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The following is an example of a division operations order.
I Approve ---/---/--- Serial No ----
Commander 16th MRD SECRET |
Gen-Major Ivanov
Copy Number --
(Sig)
OPERATION ORDER
of the Commander of the 16th MTD for Offensive Battle
Command Post ------at (time)--- On (date )---
Map 1:50.000 Aug 1972 ed
I. Enemy Situation:
As the international situation deteriorates, the NATO is secretly bringing its
armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and may intend to launch a
surprise attack on the territories of the Warsaw Pact nations. If NATO succeeds
to initiate an offensive action, it may aim at destruction of friendly forces
during a surprise and decisive offensive operation to inflict maximum losses on
W P forces and to seize vital areas in W. P. territory. If on the other hand
the Warsaw Pact forces succeed in overtaking the NATO in initiating the
offensive operation, the enemy forces are likely to hold pre-prepared defensive
line along the Fulda River to inflict maximum losses on friendly forces from
defensive posture. In this case, units of enemy 3rd Armored Division of the Vth
U. S. Corps will be directly confronting the 16th Motorized Rifle Division,
with up to 1.5 mechanized battalions in his first defensive positions
consisting of the following company strongpoints.:
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
The enemy's brigade reserve composed of up to one tank battalion is likely to
deploy in company strongpoints as follows:
---------, ----, -----, -----, the counter attack of the brigade reserve is
likely from the line Gittersdorf in the direction of Hahlgaus - Eichhof.
Positions of enemy's brigade artillery are disclosed in the following areas,
---, ---, --- and ---. Positions of general support artillery are at ---, ---,
and ---.
Totally in the first echelon of the enemy forces, directly in front of the 16th
MRD will be -- mech companies, ---tanks, --- guns and mortars, --- anti-tank
means and --- air defense means.
The enemy's division reserve composed of up to one tank brigade is deployed in
the area: Liederbach, Wallenrod, Vadenrod, and East of Romrool. Its counter-
attack is likely from the line of Hill 408 and Beinenrod in the direction of
Grebenau - Bad Hersfeld. The enemy's second echelon forces may include ---
nuclear rocket systems, --- nuclear artillery pieces, --- mech companies, ---
guns and mortars, --- tanks, --- anti-tank means and --- air defense means.
In the sector of the 16th MRD attack, up to one enemy armored cavalry battalion
is likely to operate in the covering (security) zone.
The action of enemy forces will be supported by nuclear capable U. S. air
forces and --- combat helicopters . the enemy can fire --- nuclear rounds
during the initial nuclear strike on 16th MRD targets.
II. Missions of army in support of the division and, missions of the adjacents
a. The following targets in the division's attack area are destroyed by army's
rocket troops, and the air force during the initial nuclear strike:
----- - enemy's nuclear weapons in the area ---;
----- - nuclear depot at ---;
----- - airfields at ---;
----- - divisional command post at ---.
----- - enemy's reserves at ---.
The friendly air force during the offensive battle conducts the air preparatory
fire, assault support and accompanying air support as well as air defense cover
of divisions' troops and targets. To support the division attack three sorties
of fighter - bomber aviation squadrons are allocated. Ten sorties of Mi-26
helicopters are allocated for airborne assault. Air cover, and support of the
air assault troops is conducted in inter-action with front's fighter
and fighter- bomber aircraft.
b. On the right flank, the 11th MRD attacks in the direction of Bebra -
Stadtallendorf with an immediate mission to seize the line of Remsfeld - 3 kms
south of Roboldshausen and a subsequent mission to seize the line of
Frielendorf - Nausis and a daily mission to seize the line of Momberg - Wahlen.
The boundary with the division passes through the following points: Eisenach,
Ludwigsau, Hill 466, and Dannenrod.
