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Aim of Engineer Support in Front Offensive Operations
The aims of engineer support in offensive operations are the following:
----- - to create necessary conditions for timely and concealed (secret)
movement and deployment of front forces for the attack;
----- - maintain and enhance protection of personnel and equipment against all
enemy means of destruction;
----- - repulse likely enemy attacks and strikes;
----- - support of high speed attacks in obstacle and mass-destruction areas.
These aims are achieved through the accomplishment of a number of engineer
support tasks. The content and volume of these tasks depend on the concept of
the operation and the concrete operational and strategic situation under which
the offensive operation is prepared and conducted.
Engineer Support Tasks During the Preparation of Front Offensive
Operations
The following are engineer support tasks during the preparation of front
offensive operations:
----- - engineer reconnaissance of the enemy and the terrain;
----- - engineer support of the preparation of the offensive operations of
first-echelon armies;
----- - engineer preparation of facilities (fortification) for the position
areas of rocket troops and air defense rockets;
----- - engineer preparation of facilities for deployment (assembly) areas of
second-echelon troops and front reserves;
----- - establish road networks to support the maneuver of front troops;
----- - engineer preparation of facilities for troop control points;
----- - conduct engineer measures in support of operational
maskirovka;
----- - engineer support for departure (initial) airfields of front
aviation;
----- - engineer supply of front troops and technical support of
engineer troops;
----- - prepare defensive lines on desired directions to repel enemy attacks,
in case of the explicit threat of enemy aggression;
----- - make preparations regarding the conduct of engineer measures to
eliminate the consequences of enemy nuclear attacks.
Engineer Support Tasks During Conduct of Front Offensive Operations
These tasks are conducted to establish favorable conditions for the development
of the attack at high speed and protection of personnel against enemy means of
destruction. They are as follows:
----- - engineer reconnaissance of the enemy and the terrain;
----- - engineer support for the attack of first-echelon armies during their
passage through enemy security zones, breakthroughs of enemy defenses, and
development of the attack in the depth of enemy defenses;
----- - engineer support for major river crossings;
----- - engineer support for movement and commitment of front
second-echelon troops and reserves;
----- - support for consolidation of important lines and repulsion of
counterstrikes of large enemy groupings;
----- - support for landings and combat actions of airborne and seaborne
assault forces;
----- - engineer support for front aviation combat actions;
----- - engineer support for actions of rocket (SSM) and air defense rocket
troops;
----- - establishment of front command posts;
----- - operational maskirovka;
----- - extraction and purification of water;
----- - elimination of the consequences of the enemy's use of mass-destruction
weapons and restoration of combat capabilities of front troops;
----- - organization of the supplying of troops with engineer equipment and
material.
Combat Composition and Capabilities of Front, Army, Division, and
Regiment Engineer Troops
Front Engineer Units and Large Units
1. Engineer road and bridge construction brigade (IDORMBR): Consists of the
following units and subunits:
----- - three engineer bridging battalions;
----- - three engineer road construction battalions;
----- - one engineer reconnaissance company.
2. Combat engineer regiment: Consists of the following units and subunits:
----- - three combat engineer battalions;
----- - one engineer position battalion;
----- - one engineer maskirovka company;
----- - one engineer reconnaissance company.
3. One or two pontoon bridging regiments (?).
4. Engineer maskirovka battalion: Consists of the
following subunits:
----- - two maskirovka companies;
----- - one engineer technical company;
----- - one platoon of radio
maskirovka.
5. One or two assault river crossing battalions.
6. One or two obstacle breaching (clearing) engineer battalions.
7. Engineer obstacle battalion.
8. Engineer battalion to construct command posts.
9. Two or three engineer battalions.
10. One or two engineer repair battalions for the repair of major assemblies
(aggregates) of engineer equipment.
11. Two or three engineer companies of rear service.
Army Engineer Units and Subunits
Army engineer units and subunits consist of the following:
----- - pontoon bridging engineer regiment;
----- - engineer road construction and bridging regiment;
----- - combat engineer regiment;
----- - engineer obstacle battalion;
----- - assault river crossing battalion;
----- - engineer repair and evacuation company;
----- - engineer company to construct command posts;
----- - engineer company of rear service.
Motorized Rifle Divisions Engineer Units
Combat Engineer Battalion
Engineer Subunit of Motorized Rifle Regiment
The engineer subunit of motorized rifle regiment consists of the following:
----- - combat engineer company.
