Basic Base Defense Concepts Part I

This article is going to discuss some basic concepts regarding the defense of a home base including:

• Firepower
• Protection
• Mobility
• Enfilade
• Counter Mobility

 FIREPOWER

Firepower is the ability of a weapons system to produce a desired effect on target, usually in terms of damage, destruction or neutralization, determined by a combination of variables including range, accuracy, rate of fire, energy, and type of projectile. 

In a military context, firepower is an extensive topic due to the enormous variety of different weapon systems and types, special ammunition, etc. In an apocalypse context, the topic is much simpler since weapons and ammunition will most likely be be limited in quantity and type. Therefore, the important variables to consider are power, range, accuracy, and potentially, rate of fire, but with limited ammunition supplies, it less likely.

PROTECTION

The diagram below illustrates a situation in which a defender and attacker have fixed positions with comparable levels of protection. In a survival situation, it is unlikely that anyone will have unlimited weapons and ammo, so the likely victor in this case will be the one with superior firepower

Even if a defender has potent firepower, they should always seek to improve their advantage, which includes improving their defensive position. There are several ways to do this:

1. Elevation: provides an advantage in combat because it gives a higher vantage point, allowing a person to see their surroundings more clearly and over a larger area. Additionally, while not related to protection, it can increase the accuracy and range of the defender's weapons. Conversely, an attacker at a lower level, has limited vision and due to the angle of attack from the defender is more likely to be lethally struck in the head or torso.
2. Fortifications: this topic will be covered separately.
3. Denial: open ground outside of the base doesn't provide any cover or concealment for an attacker, putting them in a significantly inferior defensive position as seen on the left side of the diagram below. Open ground can be difficult in a built-up urban area.
4. Diverting: natural terrain and obstacles or intentionally placed obstacles can be used to funnel attackers to locations where the defender has a superior defensive position or vantage point. In the diagram below, a water feature and obstacle are being used to divert an attacker to a reinforced corner of the base.

MOBILITY

Mobility is an important aspect of combat that allows individuals to rapidly move to cover, evade incoming fire, and position themselves in advantageous positions to launch their own attacks. It is also important for responding to changing circumstances.

The diagram below shows two optional movements which would put the defender in a flanking position that bypasses the attacker's cover. Such large scale relative movements may not always be possible (or desirable) in a base defense scenario, but it is possible in some settings to have protected pathways between various positions that would allow for it.

Mobility is also important on a smaller scale (like movement within a base). It is important to be able to quickly withdraw from a position if necessary, or to relocate to a different position. The diagram below shows two assailants making a surprise attack from the opposite side of the defender's current position. The time to get through the circuitous route may give the attackers enough time to reach the building.

It is worth considering modifications that allow for more direct movement even if that means punching new openings through walls.

ENFILADE

The military has a term called enfilade, which essentially means down the length of a target (like a troop column). Preventing enfilading fire in a military trench (basically an enemy getting in a trench and wiping out everyone in a straight line down the trench) is why they lay trenches out in zig-zag pattern. It prevents that enfilading fire (along with the affects of explosions doing the same thing).

It is something worth considering for base defense. Relatively simple modifications, including barricades and new wall penetrations, can be made to prevent having to traverse corridors that are susceptible to enfilading fire as seen in the diagrams below with the original building on the left and modified building on the right.

COUNTER MOBILITY

Counter Mobility is an important concept for base defense which refers to the utilization of natural or added terrain features and structures to limit, impede, or modify an attacker's movement. Impeding an attacker's movement gives the defender a chance to prepare their defense, allows them a better, or longer, opportunity to direct fire at them, or allows the defender to withdraw if necessary.

Modifying the attacker's movement can direct them to locations that are less advantageous to them or more advantageous to the defender. This can be due to a superior defensive position for the defender, a better ability for the defender to concentrate fire, or a place where the attacker has limited cover and concealment.

Modifying the attackers movement can also ruin their attack plan. A coordinated attack from multiple vectors, for example, may have its timing thrown off by unexpected obstacles allowing the defender to concentrate on one vector at a time.

The diagram below shows various counter mobility examples, including a water feature, a natural terrain feature (a hill), some obstacles, and some fencing. Ideally, these features will be layered in depth. This is just a simple illustration.

It is important when employing counter mobility features to consider the defender's movement as well. Features which impact an attacker's movement can also impact a defender's movement. A counter mobility plan should be designed with some thought given to the defender's general day-to-day movement needs into and out of the site, as well as consideration to an emergency movement out of the site should it be required.