PART THREE
Slide 1: After completing part two of this module, you are now familiar with how to create unit symbols.
Slide 2: However, there are other symbols that are very useful and go into a successful situation map.
Slide 3: First, we will discuss minefields. We will cover three types of minefields. Antipersonnel mines are green darkened circles with two lines extending from the top of the symbol.
Slide 4: Antitank mines are green darkened circle without the lines extending from the top of the symbol.
Slide 5: If the type of minefield is unknown, the symbol is just a green circle that is not filled in.
Slide 6: When plotting a minefield with only one known point, use one mine symbol with a box around it. The point of location is center mass of the mine.
Slide 7: When plotting a minefield with two or more points use however many mines it takes to go from one coordinate to the other with a box around it. Grid location is the center mass of each of the END mines.
Slide 8: Another useful symbol is battle position. A battle position is where a unit prepares for a defensive operation. Point of location is center mass. The closed side faces the opposing force. Within the open side, indicate the size of the unit occupying or planning to occupy the battle position or strong point. These symbols are used only for BN size units and below. Field two (echelon), field three (unique designation) and field six DTG are requires. The color of the symbol should be black for friendly, since battle positions are another example of graphic control measures, and red for enemy.
Slide 9: The next few slides deal with Graphic Control Measures (GCM). GCMs are used by commanders to set unit boundaries, coordinate fire and maneuver and in general aid in controlling combat operations. Friendly GCM’s are black. Enemy GCM’s (if any are known) are in red. Objectives are defined as the physical object of the action taken for example, a definite terrain feature, the seizure and/or holding of which is essential to the commander’s plan, for the destruction of the enemy force without regard to terrain features. Objectives are enclosed in an irregular shaped circle and contain the abbreviation “OBJ”, with a letter, number, code name, or unit designation. Point of location is center of mass. DTG is not required. The symbol is black for friendly and red for enemy. Assembly Areas are areas where a force prepares or regroups for further action. Assembly Areas are enclosed in an irregular circle around the unit symbol. A future or proposed Assembly Area is shown with a broken line). It may be designated by letters, numbers, code names, or unit designations. The symbol is black for friendly and red for enemy.
Slide 10: Routes of Movement are the prescribed course to be traveled from a specific point of origin to a specific destination. These are shown using a series of arrows which can depict the supporting attack, show on top, and the main attack, shown on the bottom and the general route along which a unit will travel. The arrow’s tip must touch the objective and the route will be labeled with the name of the unit using it, if known. A DTG is not required. The symbol is black for friendly and red for enemy.
Slide 11: Boundaries lines are used to depict the Operational Area of a specific unit. They are also used to control Maneuver and indirect fires of adjacent units. Boundaries are indicated on an overlay by a solid line with a size indicator at convenient intervals. Unique designation is placed to either side of the size indicator. Color is red for enemy and black for friendly.
Slide 12: Convoys are s group of vehicles organized for the purpose of control and the orderly movement with or without escort protection. The individual vehicle symbol and number are placed inside the convoy symbol arrow. The number always goes to the right of the vehicle symbol and parallel to the E-W grid lines. The DTG is placed under the symbol parallel to the E-W grid lines. Convoy symbols will not be off set and are usually associated with roads. They are blue for friendly and red for enemy. For Moving convoys the arrow indicates the direction of movement and the tip of the arrow is the point of location.
Slide 13: If the convoy is halted, the arrow faced towards the rear of the convoy. Point of location is at the tip of the arrow. Notice the gap between the tip of the triangle and the rectangle that makes up the body of the symbol.
Slide 14: An ambush is a surprise attack by fire from concealed positions on a moving or temporarily halted enemy. Point of location is at the tip of the arrow. Symbol and DTG are the same color, red for enemy and blue for friendly. Arrow points towards the element being ambushed. DTG goes under the symbol.
Slide 15: If there is a unit associated with the ambush, then it gets its own separate symbol, with its own DTG. The DTG of that unit symbol and the DTG of the ambush are not always the same, although they might be.
Slide 16: When a unit or part of a unit is destroyed, an “X” is placed at the point of location of the symbol.
Slide 17: The “X” and DTG are in the color of who destroyed the unit or activity. Numbers of vehicles and personnel losses can also be noted below the “X” if known. The DTG will be placed below the “X” and centered.
Slide 18: In summary, we covered how to create minefields, battle positions and graphic control measures, convoys, ambushes and destroyed units. Following is a short five question quiz on part three, other useful symbols.
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