Fire & Maneuver: How Suppressive Fire Works - Teaching Tactics

This opening episode of Teaching Tactics lays the foundation for the rest of the series by covering fire and maneuver tactics. More specifically, the way fire and movement was used in the attack at the squad-level during the Second World War. The history and theory of fire and maneuver are covered in part 1, squad organization and armament in part 2, and finally: a detailed recreation of the British ‘Battle Drill for Section in the Attack’ is given in part 3.
Teaching Tactics by DigitalBattlefieldTours is a documentary series on the development and application of 20th century military tactics. Teaching Tactics combines in-depth analysis with a highly visualized presentation to provide an approachable yet comprehensive guide to military tactics.
BONUS CONTENT
A list of 10 bonus facts is available for Patrons at: patreon.com/digitalbattlefieldtours
COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
DBT has performed its due diligence in tracing the rightful claimants of the copyrighted materials used in this production. Materials whose claimants could not be contacted have been used in accordance with the ‘fair use’ principle. Rightful claimants of these materials are invited to contact DBT.
Acknowledgements:
Opening clips from: Band of Brothers (HBO 2001).
Screenshots captured in the EDEN 3D Editor from ARMA III (Bohemia Interactive).
IWM
NARA
ABRIDGED LIST OF SOURCES
Battle School (Unknown Author 1942).
Small Arms Training Volume 1, Pamphlet No.12. - Bayonet (War Office 1942).
Infantry Training Part VIII. - Fieldcraft, Battle Drill, Section and Platoon Tactics (War Office 1944).
FM 7-10, Rifle Company, Infantry Regiment (War Department 1944).
Colonel A.O. Connor, ‘Infantry Organization’, The Infantry Conference (The Infantry School 1946).
Infantry Training Volume IV. - Infantry Section Leading and Platoon Tactics (War Office 1950).
James Goulty, ‘Battle School Training’, Second World War Experience Centre, war-experience.org/battle-sch....
FURTHER VIEWING
Platoon in the attack, AWM Collection
• Platoon in the attack
How a German Squad Attacks a Position (WW2), FootageArchive - Videos From The Past
• How a German Squad att...
British Army, Section Fire and Manoeuvre, neil castell
• British Army - Section...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:38 History
07:25 Theory
23:04 Squad Organization
36:47 Battle Drill Explained
40:40 Section in the Attack
57:34 Closing Remarks

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

New to the channel? Watch the first Battlefield Tour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZy5dGOIapiWa5Y

[@danielkomorowski7966]

Prost!

[@localbod]

Thank you for all of the wonderful content you have made. It is of a very high quality and thoroughly researched. One small point. The word terrain is pronounced more like this: 'teh-rain'.

[@melanieenmats]

The content is very good. But your Dutch accent is very thick. You make a lot of small pronunciation errors. 100% on some sound. It is really a pity. For an example word: you cannot pronounce the word "organization" correctly. You say "Organizasjen". Or the word "section". You say something like 'seksjen' with a 'sh' sound. "Organizasjen" . Dutch people always hear insert a 'sj' sound everywhere in English. I suppose it has linguistic reasons and very difficult for a Dutch person to learn. Still it is important to know that where your English is very good. Your pronunciation is quite bad on that specific sound.

[@skuddhouse69]

Qqq❤😊😊😊0⁰⁰​@@melanieenmats

[@maeson676]

I just want to say, I have a combined watch time of your channel of about only 1 hour or so and from the limited time I've watched, the content you are producing is absolutely fantastic, unlike any other. I'm a 20 year old guy that has yet to make it to college, I have a deep love for WWII history and it is my hope to study it in school and make a meaningful career one day. You are contributing to this guy's dream and I have the highest hopes for your channel. May it one day sit with the greats on KZbin. You definitely deserve to sit next to, Military History Visualized, Indy Neidell, Mark Felton, among many others. Thank you for your commitment and take care.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you for the heartwarming words. I wish you the best of luck with your studies. I completed my master's degree in military history a few years ago, and have since dedicated myself to building this channel. While this was a big leap of faith at first, the support and encouragement of you and other subscribers has given me great confidence in the future of this endeavor.

[@maeson676]

@@DigitalBattlefieldTours And thank you for yours. I'll be here to enjoy your content. See you around, friend.

[@michaelwallace9291]

​@@DigitalBattlefieldTours I just discovered your channel and I'm amazed you don't have far more views and subs

[@atakorkut5110]

@@DigitalBattlefieldTours I just recently started watching, and I am all inspired by the work. I have always wanted to see comprehensive battle tactics, broken down into video from.

