FIELD CRAFT

It is an art of making the best use of the available ground.

Advantages of Field Craft :

Useful in tackling minor tactical problems without confusion but the basic knowledge of field signals,
section & platoon formations is essential.
 Essential Parts of Field Craft:

1. Judging distances

2. Covers

3. Camouflage and Concealment

4. Indication and recognition of targets

5. Fire and movement

6. Field signals
 JUDGING DISTANCE

1. Unit of Measurements Method:

Determine the distance between the target and the shooter in multiples of 100
yards.
2. Appearance Method:
(i) at a distance of 200 yds - the full human picture with all parts visible.
(ii) at a distance of 250 yds - a person at a kneeling position is covered by the
foresight blade.
(iii) at a distance of 300 yds - face turns diminished (hazy)
(iv) at a distance of 400 yds - face can not be recognised, the foresight blade covers a
standing person.
(v) at a distance of 500 yds - the body over the shoulders looks com paratively taper.
The body movements can be noticed.
(vi) at a distance of 600 yds - the human head appears like a point and body below the
shoulders looks taper.
• 3. Bracketing: In this method, we take the maximum and minimum
estimation of distance and then take its average.

• 4. Section Average Method: In this method, distance is judged

by each soldier. These distances are summed up and then divided by the
total number of soldiers to get the average.

• 5. Key Range Method: In this method, anything whose distance is

known, is taken for help, to determine the distance, like-milestones,
telephone poles, etc.

• 6. Halving Method: In this method, the "half" distance of an object is

guessed and then it is made "double" to find the desired distance.
 COVERS

TYPES OF COVERS :- PROPER MANNERS TO USE COVER :

1) Cover from view: Whenever possible look through the cover and
Hiding oneself behind bushes, plants and broken not over it.
ground is the cover from view.
If it is necessary to look over the cover, avoid
breaking skyline.
2) Cover from fire:
Hiding oneself behind a wall or huge tree.
When firing from inside a building, keep well
back making use of the shadow.
 CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT
Camouflage is the art of making use of artificial articles to achieve concealment.
Concealment is hiding oneself from enemy's view and fire, with the help of natural background.

Various factors which aid recognition are :-

(a)Shape (b)Shadow (c)Surface (d)Spacing (e)Movement (f)Shine (g)Position (h)Contrast and
(i)Noise, sound and activity.

Fundamental ways of concealing activities :-

1)Hiding 2) Blending 3) Deceiving
 PRINCIPLE OF GOOD CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT

1) Conceal shine & shape

2) Make use of shadow
3) Avoid skyline
4) Slow movement
5) Merge with natural colour &
surroundings
6) Avoid unnecessary movements
7) Avoid reflections in water
TYPES OF GROUND
1) Broken ground- affords good cover but slow movement
2) Dead ground- not visible to the firer because of depth
3) Open ground- flat observation, easier and quicker movement
4) High ground- provides good movement, observation and field
of fire
5) Low ground- not as deep as dead ground
6) Slopy ground- which has a slope for the required movement
INDICATION OF SIMPLE TARGETS
1) By simple naming:-
e.g., No.1 Section-300-factory
2) By General line of direction:-
e.g., No.1 Section-3-half left-hut
3) By last target:-
e.g., No. 1 Section-30 last target slightly right-lane tree
4) Indication by description-simple famous targets are spoken streight away:-
e.g., Section bridge
5) Indication by direction or range of both:-
e.g., By direction- No.1 Section, half right, mosque
By range- No.1 Section, 300 mosque
By both- No.1 Section, half right 300, mosque
INDICATION OF DIFFICULT TARGETS
1) The Reference Point Method

2) By General line of direction

3) The Clock Ray Method

4) The Degree Method

 FIRE AND MOVEMENTS

• FIRE UNIT

• FIRE UNIT COMMANDER

• FIRE CONTROL

• FIRE ORDER
-PLAN ORDER -FIRE DIRECTION ORDER -FIRE CONTROL ORDER

• ARC OF FIRE
SEQUENCE OF FIRE CONTROL ORDER

G - GROUP I.E., RIFLE OR LMG GROUP

R - RANGE I.E., DISTANCE OF TARGET

I - INDICATION OF TARGET (DESCRIPTION OF TARGET)

T – TYPE OF FIRE (SINGLE SHOT OR BURST)

 TYPES OF FIRE CONTROL ORDERS

OPPORTUNITY FIRE ORDER IS GIVEN ON SUCH A TIME, WHEN THE ENEMY IS HIDDEN AND THE
FIRE UNIT COMMANDER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE HIM.

