Lesson 3/Learning Event 1
PASSIVE DEFENSE
Passive defense measures are taken to keep the enemy from seeing the bivouac
area.
Passive security measures include concealment, camouflage of
positions, control of movement, noise and light discipline, and minimum
radio and telephone traffic.
Concealment and dispersion are important
passive defense measures against attack from the air.
Construct two-man
foxholes with adequate overhead concealment immediately after occupying a
site.
Foxholes are usually camouflaged with growth from the surrounding
area.
To conceal, use wooded areas and blackout lights, cover reflective
surfaces, use protective shadows, and limit movement.
Use radios and
telephones as little as possible. One method of deceiving the enemy is to
make vehicle tracks into an unoccupied wooded area and conceal tracks
leading into the real bivouac area.
CLEARING THE BIVOUAC AREA
A unit normally starts preparing to clear a bivouac soon after it receives
word to move.
The sequence used to clear a bivouac area can vary every
time. A good rule to follow is to concentrate the efforts of the unit in
the areas that take the most time.
1.
Loading.
First, unit members should pack their individual clothing
and equipment. Then, organizational equipment not immediately required for
defense of the area can be loaded on vehicles and secured for the move. One
exception to this procedure may be the kitchen equipment, which may be used
to serve a hot meal just before departure. This is preferable to feeding
individual rations while the unit is en route.
2.
Vehicles on Dispatch.
Drivers of vehicles on dispatch should be
permitted to deliver their cargo. Companies about to move must either tell
supported activities that support will be discontinued or the location of
the new area.
3.
Maintenance Section.
The maintenance section will try to get all
inoperative vehicles in operating condition as rapidly as possible.
Vehicles which cannot be moved with the unit should be evacuated to the
nearest maintenance support activity.
In a DS company, equipment which
cannot be repaired or evacuated will be destroyed.
4.
Refueling.
Fuel tanks of all vehicles should be topped off.
If
petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) supplies are
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