SECTION FORMATION

TERMS OF FORMATIONS
• Section – Sec 1+9=10
• Platoon – PLT 1+30=31
• Company – COY 1+63=64
What formation to adopt
depends upon:
• Flexibility
• Swift movement
• Depth
• Ground
• Visibility possible
• Fire from the enemy
• Task at hand
• Control
• Fire power
Section Strength
• 2 HC, 8 constables
• 1 Sec Comm, 1 2i/c, 1 bomber, 2 bren
group, 5 riflemen
Arms and ammunition
R-1, R-2 Rifle with bayonet, 50 rds, RT
set, HG – 2, Wire cutter
Sec Comm Carbine, 5 mags, rds 102, map,
compass, watch, torch,
wirecutter, binocs, diary, pen,
VLP, 19 rds, 3 LMG mags, 2 HGs,
NVD
Bomber 1 GF rifle, 50 rds, 27 HD rds, 8
rifle grenades, 4 LMG mags
2 I/C Carbine, 5 mags, 1 first aid box,
3 LMG mags, 1 wire cutter
Arms and ammunition
Bren-1 LMG, 5 mags, 2 GF grenade
Bren-2 1 rifle, 50 rds, 4 LMG mags, 2 GF
grenades, LMG rds, cleaning
material, S/B with hold-all
R-4 1 rifle with bayonet, 50 rds, 2 LMG
mags
R-5, R-6 1 rifle with bayonet, 50 rds, wire
cutter, 2 HGs, 2 LMG mags
Job of each soldier
• R-1, R-2: Scouting
• B-1: Covering fire, extensive fire on enemy
• B-2: Give filled mags, fill mag, remove
stoppage of LMG, clean barrel, give fire while
LMG stoppages are being removed
• 2 I/C and R-4: Support others; take over as
Sec Comm
• Bomber: Fire grenade on enemy in broken
ground
• Sec Comm: Command, control, morale,
discipline, training
Types of formations
• Single file
• File
• Diamond
• Arrow head
• Spear head
• Extended line
 R1

Single File Formation R2

Bomber

Sec 2 I/c

B1

B2

R4

R5

R6
Single File Formation
Single File Formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• More depth
• Less fire power
• Control easy
• Good for crossing • Effective fire not
nalas, narrow lanes, possible without
dense forests, night changing formation
patrolling
• Small target from • More casualties if
front fired from front
• Less harm from fire
from side
File R1 R2
Formation
Bomber

Sec 2 I/c
R4

R5 B1

R6 B2
File Formation
File Formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Useful for patrolling • Less fire power
along wide roads • Effective fire not
• Good control possible without
• Small target from changing formation
front • More casualties if
• Adequate depth fired from front
 R1

Bomber
R2

Sec 2 I/c
R4

R5 B1

B2

R6

Diamond Formation
Diamond Formation
Diamond Formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Used when threat
from enemy is more • More casualties if
from any side–in fired from front
open areas
• Good control
• All round observation
• Effective fire possible
on all sides
• Adequate depth
Arrow head formation

R1

Bomber
R2

Sec 2 I/c
R4

B1
R5

B2
R6
Arrow head formation
Arrow head formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Can cover more area • More casualties from
and return effective
fire if attacked side fire
• Used when enemy • Difficult to maintain
encounter is for a long time
expected in broken
ground
• Good depth and
control
• Best formations for
crossing open fields
Spear head
Formation R1

R2

Bomber
R4

R5 Sec 2 I/c R6

B1

B2
Spear head Formation
Spear head Formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Used when maxm • Casualties from fire
threat from enemy from front more
as LMG grp remains than in arrow head
in depth and has • Difficult to maintain
enough time to react for a long time
and provide cover
• Good control
 Extended line formation

R6 R5 R4 R2 R1 B1 B2
Bomber Sec 2 I/c
Extended line formation
Extended line formation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Used for searching • No depth
open ground and
• No control
fields
• Last stage of assault • More casualties from
on enemy side fire
• Best for firing from
battle crouch
position
PTR
• Inter person distance
• Weapon position
• State of weapon
• All to carry field patti and tracer rounds
• Camouflage
• Remember 6S, 1M
• Check arms, ammunition, batteries
Scouting
• To observe and get information fairly
well in advance
• 2 or 3 scouts may be used
• Weapons in alert and ready position
• Leading scout may have AKM or CM
• Should be in contact with the Sec
Comm
PTR for scouts
• Well trained and experienced soldiers
• Alertness
• Take adv of smelling, hearing and seeing senses
• Scouts should have eye-to-eye contact with each
other
• Scouts should be able to give cover to each other
• Scouts should be in contact with the Sec Comm
• Scouts should not bunch together
• Not only see but observe
• Scouts should move individually making use of
ground
Innovations
• 2 scout groups
• Scout grp 1 – 3 men
Scout grp 2- 3 men
LMG grp – 2 men
Sec Comm - 1
Bomber - 1
• If 6 to 7 men left then 2 men in scout
grps, Sec Comm in LMG grp
One Scout
grp ahead
Two scout
grp ahead