation, but with on additional side so that the formation resembles the letter “Z” the additional side may serve any of the following purpose:

a. To engage a force attempting to relieve or reinforce the target.

b. To seal the end of the kill zone

c. To restrict flank

d. To prevent envelopment

“T” Formation – can be used to interdict small groups attempting to high movements across open areas.

“V” Shaped Formation – The attack element is deployed along both sides of the target’s route so that it forms a letter “V”

There are more ambush formations like z ambush, triangle formation ( it has a couple of varieties) , box formation( it also has 2 varieties) etc

NB- I am a civilian an