[@christopherjefferson3561]

Do NOT waste your money and time by going to college! As an atty I can tell you the gains aren't there unless you go into medical or engineering. Full stop. 2 years of law skrool is all that's needed (LLB) and two year of college before you go into law skrool. Total waste of money

[@AlecFlackie]

Don't forget the gun group switching fire to the enemy's rear as the assault group reaches its location, it's preferable not to stop fire as this could cue the enemy to the assault.

[@Guardsman-sy8qm]

Its much more preferable that you conduct a battle field hand off once the menuever element has reached its last cover and concealed position. Switching to other targets on the objective can lead to fratricide. Aiming off of the objective with your support by fire element and holding firw unless targets of opportunity appear is a much safer option. There's no reason to risk shooting friendlies especially when the enemy is out their shooting back.

[@geog26]

besides other considerations(this is just a youtube video) u prolly missed or didnt get to this part 47:30 @@Guardsman-sy8qm

[@willm1019]

thats what shift fire and lift fire is for to get squirters and to keep enemies pinned

[@CubeInspector]

It's called lift and shift. The fire element changes it's fire target off the X to allow the maneuver element to be able to push through the objective and destroy the enemy. You are able to hit retreating enemy with the fire element while not putting your maneuver element at risk of friendly fire

[@nex865]

As an average citizen of New York i consider this video very informative!

[@smurfmianz4527]

Hey, you never know :D

[@jordanrichards320]

I pray you'll never have to know this. For offense or for defense...

[@smurfmianz4527]

@@jordanrichards320 seeking knowledge is a virtue(probaly lol)

[@Deep.Purple]

That day is coming bro lol.. no joke.

[@DarkfireTD]

This is a fantastic video, I was US Army infantry and this is the bread and butter of everything combat units do. Very well put together, very good explanation! I'm going to use this to train my Squad/ARMA group lol

[@cassu6]

Haha yeah I'm watching this for our ARMA group as well XD

[@andreaholcock8992]

I’m gonna use this for Insurge…aaaand no one has mics

[@kraagnjilwulf1413]

"only harassing fire" Every sniper in history: I beg your fucking pardon

[@thejuggernautofspades9453]

That 1 guy who crawled for 3 days straight

[@thejuggernautofspades9453]

@@AnakinDidNthingWrong I'm referring to Vietnam, an American sniper crawled through enemy lines for 1.5 days. Killed a general and crawled back the 1.5 days

[@eimerhegel427]

@AnakinDidNthingWrongSnipers are supposed to be a recon though, and while they can be used for patrol, they shouldn’t be treated like a marksman and go with the rest of the patrol group.

[@kylesmith1601]

Oh my goodness. This video is 14k gold. My favorite part was the explaination of how the drill is limited as a teaching tool applicable to real life, and is simply a teaching mechanism. I appreciate the meticulousness of this video. It’s long, but there’s no fluff. Everything meaningfully adds to my understanding. I recently watched band of brothers. They perform this tactic all the time. Obviously the show is fictional, but you do see the drill. Pls keep it up.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you! Band of Brothers takes some artistic liberties, but a lot of it is surprisingly accurate. You may like my Webster's War battlefield tour if you are interested in the history behind Band of Brothers.

[@alexperkins9990]

@@DigitalBattlefieldTours I completely agree. Thank you for not shortening this video at all. Please make more of these. Would it be possible to do some videos on defensive drills and or battle drills for company / battalion sized attacks? If such drills exist. I have a feeling that your channel is about to go viral mate.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

There will be a lot more videos like this one coming in the future, as well as more battlefield tours focused on applied tactics. They take a long time to make but they are coming. Stay tuned!

[@EnlightenedBro105]

This is brilliantly motivated, structured, and explained. Well done!

[@user-gk1mw9od1i]

I've been studying military history and tactics for as long as I can remember. So there was very little in this video that I didn't already know. But I am often at a loss for where to start in explaining tactics to people who haven't spent as much time studying them as me. Now I think the place to start is with showing them this video.

[@julianplentii3136]

perfect voice and volume mastering. No music or sound effect. perfect to listen at night to relax, learn, unwind before sleep. Keep that format up!

