CHAPTER 7
Bivouac Routine
| "Had we lived, I should have a tale to tell of the hardihood, the endurance and the courage of my companions which would have stirred the hearts of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the story." |
| CPT Robert Scott |
7-1. GENERAL
The essential requirements for survival and mission accomplishment in the cold/arctic environment are warmth, food, and shelter. As covered in Chapter 3, you are provided with tents that can be erected quickly. Tents can be lost or destroyed and separated from the ahkio groups in the confusion of combat. When this occurs, timber and snow, which are usually available, will be used for shelters. A detailed explanation of the bivouac routine should be contained in the unit SOP.
7-2. BIVOUAC SITE
Bivouac sites, other than those that are permanent nature in rear areas, either are tactical or are designated to provide living accommodations within a defended position. The tactical bivouac is usually not occupied for more than one night, is established at or after last light, and needs little preparation. It is organized for a rapid and disciplined response to enemy action. The defensive position is likely to be occupied for longer periods and must be established accordingly. The layout and placement of tents and shelters must be coordinated within the defense and in accordance with the unit SOP.
7-3. SITE SELECTION
The selection of bivouac areas is important and needs careful consideration. The challenge of area selection varies with the tactical situation, weather conditions, and terrain. The bivouac area will be tactically located in accordance with the principles of security and defense.
There must be concealment from air and ground observation and wind. Forested areas pose few challenges in comparison to areas that are located above the tree line. In selecting areas, ensure that local camouflage materials are available for use with the snow camouflage nets. Areas that offer better bivouac sites than others are explained below.
FORESTED AREAS
Forests provide excellent sites. Camouflage is easy and building materials, firewood, and wood for insulation are readily available. Although forests provide the best bivouac site, temperatures there will normally be colder than those in open areas.
MARSHY GROUND
In winter, good sites are frozen swampy areas, the banks of streams, and the shores of lakes. Some swampy areas may not freeze because of warm springs or marsh gases. Deep valleys should be avoided since colder air gathers there.
OPEN AREAS
Avoid open areas because of strong winds, drifting snow, and poor concealment. If avoidance is not possible, then pitch tents where they can be sheltered by natural windbreaks. These are normally found in depressions or behind ridges of ice on lakes. In areas where natural wind falls do not exist, build snow walls to provide wind protection. In areas with high winds, snow gathers on the lee side, making it necessary to clear the side and tops of the tents, often to prevent the weight of the drifting snow from collapsing the tent.
MOUNTAINOUS AREAS
Mountainous terrain is characterized by strong winds, cold, and a general lack of concealment above the timberline. The wind over head creates extensive lees near cliffs and steep rock faces. Avalanches can occur on steep slopes; avoid their likely path. Signs to look for are:
- Heavy snow overlaying a crust of ice (usually the result of a freeze at the end of a period of thaw).
- New snow on steep slopes if the temperature is rising.
- Evidence of avalanches in previous years; an area cut through the trees (branches stripped off, and/or broken tree stumps at different heights) or a smooth clear strip of ground down the mountainside.
Figure 7-1. Location of tent.
Figure 7-1. Location of tent (continued).
When contact with the enemy is likely, the unit SOP will identify specific considerations when selecting the site for a tactical bivouac. For example:
- The location of the enemy.
- Enemy patrol habits.
- The air threat.
- Dominating features that identify enemy avenues of approach.
- The wind direction that can carry sounds of movement (the bivouac site should be downwind of likely enemy avenues of approach, especially when wind speeds are low).
- Availability of natural camouflage.
- Amount of moonlight and weather conditions. In good weather or bright moonlight, the bivouac site must be in an area of deep shadow (in the middle of the woods or on the northern slope of a ridge) or the tents will be silhouetted.
7-4. RECONNAISSANCE OF BIVOUAC SITE
The main body should be preceded by a reconnaissance party whose task is to lay out the bivouac site. They should:
- Identify the bivouac site and a false position.
- Establish a trail plan.
- Select defensive positions.
- Mark the location of tent sites.
- Identify areas for cutting boughs.
- Act as guides for the main body on its arrival.
- Provide security during occupation by the main body.
7-5. TRAIL PLAN
Trail plans must be established before entering the bivouac site. Normally, the incoming trail will be extended well beyond the area of the bivouac and may lead to a false position. Leading off the incoming trail establish another trail, usually at an extreme angle to entry. The trail network that leads to each subordinate unit area, and within, must follow the inside of the tree line. This prevents enemy observation of trails from the air or ground.
7-6. OCCUPATION
Guides from the reconnaissance party will arrange to meet the main body and identify the layout of the bivouac site. Once the unit is in position, the unit should:
- Identify a temporary area for weapons and equipment during establishment of the site.
- Identify the exact location and type of defensive positions to be built.
- Determine exact tent sites regarding defensive positions, natural shelter, and camouflage.
- Identify sleeping areas and type of shelters to be built when tents are not used.
7-7. BOUGH-CUTTING AREAS
Bough-cutting areas for bedding or improvised shelters should be for all personnel in the unit. These areas must be where activity is not likely — well behind the unit's defensive area or in a decoy bivouac site.
Cut boughs from the bottom portion of trees above the snow and leave the trees standing. Be sure to cut only a few boughs from each tree. A tree stripped of its limbs is easily observed from the ground and from the air.
Cut firewood near the bough-cutting area to allow the same trail to be used. Dead spruce, pine, or squaw wood makes the best firewood. Standing deadwood burns the best and hardwoods the longest. In an arctic and subarctic environment, true hardwoods are rare. Of the trees available, birch, tamarack, and spruce are the hardest woods. Burn the upper parts of dead trees during daylight because they give off lighter colored smoke. The lower parts of the trees contain resin and tar, which burn well but make more and darker smoke. In the daylight this will allow your position to be easily identified by air and ground observation.
7-8. GARBAGE
All garbage should be double bagged and transported to the rear or disposed of in accordance with the unit SOP. Units should never leave evidence of their presence. Carry all trash, if necessary, until it can be disposed of.
7-9. LATRINE
Normally there will be a central latrine within the bivouac site, if the site is not too widely spread. One latrine can usually serve the needs of a platoon-size element. It must be placed downwind of the bivouac site, but not so far that soldiers won't use it. The area identified can be as elaborate as a pit or cross-cut-type latrine that is made windproof by branches, snowblocks, and ponchos. It should be properly camouflaged. It can also be an area where plastic bags are located. Double-bag, tie, and transport all waste to the rear for disposal as identified in the unit SOP. Site urinal areas around a "dedicated tree" or the gasoline tripod, which will hide the discolored snow and will be easily spread about when leaving the bivouac site.
Figure 7-2. Cross-tree type latrine.
7-10. WATER POINTS AND SNOW AREAS
When obtaining water for drinking purposes by melting snow, set aside and restrict an area for this purpose only. The site must be upwind from the bivouac area and isolated from the latrine and garbage areas. The snow must be clean, white, and free of fungus from trees. NEVER use snow that is discolored. Remember — disinfect the water using purification tablets and bring it to a rolling boil for a minimum of 15 minutes.
7-11. STORAGE
Storage problems in the winter are increased by snow, low temperatures, thaws, and limited storage space. Space in any shelter is limited. Store only those items inside the tent that are affected by the cold, or must be immediately available. The remaining equipment should be centralized, well marked, and covered. Store ammunition and fuel separately. Place wood or metal containers on boughs or poles to keep the containers from freezing to the ground. The unit SOP will specify what equipment is placed inside or outside of the tent and where.
Figure 7-3. Ten-man tent.