On the left flank the 18th MRD attacks in the direction of Niederaula -
Keldatal with an immediate mission to seize the line of Hattenbach,
Breitenbach, and Hill 438, and a subsequent mission to seize the line of one km
south of Lingelbach, and northern edge of Maar and a daily mission to seize the
line of Ober Breiderbach, and Meicles.
The boundary with the division passes through the following points: Mohra, Hill
388, Schenksolz, (exclude) Koulbausen,(excluded) Lingelbach and Nieder
Breidenbach.
III. Concept of the operation
Using 10 nuclear rockets with a yield of 102 kilotons during the initial
nuclear strike, the division is to destroy the enemy's nuclear rocket in the
area --- and his nuclear artillery in the areas --- and --- and to destroy the
enemy's divisions main forces in the areas ---,---,---,---, and ---; the
enemy's CP at ---, and the enemy's rear service installations at ---, and ---.
Exploiting the results of own and army's nuclear strikes, the division attacks
the enemy on the line of Ludwigsen - Asbach; develops the attack in the
direction of Eichhof - Kirchheim; destroys the enemy forces in the area Bad
Hersfeld, Recherode, Kirchheim, and Asbach; and seizes the line of Gittersdorf,
Kirchheim and Kleba as its immediate mission. Then the division develops the
attack in the direction of Kirchheim - Ottray; destroys the enemy division
reserves in the area of Willingsahain, Weibendorn, and Reimbolds; and seizes
the line of Scharbach, Offray, and Lingelbach as its subsequent mission. Then
the division continues the attack in the direction of Ottrau - Alsfeld,
Heimertshausen and at the end of the day seizes the line of Rubkirchen,
Heimerlshausen and Nider Breidenbach.
The division's future direction of attack on the following day is
Heimerlshausen - Homberg. The direction of the main attack is along highway 48.
The 110th reinforced BMP Motorized Rifle Regiment acts as the forward
detachment of the division to destroy, from the line of march, the enemy's
covering troops in the border areas and to support the quick advance of the
division's main forces to the forward line of the enemy's forward defense area.
For the conduct of the division's attack, 15 nuclear, 5 chemical, and 15
conventional rockets are allocated.
If the nuclear weapons are not used, the enemy's forward defensive area is
penetrated (broken through) in the area south of Bad Hersfeld and Ansbach.
The division's combat formation is in two echelons.
----- - 112 MRD, 16th Tank and 111 MRD are in the first echelon.
----- - 110th BMP MRR after accomplishing its mission as the division's forward
detachment, is assigned to the division's second echelon.
IV. I order:
a. The 112th MRR with 3 arty bns from the division artillery regiment, 2nd
company of the division engineer bn, division anti-tank bn (- 3rd btry) is to
attack the enemy from the line of Eichhof, southern edge of Asbach and develop
the attack in the direction of Asbach - Hohewured and destroy the enemy in the
area Eichhof, Hills 238, 325 and Asbach and seize the line of south of Hill
376, Hill 359, as its immediate objective. The regiment is to continue the
attack in the direction of Hohewurzd - Kirchheim and destroy the enemy and his
artillery positions in the area of Hill 320, Kirchheim and Hill 319 and seize
the line of north of Kirchheim, northern edge of Kelba and then continue the
attack in the direction of Reinbolds.
On the right flank the 16th Tank Regiment attacks. The boundary line passes the
following points: Malkomes, Hill 439, Scholf, Hill 376, road junction (T) north
of Kirchheim.
During the breakthrough of the enemy's defense, the regiment's command post is
to be established in the area of Hill 296 and its rear service control point is
in Malkomes.
b. The 16th Tank Regiment with three artillery battalions and the 1st company
of the 16th Engr Bn is to attack --- (same as for the 112th MRR.)
c. The 111st MRR with two artillery battalions the engr platoon and one
anti-tank battery is to attack the enemy from the line --- (same as for 112th
MRR.)
d. the 110th BMP Motorized Rifle Regiment with two artillery battalions, one
anti-tank battery and one combat engineer company is assigned as the division's
forward detachment. The regiment is to destroy from the line of march the
enemy's covering troops in the border area and to support rapid advance of the
division's main forces to the forward line of the enemy's forward defense area.
