Talk:Ambush

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Er, ambush is hardly just a modern tactic. Medieval writers talk about bandits "waiting in ambuscade" and suchlike. -- April

This page could go with some discussion of the receiving end of ambushes. Tactics to avoid ambushes, how to respond when ambushed, and so on. 195.167.169.36 11:41, 13 Jul 2004 (UTC)

References

For something like this, are there really any good reference sources besides something like Art of War? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.73.38.89 (talk) 07:37, 30 September 2009 (UTC)

"Secrecy"

The article does not contain the word "secrecy" or "secret".

Kinda funny cause you know ambushes are better when its not known by the other side.

I found it somewhat amusing. :) Jak722 21:10, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

It is assumed that the word ambushed is quite self explanatory. If something is "AMBUSHED", then its abmushed! That means taken by surprise. Its not so much as a secret as a surprise, but lets not debate about meaning. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.6.230.65 (talk) 02:06, 11 December 2006 (UTC).

Ambush for Dummies?

It seems to me that this page reads a bit too much like a how-to... offering advice on how to signal the start of the ambush might be a bit over the top. --Nucleusboy 22:14, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Quick summary of Wikipedia's ambush page

Ambush – A military tactic in which one force uses concealment to attack an enemy that passes its position. Ambushers often strike from dense underbrush or from behind hilltops. Ambushes have been used since ancient times. In modern warfare, a platoon makes the actual attack, but a company-sized unit will support them. This company gives the attack platoon a safe harbor to deploy from and escape to after the ambush.

To create an ambush, a “killing zone” is identified. This is somewhere enemy units are expected to pass. The zone must give reasonable cover for the deployment and extraction of the ambush patrol – say a path along a wooded valley floor. An ambush patrol must deploy covertly, ideally at night, in positions that overlook the kill zone. Having set the ambush, you wait. This could be a few hours or a few days, depending on the tactical situation. If shelter, sleeping, sanitation, food and water must be considered, it will be more difficult to remain undetected.

Units are also posted at the “entrance”, away from the kill zone. Their job is to give the ambush commander early warning of the approaching enemy (usually by radio or cell phone). Another group will cover the front and rear of the ambush position. The enemy must not detect your signal of their arrival. If radio silence is necessary, tug on a rope as your signal. The ambush commander must judge when the ambush will be most effective, then give a second signal to initiate the ambush. This is often an opening gunshot, grenade, or even a whistle. The lead and rear vehicles are the primary targets. This keeps the enemy in the kill zone as long as possible. The order of priorities against an enemy infantry unit is the radio operator first, then the machine-gunner, and the unit commander (officers are often dressed like infantry men to avoid detection). Once the ambush is sprung, cut-off units lay down a band of intersecting fire to prevent the enemy’s escape. Care must be taken by the ambush commander to prevent casualties from friendly fire. A V-shaped formation is most often used.

Afterwards, the ambush patrol must leave the area ASAP. In hit and run operations against superior forces, the ambushers will begin disengaging even before the firefight is won. The ambush force will have prepared their exit, placing land mines to cover their retreat, and following a safe route through the mines that is unknown to enemy pursuers. A subsidiary ambush may also be planned along the exit route to shoot pursuing troops.

The best way to survive an ambush is not to run into one. For this to happen, movement must not be predictable in timing or route. Patrols should vary their speed and direction. Units should be close enough together for mutual support, but far enough apart that one blast will not take out half your men. When on foot, the patrol should move in an arrowhead formation to maximize their firepower. They should not be skylined. There should be a point man ahead of the main body. If possible, there should also be a rear guard. Vehicles should follow the same procedures with lead and trailing vehicles behind and ahead of the main convoy. If you are caught in an ambush, the best escape is probably the way you came in. In modern warfare, avoiding ambushes is much easier, since a route can be “sanitized” beforehand by aerial assets. Obvious ambush sites are noted and counter-measures taken. See the US Army Ranger handbook for more details. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.234.69.28 (talk) 23:06, 10 April 2008 (UTC)

'Treating' enemy personnel

From paragraph 3 of "Execution" section:

and 'treat' any wounded enemy

If "treat" is a euphemism for something, it should be replaced. If it isn't, it shouldn't have scare quotes. TaintedMustard (talk) 14:46, 20 July 2011 (UTC)

Modern easy countering

Quote from the article: Countering: In the modern day warfare, this is much easier than before [...]. I do not believe that recent experience from Iraq and Afghanistan validates that statement. Gun-ship are of no use, if the enemy is hiding among the civilian population. 84.23.155.84 (talk) 18:29, 25 December 2011 (UTC)