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SOVIET VOROSHILOV ACADEMY LECTURES
HANDBOOK

 

CHAPTER THREE


 

ARMY


 
 

I. STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF FIELD TROOP CONTROL ORGANS

 
 

Troop Control System

For the control of forces the Soviet army creates a troop control system in which they establish the following elements:
- organization for control;
- staff departments and directorates;
- political directorate;
- commands;
- other organs.

Troop control organs is the general term for the groups of responsible people organized in a unified manner to complete a specific mission or to control forces subordinate to the army. The following is the composition of the troop control organs:
- commander;
- staff;
- political directorate;
- chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services and their staffs;
- chief of rear and his staff;
- chief of armament and technical services and his staff.



The Army Staff

This is the principal and highest organ of control. The staff is responsible for the organization of control of combat actions and exact and timely control of subordinates forces. The staff organizes its activities on the basis of the army commander's order and instructions of the chief of staff and the higher staff. The following elements are in the organization of the army staff (see Figure 33):
- operations directorate;
- reconnaissance directorate;
- signals directorate;
- organization and mobilization (personnel) directorate;
- 8th directorate;
- topographic directorate;
- radio-electronic warfare directorate;
- others.

Separate from the staff itself, but occupying important places in the command post are the sections for the chiefs of artillery, air defense, and the special troops and support services. (See Figure 33.)

During combat the operations and reconnaissance directorates create a combat operations section. This section is organized into functional teams which concentrate on the following activities:
- planning;
- information flow;
- liaison (axis officers);
- troop control (relocation of the command post).

There are approximately 200 officers in an army headquarters versus 750 in a front headquarters.



 
 

Figure 33 - Army Staff


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Command Posts and Their Missions

Soviet regulations prescribe in detail the duties of each headquarters as a whole and the duties of individual staff positions in it. The headquarters is divided into four groups consisting of personnel for a main command post, an alternate command post, forward command post, and a rear service control point. In addition there is usually an airborne command post. The main and alternate command posts are identical in every detail of structure and equipment, enabling the staff to shift to either one and use it as the "main" command post depending on the situation. Personnel are divided between the two identical main headquarters with ten percent of the group permanently stationed at each and forty percent transient (able to shift from one to the other according to need). The exact same documents are maintained at the main and alternate command posts, so that in case the combat situation calls for a shift, the alternate command post can assume control. Another eighteen to twenty percent of the personnel occupy the forward and airborne command posts. The rear service control point is staffed by personnel under the chief of rear services, as well as some of the sections from the army headquarters, which are not needed during wartime at the main command post. Its principal function is supervising rear services.
Fixed command posts are prepared underground. They are well fortified and shielded from enemy blows. Command posts during the operation are created with special prepared prefabricated building sets that are carried in a kit and then expanded and employed. They must be prepared by the units and subunits of the engineer command post building company. They are located in a good location for use as a CP. Command posts are given means for defense against chemicals and radiation such as ventilators and doors to prevent contamination. A mobile command post is created with command staff machines APC, BTR, or BMP and aircraft and helicopters and on ships and trains.

The main and alternate command posts may be either mobile or fixed. They may be housed either in a series of mobile vans and command vehicles or placed in prefabricated buildings erected and dug in by the command post engineer company. In either case when deployed into an operating configuration the command post can be imagined as forming a series of concentric circles around the commander's centrally located command center van or bunker. The inner "circle" is composed of vans utilized by the staff for operations, reconnaissance, artillery, and air defense. The next "circle" are the support element vans and the farthest "circle" are the headquarters' radio transmitters. The army main command post can occupy an area up to one to two kilometers in diameter. The army command staff is divided into three parts in each command post; the control group, the support group, and the communications facilities. (See diagrams in Figures 34, 35, and 36).

The commander is always at the center of the organization. In some command posts he is located in a central room with other staff elements in adjacent rooms or he is in a central van with the staff elements dispersed in vans nearby. The commander has his deputy commander, the chief of staff, the chief of operations, an aide, and a secretary (who is an officer) close by him. The chiefs of reconnaissance, rocket troops and artillery, air defense, and the air force representative will also have locations near the commander as well as their own staff areas.



 
 

Figure 34 - Army Main Command Post


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Figure 35 - Army Forward Comand post


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Figure 36 Army Rear Control Post


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Main Command Post (CP)

This is the troop control point from which the commander conducts the control of the forces. The main part of the staff and political directorate and other directorates and departments assemble here with the commander. The main command post is supported by signal centers and a support group. The army command post is located at distance at thirty to fifty kilometers from the front line.


Forward Command Post

The forward CP is established closer to the front line of troops. The location is prepared for taking over full control of the troop control process. It is usually controlled by the deputy army commander when the commander is not present. The forward command post of the army is located ten to fifteen kilometers from the front line in the offense.


Rear Control Point

This is designated for control of the rear services. This location is also always prepared to be able to take over full control of the forces. The rear control point is located ten to fifteen kilometers to the rear of the army command post.

The following organs of control are located at the rear control point:
- rear service staff;
- departments and units of the rear service staff;
- departments and units of the main staff of army;
- political directorate and other parts (departments) whose presence is not needed at the main command post.


Airborne Command Post

This is an alternate as reserve for control of forces. It is ready to support the troop control system. Its composition depends on the commander's decision. If it has large helicopters, then it can include more personnel. In this command post they locate various radios in order to be able to support signal communications for longer distances with the other command points.



 
 

Figure 37 Army Headquarters Support Troops


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Signal System

The command posts are linked with each other and with subordinate and higher headquarters by a system including basic and auxiliary (assisting) signal centers; radio nets and directions; telephone and radio relay; axes, directions, and lateral routes; courier means of communication; and postal communications. There is also an automatic system for troop control (computers).


Measures to Support Changing Command Between Command Posts

During the operation, the enemy tries to locate the command post to destroy it in order to destroy the control system. For this reason the command posts are the most important target for nuclear weapons or strikes from aircraft or artillery. Therefore to be sure that, when a command post is knocked out of action, troop control is not destroyed the army must take measures ahead of time to insure that when one command post is knocked out the control system will switch to another command post. The order for changing control from main to alternate or to forward post includes the following measures:
- disperse personnel and signal and transport means between the command posts;
- designate missions and responsibilities transferred from one person to the other;
- support forward and rear CP by giving them the necessary documents;
- organize a unified signal system;
- create reserve personnel, signal, and transport means and other control equipment such as computers located elsewhere;
- prepare personnel of troop control system and maintain CP at a high level of combat readiness for troop control purposes.


Sequence for Shifting or Moving Command Posts

Change of control from the main CP to forward CP is conducted on signal or command or by the initiative of the forward command post. (When forward CP knows that the main CP is destroyed.)

When the main CP is knocked out, control of forces is changed to the forward CP. If the forward is also destroyed, then control goes to the rear control point. If that also is out of action, the last change of control is to the command post of a division.

When control is changed to the forward command post, the staff takes the following measures:
- subordinate forces respond and acknowledge that they know the command is at the new CP;
- the forward command post demands that subordinates report immediately on their own situations;
- if the situation requires, then the commander makes a new decision or confirms the old decision;
- if the situation requires, the missions of the forces will be changed or they will be given a new mission.



 
 

Composition of Army Signal Troops

To provide signal communication in the army there are organic signal center units, line units, field mail units, and signal repair and depot units. (See Figure 38.)



Signal Center Units and Subunits

Signal center units and subunits include the following:
- Signal regiment: assigned to establish the communications of the army's command post and forward command post. The regiment is composed of the following elements:
- two battalions of the signal center of the command post which can establish communications in two locations;
- one signal company of the forward command post which can establish communications for the army's forward command post in one location.
- Rear service signal battalions: assigned to establish signal communications for the army's rear service control points (TPU) in two locations.
- Radio and radio-relay control centers: assigned to control radio and radio-relay communication regulation and secrecy of troop control in subordinate units and large units.


Signal Line and Cable Units

Signal line and cable units include the following:
- Two radio-relay and cable battalions: assigned to establish radio-relay and telephone communications with subordinate units and large units, among the army's command posts in FUP areas, and during the conduct of the operation. They establish communication in the form of axis and direction. The battalion is composed of the following elements:
- one radio-relay company with twelve radio-relay sets;
- two line and cable companies: each company has 120 km of cable.


- One battalion can establish signal and radio-relay axes up to 600 km. The other radio-relay battalion is used to establish communications with divisions. Communication is established in the form of communication directions.
- Separate communication line company: assigned to establish communications with the army's rocket brigade. The company has eight radio-relay sets and sixty kilometers of cable. The company can establish two communication directions of 200 km each, one in the departure (FUP) area and one during the conduct of the operation.


Field Mail Signal Service

Field mail signal service which consists of the following:
Field mail signal center: assigned to deliver mail and combat documents to front elements, army large units, and command posts.
Field mail signal station: assigned to deliver combat documents and mail to field mail signal centers and personnel of all units and large units and signal centers.
Combined signal aviation squadron: assigned to carry combat documents, mail, officers, papers, and other documents. The squadron has twelve helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and one Mi-4 helicopter used for communications as an airborne command post.

 
 

Figure 38 Army Signal Troops


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II. MISSIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES OF COMMAND PERSONNEL

 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of Army Commander

The army commander is the basic organizer of the operational actions of the army forces during preparation and during the conduct of the operation. He is the director and supervisor of all missions, control, discipline, and economical operation of the troops, staff, and control organs in peacetime and in wartime. The army commander conducts the control of his forces on the basis of the principle of unity of command. But he depends on the military council, staff, and control organs. The army commander personally or through the staff and control organs fulfills the following missions:
- gives orders on raising the political - morale situation and or organizing and supervising combat, operational, and political preparedness of combat arms, special troops and services, staff, and control organs;
- is responsible for maintaining a high level of combat and mobilization readiness of combat arms, special troops and services, staff, and control organs for fulfillment of operational military missions;
- observes and inspects the manning of the army forces with personnel, weapons, military equipment, material supplies, and others;
- clarifies the mission personally or with the participation of the chief of staff and chief of operations directorate and he issues instructions to the chief of staff on preparation of combat arms, special troops and services, staff, and control organs for conduct of the operation and on the time the operation will begin;
- estimates the situation personally or listens to the suggestions of the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services on use of their forces in combat and the recommendations of the chief of staff on the result of his estimate of the situation.

On this basis the commander makes a good decision, gives combat missions to subordinates, and issues orders on planning the operation. The army commander must know the theory of contemporary operations of front and army. He must forecast correctly the future development of the situation. The correct forecast on the future situation during decision- making and during the course of the battle is a critical element. The commander must wisely fulfill his mission. He must have experience, high level of organizational skill, strong control, decisiveness, courage, and a high level of operational - tactical preparedness.

He must control the actions of the army in order to achieve the aim of the operation. He must show military art by control in difficult circumstances, during organization, and support successfully the operational action. He must concentrate his forces for the quick and full destruction of the enemy. He must have experience and knowledge on tactical practice and control.

The army commander must know the opposing enemy and his capabilities for action and issue orders to the chief of reconnaissance on the conduct of reconnaissance of the enemy and terrain.

The army commander must organize and conduct interaction between large units, units of combat arms, services, adjacents, and various forces of the front that operate in the army area. He gives orders on all-around combat support for the army operation.

He inspects the army's preparation for operations and the fulfillment of the given missions by all subordinates, personally or with the help of staff and control organs. He, when necessary, orders assistance for subordinates.

The army commander must constantly analyze the situation during the operation and make all-sided, precise forecasts of possible changes in the situation. He in all conditions must respond in a timely manner to expected and actual changes in the situation and make a correct new decision and issue new combat missions to subordinates.

The commander must be prepared at any time to report to the front commander on the situation in the area, the capabilities and character of actions of his forces and enemy forces, and on his current decision.

He must make clear to the chief of staff his own concept, intentions, and views on the operation and his orders that he personally gave to subordinates.

The army commander reports his decision and plans for the operation to the front commander. When the army commander gets his decision approved by the front commander, it becomes mandatory and on the basis of this approved decision then the army planing can proceed. Then the army commander develops plans for the army operation and plans for operations of combat arms and special troops and services and approves their planning. When he approves the plans and documents, that means they carry the force of law and they must be fulfilled.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Staff

The chief of staff is the principal first deputy commander and the direct supervisor of the army staff. The chief of staff is the primary organizer for the execution of the commander's orders including the ideas, concepts, intentions, and decisions of the commander. He alone has the right in the name of the commander to issue and sign instructions and orders to divisions and other subordinate large units, and units to the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, and to other responsible officers directly under command of the army commander. He informs the commander about all important orders he has issued. The chief of staff fulfills the most important, responsible, and difficult tasks relating to the organization and control of subordinate unit staffs, troop control organs. His most important duties include the following:
- directly insures that all duties are accomplished by the staff;
- supervise the planning for and execution of measures to raise the army's level of combat readiness and the mobilization of all units, staffs, and troop control organs; and inspect their combat readiness and mobilization status;
- supervise the organization, planning, and conduct of operational and combat training for all staffs and troop control organs for combat arms troops, special troops, and services during peacetime as well as war;
- brief the deputy commander, chiefs of staff departments, chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, and chiefs of staff of subordinate large units about new missions and instructions and new developments;
- give instructions about the preparation of preliminary (warning) orders, calendar plans, and preparation of operational calculations for the decision-making process and set the deadlines for their preparation;
- during the decision process, prepare the report to the commander on the optimum use of the forces and means of the combat arms, special troops and services;
- know the situation and latest confirmed changes, make wise and knowledgeable forecasts on likely changes in the situation, and be prepared to report the following items to the commander:
- - situation and status and character of friendly and enemy forces' actions;
- - deductions from his estimate of the situation and his recommendations on making the best decision;
- - necessary measures on organization of troop control, interaction, and combat support of the actions of friendly troops.
- coordinate the operation of the staff and specify the coordinating measures to all chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services concerning organs of troop control and adjacents;
- coordinate the operation of all organs and control their performance.

The planning of the operation is conducted under the leadership of the chief of staff. The chief of staff personally prepares some important documents such as the combat directive and participates in preparation and working out of some other issues and documents. He supervises the process of their preparation.

The chief of staff coordinates actions between the staff and troop control organs and the staffs of all other forces which interact with the army. He organizes constant and reliable interaction between various operational elements and combat arms, special troops, and services, as well as adjacents and frontal forces operating the army's area of action.

He organizes all-around support measures for the army, especially on radio-electronic warfare, operational maskirovka, protection against enemy mass-destruction weapons, and the measures for restoration of combat effectiveness, during the preparation for and conduct of combat operations.

He issues orders on creation of constant and secure communications with subordinate and adjacent formations.

He issues orders on organizing command posts, and insuring the proper functioning of command posts as well as for moving their locations. He organizes the defense, protection, and security of command posts during the preparation for and conduct of operations. He also issues orders on the organization of secret troop control measures. The chief of staff is responsible for constant and reliable troop control process for all subordinate forces during the operation, especially for the organized activities of the staff, which is the basic organ of troop control.

He issues orders and instructions on the organization of reconnaissance. He also orders the collection, clarification, and analysis of situational data on enemy and friendly forces. He reports all new data to the commander and disseminates it to the staff, to higher headquarters, and to adjacents and subordinates.

He must be aware of all orders and instructions issued by the commander and must monitor their execution. He issues orders for rendering necessary assistance to subordinates and staffs to enhance fulfillment of orders.
He signs all directives, orders, and instructions that are issued to subordinates and units, and chiefs of arms and services. He also signs all plans and important combat documents. To fulfill successfully all the difficult tasks he must have a deep theoretical and practical knowledge of the preparation and conduct of modern military operations and operational art. He must understand how to employ the forces and means of the combat arms and special troops and services. He must have high staff culture. He must have the personal capability to be a good organizer, have initiative, vigilance, and wisdom, and be able quickly to analyze the most complex and difficult combat situations and make correct and wise decisions.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Operations

The chief of the operations directorate is one of the most important chiefs on the army staff. He is the assistant chief of staff and fulfills all the functions of the chief of staff in his absence. He is responsible for training and the preparation during combat of the operation. He has the following duties:
- during peacetime organize, plan, and conduct control of all measures for achieving a high level of combat readiness for the army and subordinate formations, units, and staffs;
- organize, plan, and conduct control (inspection) of operational and combat training of troops and staffs;
- be responsible for preparation of warning instructions, orders, and calendar plans;
- organize and plan the re-deployment of the army staff and the distribution of staff personnel to the various command posts;
- organize daily schedules and duty rosters;
- sometimes he personally writes the combat directives and prepares other important documents;
- prepare operational calculations required by the commander in the decision making process;
- supervise collection, study, and analysis of situation information and send it to others in the army headquarters and to superior, adjacent, and subordinate headquarters. (the army information center is subordinate to the chief of operations);
- observe and inspect the situation, conditions, manning levels, and combat capabilities of own forces and provide suggestions to the army commander and chief of staff on their optimum employment;
- sign, issue, and transmit combat missions, operational directives, combat instructions, and other orders to subordinate operational formations, large units, and units;
- plan the organization and deployment of command posts and their relocation during the course of the operation;
- plan (with the chief of signal troops) the organization of signal communications and designation of the troop control signals;
- prepare the combat documents on troop control.

The chief of operations does the detailed planning of the army operation and prepares the annexes to the plan such as the plan of the initial nuclear strike, operational concealment maskirovka plan, plan of protection of troops against mass-destruction weapons, plan of restoration of troop combat capabilities, plan of employment of air assault operations, plans of movement, and deployment of army troops to FUP's etc.

He is the leading planner for radio-electronic warfare.

He is responsible for organization and maintenance of continuous interaction and preparation of documents on coordination, such as the plan and table for interaction.

The chief of operations monitors the accomplishment of combat missions by subordinates and the extension of required assistance to them.

He is responsible for making a clear analysis of all lessons learned from the experience of combat and the distribution of information on lessons learned to superior and subordinate headquarters. He organizes the scientific study of combat.


Duties of the Operations Section

The operations section contains several assistants for training, tactical control, and axis officers. Their functions include the following:
- direct combat operations;
- collect and process information on friendly and enemy forces;
- coordinate the exchange of information up and down;
- organize the commander's terrain reconnaissance;
- prepare operations plans;
- traffic control;
- maskirovka;
- antitank, chemical and other operations;
- select the location of the headquarters.
- plan the defense of the headquarters;
- coordinate the activities of the arms and services.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Reconnaissance

The chief of the reconnaissance directorate is one of the most important staff officers. The chief of reconnaissance has a seat in the commander's van plus his own section van. He controls the reconnaissance forces and means of the army in peace and war and fulfills the following tasks:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect measures for maintenance of a high level of combat readiness of reconnaissance forces;
- organization, planning, conduct, and inspection of special preparation (training in reconnaissance), operational preparation, and political training, of reconnaissance staffs, army reconnaissance units, and reconnaissance units of subordinate large units;
- prepare calculations on the personnel manning, weapons, military equipment, and capabilities of reconnaissance forces and means to perform their missions;
- collection, study, analysis, and the derivation of deductions of reconnaissance information about the enemy and terrain and timely presentation of the important information to the commander, chief of staff, and chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, and combat support arms (in this he is especially interested in the enemy concept of operations and possible intentions as well as enemy capabilities); he insures the timely transmission of information on the enemy to the higher staff, adjacent units, and subordinates;
- derive the aims and tasks of reconnaissance and the allocation of required troops and reconnaissance means to accomplish these from the instructions given by the commander and chief of staff;
- designate targets and missions for the reconnaissance forces and means to fulfill the assigned missions;
- prepare the reconnaissance plan and issue missions to the reconnaissance directorate staff in response to the decision and orders of the commander and chief of staff (the reconnaissance plan is signed by the chief of staff and approved by the commander);
- distribute the reconnaissance forces and means of all types and coordinate all efforts of different reconnaissance means in terms of targets, times, and their missions and objectives;
- issue orders and tasks to army reconnaissance units and instructions on reconnaissance to the staffs of subordinate large units;
- prepare reconnaissance units and subunits to fulfill their missions;
- take all-around combat support measures for reconnaissance forces;
- monitor the execution of assigned instructions and orders given to subordinates and chiefs of reconnaissance of subordinate large units and provide practical assistance to staffs and commanders of units and sub-units in accomplishment of reconnaissance missions;
- organize troop control including continuous, reliable, and secret communications with units and subunits (groups) assigned to combat reconnaissance and also with the chiefs of reconnaissance in headquarters of subordinate large units;
- insure reception of reconnaissance reports from aircraft and other organs of higher headquarters as well as adjacents and subordinate forces;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect actions for the protection of reconnaissance units, subunits, and groups against mass-destruction weapons;
- communicate reconnaissance information inside the staff and to subordinate, adjacent, and coordinating headquarters.


Duties of the Intelligence Directorate

The duties of the intelligence department are to collect, evaluate, disseminate, and present information on the enemy, which includes the following:
- obtain and study information on the enemy, terrain, population, and weather;
- organize the means to obtain this intelligence;
- prepare periodic reports;
- organize coded signals between intelligence units and staffs at each echelon;
- supply intelligence information to other staff and units;
- organize the staff work of subordinate staffs;
- study enemy tactics, equipment and keep a record of enemy combat strength.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery

The army chief rocket troops and artillery is an important member of the organs of troop control. He controls the rocket and artillery forces in peace and wartime. He fulfills the following tasks:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect measures for achieving higher levels of combat and operational preparation of the army artillery;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect special operational, combat, and political training of the forces and staff of the rocket troops and artillery of the army and of subordinate large units;
- know the manning level, situation, conditions, and combat capability of the units and subunits of rocket and artillery;
- prepare operational and combat calculations on the employment of artillery during the commander's decision making process and suggests operational and combat employment of rocket troops and artillery;
- organize the actions and plan the combat use and operational activities of the RT&A on the basis of the army commander's decision and the instructions from higher staff on artillery;
- issue combat missions and combat instructions to the RT&A troops of the army and to the RT&A staffs of the subordinate large units;
- organize and plan the grouping of the artillery forces and their preparation of FUP areas and insure preparation of firing positions for rocket and artillery units with the objective of providing cover and concealment for the artillery while they are providing artillery cover and support for the forces on the main attack axis;
- insure preparation of rocket troops and artillery for accomplishment of their assigned missions;
- plan and conduct all-around combat support measures in the interest of RT&A;
- provide constant support and assistance for the army forces with various kinds of ammunition, artillery supplies, weapons, and rockets;
- create supply dumps for artillery combat supplies filled to the designated norms at all levels and then insures transport of ammunition and artillery supplies to the forces during the operation;
- organize interaction of rocket troops and artillery with other army operational elements and the forces of the front operating in the army area during the conduct of the operation, especially in accomplishment of the most important missions;
- constantly monitor the accomplishment of orders and instructions by subordinate forces;
- render necessary assistance to army RT&A forces and to subordinate large units.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of PVO

The army chief of air defense is responsible for all aspects of the air defense troops in peace and war and fulfills the following tasks:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the high combat readiness of the PVO forces with the aim of covering the army forces and rear service targets from enemy air strikes (blows);
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the special, operational, combat, and political training of the air defense forces and staffs and of PVO units and large units of the subordinate formations;
- prepare calculations and recommendations on the operational and combat employment of air defense forces during the commander's decision making and during the forthcoming combat;
- know the situation, status, manning level, and combat capabilities of the formations and units of air defense at any time and stage of the operation and give his suggestions on their operational employment to the army commander;
- organize the combat and operational actions of the air defense forces and prepare the plan of their operational and combat actions during the operation in accordance with the army commander's decision;
- issue combat decisions and instructions to army air defense forces and to the staffs of the subordinate divisions;
- accomplish the regrouping of the air defense forces, prepare them for the operation, maintain their constant combat readiness for repelling the enemy's air strikes, create the system of air defense reconnaissance, and establish a reliable fire system of air defense;
- organize uninterrupted technical preparation of the guided rockets (rockets) of air defense before and during the course of the operation;
- organize all-around operational and combat support measures of the PVO forces during the preparation and during the course of the operation;
- organizes interaction between units of air defense, and fighter aviation of the front, and the PVO means of the formations and units of the army;
- organize and monitor the establishing of the air defense center for combat control - reconnaissance and notification - the center for signal communications and organization of reliable and constant communications;
- perform reliable and constant inspection of the execution of instructions and directives that have been issued to the forces and provides necessary assistance to subordinate air defense units and their staffs.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Engineer Troops

The chief of engineers controls the engineer troops in peacetime and war and fulfills the following duties:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect high combat readiness and operational preparedness of the engineer forces of the army and the engineer units of the large units and their staffs for providing support to the army;
-organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the special, operational, combat, and political training of the engineer forces of the army and of large units and their staffs;
- prepare operational and combat calculations in support of the commander's decision and for the operational and combat employment of the engineer forces;
- know the situation, composition, combat capability, and manning level of the units and sub-units of engineer forces;
- prepare and give his recommendations on the operational and combat employment of engineer forces to the army commander, during the commander's decision making process;
- organize the operational and combat employment and the planning for the engineer forces in accordance with the army commander's decision and orders and the instructions received from the senior headquarters staff;
- conduct the grouping and deployment of the engineer forces during the preparation phase and according to mission during the conduct of the operation;
- prepare, issue, and transmit combat orders (missions) to the army engineer forces and instructions on the use of engineers to the staffs of subordinate formations and units;
- organize and conduct engineer reconnaissance of the enemy and terrain during the preparation phase and during the course of the operation and organize interaction of engineer reconnaissance with general reconnaissance;
- provide engineer support for preparation of FUP areas for the first-echelon formations and large units and for the covering forces on the border and of deployment areas for the second-echelon forces and reserves;
- prepare positions for the rocket troops and artillery and the PVO forces;
- take engineer measures on blocking enemy surprise attacks during the preparation phase and during the course of the operation;
- prepare movement routes for the relocation and maneuver of the second-echelon, rocket troops, PVO forces, and command posts;
- prepare engineer construction (fortification) of deployment areas, and army command posts during the preparation phase and during the course of the operation;
- participate in the planning for operational maskirovka and in taking measures to accomplish it in accordance with the army plan;
- participate in planning and support for the protection of forces and rear service installations against enemy use of mass-destruction weapons and in the liquidation of the results of their use and the restoration of the combat capability (effectiveness) of the forces, rear services, and staffs, during the preparation phase and course of the operation;
- provide engineer support for the movement and deployment of army forces in the enemy covering force area, support for the breaching of enemy obstacles and mine fields during breakthrough of his prepared defenses, and support for the development of the attack of first-echelon formations;
- provide engineer support for army forces during the forcing of water obstacles;
- provide engineer support for the movement and commitment into the engagement of the army second-echelon forces;
- prepare the engineer forces for the fulfillment of all operational and combat missions;
- plan and conduct all-around combat support for the engineer forces;
- provide support of army forces during the preparation phase and the course of the operation by engineer forces and means, weapons, and technical equipment and establish the proper reserves of engineer materials up to the prescribed norms;
- organize interaction of engineer forces with other forces and elements of the operational formation of the army during the fulfillment of the most important missions;
- organize troop control and the creation of reliable and constant signal communications with the engineer forces and other elements of the operational and combat formation of the army with whom they have organized interaction;
- monitor the fulfillment of all orders and instructions that are sent to subordinates and render them assistance to fulfill their missions.