During the offensive operation the following additional engineer units and
large units may be attached to the front and army:
To the Front
----- - two to three engineer bridging regiments;
----- - two to three combat engineer brigades;
----- - two to three engineer road construction and bridging brigades or
regiments;
----- - pontoon river crossing, trenching and position digging, breaching
obstacle, and other units.
To the Army
----- - one engineer regiment or battalion of pontoon bridging;
----- - engineer assault river crossing battalion;
----- - one to two combat engineer battalions;
----- - one to two engineer road construction and bridging battalions;
----- - engineer battalion of breaching obstacles;
----- - other engineer units.
Organization of Combat Employment of Engineer Troops in Front Offensive
Operations
The organization of combat employment of engineer troops in offensive
operations includes a number of measures conducted by the chief of engineer
troops and his staff on planning and all-around engineer support of the
offensive operation. The most important elements of organization of combat
employment of engineer troops are as follows:
----- - making decisions and planning engineer support;
----- - assigning missions and engineer instructions;
----- - grouping the engineer troops during preparation for offensive
operations and during conduct of offensive operations;
----- - preparing attack departure (FUP) areas and command posts (control
points);
----- - collecting and dumping engineer equipment, armament, and material;
----- - organizing political work in engineer units and subunits;
----- - organizing all types of supporting measures including engineer support;
----- - preparing engineer troops for combat action;
----- - maintaining high combat-readiness for conduct of assigned missions.
Engineer support of the offensive operation is conducted on the basis of the
following:
----- - the concept of the decision of the front commander;
----- - the front commander's instructions on engineer support;
----- - the instructions of the chief of engineer troops of the higher echelon.
The chief of front engineer troops organizes the plan of engineer
support of the offensive operation based on the aforementioned.
Plans for Engineer Support
The plans for engineer support of offensive operations are prepared on a
1/500,000 or 1/200,000 scale map with written instructions. The plan reflects
the following:
----- - principle tasks of engineer support:
1. engineer support tasks during preparation of operations;
2. engineer support tasks during the conduct of the operation.
----- - areas and times of the conduct of the aforementioned missions and
troops assigned to accomplish them;
----- - deployment areas for engineer troops during the conduct of the
operation;
----- - method of relocation of engineer troops during the conduct of the
operation;
----- - organization of support and supply of troops by engineer equipment,
armament, and material.
Graphic Part of the Plan
The graphic part of the plan reflects the following:
----- - brief assessment of the strength, means, and likely character of enemy
actions;
----- - operational formation (structure - deployment) of the front and
armies in the departure (FUP) areas and the immediate and long-range missions
of the front and armies;
----- - areas of breakthroughs in the enemy's defense;
----- - lines of commitment of second-echelon forces of armies and the
front into engagement;
----- - command posts (control points) of the front and armies in the
departure (FUP) areas and their relocation during the operation;
----- - boundary lines between armies and with adjacent fronts.
The written instructions include information and necessary calculations such as
the following:
----- - combat composition, grouping and distribution of engineer troops among
armies, elements of combat formations and different missions, and regroupment
of engineer troops during the operation;
----- - availability and distribution of engineer equipment and material in
terms of missions and among armies;
----- - measures on protection of troops against enemy mass-destruction
weapons.
Grouping of Engineer Troops
Engineer troops are grouped as follows to conduct various engineer missions in
front offensive operations:
----- - engineer troops assigned to conduct engineer support missions at
front levels;
----- - engineer troops attached to first-echelon armies;
----- - engineer troops being attached to front surface-to-surface and
air defense rocket troops;
----- - one to two mobile obstacle detachments (POZ);
----- - engineer reserve.
The grouping of engineer troops is not a permanent structure. Depending on the
actual situation it is changed and reformed during the conduct of the
operation.
On the basis of the plan of front engineer support missions are assigned
to the following:
----- - troops;
----- - motorized rifle and tank formations;
----- - large units.
They are assigned through instructions on engineer support to engineer units
and large units through combat instructions.
Engineer Support During Assault River Crossings of Front Forces
Engineer support for assault river crossings over wide rivers is organized to
create favorable conditions for the following:
----- - rapid arrival of troops to river obstacles on a wide front;
----- - their crossing at current speeds of attack;
----- - development, without halt, of the attack into the depth of enemy
defenses.
