text: Offensive Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  Figure 5-10. L-shaped formation ambush.
  5-166. The L-shaped formation is flexible. It can be established on a curving stretch of a trail, near a
  stream, or at a sharp bend in a trail or stream. When appropriate, fire from the short leg can be shifted
  to parallel the long leg if the insurgent force attempts to assault or escape in the opposite direction.
  In addition, the short leg prevents escape in that direction or reinforcement from that direction. Positive
  means of controlling fires, such as aiming stakes, are needed to prevent the fire from one leg hitting
  Soldiers positioned on the other leg.
  Other
  5-167. Other traditional ambush formations that are highly METT-TC dependent and usually better for
  rural operations, include the following:
  Z-Shaped Formation
  5-168. The Z-shaped formation is a variation of the L-formation. The attack force is deployed as in the
  L-formation, but with an additional side so that the formation resembles the letter Z. The additional side
  may serve to engage a force attempting to relieve or reinforce the guerrillas, restrict a flank, prevent an
  envelopment of the ambush force.
  T-Shaped Formation
  5-169. In the T-shaped formation, the attack element is deployed across, and at right angles to, the route
  of movement of the hostile force so that the attack element and the target form the letter T. This formation
  can be used day or night to establish a purely harassing ambush. It can be used at night to interdict
  movement through open, hard-to-seal areas.
  V-Shaped Formation
  5-170. The V-shaped attack element is deployed along both sides of the insurgent route of movement so
  it forms a V. Care is taken to ensure that neither group fires into the other. The V-formation is suited
  for open terrain, but can also be used in the jungle.
  Triangle Formation
  5-171. The triangle is a variation of the V-formation that can be employed in three ways. The most
  common technique is the closed triangle. The attack element is deployed in three groups, positioned so that
  they form a triangle. An automatic weapon is placed at each point of the triangle and positioned so it can be
  shifted quickly to interlock with either of the others. Elements are positioned so their fields of fire overlap.
  Mortars may be positioned inside the triangle. When deployed in this manner, the triangle ambush becomes
  a small unit strongpoint that is used to interdict night movement through open areas when insurgent
  strategy is likely to be from any direction. Advantages include ease of control, all-round security,