ATP 2-33.4, page 127

Indicators in Decisive Action 18 August 2014 ATP 2-33.4 B-3 Table B-1. Offensive indicators (continued) Activity Explanation Clearing lanes through own obstacles. Facilitates forward movement and grouping of assault units, particularly at night, and usually immediately precedes an attack. Reconnaissance, marking, and destruction of defending force’s obstacles. Indicates where assaults will occur. Gap-crossing equipment (swimming vehicles, bridging, ferries, assault boats) located in forward areas (provided large water obstacle or gap). Expect a substantial effort to cross a water obstacle during a main attack. Staging of airborne, air assault, or special forces with transportation assets such as transport aircraft or helicopters. Airborne or air assault operations will likely indicate efforts to attack friendly commands, communications, or sustainment nodes. May indicate a main effort in which airborne forces will link with ground maneuver forces. Increased signals traffic or radio silence. May indicate intent to conduct offensive tasks; however, increased traffic may be an attempt to deceive. Radio silence denies information derived from signals intelligence. Signals intelligence and electronic warfare assets located forward. Provides electronic attack and surveillance support for the attack. Table B-2. Defensive indicators Activity Explanation Preparation of battalion and company defensive areas consisting of company and platoon strong points. Indicates intent for holding terrain with defense in-depth, normally supported by armored counterattack forces. Extensive preparation of field fortifications, obstacles, and minefields. Indicates strong positional defense. Attachment of additional antitank assets to frontline defensive positions. Indicates intent to contest friendly armor in forward positions, and attempts to attrite and channel friendly armor into engagement areas for armor counterattack forces. Formation of antitank strong points in depth along avenues of approach. May allow penetration of friendly armor into engagement areas. Will engage armor in depth. Preparation of alternate artillery positions. Increases survivability of artillery in the defense. Indicates great effort to support main defensive area with artillery—no withdrawal of maneuver forces from main defense unless defeated. Concentration of armor units in assembly areas in the rear of the main defensive area. Indicates holding armor units in reserve for possible counterattack or counteroffensive tasks. Presence of concentrated antitank reserves. Provides quick reaction capability against armor penetrations of the main defense. Displacement of sustainment and medical units toward the rear area. Facilitates defensive repositioning, maneuver, and counterattacks (support units are not “in the way”). Pre-stocking of ammunition, supplies, and engineer or pioneer equipment in forward positions. Reduces the burden on sustainment support during the battle, reduces vulnerability of interdiction of supplies, and ensures strong points can survive for reasonable periods if bypassed or cut off by advancing forces.