During the process of making decisions the following are assessed:
----- - width, current velocity, depth, nature of the river beds and banks;
----- - presence of hydrotechnical establishments, bridges, crossings, fords,
communication routes;
----- - seasonal characteristics;
----- - time of day;
----- - other factors.
Crossing over small rivers (60 m wide) is organized by division commanders
using divisional forces and means. Crossing medium rivers (60-150 m wide) is
organized by army commanders using army forces and means. The front
commander organizes crossings over wide (major) rivers (more than 150 m wide)
using front forces and means.
In the Western TVD it will be necessary to cross 2-3 wide (major) rivers before
reaching a depth of 600-800 km. In case of the destruction of dams, the number
of rivers of that size to be crossed by the front may increase.
The wide (major) rivers are crossed from the move (without stopping). If
crossing from the move (line of march) does not succeed, crossing is conducted
after brief preparation. A planned (deliberate) crossing over wide (major)
rivers is conducted when our own forces initiate the crossing from a position
of direct contact with the enemy on the river.
While making the decision, the front commander in addition to other
common issues specifies the following points:
----- - assault crossing areas of first-echelon armies;
----- - methods of troop river crossings;
----- - employment of crossing means and their maneuvers;
----- - location of front crossing points, time of their preparation,
and form of their use;
----- - organization of air defense at assault river crossing areas and conduct
of other supporting measures.
Engineer support of wide (major) river crossings conducted at front
levels includes the following:
----- - engineer reconnaissance of rivers to the entire depth of the
front offensive operations, roads leading to rivers, and enemy defenses
on water obstacles;
----- - support of rapid and organized movement of troops to water obstacles;
----- - establishment of crossing points and crossing support for first-echelon
armies, rocket troops, air defense rockets, second-echelon troops, reserves,
and rear service elements;
----- - organization and conduct of traffic, commandant, rescue, and evacuation
services at crossing points;
----- - establishment of departure (FUP) areas of troops for river crossings
and positions of air defense rocket and antiaircraft artillery units which
cover crossing points;
----- - establishment of underwater bridges, bridges to replace floating
bridges, and establishment of deceptive crossing points;
----- - providing security for crossing points against floating mines and enemy
saboteurs.
The front may cross a wide (major) river by using its organic means
including the following:
----- - 11-12 sets of pontoon bridge park (PMP);
----- - 210-260 floating (amphibious) transport means (PTS);
----- - up to 110 floating (amphibious) ferry means (GSP).
Additionally the front may be reinforced by one to two pontoon and
bridging construction regiments.
In the division the following may be established:
----- - 4-6 ferry (raft) crossing points;
----- - 3-4 underwater tank crossing points or fording points;
----- - 1 bridge crossing point.
With such arrangements, forward detachments may cross in 1.5-2 hours.
First-echelon divisions may cross in 5-7 hours. The army may cross in 12-15
hours.
The following combat employment is specified on the basis of the front
commanders decision:
----- - pontoon bridge construction;
----- - assault river crossings;
----- - engineer bridging units.
When available means are limited crossing means are attached to armies
operating on main directions or where success has been achieved and part of the
crossing means such as one sixty ton bridge are retained at the front
level as reserve.
Engineer Support of Commitment of Front Second-Echelon Troops into
Engagement
Commitment of front second-echelon troops into engagement is planned
during the initial planning of front offensive operations. During the
conduct of the operation, the time and the line of commitment of the
front's second-echelon is reconfirmed.
The aim of engineer support of commitment of second-echelon troops into
engagement is to provide for the following:
----- - timely arrival of second-echelon troops in specified areas (lines of
commitment(;
----- - support of their advance;
----- - their deployment;
----- - their protection against enemy strikes from the flanks.
The engineer support of the movement of the front's second-echelon
troops and their commitment into engagement includes the following measures:
----- - engineer reconnaissance of the movement area of the second-echelon army
and the direction of movement of reserves;
----- - establishing deployment (assembly) and daily (nightly) rest areas;
----- - establishing troop movement routes;
----- - engineer support for preparing crossing sites at water obstacles,
during advance, and for movement of the second-echelon;
----- - supporting deployment of large units during commitment into combat;
----- - breaching lanes in areas of enemy obstacle, deployment, and commitment
of second-echelon troops into engagement;
----- - covering troop flanks during their deployment and commitment into
engagement by mobile obstacle detachments and antitank reserves of the
front and armies;
----- - conducting measures on operational deception
(maskirovka);
----- - conducting measures eliminating consequences of enemy nuclear weapon
use.