[@beorntwit711]

Great video, man. This reminds me of Steven Biddle's book, Military Power, in which he uses WW1 in the same manner. One of the most striking illustrations to his argument was 'the firepower against troops in the open escalated exponentially. Against troops in cover and concealement, it only increased linearly'. Such a simple and obvious conclusion, but it completely flipped the script in my head. For Biddle, the effectiveness of modern militaries is then best explained by their successful adoption of the 'Modern system (of war)', with its lower level autonomous units, etc.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you! WWI is a fascinating and often overlooked subject that I plan to spend more time on in future episodes. I will be sure to check out Military Power. It sounds like an interesting book.

[@DeuceGenius]

Finally someone who shares my interests in strategy.

[@topiasr628]

Just found this channel through your video on the Rhodesian Fireforce tactics, your work is incredible! I've been binging all day and look forward to all the videos that remain!

[@Materialist39]

The theory section is beautifully explained and cited, it’s rare in a video like this that a sound philosophical argument is presented about something that also has direct real life applications. That section in particular leaves nothing to assumption and lays out why things are done the way they are. Excellent video.

[@stardekk1461]

Keep making these. I absolutly adore each minute. Thank you for your effort !

[@guydespatie6881]

Splendid presentation. So well articulate and so detailed! Spent some years in the infantry and I don't recall having F & M being explained as well then has you have brilliantly done here...

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you very much!

[@simonkormendy849]

One of the most sought-after positions in a firefight is the so-called flanking position, where you can catch the enemy in two 90 degree flanks so that if the enemy turns to fire in one direction, they take fire in another direction 90 degrees to which they're firing, a tactic used to great effect by US marines during the war in the pacific against the Imperial Japanese forces in battles on the Butari Tari islands, the Peleliu Islands, and etc.

[@The_Professor_]

The theory section was laid out perfectly. For further context I would look into the books “On Killing” and more importantly “On Combat” by LtCol Dave Grossman for more details on psychological effects of fires. I would like to make additional comments about the concepts of an SBF. When establishing support by fire (SBF) we aim to offset by ninety degrees as best we can, establishing an “L-shape” for our trajectories of fire. Within this arrangement SBF will establish isolating fires to the left and right of the target area (aka “the beaten zone”). This prevents enemy evacuation or reinforcement. The ricocheting rounds will then prevent egress to the rear, and frankly any movement whatsoever shy of subterranean. This isolation and suppression creates what we call a “movement corridor”. In this corridor the assault element executes fire and movement, emphasis on “movement” and not “maneuver”. This guarantees enfilade fires from two perpendicular (or nearly so) directions. As the assault element closes the SBF will execute a lift, shift, or cease fires. The latter being the least preferred until all the action has stopped. A shift fire is used to isolate while maintaining partial suppression on the position. Whereas a lift fire places the trajectories of the rounds directly overhead the enemy positions. This maintains the psychological affects of suppression as supersonic cracks are still heard intensely overhead, in addition to the fires of the closing assault element. The beaten zone then shifts past the enemy position to where ever ballistics has those rounds impacting, again isolating the target. Then finally as the assault element clears out the defense the fires can cease. Additionally within the assault element there can exist an IBOF, internal base of fire, used to suppress the enemy. However, rather than being a separate support entity enabling maneuver it is an integral part of the assault element not independent. This is often a SAW or an Automatic Rifleman role. As for the battle drill displayed, I believe there is a 1950’s era American training film displaying this. It employs a BAR instead of a Bren against an MG42 nest but the points remain I greatly appreciate your inclusion of audio playing the supersonic crack and thump of fires. This channel is the first I’ve heard mention of “broom and dustpan”. I find it apt but I would always invite a discussion about beaten zones and grazing fires as it applies to creating the “dustpan”. Integrating fires (outside the scope of this video I know) also plays a hand at this. A great thing that comes with experience is solely determining when fire is effective. That’s when movement becomes almost instinctual. The enemy is suppressed therefor I move. Experience team or group leaders can then inform juniors that it is time to move. Depending on the suppression and terrain the unit may assault through while on line to close with and destroy the enemy. Or they may execute successive bounds, these are preferable since they can advance so rapidly. Alternating bounds are also possible if enemy fire remains effective enough to still be a threat. It’s slower and more deliberate but this enables more accurate suppression. The demonstrated sniper and frag battle drill pairing is interesting. I certainly wouldn’t commit a sniper to a close action like this, at least nowadays.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you for the insightful comment. I enjoyed reading it. It is great to hear your modern-day perspective on this subject. I kept the terminology and theory as period-correct as possible for this video, so having it 'translated' to current practice adds a whole new level to it. To answer some points: I have read both works by Grossman as well as related books on the subject. While some points are debatable, his emphasis on psychology and survival instinct in combat have certainly influenced this video. The 'broom and dustpan', as well as 'extermination fire', betray this battle drill's narrow emphasis on the assault element driving the enemy out of his position, so the Bren Group can then finish the engagement by firing on the routed defenders. Consequently, the drill spends few words on how the Rifle Group actually clears the position, as it is presumed the enemy has retreated or is on the brink of surrender. I had to look into separate bayonet and hand grenade drill manuals to find some detail on how the British taught fighting inside the position against a resisting opponent. 'Sniper' in the context of this drill was more like a senior rifleman, not a trained marksman with a scoped rifle. It makes sense to see them as a buddy-team who crawl up to throw frags, with one man covering the other as he throws. This sub-drill does not appear in later versions of the Section Battle Drill, where the emphasis is instead on rapid shock action by the entire Rifle Group.