PREPARATORY FIRE ORDER IS COMMANDED ON SEEING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ENEMY.

BRIEF FIRE ORDER IS COMMANDED WHEN ENEMY EITHER RUNS FROM LEFT OR RIGHT, OR
ATTACKS THROUGH ANY OF THE SIDES.

FULL FIRE ORDER IS COMMANDED AT THE TIME, WHEN ENEMY APPROACHES IN OUR RANGE.
 PRECAUTIONS, WHILE GIVING “FIRE CONTROL
ORDER”

THESE COMMANDS (ORDERS) SHOULD BE:-

1)BRIEF AND CLEAR (CLARITY OF WORDS)
2) THIS MUCH LOUD THAT EACH AND EVERY SOLDIER MAY HEAR IT PROPERLY
3) IN THE FORM OF “ORDER”
4) GIVEN, ONE AFTER ANOTHER, WITH A LITTLE PAUSE, SO THAT EVERYBODY
(SOLDIERS) MAY FOLLOW THEM EASILY AND APPROPRIATELY .
 SELECTION OF FIRE POSITIONS:
• PROVIDE COVER FROM FIRE. • PROVIDE ROOM IN WHICH TO USE THE
WEAPON FREELY.
• PROVIDE COVER FROM VIEW.
• HAVE A COVERED APPROACH.
 MOVEMENTS

A) MOVEMENTS WITHOUT ARMS: B) MOVEMENT WITH ARMS:

1) THE MONKEY RUN 1) THE GHOST WALK

2) THE LEOPARD CRAWL
2) THE MONKEY RUN
3) THE WALK
3) THE LEOPARD CRAWL
4) THE ROLL
5) CRAWL THROUGH ABDOMEN 4) THE MODERATE WALK
6) THE KITTEN CRAWL 5) THE ROLL
7) THE CAT WALK
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED WHILE MAKING MOVEMENTS:

➢ WEAPONS MUST ALWAYS BE KEPT READY FOR USE.

➢ LOOK CAREFULLY AND ALL ROUND FOR ENEMY.
➢DOUBLE ACROSS SMALL GAPS.
➢ IF SHOT AT, DROP AND CRAWL AWAY TO A SIDE.
➢ CHECK EQUIPMENT FOR NOISE.
➢ALWAYS CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE.
➢DO NOT DISTURB THE BIRDS, IF THIS CAN BE HELPED.
POSITIONS OF FIELD SIGNALS
 SIGNALS WITH WEAPONS-
ARM SIGNALS
SER Name Of Signal Signals with Weapons Illustrations
No.

A) Enemy in Rifle held above the

Sight head parallel to the
small number muzzle
in the direction of the
enemy

B) Enemy in As per (a) above,

Sight in but arm moved up
large and down several
number times
SER Name Of Signal Signals with Weapons Illustrations
No.

C) Advance Both arms raised

to form the letter
U

D) Enemy keep the rifle

cannot be
Straight
seen (vertical)over the
shoulder.
E) No keep the barrel of
Ammunit the gun, down
ion towards the earth
 SIGNALS WITH WHISTLE
Ser Name Of Signal Signals With Hand
No.

A) For Alertness Give a short Whistles to draw

attention .

B) For Danger Give long and short whistles,

alternatively with the pauses.

C) Enemy Aircraft A succession of short blasts.