At the beginning of the attack of the division's main forces on the enemy's
forward defensive area, the regiment is assigned to operate as the division's
second echelon, and it is to deploy in the area south of Bad Hersfeld, Asbach,
and Kuhnbach. During the attack, the regiment is to follow the 112th MRR by
bounds and be prepared to be committed at --- into combat and to develop the
attack along route 48 in order to destroy the enemy reserves from the line of
march and seize the line East of Zell and East of Romrod as its immediate
mission.
During the commitment into combat the regiment will be given two artillery
battalions, one anti-tank battery and one engineer company. As the division's
forward detachment at the outset, the regiment is given two artillery
battalions from the division artillery group, one battery from the division
anti-tank battalion and one company from the division engineer battalion.
In interaction with the border forces, the regiment is to establish defensive
positions and engineer obstacles in the security zone on likely directions of
the enemy's attack and to prevent penetration by the enemy's reconnaissance
elements into the depth of own territory. The CP of the regiment while it
operates in the security zone is to be established in the area one km south of
Wunschensuhl and its rear control point in the area of Fortha.
e. Rocket Bn.
1. During the front's initial nuclear strike, the following targets
are to be destroyed by the rocket bn.
----- - first echelon bn, target #314 center of burst at ---, 3 kt, air burst
at H - 00.20 hrs or on signal.
----- - first echelon bn, target 315, center of burst (COB) ---, 3 kt, air
burst, H-00.20 or on signal.
----- - arty bn, target #316 center of burst at ---, 3 kt, air burst at H -
00.20 hrs or on signal.
----- - second echelon tank bn, target 317, center of burst (COB) ---, 20 kt,
air burst, H-00.20 or on signal.
----- - nuclear artillery, target #318 center of burst at ---, 10 kt, air burst
at H - 00.20 hrs or on signal.
----- - Bde CP, target 319, center of burst (COB) ---, 3 kt, ground burst,
H-00.20 or on signal.
----- - nuclear rocket, target #320 center of burst at ---, 3 kt, air burst at
H - 00.20 hrs or on signal.
----- - division rear, target 321, center of burst (COB) ---, 10 kt, air burst,
H-00.20 or on signal.
2. Time of delivery of nuclear and chemical rockets to the battalion is P - 6
hours. Time of delivery of conventional rockets to the battalion is D - 3 days.
3. The status and situation of targets to be hit by nuclear strikes are to be
continuously followed, observed and appropriate changes must be made in the
initial nuclear strike plan as the status of targets changes.
4. Preparation of the rocket troops for rapid initiation of fire is to be kept
at the highest level. The technical support of rockets is to be thoroughly
organized.
5. The position areas of the rocket troops are to be fully prepared in the
terms of engineer work and concealment. Alternate positions are to be prepared
as well. Protection of rocket troops against mass destruction weapons and
security and defense of rocket positions and mobile technical bases are to be
organized and executed.
6. To insure effective employment longer range and timely launch of strikes on
designated targets, positions for rocket battalion are to be prepared close to
the border. Moreover relocation positions for the phase of the beginning of the
attack are to be prepared as a distance of 10 km from the forward line of the
enemy's forward defensive area.
f. To artillery troops
1. The following artillery groups are to be established:
----- - divisional artillery group composed of 6 artillery battalions;
----- - artillery groups of the 112th MRR and the 16th TR composed of 4
artillery battalions each;
----- - artillery group of the 111st MRR composed of 3 artillery battalions.
2. Artillery missions
----- - destruction of enemy's nuclear weapons;
----- - inflicting losses on the enemy during his aggression, and support of
combat action of own forces in our security area.
