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<h2>Assaulting Trench Systems</h2><p>Trench warfare, a form of combat that became infamous during World War I, is still widely used today, specifically in the Ukraine conflict, and involves soldiers fighting from protective ditches. These trenches serve as both fortifications and the primary means of defense and offense on the battlefield. Understanding the fundamental principles of trench warfare is essential for mastering trench assault techniques.</p><figure id="figure-pby3hk7ugmdoo2x5b"><img id="pby3hk7ugmdoo2x5b" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1179045878/photo/world-war-one-trench.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ocvaiEkzir-RJltrZMXO2xPMN1nY8ElO9POfWqfefc8=" alt="World War One Trench" title="World War One Trench" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1179045878/photo/world-war-one-trench.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ocvaiEkzir-RJltrZMXO2xPMN1nY8ElO9POfWqfefc8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p>Trenches are usually dug to connect fighting positions. They are typically dug in a zig-zag fashion to prevent attackers from firing down a long axis if they enter the trench and to reduce the effectiveness of high-explosive munitions. Trenches may also contain shallow turns, intersections with other trenches, firing ports, overhead cover, tunnel systems, and bunkers. Bunkers are usually oriented outside the trench, but may also have apertures allowing the ability to provide protective fires into the trench.</p><p>Trenches provide defenders with frontal cover, allowing them to relocate without the threat of the squad’s direct fire. However, without overhead cover, trenches are vulnerable to the effects of high-trajectory munitions like grenades, grenade launchers, and indirect fire weapon systems. These weapons systems should be employed to gain and maintain fire superiority over enemy defenders in the trench.</p><p>The confined nature of trenches, extensive preparations, and limited ability to integrate combined arms fires against them make clearing them hazardous for even the best-trained infantry. Although we always strive to avoid trenches whenever possible, we often cannot, and infantry units must frequently move in and clear them.&nbsp;</p><h3>Entering the Trench Line</h3><ul><li>The unit leader conducts leaders reconnaisance on the trench, identifying an entry point.</li><li>The unit leader establishes the security element, as well as an internal base of fire (IBOF) or a support by fire (SBF) to suppress the trench line.&nbsp;<br></li><li>The unit leader and the assault fire team move to the last covered and concealed position near the confirmed entry point.&nbsp;<br></li><li>The unit leader shifts the base of fire away from the entry point.<br></li><li>The base of fire continues to suppress the trench and adjacent enemy positions as required.<br></li><li>Team 1 (the fire team leader and automatic rifleman) occupies a position short of the trench, adding suppressive fires for the initial entry.&nbsp;<br></li><li>The unit leader and Team 2 (the grenadier and rifleman) move to the entry point. They move in rushes or by crawling; the unit leader takes positions from which they can best control the fire teams.<br></li><li>Team 2 positions itself parallel to the edge of the trench and gets into a low position.<br></li><li>On the unit leader’s command, Team 2 uses grenades (two seconds maximum), shouts “FRAG OUT”, and throws grenades into the trench.<br></li><li>Upon both grenades detonating, they rush into the trench, assume a back-to-back stance, and engage all enemy personnel or suspected enemy positions.<br></li><li>Both assaulters immediately move in opposite directions down the trench, continuing until they reach the first corner or intersection.<br></li><li>Both assaulters take up positions to block any enemy movement toward the entry point.<br></li><li>Simultaneously, Team 1 moves to and enters the trench, joining Team 2.</li><li>The unit leader directs them to one of the secured corners or intersections to relieve the assaulter from Team 2, who then rejoins their team member at the opposite end of the foothold.<br></li><li>At the same time, the unit leader enters the trench and secures the entry point.<br></li><li>The unit leader remains at the entry point, marks it, and calls forward the next fire team to the trench.<br></li><li>Once the unit has secured a foothold, the unit leader reports to the commander, “FOOTHOLD SECURE.” The commander follows the success of seizing the foothold with the remainder of the force.&nbsp;</li></ul><figure id="figure-liespb9ij9mdoo31dq"><img id="liespb9ij9mdoo31dq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33X9e9H7Mcb0wIRa3qX7DqZdLdHDPvqxSV5vITmPj3kBrRFkKHRc2o6CZa3vCGUU.png" alt="military communication" title="military communication" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33X9e9H7Mcb0wIRa3qX7DqZdLdHDPvqxSV5vITmPj3kBrRFkKHRc2o6CZa3vCGUU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Exploiting the Foothold&nbsp;</h3><p>The commander or a designated subordinate must move into the trench as soon as possible to control the tempo, specifically the movement of the lead assault element and the movement of follow-on forces. Leaders must resist the temptation to move the entire unit into the trench. Follow-on forces should be committed as elements reach their objectives and reinforcements are required.