JUNGLE BASE OPERATION

Military
Jungle Organization
Base Operation
WHAT IS JUNGLE BASE
OPERATION?

Jungle Base
Military Operation
Organization
JUNGLE BASE OPERATION

Are characterized by restricted maneuver, slow tempo

of operations, close combat under conditions of extremely
limited visibility and difficulty in providing logistical support.
Special operations, such as patrolling, operations from
forward positions, ambush, and other forms of close
combat are common in jungle areas.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
FACTORS AFFECTING THE
USE OF JUNGLE
OPERATIONS

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
a. Mission – because of the difficulties of command, control and
communications, jungle operations requires centralized planning and
decentralized execution. Commanders must use mission – type orders
that give maximum latitude to subordinates. It is essential that all
personnel understand the mission.

b. Enemy – the commander will require timely and accurate information on

enemy location, strength, disposition, composition and activities so that
he may make a continuing estimate of enemy capabilities and
vulnerabilities. Commanders and intelligence officers must be cautious
not to conclude that the enemy cannot attack through supposedly
impenetrable areas or that he cannot reinforce in time to affect the
mission.

Military Organization
c. Terrain and Weather

Terrain

1) Key terrain – Key terrain in jungle areas includes trails, roads,

bridges, streambeds, and communication centers. High ground is still
selected as key terrain but for varying reasons. A hill may be the only
feature in the area, which affords a suitable area for defense. A river through
and otherwise impenetrable forest may be a key terrain feature.
2) Observation and Fields of Fire – In the jungle, observation and fields
of the fire are limited by the undergrowth. In the rain forests, however,
although good observation into the forest from the outside or above may be
non-existent, it is possible to have fair observation and good fields of fire for
a reasonable distance at ground level.

Military Organization
 3) Cover and concealment – Dense foliage affords excellent concealment from the
ground and air observation. Cover is provided by surface irregularities such as ravines
and gullies. In certain jungle areas the presence of extensive ground level roots will
make digging very difficult, requiring the construction of positions above ground level.

4) Obstacles – Many natural obstacles exist within the various types of jungle
areas. In the older forests, there is generally no obstacle to foot movement other than
incidental swampy areas, occasional fallen trees, vines and extensive ground level
roots. However, the trees themselves depending on their spacing and the moist ground,
act as obstacles to vehicular movement. Man made obstacles are often more effective
in jungle areas than in normal terrain, due to limited communication routes.

5) Avenues of Approach – Suitable routes, considering the aspects of good

observations, field of fire, use of key terrain, cover and avoiding obstacles, maybe
virtually impossible to find them. Cutting of new trails and repair of those already in
existence are constant tasks. In selection of avenues of approach available to the
enemy, the commander and the intelligence officer should not consider any portion of
the jungle area to be impassable, no matter how difficult or thick.
Military Organization
 Weather

1) Weather forecasts will be generally reliable in jungle areas due to the more apparent divisions
between the two predominant seasons – dry and rainy- except in certain areas where there is no dry
season. During rainy season, rainfall can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.
2) Visibility maybe greatly restricted during rainy seasons due not only to the rainfall itself, but
also to heavy ground fogs which may linger for several hours after sunrise.

3) Absence of wind in areas of dense jungle or undergrowth will have a marked effect on the
employment of smoke. High winds may not be felt in heavily vegetated areas since they tend to pass
above the jungle canopy.

4) Temperature changes in mountainous jungle areas will sometimes range 40 to 50 degrees over
a period of 12 hours. In other jungle areas the deviation from day to night will be constant and have
very little change.

5) Trafficability varies with the location of the jungle area. Near large bodies of water, low ground
maybe constantly soft, even in the dry season and may therefore, be passable without improvement
only to foot troops. Conversely, at higher elevations, trafficability will remain excellent throughout most
of the year, becoming poor only during the worst part of the rainy season.

Military Organization
c. Availability of Troops

1) No realistic plans can be made or actions taken that do not consider

the capabilities of the forces available.

2) The capabilities of a force are dependent on:

a) Number of units
b) Type of units
c) State of Training.
d) Morale
e) Strength in men and equipment.
f) Previous, present and contemplated employment
g) Location and Disposition
h) State of maintenance and supply
i) Adequacy of combat support and combat service support.
j) Experience of commanders
Military Organization
OPERATIONAL
LIMITATION

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 In jungle warfare, forces may have to move rapidly from primary jungle through
secondary growth or cultivated areas. This require great flexibility in thought,
planning, organization, equipment, and tactics; it may require decentralization of
command and control for at times a unit may be located where control is easy.

The effects of the restriction imposed by jungle operations are:

a. Forces should move on different axes

b. The amount of heavy equipment and supporting weapons that can be used
is severely limited.
c. Control is difficult and must be decentralized
d. Frontages must be shortened and intervals must be lessened in
movement.
e. Numerous limited objectives must be assigned in an attack

f. Maintaining direction of movement is difficult

g. Silence and security measures increase in importance

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
PREPARATION FOR
COMBAT

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 For jungle operation, a detailed standing operating
procedure (SOP) and rehearsed battle drills should be
prepared by all units down to and including fire teams. This
SOP may include organization for combat, supply procedures,
bivouac and shelter preparation, march rate, and formations.
The battle drills should provide for action to be taken in the
event of sudden enemy contact, occupation of patrol bases,
defensive positions, and communications.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
Survival – is the art of living into a new state of things but
adapted to an environment as a result of natural selection.

a. The following cause survival situations:

1) Air crashes
2) Crash landing
3) Ship wreck
4) Lost patrol
5) Unit cut-off main body

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 b. Psychological conditions to overcome in order to survive:

1) Fear of the unknown – your fear of the unknown will be eliminated by proper
training and briefing. Perhaps you will learn something of the geography, topography and the
climate of the area which you will operate. All it takes is to recall them.

