Defensive fortifications

Mines are used to deny areas and control how the enemy moves. How you place them depends on how many you have and what you’re trying to achieve.

There are two main ways to use them:

• Dense minefields
  • Place mines close together to make moving through the area very difficult
  • Slows the enemy down and forces them to move carefully
• Targeted placement
  • Place mines along likely routes (roads, gaps, open ground)
  • Push the enemy into worse terrain or away from key areas
  • Force them to spend time clearing or rerouting

Mines work best when combined with other defences. On their own they slow the enemy, but when covered by fire and observation they become much more effective.

For effective use:

• Place them where you can see the area
• Cover them with direct or indirect fire
• Combine them with obstacles like tank traps or barriers

The type of mine, its trigger, and its effect should match the defensive plan. Using the wrong type in the wrong place limits effectiveness (e.g. anti-tank mines in doorways will not stop infantry movement).

Each type of mine is suited to different roles:

• Tripwire charges
  • Best used in doorways, corridors, and other funnel points
  • More effective when placed beyond the initial entry point (e.g. second or third choke point), where attention is lower and spacing is tighter
  • Work well in dense terrain (woodland, tall grass) where visibility is limited
• Anti-personnel (AP) pressure plate
  • Used to engage and disrupt infantry movement
  • Effective in open ground, approaches, and likely foot routes
  • Pressure plate mines work well in areas of expected foot traffic
  • Can be used to cover gaps between obstacles or larger minefields
• Anti-tank (AT) pressure plate
  • Used to restrict or slow vehicle movement
  • Effective along roads, tracks, and vehicle approaches
  • Can be used to shape movement, forcing vehicles into predictable paths or engagement areas

Different mine types can be combined to increase effectiveness. For example, AT mines can control vehicle movement while AP mines and tripwires cover likely infantry approaches and dismount points.

Mines should always be placed with a clear purpose, supporting the wider defensive layout rather than being used in isolation.

Defensive fortifications are positions prepared to provide a tactical advantage against attacks from one or more directions. They can be constructed using permanent structures, temporary defences, or improvised materials.

These may include:

• Permanent structures (e.g. concrete bunkers)
• Temporary fortifications (e.g. sandbags, weapon emplacements)
• Improvised cover (e.g. vehicle wrecks, earth trenches)

Terrain should be used to strengthen the position. Elevated ground improves visibility and engagement range, while open ground to the front provides clear fields of fire. In built-up areas, multi-storey structures can be reinforced to create additional protected firing positions.

Fortifications intended for extended use should be developed to improve survivability. This includes:

• Protecting against flanking approaches
• Adding rear and overhead cover
• Dividing positions into separate sections to reduce the impact of indirect fire