----- - inflicting losses on the enemy when he crosses the border and during
the combat action in the security zone;
----- - the following tasks are to be conducted during the artillery
preparation;
---------- (a) destruction and suppression of strong points on the forward line
and in the depth of the enemy defense;
---------- (b) destruction and suppression of enemy's artillery and mortar
batteries;
---------- (c) destruction and suppression of the enemy's immediate reserves.
---------- (d) destruction of the enemy's command posts
---------- (f) width of the penetration (breakthrough) area is 4 km, duration
of the artillery preparatory fire is 40 minutes and ammunition expenditure is
0.8 u nits of fire.
----- - destruction and suppression of the enemy during the combat action in
the depth of the enemy's first echelon brigade, throughout the assault support
mission by the method of concentration of fire, successive concentration and
assault barrage fires on single and double lines.
----- - supporting the attacking forces by fire during the combat action in the
depth of the enemy's defense by accompanying fire in the form of concentration
of fire, massive fires and fires on individual targets.
----- - inflicting losses on the enemy's troops during their counterattack
----- - support of the division troops during assault river crossing
----- - support and covering the open flanks and gaps between combat formations
----- - support of the commitment of the second echelon troops and reserves;
----- - fighting the enemy's artillery and mortars curing the conduct of combat
action i nth depth of the enemy's defense.
g. To division's air defense troops
1. The division's air defense troops are to concentrate their main effort to
cover the following targets.
----- - division's first echelon troops particularly on the direction of the
main attack, in the departure area, during the breakthrough, and in the depth
of the defense;
----- - rocket bn and division artillery group in the departure area, during
the breakthrough and during the conduct of the offensive battle;
----- - command posts and rear services in the departure area and during the
attack;
----- - the second echelon troops during their movement and deployment for
commitment into combat;
----- - airborne assaults in desant departure areas, during their flight and
landing, and during their combat action;
----- - the division's main forces and crossing sites during the assault river
crossing;
----- - the division's troops during the repulsion of the enemy's
counterattacks;
2. The division's air defense reconnaissance and warning system is to be
coordinated with the air defense reconnaissance, fire, and warning system of
the army.
3. During the preparation and conduct of the offensive battle, the air defense
troops are to be in full combat readiness and be prepared to repel enemy's air
attacks. In any situation not less then one third of the air defense troops are
to be in combat duty status.
4. Positions for air defense troops are to be prepared in terms of engineer
work. In addition to the main positions, alternate positions are also to be
prepared.
5. Movement and relocation of the air defense troops during the preparation and
conduct of the battle must be carried out in such a way, that during the
crucial phases of the battle all or the bulk of the air defense troops are in
position and ready to repel the enemy's air attacks.
h. Airborne assaults
During the conduct of the offensive battle, the following airborne assaults are
inserted;
1. Desant No. 1:
----- - composition of the "desant" is one airborne assault battalion
with one mountain mortar battery and one engineer platoon.
----- - the mission of the "desant" is to destroy the ammunition
depot and seize the bridge in the area, 2 km north of Munch-Leusel.
The departure area of the "desant" is in the northwest of Etfurt
which is to be occupied at 0600 on D-1. During one day there, required
preparation for "desant" must be conducted.
----- - The "desant" is carried and landed by 10 MI-26 helicopters
and covered by 6 of front's fighter aircraft.
----- - The time of landing of the "desant" is 1600 on the day of the
attack (D day)
----- - the landing area is initially hit by front's fighter-bomber
aviation troops. Positions of air defense means and airfields along the flight
sector are destroyed by aviation forces, division rocket battalion and
division's artillery.
----- - Planning of the "desant" is conducted by MI-26 helicopter
squadron commander along with the division's operations section and the
commander of airborne assault battalion.
----- - The troop control during the preparation is conducted from the command
post of the helicopter squadron in the departure area. The troop control during
the conduct of the combat action is exercised from division CP and the CP of
the airborne assault Bn.
