Doiestic: Disturbances
Doiestic: Disturbances
Copy 3 H i D
DOiESTIC
DISTURBANCES
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BY < <itsON_2Z&L3
FIELD MANUAL
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES
DISTRIBUTION:
AAF (10) ; AGF (10); ASF (2); T (2); Depts (2); Base
Comds (2); Arm &Sv Bd (2) except 19 (15) ; Def Cornd
(2) ; Tech Sv (2); SvC (10); ED (2); FC (1); BU (1) ;'
Gen & Sp Sv Sch (5); except PMG Sch (300); USMA
(20) ; ROTC (1) ; A (10) ; CHQ (10) ; D (2); R (2) ; SBn
(5); C 2, 5-7, 17-19 (5), 3, 4, 9-11 (1); AF (2); G (5);
S (5) ; Special distribution.
Refer to FM 21-6 for explanation of distribution formula.
2 AGO 2885D
U. .. 9VERNMENTPRIN-ING OFFICE: 1946
FM 19-15
C 1
FIELD MANUAL
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES
AGO 2885D-Jan.
BY .-)DER OF THE SECRETAIY OF WARB:
DTSTInBUTTON:
AAF (10); AGF (10); ASF (2); T (2) ; Depts (2): Base
Comds (2); Arm & Sv Bd (2) except 19 (15); Def Comd
(2); Tech Sv (2); SvC (10); IID (2); FC (1); BU (1);
Gen & Sp Sv Sch (5); ,except PMG Sch (300); USMA
(20) ; ROrTC (1) ; A (10) ; CIIQ (10) ; D (2) ; UI(2) ; SIla
(5); C 2, 5-7, 17-19 (5), 3, 4, 9-11 (1); AF (2); G (5);
S (5) ; Special distribution.
Refer to FM 21-6 for explanation of distribution formula.
2! AGO 2SS5D
': U. S. GOVERNMENTPRINTINGOFFICE: 1949-0-860464
WAR DEPARTMENT FIELD MANUAL
FM 9-z15
This manual supersedes FM 27-15, 6 February 1941, including
DOMESTIC
DISTURBANCES
Washington 1945
WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON 25, D. C., 30 July I945
OFFICIAL: G. C. MARSHALL
Chief of Stafi
EDWARD F. WITSELL
Major General
DISTRIBUTION:
ii
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
CHAPTER 1. MILITARY AID TO CIVIL
AUTHORITIES.
Section 1. General ...................... I- 2 I
111
This manual supersedesFM27-15 , 6 February 194i, including C z,
16 January 1942, and 0 2, 28 January 1944.
CHAPTER 1
MILITARY AID TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES
Section I. GENERAL
1. SCOPE OF MANUAL. This manual presents the
principles for the employment of troops during domestic
disturbances and the essential substance of the more impor
tant laws relating to the employment of military forces in
the aid of civil authorities with the applicable War Depart
ment policies. The use of State troops, and the limitations
and restrictions as to their authority to act in aid of civil
authorities within the State, are governed by the laws of the
State concerned as well as Federal laws. However, the gen
eral principles and methods of employment of troops and
materiel as stated in this manual apply equally to any armed
force used in domestic disturbances.
4
Section III. PROCEDURES
4. PREREQUISITES OF INTERVENTION. a. At
the request of a State (par. 3a). Application by a State
for Federal aid to its civil authorities should originate with
the legislature of the State concerned, or with its executive
when the legislature cannot be convened, and should 'be
made direct to the President. Should such an application be
presented to a local commander, such commander will so
inform the War Department, through The Provost Marshal
General, by the most expeditious means and will include a
statement of all material facts for the consideration and
action of the President.
b. Presidential Proclamation. No orders will be issued
by the War Department for the purpose indicated in para
graps 3a, b, and c, until the President has published a proc
lamation demanding that the insurgents disperse and retire
peaceably to their respective abodes within a specified limited
time. (R.S. 5300 [50 U.S.C. 204; M.L. 1939, Sec. 505].)
c. War Department approval. While' no Presidential
Proclamation is required by law for action for the purposes
of protecting Government premises or property, etc., such
action will not be taken until the need therefor has been
reported to the War Department, through The Provost
Marshal General, and specific instructions from the War
Department have been received, unless action in an emer
gency is justified under paragraph 3e.
