ATP 2-33.4, page 126

Appendix B B-2 ATP 2-33.4 18 August 2014 Table B-1. Offensive indicators Activity Explanation Massing of maneuver elements, armor, artillery, and logistic support. May indicate the main effort by weakening areas of secondary importance. Deployment of combat elements on a relatively narrow frontage (not forced by terrain). May provide maximum combat power at the point of attack by reducing frontages. Likely threat decisive effort. Massing of indirect fire support assets. May indicate initiation of main effort. Extensive artillery preparation of up to 50 minutes in duration or longer. Initiates preparation preceding an attack. Dispersal of tanks and self-propelled artillery to forward units. Can indicate formation of combined arms assault formations with tanks accompanying the leading maneuver elements and artillery following in bounds. Surface-to-surface missile units located forward. Provides depth to threat offensive tasks; places friendly support and unassigned areas in range. May also indicate, when employed alone, harassing or special weapons (chemical) delivery. Antiaircraft artillery and mobile surface-to-surface missiles located well forward with maneuver elements. Provides increased protection to massed forces before attack; extends air defense umbrella forward as units advance. Demonstrations and feints. May precede an attack; may deceive actual point of attack. Establishment and strengthening of counterreconnaissance screen. Protects assembly areas and forces as they prepare for attack. May be effort to prevent friendly forces from seeing attack preparations. Concentration of mass toward one or both flanks within the forward area. May indicate intent for single or double envelopment, particularly if massing units are armor heavy. Increased patrolling or ground reconnaissance. May indicate efforts to gather detailed intelligence regarding friendly dispositions prior to attack. Command posts located well forward; mobile command posts identified. Indicates preparation to command an offensive task from as far forward as possible. Movement of noncombatants from the area of operations. Indicates preparation for rapid forward advance of troops and follow-on forces. Extensive conduct of drills and rehearsals in unassigned areas. Often indicates major attacks, particularly against fortified positions or strongly defended natural or manmade barriers, which require rehearsal of specialized tactics and skills. Cessation of drills and rehearsals. Rehearsals are completed and the unit is preparing for offensive tasks. Increased activity in supply, maintenance, and motor transport areas. May indicate movement of additional forces to the front to sustain a major attack. Stocking of sustainment items, such as ammunition and medical supplies, before an attack. Increased aerial reconnaissance (including unmanned aircraft systems). Threat effort to collect further intelligence on friendly dispositions or defensive positions. Establishment of forward arming and refueling points, auxiliary airfields, or activation of inactive airfields. Preparation for increased sorties for aircraft and faster turnaround time and aviation sustainment. Indicates preparation to support offensive tasks with aircraft as far forward as possible.