Fieldcraft

• What is a patrol Harbour


  A patrol harbour is a defaceable location in which a platoon or section can administer themselves prior to or during intensive patrol activity
• There are 2 types of Patrol Harbours

  • triangular
  • linear
• Triangular


  The most common patrol harbour is a triangular harbour. This is good as it gives good all-round defence and is easy to relay information within the platoon
• About a triangular harbour

  • Shelters face away from the harbour
  • the walkway is a one-way system, marked with green string/cord
  • A 'stand to' position is allocated, where everyone should go to if there would be an attack
  • Sentries will be further away from the harbour during the day, and closer at night
  • Any heavy weapons should be placed at the corners of the triangle if possible
• Linear (hasty) harbours 


  If there is not enough time to establish a full triangular patrol harbour, a suitable alternative is a linear (hasty) harbour. This is not as secure but would be adequate for a shortstop. This occupation process would be very similar, with clearance patrols and sentries' patrols
• Harbour discipline

  • keep noise to a minimum, especially after dark. D not move around unless necessary
  • If light is required, it is crucial that you only use red light, because it does not active the cones in your eyes and red light is less visible to the enemy.
  • deal with essential admin or sleep whenever able. Do not wait to be told
  • Keep equipment tidy and close to hand. Only have out and use what you need
  • Always keep your weapon on you or at arm's reach
• Staggered Duty 


  Cadets take turns to be sentries for periods of time, happens all day and all night. To help with this, the section can organise a 'stag list', a list of names and times, arranged so that changeovers are staggered meaning both cadets do not change at the same time. This means that one cadet is always fresh and alert.
• Passwords

  To identify friendly patrols and troops attempting to enter the harbour area, a password is set up every 24hours at 1200. The password is normally 4 letter words. For example, STAR- Sierra, tango, alpha, Romeo. The personal arriving at the harbour will say- Sierra tango and the person on sentry duty will reply- alpha Romeo
• Objects can seem further away when

  • lighting is bad/sun in your eyes. Can obstruct detail making objects seem further away.
  • Cadet is smaller than objects around them e.g, a really large tree can make someone seem smaller and further away than they really are.
  • observing from across a valley or down a street
  • you are lying down.
• Aids to judging distance

  • key ranges: knowledge of object distance e.g, maps
  • bracketing: estimate using max/min distance-take midpoint of two
  • halving: for long distances work out midpoint
  • group average: whole group estimate
  • rang cards: sketch of area you are observing
• Judging distance

  • 100m: clear
  • 200m: fairly clear-skin colour + equipment identifiable
  • 300m: clear outline + skin colour- otherwise blurred
  • 400m: clear outline but blurred
  • 500m: body tapers-head becomes indistinct
  • 600m: body looks wedge shaped-head unidentifiable
• Objects can seem closer when

  • the sun is shining from behind
  • cadet is bigger than objects around them e.g small bushes may make cadet seem larger and therefore closer than they really are
  • lots of dead(empty ground) between you and the object
• observation pointa (ABCDEFGH)

  • Age
  • build
  • colour
  • distinguishing characteristics
  • elevation
  • face
  • gait(way of walking)
  • hair
• Target Indication Methods

  • Direct method
  • clock ray method
  • reference points
• Requirements for a patrol harbour

  • good cover from ground and air
  • easy to defend, with good lines of fire
  • away of human habitation, roads and paths
  • good routes in and out(avoid valleys and isolated areas)
  • good communication signal
  • big enough to fit everyone in
• Occupation


  1. Platoon patrols near to the Barbour location but stops short and takes cover

  2. Snap ambush is laid in case a patrol has been following

  3. Advance (recce) party moves into the harbour, made up of the platoon commander, radio operator, all three section commanders and scout

  4. One of the section commanders along with the scout then return to the rest of the platoon and bring them forward

  5. The rest enter in single file at one point of the triangle

  6. Sections are met by IC, who shows them where to set up their shelter and where 'stand to' positions are

  7. Members remove pack and take up the defensive position
• Work routine

  • Essential admin e.g. shelter construction, eating
  • security e.g. sentry duty
  • missions e.g. preparing/issuing briefings
  • Duties of a sentry
  • length of stag
  • arc of fire
  • change over procedures
  • enemy location
  • patrolling forces friendly
  • orders
  • passwords
  • supporting defences