[@The_Professor_]

@@DigitalBattlefieldTours I appreciate the insight on the sniper/ designated marksman situation. That certainly clarifies things. I can see the merit of a senior trooper capable of accurate fire aiding in conducting a grenade battle drill. I wonder to what volumes it speaks that such emphasis was placed on the Bren group rather than the rifle group. It’s fantastic to hear you’re familiar with the LtCol’s works! Truly insightful books, especially for those unfamiliar with the subject. Certainly much to be debated (I don’t know which to spotlight more; his “bigger bang” theory or his thoughts on desensitization to violence via media). I appreciate the time you took to address my comments, and I’m glad my modern perspective could add some context to the discussion.

[@hotstepper887]

@@The_Professor_ An American talking battle tactics? Hilarious. I mean seriously, the Americans lose wars to non-military capable countries, even just militia groups, all the time. Absolutely useless at fighting wars, one of the world's worst at it. All we ever read from the American, is "how powerful they are". Only nobody else has ever seen it. LOL.

[@hotstepper887]

@@The_Professor_ Oh, no! Wait!! What am I saying? Silly me! We all know the USA is the most powerful military country in the whole wide world today! Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Reminder... Beaten and loses in Vietnam. After using chemical weapons, Napalm, and Agent Orange, burning down entire towns and villages, killing hundreds of thousands of women and children, while losing the war against a bunch of tunnel kids, they tried to burn alive! Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. When a million Chinese ran over the hill in Korea?, they fled and got chased back behind the 38th parallel, then gets out of the War, with a ''face-saving'' armistice. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Thought they'd force China to purchase their opium in the 2nd opium war, yet is the only one defeated by China, as both the British and French had won convincing victories, while the USA, humiliated, and well defeated, had to limp home, all alone. LOL, Such a powerful force they all claim. Hilarious. Fought for a mere 28 months in WW2, and hilariously, for years, claimed it was because of the USA we won the War LOL. When we all know the facts say the exact opposite. It's not even up for debate. If Britain had not fought WW2?, the USA would no longer exist. Yet unbelievably they still try to say the same today?, with their propaganda history, they've all been spoon-fed from birth, as if a real part of their history. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Claimed they forced the USSR to remove its Cuban missiles, or they had threatened War? While the truth is, that it was the USA that was forced to remove their missiles and close down their military base in Turkey, before the USSR would agree to remove their Cuban missiles. The complete opposite of what they all got taught. LOL. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Claimed Japan surrendered after the second nuclear bomb?, when we now know today, that was, guess what? You got it, just another American lie. Japan had ignored the first Nuclear attack, they also ignored the second Nuclear attack and Japan only surrendered after Stalin had kept his promise to Invade East Asia, and the Soviets crushed the Japanese. That alone removed any hope the Japs had of getting Stalin to act as a mediator for a conditional surrender, and it was only then the Japanese surrendered (as we now can read from the people of the time). The timing of the surrender proves It, It was indeed just another American lie, and is still to this day, by far, the most cowardly act ever committed by anyone on earth. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Thought they bossed Syria, with their bought and paid for terrorism, only to then have to sit back and watch Russia kick their terrorist's to pieces over and over again, while the USA were helpless to even resist it, and so instead they resorted to, once again, more lies, more criminal attacks on a legitimate leadership of a sovereign country. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. Thought they'd show Russia, (as they supplied Georgia with their military assistance). LMAO, more like hindrance! Then had to watch Russia annihilate and destroy all the military equipment they'd just given away, every piece, exactly like we see them doing in Ukraine today! PMSL. Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. They've destroyed and ruined the lives of an entire country (again), Ukraine this time, with once again, more of their? Yep, you've guessed it, more lies, more supplying weapons to criminals, terrorists and Nazis, and are only working against all the interests of the Ukrainian people, and still are, while pathetically trying to blame it on Russia, such a powerful force they all claim. Hilarious. They claimed they'd kick the Taliban's ass (inside 3 months). The USA = A trillion dollars worth of military hardware. The Taliban = A dollars worth of military hardware. 20 years (after), the USA were going to kick their asses inside three months, the Taliban hold more ground today than they ever have, and the Yankee boys, as always, got sent home! LMAO!! Such a powerful force, they all claim. Hilarious. The USA struggles against the Taliban and many other non-militarily capable countries!, they've never met a fully militarily capable country. And you want to take on Russia? LOL... Go on then!!.... Personally, I give the USA precisely zero chance against Russia, or China, or Iran, or even N. Korea, let alone both Russia and China as allies? LOL, who are these yanks fooling apart from themselves? Your military is only as good as your MEN! LOL @ the Yanks! The American 2023 = We're stronger today than we've ever been!!... Like that would be difficult? LOL.

