An Ambush is a suprise attack on an enemy formation with the intent of destroying it. It combines maximun firepower with minimum time and does not require the attacking force to take or hold territory.

 

During an Ambush each attacker is given his own Arch of Fire, which overlaps other archs to ensure there are no gaps in the Kill Zone. Arch of Fire is simply a Kill Zone in the basic shape of a "V" with the attacker at the bottom point. The key to an Ambush is Shock Action. The entire action should be over within two minutes and elite groups can complete an action in as little as 30 seconds. Example 1-2

Example 1-1

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An Ambushing force is made up of three parts: the Command Element, the Assault Element and the Security Element. In a Small Unit setting, a Team or Element could consist of a single individual. Weapons with a high rate-of-fire are to be directed at all enemy personnel.

The Command Element is in charge of the Ambush and holds the Commander, Communications and Medics. The Commander is responsible for pre-selecting the Ambush Site and deploying all units as well as giving the Fire and Evacuate orders.

The Assault Element has the task of destroying the enemy and usually has an Assault Team, a Support Team and a Special Tasks Team. The Assault Team springs the Ambush while the Support Team attempts to keep the enemy in the Kill Zone by  firing at the outside edges. The Special Tasks Team is responsible for deploying and firing any mines, Claymores, etc. In the case of enemy vehicles, anti-armor rounds and rockets are to be used to disable the vehicles while the Support Team handles anyone trying to escape the vehicle.

The Security Element provides cover fire to all areas of approach by enemy re-enforcements as well as any possible enemy escape routes. Security around the Ambush Site is essential and must be maintained AT ALL TIMES.

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A good Ambush Site has the following attributes: it should channel the enemy, it should provide wide Fields of Fire and good cover for the attackers. Natural and man-made obsticles can be used to restrict enemy movement as well as provide partial cover and security for the attackers. For the Assault Element, firing positions should have a thin cover and the Kill Zone should be covered with fire to prevent blank spots. Patience is essential if security is to be maintained as a patrol may be forced to occupy an Ambush Site well in advance of the enemy.

The Commander must first select and check the Ambush Site before he deploys his forces. First to deploy is the Security Element to ensure the the ambushers have a good view of anyone approaching, then the Assault Team deploys. The Security Element communicates when the enemy is approaching but they DO NOT give the order to fire, only the Commander does that and only when the enemy has entered the Kill Zone. In a Vehicle Ambush the first and last vehicles should be disabled first, trapping the others in between. In any Ambush, the entire Kill Zone should be completely saturated with fire.

The Commander ends an Ambush for three reasons: the enemy has been killed, the enemy is retreating beyond the Kill Zone or the Ambush is unsuccessful. Evacuation is done in stages. First is the Assualt and Command Elements with the Security Element providing cover fire if needed. If the enemy is pursuing, the Security Element will use fire combined with movement to slow them down. Elements may also split into groups to evade pursuers.

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Linear Ambush- The Linear Ambush is one of the simplest Ambushes to set up but no less effective than the others. It uses heavy flank firepower to destroy the enemy in the Kill Zone while flank and rear Security provide cover against suprise attacks. With all of the firepower going forward, the Linear Ambush is easy to control. it is often sprung where it is difficult for the enemy to move off their approach trail, such as a wall or cliff on the opposite side of the Ambush Line. However, the Linear Ambush does have its disadvantages, mainly that it is easy to flank the ambushers and is also difficult to employ against a large enemy formation. When planning a Linear Ambush, the Commander must ensure that the Assault Element is parallel to the enemy force. If they are not, and the Ambush Line gets engaged by the Enemy Line, the rear elements of the enemy will be able to easily outflank the ambushers. This is known as "Crossing the T".
Example 2-1

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L-Shaped Ambush- The L-Shaped Ambush employs firepower from two directions and is highly effective along curves in roads and trails. When setting up the Ambush positions, the long side of the "L" should run parallel to the expected route of the target. In this situation, the Ambush Line that is parallel to the enemy attacks first, giving the impression of a Linear Attack: then the second Ambush Line opens fire locking the enemy in a crossfire from which there is little hope of escape.
Example 2-2

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V-Shaped Ambush- The advantage to this method is that it denies the enemy a safe area in any direction. For example, if the enemy fires toward the front they can be killed from the rear. If they turn to face the rear attack, they can be killed from frontal fire. The main problem with this type of ambush is friendly-fire as both sides of the "V" are shooting inward toward each other. The Commander springs this Ambush from the rear, well out of small-arms range, recieving reports from spotters that inform him when the enemy is approaching and finally enters the Kill Zone.
Example 2-3

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