DURING INTERVENTION
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES
16
CHAPTER 3
Section I. GENERAL
29. GENERAL. a. Federal troops used in the suppression
of domestic disturbances are governed by law. Troops called
into. action against a mob forcibly resisting or obstructing
the execution of the laws of the United States, or attempting
to destroy property belonging to or under the protection of
the United States, are governed by the regulations of the
Army and will apply military tactics to accomplish their
mission.
b. The tactical employment of weapons and troops will
be based on decisions of the commander of troops.
c. This section constitutes a planning check list for troop
commanders and members of their staffs, irrespective of the
size of the unit. (See FM Ioo-5 and IO-5.)
21
lines of action compared and weighed. The line of action
offering the greatest likelihood of success is selected. Because
of the complex nature of domestic disturbances, it should be
borne in mind that any plan of action may require the com
mitting of troops concurrently in scattered areas, often in
small independent units.
(5) Paragraph5 (Decision). The decision, based on the
foregoing estimate, is expressed in a brief statement clearly
outlining the line of action adopted. The statement should
cover as much of the elements of who, when, where, and
how as the circumstances justify or permit.
22
(I) Direction of traffic.
(2) Assistance in prevention of looting in affected areas.
(3) Report of disturbances and unnecessary movement in
their sectors.
(4) Care of injured.
(5) Evacuation, housing and feeding of homeless.
c. Arrangements for the supply and evacuation of all forces
are made by G- 4 , who also plans for the reception and supply
of reinforcing troops. G- 4 arranges for issuing necessary
equipment, including chemical grenades, to units called to
quell the civil disturbances. If possible, equipment should be
issued before the units depart for the affected area. Scout cars
should be fully equipped, and supplemental transportation
and ambulance service provided.
d. Arrangements should be made for the reception and
processing of civilian prisoners. Commanders of all units on
civil disturbances duty should be informed of the locations
and capacities of jails within the area in which they are to
operate and will normally call upon civilian authorities to
receive and handle prisoners.
e. General and special staff officers should be familiar with
organization procedure prescribed in FM IoI-5, but in civil
disturbances special attention will be given the following
duties:
(I) The personnel (G-I) section will arrange for head
quarters and troop quartering in the affected area. An emer
gency field desk should be kept ready at all times for instant
use. Its contents should include:
(a) FM I9-5, Military Police.
(b) FM 27-5, Military Government and Civil Affairs.
(c) TM I9-225, Sabotage.
(d) FM IOI-5, The Staff and Combat Orders.
(e) FM ioi-Io, Organization, Technical, and Logistical
Data.
23
(I) TM 8-285, Treatment of Casualties from Chemical
Agents.
(g) Applicable Emergency Plans White and Disaster
Relief Plans.
(h) List of available Army and State Guard units, with
current strength.
(i) Maps of all critical areas, with vital installations,
populous districts, road block systems, etc., indicated thereon;
and related information.
(j) Stationery and other office supplies, assembled with
a view to the need for quick and frequent multiple produc
tion of field and administrative orders, and other directives.
(2) The military intelligence (G-2) section will be pri
marily engaged in the collection, recording, evaluation, and
interpretation of the types of information suggested in para
graph 30. The journal and diary should be kept current at
all times.
(3) The operations and training (G-3) section will prob
ably work with the executive officer in the recommendation
of strategy, and the preparation of field and administration
orders. Close cooperation with other staff sections is impera
tive in conducting necessary and continuous studies of the
tactical situation.
(4) The supply and evacuation (G-4) section is respon
sible for preparation of plans for, and supervision of the
execution of arrangements for supply, evacuation, transpor
tation, and related administrative matters. It makes recom
mendations to the commander concerning supply and evacu
ation, and is responsible for development of details of the
administrative plan pertaining to these functions. In civil
disturbances these relate particularly to rations, special equip
ment, supplies, and housing for troops and prisoners. Other
problems of the section include transportation of troops to
and within the affected areas.
24
(5) Among probable duties of the provost marshal are
the following:
(a) All necessary measures to determine what traffic
should be permitted within the commander's area of respon
sibility, and how such traffic should be supervised. The
traffic plan should include procedure to prevent the move
ment of trouble-makers into, or from disturbed areas.
(b) Traffic routing in such a way that roads will be kept
open for passage of troops, fire-fighting equipment, and other
emergency personnel and equipment.
(c) Supervision of rail, interurban, and bus terminals, to
prevent unauthorized individuals from entering communi
ties where their presence might cause trouble.