 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Chemical Troops

The army chief of chemical troops directs the army chemical forces in peacetime and war and fulfills the following duties:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the high combat readiness and operational preparedness of the chemical forces of the army and the chemical units of the large units and units and their staffs for fulfilling support of the forces of the army for operations;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the special, operational, combat, and political training of the chemical forces of the army and of the large units and units and their staffs;
- prepare operational and combat calculations in support of the commander's decision and for the operational and combat employment of the chemical forces;
- know the situation, composition, combat capability, and manning level of the units and sub-units of chemical forces;
- prepare and give his recommendations on the operational and combat employment of chemical forces to the army commander, during the commander's decision making process;
- organize the operational and combat employment and the planning for the chemical forces in accordance with the army commander's decision and orders and the instructions received from the senior headquarters staff;
- conduct the grouping and deployment of the chemical forces and means during the preparation phase and according to mission during the conduct of the operation;
- prepare, issue, and transmit combat orders (missions) to the army chemical troops and instructions on chemical support to the staffs of subordinate large units and units;
- organize and conduct radiation and chemical reconnaissance and participate in bacteriological reconnaissance during the preparation phase and during the course of the operation and organize the interaction of chemical reconnaissance with general reconnaissance;
- issue combat orders (missions) and instructions to the army chemical troops and prepare combat instructions on chemical support for the large units and units of the army;
- prepare the area for deployment of the army chemical troops with engineer construction (fortification) and insures their cover and maskirovka;
- prepare his troops for the fulfillment of operational and combat missions;
- establish the system for defining and determining the coordinates and parameters of nuclear bursts;
- organize and conduct special and field cleaning of personnel (decontamination);
- organize and conduct disinfection, and decontamination of weapons, equipment, material means, locations, roads, and other items as required;
- monitor the level of radio active and chemical contamination of personnel and combat equipment, weapons, locations, supplies, and installations and inspect for changes in the level of contamination and conducts analysis of the radiation and chemical situation;
- control the preparation and employment of chemical weapons, bacteriological weapons, smoke means, and fire weapons;
- participate in interaction with the operations directorate, engineer directorate, and other responsible chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services and the rear staff in organizing and planning for the protection of army forces and rear installations against the enemy use of mass-destruction weapons and plan for the restoration of combat effectiveness and liquidation of the results of such enemy employment of mass-destruction weapons;
- plan for the all-around combat support of chemical forces;
- provide constant support for chemical forces and for formations and units of all combat arms special troops and services and rear installations of the army with various chemical weapons, supplies, chemical protective gear, ammunition, and chemical technical means;
- establish chemical supply depots to the required stockage norms;
- organize interaction with other arms and services of the army combat structure during the fulfillment of the most important army missions;
- organize troop control and establish constant, reliable signal communications with subordinate chemical units and other elements of the army operational order with whom the chemical forces interact;
- monitor the fulfillment of orders and instructions issued to subordinate forces and render assistance.

 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Army Chief of Signal Troops

The army chief of signal troops directs the army signal forces in peacetime and war and fulfills the following duties:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect high combat readiness and operational preparedness of the signal forces of the army and the signal units of the formations and units and their staffs for fulfilling support of the forces of the army for operations;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the special, operational, combat, and political training of the signal forces of the army and of the formations and units and their staffs;
- prepare operational and combat calculations in support of the commander's decision and for the operational and combat employment of the signal troops;
- know the situation, composition, combat capability, and manning level of the formations, units, and sub-units of signal forces;
- prepare and give his recommendations on the operational and combat employment of signal forces for the creation of reliable and constant communications to the army commander, during the commander's decision making process;
- organize the operational and combat employment and the planning for the signal forces in accordance with the army commander's decision and orders of the chief of staff and the instructions received from the senior headquarters staff;
- organize timely, reliable, uninterrupted, and secured communications with forces, staffs, control organs, and subordinate staffs and neighbors;
- plan signal communications in peacetime and during the preparation phase and course of the operation;
- conduct the grouping and deployment of the signal forces during the preparation phase and according to mission during the conduct of the operation;
- prepare, issue, and transmit combat orders (missions) to the army signal troops and instructions on signal matters to the staffs of subordinate units and large units;
- prepare his troops for the fulfillment of operational and combat missions in providing reliable and uninterrupted signal communications during the preparation phase and the course of the operation;
- send in a timely manner the signals and commands for raising the forces to various higher levels of combat readiness;
- send the warning signals (alerts) on the enemy's preparations to employ nuclear strikes;
- send the signal ordering the rocket troops to fire their nuclear strike;
- provide support with reliable and uninterrupted signal communications for the commander, chief of staff, and troop control organs with the commanders and staffs of subordinate forces starting from the first combat alert signal to the fulfillment of the subsequent mission (i.e all the time);
- provide signal support for interaction with army forces, large units, and formations of all combat arms and special troops and services, elements of the army combat order, second-echelons, reserves, and interacting forces of the front who are operating in the army area and with adjacents;
- provide support by sending warning signals, data, and commands on the air situation, radiological, chemical, and bacteriological contamination, and meteorological situation in a timely manner;
- provide signal support to the rear services with communications between rear service units and installations and the rear of subordinate units and large units;
- establish the main and alternate signal centers and organizes radio, radio-relay and telephone nets and directions to provide reliable and uninterrupted signal support;
- provide mobile signal (courier) service on directions and circular routes between the command posts and other points;
- plan and conduct all-around combat support of the signal forces themselves organizes and
- organize and conduct replenishment and supply of signal means and their timely repair;
- organize and conduct constant inspection over the orders and instructions sent to subordinates and their constant control in observation of secrecy of troop control;
- offer assistance to subordinates.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Chief of Radio-Electronic Combat

The chief of radio-electronic combat controls his forces in peace and wartime and fulfills the following duties:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect measures for achieving higher levels of operational and combat readiness of radio-electronic warfare troops;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect special, operational, political,and combat training of his forces and staffs;
- prepare detailed operational and combat calculations on all aspects of radio-electronic combat, especially of enemy radio-electronic targets and their capabilities for electronic combat, during the decision process;
- during the operation, prepare operational calculations for the employment of radio-electronic combat troops;
- make detailed calculations on the capabilities of his units for radio-electronic combat with respect to reconnaissance, jamming, and destruction of the signal system, radio-electronic combat means, reconnaissance means, and others;
- know the situation, conditions, and manning level of units and sub-units of his troops and make recommendations on combat missions and enemy targets, during the commander's decision making process.

The chief of radio-electronic combat, together with the chief of reconnaissance and other chiefs of staff directorates and organs of troop control, evaluates the radio-electronic situation and prepares recommendations to the chief of staff on the organization of radio-electronic combat.

In accordance with the army commander's decision, instructions of the chief of staff, and instructions of the front staff on radio-electronic combat, he organizes the actions of the radio-electronic troops and plans their actions.

The chief of radio-electronic combat, together with the chief of the operational directorate, evaluates the quality of own command posts and other radio-electronic targets against enemy action for both nuclear and conventional war situations.

The chief of radio-electronic combat, with other chiefs who participate in radio-electronic combat, designates the basic measures for the conduct of radio-electronic combat and incorporates them in all the basic plans, such as the operational plan, reconnaissance plan, plan for defense against mass weapons, SPETZNAZ plan, airborne landing plan, plans of radio and radio technical reconnaissance units, plans for rocket forces and artillery, plan of PVO, signal plan, engineer support plan, chemical support plan, maskirovka plan, and others.

He issues the combat directive and combat instructions on radio-electronic combat to the radio-electronic combat troops and to the subordinate staffs.

He prepares the deployment areas (FUP areas) for radio-electronic troops from the point of view of engineer preparation (fortification) and camouflage.

He prepares the radio-electronic combat troops for fulfillment of operational and combat missions.

He plans all-around combat support measures for these forces.

He organizes interaction with other army forces and the operational elements of the combat formation to fulfill the most important operational missions.

He organizes and inspects the establishment of uninterrupted and robust communications with subordinate units.

He monitors the fulfillment of orders and instructions that were sent to subordinates and renders assistance for them to fulfill their missions.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Chief of Armament and Technical Services

The chief of armament and technical services is the deputy of the army commander for technical services and also directs the units and subunits responsible for supply, evacuation and repair of army material in peace and wartime and fulfills the following duties:
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect measures for bringing these forces to higher combat readiness;
- organize, plan, direct, and inspect measures for special, combat, operational, technical, and political training of his forces and subordinate staffs;
- know the situation, condition, capabilities, and manning level of these units and sub-units and also the status of the army's large units and units with technical equipment, armament, spare parts and maintenance supplies, ammunition, and technical instruments;
- prepare recommendations on the use of technical equipment during the commander's decision making process;
- prepare and conduct calculations on technical support of army forces during the operation;
- insure timely supply of forces with armaments, military technical equipment, ammunition, and instruments in accordance with the table of organization and equipment and creates supply depots filled to approved norms at all echelons of the forces and provide for constant delivery of these items to the forces, and in accordance with the situation, if necessary, he establishes supplies above the norms;
- organize the technical support service and the security of weapons and technical equipment at a high level of combat readiness for fulfillment of operations and during combat secure their high effectiveness in all conditions and situations and constantly know the technical situation of technical means;
- organize battlefield collection, evacuation, and repair of technical equipment and weapons that are damaged in the operation;
- organize maintenance training on weapons, combat technical equipment, and other technical instruments and its tactical-technical characteristics, for crews, drivers, and others and raises their experience by training;
- organize actions for security, defense, and protection of technical and maintenance bases, repair shops, and supply depots;
- during the operation, organize technical reconnaissance and observation of the battlefield and movement of units and sub-units of the evacuation, repair, and support troops with the aim of timely evacuation and repair of damaged combat equipment and weapons;
- organize interaction of army technical support forces with rear service support forces during the preparation phase and during the operation;
- organize and lay out points of technical support services and insures their effective operation, constant uninterrupted communications, and their movement during the operation;
- issue timely technical reports to higher headquarters on a daily basis;
- constantly inspect the fulfillment of issued orders and instructions by technical units and offer them assistance.



 
 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Deputy Commander for Rear Services (Chief of Rear Services) of the Army

The deputy commander for rear services is also the chief of rear services of the army and he directs the rear services during peacetime and wartime. He fulfills the following tasks:
- organize, plan, conduct and inspect high combat readiness and mobilization preparedness of the formations, units, and institutions of the rear services for fulfilling support of the forces of the army for operations;
- organize, plan, conduct, and inspect the special, operational, combat, and political training of the rear services staffs, formations, units, and installations;
- prepare recommendations with the aim of rear services support during the commander's decision making process;
- prepare and conduct calculations for accomplishment of rear service support for the offensive;
- organize, make the decision, and plan rear service support;
- prepare the orders on rear services support and insure their timely issue to the large units, units, and installations of the rear services and the staffs of subordinate large units;
- support army forces with all types of material supplies, create supply dumps of materials filled to the approved norms at all levels of preparation and combat, and provide uninterrupted transport of supplies to the combat forces;
- prepare lines of communication for supply and evacuation and support of reliable movement of transport on these roads and organize the commandant's service on the designated army roads;
- oversee collection, evacuation, in some conditions repair of damaged army means and weapons;
- render assistance to wounded and sick, their evacuation from the battlefield, their medical treatment in the separate medical detachments, and their evacuation to the front hospital bases and provide antiepidemic and sanitary measures with the aim of limiting the spread of epidemics in the forces;
- organize security, protection, and defense of material support brigade and rocket technical bases, depots, and rear installations as well as the complete operational activity in the rear area of the army so that all will be in order;
- organize veterinary support and quartering service and also exploitation of local supplies and captured materials;
- during the operation conduct maneuver and movement of army material support brigade, supplies of materials, transport means, and large units, units, and installations of the army rear, engineer road units, units for evacuation and repair, medical units, and others in a timely manner in accordance with the movement (advance) of the army;
- organize establishment of the rear control point and its high quality operation, movement, defense, security, and protection in the FUP area and during the operation;
- establish reliable communications with large units, units, and installations of the rear service and rear control points of the subordinate large units and units;
- insure timely preparation and issuing of periodic reports on rear service status and activities and data on the situation to higher headquarters;
- conduct constant inspection of the fulfillment of issued directives and instructions on rear services and render required assistance to subordinate units and formations.



 
 

III. ACTIONS OF ARMY STAFF AND TROOP CONTROL ORGANS DURING ORGANIZATION FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS


 
 

Organization of the Actions of Army Staff and Troop Control Organs During Preparation for the Operation

Preparation of army offensive operations consists of various measures that are conducted by the army commander, staff, chiefs of combat arms and special troops and services, political organs, and rear service organs on the organization, planning, and all-around support of army forces actions. The most important role in this is played by the commander and chief of staff. The organization of staff actions during the preparation of the operation to a considerable measure determines the successful accomplishment of the operational mission.

The army commander upon receiving the operational directive personally clarifies it and personally or with the assistance of the chief of staff calculates the time needed for preparation of each subordinate staff and unit. He includes the following elements:
- how much time is needed to make the decision;
- how much time is needed for the staff and troop control organs to prepare directives combat instructions and send them to the subordinates;
- how much time is needed for planning;
- at what time they will issue orders and instructions to subordinates;
- what work will be accomplished by the staff and other control organs and at what time.


Preliminary (Warning) Instructions

The army chief of staff reports to the front staff that the operational directive has been received. The chief of staff together with the chief of the operations directorate prepares preliminary (warning) instructions and sends them to the forces. They send the first preliminary instructions just as soon as the mission is clarified. No information is given that would jeopardize the secrecy of the mission, on the other hand too little information may cause failure of the operation. When the army sends preliminary instructions to a division, it may say that it has received an offensive mission and give a time for preparation or it may be an order to conduct a march. Which ever order is received the division must turn in all damaged vehicles, evacuate all wounded and sick personnel, have the commander or chief of staff report to army headquarters, and have the division complete its resupply to the prescribed norm all at a certain time. (A sample preliminary instruction is in Chapter Five).


Calendar Plan

After sending the preliminary instructions, the chief of staff organizes the activities of the staff and control organs on preparation of data that will be needed by the commander for making the decision. To insure that planning is well organized the operational directorate prepares the calendar plan. In this plan the specific measures and responsible personnel to fulfill them are indicated as well as the time for starting and completing these measures and the time for the chief of staff and army commander to sign the documents. As a rule the calendar plan is prepared as a graphic table. (A sample calendar plan is in Chapter Five). The following measures for preparation of the operation are organized in this plan:
- making the decision;
- planning the operation;
- issuing orders to subordinates, organizing interaction, and preparing them to fulfill combat missions;
- measures for security against an enemy surprise attack;
- occupying the FUP (iskhodnya) areas;
- organizing and conducting combat support measures;
- collecting and distributing material supplies;
- organizing party/political work;
- organizing secure troop control measures.

In accordance with this plan the chief of staff issues instructions and orders to staffs to accomplish these measures. He organizes the activities for army troop control and monitors their accomplishment.

The chief of staff issues the required tasks to the chiefs of directorates and specifies the time for their fulfillment in accordance with the plan.

The chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, and the chief of the rear organize the actions of their subordinate staffs in accordance with the commander's instructions and orders and the instructions of the chief of staff. The chief of staff designates what data he must have and at what time for making the decision, what orders will be issued to the subordinate forces, and what documents have to be prepared at specific times. He specifies how monitoring and assistance to the forces will be organized.

The operational department organizes the headquarters duty roster for staff officers into eight hour periods. The following information is shown on this table:
- what officers will be on duty to fulfill their tasks at which times;
- time for eating and sleeping;
- time when the shifts will change.

The chiefs of each department and section determine the time for eating and sleeping for their officers.



 
 

Preparation of Data for the Commander's Decision Making Process for an Offensive Operation


Working Out the Decision and Issuing Orders to Subordinates

The army commander makes the decision for the offensive personally on the basis of deep clarification of the given mission and all-sided assessment of the situation.

The army staff at that time must prepare all data and calculations that the commander needs for making the decision. The scale of the content is not fixed. It depends on the situation and the data that is available. The decision is made in peacetime or during a previous operation.

In the first instance the army staff prepares data fully in accordance with the situation but the future is not known. Therefore the staff forecasts the situation for the future operation and makes necessary changes at the time of war.

In the second case it is not necessary to collect and process all possible data because most of it will have been obtained already during the operation. The commander needs only the latest data, which he specifies as necessary. Much of the common data on the enemy and own forces was already reported to the commander, so only the latest changes and data need be reported to him now.

The commander's and staff's methods for activities during the clarification of the mission, estimate of the situation, and preparing the content of the decision can vary.

According to one method the army commander clarifies the mission and with the chief of staff and chiefs of arms and services estimates the situation. The commander listens to the detailed estimate of the situation presented by each of the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services and listens to their recommendations on employment of their troops and then listens to the suggestions of the chief of staff on making the decision. After this the commander makes his decision in front of them. This method of action by the commander and staff takes time and requires taking special measures for preserving the secrecy of the concept of the operation.

In another method of action of commander and staff the army commander at the start personally clarifies the mission and estimates the situation and listens only to the reports but not recommendations of the chiefs of the operational and reconnaissance departments and chiefs of arms and special troops. He listens only to the recommendations of the chief of staff on the concept of the operation. After this he may discuss his intentions and concept with the members of the military council and chief of staff. Then the commander makes clear in detail his concept of the operation and missions for the subordinates. The decision is made clear to the limited number of people. Only those parts which concern each are divulged to the specific individuals. The decisions for the forces are issued in short combat instructions. This method demands of the commander that the current situation be clarified and estimated and the decision be made quickly. This helps secure the secrecy of the concept of the operation.

If the army commander knows the situation well in the army's area of operations, he may make his decision for the operation without listening to reports and data from the chiefs of arms and services. (See further discussion of decision making procedures in Chapters Two and Four. Samples of recommendations by staff officers are in Chapter Five).

The principal method for making the decision depends on the situation and knowledge and practice of the commander and his personality and also on the coordinated actions of the troop control organs. The good method of action of the commander and staff is such that the commander when receiving the operational directive tells it to the chief of staff and chiefs of operations, reconnaissance, and political departments. And then the chief of operations shows on the map the aim and mission of the army, missions of rocket forces, air army of the front, and missions of adjacents with the boundary lines; and the chief of reconnaissance shows on the map the situation of his own (reconnaissance) forces and enemy forces on the basis of the latest information.

The army commander starts his estimate of the situation and the staff reports on situation data. For better organization of work prior to the estimate of the situation the commander and chief of staff make known to all the chiefs of arms and services parts of the received mission that concern them. He also specifies the time for fulfillment of missions, all data that is needed for making the decision, and which chiefs need to be ready at what times. Also he specifies the data on own forces and enemy he has and what he needs to receive. He designates who will supply the information.

Some data on own forces, adjacents, and enemy are available in the information department of the operations directorate. Some needed data must be received by means of discussion with responsible sources and sometimes officers are sent to collect the information.

The chief of staff and chiefs of combat arms, services troops, and rear service staff collect and analyze information on the situation of the operation. The data that is received is shown on the map and noted in the written journal in accordance with the data received before. They make clear its essence, importance, and correctness, and consider the sources. Correct and accurate data is analyzed and in accordance with its importance it is reported to the commander and chief of staff.

During preparation of information for the reports to the commander, the staff officers make various operational calculations. For making the decision the following calculations are necessary:
- calculating time for preparation;
- calculating capability of own forces and enemy forces;
- determining quantity and quality and correlation of forces and means of the two sides on the entire width of the operation, and on each direction and during the time of commitment of the second-echelon into engagement, time of counterattack, and other times and depths;
- calculating capabilities of army rocket forces during participation in the initial nuclear strike of the front;
- calculating capabilities of army air defense forces while repelling enemy air strikes;
- calculating combat capabilities of arms, special troops, and services of the army in important army missions;
- calculating capabilities of army artillery during the breakthrough of enemy prepared defense and during artillery support and artillery accompaniment;
- calculating maneuver capability of army forces during movement and deployment into engagement and battle.


Planning Time

In the process of making the decision it is important that the commander quickly clarify the mission, estimate the situation, and make the decision as soon as possible. The decision is critical because the staff will conduct all measures for preparation of the operation using it as the basis. They must send the missions to forces at a minimum of one twenty-four hour day prior to the operation.

The time the army staff needs to plan an operation depends on many factors. If it is the initial operation of the war, years are available, since the plan is prepared during peacetime. All war plans are prepared in advance and require only last minute changes to reflect the immediate situation. These plans are secret and known only to a few people. It would be expected that army headquarters would have one or two days to reorient forces prior to the outbreak of the war, longer if major changes were required.

During the course of a war, the staff uses every available minute for planning future operations. For instance, the front gives the army the immediate mission and the objective of the subsequent mission. While the army is executing the immediate mission, the staff is planning the subsequent mission with the information they have and with information received on how the immediate mission is progressing. An army might require two to three days to create a totally new plan, but could do it in one day if necessary.


Norms for Organization and Planning

The time norms for planning include:
- clarification of mission 20-30 min;
- initial instructions 10-15 min;
- estimate of the situation 2-3 hrs;
- terrain evaluation (reconnaissance) 2-3 hrs;
- formulation of decision 30 min;
- assignment of missions 30-60 min;
- coordination instructions 2-3 hrs;
- divisional planning 18-24 hrs.


Clarification of Mission

Clarification of mission is the process of coming to a correct understanding of the aim of the operation and the missions of the army and its place and role in the operation, the missions of adjacent armies, the missions of rocket forces of the front, the missions of the air army, and other interacting forces. In order to achieve this aim, the army commander clarifies and correctly determines the following:
- general military-political situation in the theater and in the army's area of operations;
- aim and missions of the army in the operation: what is the enemy grouping which must be destroyed and what lines and regions must seized;
- what combat order must be adopted for the fulfillment of the given missions in accordance with the concept of the operation of the front commander;
- role and place of the army in the offensive operation of the front: is the army on the main or other axis, is it in first- or second-echelon, if in first is it in center or on flank;
- with what forces and means the TVD and front commander will destroy targets and enemy groupings in the army area with use of nuclear weapons or conventional weapons;
- on what axis the main forces will be concentrated and with what means will they fulfill the given missions;
- time that is needed for fulfilling missions and scale of operation;
- conditions of interaction with forces and means of the TVD and front commander and also with neighboring armies;
- time that is needed for preparation and conduct of the offensive operation.