[@gonzo5648]

Much of this applies to martial arts also! In hand to hand we must be aware of distance, we can obscure vision with our pawing jabs as well as provide covering fire, and cut angles off the firing/center line with pivots. Combat is combat and the tools we use and the bodies we maneuver are different, but principles remain, and that makes this knowledge wisdom. Fantart8c video, ty!

[@owensthilaire8189]

Fighting is fighting. Just a matter of scale.

[@americankid7782]

This is quite interesting as a subject. I love how you break it down in a way that can be understood by a civilian such as myself.

[@seagull4713]

How it works, the short version. 1.point at enemy that’s shooting at you. 2.pull trigger and shoot at enemy, making them pull back from Line of fire. 3.hold your new and improved view on the enemy position continuing fire, allowing friendly to move up or reposition at a better angle, or move back to friendly line. 4.with your better position take look of area, think about where your enemy may reposition of if they will hold/retreat. 5.move forward, enemy is not looking out a fear of being hit by suppressing fire granting you the ability to take control of the playing field, or move up on enemy position.

[@THECHEESELORD69]

In basic terms, Fire Maneuver

[@owensthilaire8189]

A couple of my favorite quotes; 1- Any plan right now, is better than a good plan three days from now. 2- No plan survives contact with the enemy. The first is Paton, the second I don't recall.

[@alexandermartzok_vikingcombat]

Brilliant work! As someone who is also trying to teach about history and combat, just in a way smaller scale, congrats on the great work! Looking forward to the other content!

[@yutakago1736]

This tactic was what I learnt 30 years ago when I was in National Service. In real war situation, it is not so simple. The Japanese in World War 2 use multiple machine gun bunkers that protect each other flanks. That' why the Americans suffer heavy casualties when they tried to clear their positions. The British also suffer heavy casualties in Burma when they fought the dug in Japanese. The American like to use close air support to eliminate dug in enemies to reduce their casualties.

[@zapbrannigan9770]

The first line of the infantry mission for the British army is ‘to close in and kill the enemy’ there’s more but that’s the nuts of it. The basics of these tactics are still the same today except the British use 2, 4 man fire teams with 1 LMG each which is changing to 1 team with LMG and 1 team with marksman rifle. This a good video. Brings back memories

[@ZVolgogradZ]

Very educational and entertaining. I enjoy how you drive your points home.

[@pmac5934]

Excellent explanation of C20 squad tactics . I would be interested in watching your post on the evolution of such tactics in the C21 . Great stuff . More please .

[@onebritishboi9892]

You deserve many more subscribers man, most channels focus on the cool and beautiful but ultimately useless without infantry vehicles (tanks, ships, planes) you focus on the PBI (Poor bloody infantry) which I love, I hope the algorithm blesses you soon! Also love your focus on the british infantry section, often overlooked and very underated

[@thomasmitchell7645]

Very good, especially the historical introduction and the explanation of the human factor. It reminded me of my basic training in the Rhodesian Guard Force in 1978 and U.S. Army basic training in 1981.

[@CapitaineNautilus]

I like your clear and illustrated explanations very much.

[@protocoldroid7388]

Some cool details included I didn't know - eg using a weapon to "tap out" a message when that element is about to go from static to moving and always placing smoke ON an objective. Nice.

[@XxKINGatLIFExX]

This is the first video I have seen from your channel. I have to say you have earned an immediete sub here. That content was quality, you hav eleft no stone unturned and I am left asking no questions, superbly animated and narrated. You sir have to be one of the best KZbin channels on this subject. Thanks.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you very much for the kind words!

