Rifle Squad tactics.

(Commands are in Gold)

This is probably best done by hand signals as shouted orders wouldn’t have been heard, especially during a battle.

 

Discussion on the Red Army forum came to the conclusion that Rifle squad tactics operated on the following principles.

 

Squad operated as two parts, Leader plus MG. Guide man plus rest of the Riflemen.

Squad leader is always slightly behind the rest of the squad as he needs to see everyone in order to know what’s happening.

 

Assembly with weapons, march off in single file, leader first followed by MG, assistant MG, Guide man then Riflemen.

 

Have tried to keep this as simple as possible as a few simple things done well is always better, and we don’t have the training time they had. I have gone for a small six man squad as was common at the end of the war. But with 8, 9 or 11 simply add to the number of riflemen.

 

1. Stop (One hand held high, thrust down to make the squad lie down)

 

2. Deploy (Both arms extended sideways several times) the leader waits until he gets an I Understand (Raise both hands overhead then drop) from the Guide man.  Then gives the signal to deploy to the centre, right or left.

    

     To the Centre: (Arm held overhead and dropped to shoulder level pointing forwards)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guide man G moves first. Then M and AM. R1 moves to right, R2 to left and so on. Soldiers rush forward one at a time taking advantage of cover and staying level with the Guide man. They stay 6-8 paces apart except for AM who stays close to M.

 

To the Right: (Arm held overhead and dropped to shoulder level pointing right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

To the Left: (Arm held overhead and dropped to shoulder level pointing left)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Forward The squad leader now decides if the squad will advance by the right or left. (Arm held   

      overhead, other energetically swung and thrust either to the right or left). 

     Guide man moves first, covering fire is given by the LMG. The Riflemen then move one at a time                                                                                

     from the left or right. Riflemen then give covering fire to the M and AM who move. Then leader 

     moves. Each soldier makes safe his weapon, dashes forward suddenly, then falls to the ground like a

     stone, moves to the side and takes up a firing position.

 

4.  Assault Once the squad is within 40-50 metres of the enemy position (or as close as they can get) they prepare to charge. Officer stands up, encourages the soldiers with slogans (za-rodinu, za-stalina). Then gives the order na-STURM, MARSH! Soldiers yell URAH and all attack, firing from the hip.

 

5.  To Me (Arm overhead, circle and thrust energetically down) At the end of the assault the Officer gathers everyone together.