2) Fear of discomfort – fear of discomfort will be eliminated when you know how to
get water, food and proper ways to travel thru the terrain. Knowledge of medicines and
construction of shelter will also help you to overcome this condition. Remember that rest is
valuable than speed and you will be more comfortable if you make your way with careful
planning.

3) Fear of people – Fear of certain races of people within the territory can be
relieved by previous knowledge and some common sense. Unless they have been allied
with the enemy, you will have little trouble from the native and possibly get a lot of
assistance.

4) Fear of your weakness – considerable outdoor experience, or previous

experience in environment similar to that which you find yourself; you should have
confidence in you ability to live-off then land if not, take advantage of any opportunity to go
any survival school. Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 c. Deciding factors for survival:

1) Determination to Live – You can remain alive anywhere in the

world when you keep your wits, you may suffer all the hardship and
obstacles yet you will still be alive because of your strong determination and
your will to survive.

2) Ability to make nature work for you – Remember that nature and
elements are actually interested on your welfare. If you know how to use it in
your own advantage, it will always be your friend.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 d. Key words in survival:

1) Size up the situation by considering:

a) Yourself – Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Recall survival
training, expect it to work. Be confident that you can survive. Get to safe comfortable
place as quickly as possible. Once there, look things over, think and forge a plan.
Your fear will lessen and your confidence increases. Be calm. Take It easy until you
know where you and where you are heading for.

b) The area – Part of your fear may come from being in a strange
country. Therefore, try to determine where you are by landmarks, compass direction
or by recalling intelligence passed to you by leaders.

c) The Enemy – put your self in the enemy’s shoes. What would you
do? Watch the enemy habits & routines. Base your plans in your observations.
Remember you know where the enemy is but he does not know where you are.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 2) Undue haste makes waste:

a) Don’t be to eager to move. It will make you careless

and impatient.
b) Don’t loose your temper. It causes you to stop
thinking when something initiating happens, stop, take a breath and
relax, start over.
c) Face the fact, danger does exist.

3) Remember where you are.

You may give yourself away because you are top acting in
a certain way. Do things naturally.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 4) Vanquish fear and panic:

a) To fear is normal and necessary but it has to be controlled.

b) When you are injured and in pain, it is difficult to control
. Pain sometimes turn fear into panic and causes person to act without
king.
c) Panic can also cause loneliness. It can lead to
elessness, suicide and carelessness, even capture or surrender.
cognizing this signs help to overcome panic.
d) Planning your escape will keep your mind busy. Find
gs to do and watch. Remember that miracle work best for those who
pare carefully and they can do so to save themselves.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
 5) Improvise:

a) You can always do something to improve the situation. Figure

f what you have, then, improvise.
b) Learn to put up with new and unpleasant conditions. Keeping
mind on survival will help. Don’t be afraid to try strange food.

6) Value living:

a) A hope for escape reduces your fear and makes chance of survival.
b) Conserve your health and strength. Injury will greatly reduce your
ce of survival and escape.
c) Hunger, cold and fatigue lower your efficiency and stamina make you
ess and increases the possibility of getting caught. Knowing this will make you
cially careful because you will realize that your low spirit is the result of your
cal condition and not of danger.
d) Remember your goal – Getting out alive, concentrating on the time
you get out alive, will help you value living now.
Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
7) Act like a native:
Accept the true customs of the native. When you are in the situation, accept and adapt native
behavior.

8) Learn basic skills – Survival rules on edibility.

1) Generally:
a) Anything that swims, flies, creeps and crawls are edible.
b) All four-legged animals edible
c) Anything that birds and monkeys eat is edible
d) All eggs are edible
e) All larvae are edible
f) Almost all sea leaves are edible
g) All reptiles are edible
h) All crustaceans and mollusk are edible
i) Most fish you can catch in an open sea and sight of land are good to eat
j) Eel are good to eat than sea snakes
k) All snakes except sea snake are edible
l) Cook animals as soon after killing as possible
m) Frogs, turtles, lizards, alligators and crocodiles are edibles. Toads are not edible
n) Always remove in-trails (intestines) and sex glands before cooking. Jungle Base Operation
Military Organization
 2) Water – will be a primary requirement. Start looking for it
immediately. An individual can get along without food for a week, but he can’t
live along without water, especially in hot or in arctic areas where he will lose
large quantities of water thru sweating or dehydration.

3) Purification – purify all water before drinking, either (1) by boiling

for at least one minute; (2) by using water purification tablets; (3) by adding
eight drops of 2 ½ percent solution of iodine to a quart (canteen full) of water
and letting it stand for ten minutes before drinking.
Rainwater collected directly in the clean containers or in plants is
generally safe to drink without purifying. Don’t drink urine or sea water – the
salt content is to high.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
4) Plants - Never eat large quantities of strange food without first tasting it.
Prepare a cooked sample then take a mouthful, chew and hold it in your
mouth for five minutes. If it still taste good, go ahead and eat it. If the taste
is disagreeable, don’t eat it. A Burning of bitter taste is a warning of danger.
a) Don’t eat unknown plants with milky juice or let silk contact your body
skin.
b) Don’t eat unknown plants that have a disagreeable odor.
c) Non-poisonous mushroom are edible. Poisonous mushroom are very
dangerous. Cooking will not destroy the poison. Poisonous
mushroom have a frill or ring around the upper part of the stem and
cup that the base into which the stem fits.
d) Don’t eat unknown plants that taste disagreeable, bitterness is a
guide for danger.

Jungle BaseOrganization
Military Operation
ANY QUESTIONS?

Jungle Base Operation

Military Organization
Jungle Base Operation
Military Organization