As a result of the clarification of the mission the commander determines the following:
- aim and mission of the army in the operation;
- in accordance with the front commander's concept, the axis for the main attack;
- how to organize the army operational grouping;
- determine the scale of the operation.


Situation Data for the Decision Process

The information expected for the organization of combat and its time for delivery is as follows:

1. For the estimate of the situation (two to three hours) including:
- enemy grouping and disposition, enemy nuclear weapons;
- enemy movement and likely intention;
- strength and composition of enemy;
- weak points in enemy dispositions;
- terrain in enemy territory;
- meteorological situation.

2. For the commander's decision (four to six hours) including:
- changes in enemy disposition;
- enemy nuclear delivery means;
- density of enemy's troops and means in one km of front on different axes and along the entire front;
- enemy disposition down to regiment or brigade level;
- location of enemy's artillery;
- exact location of enemy's command posts;
- enemy support aircraft.

3. For planning (twelve to twenty-four hours) including:
- exact location of enemy's battalions on the ground;
- exact location of enemy's support arms;
- location of mine fields;
- location of enemy's communication centers (signal centers);
- location of nuclear delivery means and artillery battalions;
- location of reserves and logistic support elements;
- enemy fortifications;
- enemy air defense and antitank weapons systems locations;
- enemy airfield composition of support aircraft.


Estimate of the Situation

The army commander during the estimate of the enemy determines the following:
- enemy capability to employ nuclear weapons;
- composition, location, situation, and character of actions, groupings, nuclear forces, ground forces, air defense forces, and naval forces, if there;
- intentions, likely concept, capabilities to start combat actions, and strong and weak points in enemy;
- main grouping and how it can be destroyed and the best axis for attack and other attacks especially on the main axis;
- how to make use of the enemy strong and weak points for the axis of the main attack;
- capabilities of enemy to reinforce his groupings during the operation;
- combat capabilities, moral-political situation, combat readiness, and combat experience of enemy;
- level of manning and completeness of unit, inadequacies, and losses in personnel, equipment, and weapons;
- number of motor rifle and tank battalions and number of tactical and operational nuclear weapons, number of nuclear operational/tactical launchers, number of nuclear and atomic artillery, tanks, guns and mortars, antiair rockets, medium and high altitude rockets, military aviation, and helicopters, others.

As a result of this, the commander determines:
- enemy main grouping and how to destroy it;
- axis for main attack and other attacks;
- targets for nuclear weapons.

The army commander during his estimate of own forces determines the following:
- operational situation and condition status of the army forces grouping and missions;
- available support of the army units with supplies;
- manning of the army formations and units with military equipment and condition of the equipment;
- manning of formations and units with personnel levels;
- number and yield of nuclear and chemical weapons and supplies;
- morale political condition, combat training, and combat experience of army forces;
- capability of own forces during employment of nuclear weapons and conventional weapons;
- condition and situation of rear services, number of wounded and sick in forces and in the separate medical detachments.

As a result of assessment of his own forces the army commander makes clear:
- operational deploying of the army, main grouping, groupings on other axes, and quantity of forces and means on each axis;
- direction of main attack and other attacks;
- groupings of forces on main axis and other axes and number of forces and means on each axis;
- regrouping (if necessary);
- specific missions for the divisions;
- distributing forces and means.

The army commander during the estimate of adjacents determines the following:
- grouping, operational deployment, and character of actions of adjacent;
- missions of adjacent;
- axis of main attacks;
- order for interaction during the breakthrough, during encirclement of enemy main forces, and during the fulfillment of other missions;
- forces of second-echelon of front, on what line they will enter the engagement, and how to organize interaction with them;
- what air and naval assault landing will be conducted in the army area and the manner of interaction with them.

The army commander during his estimate of social political situation of the population in the army area determines the following:
- national composition and political parties in the enemy territory and the relation of Soviet forces to them;
- quantity of the Communist Parties - composition and capabilities and their role in social system of enemy;
- capabilities for opening an internal front in the enemy area by the communist parties and capability for conducting terrorism and diversionary activities against enemy and how to conduct interaction with them;
- contradictions between the various independent enemy countries and possibility to use these contradictions.

The army commander during his estimate of economic capabilities of the army area determines the following:
- economic, financial, trade, industrial, and agricultural capacities and capabilities in the army area;
- possibilities of sources of economic, financial, industrial, agricultural, and other in the interest of material support of the army forces;
- locations and centers of supplies, sources of energy, fuel, electric stations, pipelines, supplies of materials, and economic reserves;
- capabilities for destroying the enemy's larger economic centers, sources of energy, pipelines, and other reserve supplies;
- railroad routes, civil airports, ports, canals, tunnels, water aqueducts, dams, automobile transport centers, railroad centers, ports, and means for destroying them, or putting them out of action.

Estimate of the terrain, radiological, chemical and bacteriological situation, hydrological, meteorological situation, time of year, and time of day and night in area also are evaluated by the army commander. This is divided into two areas, the friendly side and the enemy side.


 
 

Suggestions of Chief of Staff Directorates and Chiefs of Combat Arms and Special Troops to the Army Commander During the Decision Process

The methods of operation of the army commander and his staff and troop control organs during the estimate of the situation and decision making depend on the conditions in which the operation is being prepared. The most important factors are:
- the amount of time available for preparation;
- the clarity of the situation, conditions, and actions of enemy forces;
- the situation, conditions, and actions of own forces;
- the political-military conditions in the theater;
- whether the operation is being prepared in peacetime or during combat;
- if operation is being prepared in wartime, it is prepared at the beginning of war or during on-going operation?
- if the operation is being prepared during war, is it for preparation of the second army operation, or is it the second-echelon army being committed into combat, or other situations?

In order to make a wise and knowledgeable decision, if they have enough time, it is best to for the army commander to listen to the reports and suggestions of the chief of staff and the chiefs of combat arms and special troops and on the basis of these make his good decision. The recommendations are reported in the following sequence:
- report and suggestions of the chief of reconnaissance on enemy forces;
- report and suggestions of chief of operational directorate on conditions of own forces;
- report and suggestions of other chiefs such as chief of RT&A, chief of PVO, engineer chief, chief of chemical forces, chief of rear services, and chief of technical services and others on the situation, condition, manning, combat capabilities, and use of their forces in the operation.

At the end of these reports the army commander listens to the suggestions of the chief of staff on the decision. After that he announces his decision. (The format and content of these reports and suggestions are shown in Chapter Five).

During the reports and suggestions of the chief of staff and chiefs of arms and services, the following points are raised:

In the report and suggestions of chief of reconnaissance on the enemy;

1. evaluation of general conditions, situation, grouping, composition, and operational activities of enemy forces in front of the army and adjacent armies;

2. evaluation of enemy ground forces:
- the total number of enemy divisions and brigades in front of the army and of them how many are rifle, tank, and airborne and their deployment locations.
- how many tanks, artillery and mortars, antitank rockets and guns, antiair rockets, and other weapons are in these divisions;
- which divisions are operating in the first-echelon and the number of their tanks, artillery and mortars, antitank rockets and guns, PVO rockets, etc.;
- which divisions and brigades are located in the second-echelon and reserve and the number of their tanks, artillery and mortars, antitank rockets and guns, and PVO rockets, etc;

3. evaluation of nuclear weapons:
- number of nuclear forces such as rockets, nuclear artillery, aircraft that carry nuclear bombs, nuclear supply depots and where they are located and their command and control system;
- in general of the enemy, how many nuclear weapons such as rockets, atomic artillery, and aircraft outfitted for nuclear delivery, can be participate in the first nuclear strike or massive nuclear strike.

4. evaluation of new high precision weapons:
- condition, organization, status, and capabilities of the high precision weapons against army targets.

5. evaluation of air forces:
- organization, situation, grouping, and condition of air forces and airfields and the number of aircraft on each airfield;
- on which axis will enemy air operate for strikes and where should air defense be located against main strikes of enemy;
- capabilities of its possible actions, number of aircraft in each strike group, and their distribution by height and axis;
- command posts and observation posts.

6. PVO forces:
- composition, grouping, and location of deployment of enemy PVO rocket system and also fighter aircraft and number of them and command posts;
- strong and weak areas and axis in the enemy's air defense system;
- capabilities of reenforcement of enemy PVO from other axes and locations.

7. evaluation of engineer fortifications and obstacles:
- locations of nuclear and conventional mines;
- on what lines and areas are engineer defenses concentrated and constructed;
- type and level of fortification, obstacle, positions, bunkers, trenches, and covered positions in the engineer obstacle system and roads etc.

8. evaluation of enemy rear services:
- location of deployment of rear depots and supplies etc.;
- transport system, roads, ports and airfields and evaluation of the enemy supply system;
- presence of how much supplies in rear depots and installations.

9. evaluation of social political situation of population.

10. general evaluation of enemy situation:
- a. possible concept of the operation of enemy:
-- axis of main and other strikes;
-- how many divisions and brigades will operate on each axis and how many tanks, artillery and mortars, antitank means, and PVO rockets they have;
-- operational deployment and formation and how many divisions and brigades are located in each formation by echelon;
-- time for enemy going on offensive;
-- air cover;
-- manning level, enemy combat readiness, experience, combat capabilities, morale condition, etc.;
-- enemy weakness and strengths;
-- dangerous actions enemy might do.

b. during enemy going to use of nuclear weapons:
-- with what forces and nuclear weapons the enemy may strike the army forces;
-- at what depth the enemy can use nuclear weapons;
-- how may nuclear strikes the enemy may employ and percent nuclear weapons in each strike and distribution of nuclear weapons to the different strikes;

c. likely enemy targets for nuclear strikes by army;

d. reconnaissance missions:
-- enemy nuclear and chemical forces;
-- ground forces formations;
-- command posts;
-- PVO means and air forces in opposing operational and tactical level;
-- main lines of defense and location of operational reserves;
-- rear service targets.

In the report and suggestions of the chief of operational directorate:
1. organizing, grouping, condition, and deploying army forces:
-- new arrival of large units and units before the operation and during the operation to reinforce the army;
-- manning level of large units and units of army in personnel, weapons, and equipment;
-- supporting large units and units with material means and supplies;
-- quantity of nuclear, chemical, special, and conventional rockets and their reenforcement during the operation;
-- condition and situation of technical means;
-- condition and situation of rear services and presence of wounded and sick in units;
-- morale, political situation, combat readiness, experience, and training level of own forces: their combat effectiveness during use of nuclear or conventional armaments;
-- evaluating conditions, operational capability, and grouping and missions of adjacents;
-- evaluating radiation, chemical, and bacteriological situations;
-- hydrometeorological and weather conditions and time of year and time of day.

2. suggestions:
-- on creation of main strike grouping and operational deployment of army and designation of quantity of forces and means for each axis;
-- on location of axis of main and other attacks;
-- designation of missions for the divisions;
-- on targets and order for use of nuclear weapons;
-- on missions and means of use for artillery, air forces, airborne, PVO, and other reserves;
-- on distribution of forces and means between elements of operational groupings;
-- correlation of forces and means in general on army front and on each axis at the start of the operation, during the operation, during the commitment of the second-echelon, and repelling enemy counterattack by counting battalions, tanks, arty mortars, antitank weapons, PVO, helicopters, etc.;
-- on organization of interaction during fulfillment of main missions;
-- on location of command posts and their movement during the operation.


In the suggestions of the chief of rocket forces and artillery:
1. evaluation of rocket and nuclear forces of enemy; condition, situation, character of actions, groupings, and capabilities during use of nuclear weapons;

2. evaluation of high precision technical weapons; deployment, character, groupings, character of actions, and capabilities;

3. evaluation of enemy artillery forces; especially nuclear artillery and its character of actions, grouping, conditions, capabilities, and depth of range of fire.

4. situation, condition, grouping, and character of actions of the army's rocket forces and artillery:
-- manning and capabilities of rocket forces during preparation phase and during operation;
-- situation and capabilities of army artillery during the operation;
-- manning level of rocket forces and artillery with personnel, weapons, and military equipment;
-- requirements of the army for nuclear, chemical, bacteriological, special, and conventional rockets during the operation and the quantity on hand and amounts being delivered during the operation;
-- requirements for artillery conventional ammunition supplies during operation;
-- quantity and echeloning of supplies between army rear and units and large units;
-- capabilities for resupply during the operation;
-- capabilities for participation of the army rocket forces in the front first initial nuclear strike and best targets for the rocket forces;
-- suggestions on width of breakthrough axis on main attack;
-- suggestions on deployment and creation of artillery groups at army, in divisions, and regiments that act on the main axis and other axes;
-- suggestions on composition and grouping of antitank reserves at army, divisions, and regiments on main axis and other axes;
-- suggestions on grouping, distribution, and deployment of artillery reinforcements and artillery that is in army TOE between divisions and artillery groups;
-- how long the artillery preparatory fire should last and its composition, how may strikes and how organized and in general the main targets for artillery preparatory fire and number of rounds or units of fire to use;
-- participation of front ground forces, air forces, and helicopters and army helicopters and antitank artillery and others in the combat and their missions;
-- artillery support fire, capabilities to provide it, and depth for conduct of artillery support fire;
-- artillery accompanying fire, capabilities to provide, and how to do it;
-- report on calculations on use of rocket forces and artillery for meeting the decision of the army commander;
-- suggestions on conduct of interaction of rocket force and artillery in fulfillment of main missions during the offensive.


In the report and suggestions of the chief of army air defense:
1. evaluation of forces, grouping, capabilities, possible character of actions, avenue of strike, and participation and action by altitude and numbers of aviation in each strike group and capabilities of PVO forces of enemy;

2. grouping, quantity, and character of action of own PVO forces:
-- combat capabilities of PVO forces of army during preparation and during operation, during repelling enemy massive strikes and also smaller aviation groups, and cover main targets of army during the main stages of the operation;
-- manning of PVO forces with personnel, weapons, and military equipment;
-- requirements of army for PVO rockets during operation, quantity of them on hand, and possibilities for resupply during the operation;
-- quantity in army of antiair ammunition, requirements and resupply during operation, amount on hand and its echeloning between army, divisions, rear depots, and units and large units and capabilities for resupply during operation;
-- suggestion on creation of groupings of army PVO and its missions in the FUP areas, for attack, and their movement during the operation, organization PVO and creation of groupings during the offensive and their missions;
-- organization of air reconnaissance and warning of army forces about enemy air strikes during the preparation and during operation;
-- suggestion on organization of interaction of PVO forces with fighter aviation of front, elements of army combat formations, means of PVO of front, adjacents, and formations and units of army during main missions during the offensive;
-- report on calculations on use of PVO forces for the commanders decision making process.


Suggestions of Other Chiefs of Special Troops and Services During Estimate of Situation and Decision Making Process
The following are suggestions of other chiefs of special troops and services during estimate of situation and decision making process:
l. situation and status and character of enemy operations in specialty of each chief and also composition, grouping, concept and likely nature of action of enemy forces in their specialty;

2. situation, status, and character of operation of respective friendly troops;

3. level of strength of related troops in terms of supplies, personnel, weapons, and equipment availability of nuclear and chemical rockets, rounds, bombs (when relevant);

4. capabilities of related troops during use of nuclear weapons or during the conventional operation with related calculations;

5. preparing the required calculations for commander`s decision;

6. instructions received from relevant department of higher echelon;

7. suggestions:
-- best form of employment of relevant special troops and services and their proposed missions;
-- suggestions on interaction, combat support, and troop control of related troops.


The Suggestions of the Chief of Staff During the Estimate of the Situation and Presentation of Proposed Decisions to the Commander

The following are suggestions of the chief of staff during the estimate of the situation and presentation of proposed decisions to the commander:
1. deductions from assessment of the enemy:
-- situation, status, and character of operational action of enemy forces;
-- strength of enemy troops in terms of nuclear weapons supplies, equipment, and personnel;
-- casualties and losses of enemy troops;
-- morale and level of combat capability of enemy troops;
-- concept and character of enemy operations;
-- direction of main and supporting attacks;
-- operational formation;
-- time of initiation of attack.

2. deductions from assessments of own friendly troops:
-- situation, status, and character of operational actions of own troops;
-- level of strength of own troops in terms of nuclear weapons, materials, weapons, and equipment;
-- assessment of combat capabilities of own troops;
-- best form of grouping of offensive operation given the actual situation and operational status of troops.

3. suggested decisions for army commander:
-- a concept of operations;
-- form and method of destruction of enemy;
-- direction of main and other attack;
-- army operational formations in the attack;
-- character of maneuver.

4. suggested missions of first- and second-echelon armies, rocket and artillery forces, air force, air defense units, air and sea assault units, and other elements of army operational formations;

5. suggestions on coordination;

6. suggestions on combat support of combat operation;

7. suggestions on location of command post and signal communication and other issues.


Estimate of Rear Service Situation and Rear Service Decision Made by Chief of Rear Services

The following are estimates of the situation and rear service decisions made by the chief of rear services.
1. situation and status of rear service installation and services:
-- situation, status, character of operation, and location of rear service large units, units, and installations in army;
-- the situation, status, and capacity of supply motor routes, railroads, seaports, airfields, and transportation routes;
-- availability and level of material, medical, and technical supplies in the army rear service installations and in the large units organic to the army;
-- situation, and status of mobile technical bases of rockets and rocket fuel depots;
-- number of sick and wounded in army area in separate medical detachments and front mobile hospital bases and in divisional medical battalions, along with the capacity and status of army mobile hospitals and medical transport means;
-- status and capability of repair and evacuation units of front operating in the army area and number of heavily and medium damaged vehicles in these troop units;
-- volume of ammunition expenditure and technical, medical, and other supply requirements during the preparation period and in the course of the operation. How many days of supply of ammunition, material, technical equipment, and medical supplies should be supplied by the end of the operation.

2. preparation of calculations for the commander to make the decision and to issue instructions on rear services (also calculations for army chief of rear services to make his decision);

3. measures to be taken in order to organize rear service support (rear service decision):
-- establishment of operational formation of rear service echelon (deployment of elements and organs of first- and second-echelon of rear services and their relocation during the course of the operation);
-- measures on medical support during the operation;
-- evacuation and treatment of seriously wounded and sick to main front hospitals;
-- measures on collection, repair, and evacuation of damaged vehicles;
-- supply of rockets and deployment of mobile technical bases of rockets and of rocket fuel depots;
-- demarkation of the army's rear service areas;
-- lateral and axis motor routes of the army and their location and construction and organization of provost and traffic control service along the entire system of supply routes;
-- which seaports and air means are allocated to be used in the supply of army;
-- in what directions the main pipelines are going to be extended;
-- the main principles of supply to insure un-disrupted supply of the troops;
-- the organization of protection, defense, and security of rear service installations and the troops and means to be employed for this purpose;
-- organization of troop control.



 
 

Commander's Reconnaissance on the Terrain

In special conditions the army commander conducts a reconnaissance on the ground. His aim is to make clear in detail the missions and various questions and decisions and to organize interaction on the spot. He will usually go to the area of the main attack and may send either the deputy or the chief of staff to the area of the secondary attack. The chief of artillery will go to the area where the majority of artillery is planned to be employed.

The time the commander conducts the reconnaissance depends on the situation. It can be done either before or after the plan is completed. This terrain evaluation is combined with the estimate of the situation. If the plan is not completed until after dark, the terrain evaluation will have to wait until the next morning. This reconnaissance is done for two purposes. First, it confirms the deductions made in the estimate of the situation; and second, it confirms what has been decided in the decision process or allows for minor changes due to differences in the terrain or actual conditions at the front.

During the reconnaissance the commander will decide on the main features of interaction. This includes coordination between air and ground, artillery and attack units, engineers and forward units, nuclear and conventional fires, etc. A very detailed plan for this reconnaissance is prepared by the chief of operations and approved by the chief of staff. This plan includes the choice of exact spots from which to make visual reconnaissance, the routes to and from, the kind of transport, the kind of uniform to wear, the size and composition of the group, the equipment to be taken, and (most important), the agenda of specific questions to be answered at each stop. If the commander is going where there are units in contact, he will go to a regimental command post. If time allows, the engineers will prepare the routes for the reconnaissance. A security party will also escort the commander.



 
 

Army Commander's Decision

The army commander, as a result of clarifying the mission and making an all-around estimate of the situation, makes the decision. In this he determines the following:
- aim of the operation:
- determine enemy main grouping;
- means for destroying this grouping with nuclear or conventional weapons;
- axis of main and other attacks;
- operational grouping of the army;
- means for maneuver.
- mission, aim, and order for employment of nuclear weapons;
- missions for motor rifle and tank divisions of first-echelon and second-echelon, rocket forces and artillery, air forces, air landing forces;
- missions for PVO and various reserves;
- basis for interaction;
- organizing combat support;
- sequence for organizing troop control.



 
 

Concept of the Operation

The concept of the operation is the verbal expression of the commander's main guiding idea. As such it is the key central element of the decision and is expressed in the first paragraph of the operational plan and provides the skeletal framework for the operation. This concept is also contained in the operations order in the fourth paragraph. All remaining elements of the plan are based on this concept. The commander gives the objective of the operation and in general terms describes which men, equipment and methods will be used to achieve this objective. The staff then uses these guidelines to prepare the plan. (Sample format is in Chapter Five). The concept answers the following questions:
- what enemy force must be overcome, to what degree, and in which sequence;
- where will the enemy be located when engaged;
- where is the sector of the main effort;
- with what forces and means will which enemy targets be destroyed;
- what combat formations will be used and what is the nature of the maneuvers being employed.

The commander breaks his overall mission into component parts including the purposes, places, and times of engagement. These are addressed sequentially according to the (form) scheme of maneuver. Each major combat element committed in the first-echelon will receive an intermediate mission, subsequent mission, and an axis of further advance. In the concept of the operation section these missions are stated in very broad terms. Within these missions smaller particular missions will be assigned. The concept will also indicate against which objectives the main weapons will be used.

The concept identifies the sector in which the main strike will be delivered (main axis). It will also give the basic outline of the structure to be used for combat formations and the forms of maneuver to be employed.

It is important that the concept of the operation not be overloaded with too much detail which may detract from a clear understanding of the essentials. However it must contain enough information so that subordinate commanders will be able to develop a firm grasp of the commander's ideas. It should give guidance without predetermining things best left to the subordinate commanders. Uses of correlation of forces measures in determining the concept of operations include:
- phasing of the operation;
- direction of main and supporting attacks;
- distributing troops and means and organizing combat by tasks;
- use of nuclear and conventional fire;
- character of maneuver which includes:
-- the lines to commit reserves and second-echelon troops;
-- allocating air support;
-- fire plan;
-- probable lines of repelling counterattacks.



 
 

Army Missions and Plans

The army generally plans two specific mission 3-5 day operation to achieve its immediate mission and another 4 days to achieve its subsequent mission. Forecasting the most likely enemy reaction is the critical issue in planning and execution. During planning all possible enemy reactions are examined and tested by use of the computer and equations. For instance, possible enemy counterattacks at various times and places are matched against the attack groupings to determine whether or not the attacking army forces can handle the potential situation which may develop. Of particular interest is the number of enemy artillery weapons that might be used in support of these possible counterattacks.

For nuclear warfare a different mission arrangement is assigned to the army by higher command. In this case the army has four specific missions instead of two. These include: (1) the initial nuclear strike, which is used to destroy specified targets with specified weapons before the actual attack; (2) the first day mission, which is to seize a specific line by end of the first day; (3) the usual immediate mission of 3-5 days duration; and (4) the usual subsequent mission of another 4 days. For nuclear warfare all planning for the allocation of individual nuclear weapons of the army units and the divisional rocket units is planned at front headquarters. A representative from army might be present during this planning.

Once the operation has begun there is not as much time for detailed planning. Simple "rule of thumb calculations" are made with or without the help of a computer.


