EXERCISE TEWT

Index 5 · DS only

1 K.O.S.B. — Attack TEWT

Narrative and Problems

NARRATIVE 1

1 KOSB at present in conc area have been ordered to move fwd to FUP at 0430 hrs 22 Mar.

1 KSLI, 185 Inf Bde, are holding area WHITE HOUSE 1354 and will act as firm base for attack by 1 KOSB at first light (0600 hrs) 22 Mar.

Patrols 185 Inf Bde have drawn enemy fire from area of house 124554, BUTCHERCOAT Fm 1255 and side of WOOD 121548.

Estimated enemy str in this area more than one coy gp.

Problem 1

Give outline plan of attack in form of verbal orders by OC 1 KOSB.

DS Notes

1. Gen

All narratives and problems to be given out verbally by DS to Syndicates. DS notes are short and only deal with gen principles to be observed in any solution. Actual suggested solution will be given to DS on the ground on 21 Mar.

2. Pts to stress

(a) Bn must attack from firm base — in this case.

(b) Orders must incl posn fire sp coy will take up.

(c) MMGs should be used for covering fire.

(d) Battle patrol should move fwd behind fire sp coy to take over on objective as soon as possible.

(e) Plan for consolidation must be given.

(f) A.Tk plan worked out on Bn level — secs NOT allotted to coys. Move fwd on success sig.

(g) Best to use carrier pl to protect a flank in Bn attack but at least one sec must go fwd with battle patrol.

(h) Although RE allotted no special task for them — no need to employ.

(i) See INTENTION is clear and concise — orders must be given out as orders.

Note: Orders should be given out off the ground and NOT from the Map.

3. Bn OO (Extracts)

INTENTION

4. 1 KOSB will attack and capture Pt 582 1255.

METHOD

5. The Bn will attack in Y fmn.

6. Allotment of Tps

RIGHT – A Coy with under Comd one assault sec Pnr Pl

LEFT – B Coy — ditto —

Fire sp – C Coy

RES – D Coy

7. Bdy – Hedge running up to BUTCHERCOAT (pt out on ground). A Coy responsible for mopping up BUTCHERCOAT.

8. Objective – High ground from 125555 to Pt 582 1255.

9. FUP – Area immediately behind WHITEHOUSE. Bn to form up in attack fmn. Bn Int Sec to tape.

10. Fire Sp Coy – To bound behind leading Coys to area about 1255[?] and shoot leading coys onto objective.

11. Res – D Coy will move behind and to the RIGHT of fire sp coy — C Coy — and will consolidate in area about 126550 (pt out on ground).

12. Battle Patrol – Consisting of carrier pl less one sec, sec MG pl, Bn OP party will move behind leading coys.

13. SL – Line of track 131542 to 139541.

14. Zero – 0600 hrs.

15. Action on capture objective – A and B Coys will be withdrawn into res behind C and D Coys on orders Bn HQ.

16. Arty

(a) Concs (as effect 1 [?] — see 9 Bde OO) and 3 mins intense on objective on orders given by CO.

(b) One FOO will move with each A and B Coys.

17. A.Tk

(a) RA tp will deploy area SL to thicken up firm base.

(b) On success sig all guns will move fwd for consolidation.

Area C & D Coys — two secs

Area A & B Coys — one sec

RA tp will protect LEFT flank from area of B Coy.

18. MG – Pl less one sec will give covering fire from area WHITEHOUSE.

19. Mortars

(a) Will smoke BUTCHERCOAT Fm from Z plus 4 to Z plus 14.

(b) One mob fire controller with each A & B Coys.

20. Carriers – Two secs to protect LEFT flank of attack from approx area 125542.

21. RE – Pl 253 Fd Coy in res area buildings 133536.

ADM

22. Tpt – On success sig Coy 2 ICs will move fwd F Ech to rd & track junc 125554 where Coys will collect.

23. Med – RAP: bend in rd 132557 thence rd and track junc 130545. ADS: RUTHERFORD 136524.

24. PW – Div Cage: ANCRUM HQ 123461.

INTERCOMN

25. Bn Tac HQ will move behind C Coy. Main HQ to hedge junc 126547 on success sig.

26. Success Sig – Red Green Red. Code word – HOLDIT.

–0–0–0–0–

NARRATIVE 2 · The attack goes in

(a) 1 KOSB attacked two up:

RIGHT – A Coy

LEFT – B Coy

Fire Sp – C Coy

Res – D Coy

(b) Two secs carrier pl were protecting LEFT flank.

(c) Mortar pl was smoking BUTCHERCOAT from Z plus 4 to Z plus 14.

(d) A.Tk guns were held back to bound fwd on capture objective for consolidation.

(e) MMG pl less one sec giving covering fire from area WHITEHOUSE.

(f) Arty concs on known enemy disposns.

Problem 2

A. How do you see Bn disposed on the ground at this moment?

B. How do you see A Coy moving?

DS Notes

A. 1. Gen

Exact posns of coys will be pointed out to DS on recce.

2. Main Pts

(a) Whole Bn must NOT be moving together, one "leg" must always be down — fire and movement. In this case as A & B Coys are just reaching line of rd, C Coy fire sp coy should be moving fwd across SL to take up new posn to give close sp onto objective. C Coy will be covered fwd by 1 KSLI.

(b) Distances between Coys should NOT exceed 200 yds.

(c) Coys should avoid attacking BUTCHERCOAT Fm unless forced to do so by enemy enfilade fire.

(d) CO well fwd in carrier bounding behind leading coys.