[@loltwest9423]

As I am watching this, I am slowly realizing this is the tactic Games Workshop built 40K around. It would make sense considering we’re looking a British training manual and GW is a British company making a very British Sci-Fi.

[@foxhoundms9051]

I actually used the broom and dust pan move recently in a table top war game and it worked like a charm. Awesome video, liked and subbed.

[@vylrent]

Which table top war game?

[@foxhoundms9051]

@@vylrent warhammer 40k, not the most realistic I admit but, it definitely worked a charm 😂

[@samjordan32]

This is such an informative video. Applied it to Hell Let Loose and it works so effectively. Thanks!

[@Materialist39]

Lol, of all games this will actually work in that is the top of my list. They do a great job of turning suppressing fire into a meaningful mechanic.

[@lmclm1755]

Some tactics may be outdated now, but I can't help thinking that this is providing information and inspiration to hostile parties too.

[@beloaded3736]

Core of thinking is not outdated at all. It's still fundamental in warfare. Don't ever be bothered by thought that other side might get something against you, always presume that they already have.a

[@juandager5220]

​@@beloaded3736If the other side knows the same tactics and have similar resources, then "what" decides who wins?

[@user-nw5hk1yw9m]

This sums up the dynamic between video game battles and irl conflicts: video games/simulations don't have the self-preservation element.

[@noamb.6491]

My high school class is going to do paintball this weekend. I will make sure to keep these points in mind!

[@dirtydingoringo3121]

You pulled me in with Band of Brothers. I am ready

[@norad_clips]

This channel doesn’t mess around!

[@richardchak696]

Remind me of what we were train on. The fire & movement on Section level, Platoon level & Coy level...1 up, 2up, 3up formation, left or right flanking co-ordination of the flankig is equally import, as well as the terrain in which the troops operate in & the co-ordination of supporting elements such as artillery support or snappers elements in an attack or retreating situation.

[@joehuntly8506]

This content is absolutely brilliant, the detail and effort you go into in making your videos is amazing, keep up the great work mate

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you for the nice comment!

[@stilgar2007]

This is what most people don't understand about the purpose of large magazine size in "assault rifles." It's principally to provide a large volume of sustained fire on an area, not shoot into massed enemies, which is rare. Maneuver and coordination is what separates the professionals from the untrained, not marksmanship.

[@nathanielhartsuff2336]

Whats funny is some of my lads started watching these videos together on discord. We are a bunch of Hell Let Loose gamers. Nearly EVERYTHING this dude has said in his videos, has worked in game lol

[@smartfella13]

i’m here cause of insurgency and hell let loose

[@adamhaney9447]

Fantastic work. Thank you.

[@MikelNaUsaCom]

I like the focus on attack, however, the same concepts work for defense as well... defense is also about maneuver, fire power and preparation. Falling back to secondary positions have to be practiced and planned, as well as counter attack back into know positions where the enemy has assaulted and could be off guard from the confusion of attack. =D Great theories, I like it! It is best to have simple concepts that can be practiced and trained.

[@rpbajb]

Impressive work. Enjoyed it immensely.

[@65gtotrips]

You can tell this content provider has experienced actual combat and also has a type A personality; Why ? Because he has the * Not to Scale disclaimer at the bottom of the graphics ! 👍

[@Bonzomad]

Just found this channel, fantastic work

[@blackhawk7r221]

Battle Drill 1 Even at the lowest level your 11 man squad will be broken into two fire team wedges moving in column or line. The one hit drops, crawls to cover, and becomes the support by fire element. The other team becomes your attack/maneuver element to flank. Communication is critical.

[@5GWGuerillaFighter]

Love this! Great job!

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thanks!

[@leeming1317]

Great presentation, thank you

[@tempo1874]

Expected to be patronising.. yet found this enlightening, well presented ..worth it just for the analogy of the dust pan and brush alone .. well done.. (only a long time gamer n thinker) nice inclusion of historical notes 🍻

[@callusklaus2413]

I know it's a game, a simulation at best, but comparing this to large outside airsoft games is really interesting. There is nearly zero unit cohesion, and so it's really messy and scrummy, very little control in who succeeds, if anyone, in a firefight over an objective. It would be so cool to try and apply these drills and tactics and see how they stick against the game of airsoft.

