It was Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be below ground level for
overnight stays on most patrols, except one-night ambushes where
camouflage and deception were paramount (noise & the smell of newly dug soil
would be a giveaway.) However, when on Search and Destroy missions at
platoon or company strength, it was prudent to get the body below
ground level. For extended stays, of course, the hole went much deeper, and
sandbags went overhead. This is a typical shell scrape - in fact here we
did stay more than one night, but there was no way to get sandbags in to us.