Possible Planning Issues

One typical planning problem done at the army level is to decide whether an attack should be organized with infantry leading or tanks leading. The computer has a number of various enemy antitank weapons and their range capabilities available, it then calculates the density of antitank defense at various ranges such as 2,000, 1,000, and 400 m. If the density is too high at 400 meters, then the attack would lead off with infantry first followed by the tanks.
Forecasting the possible outcome of a combat situation is one of the most important concepts learned by Soviet officers. They are trained from the time they are junior commanders to consider all possible enemy reactions, to give a plan of action and to calculate the possible outcomes to insure that they have the forces to prevail in all contingencies. This planning is carried out by the army staff when considering an operation. The first step is to establish what the Soviet attack will consist of and where and when it will occur. The second step is to conduct many different variations of enemy counterattack possibilities. These variations are then run through the computer in order to ensure that the success criteria are met in all cases, or that sufficient reserves are provided to overcome adverse contingencies.


 
 

Planning Air Support

When the army staff plans an operation which includes air support, a team of air controllers is sent from the front air army to the combined arms or tank army staff. This team works with the army staff to plan the air support required and remains during the operation to help coordinate the operation. The army is allocated so many flights from particular air regiments and it in turn allocates these flights to its divisions. The air operational group also sends teams to the divisions, which are to receive air support. No air officers are on the division staff. The air operations group has its own communications equipment and maintains links to the front air army as well as to aircraft overhead.


Combat Operations Schedule

The combat operations schedule is a table that depicts the plan. It is one of the basic documents to coordinate activities. It may be an appendix to the order. The purpose is to coordinate operations of subordinate units, assign tank and artillery units for each phase, and show priorities for changing the location of artillery and to list signals.



 
 

Issuing Missions to Subordinates

In response to the army commander's decision the missions for subordinate large units and units of combat arms and special troops and services are given in the following manner:
- missions are given personally to the commanders or in accordance with the order of the chief of staff at a meeting of subordinates.
- missions are transmitted in combat documents that are sent with staff officers or signal officers to the subordinates.
- missions are transmitted by technical signal means.

When the commander issues the missions orally, the staff prepares the written version as official documents later. These are dispatched and filed as part of the permanent record and to preclude later controversy over just what was ordered.


Operation Directive and Combat Order

The basic combat documents which contain the mission are the operational directive and combat order. The operational directive is the comprehensive statement of the entire army plan written in directive form. It is not distributed to subordinates. Each subordinate addressee receives only an extract of the operational directive with the parts which concern him. (Samples of these documents are in Chapter Five).

The chief of staff or chief of the operational directorate personally prepares the operational directive on the basis of the army commander's decision. Combat orders are written by the chief of the operations directorate or by other responsible officers on the basis of the operations directive. When they write the operations directive, the first paragraph containing the information on the enemy situation is provided by the chief of the reconnaissance directorate. Then the chiefs of each combat arm and special service prepare the sections relating to their own specialty. For instance, the chief of rocket troops and artillery and chief of chemical troops each prepare the sections on their forces. The order contains the following elements:

1. enemy (a deduction of the enemy's plan and probable course of action based on the estimate of the situation);

2. mission given the major unit by higher headquarters;

3. senior commander's procedure for employing his weapons, antitank reserves, airborne forces, and other forces in the sector of the unit; missions of adjacent units;

4. concept of the operation includes:
-- what enemy to rout in what sequence;
-- sector of the main effort;
-- enemy targets to be destroyed by which weapons;
-- combat formations to use and nature of maneuvers.

5. order to each subordinate unit; "I order..." individual paragraphs devoted to each tactical unit and its mission starting with first-echelon, then second-echelon, then artillery, antiaircraft artillery, reserves and others;

6. times and places for deployment of control points and the axis of relocation of the command post;

7. which officer is deputy commander to take over if necessary.

The operational directive and combat order are signed by the chief of staff and chief of operations directorate and approved by the commander. Combat orders that are sent to special troops, such as the engineer and chemical, are signed by the corresponding chief of troops and by the army chief of staff. However, the combat orders on artillery and on air defense are signed by the chief of staff and chief of artillery or the chief of staff and chief of air defense, respectively. The chief of rear services and chief of staff of the rear service staff sign the combat orders relating to rear services.

The plan appears in written form on the operations map and annex, in the operations order, in instructions for coordination, and in the operations schedule.



Situation Reports

Situation reports are required periodically from lower headquarters, and are the basis for evaluation of the situation by higher headquarters. There are three points which must be included in these reports: (1) the situation for his own forces and for enemy forces; (2) the decision of the commander at this stage; and (3) any requests and recommendations he may have to a higher commander. For instance the report may say the division is attacking at such and such a time and place, the second-echelon is not yet committed, the enemy counterattack is expected in two hours at a place, the commander has decided to commit the second-echelon here at this time and to occupy this line by this time. He requests artillery support to neutralize the enemy here and air attacks on enemy reserves in this area. The division reports are sent in every one or two hours or when important events or changes occur. At battalion and regimental level reports are sent each hour depending on the commander's requirements. A report is rendered upon nuclear attack. The front receives reports on the situation three to four times daily. (Situation and other reports are discussed fully in Chapter Five).



 
 

Planning the Offensive Operation


This is the most important mission of the army staff and other organs of troop control. The essence of planning is detailed organization of all the questions (issues) that develop during the commanders' decision in accordance with his instructions on planning. The aim of planning consists of making clear (1) the sequence or order and the best means for fulfilling each mission in the army operation, in consideration of what forces and means the senior commander (front) will use in the army's area, (2) the distribution of forces and means and material supplies by mission and axis of offensive, (3) designation of detailed organization of interaction of forces during the fulfillment of missions of the operation, (4) organization of all types of combat support, and (5) troop control measures. Planning offensive operations starts with the making of the decision and is completed with the organization of the offensive plan, plans for combat arms, special troops, and services, and plans for types of combat support,for political affairs, and the troop control plan.

The offensive operations plan is organized in one unified plan for conditions with and without the use of nuclear weapons. During preparation for the offensive, the staff plans in detail the sequence for fulfilling missions by army rocket forces in the front first nuclear strike and the operation of forces on the first day of the operation and during the fulfillment of the immediate mission with or without use of nuclear weapons. Planning for completion of the subsequent mission is done in less detail.

In order to prepare to repel an enemy surprise attack which may attempt to preempt the army offensive the army commander takes the following measures:
- gives the missions, lines, and how many positions for forces in the assembly (FUP) area;
- designates the forces for deployment as cover in the covering force area and their sequence of actions;
- establishes the sequence of movement of forces from FUP to the forward area;
- designates the engineer fortification actions in the FUP area and covering area;
- answers other questions, especially creation of engineer mine fields and obstacles.

In accordance with the army commander's instructions the staff plans the participation of the rocket forces in the front initial nuclear strike with the aim of destroying by a massive strike the enemy nuclear strike means, main army forces, air forces, PVO means, command points, and other important enemy targets in the offensive area. The staff designates the aim and sequence of conduct of the strikes in accordance with the front plan. In accordance with this the chief of rocket forces and artillery and his staff plan the use of army nuclear weapons on each target designated for destruction in instructions from higher headquarters. The details are worked out by the artillery chief. In this situation they make clear what formations and units will destroy which targets and designate the location for the center of burst, and type and yield of the weapon, height of burst, and location of the fire protection line for own troops from the bursts.

In accordance with the army commander's decision for the operation the staff foresees the forces' actions after the first nuclear strike in order to take measures for preparation of artillery fire in case there is no nuclear strike. (This includes the means for destruction of enemy groupings by artillery fire and air strikes and the means of destruction of enemy covering forces troops and main force grouping in accordance with their possible character of actions in a meeting engagement or a breakthrough of prepared defense position or other)

The staff organizes in detail all questions on combat with enemy air forces during repelling his surprise attack, during movement forward, occupying the FUP area, going over to the offensive, and during destruction of enemy main groupings. They examine and foresee the measures on destruction of enemy nuclear weapons, command posts, main rear targets, and the sequence of seizing main important areas and lines. For the destruction of rocket bases, atomic artillery, nuclear supply depots, nuclear fougasse, and other targets they designate air forces and artillery. To assist in this they organizing actions of the reconnaissance diversionary (SPETZNAZ) groups and air assaults by special detachments of motor rifle units.

During planning the operation, the operational directorate conducts detailed calculations on the correlation of forces and means on the entire army width of front and on the axis of main attack (to show the quantitative and qualitative relation of forces). They assess the effectiveness of use of nuclear and conventional weapons. The operational directorate plans in detail the breakthrough of a prepared defense without the use of nuclear weapons. They examine the composition of the required groupings of forces and means for completing the breakthrough to the entire enemy depth. The chief of rocket troops and artillery in detail plans the artillery preparation fire and artillery support fire. The chief of reconnaissance organizes reconnaissance of the locations of all strong points, especially targets that are fortified (in concrete). The chief of the operational directorate calculates the required density of artillery, tanks, and motorized rifle forces. In addition he designates what quantity of artillery, tanks, and air forces are needed for fire preparation and fire support. He distributes the targets among the different fire means in accordance with the artillery actions, air force actions, and other fire means of the formations and units of motor rifle and tanks forces during the attack and during the breakthrough; so that they agree (are coordinated) by time, location, and target.

The staff and troop control organs organize measures on reliable protection of forces against enemy air strikes, all-around support (especially support against surprise, for protection of forces against enemy mass-destruction weapons, radio-electronic combat and other) of the forces' combat action, and its control. They take account of measures for expanding the breakthrough area in the depth and on both flanks, the sequence for repelling counterattacks and counterblows, and strengthening the seized lines and objectives.

The operational directorate and the directorate of rocket forces and artillery during planning must assess in terms of location and time in exact detail all aspects of enemy destruction from artillery fire from covered positions, air strikes, fire from combat helicopters, direct fire from other weapons, tank fire, and fire of combat vehicles and others against each target according to the range of fire.

Planning of offensive operations is organized in detail in conformity with the commander's decision. This is shown on the map and in the accompanying notes and calculations. Or the organization of the army commander's decision is given in written form with a map annex.

Army Operation Plan

The final decision on how a mission will be executed is totally up to the commander. However, before the final decision is made a series of calculations based on initial data calculations are made and given to the commander. After the decision is made as to which plan is to be used, the operations staff, in close coordination with the chiefs of combat arms and services, then works out the details to implement the commander's decision.

The Soviet operations planning process at army level produces a plan which is actually a series of written documents and annotated maps. The plan is a detailed version of the commander's decision. The basic plan is depicted on the army operations map with notations in the map margins as well as some calculations and discussion of the rationale for certain activities. On the basis of the operations plan and the commander's decision the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, services, and rear services prepare their plans.

Moreover, the final written plan is generally preceded by one or more preliminary "tactical decisions" [combat instructions], which are disseminated in the course of the planning process and contain, in brief form, much of the information provided in detail in the final plan. The plan may be composed of the following documents:
- offensive plan - an annotated map plus written instructions;
- nuclear strike plan - annotated map and written instructions;
- plan for movement to occupy attack positions - same documents;
- artillery fire plan - same documents;
- airborne unit plan - same documents;
- air defense plan - maps plus alert scheme;
- reconnaissance plan - map plus instructions;
- maskirovka plan - written document;
- plan for protection against mass-destruction weapons - written;
- engineer plan - map plus written instructions;
- chemical defense plan - graphics, maps and instructions;
- radio-electronic combat plan - map plus instructions;
- rear service support plan - map plus instructions;
- command post movement plan - same documents;
- communications plan - diagrams;
- topogeodetic plan - map and instructions; and
- political affairs plan - written document.

 
 

ARMY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Operation plan - offensive 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with instructions and calendar plan
Plan of initial nuclear strike 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions
Plan for preparation and occupation of FUP areas 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Plan for employment of airborne assault units 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Plan for employment of rocket troops and artillery 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions
Air defense plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with instructions on the map, plus the alert scheme
Reconnaissance plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 maps with written instructions or written form with map annex
Operational concealment plan Written with map annex
Plan for protection against mass destruction weapons and eliminating impact of their use Written with map annex
Engineer support plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Chemical support plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Radioelectronic combat plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on the map
Rear Services plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Technical support plan 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 map with written instructions on map
Deployment and movement of command posts plan On operations map and signal map with instructions
Communications plan 1:200,000 or 1;100,000 radio diagram with calculations on number of radios, radio relay diagram, wire diagram, and calculations of signal troops
Political affairs plan Written
 
 

The basic document in the operation plan contains the following elements:

- situation (enemy including his probable concept of operation, own troops, dispositions and boundaries);
- commander's decision (and if necessary the expected decisions of lower commanders);
- main features of coordination;
- troop control measures;
- correlation of forces in different phases, along the entire width of zone, and on each axis;
- distribution of forces and means.

The detailed plan is developed by the staff on the basis of the commander's original instructions. In preparing it the staff examines various alternatives and selects the one that appears most feasible to accomplish the operational mission set by higher headquarters and fulfill the norms established by the commander. All this is presented in graphical form on the 1:100,000 or 1:200,000 map. Enemy groupings are shown and possible courses of action, especially counterattacks. The organization of the friendly army units for the operation are shown at their attack positions, during the execution of the mission in depth, and at the time of accomplishing each mission. The rate of advance is also included. The map indicates the axis of main and supporting attacks and the targets (enemy units) to be destroyed by either nuclear strikes or conventional artillery.

The missions of the first-echelon divisions, their time of execution, and the unit boundaries are all depicted with symbols. The method, place, and time of commitment of the second-echelon is shown along with the composition, mission, and area of airborne landings. The map shows the location of army and division command posts at the beginning of the operation, their route of movement, plus the total scale of the operation, depth, and frontage of units and missions.

The written part of the plan gives the best estimate of the enemy's alignment of forces, plans, and possible actions. It describes the objective and concept of the army offensive operation and the targets to be destroyed in nuclear strikes. It gives the combat composition, combat capability of army units and attached units, the existence of nuclear and chemical ammunition and time for its delivery and distribution scheme, allocation of air support to missions, and large units. The relative balance of opposing forces and method of occupation of attack positions are described. The plan gives the method of preparatory fire, sequence of targets, enemy groups to be destroyed by each artillery and air unit, and forms for the destruction of the covering force. It shows the important enemy groups according to their likely activity. It presents detailed calculations of force ratios across the zone and separately by axis for the initial time and at the accomplishment of missions. The plan for the breakthrough is shown in detail including the established necessary groups and means to break the enemy defense and push to the full depth. It gives the exact location of enemy strong-points and armored targets and the density of artillery, tanks and motor rifle units calculated across the front. It gives the density of artillery pieces needed for each fire mission. It distributes the enemy targets to the fire units. It shows the antiaircraft defense organization.

The plan includes measures for protection against contingencies and especially surprise attacks and radio-electronic combat. It anticipates measures to develop the penetration in the depth and toward the flanks. It describes possible methods for repelling counterattacks. The graphic part of the plan shows the following on a map:
- grouping of enemy forces and means and his likely character of actions;
- operational deployment of the army forces in the FUP area, immediate mission, subsequent mission, summary of mission, depth, time for their fulfillment, and rate of advance;
- main and other axes of advance;
- missions and targets for nuclear weapons in the first nuclear strike of the front;
- missions and targets for chemical weapons;
- missions for first-echelon divisions with the time for their accomplishment, boundary lines between divisions and the army boundaries;
- sequence for commitment into the engagement of the second-echelon;
- composition, missions, and assembly areas, region for landing, and time of landing of desants;
- location of army and division command posts in the FUP area and during movement into the operation;
- shows the scale of the operation;
- the state boundary and with adjacent armies and missions of adjacent armies and divisions.

Other data, calculations, and other explanatory notes are also shown. (Format for these notes is given in Chapter Five). The summary of the explanatory notes usually shows the following:
- assessment of the enemy capabilities and concept of operation;
- aim and concept of the operation, targets that will be destroyed in the first nuclear strike;
- combat composition and capabilities of army forces, deployment of forces and means;
- quantity and time of arrival and distribution of nuclear and chemical weapons;
- distribution of air resources of supporting aviation by mission and division;
- correlation of forces and means of the sides in general during fulfillment of the immediate mission, on the main attack axis, and for other important missions during the operation;
- order for occupying the FUP area for the offensive by the army forces;
- sequence for support for security during the nuclear strike;
- sequence for conduct of preparatory fire and support fire;
- quantity and distribution of material supplies;
- and other questions.



Plan for Participation in the Initial Nuclear Strike

As a rule the plan for the army's participation in the front initial nuclear strike is prepared in graphic form on a map of 1:100,000 scale with accompanying appendices. A graphic of the initial nuclear strike or the plan will be prepared in written form with the map annex and a graphic of the first nuclear strike. (See Chapter Five). The plan for participation in the initial nuclear strike as a rule is prepared by the directorate of rocket troops and artillery and the operational directorate.



Plan for Preparing and Occupying the Assembly Area (FUP) for the Offensive

This is a necessary document the content of which results from the conditions which may occur at the beginning of the war, the requirements for support of the forces' combat capabilities in case of the enemy's preemptive or surprise use of nuclear weapons, and the forces' constant preparation for repelling possible enemy attacks. This plan is prepared in graphic form on a map of 1:100,000 scale with explanatory notes and a graphic for movement of the forces into the FUP areas. The operational directorate also prepares this document. In the document the following points are shown:
- combat order of the divisions of the first-echelon, (to regiments and artillery battalions), and the sequence for them to move into the designated areas;
- composition and grouping of the covering forces and means;
- region for deployment of the second-echelon forces and army reserves, and their areas of responsibilities;
- position areas for rocket and artillery forces;
- PVO positions, formations, and units;
- army and divisions command posts;
- areas and lines that are prepared by engineer obstacles and destruction and other engineer matters;
- and others.

In the explanatory notes they show the following:
- assessment of the likely character of enemy action, and the axes of his likely attack - with and without employment of nuclear weapons;
- missions of army forces during repelling possible enemy strikes;
- aim for preparing the FUP areas and basic measures for their engineer preparation;
- character of engineer measures, forces, and means; and time for conduct of engineer work;
- sequence of arrival of the forces and occupation of the FUP areas.

Planning the offensive operation is a complex process in the army's field troop control activities, which allows for good, effective actions and serious control on the part of the commander and staff. The commander observes, inspects and directs the staff's actions and reads over and signs the planning documents. At the designated time the plan for the offensive and other planning documents are signed by the chief of staff and army commander. The army commander then gets the plan approved by the front commander. The chief of staff directly guides the planning process and coordinates the activities of the staff directorates and chiefs of arms of service, special forces, and services. The chief of staff designates the time for preparation of all documents and their volume and he personally participates in the preparation of the important documents. He inspects the planning and takes the documents to be signed by the commander.

The main role in planning is performed by the operational directorate. The chief of the operational directorate appoints a planning group. He prepares the map before the decision making. First he writes the title for the plan and after that on the map he shows the data on own forces, the boundary lines, army missions, and missions for front forces during the offensive operation all in accordance with the front directive. During the planning he organizes tight interaction between the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services and representatives of the air army. The operational directorate prepares the plan for preparation and occupation of the FUP areas for the offensive, plan for protection of forces against enemy mass-destruction weapons, plan for liquidation of results of mass weapons, plan for restoring combat capability of the forces, plans for conduct of air assaults, plan for operational maskirovka, plan for preparation, deployment, and movement of command posts, and the plan for operation of the army computer center. To organize these plans he calls for and directs the participation of the responsible individuals of other directorates.

The chief of reconnaissance shows on the map the enemy groupings and means, and possible concept of action. During the planning process, he gives required data on the enemy composition and its possible intentions. At that time he prepares the reconnaissance plan.

The radio-electronic combat department organizes together with the planning group the plan for radio-electronic combat in interaction with the directorate of rocket troops and artillery, PVO, representative of air army, signal directorate, and operations directorate.

The chief of signals with signal officers, in close interaction with the operations directorate, organizes the signal plan.

The chief of chemical forces in close interaction with the operations directorate, chief of engineer forces, chief of medical service, and other control organs organizes the plan of protection of forces and rear targets against mass-destruction weapons and the plan for restoration of combat capability of forces during the operation.

Other chiefs of special troops and services prepare and organize planning for the operational employment of their forces in accordance with the commander's decision for the offensive and his instructions, and the operational instructions of the higher staff with annexes. They prepare and issue instructions to their own forces.

The plan for the first offensive operation (in accordance with the situation and instructions of the general staff) is prepared by the front staff (group of forces or military district) with the aim of preserving secrecy of the aim of the operation. Only limited selected personnel from the army participate. The plan is secured in a sealed packet and placed in the headquarters safe. In accordance with receipt of new situational data and when the situation comes to a period of the threat of war, they make the required changes and amendments to the plan. The missions of formations and units are not issued in peacetime. Combat orders with the missions that they will fulfill are secured in the personal safes of the commanders with the seals of the army or front staffs. Only on the receipt of alarm signal may they open the plan. If there are large changes in the situation the combat missions are modified or they are given new missions. The plan of the second operation is prepared directly by the army staff before the end of the first operation.



 
 

Role of Staff in Organizing Interaction

The army commander organizes interaction of the army forces for the offensive. The army staff organizes interaction in accordance with the army commander's decision and instructions. They support its preservation during the fulfillment of all operational missions. Interaction for the offensive proceeds in the following stages:
- interaction in participation of army and division rocket forces in the first nuclear strike;
- organization of interaction during repelling of possible enemy attacks;
- organization of interaction for the first day of the operation in the covering force area and during the breakthrough of the enemy defense line;
- organization of interaction for the following twenty-four hour period of the immediate mission;
- organization of interaction during repelling enemy counterattack and counterblows;
- organization of interaction during the airborne, air assault operation;
- organization of interaction during the commitment of the second-echelon into the engagement;
- organization of interaction during forcing water obstacles;
- organization of interaction during fulfillment of long-range mission.

Interaction is organized in detail for the period of participation in the front initial nuclear strike, for the first day of the offensive, and during the repelling of the enemy's possible attack. Interaction for later days, and fulfillment of immediate mission, because of the complexity and conditions of the situation is organized in less detail. For fulfillment of the long-range mission, the organization of interaction is done only in broad outline. The basic questions of interaction are shown in the army commander's decision. After making the decision, the commander issues instructions on the organization of interaction. With the aim of making a better organization of interaction the commander organizes interaction with his subordinates on the ground, on a sand table, or on the map. If time is limited, the commander issues his combat orders on the organization of interaction to his subordinates during issuing his combat missions. If combat actions begin suddenly by surprise, the commander will issue his orders on interaction by signal means or he will send responsible staff officers to the subordinate forces to make clear the combat orders and clarify questions on interaction on their designated axes. If the situation permits, the commander himself will organize interaction on the main attack axis and the chief of staff or deputy commander will organize it on the other axes. If interaction is organized on the map or sand table, the operational directorate will organize the plan for the commander's activities in organizing interaction. The show in this plan the main questions on interaction, and what means and level and what actions and missions will be fulfilled in coordination with each stage. If interaction is organized on the ground, in that case the plan for the commander's actions includes the following points:
- basic questions on interaction;
- location and time of organization;
- with which responsible personnel they will discuss interaction at each location, who will participate in discussion of interaction at each working location;
- movement route to the locations;
- transport means;
- organize security and signals for each working location and uniforms will be worn;
- measures for preserving secrecy during activity;
- what measures are required of the staff.

If interaction of the army staff is organized at a division command point, the operational directorate will prepare maps and plan of the location or the sand table. The missions of the staff during organization of interaction of the army forces consist of measures taken so that subordinates will know clearly their appointed missions and methods for fulfillment of their mutual missions; for mutual understanding during fulfillment of stated missions on the part of all commanders of formations, units, and supporting forces. During organization of the army plan for the offensive the staff coordinates the actions of the large units, units, units of combat arms, special troops, and services by locations, time, and also means of interaction during the fulfillment of each mission.

The army commander orders the following in the interest of the agreed upon use of the forces and means that participate in the front first nuclear strike and in accordance with the front commander's orders for the army rocket brigade and separate division battalions (which participate in the first nuclear strike) and for other army forces:
- targets, time, yield of warhead, unit designation;
- tells subordinates on whose command the order for the strike will be given;
- designates which motor rifle and tank division will participate in the strike;
- specifies the exact time for the strike of rocket brigade and division rocket battalions in agreement with the time of the front rocket strike and the first flight of the front aviation;
- indicates which targets and in what sequence to conduct the strikes of artillery forces and supporting air forces with the use of chemical and conventional rounds;
- designates the security line for the ground forces during the employment of nuclear weapons.

The army commander during organization of interaction by the order of the front commander agrees with the following points between the rocket forces and the supporting air forces:
- targets to be destroyed by rocket and air forces;
- sequences for conduct of strikes and heights of burst;
- corridor for air flight over the army's ground forces;
- signal for fire and for canceling the fire for the rockets and flight of aircraft.