</p><p>The assault element should maintain fire team organization to clear the trench (Assaulters should be designated number one, number two, number three, etc.). Each team is armed with at least one automatic rifle, and all Assaulters are armed with multiple hand grenades.</p><p>The positioning within the fire teams is rotational, so the Assaulters must be rehearsed in each position. The responsibilities for each position are as follows:<br></p><ol><li>The one man is responsible for assaulting down the trench using well-aimed, effective fire and throwing grenades around pivot points in the trench line or into weapon emplacements.</li><li>The two man follows the number one man closely enough to support them, but not so closely that both would be suppressed if the enemy gained local fire<br>superiority.</li><li>The number three and four man follow the number two man and prepare to move forward when the positions rotate.</li></ol><p>While the initial fire team may rotate by event, the squad leader directs the rotation of the fire teams within the squad as ammunition becomes low in the leading team, casualties occur, or as the situation dictates. Since this drill should be SOP, fire teams may be reconstituted as needed from the remaining members of the squad. The commander controls the rotation between squads using the same considerations as the squad leaders.</p><figure id="figure-lejzzw937mdopdsd8"><img id="lejzzw937mdopdsd8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12r8fT3yq9POifww5ZK5TCdMhd9UeO8qwKHhTfDBF3xn194EvMBhCMzYQ6vlJMrb.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12r8fT3yq9POifww5ZK5TCdMhd9UeO8qwKHhTfDBF3xn194EvMBhCMzYQ6vlJMrb.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Clearing the Trench Line</h3><p>The lead fire team of the initial assault squad moves out past the security of the support element and executes the trench clearing drill. The number one man (followed by the rest of the Assaulters in the fire team) maintains the advance until arriving at a pivot point, junction point, or weapon emplacement in the trench and conducts the following:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>The one man alerts the rest of the team by yelling out “POSITION” or “JUNCTION” and prepares a hand grenade.<br></li><li>The number two man immediately moves forward near the number one man and provides covering fire until the grenade can be thrown around the corner of the pivot point.<br></li><li>The number three and four man move forward to the point previously occupied by number two and prepare for commitment.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Anytime the number one man encounters a junction in the trench, the squad leader or a subordinate leader should move forward, make a quick estimate, and indicate the direction the fire team should continue to clear. This is generally toward the majority of the fortification or suspected command and control emplacements. A marker should be emplaced (typically specified in the unit SOP) pointing toward the direction of the cleared path. After employing a grenade, the number two man begins moving in the direction indicated and assumes the duties of the number one man. Anytime the number one man runs out of ammunition, they shout “RELOADING” and immediately move against the wall of the trench to allow the number two man to take up the fire. Squad leaders continue to push uncommitted fire teams forward, securing bypassed trenches and rotating fresh teams to the front. It is essential to note that trenches must be cleared in sequence, rather than simultaneously, to reduce the risk of fratricide and ensure that no enemy positions are bypassed.</p><p>Fire teams use variations of the combat formations to move. These formations are also used when clearing buildings. For these purposes, the terms "hallway" and "trench" may be used interchangeably.&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-txr9wru8urmdoo35dw"><img id="txr9wru8urmdoo35dw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5uCzmDhq6H6yTPBgYBIgjIQCbSsu29OQAkTC6AIlsCl8olq102goojNoMNyF56QI.png" alt="military technology" title="military technology" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5uCzmDhq6H6yTPBgYBIgjIQCbSsu29OQAkTC6AIlsCl8olq102goojNoMNyF56QI.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In summary, understanding trench warfare is really important because it has shaped military conflicts in the past and is still relevant today. We saw its brutal effects during World War I, and now, in places like Ukraine, we can observe similar strategies in use. As we move forward, it’s clear that elements of trench warfare will continue to appear in conflicts, adapting to new technologies. By learning about this type of warfare, we can better understand the challenges of battle and how to more effectively counter them.</p>

