CONDITIONS:

The platoon is moving and receives fire from an enemy trench. The platoon is ordered to secure a foothold in the trench. Only organic weapons support is available.

CUE:

The platoon leader initiates the drill by giving the order for the assault element to secure a foothold in the trench.

STANDARDS:

The platoon leader quickly identifies the entry point. The platoon secures the entry point, enters the trench, and secures an area large enough for the follow-on unit. The platoon maintains a sufficient fighting force to repel enemy counterattack and continues the mission.

TASK STEPS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES

1. A platoon executes Battle Drill 1, React to Direct Fire Contact.

2. The squad in contact takes the following actions:

a. Deploys; takes the following actions:

(1) Returns fire.
(2) Seeks cover.
(3) Establishes fire superiority.
(4) Establishes local security.

b. Unit leader’s reports:

(1) Squad leader reports location of hostile fire to platoon leader from base-of-fire position using the SALUTE format.
(2) The platoon leader sends contact report followed by a SALUTE report to commander.

3. The platoon leader evaluates and develops the situation  and takes the following actions:

a. Evaluates the situation using the SITREPs from the squad in contact and his personal observations. At a minimum , the evaluation should include:

(1) Number of enemy weapons or volume of fire.
(2) Presence of vehicles.
(3) Employment of indirect fires.

b. Develops the situation by taking the following actions:

(1) Conducts a quick reconnaissance to determine enemy flanks.
(2) Locates mutually supporting positions.
(3) Locates obstacles impeding the assault or provides some type of cover or concealment.
(4) Determines whether the force is inferior or superior.
(5) Analyzes reports from squad leader, teams in contact, or adjacent units.

4. The platoon leader chooses a COA and takes the following actions:

a. Decides to enter the trench and selects the entry point.
b. Selects a covered and concealed route to the entry point.
c. Directs the maneuver element to secure the near side of the entry point and reduce the obstacle to gain a foothold.
d. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant repositions the remaining squads and vehicles to provide additional observation and supporting fires.

5. The platoon executes the COA using SOSRA to set conditions for the assault. (See figure J-12.) The platoon takes the following actions:

a. Suppresses and obscures. The platoon takes the following actions:

(1) Platoon leader or FO calls for and adjusts indirect fire in support of assault.
(2) Platoon sergeant directs base-of-fire squad to cover maneuvering squad.
(3) Obscures maneuver element's movement with smoke (handheld/M203/320).


Figure J-12. Suppress, obscure, secure, reduce and assault

b. Secures the near side and reduces the obstacle. The maneuver squad clears the entry point  and take the following actions:

(1) Squad leader moves the assaulting squad to last covered and concealed position short of the entry point.
(2) Squad leader designates entry point.
(3) Base-of-fire and vehicles squad shift fires away from entry point
and continues to suppress adjacent enemy positions or isolate the
trench, as required.
(4) Squad leader uses one team to suppress the entry point and positions the assaulting team at the entry point.

c. The platoon leader directs FO to shift indirect fires to isolate the objective and the base-of-fire section/squads shifts fire as assault section/squad advances.
d. The platoon secures the far side and establishes a foothold. (See figure J-13.)

6. The first two soldiers of the assault fire team position themselves against the edge of the trench to roll right and left of the entry point to clear far side of obstacle and establish a foothold. On the squad leader’s command, cook-off grenades (two seconds maximum), shout “FRAG OUT ,” and throw the grenades into the trench.

a. After ensuring that both grenades detonate, the Soldiers roll into the trench back to back. Immediately, both Soldiers move in opposite directions down the trench clearing to the first corner or intersection.
b. Both Soldiers halt and take up positions to block any enemy movement toward the entry point.

7. Upon detonation of the grenades, the remainder of the assault fire team enters the trench moving to reinforce at the first secured corner or intersection

8. The assault team clears enough room for the section/squad or to the first trench junction and announces, “CLEAR.”

9. The squad leader marks the entry point according to the platoon SOP, then sends the next assault team in to increase the size of the foothold by announcing, “NEXT TEAM IN.”

10. The next assault team moves into trench and secures assigned area . (See figure J-14)

11. The squad leader reports to the platoon leader the foothold is secure. The platoon follows the success of the seizure of the foothold with the remainder of the platoon, as part of the platoon actions to clear a trench line.