The army commander during organization of interaction in the course of the offensive without employment of nuclear weapons coordinates the following questions on actions in the covering force area and during the breakthrough of the enemy main defense lines:
- reconfirming and making exact the latest reconnaissance data about the main defense line, fortification installations, obstacles, strong points, combat dispositions, and enemy's likely or possible actions;
- composing the forward detachments and their missions in the covering force area;
- missions of the artillery forces in the covering force area and during the preparatory fire, support fire, and accompanying fire as well as their time for movement and time for occupying the forward firing positions;
- missions and targets for air forces in covering force areas and their participation in the aerial preparation, support, and accompanying fire;
- missions and means for movement of the main forces of the first-echelon's divisions, breakthrough of the enemy's defense, and destroying the enemy first line of defense;
- organizing the commandant's service with the aim of supporting force movement in the covering force area and conduct of the offensive.
- open passages through the mine fields in the enemy's defense and missions for army engineer forces;
- covering by the army PVO forces of the main strike grouping, command posts, rocket forces and artillery, mobile rocket bases, and rear service targets during the movement in the covering force area and in the period of the breakthrough of the first line of defense;
- sequence for target designation and communications.

The army commander with the aim of coordinating the actions of the attacking forces and air assault forces orders the following:
- FUP areas for air assault forces, times for the air assaults, and sequences of their actions during the assault landings;
- cover for air assault forces in the FUP area, order for supporting them during flight, and their support during combat action by the PVO forces and suppressing of enemy PVO means;
- missions of aviation that covers and supports the landing and their combat actions in the landing area;
- missions for the army forces during the offensive on the axis where the assault landing is conducted;
- targets and time for launching strikes by rocket forces and air forces on that axis;
- actions of the landing forces during the link up with the ground forces moving forward;
- sequence for identifying friend and foe, target designating, and organizing communications;

The operations directorate makes the plan (schematic, map, tables) on army interaction for the offensive together with the staff of the rocket troops and artillery, PVO, engineer troops, chemical troops, and others. (See Chapter Five for sample interaction plan). The following points are shown in this:
- basic questions on interaction;
- missions that will be fulfilled together by the army forces and with interacting adjacents at each phase, at the beginning and during the engagement;
- sequences used by army forces and large units at each period and step of the operation for fulfilling missions;
- united system of signals for interacting and warning, numbering of targets, designating of targets, identifying friends, foes, and others;

The chiefs of the operations directorate, PVO, chemical forces, and signals designate the signals and sequence for mutual identification and identification of enemy air, and radio active, chemical, and bacteriological contamination. The chief of signals in compliance with the orders of the chief of staff designates the sequence of signals between interacting forces and establishes a unified system if interaction signals. The units that are interacting may send liaison officers to each other. The chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, in compliance with the army commander's orders, may organize interaction between their subordinate forces.



 
 

Actions of the Army Staff and Troop Control Organs on Organizing Combat Support for the Army Forces

The army staff and troop control organs during organization of combat support for army forces designate missions on various types of combat support, and forces and means to accomplish them. They issue combat orders and instructions on combat support to the subordinates and organize interaction between the designated forces. The army staff in the offensive operation organizes the following combat support:
- reconnaissance;
- operational maskirovka;
- defense of forces and rear targets against enemy mass-destruction weapons, restoring combat effectiveness, and liquidation of the results of the enemy's nuclear strikes;
- radio-electronic combat;
- topogeodetic, topographic, and hydrometeorological support;

The chiefs of engineer and chemical troops and chief of rear services organize their combat support. The combat support of army forces is organized on the basis of the army commander's decision and his instructions on combat support. The measures for combat support are conducted under the direct guidance of the chief of staff. The army chief of staff, in compliance with the army commander's decision and his instructions, gives orders to the chiefs of staff and chiefs of arms and services on the organization, planning, and conduct of combat support measures.

He organizes the actions of the army staff with the other staffs of the arms and services. He coordinates the actions on combat support of the forces. In the army staff the planning and organization is done on the following combat support.


Organizing Reconnaissance

The chief of reconnaissance prepares the reconnaissance plan in written form on graphic paper with written explanatory notes and an annex map or in a graphical way on the map with explanatory notes as an annex. In accordance with this plan the divisions and chiefs of arms and services give their orders on reconnaissance. The army reconnaissance units receive their missions directly from the chief of reconnaissance. The most important measure on reconnaissance is the collection of data, its clarification and analysis, and issuing reconnaissance data to the relevant staffs and chiefs. (See Chapter Five for samples of reconnaissance documents).


The chief of the operations directorate organizes and plans the following combat support measures:


Organizing Protection Against Enemy Mass Weapons

This mission is conducted on the basis of the orders of the army chief of staff by the operations directorate together with the chief of chemical troops and they distribute data on the chemical, bacteriological, and radiation situation to everyone. The operations directorate warns the forces and staffs and neighbors on ground and air bursts, assembles hydrological - meteorological data and also issues it to the subordinates and staffs. The chief of the operations directorate, in close work with the chief of chemical troops, organizes the plan for defense of forces and rear targets in interaction with the chief of staffs, combat arms, and special troops. Measures for protection are shown also on the operational plan, plans for combat actions of the arms, plan for combat support, and rear service plan. The operations directorate organizes the preparation of orders on the protection of forces and rear targets and the chief of staff and chief of operations directorate and chief of chemical troops all sign it and then send it to the subordinates.

Restoring the army forces' combat effectiveness and elimination of the results of enemy use of nuclear strikes during the preparation phase and course of the operation: The basis for restoring the army forces' combat effectiveness and elimination of results of nuclear strikes is designated by the front staff during operational planning. In support of this aim the composition, location of deployment, and possible missions of the special combined detachment for liquidation of results are designated. At the moment the enemy uses nuclear strikes and their results are determined this detachment moves into action. Sometimes control of the restoration of combat effectiveness of forces and rear targets with participation of the arms and special forces is given to a special operational group under command of the army deputy commander or the chief of staff. In the interest of restoration of combat effectiveness of forces and liquidation of results of mass-destruction weapons they prepare a separate plan and put it into action.



Organizing Maskirovka

The operational maskirovka of the army typically is organized and planned on the basis of the orders of the front staff and orders of the army commander and chief of staff. It is organized and planned by the operations directorate. For preparation of the plan on operational maskirovka the chief of staff, the chiefs of combat arms, and special troops personally participate, especially the chiefs of engineers, chemical troops, and radio-electronic combat; and the chief of staff of the rear services also participates. Must say that the basic organizer of operational maskirovka is the front staff. The army usually conducts the measures that are ordered in the front operational maskirovka plan. The army only carries out and fulfills the front plan by elaborating on individual measures.



Organizing Radio-Electronic Combat

The organization and planning of radio-electronic combat is conducted on the basis of the army commander's decision and his instructions on radio-electronic combat and the instructions of the front staff on this. The army commander designates the basic missions on organization of radio-electronic combat. The chief of staff is the main organizer of radio-electronic combat. He accomplishes this mission in interaction with the army staff, chiefs of combat arms, and special troops and especially with the chief of radio-electronic combat. The army chief of staff in detail evaluates the radio-electronic situation in interaction with the staff and all chiefs who use radio-electronic means. He designates the most important enemy control systems, especially the nuclear weapons control, air forces, PVO forces, ground forces, and the enemy's radio-electronic warfare systems. In accordance with this for organizing radio-electronic combat, protection of electronics, and maskirovka they issue orders to the chiefs of radio-electronic combat and other chiefs such as the chief of rocket troops and artillery, chief of reconnaissance, chief of engineers, chief of chemical troops, chief of operations directorate and chief of signals and others. The chief of radio-electronic combat in interaction with the above named chiefs organizes the plan for radio-electronic combat and issues the instructions on REC and controls its actions. This plan is signed by the chief of REC, chief of staff, and approved by the army commander.



Organizing Engineer Support

The organization of engineer support is conducted on the basis of the army commander's decision and his instructions on engineer support and the instructions from the front staff on engineer matters by the chief of army engineer troops. The chief of engineer troops with his staff on the basis of the aim of the army commander's decision and his instructions on engineer support designates the most important missions for engineer support and designates the forces and means of engineer troops with the aim of fulfilling these missions during the preparation phase and course of the operation. The engineer support plan with explanatory notes and annexes is prepared on the basis of this plan. They send the instructions on engineers to the large units and units of engineer troops and also the instructions on engineer matters to the staffs of subordinate motor rifle and tank large units. The engineer support plan is signed by the chief of engineer troops and chief of staff and approved by the army commander. (Sample engineer planning documents are shown in Chapter Five).



Organizing Rear Services Support

Rear service support in the offensive operation is conducted on the basis of the directive for rear services of the front chief of rear services, decision of the army commander, decision of the deputy army commander for rear services, data on the supply of material means, and composition and capabilities of army rear services. The rear service support is one of the most important operational support measures. It includes organization of rear, preparation and use of road communication routes and transport means, material supply support, technical support, medical support, and other support. Rear service support of the army is conducted by the chief of rear and his staff, the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services who are directly subordinate to the commander such as the chief of armaments and technical services (rocket and artillery armament, armor and automobile vehicle service), chief of engineers, and chief of chemical troops. The chief of rear services on the basis of the front operational directive on rear, army commander's decision, supply of material means, capabilities of army rear services, and all round assessment of the situation makes a decision on rear service support. He prepares the plan for rear service support, operational directive and instructions on rear services issued to the large units, units, and installations of rear services, and also issues orders on rear services to the large units and units of combat arms and special services. The rear service plan is signed by the chief of staff of rear, the chief of rear, and chief of staff of the army and is approved by the army commander.

The army chief of staff correctly and in a timely manner monitors compliance with the instructions that the army commander sent on combat support. He organizes the mutual distribution of information on the organization of all-around support of forces' combat actions and in a timely manner gives assistance to the subordinate staffs.



Role of Staff in Organizing Troop Control

During the organization of the offensive operation, control of the forces' action is conducted with the aim that staffs and subordinate forces will fulfill the army commander's orders completely and in a timely manner and accomplish the measures for organization of combat actions and all sided preparation of troops to fulfill their missions. In all conditions control is tied to offering help to the subordinate commanders and staffs during the organization phase of the offensive operation and to support of constant combat readiness of the troops for fulfillment of their missions. The army commander controls the actions of the staff, chiefs of combat arms, special troops, services, and chief of rear on planning, timely issuing combat missions to subordinates, organizing combat support, and troop control. At the same time the commander, staff, and other chiefs of troop control organs monitor the actions of subordinate forces and staffs. The following points are part of the control process:
- receiving the combat mission on time and correctly clarifying the mission;
- insuring that the decisions of subordinate commanders of large units and units conform with the concept of the operation of their higher commander;
- planning the operation correctly and completely;
- organizing interaction on the most important operational missions in accordance with the army commander's concept and decision;
- insuring all-around combat support of their actions;
- insuring the full combat readiness of forces by the specified time prior to the operation;
- insuring that subordinate troops and staffs know all the troop control signals;
- preserving the security of the troop control system and communications;
- conducting measures for protection of forces and rear targets against enemy use of mass-destruction weapons;
- and others.

The chief of staff is responsible for the timely conduct of troop control. The actual methods for control are varied and the main ones are the following:
- visits of the commander and other responsible officers to the troops;
- control by means of signal communications and personal discussion with subordinates;
- examination and approval of the documents prepared by subordinates;
- aerial photography and aerial observation of own forces as they accomplish missions;
- listening to the radio and telephone conversations of subordinates.

The main basic control method is the visit of the commander and responsible staff officers to the subordinate forces. For this the operational directorate creates a special plan.



Organization of Troop Control

The following are measures for support of troop control:

Troop control is conducted in accordance with the army commander's orders and orders of the front staff. The chief of army staff establishes the measures on organization of troop control, support of its strength, and creation of a constant system for troop control in the assembly area and during the course of the operation. At the beginning of the offensive the troop control system has accomplished the following:
- organize and deploy the control system;
- organize and establish the communication system;
- organize a system for collecting, working out, and analyzing situation data.

With the aim of durability of troop control the chief of staff and other control elements take the following measures:
- deploy and distribute personal before the operation to the various command posts and prepare them to take control in a short time period;
- on the announcement of threat of war send operational groups of the army field control system with signal communications means and required documents to the prepared command posts in a timely manner;
- plan the movement and redeployment of the command posts during the operation;
- conduct measures with the objective of protection of robust, uninterrupted signals and equip the command posts with means for signal communication and control (computers etc.);
- organize and work out situation data and send reports, summaries, and orders to subordinates and superiors during preparation phase and the course of the operation;
- organize defense and security of command posts, signal centers, and communication lines;
- organize protection of command posts against enemy mass-destruction weapons and conduct measures on restoring combat effectiveness of troop control;
- conduct measures on protection of signal, reconnaissance, and control means against radio-electronic combat;
- insure that all command posts must constantly know the situation in the army area and must be prepared to take over control of the forces and have the required documents for control;
- conduct measures on shifting control from one post to the other;
- organize commandant's service;
- conduct measures on security of troop control.



Troop Control System

The troop control system consists of the permanent and field (mobile) command posts. The permanent command posts as a rule are prepared in peacetime for control of subordinate forces during their being brought to the state of full combat readiness and occupation of the assembly areas (FUP areas), for repelling surprise enemy attack, during participation in the front first nuclear strike, during movement of the army forces into the offensive, and for fulfillment of required missions at the beginning of the operation. For troop control during the offensive operation they deploy and equip the army mobile and field troop control system including command posts, forward command post, rear control post, and airborne command post. In special terrain conditions, when it is not possible to conduct the troop control of part of the army or is difficult to do so, they establish auxiliary command posts. Sometimes it is possible to establish a auxiliary command post at one of the division command posts, but in that case it is necessary that the division command post be given the required signal, control, and document means. (See section on signal system and control points).



System for Collecting and Working Out Situation Data

Collection and working out situation data is centralized at the army level. When creating the army system for collecting data the staff must keep in mind that it must be able to obtain information from the front, military district, group of forces (for armies on the front line) from radio and radio technical means, from border troops, and from observation. Measures for fully deploying a system for collection and analysis of situation data are pre-planned and conducted to include sources and reconnaissance forces that obtain information about the enemy, troop control organs that collect and work out the data, and technical means that are analyze data. Reconnaissance data on the enemy is obtained at the chief of reconnaissance's command post, army command post, center for control of the air army, command post of the chief of army PVO, the staff of the rocket troops and artillery, chief of chemical troops, and chief of engineer troops. It is sent to the center for data collection and analysis in the operations directorate. Data on own forces is received from the division centers for collection and analysis of data, staffs of chiefs of combat arms and services, special troops, and staff of the chief of rear services. Data that is collected at the collection and analysis center is assembled and put on special forms for analysis and assessment. They evaluate its importance, reliability, and completeness. Important data is quickly reported to the chief of staff and commander.



Commandant Service

This is a complex of measures which are organized and conducted with the objective of support of the movement, collection, deployment, and distribution of forces secretly and in a timely manner. It is also for maintenance of general order in the entire army deployment area and during its operations. It also monitors and inspects for compliance with maskirovka measures and regulates traffic. The commandant's service is organized by the army staff in accordance with the army commander's decision. During the preparation for offensive operations the basic mission of the commandant service includes the following:
- regulate forces' movements on the roads, especially in narrow locations, at passes, water crossings, road junctions, destroyed areas, and at obstacles and also around command posts and when the command posts are being redeployed and in forces' deployment areas, in the rear service area, and others;
- control, keeping the forces to the required order during movement and monitoring maskirovka by the forces;
- collect and return personnel, military equipment, and vehicles, to their units and formations;
- defense of lines of communication and combat with enemy reconnaissance groups, diversionary groups, and spies on the movement routs and in the deployment areas;
- report on the areas of contamination and destruction to the army staff;
- defense of the movement of the population in accordance with the established order and prohibiting population from moving on the roads and in the deployment areas.

The measures for commandant's service are described in the commandant's service plan. The plan for commandant's service is prepared by the operations directorate on a map with explanatory notes. During the preparation of this document the chief of transport, the directorate for roads of the rear service, chief of signals, and chief of engineers all participate. The plan is signed by the chief of the operations directorate and chief of staff and approved by the army commander. Units of commandant's service, staffs, and units of the commandant's service elements of road commandant units in the engineer road construction brigades, and commandant's service units in the rear service forces all participate in the conduct of commandant's service actions. Sometimes motor rifle subunits are also engaged. The plan divides the roads into designated segments and designates commandant posts (four to five men) and regulating posts (three to four men) with signal means, transport, means for chemical and radio active reconnaissance, and road signs.



Secret Troop Control

This is a complex of measures to insure the preservation of state and military secrets and all data and measures which are conducted by the commander, staff, chiefs of combat arms, special troops, services, and rear on troop control and to prepare and conduct operations against the enemy's reconnaissance. The following are the basic measures for preservation of security of state and military secrets:
- prepare personnel of staffs and forces to exercise a spirit of vigilance;
- use only a limited number of personnel during preparation of decisions, plans, and documents, and issuing missions to subordinates;
- build, move, and redeploy army and formation command posts in secret;
- issue important missions and orders directly, personally to commanders, chiefs of staff, and chiefs of combat arms and special services;
- organize secret troop control and use for means of secret troop control encoded and enciphered data which is sent on technical means, and do not send messages by signal means in open text;
- conduct technical and organizational measures on security of data on the automatic troop control system;
- use call signs and signals and specially marked maps;
- observe signal discipline; limit the personnel who use the signal equipment, control the right to use signal equipment;
- conduct required measures on radio maskirovka;
- insure the security of secret documents during their preparation and distribution to addressees;
- take measures for maskirovka of the elements of the troop control system and disinformation in accordance with the front commander's orders with the objective of confusing the enemy;
- constant inspection on the support of security of state and military secrets by the staffs and troops in accordance with orders, regulations, and directives.

The organization of secure troop control is the responsibility of the chief of staff. The direct organizer is the chief of the eighth directorate.


 
 

IV. ACTIONS OF ARMY STAFF AND TROOP CONTROL ORGANS DURING CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS


 
 

Control of the Army Forces During the Offensive Operation


The offensive operation begins with the use of nuclear weapons and the participation of the army rocket brigade and rocket battalions of the division in the front initial nuclear strike or without the use of nuclear weapons, after the conduct of the air operation with the participation of the air forces of strategic level or strikes of aviation of the air army. Before the beginning of the war at the stage of "threat of war" the army's forces are brought to the state of higher combat readiness and then brought to the level of full combat readiness. It is possible that the war will begin without a period of threat of war or with only a extremely short period of threat. On the basis of the previously mentioned conditions the work of the commander and staff on troop control begins and continues. During the offensive operation the basic missions of army troop control are the following:
- preserving the political-morale state of the troops, preserving combat readiness and preparation not only to fulfill the established operational missions, but also for fulfilling missions that may suddenly arise;
- constantly obtaining new situation data, its clarification and analysis, and in accordance with this conducting the required measures including making the needed decisions, reconfirming previously established missions and preparing new missions on the basis of the new situation;
- make the operations plan more precise;
- preserve constant interaction during the course of the offensive;
- conduct of all-around support of the troops combat actions;
- inspection (monitoring) of the given missions and offering assistance.

During the offensive operation the enemy may cut the signal communications and troop control systems by means of radio-electronic combat. To counter this the army commander, staff, and chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services take previously developed measures to bring back to life and reestablish the signal and troop control systems. The signal and troop control means that were not cut by the enemy maneuver onto the most important axes. Radio-electronic means are protected by cover and concealment of radio and radio technical equipment. Reconnaissance must obtain required data on the enemy's radio-electronic combat means and send the information to the units and forces that are conducting radio-electronic combat.


 
 

Bringing the Army Troop Control Organs to the Level of Full Combat Readiness

The army commander and troop control organs in peacetime are responsible for support of higher combat readiness and mobilization of the staff troop control organs, and combat arms, special troops, services, and army rear for the fulfillment of operational and combat missions in the future. The army commander in peacetime organizes the plan for combat readiness of the army's staff and troop control organs. The following are specified in this plan: the measures, time for their fulfillment, responsible individuals, sequence for accomplishing measures, and level of measures. These are established in accordance with the directives of the minister of defense, chief of general staff, front commander and in accordance with the designated norms for staffs, control organs, combat arms, special troops, and services at the various levels of combat readiness. The following elements are included in the combat readiness plan:
- plan of basic measures for combat readiness:
-- a. basic measures which are conducted to reach the level of higher combat readiness, time for conduct, and responsible individuals;
-- b. basic measures which are conducted to reach full combat readiness, time for conduct, and responsible individuals;
- the plan for locating the permanent garrisons, concentration areas, and assembly areas for combat readiness, routes of movement to the assembly areas, diagrams of the unit march columns to the areas (For formations and units that are located very close to the state border the plan for permanent garrisons, FUP (assembly for preparation for attack) areas, covering area, and diagrams of the march columns);
- plan for movement and accomplishment of marches from the alarm assembly area to the FUP concentration area with explanatory notes;
- tables showing the addresses of officers and telephone numbers. If required, names of the guides who will go get the officers;
- tables listing all the vehicles, cars, and busses for moving the officers to the barracks;
- tables showing the unit supplies and where they are located;
- tables showing weapons, equipment, uniforms, and other items for each officer and soldier;
- table showing the duty service units;
- table showing defense of the garrison;
- table showing the prepared command post in the assembly area and composition of the duty personnel for the staff in the garrison and at the command post;
- table and composition of the operational group at the prepared command post with signal and control means;
- table for signal control;
- plan of organization and mobilization of personnel
- plan of mobilization of combat equipment and others.

In addition, for the commander, chief of staff, chiefs of combat arms, special forces, and services and for every officer they prepare a personal plan (SOP) showing their actions and duties upon receipt of the alarm. In this way each will accomplish his part in bringing the unit to full combat readiness.

The armed forces of the Soviet Union enumerate three levels of combat readiness: constant combat readiness, higher combat readiness, and full combat readiness. Constant combat readiness for staffs and forces is the situation from which staffs, forces, and air forces fulfill their duties in planned daily activities. Formations and units are constantly prepared to fulfill their combat missions. Mobilization is conducted for formations and units and installations that are manned at cadre level. At that level of combat readiness individual units and sub-units fulfill combat duty service and fulfill their combat missions in accordance with the plan. The army commander and chief of staff and chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services monitor the filling out of their staffs and units in accordance with the wartime table of organization and their preparation for fulfilling their combat missions.

Higher combat readiness is the situation of the staffs and troops from which in a brief time they can go to full combat readiness. To reach this level of combat readiness the army commander and control organs accomplish the following tasks:
- all formations, units, and staffs conduct measures to complete mobilization and combat readiness;
- the forces on duty service are strengthened and conduct guard duties at full combat readiness;
- officers return from leave or vacations or TDY and these are canceled;
- weapons and equipment are issued and everyone lives in the barracks;
- twenty-four hour guard duty, defense, and security of important targets is strengthened and patrols are established around the garrison;
- protection of forces against mass-destruction weapons is organized;
- in staffs they establish twenty-four hour duty cycles for generals and officers; increase the number of officers on duty in each section; establish duty service at the command posts;
- at the prepared command posts they establish operational groups with signal and control means;
- in accordance with the directive of the minister of defense and general staff they take an complex number of measures on raising combat readiness of units and formations of rocket forces, units and formations on cadre status, mobilization sections, bases, depots, and other installations.

All measures for higher combat readiness must be conducted secretly and forces must be prepared secretly for fulfillment of their combat missions. Raising staffs and forces to higher combat readiness as a rule is completed in the permanent garrisons. And for this combat readiness some units and sub-units are dispatched to designated areas.

Full combat readiness is the highest level of combat readiness of staffs and forces for rapid fulfillment of combat missions. Army control is raised to the highest level in response to the alarm, a specially designated signal, or in response to the special order. For conduct of field troop control at the level of full combat readiness they take the following measures:
- notification of personnel of the field control organs of the army and the units and sub-units of headquarters support and service of the heightened readiness by signal alarm and passing the alarm to the subordinate units;
- collection of personnel at the working places in the garrison, passing out weapons and equipment, and other items;
- loading personnel and equipment and supplies onto vehicles according to their command post;
- movement to the assembly areas or prepared command posts;
- communication with subordinate and interacting staffs and forces from the new locations;
- organization of defense and protection of the deployment areas of the troop control organs.

