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Internal Security:
The more the military planners know about the enemy the better prepared they are to make constructive and successful moves against him. Much of the very necessary detailed information will come from the activities of the Intelligence Corps, whose covert operations, their means of gathering information about troop movements, numbers, defences, weapons, radio wavelengths, and so on, and the ultra-sophisticated devices they have at their command, are not things which can be discussed hereand so must remain secret.
Even before hostilities break out it is extremely important that as much fine detail as possible be obtained about any prospective enemy, the weaponry at his disposal, his numerical strength and, hopefully, his plans of campaign.
At the same time there is the need for careful counter-intelligence work to be directed at the enemy's agents who will be doing their best to build up an overall picture of the home side's military strength.
This part is concerned with obtaining the kind of information that can be gained about the enemy by observation posts (OP's). First you'll be shown how the two kinds of OP are constructed, the covert one and the open one, visible to the enemy but well-guarded and with strong defences. The construction of an OP is not a simple matter, for the enemy should not be aware of it until it's occupied. Its troops must have good contact with HQ, be able to occupy it and retire safely should the enemy make a strong offencive.
The second part describes the duties of a soldier doing his 'stag' in an OP. It will soon be very obvious that only a highly trained and resourceful fighting man can cope with the sophisticated equipment at his disposal and use it to the best advantage in spite of the proximity of enemy units. OP's keep a low profile but at the same time are aware of all movements of people and vehicles, noting index numbers, recording patterns of activity.
Through television, radio and the daily newspapers everybody is aware of the trouble in the Middle East. Prominent in those stories and reports are incidents at road blocks and we have all seen vehicles being waved down and their occupants questioned. But the strongest road block is not effective against terrorists on foot, who can move about over rough ground and where cars and other vehicles cannot go. The value of a rod block is that it has the effect of making difficult the transportation of quantities of weapons, explosives and bombs.
There are other advantages too. A road block dominates the immediate area and also provides a show of strength to comfort - or dismay - the lokal population. At the same time, if there is a disturbance on the 'home side' an effective road block prevents large numbers of terrorists comming to their aid.
With a reliable, up-to-date and accurate list of wanted vehicles and people the soldiers controlling a well-placed orad block will be able to spot any likely source of interest before it has the chance to turn off. Then comes the search and questioning, both activities requiring a lot of experience and skill and a constant radio link with back-up forcesso that assistance can be called upon in emergency. The subject is covered in the forth article in this part.
Internal security can be a difficult and dangerous business. But today's soldier is not just trained for traditional warfare, the places where troops find themselves today are not always set battlefields.
Observing the enemy:
In battle it's vital that you know as much as possible about the strength, movements, positions and intentions of the enemy. Modern warfare is highly mobile and technologically sophisticated, but commanders still acquire some of their best information from static observation posts (OPs) in carefully chosen sites, concealed from the enemy and manned by a few sharp-eyed infantrymen.
This feature gives you information on how to set op an OP, how to survive
in its cramped conditions, and what to look out for when on watch.
In conventional warfare mobile OPs are provided either by the Scorpions and Scimitars of
reconnaissance regiments and ststic OPs by infantry patrols. In counter-insurgency or
internal security (IS) situations covert OPs are provided almost exlusively by the
infantry.
1. Choosing the site:
Obviously your OP must provide a good view over the ground that you want to
watch. Therefore it should have a wide field of view and as little dead ground as
possible. This is as much for security as for observation - a small infantry OP does not
want to be surprised by a larger enemy patrol. It should have a covered and safe
approachand exit, and it should provide good cover from view and from fire. In order
to achieve the latter, you will probably have to dig in, which should in any case help
conceal you. The position should not, however, be an obvious choise for an OP site.The
enemy is not a fool.
An OP party is not normally strong enough to take offencive action itself. However, in a conventional war situation it can bring down artillery and mortar fire, and in an IS situation it can direct a quick reaction force to the scene of the incident. Last, an OP site must permit excellent radio communications. It is no good an OP spotting some crucial enemy activity and being able to do nothing about it.
2. Occupying the OP:
Once you have chosen your site (you may have to do this from a map or from air
photographs), you will have to set about occupying it. First, the ground must be cleared
to make sure there are no enemy in the vincinity and to make sure there are no booby traps
around. Next, you must ensure that your communications are not affected by thee location.
You can only do this by calling your HQ from the OP itself. You may then need to dig
trenches, which could take up to 24 hours, depending on the ground. It may not be possible
to move, let alone dig, during daylight hours so you could take two nights to complete
your position.
Finally, you must prepare range cards. Look at your map and relate certain prominent objects to your own position in terms of range. This will prove an easy way of determining the range of another location quickly, by using the nearest reference point.
Post routine:
The most obvious factor that will affect the routine in the OP is the number of
men you are able to take. While it is seldom necessary to have more than two men actually
on duty in the OP at any one time, there is a limit to the length of time that a man can
closely and continuously observe the same piece of ground. Most people's concentration
fades after about 30 minutes. If you put two men on duty for two hours, they should
alternate every 15 minutes.
