Defensive fighting position
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There are many types of defensive fighting positions (DFPs), more commonly known in U.S. military slang as foxholes. A foxhole generally refers to those that are large enough to accommodate a soldier's entire body and equipment. The fighting forces of other countries use different terms for much the same thing: in the ANZAC forces, for example, it is a fighting pit.
A hasty fighting position is the initial stage in the development of a foxhole. It consists of whatever objects, such as dirt or logs, can be used to provide cover. As the name implies it can be set up quickly with little effort, but provides a minimum of protection.
Foxholes can be as simple as a literal hole dug into the ground to elaborate structures that can house several troops along with a machine gun or a mortar. These larger structures are often constructed using timber and earth moving equipment by combat engineers. They are often used for battalion defence and form pivot points in interlocking fields of fire. They differ from bunkers in that they are part of the firing line rather than behind it and are not as hardened against artillery fire. More elaborate foxholes partially resemble trenches, which are typically very long and can be deep and very elaborate.
The United States Army, like other countries' militaries, publishes and distributes elaborate field manuals for the proper construction of foxholes in stages. Each stage develops the fighting position, gradually increasing its effectiveness, while always maintaining functionality. In this way a soldier can improve the position over time, while being able to stop at any time and use the position in a fight.
The term foxhole derives from the defensive holes dug by foxes.
Typically, a foxhole is a pit dug deep enough to stand in, with only the head exposed, and a small step at the bottom that allows you to sit down in the hole to avoid fire and tank treads. Also, there are usually deeper, narrow slits called grenade sumps at the bottom to allow a grenade to be kicked in to minimize damage. Time permitting, foxholes can be enlarged to allow a machine gun crew and ammunition to be protected, as well as additional overhead cover via timbers.