Mastering Trench Assault: Techniques and Tactics

The Basics of Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain

<h2>Understanding the Importance of Battle Drills</h2><p>Battle drills are vital in military operations. They are standardized, continuous practices that prepare units for combat scenarios. The primary objective is to instill quick, decisive responses to battlefield situations with minimal orders and/or planning, enhancing overall tactical performance. Battle drills are not just about repetition but about building muscle memory and fostering instinctive reactions under stress.</p><p>Battle drills serve as a critical component in the training of soldiers, ensuring they can function effectively as a cohesive unit. The importance of these exercises cannot be overstated as they form the bedrock of tactical excellence. By consistently practicing these drills, soldiers learn to react swiftly and efficiently, reducing the time to execute commands and ensuring that every team member knows their role in every scenario.</p><figure id="figure-58y7bqlc4mavmtlri"><img id="58y7bqlc4mavmtlri" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38rtB6bpZlp0VrF3GV559N4JdIlSqy5F0iZCw13bCQhADKCOgPJx5zzzmRgoYqXx.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38rtB6bpZlp0VrF3GV559N4JdIlSqy5F0iZCw13bCQhADKCOgPJx5zzzmRgoYqXx.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h2>The 15 Second Fight</h2><p>The first 15 seconds of any contact are critical to gaining momentum and minimizing casualties. React by gaining fire superiority and gaining the initiative, which enables us to instinctively dominate these first moments of the battle. Be aggressive, shoot, move, and communicate—the steps to dominating any engagement. Whoever has the initiative will be victorious.</p><p><img id="6nd19oe6yrmavmnr3q" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bflIGIqeoEucWu58Llkn2hN8595iAmWSri6F1qU5gAyWJG3O5y4nXqY8hxUYivt.png" alt="soldiers training" title="soldiers training" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bflIGIqeoEucWu58Llkn2hN8595iAmWSri6F1qU5gAyWJG3O5y4nXqY8hxUYivt.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></p><h3>React To Contact</h3><p>Whenever we take contact, the first step is to return fire, take cover, and return accurate fire. When we return fire initially, it is quick and successive 3-5 rounds in known or suspected enemy positions. As we transition to taking cover, we need to look for micro terrain to provide us cover, and if there is none, look for concealment like vegetation. Returning accurate fire is essential, as we must maintain a high enough fire rate to gain fire superiority and allow us freedom of movement. This is on small unit leaders to give their team a rate of fire. When fire superiority is established, issues follow on orders like breaking contact or assaulting through the enemy position.&nbsp;</p><h3>Break Contact</h3><p>When the unit leader issues the order to break contact, the squad leader needs to designate a distance and direction, or a terrain feature to move to. Then, two elements need to be immediately created: a maneuver element and a support element, with the support element beginning to suppress the enemy, allowing the maneuver element to create a smoke screen to mask their movement. Once the maneuver element has bounded backwards, they begin suppressing and will enable the support element to bound backwards. This step is repeated until they arrive at the designated location, and then the unit consolidates and reorganizes.&nbsp;</p><h3>React to Near Ambush</h3><p>If you find yourself in a killzone, your only hope of survival is absolute violence of Action. You must break out of the ambush with high explosives, speed, and intensity. A near ambush is any distance from which you can throw a hand grenade, typically 35-50 meters. Immediately return fire, take cover, return accurate fire, throw as many high explosives as you can, and then assault through the enemy position. The assault cannot stop until the ambush is eliminated or contact is broken. Anyone not in the killzone must identify the enemy position, place accurate suppression, and shift fires as the people in the killzone assault through.&nbsp;</p><h3>React to Far Ambush</h3><p>Like a near ambush, you need to maintain the violence of Action. The difference, however, is that you are outside hand grenade throwing distance, so you have more options. Those in the killzone need to follow the same steps of return fire, take cover, and return accurate fire. The unit not in the killzone has multiple options, as they can suppress the enemy, move along covered and concealed routes, and assault the enemy on the flank. The unit leader assesses the situation, establishes a course of Action, and issues orders. If the enemy fire is sporadic and/or ineffective, we can break contact and move to consolidate and reorganize.&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-9grd0idvjmavoi72h"><img id="9grd0idvjmavoi72h" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1awPEio3CpqbLuqYffpQ4rPOLrYSI0JIsKjd6dxvxzrBRSdWqWGQFFVX3nVzShMT.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1awPEio3CpqbLuqYffpQ4rPOLrYSI0JIsKjd6dxvxzrBRSdWqWGQFFVX3nVzShMT.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h2>Conclusion: Vital to Tactical Operations</h2><p>Mastering battle drills is an ongoing journey that requires commitment, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. These exercises form the foundation of tactical operations, preparing soldiers to face the complexities of modern warfare with confidence and precision.</p><p>These are the basic battle drills that we encounter most likely in operations, and as such, they need to be practiced most often—one component that will never change in any battle drill or operation: the violence of Action. We need to maintain this as much as we can, as it preserves our lives, ends our enemies, and gives us the initiative.&nbsp;</p>