D) Enemy Aircraft Departed Two long blasts repeated at interval of

five seconds.
 FEILD SIGNALS BY
DAY
• (a) Flags: (Red, Green and White flags).
• (b) Mercury coated mirrors.
• (c) Smoke.
• (d) Miscellaneous: Various signals can be improvised and pre-arranged as under:
(i) Clothes superficially hung out to dry.
(ii) Hurricane lamp, kept in the window.
(iii) Flashing of torch is used as Morse Code.
(iv) Applying various colours / signs on forehead and arms.
 FIELD SIGNALS BY
NIGHT
• (a) Pre decided signals on a walkie talkie.
• (b) Click by fingers.
• (c) Clicks by using tongue.
• (d) Whistle by the mouth.
• (e) Use of rope.
• (f) Use of colour light.
• (g) Use of blacked out torch.
• (h) Firing of weapon
 FIELD SIGNALS AS MEANS OF
GIVING ORDERS
• (a) Battle Noises- In war, due to firing and vehicle movement very high noise will
be produced, so it may not be possible for a Commander to give voice message.

• (b) Need for Silence-

There are certain operations which, by design are carried out in

utmost silence, eg:-
Ambush,Patrolling,Raid,Cordon.

• (c) Intervening Distances are Too Large :- the ditch, rivers, and mountains
SECTION
FORMATIONS
Ser No. Advantages Disadvantages Formation
A) Single file:-
i) Belter control and speed. i) Not good for
ii) Not vulnerable to enfilade producing
fire. effective fire
iii) Useful for certain types or ii) Vulnerable to frontal
cover such as hedge, rows, fire.
bridges, defile

B) FILE:-
i) Same as single file but more i) Same as single file
compact ii) While move along
roads and wide null as

C) ARROW HEAD:-
i) Good for production of i) Vulnerable to enfilade
effective fire fire.
ii) Facilitates -
rapid deployment on any ii) When enemy threatis
flank. Imminent
Ser No. Advantages Disadvantages Formation
D) Spear Head:-
i) Good for providing volume of i) command and cont.
fire. Used when en threat
ii) Provides good Isimminen
depth
iii) Fire Sp Gp protected and
does not come under enemy
fire Immediately on contact

B) Diamond:-
i) Good for all round i) Presents an easy target to
observation frontal fire.
ii) Good for all round ii) Not very good for
production of direct on fire bringing of fire to is not
iii) Good for command and clear
control. arrow head iii) Vulnerable and cont. is
formation easier than in

C) ARROW HEAD:- i) Cont. difficult

Good for bringing because of dispersion.
down or effective fire to the ii) Vulnerable to enfilade
 PLATOON FORMATION
• 1. One up Formation: In this formation, one of the
ahead while two sections move behind this. This signal
Advance.

• 2. Two up Formation : In this formation, two sctm (the

third )section follows them This formation is good to
attack.
 VISIBILITY OF THINGS
• 1. Shape : Many things can be recognised through the sizes and when these articles
are particularly different own surroundings.

• 2. Shine : Eyes are very much sensetive towards the shee

• 3. Shadow or Reflection : Both reflection and shadow even if the thing can not be
seen.

• 4. Texture : If the surface, shade, size and colour of a things is different from
• the normal surroundings, it will look specified and distinct.
5. Movement:
The motion of a thing immediately catches them
slight movement of a soldier makes him visible.

6.Alignment (Spacing): Natural things are never at

equal distance from one
another. Therefore, the equal and proper distance between
the vehicles,
soldiers or aircrafts etc. attract the sense.

7. Silhouette : Things in contrast colour capture the

attention in coal or ants in flour.
 BATTLE DRILL
• The battle drill is divided into four sections for maintaining
the pace of work, during the warfare:
(ROFT)
• 1. R (recce) group
• 2.O(order) group
• 3. F (fighting) group
• 4. T( Transport) group
Significance of Battle drill

 A. Thorough information (Appreciation)-

Appreciation include several kinds of Investigation, inspection and criticism. this
factor should follow this procedure

 1. AIM: to destroy the place (unit) of enemy

 2 FACTORS: to collect information on several factors. Eg- information about
own unit and enemy unit ,types of ground, time, hiding places, staying places,
food ,weather.
 3. Paths: or the roads and ways to be followed by own unit and enemy.

 4. Plan and Action: layout for the attack and defence is prepared
B. Fire and Movement
 This sector has a significant role to play in Army exploring war-skills. it means ,when a
unit moves ahead ,then the other unit provides 'covering fire'.