(e) FOOs in carriers bounding from view pt to view pt within Coy bdys.

B. 3. Exact pl disposns shown on ground during recce.

4. Main pts

(a) Coy moving in "blobs", distance between pls should NOT exceed 100 yds.

(b) Fairly wide front coy should move two pls up — one in res. Coy HQ centrally placed. Coy comd should NOT be up with leading pls.

(c) Coy must have leg on ground. Best for res pl to bound fwd from posn to posn, in any case must be fire and movement within pls. Bren gps A Coy on ground shooting Coy into BUTCHERCOAT.

(d) Bring out use of 2" mortars to shoot coy over last lap, might group the three mortars into bty to move behind Coy HQ to be dropped off when necessary.

–0–0–0–

NARRATIVE 3 · On the objective

Attack was successful, both A & B Coys secured objective with about 10% casualties. D Coy is busily digging in, recce parties from A & B Coys are now reconnoitring reverse slope posns for their coys.

Problem 3

Point out on the ground the disposns of D Coy down to pl posns.

What has Coy Comd to think about during early stages consolidation?

DS Notes

1. Gen

Layout will be given on DS recce. Don't be too dogmatic about it, any reasonable layout will suffice as long as the principles are observed.

2. Main Pts

(a) Coy must have all round def. Each pl and sec posn must be mutually supporting. Coy should keep clear of BUTCHERCOAT.

(b) Coy HQ should where possible be centrally placed and pl HQ should be in such a posn that pl comd can shout to his sec posts.

(c) Coy Comd has following to think about in early stages:-

(a) C/a plan within his Coy posn down to pls.

(b) Atk def must be co-ordinated. Guns coming into his area must be linked up to his mine fd plan.

(c) Patrols must cover his digging in.

(d) He must order 2 i/c to contact RUR on his RIGHT if situation permits.

(e) Alarm posts and signals.

(f) Cas check and amn check.

(g) Arrange DF tasks through FOO.

(h) Send fwd coy snipers.

NARRATIVE 4 · Patrols

As for Narrative 3.

Problem 4

What patrols should be sent out and to where? What is their task? Who is responsible for withdrawing them and when?

DS Notes

1. As soon as objective is captured the Bn Battle Patrol which was moved fwd behind fire sp coy should take up posn to cover consolidation of Bn. Battle Patrol in this case consists of:

Carrier pl less one sec

Sec MMG pl

Bn OP party (includes mob fire controller)

FOO

In addition, if SP Atk guns have been allotted and there is a threat of tks, tp SP would be included in patrol. The whole should be commanded by carrier pl comd. In certain circumstances OC Sp Coy might comd.

2. Discuss the comms. Carrier pl comd will be on Bn Comd net with 18 set. FOO will be on same set. Bn OP party should be given 38 set for comn with OC patrol. Tp SP will have 19 set. Sec MMGs have no wireless comms, patrol comd will have to use DR.

3. Here patrol need not go further fwd than Pt 552; often it will be necessary for patrol to go as far fwd as anything up to 1000 yds.

4. Although patrol is under Bn Comd's hand, authority for withdrawing must be delegated by him to patrol comd. Patrol comd will withdraw after informing Bn Comd when he sees that he might become involved in a serious fight; as a yardstick he should not allow enemy to approach within 600 yds.

5. In addition to Bn Battle Patrol, Coys must send fwd their own standing patrols as local protection whilst coys are consolidating. Coy Comds must be responsible for withdrawing them.

NARRATIVE 5 · Artillery support

Bn has now consolidated objective and is disposed as follows (pt out on ground). One FOO is fwd with Battle Patrol in area Pt 552, the other is with Bn HQ.

Problem 5

What form of arty sp would you expect to have, how would it be laid on and how would coy comd call for sp?

DS Notes

1. Form of Arty Sp

(a) Once Bn has consolidated arty sp would be in form of DF tasks.

(b) In addition FOO with Battle Patrol would fire by observation. It is likely that he would be able to call for fire of whole of Div arty if a reasonable target presented itself.

2. "Laying On" Sp

DF tasks should be chosen off the map before the attack goes in; they would be chosen by Bn Comd in conjunc with Bty Comd. They would be given code names or numbers for easy ref.

SOS tasks would also be chosen. It is unlikely that the Bn would have more than one SOS task as each SOS is a bty task. More than one can of course be asked for and it is up to the CRA to decide.

SOS tasks would have to be confirmed on ground once objective is taken. Mortar pl would also be given one DF task, preferably a task which gunners can't take on.

3. Calling for Sp

A Coy Comd will call for sp through telephone or 18 set. FOO on Bn Comd net will immediately transmit it to the Regt and the fire will be brought down.

If a target appears which is not covered by a DF task then FOO will fire an observed shoot.

A note on the terms

TEWT – Tactical Exercise Without Troops. DS – Directing Staff (the umpires). FUP – Forming Up Place. SL – Start Line. Firm base – a position held by friendly troops from which an attack is launched. FOO – Forward Observation Officer (Royal Artillery). DF / SOS tasks – pre-planned Defensive Fire targets; an SOS task is the most urgent, fired on call to break up a counter-attack. CRA – Commander Royal Artillery of the division. RAP / ADS – Regimental Aid Post / Advanced Dressing Station. Div Cage – divisional prisoner-of-war collecting point. 18, 19 and 38 sets – the manpack, vehicle and short-range platoon wireless sets of the period. The success signal (Red, Green, Red) would have been fired by Very pistol, and the code word HOLDIT sent over the wireless once the objective was taken.