Previous: H-28: Reduce
H-29. The breach force assaults through the point of breach to the far side of an obstacle and seizes the foothold. The assault force’s primary mission is to destroy the enemy and seize terrain on the far side of the obstacle to prevent the enemy from placing direct fires on the created lanes. The assault force may be tasked to assist the support force with suppression while the breach force reduces the obstacle.
H-30. The assault force must be sufficient in size to seize the point of penetration. Combat power is allocated to the assault force to achieve a minimum 3:1 ratio on the point of penetration. The breach and assault assets may maneuver as a single force when conducting breaching operations as an independent company team conducting an attack.
H-31. If the obstacle is defended by a small enemy force, assault and breach forces’ missions may be combined. This simplifies mission command and provides more immediate combat power for security and suppression.
H-32. Fire control measures are essential because support and breach forces may be firing on the enemy when the assault force is committed. Suppression of overwatching enemy positions must continue and other enemy forces must remain fixed by fires until the enemy has been destroyed. The assault force must assume control for direct fires on the assault objective as support and breach force fires are ceased or shifted. Table H-1 illustrates the relationship between the breaching organization and breaching fundamentals.
fundamentals
Next: H-33: Detailed Reverse Planning
Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad