VISUAL TRACKING

(SMUROTCU MILITARY SCIENCE – 2)

A platoon or squad may receive the mission to follow the trail of a specific enemy
unit. Soldiers look for signs left by the enemy. They gather information about the enemy
unit, the route, and the surrounding terrain as they track.
Training is essential to develop and maintain the necessary tracking skills. Once
deployed into an area of operations, training continues so the platoon can learn about
local soils, climate, vegetation, animals, vehicles, footwear, and other factors. The primary
tracker can prepare a tracking book showing specific signs and how they weather or
change over time.

DEFINTION OF TERMS
VISUAL TRACK - the art of being able to follow a man or a group of men using the track
or sign they have left.
SIGN - a mark on the ground and disturbances of vegetation made by an animal or group
of men passing through an area.

FUNDAMENTALS OF TRACKING
Visual tracking is following the path of men or animals by the signs they leave,
primarily on the ground or vegetation. Scent tracking is following men or animals by their
smell.
1. Be patient
2. Be able to move slowly and quietly, yet steadily, while detecting and interpreting
signs.
3. Avoid fast movement that may cause you to overlook signs, lose the trail, or
blunder into an enemy unit.
4. Be persistent and have the skill and desire to continue the mission even through
signs are scarce or weather or terrain in unfavorable.
5. Be determined and persistent when trying to find a trail that you have lost.
6. Be observant and try to see things that are not obvious at first glance.
7. Use your senses of smell and hearing to supplement your sight.
8. Develop a feel for things that do not look right. It may help you regain a lost trail or
discover additional signs.
9. Know the enemy, his habits, equipment, and capability.

Displacement - takes place when something is moved from its original position. An
example is a footprint in soft, moist ground. The foot of the person that left the print
displaced the soil, leaving an indentation in the ground. By studying the print, you can
determine many facts. For example, a print that was left by a barefoot person or a person
with worn or frayed footgear indicates that he may have poor equipment.
Staining - A good example of staining is the mark left by blood from a bleeding wound.
Bloodstains often will be in the form of drops left by a wounded person. Blood signs are
found on the ground and smeared on leaves or twigs.
Weathering - Weather may either aid or hinder tracking. It affects signs in ways that help
determine how old they are, but wind, snow, rain, and sunlight can also obliterate signs
completely.
Littering - Poorly trained units may leave trails of litter as they move. Gum or candy
wrappers, ration can, cigarette butts, remains of fires, or human feces are unmistakable
signs of recent movement.
Camouflage - If a party knows that you are tracking it, it will probably use camouflage to
conceal its movement and to slow and confuse you. Doing so, however, will slow it down.
Walking backward, brushing out trails, and moving over rocky ground or through streams
are examples of camouflage that can be used to confuse you.

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021
TRACKING TEAMS
Your unit may form tracking teams. The lead team of a moving unit can be a
tracking team, or a separate unit may be a tracking team. There are many ways to
organize such team, and they can be any size. There should however, be a leader, one
or more trackers, and security for the trackers. A typical organization has three trackers,
three security men, and a team leader with a radiotelephone operator (RATELO).
1. TRACKER DOGS
Tracker dogs may be used to help track an enemy. Tracker dogs are trained
and used by their handlers. A dog tracks human scent and the scent of disturbed
vegetation caused by man’s passing.

2. COUNTERTRACKING
While moving from close terrain to open terrain, walk past a big tree (30 cm
{12 in} in diameter or larger) toward the open area for three to five paces. Then
walk backward to the forward side of the tree and make a 90-degree change of
direction, passing the tree on its forward side. Stop carefully and leave as little
sign as possible. If this is not the direction that you want to go, change direction
again about 50 meters away using the same technique. The purpose of this is to
draw the enemy tracker into the open area where it is harder for him causes him
to search the wrong area.
When your direction of movement parallels a stream use the stream, to
deceive an enemy tracker. Some tactics that will help elude a tracker are as
follows:
× Stay in the stream for 100 to 200 meters.
× Stay in the center of the stream and in deep water.
× Watch for rocks or roots near the banks that are not covered with moss or
vegetation and leave the stream at the point.
× Walk out backward on soft ground.
× Walk up a small, vegetation-covered tributary and exit from it.

LOOPHOLES
A loophole blown or cut in a wall provides cover for a fighting position. Using
loopholes reduces the number of windows that have to be used. Cut or blow several
loopholes in a wall so the enemy cannot tell which one you are using. When using a
loophole, stay back from it. Do not let the muzzle or flash of your rifle show through it.
To reinforce a loophole and add cover, put sandbags around if you will be firing
from a prone position on the second floor, put sandbags on it or some other sturdy
structure to provide overhead cover. That will protect you from falling debris.

PERIMETER DEFENSE
1. A perimeter defense can be part of selected missions. Some of these include:
a. Assembly areas (preserve the force and/or prepare for other missions).
b. Hide position and/or patrol base (preserve the force and/or prepare for other
missions)
c. Defense of a specific location (a downed aircraft, a LZ, a bridge, terrain
retention.

2. The characteristics of a perimeter defense are:

a. Units and personnel are distributed more or less equally through all 360
degrees (other techniques have 360-degree security but do not always have
personnel through all 360 degrees).
b. Distance between squads and individual positions must have interlocking
fires to the right and left.
c. The bulk of the combat power is placed on the outer edge of the position.
d. No penetrations of the perimeter are permitted. Any that occur are
immediately counterattacked.

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021
 3. The need to hold or protect feature such as bridge, airfield, from enemy
observation and fire may restrict the positioning of unit within a perimeter.
a. Position anti-armor weapon system on armor restrictive terrain to
concentrate fires on armor approach.
b. Providing as much depth as the diameter of the perimeter allows through
his location of security element. The reserve and secondary sectors of the
fires of anti-tank weapon.
c. Constructing obstacles to fix or block the enemy so can be effectively
engaged.

4. Perimeter defenses that are patrol bases or assembly areas are often established
in the dark. In this case, it is easiest to use a triangle or circle formation. For
purposes of control, soldiers may have to be positioned in a straight line along the
perimeter (so they not shoot each other in the dark), but as soon as it is light
enough to see, they are repositioned in a staggered formation to add depth to the
position. Depth is also provided by retaining small reserve under control of the
platoon leader or squad leader (a fire team plus the platoon Headquarters under
the platoon; squad leader; and one SAW gunner for squad perimeter) to
counterattack penetrations, or reinforce threatened areas. Within the platoon
perimeter, squad supplementary and alternate positions can be used to add depth.

5. Perimeter varies in shape depending on the terrain and situation. If the commander
determines the most probable direction of enemy attack, he may weigh that part
of the perimeter to cover the avenue of approach and strengthen the effectiveness
of the perimeter. He may use natural obstacles, such as river, which allows combat
power to concentrate in more threatened sectors.

6. Several Methods may be used to organize a battalion perimeter. One method is to

place all platoon in the battalion in position on the perimeter. This is at least
desirable since it facilitates an enemy penetration. However, certain positioning
techniques can some create depth in defense.
a. The perimeter is divided in to company sector with boundaries and
coordinating point which is established based on the same considerations
discussed earlier. When possible two platoon (each with three squads
abreast) are place on the outer perimeter and one of the inner perimeter of
each sector this give depth to the platoon position and facilitate control. It
give one platoon from each rifle company the mission to support front line
(just add in the defense). Also it enable the company commander to locate
is Command Post and his 60mm mortar near the reserve platoon enhancing
control and security.
b. The battalion commander may elect to assign two rifle companies to the
outer perimeter and the third to an inner perimeter. The inner perimeter
should be far enough from the outer perimeter to prevent the enemy from
suppressing both with same fire. However the inner perimeter must be
closed enough to support the outer perimeter with small arms fire gaps on
the outer perimeter between units are in restrictive terrain with restrictive
fields of fire and observations. No gaps should be allowed and a narrower
frontage may be required. This may also required the company commander
to deploy all this platoon in line.
c. The commander ensure the perimeter position have rearward protection
from inner perimeter weapon once the inner perimeter is established.
d. Combat vehicles supporting the defense are normally assigned firing
position on the perimeter, covering the most likely mounted avenue of
approach. The commander must ensure that vehicles do not destroy wire
communication

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021
 e. Isolation may drive the battalion commander to form a perimeter if so.
Combat and combat support element from other units may seen the
battalion protection. These units given mission based on their support
abilities. Any fire support provided from outside the perimeter is coordinated
and integrated into the overall defensive plan. The extra fire support
conserves the ammunition of this unit within the perimeter.
f. The battalion commander normally employs the scout platoon outside the
perimeter for early warning. He augments security with squad size or
smaller element, which are provided and controlled by units on the
perimeter. The security elements are positioned to observe avenue of
approach. Patrol covers areas that cannot be observed by stationary
element. If the scout platoons remain under battalion control. It coordinates
with units on the perimeter for passage on lines.
g. Reserve element may consist of a designated unit or provisional forces
organize from Headquarters and support personnel. They form the second
line of defense behind the perimeter element, ideally reserve are mobile
enough to react to enemy action in any portion of the perimeter element.
They are positioned to block the most dangerous avenue of approach and
are assigned on order position on other critical avenue. If available combat
vehicles initially any and support occupying firing position on the perimeter
may be tasked to reinforce the reserve on the order.
h. The perimeter defense is conducted much like a forward defense, mortar
FA, engaged the enemy at long ranges. As the come within small arms
ranges other weapons are engage in. If the assaults continue, FPF's are
fired. If the perimeter is penetrated, the reserve blocks the penetration or
counter attacked to restore the perimeter. After committing the initial reserve
the commander must reconstitute a reserve to meet other threats. This force
normally comes from an unengaged unit in another portion of the perimeter.
If an unengaged force is used to constitute a new reserve, sufficient forces
must be retained to defend the vacated sector.
i. Combat Support element may support from with the perimeter or from
another location, defending on the mission and status of the battalion, the
type of transport availability, the weather, and the terrain, re-supply is often
by the air. The availability of landing zone (LZ) and DZS protected from the
enemy observation and fire is a main consideration in selecting the position.
Since aerial re-supply is vulnerable to weather and enemy fires
commanders must emphasize supply economy and protection of available
stock.

TYPES OF SIGN
1. Ground Sign - sign left by animals or man found on the ground.
Examples: boots mark, broken twigs, bruise on roots or seedlings, disturbances
on the ground like insects, disturbance on vegetation, mud deposit from boots,
disturb leaves and stone, debris drop beside track, disturb water, sap latex.
Places where sign is most obvious:
a. Banks of river and stream
b. Muddy sandy patches
c. Steep hillside
e. Edges of clearing or plantation
f. High grass or thick undergrowth

2. TOP SIGN - a sign left by animals or group of men that are found above the ground
and vegetation.

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021
TYPES OF TERRAIN THAT PRODUCE DIFFERENT SIGNS
1. Jungle - any features of an impenetrable vegetation forbidding in appearance and
filled with wild life.
Signs to be encountered in the Jungle
a. Disturbed dried leaves
b. Broken twigs and braches
c. Vegetation passed aside will be on unnatural
d. Boots impression or marks on soft ground
e. Scratches, marks on trees and logs
g. Broken cobwebs
h. Twigs laid on the ground

2. Grassland - high grasses is easy to track as it is bend in a direction of the bushes.

In small grasses there will be a little change in color and position but not so obvious.

3. Rocky Road - is the most difficult terrain to track

Signs to be encountered in Rocky Country:
a. Smaller stone and rock will be knocked off from their resting place into the
ground.
b. Moss growing on the rock will be disturbed
c. Nailed boots will be scratches and rubber boots will left black marks on the
rocks.
d. Insect hiding inside the stone may be seen when disturbed
e. Signs will be found on the areas of soft ground near the base of the large
rock.

AIDS TO TRACKING
1. Footprints or portion of footprints.
2. Direction of grass leaves or sticks get up by the feet.
3. Unnatural formation of vines and thick grasses will indicate that a person has
pushed them aside.
4. Sap exceeding from cuts.
5. Dry leaf surfaces on the ground after rain.
6. Change of color.
7. Dirt smudges on rocks, logs, and leaves.
8. Broken cobwebs up to men height.
9. Moss scrapes from trees.
10. Disturbance of water when people have climb out of creeks or stepped in paddies.

COMMON NATIVE TRACKS

Walking Barefoot - prints are soft rounded impression from the heel. Comparison or
woman and man native track: woman tracks are generally smaller.
Two characteristics:
1. They tend to be pigeon toed.
2. Their toes are spread-out than those of men.

INFORMATION FROM A TRACK OR SIGN

1. Direction of the enemy movement.
2. Number of person making a track
3. Age of sign
4. Loading
5. Sex under favorable condition
6. Speed
7. Rationing being used
8. Time

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021
FACTORS WHICH ADVERSELY OR DIRECTLY AFFECT TRACKING
1. Direct sunlight
2. Strong wind
3. Heavy rain
4. Time

TRACKING METHOD
1. Mark the sign
2. Put a competent for expert tracker on to it asap.
3. Do not attempt to follow by yourself unless you are a competent tracker.
4. Do not allow anyone to search around the area until the tracker arrived.

DECEPTION METHOD
1. Walking backward
2. Walking on the edges of path
3. Stepping in one another’s track
4. Walking in stream or stream bench
5. Splitting up into a small group
6. Walking along falling trees, over rocky ground or stepping from rock to rock
7. Tip-toeing
8. Rear man covering tracks with leaves

HOW TO COUNTER METHOD OF DECEPTION

1. The tracker will concentrate himself along the last sign and search an area of
approximate radius of ten to fifteen meters.
2. If it is unsuccessful he increases his search to approximately twenty-five (25)
meters radius.
3. If it is unsuccessful the tracker will search the sign of the track.
4. If the search carried out is also unsuccessful the tracker will walk of approximately
fifty (50) meters.

PROPERTY OF SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT PREPARED BY: CORPS S7 2020-2021 ©SMU2021