MCRP 12-10B.1, page 103

Section III Rifle Company Operations This section addresses some of the missions the infantry battalion could assign to the rifle company. For the purpose of this publication, the rifle company is a task-organized and/or reinforced unit. Assigned missions are normally part of a larger battalion operation. 3301. Defense of a Village. Once the commander has completed his/her reconnaissance of the village and the surrounding terrain, he/she develops his/her plan for the defense (Figure 3-12). The commander must decide whether to defend on the leading edge of the village or within the village. Figure 3-12. Defense of a Village a. Several factors influence his/her decision. First, he/she must know the type of enemy that he/she will defend against. If the threat is mainly dismounted infantry, the greatest danger is in allowing them to gain a foothold in the town. If the threat is armor or motorized infantry, the greatest danger is that the company’s defensive positions can be destroyed by direct fire. The commander must also consider the terrain forward and to the flanks of the village from which the enemy can direct fires against his/her positions. MCWP 3-35 .3 3-31