ATP 2-33.4, page 128

Appendix B B-4 ATP 2-33.4 18 August 2014 Table B-2. Defensive indicators (continued) Activity Explanation Increased depth from the forward line of troops of artillery and surface- to-surface missile units. Allows continued employment of artillery during maneuver defense without significant rearward displacement. Increased use of land-line communications—often with corresponding decrease in radio traffic. Implies intent to remain in position because landlines are less vulnerable to electronic warfare and provide more secure communications. Presence of dummy positions, command posts, and weapons. Complicates friendly targeting and analysis. Deceives attacking force of actual defensive positions and strength. Air defense more concentrated in one particular area. Indicates location of numerous high-value targets, such as armor, sustainment, artillery, or command posts. Table B-3. Delaying indicators Activity Explanation Withdrawal from defensive positions before becoming heavily engaged. Indicates delaying action to avoid decisive engagements. Numerous local counterattacks with limited objectives; counterattacks broken off before position is restored. Assists disengaging units in contact, rather than an attack to restore position. Units bounding rearward to new defensive positions, while another force begins or continues to engage. Indicates units conducting local withdrawals to new positions. Usually an effort to preserve the defending force and trade space for time. Maximum firepower located forward, firing initiated at long ranges. Intent to inflict casualties thus slowing advance of attacking force and provide sufficient volume of fire to avoid decisive engagements. Allows for time to disengage and reposition defending forces. Extremely large unit frontages compared to usual defensive positions. Indicates delaying action to economize force, allowing larger formations to withdraw. Chemical or biological weapons in forward areas. Reports of threat in chemical protective clothing while handling munitions. Indicates possible chemical munitions use. Chemically contaminated areas cause significant delays to attacking forces. Identification of dummy positions and minefields. Indicates defending force using economy of force. Causes advancing force to determine if mines are live or inert.