 Principles of Fire
 1. One bullet , one enemy
 2. Target 'covering fire' on enemy's head
 3. The time slot between the termination of covering fire and attack should be very
very less
Principles of 'MOVEMENT '
 1. Move in organised groups
 2. Movie in appropriate formation
 3. Move in such a way that only one foot touches the ground.

 C. Verbal Commands
 1. Landmarks
 2.Information
 3.Intension
 4. Administration
 5. Intercommunication
 6. Method
FIELD DEFENCE
 The basic aim behind field defence is to organize the soldiers and
weapons in such way, that can terminate or control the movement
and attack of enemy in a constructive manner.

 Field Defence has two types :

 1 .Quick defence
 2. Deliberate defence
Requirements of Good Defence

 1.Selection of a good defence place

 2.Concealment
 3.Depth
 4.Complete protection
 5.Centralised power
 6.Communication
 7.Counter attack
 8. Capture of deserted place
Defence Obstacles
 1.Road blocks
 2.Booby traps
 3.Mines
 4.wire obstacles
 5.Natural obstacles
 The various field fortification are:
 Bunker, communication trench, fire trench, pill box, shelter and slit trench
 SENTRY
 Sentry is a soldier to keep guard or to control access to a place. The
sentry a very important role to play in a war unit. During day time, a sentry
guards alone and a couple of sentries are on-duty at night:

 1. Time to report (arrival) and time of leave (departure)

 2. Complete information of the own unit and counter part (enemy)

 3. Time of patrolling

 4. Area watch and common (famous) landmarks of the area

 5. A Password (if given)

 PATROLLING
 Patrolling is ,to keep watch over an area by regularly walking and travelling
around it and gaining information about enemy to protect own troops against
enemy patrolling.

 A petrol is a person or group send to keep a watch over an area a successful

patrolling depends on good leading, proper preparation, management,
courage and bold approach.
 Types of Patrolling
 A. Recce patrol :

 1. Gaining information about enemy's position, disposition and intention.

 2. Obtaining identification about enemy's position, disposition and intention

 3.Obtaining topographical and technical information.

 4.Denying information to enemy (if captured).

 5.Capturing "No Man's land".

 6. Getting information about the habits and nature of enemy.

 B. Protective Patrol includes:

 1 Preventing enemy patrols from getting information

 2. Giving early warning of enemy approach and may even fight

 3.Capturing "No Man's Land"

Stages of Patrolling
 1.Preparation
 2. Conduct
 3. Debriefing (conclusion)
 The Patrol Master appoints the Patrol Commander and
gives him the following details :

 1. Task
 2 .Wage of patrol
 3. Information of own unit and counter (enemy) unit
 4 .Time to move for and come back from patrolling
 5 Paths for patrolling
 6. Information regarding weapons and fire
 7. Arrangements
 8 Password
 AMBUSH
• An ambush is a surprise attack from a concealed
position upon moving or temporarily halted enemy.
It is an operation that includes and run (escape), The
best method of ambush is to confuse the enemy and
attack him.
 Objective

• 1.Obtain information of intelligence value

• 2. Destroy a number of enemies
• 3 Trouble the enemy up to such an extent that they apply majority of their troops.
TYPES OF AMBUSH
• 1.Opportunity ambush - without detailed planning
• 2 .Deliberate ambush - laid on a pre-selected ground
• Conduct of Ambush includes
• 1. Composition
• 2 .Execution
FIELD ENGINEERING
• Field engineering is the study of field fortification, obstacle planning, including
minefields, mine warfare, and stores and equipment relating to the same.
• ●The various tasks performed by Field Engineers are
• (1) Laying of mine fields
• (2) Breaching of mine fields
• (3) Construction of field defences
• (4)Construction of tracks in mountains
• (5)Maintenance of border roads
• (6) Water supply to troops in the field, especially in deserts
• (7) Construction of Helipads where ever required
• (8) In Counter Insurgency Operation : Detection, neutralisation and removal
of IEDs and explosives.
• (9) Maintenance of essential services
TOOLS
• The various types of digging tools used in field engineering are :

• 1.Axe pick

• 2.shove
• 3.Entrenching tool

• 4.Hammer

• 5. Crow Bar
KNOTS AND LASHING