Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault

by Chuck “Magnum” Ankenbauer

Series Introduction

This is the fifth in a series of articles discussing different aspects of squad and team level virtual combat. All of this information is taken from real world sources and modified for gaming purposes.

If you have any interest in playing tactical shooters on either a next gen console and / or a personal computer then I hope this and subsequent articles will help you get the most out of your gaming. Sure, you can continue to play a shooter as a run and gun, you paid for it, but if you’re like me you prefer to play tactical shooters with an emphasis on tactics and teamwork. These articles are geared toward that type of gamer.

– Magnum

Tactical Briefing 05: 
How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault

Introduction

Welcome virtual soldier. Today we will be discussing how to plan as a squad leader, and then execute that plan, an assault on a small town.

One of the most important things to know about launching an assault is intelligence. You need to know what your squad is up against, and if they are capable of succeeding in that assault. Sending a squad of men against a fortified company of enemy infantry with armor and air support is not a winnable situation.

If you have support of your own like air support or a sniper support team. You have to take that into account. Brief the support units and have them assigned to a place to provide that support and be able to respond quickly enough when time for that support is needed.

Besides intelligence, you need to know how to read a map, make your plan based on enemy forces, enemy contact, and terrain layout of a map. Plan to protect your flanks, and be able to retreat if necessary.

I’ve decided with the last two tactical brief articles to present them in a little different fashion. I’m going to show you an assault mission, and explain what and why I did certain things.

This mission is based on an Armed Assault game mission, but it can be used with any tactical simulation that allows you the freedom to plan, move, and attack as needed. Unfortunately, some games force you down a certain path, where your leadership skills aren’t that important. But for the games that allow free movement, like the excellent Armed Assault, you can attack a defended position, and if done right the enemy won’t even know your team is there until it’s too late.

Final word before we start. Make a plan, but be flexible. Sometimes you have to change your plan on the fly. Be prepared to do that as a leader, and as a soldier be prepared to follow new orders.

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Related posts:

Tactical Briefing 01: Meet the Squad Tactical Briefing 01: Meet the Squad Page 2 Tactical Briefing 04: Movement to Contact Page 5 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 2 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 3 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 4 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 5 Tactical Briefing 05: How to Plan and Execute a Squad Sized Assault Page 6