To make life even more complicated everyone in the OP must be ready to move instantly. If there is a real danger of a small OP party being discovered by a much larger group of enemy, discretion may be the better part of valour and a rapid withdrawal is advisable.
OP work, although it can pay enormous dividends, is usually boring. The ohnly way you can guarantee that the job is done properly is to follow certain procedures. The man who is not observing should act as a sentry and observe the area around the OP. This can also be done by those in an administrative area if your OP is large enough to have one.
You must keep in touch by radio with your HQ, and you should do this at pre-arranged times - if only to report that nothing has happened. In this way HQ will know your position has not been compromised and that you are safe. Obviously you should send back important information as soon as you can.
What to look for:
You should split the area that you are observing into foreground, middle distance
and background. In that way you can scan each part methodically and carefully with
binoculares from one side to another. Rest your eyes at frequent intervals.
While you are searching the ground, you should look very carefully for anything that does not fit easily with the surroundings. Don't look for a tank, or a trench system. Look instead for an indication that might let you pinpoint a tank or a trench system. In other words, look for mistakes in enemy camouflage.
Look for foilage that is out of place or foilage which is withering for no particulare reason. Look for track marks or areas of ground that have been disturbed. Be suspicious if birds or animals are disturbed. Look for a vehicle exhaust or a camp fire. You should search dark areas with particular care. Above all, you should look for movement. It is movement more than anything else that will draw your attention towards an enemy vehicle, patrol or position.
In counter-insurgency oerations you must have done your homework regarding terrorist recognition. There will be a "rogue's gallery" that you will have studied in great depth so that you can instantly recognise a wanted man. You may also have to memorise car registration numbers. In a conventional operation you must be able to identify enemy armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs). The type of vehicle will often identify the type of enemy formation you are facing. This sort of information is invaluable for your HQ to build up an accurate intelligence picture. In the confusion of battle you must be sure that you do not wrongly identify and engage one of your own AFVs.
Urban OPs:
On internal security operations, you may need to set up your OP in an urban
environment. Derelict or unoccupied houses or the roofs off apartment blocks can all be
used. If you want to use a window for observation, net curtains are useful, but you must
stand back from the window. If you are in an attic it is possible to move a tile a few
inches so that you can look through. Unless you are situated on a high building most urban
OPs will only provide a view down one or two streets but that is probably all that is
necessary as it is usually a house or street that you wich to watch. Clearly the injection
and extraction of this sort of OP will be much more difficult.
Selecting an OP site:
Covert observation post:
Selection of the site for your observation post is abolutely critical. In wartime, the
only aids available to you are a map and air photograph, but in counter-revolutionary
warfare you may be able to visit and recce possible sites. However, do not rely on this:
good appreciation of ground and being able to look at a map and 'see' the ground in your
mind's eye is vital. You need to place your OP as far away from the target as is allowed
by the nature of the target and your surveillance devices. On some occasions you may be
over a kilometre away, while on others you may be right on the enemy's doorstep.
Individual Weapon Sight (IWS)
This is a first-generation image intensifier which amplifies the amount of light
available. Because it simply makes better use of the available light it does not work well
on a moonless night or in smoky conditions.
Ready to move
All kit should be ready to move at a moment's notice in case a quick bug-out is
called for.
IWS sight picture
The image you will get is green in the IWS. It is very tiring on the eyes to peer
through it, and ideallyyou should observe for no longer than 30 minutes before handling
over to someone else in the OP.
Close recce
When it's very dark or there is a heavy morning mist or fog, you might have to carry out a
close target recce. Choose a close recce position which you can cover by fire from the OP
itself.
Sketch map
You need a detailed You need a detailed sketch map of the area and an OP log kept
of all significant events.
Surveillance devices
As well as binoculares and image intensifiers, thermal imaging, ground radar,
intruder systems and seismic sensors are employed on OP's.
Light machine-gun
Automatic weapons are not essential on an OP, but they are a source of comfort.
The LMG is more accurate and lighter than the GPMG and ideal for this sort of job.
Shotgun
There is nothing like a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun for point blank range
firepower.
Weapons
Weapons should be cocked and ready to hand at all times. Never clean more than
one at once. A four-man OP is not intended to fight; it relies for defence on not being
seen. You'll need a weapons mix to cover short and long range options.
Minimum stregnth
Four people is the minimum required for an OP; this sort of work is probably the
most demanding infantry skill. It is physically cramped and exhausting, but you must
remain alert all the time you are on duty. If your attention wanders for even a moment you
may miss something vital and all your effort will have been for nothing.
Summer times factor
Be aware that short summer nights combined with a long patrol route in will not
leave you long to build your OP. It may be necessary to construct your OP over two nights,
camouflaging your work in the meantime.
Stags
Usually two people will be on duty at once: the observer scans the target and
notes down any activity while the sentry covers all approaches to the OP incase the
position is compromised. The two men swap over functions when using surveillance devices,
which are tiring on the eyes.