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

One of the biggest obstacles to simulating combat in any kind of wargame/simulation is the effect of suppressive fire. There is just no way of replicating that near-death experience and the shock and adrenaline that comes with it. (Not to mention the sheer concussive effect of explosives). 'Battle inoculation' training was developed in WWII as a way to somewhat prepare troops for this. They would traverse obstacle courses and perform drills under machine gun fire and pre-set explosives. This is very briefly covered in the video as it was part of the British training method along with the battle drills.

[@woodsghost9088]

There are Airsoft teams which actually practice battle drills and use tactics and communication. They tend to dominate less organized teams. This happens in Paintball too. Movement and communication are fantastic.

[@someoneinHolland]

Wow, another great video! You really spoiled us with this one!

[@MWB656]

Not into weapons but millatery science is in my DNA. This is amazing.

[@skepticalbadger]

Good video. Couple of points; the Rifle Group as actually deployed on the field was typically 8 men, with the other 2 held in reserve and rotated in/out. Also, since you're focused upon fire and manoeuvre, the Bren in the attack was NOT carried with a spare barrel so the QCB on the Bren is irrelevant here.

[@elchicano187]

Wow great channel 👍🏼 new subscriber more of these videos please!!

[@nativegerry335]

Since the bolt action slows down an individual soldiers rate of fire. Is there a system within the rifle section to work around this ? I remember a mention of alternative fire between riflemen (one fires while the other beside does the bolt action chambering a new round)

[@peterjennett9124]

Excellent info! Thank You.❤️☕🤔

[@The-wc7ge]

Dude, it’s so pleasant to listen to this logical, well written text just amazing ❤

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you!

[@bigranks777]

Awesome video!

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thanks!

[@BadgerWolf-19]

this helped me and my team become beasts in The Division 2.

[@yakkabonds]

Much appreciated, im an aspiring pro valorant player and these techniques will help ne get to radiant!

[@crumpetcommandos779]

This is a very good video, clear and to the point. I like your use of arma 3 assets as well :))

[@simonlevy2154]

Find, Fix, Flank, Finish. We were taught the 4Fs during the Brothers in Arms game.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@simonlevy2154 brothers in arms is great

[@romanotsick4387]

Love your work. I know that you just covered basics in this video, but I wanted to know if you're planning to stick with ww1-ww2 battlefield or you're planning on covering modern-semimodern tactics?

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

The main focus will be on the World Wars, although I plan to cover some post-war colonial conflicts as well. The Rhodesian fireforce tactic is something i'm working on for example.

[@hyena_4740]

loving the in-game screens of Arma 3 with the ww2 mod, love the filter or the artistic pass you gave them, only if the AI in that game could act with this manuever aswell lmao

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thanks! I was inspired by the artwork in the Osprey books on tactics.

[@chardaskie]

Using this to help lead my team to victory in HLL

[@camronsmith4321]

EXCELLENT

[@thewarfreak9]

Love your videos!

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

Great video for beginners.

[@oracuda]

PLEASE MORE OF THESE VIDEOS

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Working on it!

[@chrisglynn4632]

Good stuff

[@jq2539]

Fantastic job 👍

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thanks!

[@CrystaTiBoha]

Unarmed combat, such as boxing works the same way: 1. Just punching air is useless, enemy can keep himself in safe range 2. Moving in close is required to deal any significant blow 3. Moving in cannot be done just by itself, one gets hit if this is attempted 4. Straight punches, esp. jab offer a low-commitment way of stuffing enemy punches and pinning him down by making moving in risky 5. Just jabs and feints won't defeat the enemy, but it enables moving in for a more significant strike in a safer way

[@joeokabayashi8669]

Very informative!

[@skadoodle8503]

I use this tactic in RTS games, and even when playing a milsim with my friends. I remember when we KIA'd 17 enemy infantry with suppressive fire and flanking element. Shit was fun ngl.

[@SierraSierraFoxtrot]

Is this channel going to be my new addiction?

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

That was a bloody brilliant episode! (About half-way through i thought to myself; "this should finally settle the Bren vs Mg 42 argument", if it's volume of fire that wins the firefight, it becomes very clear why the Mg42 in it's updated Mg3 version is still in service)- volume of fire).

