Shell scrape
Encyclopedia
A Shell scrape is a type of military earthwork long and deep enough to lie flat in. While similar to a Defensive fighting position
in that the purpose is to shield a single soldier from artillery, mortar and direct small arms fire, it is not intended to be used for fighting from.
Shell scrapes are generally hastily excavated manually (i.e. with immediately available means such as the entrenching tool
), and are temporary constructions. They are shallow, and large enough to accommodate at least a single soldier lying down or kneeling. In some situations they can be dug to accommodate two soldiers and their equipment. For protection from the elements a poncho is often tied off / staked out at the edges or bungeed to a nearby tree. This way a soldier can sleep in his shell scrape more comfortably with cover overhead.
Shell scrapes offer better concealment than traditional trap bivouac
s because the majority of the soldier's body mass is below ground level. This catches their body heat, making them harder to spot with thermal imagers.
A properly prepared shell scrape should be deep enough that the soldier's entire body is beneath the level of the surrounding ground, thereby offering protection from both direct- and indirect-fire weapons. They provide little protection against indirect fire that bursts in the air or among the trees, though.
Defensive fighting position
A defensive fighting position is a type of earthwork constructed in a military context, generally large enough to accommodate at least one person.- Terminology :...
in that the purpose is to shield a single soldier from artillery, mortar and direct small arms fire, it is not intended to be used for fighting from.
Shell scrapes are generally hastily excavated manually (i.e. with immediately available means such as the entrenching tool
Entrenching tool
An entrenching tool or E-tool is a collapsible spade used by military forces for a variety of military purposes. Survivalists, freedivers, campers, hikers and other outdoors groups have found it to be indispensable in field use...
), and are temporary constructions. They are shallow, and large enough to accommodate at least a single soldier lying down or kneeling. In some situations they can be dug to accommodate two soldiers and their equipment. For protection from the elements a poncho is often tied off / staked out at the edges or bungeed to a nearby tree. This way a soldier can sleep in his shell scrape more comfortably with cover overhead.
Shell scrapes offer better concealment than traditional trap bivouac
Bivouac
Bivouac may refer to:* Bivouac Peak, a mountain in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA* A military camp** Bivouac shelter** Bivouac sack, or "bivy sack" or bivy bag, an extremely lightweight alternative to traditional tent systems...
s because the majority of the soldier's body mass is below ground level. This catches their body heat, making them harder to spot with thermal imagers.
A properly prepared shell scrape should be deep enough that the soldier's entire body is beneath the level of the surrounding ground, thereby offering protection from both direct- and indirect-fire weapons. They provide little protection against indirect fire that bursts in the air or among the trees, though.