Ditch-cum-bund or Berms is one of the best as well as a widely tried and tested defense strategy.
Indian and Pakistani Armies have widely used this strategy in the Wars on one of the most volatile borders in the World.
While LTTE used this tactic in the past yet during the Final Eelam War(2006–2009) they used this tactic in almost every battle in Wanni.
Ditch-cum-bund (Defensive strategy)
What is the strategy??
This strategy has three parts:
- Dig wide, deep and long ditch or canal on the frontline using earthmovers equipment like JCB.
- Behind this ditch build a tall bund using soil(mud.) Most of the time the mud which was dugout during the ditch making process is enough.
- In front of the ditch/canal lay wide minefields with all types of land mines like anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines.
LTTE’s version
- LTTE used to build bunkers within the Bund
- Many times LTTE built bunds right behind water bodies so that advancing SLA military vehicles get stuck in the lagoons/lakes.
- Sometimes LTTE built bunds in a zig-zag design.
Image: For representation, ditch-cum-bund.
Image: Two parallel LTTE bunds built right behind a lagoon, seen from Army’s side.
Image: A captured LTTE bund dotted with fortified bunkers. Additionally, the bund is concealed with coconut leaves.
Image: A SLA soldier(L) seen peeking inside LTTE territory from the top of a captured LTTE bund
Image: Female LTTE soldiers in action on a bund.
Advantages :
Bunds
- Sitting on the top of bunds you have a clear view of the advancing enemy infantry.
- Most of your forces remain protected from the enemy infantry’s direct fire The only way your hidden forces can be targeted are by artillery or air raids.
- Similarly sitting inside the fortified bunkers within the bund, you can clearly see and easily hunt down your enemy soldiers.
- Most of the activities of your forces (in the area) remain blocked from your enemy's view. He has no idea what your forces are cooking behind the bund.
- Your enemy has very fewer options other than coming out of the concealment to attack you. This allows you to kill them in huge numbers.
- With knowing the exact location of your enemy’s advancing platoons (at least in the frontline) you can easily direct your mortar and artillery teams to rain mortars and artillery on your enemies’ heads.
- With your enemy soldiers standing right in front of you your sniper teams will have a field day. The high bunds work as vantage points.
Ditch and minefields
- Clearing the minefields takes lots of time. This delays the enemy's advance.
- Even if they survive the minefields it is almost impossible to move forward any military vehicles especially armored units due to the presence of deep and wide ditch.
Brigadier Theepan
Image: Theepan who effectively used ditch-cum-bund strategy in numerous battles
Brig. Theepan was one of the best commanders of LTTE. He was the only commander who could be compared with legendary LTTE commander Brig. Balraj. He introduced ditch-cum-bund tactics to LTTE and used it effectively multiple times over the course of the SL Civil War.
Few outstanding battles:
1)Operation Jayasikurui(1997–1999)
In May 1997 Sri Lankan Forces launched largest military operation in the History of Sri Lanka. It was named as operation Jayasikurui(sure victory).
As per the plan SLA had to reopen the land route to Jaffna. To achieve this they had to liberate the A9 Highway between Vavuniya and Kilinochchi.
Image; Map of Op.Jayasikurui and location of Puliyankulam
During the initial weeks, LTTE allowed SLA to advance without putting any resistance. But once the Government forces reached Puliyankulam LTTE put fierce fighting. Theepan was deployed to intercept and block the Jayasikurui forces.
Theepan blocked SLA at Puliyankulam for more than 4 months.
Unable to penetrate LTTE defense lines for more than 4 months Army by-passed the town and moved north through jungles east of Puliyankulam. The army never recovered from this initial delay of 4 months and after 18 months Operation Jayasikurui was abandoned without achieving even 25% of its objectives.
Thus Theepan’s ditch-cum-bund strategy effectively prevented Army from entering Puliyankulam. As a result, every other planned operations of SLA got delayed and SL’s largest Military operation was never able to achieve its goal.
2)Second Battle of Kilinochchi(Sep 2008-Jan 2009)
Image: LTTE formed long bunds to defend Kilinochchi that looked like “L”
Even after penetrating into LTTE territories in Vavuniya and Mannar districts SLA was finding it hard to get anywhere near Kilinochchi, the operational Headquarter of LTTE.
It was again Theepan, also know as Northern frontier commander who tried to defend the Kilinochchi.
Theepan built multiple ditch-cum bunds around Kilinochchi which looked like ‘L’ shaped. He defended Kilinochchi for more than 4 months but huge LTTE casualties and inadequate firepower forced LTTE to vacate Kilinochchi on 2nd January 2009.
Why this strategy failed???
LTTE used the ditch cum bund strategy in almost every battle from mid-2008-may 2009. Now a question would arise that why LTTE was unable to defend its territory even with a tried and tested strategy like this.
The answer is that : LTTE was simply outnumbered.
With ditch cum bund strategy LTTE was able to inflict heavy casualties on Government forces but their numbers were huge. During the final months of the war along with auxillary forces the strength of Government forces was 3,00,000+.
So while in the previous Eelam wars SLA used to retreat after facing huge casualties, this time they were fully prepared to overcome this. They had enough soldiers to replace the dead and injured soldiers.
On the other hand, LTTE didn’t have enough soldiers to contain SLA in the frontlines.
LTTE was not only running out of soldiers but also they were running out of firepower.
Image: A sea Tiger boat off Mullaitivu coast in late 2006.
With the help of India and the US most LTTE arms ships were destroyed by SLA. But between late November to early December(2008) LTTE was able to unload an explosive cargo ship off Mullaitivu coast that reportedly came from Indonesia. Also, a couple of trawlers which reportedly came from Tamil Nadu were also unloaded. These trawlers brought important medicines and batteries for which LTTE was eagerly waiting for.
This allowed LTTE to survive a few more months.
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