(d) Supervision and direction of movement of prisoners
from collecting points to jails or stockades.
(e) Enforcement of prohibition of or limitations on public
gatherings.
(/) Recommendation of off-limits areas or communities.
(g) Arrangement of the most effective method in which
to present the commander's proclamation to the lawless ele
ments. (See par. 43b).
(6) The judge advocate will advise the commander in
legal matters and supervise the administration of military
justice.
(7) The chemical officer will advise the commander con
cerning the use of smoke and other chemicals, and supervise
any use of chemicals.
(8) Engineering Corps personnel will make recommenda
tions concerning the construction of street barricades (and
supervise their construction). Duties may also include re
moving obstacles erected by the lawless elements.
(g) Signal Corps personnel will recommend and may
install and operate such communication systems as are
necessary.
25
(io) The surgeon will be responsible for the health and
sanitation of the command, and within the commander's area
of responsibility. His detachment will be prepared to render
first aid and to provide hospitalization for troops. Aid
stations may be provided for injured civilians who may be,
if necessary, transferred to temporary field or-local hospitals.
The surgeon will arrange for a sufficient number of military
and civilian ambulances.
(I1) The public relations officer serves as liaison between
the commander and representatives of the press, radio, and
other agencies disseminating information. He should know
all aspects of the situation, and be continuously available to
reporters.
30
CHAPTER 4
CONTROLLING DOMESTIC
DISTURBANCES
and
WHEREAS, the President has also, by his Procla
mation to that effect, commanded all persons engaged
in unlawful and insurrectionary proceedings to dis
perse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes on
or before the hour of ......... , of the ......... day
of ............... , 1.q4., and hereafter to abandon
said combinations and submit themselves to the laws
and constituted authorities of said State; and
WHEREAS, I, ............. .............
and
33
WHEREAS, the President has also admonished all
persons who may be or may come within the areas
aforesaid, against aiding, countenancing, encouraging,
or taking any part in such lawful obstructions, com
binations, and assemblages, and has warned all per
sons engaged in or in any way connected with such
unlawful obstructions, combinations, and assemblages
to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective
abodes on or before the hour of ...... ·....... of the
.............. of .... . .........., 94. ., and has
further proclaimed that those who disregard his warn
ing as aforesaid and persist in taking part with a
riotous mob in forcibly resisting and obstructing the
execution of the laws of the United States, or inter
fering with the functions of the Government or de
stroying or attempting to destroy the property of the
United States or property under its protection, cannot
be regarded otherwise than as public enemies; and
WHEREAS, I, ...............................
. ...........
......... and particularly within the
area hereinbefore described, for the purpose aforesaid,
now
THEREFORE, I do hereby command all persons
to obey the orders of the :President of the United States
and, for the purpose of more effectively and speedily,
with less loss of lift and property, accomplishing the
order of the President to enforce the laws of the
United States and to protect Government property,
I do further proclaim that within the above prescribed
area, the following orders shall be observed and
obeyed, to-wit:
(here insert orders and restrictions)
I do further proclaim and declare that any person
vriolating the orders of the President aforesaid, or my
orders hereinabove appearing, will be arrested and
held by the military authorities for proper disposition,
and that acts of force or violence on the part of the
civil population will be met with such force necessary
34
to restore order, insure the protection of Government
property and submission to the constituted authority;
and
In order that their lives and their persons may not
be endangered, I adjure all people to keep away from
all scenes of disorder.
In the name of the President of the United States,
I command that you disperse and retire peaceably to
your homes.
(3) Subsequent to issuance of the military commander's
proclamation, it may be necessary to employ troops in dis
persing crowds. In such cases, prior to use of force, the
immediate commander of troops should make the following
verbal proclamation:
"In the name of the President of the Tnited States, I
command that you disperse and retire peaceably to your
homes."
c. Reasonable time should be allowed for the people to
comply with the verbal proclamation before more severe
action is taken. Once the crowd is dispersed, it must not be
allowed to re-form. Patrols should be detailed to follow and
prevent small groups from reassembling. Persons who stand
out as leaders of the lawless element or who seem to be
trying to excite the crowd to unlawful action should be
arrested.