The forces in the permanent garrisons accomplish the following measures upon receipt of the alarm:
- in accordance with the alarm forces at permanent garrisons assemble at the collection area and in accordance with the scheme for march and designated routes then move to the assembly (concentration areas);
- the personnel of formations and units that are near to the state border receive ammunition, supplies, hand grenades, special gas masks, helmet, poncho, and antichemical clothing and equipment kits, and individual medical kits.
- formations and units that are located near the state border occupy their designated assembly areas and covering force areas and undertake defensive measures in accordance with the plan;
- ground and air reconnaissance is conducted along the state border;
- they deploy aircraft and helicopters and camouflage them while occupying dispersal airfields or landing fields;
- large units and units that have cadre status or those short of personnel or equipment are filled from calculated mobilization supplies at the time designated in the plan;
- personnel and military equipment organize and deploy to the mobilization points in the concentration area and start to act together;
- weapons and combat equipment are removed from conservation status and together with other supplies are brought to combat readiness;
- organization and preparation of moral-political and psychological status of the troops.

All measures for higher and full combat readiness must be conducted in accordance with the plan, exactly and secretly, with observation of maskirovka measures. Sounding the combat alarm is organized by the commandant's service under control of the operational directorate in accordance with the plan for organized movement of staffs and forces to the concentration area and prepared command posts. Ground and aerial reconnaissance is strengthened, and aerial reconnaissance prior to the beginning of the offensive is conducted along the border. Ground reconnaissance prior to the arrival of the covering forces is conducted by observation from officer posts without changing the previously normal regime of the border troops. Radio and radio technical reconnaissance deploy and obtain reconnaissance data on the enemy. Radio-electronic combat forces deploy and take measures for reconnaissance and put into action their signal and control means for protection of radio-electronic equipment. The systems for pinpointing nuclear burst deploy and go into action. When the operational duty officer receives the alarm, he quickly reports to the commander, chief of staff, chief of operational directorate and member of the military council. The deputy duty officer uses the automatic system to issue the signal to subordinate forces. Notification of personnel who live in the garrison is accomplished by technical signal means. Notification of officers of field troop control who are located outside the garrison is accomplished by technical signal means and by sending duty vehicles and sometimes by sending guides. When the officers of army control organs arrive, they quickly receive their weapons, equipment, special gas masks, and other items and issue orders to their units or sections. They then get on the vehicles. Upon receipt of the alarm the vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion move to the concentration area and organize the vehicle convey according the diagrams. When the officers are loaded everything is ready. The army commander, when he receives the report about raising the army, goes to the protected command post or the assembly area and there he takes command of the army. He organizes the movement or deployment of forces to the FUP areas for the offensive. The chief of staff reports to the front staff about receipt of the signal and goes to the protected command post or the assembly area. If the operational groups are not sent to the field command posts, they, together with signal units and guard and service units, move to the command point, forward command post, and rear control point. Personnel of the rear control point and forward command post, under command of the deputy commander of the army, go to their posts. The personnel for the command post go to their location. The army commander, chief of staff, important chiefs of staffs and combat arms go to the command posts by aircraft or helicopter. When the personnel of field troop control arrive at their command posts they organize their positions and quickly begin work. The army chief of staff reports to the front staff about the arrival of the commander and staff at the command post.



 
 

Missions and Actions of the Army Commander and Staff, Chiefs of Combat Arms, Special Forces, and Services During Bringing the Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness


 
 

The Army Commander's Tasks During Raising Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The army commander fulfills the following tasks while bringing the army forces to full combat readiness:
- on receipt of the alarm (special signal, or special orders) he acts in accordance with his personal plan (in which all measures he is to accomplish with their times and sequence are shown) with the objective of control of the transition of the army to full combat readiness; [this plan is a SOP (check list) to prevent him from forgetting any critical actions];
- when he receives the signal from the operations duty officer, he goes to the protected (fortified) command post or to the assembly area and takes control of the army;
- he gives orders to the chief of staff on the most important reconnaissance missions, reconnaissance forces and means to use, and on strengthening reconnaissance;
- he monitors the assembly process, movement, deployment, and distribution of army forces and rear services in the concentration area or the FUP area;
- he monitors the dispersion of the combat and transport helicopters to the deployment areas;
- in accordance with the plan for covering the state border he supervises the first-echelon divisions' deployment;
- he monitors the organization of PVO forces covering the army forces and rear targets and the engineer defensive and maskirovka works;
- he monitors the organization of the mobilization points and filling out of formations and units of combat arms, special forces, and troop control organs to their full TOE;
- he monitors the process of bringing weapons and equipment to full combat readiness;
- he monitors the forces' actions in accordance with the plan for combat readiness and mobilization and offers assistance, as required, and orients subordinates;
- in accordance with new situations he specifies missions for the army forces.


Tasks of the Chief of Staff While Bringing Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of staff plans combat readiness and supports higher combat readiness of forces, staffs, and troop control organs. On receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan in which are shown all measures he must fulfill on controlling forces as they reach full combat readiness with times for accomplishment and their sequence. He performs the following tasks:
- when the chief of staff receives the alarm from the operational duty officer, he goes to the protected command post or the assembly area and assists the army commander;
- when he goes to the protected command post or assembly area, he reports to the front staff on the receipt of the alarm;
- if the operational groups have not been sent to the command posts already, he issues orders to the chief of operational directorate to quickly send operational groups to the forces with signal means and guard and service units;
- in accordance with the army commander's orders he issues instructions to the chief of reconnaissance and designates the tasks for the reconnaissance forces and the time to receive information;
- he issues orders on deployment of radio-electronic combat forces and their missions to the chief of radio-electronic warfare;
- he monitors the organization and conduct of actions of the system for assessing nuclear bursts;
- he monitors the movement of staff officers to the command posts, forward command post, and rear control point, and he along with the army commander and chiefs of combat arms and special services go by helicopter or aircraft;
- he monitors evacuation of the army forces from the permanent garrisons and their dispersion into the concentration area or deployment to the FUP areas for the offensive; he monitors measures to cover the state border;
- he monitors organization of PVO forces to cover army and rear service targets;
- he monitors preparation of engineer fortification of the concentration area, assembly area, and covering force area;
- he monitors organization of mobilization points and filling out of formations and units of combat arms and services and troop control organs up to their TOE;
- he monitors the staff's activities, when they assemble at the command post, and supervises them in beginning their work;
- he monitors the process of bringing weapons and military equipment to combat status;
- he monitors organization of defense, security, and protection of the command posts;
- he assists the army commander on fulfillment of all the content of the plan and helps and orients the staffs.


Tasks of the Chief of Operations Directorate During Bringing Staff and Army to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of operations directorate in peacetime conducts planning of combat readiness and fulfillment of measures of support of higher combat readiness of forces and staffs. While bringing the forces to full combat readiness, he fulfills the following tasks:
- on receipt of alarm he implements his personal plan, that shows all measures he must fulfill during the process, time and sequence for fulfillment;
- when he reports receipt of the alarm, he goes to the operational duty officer's office and helps the commander and chief of staff on control of staffs and forces to reach full combat readiness and control of the forces during that period;
- if officers of the army field troop control system are located outside the garrison, he monitors their alert and sends duty transport for them and brings them to the garrison;
- he monitors distribution of transportation from the security battalion to the collection point and organizes the convoy in accordance with the diagram and plan; he dispatches the staff officers to the command post;
- he monitors the distribution of chemical masks, weapons, personal equipment, maps, various means for accomplishing duties, control means (machines computers etc.) and other things of staff officers; distributes ammunition, hand grenades, gas masks, first aid kits, helmets, poncho, and other items for units and sub-units of the guard and service units;
- he monitors organization of commandant's service and regulation posts on the routes of movement of forces and staffs to the concentration area or assembly area;
- if operational groups were not sent to the field command post, the chief of operational directorate issues the order for rapidly sending these groups with signal units and defense and service units to the forward, main, and rear command posts;
- he monitors dispatch of officers of army field control in accordance with plans and diagrams on transportation means of the defense battalion, which assembles at the collection point; he dispatchs it to the command posts and rear control point under control of the assistant army commander; the chief of operational directorate with commander and chief of staff and other chiefs goes to the command post by helicopter or aircraft;
- when they come to the command post, he controls operational directorate in its work and quickly establishes communications with subordinate staffs and any interacting forces and controls subordinates' movement, deployment, dispersion, distribution, and location in the assembly area and in the FUP area and organization of defense of the state border;
- the chief of operational directorate directly organizes defense, security, and protection of the command posts against enemy mass-destruction weapons;
- he monitors fulfillment of orders, directives, instructions of the army commander and chief of staff and the situation, composition, manning, and combat capability of army forces. He offers timely, required assistance to subordinate forces and staffs;
- he collects situation data and prepares operational calculations and reports them to the chief of staff and commander.


Tasks of Chief of Reconnaissance During Bringing Army to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of reconnaissance during peacetime organizes the plan for combat readiness of reconnaissance forces and he is responsible for support of higher combat readiness of army reconnaissance forces for filling their missions. During bringing army forces to the state of full combat readiness, he fulfills the following missions:

On receipt of the alarm he implements his personal plan with the aim of control of the process of bringing reconnaissance forces to the state of full combat readiness. He goes to the protected command post or the assembly area or concentration area and controls the reconnaissance forces.
- He monitors the distribution of gas masks, weapons, equipment, first aid kits, maps, work items, and control equipment to the reconnaissance staff; and distribution of hand grenades, ammunition, uniforms, helmets, ponchos, and other equipment to the reconnaissance forces.
- If reconnaissance officers were not already sent to the command posts with operational groups, he sends them to the field command posts.
- He sends reconnaissance staff officers from the collection points on the transport of the defense battalion to the command points. The chief of reconnaissance himself accompanies the commander and other chiefs to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- In accordance with the commander's and chief of staff's orders on reconnaissance measures, time of receipt of reconnaissance data, and means for conduct of reconnaissance he takes measures to achieve full combat readiness.
- He monitors collection, dispatch, movement, deployment, and timely location of reconnaissance forces in the concentration area or assembly area.
- When he arrives at the command post, he organizes actions and work of the reconnaissance staff and actions of reconnaissance forces and communications with front staff, neighbors, subordinate staffs forces, and with space and aerial reconnaissance and collects data from reconnaissance on the enemy and terrain. He analyzes and makes it clear.
- He monitors the filling of reconnaissance forces with personnel equipment from mobilization supply sources.
- He obtains the latest data on reconnaissance, analyzes it, and reports his results to the commander and chief of staff. If necessary, he also reports to the chiefs of combat arms, special troops, and services, higher staffs, neighbors, subordinate forces and interacting forces.
- He prepares reconnaissance staff's operational calculations on capabilities of reconnaissance forces; and composition, actions, capabilities, missions, and possible concept of the enemy, and he prepares the report on assessment of enemy forces for the commander's decision process.
- He always must be prepared to report on the situation and possible enemy actions to the army commander and chief of staff.
- He monitors fulfillment of the issued orders by the subordinate staffs and units and offers assistance and orients subordinates.


Tasks of Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery During Bringing of Army Rocket and Artillery Troops to Level of Full Combat Readiness

The chief of rocket troops and artillery in peacetime plans combat readiness of his forces and is responsible for support of higher combat readiness for fulfillment of assigned missions. The chief of rocket troops and artillery fulfills the following missions during bringing forces to level of full combat readiness:
- On receipt of combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan with the aim of control of rocket forces and artillery and staffs in reaching full combat readiness. He goes to the protected command post or concentration area and controls rocket forces and artillery.
- He issues special masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, means for communication, control means, and other instruments to the staff personnel; and also issues ammunition, hand grenades, means for protection, special clothing, uniforms, helmets,and ponchos, and other items to the rocket forces and artillery.
- If the personnel of the rocket and artillery staff were not sent with operational groups to field command posts, he sends them quickly with the vehicles of the defense battalion. He himself goes with the commander and chief of staff by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors collection and deployment of rocket forces and artillery and rocket technical bases in the concentration area or assembly area (FUP) and the covering force area.
- On assembling at the command post he organizes the activities of the artillery staff and communicates with the subordinates, interacting forces, and chief of rocket forces and artillery at divisions.
- He monitors fulfillment of engineer fortifications of rocket forces and artillery and region of deployment of the rocket technical bases and their maskirovka.
- He monitors preparation of weapons and combat equipment for combat.
- He monitors bringing of rocket forces to higher combat readiness and specifies their missions in the initial nuclear strike.
- He designates duty rocket forces (alert) and their being brought to full combat readiness.
- He monitors movement of rocket forces into position to participate in nuclear strike and their preparation to support full combat readiness.
- He monitors filling out rocket and artillery troops with personnel and combat equipment from mobilization supplies.
- He monitors the situation, location, and manning of rocket and artillery and staffs of divisions and fulfillment of instructions and missions, offers assistance, and orients them.
- He prepares calculations on capabilities of artillery and rockets for the offensive operation by staffs and personally prepares recommendations on use of forces in the operation during the commander's decision process.


Tasks of the Chief of PVO During Bringing Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of PVO in peacetime prepares the plan for PVO forces' combat readiness and is responsible for support of higher combat readiness of PVO forces to cover army forces and rear targets against enemy air strikes and for bringing PVO forces to full combat readiness. He fulfills the following tasks:
- On receipt of alarm he implements his personal plan with aim of bringing PVO forces to the level of full combat readiness. He goes to his command post, which is prepared near the army command post, and he controls the PVO forces by fulfilling the following:
- He monitors distribution of gas mask, weapons, personal items, maps, control equipment, and other instruments to the personnel of the PVO staffs; and also distribution of ammunition, rockets, hand grenades, means of chemical protection, individual packets, helmets, and others to PVO forces.
- If PVO personnel were not sent as part of operational groups to the command posts, he dispatches them to the control posts. Officers of the army PVO staff with the mobile command post of PVO, center of combat control, and center of reconnaissance data, warning, and signals go to the army command point and there organize a mobile PVO command post, which is a part of the army command post. He also sends officers to the forward command post and rear control point. He himself accompanies the army commander and others by helicopter or aircraft to the command post.
- He organizes interaction with center of combat control of the air army, which is located at the army command post with the aim of organizing interaction with fighter aviation during repelling enemy air strikes.
- He monitors collection, movement, deployment, and distribution of PVO forces in the concentration area and FUP area with aim of covering army main forces and rear targets from enemy air attack in accordance with the prepared plan.
- He monitors organization of the system of reconnaissance of enemy air and warning system.
- He monitors the fire system of rockets and antiair artillery with aim of covering army forces, command posts, and rear targets against enemy air.
- When he reaches to the command post, he organizes the actions of PVO staff and organizes communications with subordinates, interacting forces, with command posts of national PVO formations (if they are deployed in army area) and prepares PVO forces and staffs for repelling enemy air attacks.
- He monitors fulfillment of engineer work on PVO positions and their maskirovka.
- In accordance with the situation he designates duty forces of PVO and their control during repelling of enemy air strike.
- He monitors the situation, composition, manning of forces of army PVO and also issues orders and instructions to PVO forces and staffs of subordinate formations and offers assistance and orientation for them.
- He prepares calculations of PVO staff and personally prepares the suggestions on the use of PVO forces during the army commander's decision making.
- He monitors organization of supply of rocket forces with antiair rockets and ammunition.


Tasks of the Chief of Engineer Troops During Bringing Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of engineer troops during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the units, and sub-units of army engineers. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of engineer forces in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of engineer forces.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the engineer staff. He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the engineer troop units.
- If some personnel of the engineer staffs were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the engineer directorate of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area. - He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of engineer troops.
- When the chief of engineers arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the engineer staff and communicates with subordinates, engineer staffs of army units, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the engineer equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army engineer units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons, and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate engineer troops and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and engineer staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of engineer troops for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- He monitors the completion of required engineer work in the alarm concentration area, the FUP assembly area of first-echelon large units, the covering force area, and areas of deployment of second-echelon and reserves; and the preparation of positions for rocket troops, artillery, and air defense troops. He insures that engineer measures are completed for repelling possible enemy strikes during the preparation phase.
- He monitors preparation of roads for maneuver and movement in the FUP areas.
- He monitors completion of engineer fortification of command posts and their maskirovka.
- He participates in planning and conduct of operational maskirovka.
- He participates in planning for the protection of troops and rear service installations against enemy mass-destruction weapons, the liquidation of the results of their use, and the restoration of combat effectiveness of troops and rear installations that suffer damage from nuclear strikes.
- He monitors the conduct of engineer reconnaissance to locate water and the purification and supply of water to troops in concentration areas, FUP areas, command posts, and the covering force area.


Tasks of the Chief of Chemical Troops During the Bringing of Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of chemical troops during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the units, and sub-units of army chemical troops. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of chemical forces in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of chemical forces.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the chemical staff. He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the chemical troop units.
- If some personnel of the chemical staff were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the chemical directorate of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area. - He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of chemical troops.
- When the chief of chemical troops arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the chemical staff and communicates with subordinates, chemical staffs of army large units, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the chemical equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army chemical units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate chemical troops and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and chemical staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of chemical troops for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- He monitors the preparation of deployment, concentration, and FUP areas from the point of view of fortifications for chemical troops and their maskirovka.
- He organizes chemical and radio active, reconnaissance and participates in bacteriological reconnaissance of concentration, FUP and covering force areas and the deployment areas for army reserves.
- He monitors the organization of the system for measuring the yield and locating the burst of enemy nuclear strikes in accordance with the combat readiness plan.
- He participates in planning and support of the protection of troops and rear service installations against enemy mass-destruction weapons, the liquidation of the results of these weapons, and the restoration of combat effectiveness of units that are hit by nuclear strikes.
- He monitors the resupply of staffs, control organs, forces, special troops and services with various chemical weapons, technical equipment, supplies, chemical clothing, and other equipment and creates chemical supply depots for troop units.
- He monitors preparation of chemical, bacteriological, fire, and smoke materials, means, and weapons for offensive operations.
- During the employment of enemy mass-destruction weapons, he organizes disinfection and decontamination of weapons, equipment, material supplies, locations and roads, and conducts partial decontamination of personnel.
- In case of enemy use of mass-destruction weapons he monitors the radiation level of personnel, weapons, locations and supplies and conducts analysis of radio active and chemical contamination levels.


Tasks of the Chief of Signal Troops During the Bringing of Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of signal troops during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the units and sub-units of army signal troops. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of signal forces in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of signal forces.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the signal staff. He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the signal troop units.
- If some personnel of the signal staffs were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the signal directorate of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area.
- He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of signal troops.
- When the chief of signal troops arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the signal staff and communicates with subordinates, signal staffs of army large units, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the signal equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army signal units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate signal troops and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and signal staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of signal troops for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- In accordance with the army commander's decision and instructions of the chief of staff, and instructions of higher staff; he monitors and organizes signal system to insure that it is timely, reliable, robust and secure.
- He establishes signals with the army forces, staffs, control organs, staffs of subordinates, adjacents, and interacting forces during the period when army forces are coming to full combat readiness, during movement, and deployment into concentration and FUP, and covering force areas.
- He supports and establishes the signal systems for timely warning, command, transmission of air situation data, and radiation, chemical, bacteriological, and meteorological situation to troops, rear services, staffs, troop control organs, staffs of subordinates, adjacents, and interacting forces.
- He supports the signal system between rear services control point and rear service large units, units, and installations and with rear services of subordinates during the time forces are coming to full combat readiness, movement, and deployment into concentration, FUP, and covering force areas.
- To create a timely, robust, and secure signal system he monitors creation of signal nets, main and alternate (emergency) centers, radio and radio relay nets, radio axes, radio relay and line communication axes and directions, mobile circular courier systems servicing command posts and other locations.
- He monitors the full supply and resupply of signal equipment and organizes its repair.
- He constantly monitors the observation of rules on communication secrecy by troops, signal troops, and control organs of the army and its subordinates.


Tasks of the Chief of Radio-Electronic Combat During the Bringing of Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of radio-electronic combat during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the formations, units, and sub-units of army radio-electronic combat troops. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of radio-electronic combat forces in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of radio-electronic combat forces.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the radio-electronic combat staff. He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the radio-electronic combat troop units.
- If some personnel of the radio-electronic combat staff were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the radio-electronic combat department of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area. He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of radio-electronic combat troops.
- When the chief of radio-electronic combat arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the radio-electronic combat staff and communicates with subordinates, REC staffs of army formations, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the radio-electronic combat equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army radio-electronic combat units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate REC troops and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and REC staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of radio-electronic combat forces for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- He monitors conduct of required measures for organization of REC reconnaissance and the issue of data on this reconnaissance to all units that participate in REC.
- He monitors deployment of REC forces and their preparation to conduct REC and then their actual conduct of REC against enemy REC means on order.
- He monitors conduct of measures on protection of REC troops and means, signal means, and control means to keep it functioning; and takes measures on REC maskirovka of REC forces and means, signal means, and control organs.
- In case signal, control, or REC means are cut (jammed or interdicted) by enemy REC means he reestablishes them and restores their activeness and conducts maneuver of signal and control means to other frequencies or directions that are not being interfered with.


Tasks of the Chief of Technical and Armament Services During the Bringing of Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of technical and armament services during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the units and sub-units of army technical services. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of technical and armament services in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of technical service troops.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the technical and armament service staff.
- He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the technical service units.
- If some personnel of the technical and armament service staff were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the technical and armament directorate of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area. He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of technical service troops.
- When the chief of technical and armament services arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the his staff and communicates with subordinates, staffs of army large units, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the technical and armament service equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army technical service units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate technical and armament services and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and technical staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of technical and armament service troops for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- He monitors organization of mobilization points for army and subordinate large units and the filling out of forces with technical equipment in accordance with the combat readiness plan.
- He monitors the filling out of large units, units and sub-units of arms and services and special troops with weapons, technical equipment, ammunition, supplies, and other items up to full TOE levels. He creates supply dumps to their established norms at all levels of command.
- He monitors completion of engineer fortifications of the deployment bases, repair shops, depots, dumps, and evacuation and repair unit locations.
- He monitors organization of defense, security, and protection of bases, repair depots, supply dumps, and units of repair and evacuation services.
- He monitors organization of assembly and collection points for repair and evacuation of damaged equipment from the troop concentration and FUP areas and from roads and sends it to relevant repair units.


Tasks of the Chief of Rear Services During the Bringing of Army Forces to Full Combat Readiness

The chief of rear services during peacetime plans combat and mobilization readiness and is responsible for attaining higher combat readiness of the large units, units, and sub-units of army rear services. During the period while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness he fulfills the following tasks:
- Upon receipt of the combat alarm he acts in accordance with his personal plan, in which is shown all measures, together with their sequence and time for execution, that he must accomplish with the aim of control of rear services in reaching full combat readiness. He immediately goes to the protected command post or the FUP area and takes control of rear service troops.
- He monitors the issuing of masks, weapons, individual kits, first aid kits, maps, office supplies, communication and control equipment and other supplies to the individuals of the rear service staff. He also supervises issuing of ammunition, hand grenades, protective clothing, uniforms, masks, helmets, ponchos and other equipment to the rear service units and installations.
- If some personnel of the rear service staff were not already sent as part of the operational group to the field command posts, he sends them in accordance with the plans worked out by the operations directorate.
- He monitors the process by which officers of the rear service directorate of the army staff are sent to the field command posts by vehicles of the headquarters guard battalion, which are located at the alert assembly area. He himself accompanies the commander and chief of staff to the command post by helicopter or aircraft.
- He monitors the collection, movement, deployment, and location in concentration and FUP areas of rear service troops.
- When the chief of rear services arrives at the field command post, he organizes the activities of the rear service staff and communicates with subordinates, rear service staffs of army large units, and interacting forces.
- He monitors the bringing of the rear service equipment from its conservation status to a state of full combat readiness.
- He monitors the process of filling the army rear service units to full TOE levels with personnel, equipment, weapons and supplies.
- He monitors the status, manning, and location of subordinate rear service troops and also monitors the accomplishment of instructions issued to subordinate units and rear service staffs of large units and units. If needed, he orients them and offers assistance.
- He prepares calculations with the staff on the capabilities of rear services for offensive action, and personally prepares recommendations on their use in the operation for presentation during the commander's decision process.
- He designates responsible people for turning the barracks and garrisons over to state control personnel.
- He monitors completion of engineer fortification of rear service targets and their maskirovka.
- He monitors the supply and resupply of large units, units and sub-units of combat arms, special troops, services, and rear service large units, units, and installations with material supplies up to standard norms.
- He monitors organization of defense, protection, and security of the rear control point and rear service installations.



