AMBUSHES
Ambushes can be used for all kinds of scenarios, like eliminating enemy teams. They can be used as a defensive measure to warn the main body force that enemy forces are in the area. And to help weaken the enemy force before they try to assault the main body force.
Patrolling, scout/sniper or Security Forces to ambush retreating enemy forces or enemy reinforcements can use ambushes.
Ambushes can also be used to capture a high-ranking officer by means of eliminating all but the intended personnel or as means of distraction and cover for the snatch team to obtain the enemy personnel, and team leaders. You can even leave an ambush team behind to protect the rear flank of an assaulting force.
You can even deploy a type of search and destroy ambush, where one team is used to flush an enemy into an ambush, which is set up by another team.
There are two basic types of ambushes:
The Deliberate ambush and Ambushes of opportunity.
First-
Deliberate Ambushes: Are predetermined ambushes that are planned out ahead of time and usually entail information about the enemy.
Such as enemy strength, weapons, size, location, direction of travel, speed, time of arrival and so on.
An ambush site is picked out ahead of time and the ambush team arrives on site with plenty of time to set up for the ambush.
The site is picked for different reasons, for instance it may provide good cover or have high ground advantage. It must be a site where the enemy is going to pass through, without a doubt as well as a escaper route for the ambushers.
Second-
Ambushes of Opportunity: Are unplanned ambushes or hasty ambushes, in which there is no or very little information about the enemy.
It's a happen upon chance that you get the opportunity to ambush an unsuspected enemy team, but the chance can be reversed too, in favor of the enemy.
So when setting up for these types of ambushes, you have to be quick, silent and prepared for the unsuspected.
Leave nothing to chance or luck. Ambushes of opportunity can also be just where a team is sent out to a particular spot and told to set up an ambush. Then they ambush any targets of opportunity that happen to pass by.
Some types of tactical advantages for Ambushes:
"Linear ambush": As a lone or small element the most common and simplest ambush is known as the linear ambush it is the simplest to set up and is most commonly used when setting up an ambush of opportunity.
little time to set up, little planning and works is required to set this up and if done properly it can be just as effective as most ambushes. a total element of surprise is recommended but not required.
Form a line along the straight of a trail or road. You'll want to set up some flank security, just in case. As the enemy enter into the kill zone the ambush team open fire with full automatic fire.
The idea of this ambush is to lay down over-lapping fields of fire with each element knowing his field of fire. With that much firepower being sprayed into an enemies' flank the damage is quite severe. (even w/ a two man scout/sniper team w/ enough aggression and rapid action)
“Harassment ambush”:Not necessarily used to decimate but to wear away his numbers and his nerve, harassment will eat away at the enemy and leave him on edge putting his mind elsewhere instead of being focused leaving to make mistake and miss details that can give windows of opportunity.
The ambusher lies in wait for the enemy and as they pass then opens fire on them with full automatic fire. After 30 to 45 seconds, the ambush breaks contact and hauls *** out of the area while the enemy is still trying to regroup.
The ambush then moves to the next ambush site and wait again for the enemy to approach. Opening fire and breaking contact after about 30 to 45 seconds.
The ambush can try to repeat the ambush at another site, but more then likely the enemy will be more at guard and quicker to react to a third ambush. By this time the ambush team has probably inflicted some pretty good damage to the enemy already.
Decreasing their numbers and whittling away their nerves. (As a lone sniper or small scout team this may be the most effective ambush for you since you can’t out gun the enemy and cannot sustain a long drawn out engagement)
"Maneuver ambush": Two separate ambush teams, one is the lead ambush team and the other is the rear ambush team.
The lead ambush team sets up just slightly passed the other ambush team on the kill zone, and the rear ambush team sets up opposite side of the kill zone.
(This will be good for the sniper or recon team to be the lead ambush since the role is recon he will be ahead of the main element this also gives them the chance to start the ambush break and slide back into the shadows while the main assault group cleans up the mess).
As the enemy comes around into the kill zone and enters the lead teams kill zone, the lead team opens fire with full automatic fire. The enemy who are on the end or rear still not into the kill zone yet, can't see where the fire is coming from.
The rear ambush team moves in back them and starts firing on their position. Now, the two ambush teams have split the enemy forces in half with one fighting in one direction and the other fighting in the opposite direction. Neither of the enemy forces can assist nor help the other without compromising their own.
The ambush teams can even have a third team waiting at the point of the bend This will provide extra security and or firepower to the enemies' flank.
"The L-shaped ambush": This is very effective. Set the ambush up where the enemy’s avenue of approach bends.
Two separate ambush teams are used. One team is the back of the L and forms a line along the straight part of the trail or road to just slightly passed the bend. Both teams tie into the other, the second ambush team which forms the bottom half of the
L, which extends slightly pass the back of the L, more like a T. Only one side of the T extends towards and passed the bend.
When the enemy enters the kill zone both teams open fire with full automatic fire, this puts the enemy in a crucial crossfire. The damage inflicted by the two teams fire will be crushing quite as (Ensure that both teams know their fields of fire, to decrease chances of fratricide).
"The V-shaped ambush" Is positioned in the straight of a trail or road and uses a total element of surprise. The enemy may not be expecting an ambush in the straight of a trail or road.
Two teams set up on either side of the trail or road, exactly opposite of each other, but facing outward in a sort of V-shape. Leaving the trail or road open so the enemy continues to advance without warning. (If the ambush is set up by a sniper and his scout they set up the ambush like they would w/ a large forge and then break contact like the harassing ambush)
As the enemy enters into the V both ambush teams wait for the Point Man to pass through the kill the kill zone.
Decreasing the chances of alarming the rest of the enemy force. Once the Point Man is slightly out, both teams open up with full automatic fire fields. If possible assign security element for the flanks as to not allow the enemy the opportunity to slip around behind either team.
"The Z-shaped ambush" Works best where there is a winding trail or road. It also this is not for the sniper team as it takes a large ambush team to set this kind of ambush up. The team sets up in a zigzag formation like a Z, as the enemy approaches the winding trail or road (kill zone) are separated by.
The ambush team opens fire with full automatic fire. The enemy force is caught in both a DEADLY crossfire and over-lapping fields of fire. The bottom half of the Z and the connecting line of the Z can also provide flanking security.
As any form of scout/sniper, Recon or point Element team your ambushes should be concentrated on harassing or deliberate intent I.E. destroy crucial element or Intel or assassinations. Some considerations that should be of good practice for all ambush teams but especially for the small elements:
Employ smoke before and after all engagements.
Always have a route of withdraw.
Make up for the lack of firepower by means of landmines, frags and claymores.
Deliberate aggressive decisive force is the only way to ensure survival.
The element of surprise is your best friend.
If possible use loud screaming shrieking devises accompanied w/smoke at the beginning of your assault to further aid in the disorientation of the enemy.