35
include the direction and velocity of the wind, and the effect
of temporary invisibility which may operate to equal advan
tage to the mob leaders. A mob should not be harangued,
bullied, or bluffed, and above all, it should not be threatened
or dared.
c. A mob usually is attacked on the flank, opposite the
direction in which it is desired to drive it. When it is apparent
that those in front cannot retreat because of pressure from the
rear, pressure on the front should be eased temporarily while
the rest of the mob is attacked with chemical grenades. An
effective means of dispersal may be found in the use of fire
hose, if sufficient hose and pressure outlets are available, but
care must be exercised to protect the hose lines from damage
by rioters.
d. When small-arms fire is necessary, troops are instructed
to aim low to prevent shots going over the heads of the mob
and injuring innocent persons not members of the mob. The
amount of small-arms fire should be no greater than is abso
lutely necessary. If sniper fire from the rear of the mob is
encountered, a. few marksmen should be so placed as to
return the fire. A few good marksmen should also be detailed
to fire on windows or roofs from which firing comes or from
which missiles are thrown. Care must always be exercised to
avoid indiscriminate firing into a group of innocent persons
from which some rioter has fired.
e. Blank cartridges are not used against mobs, nor are
volleys fired over the head of rioters even if there is little
danger of injuring persons in the rear. Such firing will be
regarded as admissions of weakness, or as attempts to bluff.
They do much more harm, than good.
f. Bayonets are effective when used against rioters who
are able to retreat, but they should not be used against men
who are prevented by those behind from retreating even if
they wish to do so.
36
g. The employment of infantry supporting weapons is nec
essary only when mob action becomes armed conflict that
cannot be controlled by normal means. When necessary,
machine guns units-are assigned as supporting units. If com
mitted, they are protected by rifle units. Mortar units and
37-mm gun units are held in reserve until need for their use
is indicated.
h. A mobile reserve should be provided.
I PACE
I PCEI
THE WEDGE
THE DIAGONAL
, PAC E
THE LINE
39
I
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Figure 2. Squad wedge.
40
street. It may also be used to drive a crowd from a confined
area, such as a courtyard.
U..... / // / /
, .....-
/-- / /
//
.......... ,
Ai
42
I
\\ I
LEFT RIGHT
U, +
POSITION FLEXIBLE rU
An
i
:
mu
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a~- .
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0-,,--:'_....
--- - ---
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._ ,6
m IIGH
D9.
THE PLATOON. a. Platoon wedge with support
squad in column of twos (fig 5) The command is: I. PLA
45
TOON WEDGE WITH SUPPORT SQUAD IN COL
UMN OF TWOS, 2. MOVE. At the command or signal
MOVE, the right and left squads marclh forward; the cen
ter squad on command of the squad leader execute column
of twos to the left. When the right and left squads have
cleared the center squad they; execute diagonal right and
left, respectively. Squad leaders and men armed with auto
plaoon
LEF_
T DIENGIN
RIGHT
08
POSITION FLEXIBLE
NOTE
CENTER
Figure8. Platoon wedge with one squad in support.
48
squad is assembled, the squad leader takes his place in front
of his squad. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant place
themselves at the head of the platoon.
IMPORTANT Es
INSTALLATI ONS
BUILDING. .
ATTACKING FORCE.
_li.'-
....... , "TROOPS
ENTER
m :....rYR .. W COURTYARD IN
o COURTYARD r COLUMN AT ONE
... :..:. \\ J E SIDE,PIVOTING
_I ' ATTHIS POINT,.
.......... ·
TROOPS ENTER .
THROUGH DOORWAYS OR OPENINGS. TROOPS FORM LINE
_4 "" [ AT BACK OF COURT
YARD, DRIVING MOB
X_________ _ , TOWARD STREET.
' .- . : I
..: :
55
tt . *
, *- . **4 4**'.4o . 4
, ~ ~'''s \SCOUT
1st. PLATOON CAR
; *-, .-.. ; ° WEDGE
2nd. PLATOON
SCAOU DIAGONAL
RAR
3Srd. PLiTOON FI
RESERVE
56
*4 tl SCOUTS MOVE AHEAD,OBSERV
ING TO FRONT AND SIDES.
LEADING SCOUT LOOKS IN
DOORWAYS , ALLEYWAYS,
STAIRWAYS, ETC.
z
m JO Z MAIN BODY MARCHES IN
a J z
3 w 0 COLUMN.
