What drills do you apply to stop the colum normaly when it reaches its destination.
Depend on where you are going and what you are doing. Sometimes you circle the "wagons", sometimes the vehicles go to predetermined positions. E.g. sometimes a "herring bone' formation is used along a linear position and/or road. And generally vehicles are ground guided into or in the location. By someone on the ground there and/or the truck's TC. Especially in darkness. And of course in a snow or sand storm, monsoon, etc.
The convoy/column is usually lead by a Convoy Commander, in a Jeep, HMMWV etc. With radio contact with higher HQ and sometimes a back packed radio was carried in some of the trucks. Based on availability, mission, etc. If you are hauling Grunts their PL and or PSG usually would have a back pack radio, e.g. PRC-77. Who would be in contact with the Convoy Cdr, etc.
Spacing/intervals varying based on terrain, time of day/light conditions and weather. Many vehicles have a light system one the front and rear of their vehicles. That shows if they are at the "proper" interval at night. Based on the designed used by the Germans in WWII. To keep proper station in a convoy. Which is about 30m. The NOTEK Light Night Driving System, also known as Station Keeping Lights. The US called it "black out drive". link We had it on our trucks, when I was on active duty '79-'90.
Does your march spacing account for the size of the vehicle (could be 5 times it length due to groundscale to model scale distance) and tha face if its represents more than 1 vehicle that it could be in a single line.
Not generally, the interval is again about 30m based on terrain, light conditions and weather. Just like on a dismounted patrol you don't want to have a break in contact. So again you have to see the trucks in front and behind. But is still sometimes happened. Sometimes we used chem lights at night, hung on the rear of the vehicle again based on the items I mentioned before. And situation of course.
What drill(s) do you invoke if its ambushed?
Again based on terrain and situation :
If possible -
Return fire.
Throw smoke grenades.
Speed up and fight thru the ambush. Keep moving out of the ambush.
Head to predesignated Rally Point(s), just like in a dismounted patrol.
Pull into cover/and or along side the road or trail. link
Herring bone along the road.
Note: if only carrying cargo. The only weapons the convoy may have is small arms of the Drivers & TCs. Plus some of the trucks mounted a .50 cal for AAA. But certainly was and could be used for convoy protection. A .50 or any MG will be a lot of help in an ambush.
Some convoys would be protected by some armored vehicles, or gun trucks. Some even may have an MP escort, but I never saw or had any.
Typicaly what speed do you march at assuming in most cases you are not that far from the front (think hells highway type coloum).
Again based on terrain, situation, time of day/light conditions and weather, speed would vary. But about generally 25-30 MPH.
At times all trucks were issued a copy of a map with their route(s) highlighted. And included Rally Points if a break in contact, if ambushed, if hit by FA, CAS, etc. And briefed all this before rolling out. Just like/was an Op Order …
Again –
Prior planning prevents poor performance.
Training, rehearsals, and experience …
