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Sally Survey

Grunt Test:

O.P. stands for Observation Post. When an infantry platoon or company out in the jungle sets up a defensive perimeter for any reason, it's usually a circle of foxholes spaced as evenly as possible. The O.P. is outside that perimeter at some distance and consists of an isolated two or three armed grunts. It's purpose is to provide advance warning of any enemy activity within' striking distance of the perimeter. So there's also a radio, for sure.

Any good or worthy perimeter should have a couple or few O.P.s And if trouble happens, the men on the O.P are usually ordered back to the perimeter post haste.

At night time the very same position would be called an L.P, for Listening Post, as visual "observation" flies out the window. And what was in the light of day a nice 3 man position away from the crowd, at night becomes an instant death trap. The emergency dash back to the perimeter could now only be a stumble in the dark. Worse, the enemy could get between you and your perimeter. without asking you first.

So if you found yourself on an LP one night in the Ashau, good luck is all you could ask for. Good luck would be that everything was all right at dawn.

What infantry weapon would be most effective on a 3 man L.P.?

A. M-60 Machine gun?

B. Hand grenades?

C. Claymore mine?