The movement of second-echelon troops from assembly areas is usually conducted
on available roads prepared in advance. Roads stretched by first-echelon armies
during the operation may also be used. To support the movement of a
second-echelon army at least two routes are required for each first-echelon
army division and at least one route for army troops. Thus, depending on the
number of divisions moving in the army's first-echelon a total of at least five
to seven routes will be needed for the movement of the front's
second-echelon army for commitment into engagement. Routes are prepared for use
in a limited time. The speed of their preparation must be coordinated with the
speed of advance of the first-echelon armies. On each direction one engineer
road construction company is needed. For all directions (roads) one engineer
road construction and bridging regiment and pontoon and bridge units are
required. Simultaneously, one to two alternate (reserve) routes are also
established.
If the terrain is rugged and if there is alot of obstacles and destruction, the
engineer reserves are also employed to construct bypassing routes.
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Engineer Support for Front Defensive Operations
Aims and Missions of Engineer Support for Front Defensive
Operations
The aims of engineer support in front defensive operations are the
following:
----- - create favorable conditions to hold vital operational lines and areas
by front forces;
----- - inflict decisive losses on enemy groupings.
Aims are achieved by accomplishing a number of engineer support missions. The
content and volume of these missions depend on the following:
----- - concept of the operation;
----- - terrain conditions;
----- - operational and strategic situation under which front defensive
operations are prepared and conducted.
Principal Tasks
The principal tasks of engineer support in defensive operations are as follows:
During Preparation of Defensive Operations
Principal tasks during preparation of defensive operations are as follows:
----- - establishment of engineer obstacles in front of the forward line of
defense, at flanks, and in the depths of defense;
----- - establishment and extension of routes for the maneuver of troops
including the routes to support counterstrikes of the front;
----- - engineer installations (preparation) of command posts (control points);
----- - engineer installations (preparation) of positions of rocket troops and
air defense rockets;
----- - engineer installation (preparation) of positions of rocket troops and
air defense rockets;
----- - engineer installations (preparation) of front aviation
airfields;
----- - engineer installation (preparation) of front reserve deployment
areas.
In addition to these, during preparation, as well as during conduct of
defensive operations the following engineer support missions are also
conducted:
----- - operational deception and concealment of troops
(maskirovka);
----- - supply of front forces by engineer armaments, equipment and
material, and providing technical support of engineer troops;
----- - engineer measures related to elimination of consequences of enemy
nuclear weapon use;
----- - extraction (production) and purification of water.
During the Conduct of Defensive Operations
Elements of engineer support during the conduct of the defensive operation are
as follows:
----- - development of fortifications of defensive belts;
----- - expansion of engineer obstacles on directions of enemy main attacks;
----- - support of combat actions for rocket troops and air defense rockets;
----- - support for launching front counterstrikes;
----- - engineer establishment (preparation) of areas of deployment of
front command posts (control points) and front auxiliary command
posts;
----- - engineer support for combat actions of front aviation forces.
During the Conduct of Counterstrikes in Front Defensive Operations
The aim of engineer support for counterstrikes in front defensive
operations is to create favorable conditions for movement and deployment of
front second-echelon forces and successful conduct of counterstrikes.
Engineer support for front counterstrikes includes the following points:
----- - supporting movement of large units assigned to launch counterstrikes to
lines of deployment;
----- - covering flanks of counterstriking large units by obstacles during
their deployment;
----- - timely reinforcement of large units conducting counterstrikes with
engineer units and subunits.
Movement routes to deployment lines are usually prepared by front troops
during operational preparation. During the conduct of counterstrikes engineer
troops maintain these routes in a prepared status. Direct engineer support of
moving troops is provided by advancing troops themselves.
A complicated situation develops when counterstrikes are launched in unexpected
directions. In such cases one engineer road construction company is assigned on
each direction (road). These companies can construct eight to ten kilometers of
route per hour.
If two divisions are employed in the first-echelon of counterstrikes, three
engineer road construction battalions and three engineer bridge construction
battalions are needed to support the movement of troops to lines of commitment
into engagement.
Mobile obstacle detachments (POZ) cover the flanks and normally operate jointly
with antitank reserves.
If the counterstrike develops into a meeting engagement, mobile obstacle
detachments operate jointly with antitank reserves to contain enemy troops and
create favorable conditions for second-echelon troops launching counterstrikes.
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