 
 

Control of forces at the start of offensive operations

At the beginning of offensive operations army troop control is conducted by the army commander from the command post. During the conduct of the enemy first air strike the army commander may relocate to the PVO command post, that is located adjacent to the army main command post. There the chief of army PVO and the chief of the air force center of combat control of the air army are located. Together they control the repulse of the enemy air attack. The chief of PVO in interaction with the chief of the center for combat control of the air army in accordance with reconnaissance data being received on enemy air activities, without waiting for receipt of full data, makes decisions on the repulse of the air strike, issues combat missions to PVO forces, and monitors their actions. They warn the staffs, troops, and rear service targets about enemy air strikes. They take measures for understanding and calculating the locations of enemy nuclear strikes. They control the actions of the forces and means for protection against mass destruction weapons, the nuclear burst locating stations, and the forces designated for liquidation of the results of air or nuclear strikes. In these conditions it is also possible that the enemy would launch a ground attack.

In accordance with the receipt of new data the army commander clarifies and makes more specific his decision and issues orders to the troops. The chief of staff sends the army commander's orders and instructions to subordinates and gives out new reconnaissance instructions. The main reconnaissance forces are concentrated on the finding out about the enemy main forces, quantity of forces and means on each axis, and concept of enemy operations. The chief of the reconnaissance directorate on the basis of the instructions from the commander and chief of staff designates reconnaissance forces, targets, missions, times to fulfill them, and issues orders to reconnaissance forces. He collects reconnaissance data, analyzes it and reports the most important information immediately to the commander and chief of staff. He informs the chiefs of combat arms, special troops and services.

The information center in the operations directorate also quickly reports to the field troop control organs, staffs of interacting forces, and adjacents and subordinate forces and means on changes in the situation, new enemy actions, new orders and decisions of the army commander.

Reports to front staff on the new situation are sent by technical signal means or be sending periodic reports and 24 hr summaries in written form by courier.

The following are the standard reports:
- combat report,
- reconnaissance report,
- signal report,
- rear service report,
- engineer report, and
- chemical report.
They are both periodic and non-periodic. The 24-hr summaries are operational, reconnaissance, signal, rear service, and others. They are only periodic. The periodic reports and summaries are sent at designated times to the higher staff in accordance with the table of instructions issued by that headquarters. Non-periodic reports are sent in accordance with sudden changes in the situation on the initiative of the army staff or in response to requests from the front staff. (See Chapter Five for sample reports.)



 
 

Participation of the army in the front initial nuclear strike

The first front nuclear strike is conducted on the basis of a designated signal from the general staff. The army staff constantly observes the targets for the army initial nuclear strike. Those targets which have been recently confirmed with reconnaissance data don't require reconfirmation at the last minute. Some targets must be reconfirmed. The army commander cancels the nuclear strike on targets for which reconnaissance data is not accurate and changes the order to other targets that he selects from the target area given in the front directive on destruction and for which he has exact, detailed reconnaissance data. He reports on these last minute changes to the front staff and informs subordinates. The front then can correct its plan to show these changes.

In the front first nuclear strike the army rocket brigade basically places its weapons on tactical nuclear means and sometimes on operational nuclear means, command posts of divisions and corps, air navigation and target control centers, and main groupings of first echelon forces. The rocket battalions of divisions destroy targets at their range, the majority of which are the divisions of the first echelon and their nuclear means. The sequence of use of army nuclear means in the front first nuclear strike is determined in accordance with the conditions of its conduct and with the signal for the strike that the front command issues.

The launch of the army and division rockets is simultaneous or at the start only the duty service rocket units may launch. These amount to one third of the total force available and planned to participate in the first nuclear strike. The targets of the duty service rockets as a rule are the tactical and operational nuclear means and their control system

In accordance with the preparation times of the remaining rocket forces their strength is concentrated on destruction of the enemy main forces of first echelon and command posts and other important targets.

When the command for the first strike is issued, the chief of staff organizes re-reconnaissance of targets for post strike assessment and the operations directorate collects the data on the results of the nuclear strike. At that time the separate radio battalion, SPETZNAZ, cuts (jams) the enemy nuclear control system signals and his warning system and system of control of nuclear rocket units and divisional artillery at the tactical level. The separate radio technical battalion, SPETZNAZ, observes the system of radio electronic control on board enemy aircraft. At that time the enemy may also use his means for nuclear massive destruction strikes on army targets. The result of this creates rapid changes in the over all situation and causes great losses, radio active zones, destruction of water reservoirs (dams), fires in forests, and destruction in populated areas. Some army formations and units become weakened and lose combat capability. In this situation the most important task of the army commander, chief of staff, staff, rear services, and chiefs of combat arms and special troops and services are the following:
- restoring troop control (if control is damaged or destroyed).
- collect data on the situation and assess the results of own nuclear strike on the enemy and his strike on the army; determine the situation and status of own forces and also the status and character of action of the enemy, and the radioactive conditions in the army offensive zone;
- conduct a second nuclear strike by the division rocket battalions on the main enemy groupings that were not destroyed;
- determine and conduct measures on liquidation of the results of enemy nuclear strikes and reestablish combat effectiveness;
- make a decision on the development of the attack and issue missions to subordinates;
- make clear the missions on interaction;
- reestablish systems of combat support and rear service support;

If troop control is destroyed or damaged by enemy nuclear strike, the chief of staff, chief of operations directorate, and chief of signals, transfer control to whichever army command post is not destroyed, on the basis of the instructions of the army commander, by use of signal means; or they might use the airborne command post. Or control may be transferred to the control point of one of the subordinate divisions.

Data collection and assessment of the situation are organized by the chief of staff with the assistance of the chief of the operations directorate, chief of reconnaissance, and chiefs of combat arms, special troops, services, and rear. Data which is received from various sources may have differences. The varried data is compared in order to develop real, accurate information. They also receive data on the terrain, which is contaminated by radiation from the nuclear strike or by chemical means. Data that is confirmed and made accurate is issued by the operations directorate to relevant control organs and the most important results are reported to the commander and chief of staff. An accurate assessment of the situation, of course, is required for a correct and valid decision for further troop combat action. The chief of staff, as a result of the assessment of the situation, reports his suggestions to the army commander. The army commander in this difficult situation shows the maximum of initiative for fulfillment of measures to liquidate the results of the nuclear strike in order to fulfill the ordered missions. The army commander makes his decision in accordance with the situation and issues corresponding instructions. In accordance with the decision and instructions of army commander the chief of the operations directorate with the staffs of rocket troops and artillery, engineer troops, chemical troops, and rear services organizes the plan for restoration of combat effectiveness and liquidation of the results of the nuclear strike. The following measures are contained in this plan:
- conduct of measures to restore destroyed troop control of the and units;
- evacuation of large units and units from areas of mass destruction in order for them to continue with their required missions;
- conduct of rescue operations in the centers of destruction and personnel casualties;
- special decontamination of personnel and disinfection, and degassing of weapons, equipment, and material supplies;
- conduct of measures on cleaning roads and routes and reopen routes through destruction;
- liquidate and limit the extent of fires;

In case of massive destruction and when a full complement of a division, (or several if its units) has suffered losses, all the personnel and combat equipment that remains alive is assembled into the regiments and battalions and sometimes into a combined detachment. In some conditions it would be better for functioning units and sub-units of several divisions (which lost their combat effectiveness) to be assembled into one or two divisions. The army commander makes his decision on continuing the attack in accordance with the situation. After conducting the second nuclear strike, the forces which retained combat effectiveness quickly move out to accomplish the destruction of the enemy's remaining active groupings and continue the offensive. The army staff issues missions to the troops, organizes interaction between elements of the combat formation, and also organizes combat support.



 
 

Troop control of the army forces during the offensive without employment of nuclear weapons

Success in the achievement of offensive operations with conventional weapons to a great extent depends on the conduct of the air operation or a sudden air strike by the front aviation and the prompt commitment of army forces into the offensive with active and decisive actions by army formations and units.



 
 

Repelling a surprise enemy attack and breaking down his offensive:

The enemy has ground and air force groupings, which have high combat readiness. A very important precondition for the offensive with employment of conventional weapons is the defeat of an enemy surprise attack. This is one of the most complicated, difficult missions. This mission is successfully fulfilled by correct interaction of motor rifle and tank armies with air forces and the national, front, and army air defense forces. The main mission of the army is repelling the enemy's offensive, breaking down the attack of ground forces, and destroying his air groupings in interaction with air and air defense forces of the front. The following are the most important missions of the army commander, staffs, and troop control organs:
- determining the groupings of enemy forces, his concept of actions, the axis of main attack, and strike groupings
- determining the types and sequence for destruction of remaining enemy groupings;
- organizating suppression by fire of opposing enemy forces and reserves;
- controlling deployment and passing onto the offensive of army forces and their actions for destruction of the enemy covering forces;
- supporting organized commitment into the engagement of the main strength of the army first echelon with the aim of destroying the opposing enemy forces.

The methods of destruction of attacking enemy and break up of his offensive may vary in accordance with the situation (correlation of forces and means, combat readiness, locations of own and enemy forces). The following are the main methods:
- preempting the enemy in delivering a surprise attack, and destructing enemy forces that are not fully prepared for military operations;
- preempting enemy forces in relation to our own forces, which don't have superiority in forces and means and break down his offensive in a meeting engagement;
- when the enemy launches the offensive with superior forces, repelling his offensive is conducted with use of defensive action in prepared positions, and after inflicting losses on the enemy, with the arrival of second echelon and reserves and change in the correlation of forces and means, destruction of enemy is conducted decisively.

In all possible methods of repelling enemy attack the army commander designates measures on expanding the strength of the first echelon forces and organizes in detail interaction among the army forces. The army commander personally or through the staff makes more specific missions on destruction of the enemy in accordance with the situation and designates the sequence for the offensive across the state border and offensive conduct in the enemy territory. The army commander designates the enemy's destruction in accordance with the character of enemy actions (breakthrough of enemy defense from the march, or with brief preparation; destruction of enemy in meeting engagement; initially inflict damage on the enemy's prepared positions and after that destroy him with a decisive offensive). In accordance with the commander's decision the staff and troop control organs give the missions to subordinates, organize interaction, and monitor fulfillment of the issued orders.

The army commander controls his forces during the offensive in accordance with the missions being fulfilled and conditions of the situation. He acts sometimes at the forward command post and sometimes, with the aim of clarifying the situation, he may move to the control post of a subordinate unit. In accordance with the situation he controls the forces by issuing brief combat instructions. The staff must ensure proper conditions to enable the army commander to control subordinate forces from any location. To accomplish this they must insure that the commander has signal communications with the army command post and adjacent subordinate forces. The army commander in all situations must have with him a small group of officers of the army control organs with required documents and communications means so that they may issue orders and instructions to subordinates. During operations the army commander and his staff control the army forces mostly with personal contact and use of army communication means or those of the subordinates. Personal conversation of the commander and staff must be conducted by use of the secret automatic communication system with use of conversation tables. Sometimes they send staff officers on helicopters for the purpose of delivering missions to subordinates, monitoring their actions, and offering assistance.



Passing onto the offensive

The army forces pass onto the offensive without use of nuclear weapons generally from FUP areas, which provide the capability for large units to take up their combat formation for conducting battle. The army's main forces usually pass onto the offensive from a position not in contact with the enemy. This does not exclude the possibility that the offensive would be conducted from a position in contact, when the army has successfully repelled an enemy offensive. In accordance with this the sequence for deploying the army forces is established before they move onto the offensive. Before the offensive, as a rule, they conduct an artillery preparation on the enemy tactical nuclear means, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks, anti-tank means, personnel forces, fire means, command posts, and radio technical means which are located on the army's axis of advance. Air strikes mostly are conducted against nuclear means, artillery batteries, command posts, and reserve, which are located beyond the range of the artillery. Destruction of the small enemy covering forces is accomplished by the forward detachments of the first echelon divisions under cover of the artillery and air strike. The remaining forces of the first echelon divisions move in columns prepared to develop of blows of the forward detachments. In conditions when the border area is covered by strong enemy forces it may be necessary to deploy from the start, for their destruction, not only the forward detachments, but also the main forces of the first echelon divisions.

The chief of reconnaissance previously has determined the lines and positions of the defending covering forces, their composition, the positions of nuclear means, positions of artillery, tanks, anti-tank means, command posts, radio technical means, nuclear mines, and conventional mine fields, and other engineer and natural obstacles; the concept of operations of the enemy in the covering force area; and also the main enemy groupings which defend on the first defensive line. The army commander in accordance with the situation and composition of enemy forces suppresses enemy forces with artillery preparatory fire and air strikes; designates means for their destruction by the forward detachments or the deployed main forces of the first echelon divisions; and establishes the sequence of covering the forces by artillery and aviation during the battle for the covering force area. The chief of the operations directorate in accordance with the decision of the army commander issues combat missions to subordinates. The army staff organizes interaction among army forces and issues instructions on interaction to subordinates. They monitor the situation of their own and enemy forces and organize support and covering for the army forces in the covering force area in accordance with the commander's instructions, issue corresponding missions to the artillery and aviation, and offer required assistance.

 
 

Meeting engagement or encounter battle

This is a difficult form of battle in which both sides are trying to fulfill a given task to attack. The encounter battle (meeting engagement) begins as an offensive operation at the border area,then developing into the depths meeting with the enemies mobile reserves during the course of which both sides are trying to achieve their assigned mission, which is an offensive one. These are the three steps in the concept of developing the battle deep in the enemy territory.

The determining factor in guaranteeing the success of the mission is to prevent an enemy air strike, by opening artillery fire and the development of main forces of the army first echelon's line of advantage.

The encounter battle is usually commanded by the army staff which has limited time to organize battle actions, like assessing the situation, making decisions, organizing the combat mission, organization of coordination, and controlling troops. This is why the battle situation in the area of engagement quickly changes as both sides are moving quickly to capture the initiative.

The army staff should observe the movement of the enemy grouping. The chief of army staff gives orders to the chief of reconnaissance, who gets information about the enemy.

The chief of reconnaissance determines the forces, tasks, and the time frame of gathering information. He quickly gathers information from reconnaissance flights, radio technical reconnaissance, gathering information from the staff at the front, information from space reconnaissance. All of this gathered information determines the following: the composition of enemy forces, direction of movement, possible concepts of combat action (executing a counter-blow), possible enemy lines of development and possible times of encountering the enemy. The information gathered about the enemy is transferred onto a command's map and a blind. The chief of operations and other army staff chiefs get information about situation of their own forces, about rocket artillery, air defense forces, combat helicopters, first echelon forces, second echelon forces, reserves, roads, passages, ferrying across waterways, obstacles, area contamination which is recorded on maps, blinds and charts. It is the responsibility of the chiefs of reconnaissance and operations to advise the chief of staff on the possible lines of encountering the enemy, advantage of the grouping of forces, the direction of attack, forces in means, and correlation of forces in means on both sides.

The chief of army staff determines the general results of the estimating the situation and prepares suggestions for making the army commander's decision and reports them to the commander.

The army commander makes his decision on the engagement in accordance with the situation. The chief of operations in accordance with the decision of army commander records on the map, assigning tasks to subordinate forces.

The chief of staff orally assigns tasks to subordinate commanders. Assigned tasks are also issued by brief combat instructions or by the use of electronic signal communications.

The army staff and chiefs of special services organizes the grouping of the armed forces of the meeting engagement.

During the operation, the army commander organizes interaction, or after issuing orders, gives a short order on the organization of interaction.

The army staff with the help of the chief of arms and service and special forces and service and the staff of rear service organizes and conducts combat support measures in the meeting engagement.

The army staff and the troop control organs conduct monitoring of the given missions and offer help to subordinate forces.

In this period the army commander controls the forces from the command post, the forward command post, and from the command posts of the divisions which are located nearest to the direction of the main attack.



 
 

Break through of the main enemy defense line

In the offensive operation the armed forces may meet with prepared enemy defenses at the border area, which is called the first tactical defense zone. This zone is located 15-50 km. from the border, similarly it is possible to have prepared defenses deep in the enemy territory. Breaking prepared defenses without the use of nuclear weapons is a very difficult task. This requires precise preparation and a great density of artillery, tanks, and motor rifle troops to break through the defense line. The break in the defense line is performed in accordance with the character of the defense and the level of its preparation, and is either conducted on the march, or after a short preparation. The width of the breakthrough area is 8 - 12 km. in accordance with the concept of operation, selected at the direction of the main attack of one area. The breaking of the defense line is conducted by preparatory fire, the duration of which depends on the character of defenses, the availability of force and means to destroy. Preparatory fire is composed of a few possible strong and surprise attacks, which are performed with the help of all means of artillery, including tanks and antitank rockets at the enemy's strong point of the forward edge of the battle area, in the depths of enemy defense on the artillery battery and the mortar battery, nuclear means, near reserves and the command post. The preparatory fire participates with the air forces, they destroy those objectives which are located in the depths of enemy area. The attack on the forward edge of the battle area begins at the specified time "S". At this time, all subunits of tanks and motor rifles penetrate the defense line, and proceed deep into the enemy territory. The artillery and air force at this time provide fire support into the depths of the enemy's first echelon brigade. After this, the artillery and air force provide support fire.

Before the army commander and staff break through the prepared defence, they perform necessary activities for the break in of defenses. They determine how well prepared the enemy's defense is, determine the enemy's measures to conduct his defense, and try to disrupt those measures. They direct the effort of the army forces to march through the enemy defense line.

The army chief of staff orders the chief of reconnaissance to report the latest information on the location of defenses, which have engineer preparations, the forces which defend these positions, and the concept of enemy activity.

The chief of reconnaissance organizes reconnaissance in the breakthrough sector, determines the means for reconnaissance, missions, time to fulfill the missions, and issues the missions to the specific units and organs. He determines the following information:
- the enemy's defensive lines and positions;
- level of engineer preparation and cover;
- engineer obstacles, anti-tank and anti personnel mine fields;
- combat formation, strong points on the forward line and in the depth of the position;
- artillery and mortar positions;
- locations of nuclear weapons, command posts, locations of reserves and second echelon;
- concept of enemy actions;
- direction for counter blows and counter attacks of reserves;
- capabilities of the enemy to mount counter attacks and counter blows, and capabilities of enemy to repel our attack, and strong and weak points about the enemy defense.

The chief of operations directorate designates the actions for the attacking forces, the force groupings, means for movement, movement routes, lines for deployment into battalion, company, and platoon columns, and the line of attack, organization of commandant's service during the movement and deployment, general correlation of forces and means, and in the breakthrough sector, during the repelling enemy counterattack, density of forces and means in the breakthrough sector, maneuver to be done in the breakthrough area, and development of the attack into the depth of the position, he calculates the amount of destruction and losses on the enemy necessary to destroy his defense and calculates the capabilities of friendly forces to accomplish their missions during the breakthrough and exploitation into the depth.

The chief of rocket troops and artillery calculates density of artillery in the breakthrough sector, time for movement of artillery into firing positions. He designates the units and sub units that will participate in the preparatory fire. He designates artillery firing positions, conduct of reconnaissance and preparation of artillery for firing, planned duration of the preparatory fire, designates the exact forms and methods for conduct of artillery fire, designates the targets that will be destroyed by fire. (Working together with the chief of operations and chief of reconnaissance), designates accompanying fire, methods and types for conduct of supporting fire, depth to which accompanying fire will continue, accompanying fire its methods for conduct during the operation. The chief of rocket troops and artillery makes calculations on delivering fire against the enemy by the artillery and rockets and capabilities of rocket forces and artillery.

The chief of combat control group of the air army calculates the amount of air resources that will be employed during the breakthrough, reconnaissance of targets which should be destroyed by the air preparation, time for beginning and ending of air preparation, air support, air accompanying fire during the breakthrough. He makes calculations about the air forces for delivering destruction on the enemy and the combat capabilities of the air forces during the breakthrough and course of the operation.

The chief of engineer forces designates locations of mine fields and other obstacles and methods for making lanes through the obstacles in the front line and into the depth of the position, time for accomplishing the work, quantity of lanes to make, engineer forces and means for this task, and commandants service guides and controllers to assist forces in passing through, describes the enemy's engineer defensive system of obstacles and fortification.

The chief of PVO covers the army's main groupings and artillery and rocket forces, command posts against enemy air strikes.

The chief of staff, before the start of the operation, reports to the commander the very latest estimate and evaluation of the enemy's defense and reports on his recommendations and suggestions: in the last minute assessment of the enemy he specifies the following:
- the exact trace of the of the lines and positions and level of engineer preparation
- amount of mine fields and other engineer obstacles
- combat formation:
- location of strong points on the forward edge and in the depth;
- deployment areas of second echelons and reserves;
- describes the enemy order of battle, locations of nuclear means, command posts of corps, division and brigades, artillery firing positions and mortars especially nuclear artillery and others;
- possible enemy concept of operations and directions of counter blows and counter attacks, and what forces and means might participate in counterattacks, from which lines and in which directions counterattacks, enemy capabilities for counterattack and counter blows;
- best location for breakthrough;
- suggestion on concept of the operation:
- type of movement for forces, movement routes, designation of lines for deployment into battalion, company, and platoon lines and line of attack, time for start of movement, time for attack, time for opening lanes in the defense obstacles, quantity of lanes for each unit and sub unit of first echelon in the breakthrough area, and the engineer forces to prepare the openings;
- artillery position area, time for reconnaissance and preparation of artillery for the breakthrough, time for artillery movement, time to occupy artillery positions, time start artillery preparatory fire, time for start and completion of artillery preparatory fire, methods for support fire;
- targets to be destroyed during time air preparatory and support fire time for start and end of air preparation and methods for air support;
- cover for strike grouping and artillery during movement, breakthrough and during the course of the operation against enemy air strikes;
- missions of first echelon missions during breakthrough and course of the operation,
- missions for air assault forces;
- basic questions on interaction during movement, breakthrough, and course of the development of the attack;
- basic questions of combat support during the breakthrough;
- questions on troop control.

Army commander:

The army commander during the breakthrough of the enemy prepared defense designates the methods for the breakthrough as part of his decision for the operation. During the operation when it comes to the actual time for the breakthrough he doesn't change his basic decision, o but only clarifies and makes more detailed decisions on specific issues on the basis of the latest reconnaissance. The most important troop control task of the army is to insure that the main strength of the army is concentrated in an organized way into the breakthrough and exploitation into the enemy depth. The army commander during the period of the breakthrough designates missions to artillery , rocket forces and air forces to support the breakthrough, and missions of the first echelon divisions, especially the division that are on the main attack axis, concentrate their strength into an organized breakthrough of the enemy defense and development of the offensive and also he may make more specific the missions of the second echelon and reserves and air assault forces. He organizes interaction, all around combat support, and troop control during the breakthrough and course of the offensive.

For making the army commander's decision more specific during the breakthrough, the staff of control organs performs in the following manner:

Chief of reconnaissance:
- organizes reconnaissance on the enemy and issues tasks to reconnaissance forces:
- at the end of the artillery preparatory fire determines what the situation, condition and actions of the enemy and if necessary reports his conclusions to the commander, staff, and chiefs of arms and services;
- during the breakthrough observes the enemy reserves, their routes of movement and enemy measures for reenforcing the defense in the breakthrough area;
- monitors reconnaissance tasks;

Chief of operations directorate:
- issues to the forces the new tasks the commander has specified;
- monitors the movement of artillery, PVO, command posts, and other into the previously designated new areas;
- monitors deployment of motor rifle and tank units and sub units to the designated deployment lines (battalion, company, and platoon) and attack line and conduct of the attack and movement of the forces into the depth of the enemy position in accordance with the plan. (he is receiving information from a variety of direct sources through reports, monitoring radio traffic, signals from commandant service, staff officers observing on the ground and from helicopters, etc.) At he most important moments he reports to the commander.

The chief of rocket troops and artillery:
- issues new detailed missions to the artillery units and monitors movement of artillery and rocket forces to new firing positions and occupying new positions. conduct of reconnaissance and preparation for fire, conduct of artillery preparatory fire, conduct of artillery support, conduct of artillery accompanying fire in accordance with the plan. He offers support to the motor rifle and tank forces during the operation.

The chief of staff:
- monitors the forces actions during movement forward, occupying FUP areas, deployment of forces into the attack, conduct of breakthrough and development of the attack into the depth. At the most important times he reports to the commander on the situation.

Army commander:
- monitors the forces movement to the enemy defense, preparation of artillery and rockets for preparatory fire, conduct of air and artillery preparatory fire, breakthrough , conduct of air and artillery support fire and movement of forces in accordance with the plan into the enemy depth. If some formation during the offensive encounters difficulties he orients them and assists them with air and artillery strikes and reserves. The army commander at this period controls the forces from the command post or the forward command post and sometimes goes to one of the subordinates command posts and personally contacts them or by telephone or sends staff officers to control.

