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ARMY
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I. STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF FIELD TROOP
CONTROL ORGANS
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Figure 38 Army Signal Troops
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II. MISSIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES OF COMMAND
PERSONNEL
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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III. ACTIONS OF ARMY STAFF AND TROOP CONTROL ORGANS DURING
ORGANIZATION FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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ARMY
PLANNING DOCUMENTS
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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
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Political affairs plan |
Written |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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IV. ACTIONS OF ARMY STAFF AND TROOP CONTROL ORGANS DURING
CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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V. SAMPLE EXERCISE IN ARMY COMMANDER'S DECISION
PROCESS
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(The following section is a sample of the army commander's process for
making a decision.) (See sample army plan map for locations.)
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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.
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