The Basics of Battle Drills

<p>In recent years, there has been a massive fascination with Close Quarters Battle (CQB), often linking it to the perceived 'elite' status of military units. This obsession is not limited to the MILSIM community; real-world militaries exhibit a similar trend. Take groups like Forward Observations and GBRS, for instance. They showcase high-speed CQB tactics that capture attention, yet often overlook the numerous steps required to achieve such proficiency.</p><p>How often do we see the preparation involved? The process includes gathering intelligence, conducting extensive briefings, managing administrative tasks, and navigating towards the objective. Once at the target, there’s isolating the objective, moving through hazardous urban terrain, and ultimately performing CQB. Each of these steps—reconnaissance, planning, coordination, and execution—comes with its own set of challenges.</p><p>I am not arguing that CQB is useless; it has its place in military operations. The Marine Corps learned this lesson the hard way in Fallujah, where the need to clear structures safely and effectively became evident. Almost every objective will involve navigating and clearing urban terrain, making CQB an inherent aspect of the mission. However, CQB plays a modest role in operations compared to critical components like Small Unit Tactics (SUT) and Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT). An often overlooked aspect of CQB is safely arriving at the objective. Does it matter how quickly you can clear a building if you get shot crossing an open danger area on the way?</p><p>The U.S. Military has a guideline for CQB: "Never clear with personnel what could be destroyed with high explosives instead." CQB is inherently dangerous; if you can clear an area without entering it, that is usually the safest option.</p><p>Creators in this space are aware of this reality and have acknowledged it. However, the emphasis on CQB in their content often leads audiences to forget the effort required to get there. Why do they continue to focus on it? It attracts viewers because it fits the popular image of 'Operators.' People typically do not envision an operator hating their situation, soaking wet from weeks of rain, taking shelter in a thorn bush, even though that might be a more accurate depiction of many encounters.</p><p>The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) further complicates this perception. Many Special Operations Forces (SOF) units were able to air assault, sprint to their objectives, and secure them quickly because the enemy often lacked the equipment and training to respond effectively. However, as we move forward, adversaries will not face the same limitations. They will possess the capability to detect and thwart close-range air support and will know how to establish proper defenses against our fast assaults.</p><p>My motivation for starting this group is to inspire a shift in mindset. It's time to move away from the 'CQB is everything' mentality and focus on the skills that truly matter in most operations. By sharing my real-world experiences alongside my Lego scenarios, I aim to impart practical and effective skills and knowledge to as many people as possible. I believe that the entire MILSIM community will benefit from this change in perspective, and I'm excited to be a part of it.</p>

The Facade of CQB

Seraph Eustace Group

Seraph Eustace Group is a premier tactical training and consulting organization committed to forging elite-level proficiency in military, law enforcement, and security professionals. Founded by seasoned combat operators, the group brings together deep operational experience, modern tactics, and a relentless drive for excellence.

Inspired by the warrior ethos and grounded in discipline, Seraph Eustace Group offers dynamic, real-world training in CQB, mission planning, small unit tactics, and leadership development. Our curriculum is battle-tested, principle-driven, and designed to elevate performance under pressure—whether on the battlefield, in urban environments, or during high-risk operations.

Like GBRS, Achilles Tactical, and Hades Tactical, we don’t just teach tactics—we shape mindsets. Our training pushes beyond mechanics to instill clarity, aggression, and purpose in every action. At Seraph Eustace Group, we believe warriors aren’t born—they’re forged.

Posts

Mastering Trench Assault: Techniques and Tactics

The Basics of Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain

The Basics of Battle Drills

The Facade of CQB