[@crumpetcommandos779]

There are other factors though, the bren gun was way more portable and more shots fired doesn't necessarily mean more kills or better suppression

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

@@crumpetcommandos779 Well. I'd give you the portability factor, definitely. But nope, I still believe filling a certain volume of space wiht more rounds in the same time is better for supresive purposes. I mean accounts from Normandy tell us one mg 42 nest could pin a whole platoon down. I'd certainly not stand up in front of one.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@FelixstoweFoamForge I guess what I mean is oversuppression, but yeah although the mgs probably didn't need the firerate they had, having a reliable belt fed gun in a good position puts you at a massive advantage. I guess there's a reason the brits kept their water-cooled vickers guns or even sometimes 100rd pan mags for the bren

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

@@crumpetcommandos779 Well, tbh, I think it really comes down to the tactical doctrine between different armies. For the Brits, (my lot), the Bren was a support element for the squad, but for the Germans, the squad seems to have been a support element for the MG34/42., at least, that's my current reading of things. This may of course change as I get mote data.

[@crumpetcommandos779]

@@FelixstoweFoamForge ahh well both were good guns in their own right:))

[@vextronx]

Extremely good video, thank you for making it. :)

[@jungleboy1]

I urge anyone who hasnt to play Brothers In Arms Road to Hill 30/ Earned in Blood / Hells Highway series. This really teaches this in practice. If you play on hardest difficulty it can be relentlessly difficult !

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Great recommendation! Hell's Highway in particular is a game I've been planning to discuss because it overlaps so nicely with the Webster's War battlefield tour. The 101st sector in Market Garden tends to be overlooked in popular media and BiA Hell's Highway covers it very thoroughly.

[@NEEJER]

Amazing channel, you are very knowledable and delivery is excellent. 😎

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you!

[@Gav624]

Great Video!

[@user-ez2oe2ke4c]

Thank u

[@alexhatfield4448]

This is excellent and super informative. 👌

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

Thank you!

[@danwylie-sears1134]

Good video.

[@jonshive5482]

17:20---Suppressive fire makes the defender feel like a target. Even if he fires back it's gonna be wild. This psychological fact is the basis of fire and movement on the assault. Thus it is possible for even an outnumbered force to attack a defender. If they know how to clear trenches, rooms, tunnels, etc they can inflict more casualties on the enemy than vice-versa. Something the general public doesn't seem to understand.

[@battlesofantiquity7449]

Awesome video man

[@user-fj3uo5dn2b]

Hi I like your videos. Can you do one for air power tactics?

[@abdulqayumkhan3992]

So good

[@5redleagueoflegends]

should do a video of a perfect defense and counter tactics

[@c3aloha]

Reminds me of the Brothers In Arms tutorial. Find’em Fix’em Flank’em!

[@malikialgeriankabyleswag4200]

Amazing channel 👍

[@MichaelSmith-pp3wp]

Good stuff!

[@ThePizzaGoblin]

These videos are so good. Please do more. Maybe platoon attack?

[@DigitalBattlefieldTours]

The platoon will definitely be the subject of a future episode, stay tuned!

[@ThePizzaGoblin]

@@DigitalBattlefieldTours wood! Can't wait!

[@theodorosgeorgitsis5600]

My favorite KZbin video of 2023 so far.

[@user-cg1ni7ub9i]

Situational awareness sets up battle field designs for design of offensive and defensive objectives, tactical planning with available weapon systems and personnel resources. Weather rock , trees or spear arrows clubs axes ropes wire knives and swords.Artillery was first rocks spears arrows- prior to gunpowder the use of slings and catapult. Explosive elements developed by the Chinese eventually changed the entire battlefield forever. Ambush formations were given up for the perceived battle field formation which lasted for about 300 years. Gorilla warfare and the small unit tactics have became standard with air and artillery formations offensive weapons implemented

[@Benzoduckedoff]

Finna apply this to my warzone skills

[@CzlowiekzPL]

Hi, You know what brought me to your channel? I was looking for tactics i can apply in airsoft or paintball games. Combination of fire and manouver with assault rifless sounds like great game plan. I am going to test them on "platoon" level next weekend. I will have to my dispose at least 2 10 man squads. So if you have more content like that please do it. For example there are no youtube videos on "sniper" tactics which we also have in airsoft.

[@pstewart5443]

Actually, it's three words. Shoot, move, and communicate. If you don't communicate, then your other teammates have no idea where you are, therefore, you may inadvertently be taken out with fratricide. If you're calling in for fire support, then you also must communicate your new position, especially in terms of CAS, because air support must know the azimuth to fly in on in order to hit the enemy and not you. If it's indirect fire support, then FDC must know your position as well in order to not drop multiple rounds on top of you.

[@nilloc93]

ACKHTUALLY Wow congrats your organization has a different term for the same fucking thing. Guess what In non English speaking countries they don't say "fire and maneuver" in english. also your examples are WAY beyond the scope of the video. I recommend you watch the bit about what a drill is.