57
crowd be permitted to stand on the sidewalks while troops
march through the street.
b. Columns of troops marching through city streets must
be secured by an advance guard. Squads of the advance party
march in single file at 2 or 3 paces' distance on sidewalks on
opposite sides of the street. (See fig. 13.) The members of
these squads covering the windows and roofs of buildings
on opposite sides of the street, are designated to fire on
rioters attacking the troops. When more than one column
is approaching an objective on more than one street the
streets being parallel, they will so time their advance that
they will remain abreast of each other and will coordinate
their movement at intersections where visibility exists.
59
61. MOPPING-UP. a. Upon overcoming armed resist
ance in a community, immediate measures should be taken
to eliminate further armed opposition.
b. It may be necessary to make a house-to-house search
for arms, or for the purpose of arresting individuals.
c. Mopping-up or searching parties will be sent through
the houses on each side of the street. It may be necessary for
such parties to enter through openings. made in connecting
walls.
d. Where houses are unconnected, searching parties may
approach rapidly from different directions at the same time,
while fire is being directed at windows.
62
CHAPTER 5
THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
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phere and reach persons behind parapets, barricades, and
buildings, in trenches, or wherever else they may be. Of the
chemical agents suitable for use in domestic disturbances,
the most important are substances selected because of their
peculiar nonlethal characteristics from the group of harassing
agents. These substances are called irritant agents. They are
CN (tear gas), DM (adamsite), and CN-DM (a combina
tion of tear gas and adamsite). (See TM 3-300 and FM 3-5)
b. Smoke. From the group of smoke-producing agents
one substance, HC, is frequently used. While this substance
is of particular value in concealing movements of troops in
the open, its physiological effect is negligible. (See TM
3-300.)
c. Casualty gases and incendiaries. Casualty gases and
incendiaries are not normally used for controlling domestic
disturbances.
CHEMICAL AGENTS
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72. PRACTICAL APPLICATION. a. General. Although
the quantity of grenades, candles, or pots needed to cover a
given area may be tentatively computed in advance, the man
ner of their employment mus;t be determined on the ground.
Chemical agents are dependent for their movement on wind
currents, which vary greatly.
b. Determining line of release. (i) Frequently it is desir
able to set off a pilot smoke grenade to indicate the direction
and velocity of the wind and to determine the size and place
ment of a cloud appropriate to the situation. Within a few
seconds the smoke from this grenade will be sufficient to esti
mate the gefneral pattern of a chemical cloud and to determine
the line from which it should be released. Particular attention
should be given to the pilot smoke in areas occupied by build
ings as peculiar air currents are often experienced in such
places.
(2) The line of release should be far enough to windward
so that the smoke from grenades, candles, or pots will have
joined into one cloud before reaching the mob. The distance
must not be so great that the cloud will become unduly
diluted before it passes over the mob. Judgment in this respect
is best attained by repeated experiments during training
under a variety of wind and terrain conditions.
c. Releasing the gas. (I) Having decided upon the line
of release, grenadiers are placed along the line, facing the
mob. Grenades, candles, or pots are then set off simultane
ously and the cloud sustained or shifted as necessary until
the mob is forced to scatter.
(2) The grenade, hand, riot (CN) M25 , to be most effec
tive, should be thrown so the grenade will burst about 6 feet
off the ground and about 20 feet up wind of the target.
Satisfactory effects can be obtained from ground bursts. The
characteristics of this grenade are such that even if the gre
72
nade should burst on the ground within the crowd, there
is little chance for injuries from the fragmentations;
d. Providing avenues of retreat. The rioters must have
ample avenues for escape from the advancing cloud. The
direction in which the crowd will move must, therefore, be
fully considered.
e. Denying areas to rioters. The situation may indicate
the desirability of preventing rioters from reaching a certain
area. In such cases a blanketing cloud thrown about the area
will serve to deter approach. The grenade M25 is excep
tionally well suited to this purpose because the gas is rela.
tively persistent under normal conditions.
f. Splitting a mob. A narrow cloud thrown across the
center of a crowd will tend to split it to right and left. This
procedure is advisable when there is no path of retreat to the
rear, or when chemical ammunition is limited.
g. Attacking a building. When rioters are barricaded
within a building, the building-itself may be blanketed with
a cloud, providing windows have previously been shattered
so as to permit gas to enter. Grenades may be thrown directly
into the building, or smoke may be use to cover the approach
of troops. Care should be taken in using the burning type
grenade where combustibles are present, as the intense heat
created by the grenade may start a fire.
U. S, GOVERNMENT
PRINTING OFFICE: 1947 75