CHAPTER 4: Tactical Formations

4-2 PREBATTLE.

    When nearing the BLUFOR's defensive line, the OPFOR uses prebattle formation as a transition between the march and battle formations. Prebattle formation focuses on speed, dispersion, flexibility, and firepower in an anticipated direction. When entering prebattle formation, the OPFOR deploys into successively smaller unit columns. These multiple columns increase forward combat power until forces reach the attack line and assume battle formation. In prebattle formation, the columns have greater lateral dispersion, but less depth than in the march formation.

The OPFOR uses prebattle formation when:

• Approaching the battlefield.

• Developing the attack into the depth of the battle area.

• Pursuing the BLUFOR.

• Attacking a defending enemy whose defenses are weak or effectively suppressed.

• Crossing NBC-contaminated zones rapidly.

• Crossing areas with natural or artificial obstacles.

    Forces in prebattle formation either deploy into battle formation or return to march formation, depending on the tactical situation. A force might remain in this formation for a lengthy period of time. It normally would pass through some form of prebattle formation when moving from the march into full deployment for an attack.

    a. Brigade. The brigade assumes a prebattle formation by deploying from a single brigade column of battalions in its main body into individual battalion columns.

• The number of battalion columns depends on the tactical situation and the choice of echelonment that the situation dictates.

• Deployment into battalion columns should begin beyond the range of the bulk of the BLUFOR's artillery, at a line approximately 12 to 15 km from the BLUFOR forward edge.

• The artillery preparation of the attack is usually timed to begin as the attacking force reaches this line.

Figure 4-9. Battalion prebattle formations.

    b. Battalion. A battalion assumes prebattle formation by deploying from a single battalion column of companies into individual company columns. Figure 4-9 illustrates variations of battalion prebattle formations.

• Within the battalion prebattle formation, each company moves in march column.

• In relation to one another, the company columns may be configured in a line, in a forward or reverse wedge, or echelon left or right.

    c. Company. The line of deployment into company columns is set outside the maximum range of the defender's antitank weapons, tanks, and other direct fire systems. This is usually 4 to 6 km from the BLUFOR’s forward edge, depending on the terrain.

• The company prebattle formation is the final stage of deployment before battle formation.

• A company in prebattle formation does not laterally deploy beyond platoon columns.

• The intervals between company and platoon columns in prebattle formation should allow full deployment of the elements into battle formation without further lateral expansion of the entire formation.

• The deployment line into platoon columns is ideally located in terrain that screens the deployment, particularly from the defenders' short-range antitank weapons. It would normally be 2-3 km from the BLUFOR forward edge.

• Unlike higher-level organizations, the company does not necessarily have to use a prebattle formation. It can go directly from the march into battle formation, if the situation requires.