During the period of the breakthrough the independent radio battalion SPETZNAZ cuts enemy signals to nuclear means, warning systems, control systems for rocket forces and artillery of divisions, and cuts the control systems for division and brigades. The independent radio technical battalion SPETZNAZ, cuts the radio electronic systems on enemy aircraft and covers the positions of artillery and rocket troops and main army groupings.



Destruction of enemy reserves and repelling counter attacks

The enemy uses his reserves for conduct of counter attacks, occupying intermediate defensive lines in front of the attacking forces or reenforcing the first echelon forces on the most dangerous directions. The means for destruction of enemy reserves are designated in accordance with the composition and character of their use by the enemy and the most difficult task is destroying them while they are a counterattacking because the enemy counter blow is usually conducted during strong air strikes and massive artillery fire strikes. Destroying counter attack of reserves is conducted by use of massive air strikes and delivering destructive fire from artillery and rockets during their deployment and by preempting the enemy in seizing critical lines. Destruction of counterattacking groupings is conducted in meeting engagements or part of the forces go on the defensive in the front of the enemy main strike and deliver destruction on the enemy from these positions and after that they go over onto the attack. simultaneously with the stopping of the enemy counter attack the offensive is continued on another axis.



 
 

Action of army staff and control organs during the repelling of enemy counterattacks

Chief of reconnaissance:

He at the very beginning detects the actions , composition, status of enemy reserves during the start of movement reconnaissance data obtained from air reconnaissance, radio and radio technical reconnaissance and received cosmic reconnaissance and reconnaissance data from front staff. He determines the concept of the enemy on the employment of reserves and second echelons and direction of their movement, the composition of forces on each axis, possible lines for deployment, and direction of the main attack, methods for maneuver during the counter attack, lines for meeting the enemy, and time for meeting. He reports the latest reconnaissance information to the chief of staff.

Chief of operations directorate:

He with other chiefs of staffs and chiefs of combat arms and special troops receives data on the situation of own forces such as artillery rockets forces, forces of first echelon second echelon, reserves, condition of roads and places, condition of forces and their losses in personnel and weapons and equipment, and conduct of calculations on combat effectiveness , means for destruction of counterattacking enemy forces, the best ways for using the army forces in the given situation, the correlation of forces and means in the general area and on each axis he reports to the chief of staff and commander. All information is posted on the commander's map and in tables in the command post. The chief of rocket forces and artillery reports on the covering of the army forces by rocket and artillery and delivering losses on the enemy during his movement and deployment and during the operation.

The chief of staff reports on his conclusions and estimate of the situation and suggestions on decisions. In brief conclusions from his estimate of the situation about the enemy he gives the following:
- composition,strength forces of enemy , possible concept of operations, axis of main blow, methods for maneuver . In the suggestions for decision he clarifies the following:
- delivering destruction on the enemy during the movement and during deployment for the counter blow, means and sequence for destruction of counter attacking groupings, missions for formations and rocket troops and artillery, missions for PVO and anti-tank reserves and mobile obstacle detachments and second echelon. and required measures for developing the attack, questions of interaction between elements of the army combat order , main questions on combat support, and troops control during the repelling of counter attack.

Army commander:

If the enemy has a superiority of forces in the counter attack and the army commander orders part of the forces to take the defensive to repel the counter attack and the remaining forces develop the attack into the depth. He in his concept designates the following:
- with what enemy groupings and where when, with what forces, and how to deliver the destruction, in which region, with what forces to temporarily take the defensive and which what remaining forces to occupy a concentration area and deliver the maximum destruction on the enemy and with what means to surround and destroy his main grouping. During repelling enemy counter attack by committing into the engagement the second echelon and continue the attack into the depth.

The army staff in accordance with the army commander's decision issues orders to the first echelon formations, rocket troops and artillery , PVO forces, air forces, anti tank reserves, mobile obstacles detachments, second-echelon forces, and also issues to the forces instructions on interaction and combat support measures. The ordered deployments are monitored and in timely manner they offer assistance and orient subordinates on the situation.



 
 

Commitment into the engagement of the second-echelon

The second-echelon of the army as a rule enters combat on the main axis to widen the offensive. The second-echelon also is used to build up the strength of the fundamental power of the strike of the first-echelon forces during the destruction of the enemy's reserves, during changing the main forces from one axis to another, and also for reenforcing the forces of first echelon which have taken heavy losses. If the army's second-echelon is composed of two divisions, their introduction into the engagement is accomplished one after the other or simultaneously, both divisions on one axis, or with them on two separate axes. The second-echelon as a rule is introduced into the engagement at the conclusion of accomplishment of the army's immediate mission or at the beginning of the subsequent mission; but, in accordance with the situation, the second echelon may enter combat on the first day of the operation. The second echelon enters the engagement in a gap in the enemy's combat formation and also on an axis which is weakly held by the enemy. One of the most important missions of army troop control is the organization and direction of the commitment into engagement of the second-echelon. The activities of the commander and staff and other organs of troop control in organizing the commitment into engagement and support of the combat actions of the second-echelon are designated in accordance with the conditions of the situation and the assigned missions of the army forces during the commitment of the second-echelon. The army commander, during planning of the operation, designates the approximate lines on which the second-echelon will be committed, but during the time for the commitment of the second echelon the army commander in accordance with the operational situation makes his decision on the exact line for commitment. The staff and army troop control organs receive the following information for making the decision and report it to the army commander:

The chief of reconnaissance explains the following:
- location, character of actions, groupings, and composition of the enemy forces;
- regions weakly held by the enemy and dimensions of mine fields and natural obstacles;
- the enemy's nearby reserves and their capabilities during the commitment of second echelon and the course of the operation;
- possible concept of enemy's actions;
- enemy strong and weak points;
- most important reconnaissance missions during the commitment of the second echelon and the available reconnaissance forces;

The chief of operations explains the following:
- the location, character of actions, and capabilities of own forces;
- locations of the second echelon and the most advantageous lines for its commitment;
- calculation of the correlation of forces and means of the sides on the entire width of the offensive and on the width of the axis of commitment of the second echelon, possible changes in the correlation of forces during the commitment;
- best axis and routes for the movement of the second echelon;
- calculations on the march, deployment, and commitment into action for the second echelon;
- organization of commandant's service for the march;
- organization of troop control during the commitment;
- inspection and rendering assistance to the forces;

The chief of rocket troops and artillery explains the following:
- reenforcement of the second echelon with artillery and organizing the divisional and regimental artillery groups during the commitment into engagement of the second echelon;
- supporting the second echelon during commitment and missions for army artillery and rocket forces and adjacent divisions;
- duration of the artillery fire preparation or fire strike, and resupply of ammunition;
- which artillery will be employed for support of the commitment and density of artillery per kilometer of front;
- methods for artillery assault support and accompanying fire;
- covering dangerous flanks of the second echelon during its commitment by the anti-tank reserves and mobile obstacle detachments;
The chief of army air defense explains the following:
- covering the second echelon forces in their assembly areas, during their movement forward, and on the line of commitment;
- covering the second echelon forces during the operation;
- reconnaissance of the enemy aerial threat and warning the second echelon during movement and commitment;

The chief of engineer forces explains the following:
- reenforcement of second echelon with engineer forces during commitment;
- providing engineer reconnaissance of the assembly area, movement routes, and line of commitment of second echelon;
- preparation of roads for movement and deployment of second echelon;
- creation of lanes in enemy mine fields if there are any;
- cover of second echelon flanks with the mobile obstacle detachments during the threat of enemy counterattack in interaction with the anti-tank reserves;

The chief of staff explains the following:
- brief summary and assessment of the enemy:
- location, character of actions, groupings of forces and possible concept of operation of enemy;
- best lines for commitment of second echelon;
- immediate enemy reserves and their reaction and capabilities during the time for commitment and course of the operation;
- strong and weak aspects of enemy;
- suggestions on making the decision about commitment more precise:
- forces and means for reinforcement, line and best time for commitment of second echelon, methods for destruction of enemy, axis for main attack, immediate mission, and axis for further attack;
- axis and direction of movement for second echelon into commitment;
- cover and support of second echelon during movement and at movement of commitment into engagement;
- most important questions about interaction;

The army commander as a result of the all around assessment of the situation, and suggestions of chief of staff and chiefs of arms of services, makes his decision on the commitment of the second echelon and issues his combat instructions on the commitment, in which the following are ordered:
- brief assessment of enemy forces;
- forces and means for reenforcement of second echelon, line and time for commitment, methods for destruction of enemy, axis for main attack, immediate mission, axis for further attack, and routes for movement to the line of commitment;
- missions for army arms and services in the interest of the commitment of the second echelon, and also missions for first echelon divisions in support of the commitment;
- basic questions of interaction during this period;
- time required to be ready for accomplishment of missions;
- troop control, signal issues, and deputies.

The army staff, in accordance with the commander's decision, issues missions to the forces; and organizes and reenforces reconnaissance on the axis of commitment of the second echelon. The chief of engineer forces issues missions to engineer troops for preparing the routes for movement and deployment of the second echelon. The army commander and staff with the aim of inflicting a defeat on the opposing enemy grouping and successful commitment of the second echelon organize interaction between the rocket forces and artillery, air forces, PVO, and forces of the first echelon that operate on that axis. They also direct the strike of rocket forces and artillery, air forces, and the active actions of first echelon against the opposing enemy. The army staff deploys the forward command post ahead of time on the axis of the second echelon in order for the army commander to be able to control the forces from this location.



 
 

Forcing a water obstacle during the offensive

During offensive operations the army forces will be required to force several rivers and canals. Forcing water obstacles is conducted suddenly, by surprise, from the march, on a wide frontage and with great speed. The attacking forces must develop the offensive cross the obstacle without an interruption. If the attempt at a forced crossing from the march does not succeed, in this case forcing the obstacle is organized in a brief time. Forcing narrower rivers, (up to 60 meters wide), is conducted by the division's forces and means, medium rivers (width from 60 - 150 meters) by the army forces, and wide rivers (over 150 meters) by the front forces and means. The army commander makes his decision on river crossings on the map before the arrival of the forces at the river. The missions for forces are established in order for them to have the required time to implement preparatory measures. The staff and troop control organs prepare the required information for making the decision for river crossing and report it to the commander.

The chief of reconnaissance explains the following:
- organization and conduct of required detailed and constant reconnaissance on the enemy, the river crossing locations, and the far bank, and regions deep on the far side;
- forces and means of the retreating enemy and their possible actions;
- forces and means and character of action of enemy forces that are defending the water obstacle;
- character of engineer defenses on the river and the quantity of mine fields, forces and means, situation, possibilities of enemy reserves across the obstacle, and approaching enemy reserves;
- quantity and capability of bridges, crossing sites, and fords across the river;
- designating the areas that are not occupied or are weakly held by the enemy;

The chief of operations reports on the following:
- location, composition, and capabilities of own forces;
- designated sectors for crossing for each division of first echelon and methods for movement to the river crossing;
- mission for seizing bridges and crossing sites that may be possible and suggestions on conducting an aerial assault or landing or sending a forward detachment and its forces and composition;
- destruction or suppression of enemy defending the river;
- protection of forces against weapons of mass destruction in the river crossing area;
- organization of commandant's service in the crossing region in close interaction with the chief of engineer forces;
- conduct of measures for maskirovka during the movement,during the crossing and in the crossing region, and inspection of maskirovka measures, and creation of dummy (false) crossings;

The chief of engineers reports about the following:
- conduct of detailed and active engineer reconnaissance of the water obstacle and determination of its depth, width, velocity of flow, condition of banks, type of bottom, and the quantity of hydro-technical installations (dams) and others;
- conduct of calculations on the crossing;
- designation of the location for crossing;
- distribution of the crossing means between the formations and by crossing sites;
- making approach routes to the crossings;
- on time movement of crossing means to the crossing sites;
- organization of rapid crossing areas and maneuver of crossing means;
- detailed organization of maskirovka of the crossing region and creation of false crossing areas in interaction with the chief of the operations directorate;
- organization of commandant's service in the crossing areas in interaction with the chief of operations;
- protection of the crossing region against enemy floating mines and other explosives in interaction with the chief of operations;

The chief of rocket troops and artillery explains the following:
- support of the conduct of air assault and forward detachments by rocket troops and artillery;
- destruction and suppression of enemy which is defending the far bank of the obstacle;
- support of crossing area and conduct of the crossing by army forces by rocket and artillery;
- support of army actions on the far bank and during the development of the offensive into the depth;

The chief of the center for control of the air army reports on the following:
- organization of air reconnaissance on the enemy, the bridges, and crossing areas;
- conduct of attack on the retreating enemy forces, especially while he is assembling to cross;
- conduct of destruction of enemy approaching reserves and interdiction so he cannot reach the river;
- destruction of enemy that is defending on the water obstacle;
- support for the army forces during the approach march, the crossing itself, and the battle on the far side;
- cover for the army forces from enemy air strikes;
- conduct of air assaults with the aim of seizing bridges or crossing sites;

The chief of air defense reports on the following:
- cover of forces during the approach to the obstacle;
- required air defense in the crossing region for bridges and sites and cover for forces during the crossing;
- cover for army rear services;
- cover for forces during the battle across the river;
- with the aim of acting against enemy active air strikes, employing fighter aviation on duty in the air and at airfields;
- reconnaissance against enemy air attacks and warning of forces of air strikes;

The chief of staff discusses the following points:
- with the aim of helping the army commander to make a trustworthy decision, he reports on the following topics:
- brief conclusions and estimate of the situation;
- enemy forces:
- composition, forces, character of actions of the retreating enemy, and the enemy that is defending the obstacle line, and possible reserves across the water and approaching forces;
- characteristics of the water crossing:
- width, depth, velocity of water, and other characteristics of the water obstacle and in accordance with these what kind of forces and means are needed for forcing the crossing;
- own forces:
- location, composition, character of actions and capabilities of own forces and crossing means ;
- suggestions for decision:
- forcing forces will move on a wide front at high speed;
- designation of sectors for crossing for each first echelon division;
- designation of means for crossing;
- seizure of bridges and crossing locations by means of air assaults and forward detachments and their strength and composition;
- with what army forces and means to cross in the first echelon and what in the second echelon;
- support of the crossing with what kind of forces and means such as artillery, air, etc.;
- required protection for the crossing, with what kind of forces;

The army commander as a result of the various chief's suggestions and on the basis of the information he has on the situation, locations, and water obstacle makes his decision on the forcing of the obstacle, in which he orders the following points:
- concept of the crossing operation:
- which enemy, in what sequence, during the approach to the river and on the opposing bank and in the depth of the enemy territory should be destroyed, on the axis of the main attack, grouping of forces and means and time for arriving at the river, what division will be in the first echelon, the second echelon what forces and means and elements of combat, character of maneuver during the forcing and during the operation in the enemy depth;
- missions for first echelon divisions: designation of forces for the crossing, sector for crossing, quantity and types crossings, which they will organizes with their forces, combat missions on far bank, and axis for further offensive;
- division of second echelon: assembly area for crossing, time and sequence for movement to the crossing areas, methods for crossing, possible missions on the opposite bank, and during the operation;
- air desant: composition, means for delivery, assembly areas, time for landing, area for the landing, time and sequence for the assault, combat mission, methods for support, during the action;
- rocket forces and artillery: time and sequence for movement to water, areas for firing positions, missions in support of the forcing, missions during fire preparation, assault support fire, and accompanying fire during the combat action, sequence and time for crossing to the opposite bank, delivery of ammunition supplies, time for being prepared for support fire if it is conducted.
- PVO forces: what grouping for covering, methods for reconnaissance and warning of forces, actions against enemy air strikes in interaction with fighter aviation;
- interaction:
- the methods for seizing bridges and crossings by means of air assaults and forward detachment:
- sequence for destruction of enemy during the approach to the crossing;
- sequence for movement of first echelon forces, artillery, engineer forces, PVO, to the crossing area;
- quantity of crossings, time of their organization, sequence for the forces to cross;
- sequence for destruction of enemy during the crossing;
- methods for actions during the offensive on the opposite bank;
- troop control.

The staff, in accordance with the commander's decision and his combat instructions, issues missions to the forces and also issues instructions on interaction.

 
 

V. SAMPLE EXERCISE IN ARMY COMMANDER'S DECISION PROCESS


 
 

(The following section is a sample of the army commander's process for making a decision.) (See sample army plan map for locations.)


 
 

Clarification of Mission



Mission (Given to Army From Front)

"The 4th Army reinforced by the 35th Tank Division, 46th Artillery Division, 26th Antitank Artillery Regiment and 38th Separate Heavy Artillery Brigade will attack on the morning of 25 Sept in the direction of -- Suazh to Polotsk to destroy units of I US Army Corps in location Rodakovo to Stayki to Boronki to Dreton; and seize the line Prokhotinki to Nikolayev by D plus 3. Continue the attack in direction Polotsk to Braslav to destroy enemy army reserve in area Daugavpils and seize the line Lidaka to Koypy by end of D plus 7."



Clarification of the Mission

"The front's own mission ("The First Byelorussian Front) conducts frontaloffensive operations in two phases. In phase one it destroys the US first-echelon army and seizes line Lidaka to --. In the second phase it destroys enemy strategic reserves in area of -- -- and seizes line -- to -- by D plus 14.

From this it is clear that the front wants to accomplish its first phase by army offensive operations employing three first-echelon armies. Our army conducts offensive operations in the first-echelon of the front on the right flank. The accomplishment of the front's immediate mission in our assigned sector is conducted completely by our own army resources with the reinforcements specified. If our army accomplishes its mission, the front will have achieved its immediate mission. The depth of the army's mission is 300 km and the frontage is 65 km out of which 50 km is suitable for all arms and tanks. To conduct this mission the army is reinforced by one artillery division, one antitank regiment, one tank division, one air assault brigade, a helicopter brigade, and forty fighter-bomber regimental sorties."



Deduction

"The army should conduct its offensive operation in two phases. In the first phase (immediate mission) the army should use up to four divisions and for the subsequent mission should reinforce the first-echelon with two additional divisions. The frontage and depth of the operation requires that the operation be conducted in a two-echelon formation. Given the enemy situation and front commander's concept, the main attack should be conducted on the axis Kupnoly to Lyadino. Supporting axis should be Ovechki to Vitebsk." (Note: These deductions, arrived at during the clarification of the mission, are command guidance given to the staff before the estimate of situation is made).

At this point the commander instructs the chief of staff to issue preliminary instructions and to announce the measures to be taken immediately, such as reconnaissance, when to complete the estimate, specific missions, movement of command post, preparation of troops, supply levels to achieve. etc. Instructions to the staff are then given, and an estimate of the situation begins.




Estimate of the Situation



Estimate of Enemy Situation

"The enemy confronting the 4th Army is the I US Army Corps. It consists of the 9th Mechanized Division, the 10th Mechanized Division, the 4th Armored Division, and the 12th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The main line of resistance is from Stayki to Rodakovo occupied by the 9th and 10th Divisions. The corps reserve is at Ostrovlyane, the corps artillery units are located at Dyatly and command posts are located at Khobni, Sloboda, Yanopol'ye, and Polotsk."



Courses Open to the Enemy

"The enemy may launch division counterattacks from brigades located at Shishkovo and Perevoz. These may occur from H plus 8 to H plus 20. The corps counterattack may be conducted by the 4th Armored Division from Sloboda and Ostrov to Kulakovo on D plus 1.

The density of enemy troops and means per km is 1 brigade per 30 km for the entire front, 1 brigade per 15 km for the sector of the main attack and 1 brigade per 20 km for the sector of the secondary attack.

The enemy air situation is as follows: -----------------.



Second Deduction

The main attack should be concentrated in the sector Kupnoly to Dorskaya. The 22nd division in the first-echelon should have the mission of destroying the 1st Brigade of 9th Mechanized Division. It will be supported by 8 battalions of artillery. The immediate mission will be to seize the line Zagortry to Styriki. The subsequent mission will be to seize the line Koldunovo to Lug. Essential elements of information required for this attack are as follows:
- find location of two artillery batteries, find location of three tank battalions, find location of 19th Artillery Regiment (nuclear delivery unit), confirm exact location of 9th Division Command Post, etc.;
-establish from what line the expected enemy counterattack can be repelled;
- obtain same information for each other major unit i.e., 23rd, 24th, and other divisions.



Estimate of Situation of Friendly Troops

"Army units are located at the following assembly areas: _______, _______.

Our army is moving forward and will relieve the forces in contact. (annex to plan for scheme of relief of units). Our army is reinforced by these units, 35th Tank Division, 46th Artillery Division, 26th Antitank Regiment, 38th Heavy Artillery Brigade. The state of training and morale of all units is excellent. The political preparation situation is excellent. The supply level is 3-4 units of fire (BK) ammunition and 4 days rations for each unit."



Deduction

"Considering the location of each unit now and the requirements for their movement forward, the 22nd, 30th, 23rd, and 24th Divisions will be in the first-echelon occupying positions from right to left. The second-echelon will be composed of the 29th Division. The 35th Division joins the army on D plus 3." (There are two methods for passing through the friendly troops in contact. The relief in place method requires two to three days during which the units are replaced battalion or company by battalion. As each unit arrives, it replaces a front line unit and begins to take up the security role. Once the relief is complete an attack from contact can be launched. The attack from the march method can be launched immediately. In this method the forces move forward, deploying successively from regimental to battalion to company to platoon columns and then into assault line as they pass through the positions of the forward units.)



Artillery Fire

"The first artillery strike is on the FEBA positions and the second is in the depth of the defense area on reserves and command posts etc. After the artillery strike the enemy units on the FEBA are engaged by direct fire weapons including those of the troops in contact and our own weapons sent forward early." The correlation of forces tables follow, showing the relationship across the entire front for the entire depth of the mission, across the entire front for the depth of the immediate mission, on the main axis to the depth of the immediate mission of the main axis units, on the main axis to the depth of the first day's missions, on the supporting axis for the immediate mission, and on the supporting axis for the depth of the first day. Then the correlation of forces is made considering the various possible enemy counterattack options against main or supporting axis forces. These counterattacks are calculated at various possible lines with the enemy using division, corps, and army reserves. This analysis shows where the second-echelon will need to be committed and how many troops are needed in each first-echelon formation. It shows the degree of reinforcement required for each first-echelon division.



Second Deduction

The mission of each division is now specified in detail starting with the first-echelon units. The main questions of coordination are resolved. Then the distribution of troops and means of reinforcement (artillery antitank, helicopter, air) among the maneuver units is made. The artillery for the army artillery groups is allocated.



Adjacent Forces

The missions of adjacent armies are given, boundaries are established, coordination signals are given, and, if airborne or air assault forces are being employed in the army sector, these are also spelled out.



Deduction for Adjacent Forces

How will the missions of adjacent units effect our mission, and the reverse?



Terrain

The main features of terrain in the army area within the friendly area are discussed and, according to the assessment, the locations of the friendly forces, attack positions etc. are confirmed. The location of the penetration area is confirmed and the locations for deploying artillery, command posts, supply dumps, antitank reserves, and other forces are confirmed.



Meteorological Factors, Seasons, etc.

The influence of these on the accomplishment of the mission is established and considered.



Political Situation

The political allegiance, morale, and other aspects of the local population are assessed.



Decision

The decision follows from the estimate of the situation. The first paragraph of the decision is the commander's concept of the operation.

"The 4th Army will conduct offensive operations in the direction of Surazh to Polotsk from the morning of 25 September by making a breakthrough of the enemy defenses in two areas, Rodakovo to Poporatino and Sloboda to Zadetur. It will destroy the enemy US I Corps and the enemy defenses in two areas, Rodakovo to Poporatino and Sloboda to Zadetur. It will destroy the enemy U..S I Corps units in the area Rodakovo to Stayki to Boronki to Dreton, and seize the line Prokhotinki to Nilolayev, by the end of D plus 3. It will then continue the attack in the direction of Polotsk to Braslav. It will destroy the enemy army reserve located at Daugivpils, in coordination with operational airborne assault in this area. It will seize the line Lidaka to Koypy by the end of D plus 7. The main attack is conducted in the direction of Kupnoly to Lydnino. The supporting attack is conducted in the direction of Ovechki to Vitebsk. The operational organization for battle is in two lines (echelons). In the first-echelon there are three motorized rifle divisions and one tank division. In the second line there is one tank division. The 35th Tank division arriving by D plus 3 is in reserve. The enemy main defensive positions are penetrated by breakthrough in two areas. Kupnoly and Dorskaya. The communication center at Vitebsk is enveloped from the right in coordination with an envelopment by the 6th Army on our left."

This gives the detailed mission of subordinate units and reinforcements according to immediate, subsequent, and daily missions.