7-10  |  Army Field Manual I Warfighting Tactics - Part 1 The Fundamentals

Relief of troops
7-30. Purpose. The purpose of the relief of troops is so that one force can take over the actions
or activities from another. There are three types of relief action:79

a. Relief in place. The relief in place occurs when all or part of a force is replaced in an
operating area by an incoming unit, e.g. when rotating forces in area defence.

b. Forward passage of lines. The forward passage of lines (FPOL) occurs when one
force moves through another, e.g. when moving through a bridgehead, or when a
force passes through another to continue an attack.

c. Rearward passage of lines. The rearward passage of lines (RPOL) occurs when a
force moving, usually from contact, passes through another unit in defence, e.g. when
a delaying force hands over the battle and passes through a force established in a
defensive position.

7-31. In all relief of troops, the in-place force is required to prepare for, brief and accommodate
the needs of the relieving force to maintain continuity and sustain effect. These
are complicated enabling actions which require very effective planning, control and
integration of capabilities, particularly between the land and air domains.

7-32. During any relief operation there is a period when congestion increases the vulnerability
of the forces involved. The possibility of confusion is inherent; two parallel command
systems will be operating in one area at the same time. The complexity of these
operations, and particularly the forward and rearward passage of lines, should not be
underestimated, but, by contrast, the beneficial and possibly decisive effects to be gained
from successful synchronisation of the combat power of both forces should not be
forgotten.

7-33. It is possible that a relief operation will involve two forces of differing nationalities. In this
instance the following should be considered:

a. Dissimilar unit organisations may require special adjustments in some areas, particularly
during a relief in place.

b. Control of fire support may require special liaison.

c. Language difficulties may require the increased use of guides.

d. Special communications arrangements may be required.

Relief in place
7-34. Purpose. The purpose of the relief in place is to replace all or part of an in-place force by
an incoming unit. Relief in place is normally conducted in defensive operations and might
occur when the in-place force is depleted or exhausted and needs to be replaced; when
forces of one capability or role need to be replaced by forces optimised for a different
role; or for the routine rotation of forces. The incoming force normally assumes the
mission of the outgoing force, usually within the same boundaries and, at least initially,

79 ATP-3.2.1 - NATO includes the relief of encircled forces, which seeks to relieve encircled forces by breaking through enemy
positions to reach an encircled force, thus restoring its freedom of action. Relief of encircled forces in warfighting tactics is
a combination of an attack to break through enemy positions, the link-up with the encircled force and then a subsequent
tactical activity, e.g. withdrawal, defence, advance to contact, etc.