Modern Defensive Fighting Positions
Modern militaries publish and distribute elaborate field manuals for the proper construction of DFPs in stages. Each stage develops the fighting position, gradually increasing its effectiveness, while always maintaining functionality. In this way a soldier can improve the position over time, while being able to stop at any time and use the position in a fight.
Typically, a DFP is a pit dug deep enough to stand in, with only the head exposed, and a small step at the bottom that allows the soldier to sit down in the hole to avoid fire and tank treads. Also, there are usually deeper, narrow slits called grenade sumps at the bottom to allow a grenade to be kicked in to minimize damage.
Time permitting, DFPs can be enlarged to allow a machine gun crew and ammunition to be protected, as well as additional overhead cover via timbers.
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US Marines digging 'fighting holes' near the Iraqi border, 2003.
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US Navy Seabees digging 'hasty scrapes', 2003.
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US Navy Seabees near completed fighting position, 2003.
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US Navy Seabees constructing a defensive machine gun position during training, 2010.
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US Navy Seabees with a completed defensive machine gun position during training, 2008.
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US Navy Seabees completed defensive machine gun position during training with camouflage netting and timber supports, 2010.
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