Combat formations are designed to group individuals into effective fighting teams that can move to and assault an enemy position with minimum confusion. The use of combat formations, with related arm-and-hand signals (as shown in chapter 8), enables a squad leader to control the fire and to maneuver his unit just as the quarterback of a football team uses plays and signals. A person who cannot remember the plays or signals on the ball field endangers the ability of the team to win the game. On the battlefield, the stakes are much higher. The success of your mission, as well as your survival, depends on teamwork.

When the situation, terrain, or enemy activity does not permit close formations, the unit leader should deploy his men in an extended formation. Deployment is executed on signals or commands. The leader may deploy his units in a variety of formations at any one time, depending on the situation. Relative positions within these formations are flexible, and the leader should take advantage of the cover and concealment offered by the terrain; however, he must take care not to mask the fire of another unit. Maintaining exact distances between individuals and units is unnecessary as long as control is not lost; however, under ideal conditions, the recommended space between individuals is 5 yards. All leaders and units must maintain sight and voice contact with each other. Any changes information should be by the shortest practical route. Leaders must take full advantage of cover and concealment and avoid backward or lateral movement.

FIRE TEAM MOVEMENT

The FIRE TEAM LEADER controls the use of the formations. He places himself in a position where he can best observe and control the fire team and, in addition, receive orders from the squad leader. The fire team leader must also be in a position to quickly and effectively control the employment of the automatic rifle.

The AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN is an interior man. He should position himself between the fire team leader and rifleman No. 1. Here, he can quickly deliver fire to either flank, as directed by the fire team leader, and receive help and protection from the adjacent rifleman. RIFLEMAN NO. 1 assists the automatic rifleman by supplying him with loaded magazines and by keeping the automatic rifle in action. He coordinates both his position and movement with those of the automatic rifleman.

Figure 4-7.-Basic formations, fire team.

RIFLEMAN NO. 2 is at the place in the fire team formation that enemy action or probable enemy action threatens. He acts as a security element; for example, when the team is moving toward the enemy, he is in the foremost position.

The basic fire team formations are COLUMN, WEDGE, SKIRMISHERS RIGHT or LEFT, and ECHELON RIGHT or LEFT.