3. Employ Damage Limiting Measures. A convoy is highly visible, and you should plan the
convoy to limit damage in case your signature reduction efforts are not successful. Cover is the
best damage limiting factor.
a. Select Natural Cover. Ditches and embankments to the sides of the road offer cover and
should be used if you are attacked (Figure 21).
Figure 21. Select Natural Cover
b. Use Dispersion. One of your better damage limiting measures is the use of dispersion to
lessen target density and reduce the lethal effects of the ordnance used against you. Large bombs
will seldom be used against troops on the ground. Most of the munitions that air platforms deliver
against vehicles must make a direct hit to be effective. Dispersing troops, vehicles, and equipment
will force the attacker to concentrate on a single small target that he will likely miss. The wider the
dispersion the greater the potential for limiting damage. Even area weapons become less effective
if the unit is dispersed. The commander must weigh the need for dispersion against the need to stay
concentrated to accomplish the mission. To achieve dispersion--
(1) Travel in an open column with 80 to 100 meters between vehicles.
(2) Divide a convoy into small units or about platoon size and send the units out
separately with at least 1,000 meters between units. This procedure provides a smaller target and
increases the level of control over each convoy element.
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