2. Airborne assault NO. 2.
----- - composition of the desant is one airborne assault company.
----- - The mission of the "desant" is to destroy nuclear rocket in
the area, north of Immichenhain.
----- - the departure area for the desant is in the north west of Erfurt which
is to be occupied at 0600 of D-1 and where necessary preparation for the desant
is to be made.
----- - the desant is transported by 8 Mi-8 helicopters of the division and it
is covered by 6 fighter aircraft.
----- - time of landing is 1400 on the day of the attack;
----- - the landing area is hit by air strikes while positions of air defense
means within the flight sector are hit by rocket and artillery troops.
----- - the planning for the desant is conducted by helicopter squadron
commander along with the division's operations section and the commander of the
airborne assault company;
----- - the troop control during the preparation is conducted from the command
post of the helicopter squadron in departure area, while during the conduct of
the combat action the troop control is exercised from the division command post
and the command observation post of the airborne assault company.
3. airborne assault No 3.
----- - the composition of the desant is one airborne assault company.
----- - the mission of the desant is to destroy the ammunition depot in the
area ---
-----(other points are similar to airborne assault No 2.
4. airborne assault No. 4
----- - composition of the desant is one airborne assault company
----- - the mission of the desant is to destroy the enemy's divisional CP at
---.
-----(other points are similar to the airborne assault No. 2)
i. To combat and transport helicopter squadron
----- - support the insertion of three airborne assaults in the designated
areas as reflected in subparagraph H;
----- - conduct struggle against the enemy's tanks and support of the division
troops during the conduct of the attack;
----- - support communications in accordance with the instructions of the
division staff.
j. Division's anti-tank reserve
The division's anti-tank reserve is composed of two batteries attached to the
division from the army's anti-tank unit. It is to deploy in the area --- and
conduct the struggle against tanks on the main direction. The likely lines of
the repulsion of the enemy's tank counterattacks for the antitank reserve are
as follows:
----- - Line NO 1 at --- in the direction of ---
----- - Line NO 2 at --- in the direction of ---
----- - Line NO 3 at --- in the direction of ---
----- - Line NO 4 at --- in the direction of ---
During the attack the antitank reserve is to move on the direction of the main
attack following the 112nd MRR.
k. To Mobile obstacle detachment (POZ)
The mobile obstacle detachment is composed of the division's engineer obstacle
company. The detachment is to deploy in --- and during the conduct of the
offensive battle, it is to move with the anti-tank reserve and join in the
struggle against enemy tanks on designated lines.
l. To engineer reserve
The engineer reserve is the division engineer battalion (minus subunits
attached to regiments). After accomplishment t of the missions related to the
preparation for the attack and breaching lanes in the enemy's obstacles
directly in front of his forward defensive line, the engineer reserve is to
deploy in the area ---. and be prepared to conduct unexpected tasks during the
conduct of the attack. The engineer reserve is to follow the 16th Tank Regiment
during the conduct of the offensive battle.
m. To chemical reserve:
The chemical reserve is composed of the division's chemical battalion. The
chemical reserve is to deploy at --- and move during the conduct of the attack
in the direction of --- and be prepared to conduct unexpected missions.
n. Time to be prepared for the attack is 2400 of ---(date)
V. Troop control
----- - The division's command post deploys at Unlerneurode.
----- - The rear service control point deploys at Donges.
----- - The division's forward command post deploys in the area south of the T
road junction west of Malkames.
------- The direction of relocation of the command post during the conduct of
the offensive combat is Asbach - Rimberg - Hallhof.
Signal communication from the division CP's with the army's Commander and
staff, as well as with subordinate and inter-acting troops' commanders and
staff is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile
communications means with strict observation of secure troop control
regulations.
My deputies are: the chief of staff, chief of political affairs and the
commander of the 112th MRR.
Div's chief of operations section
(signature)
Div's chief of staff
(signature)
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The following is a sample of a division conbat instruction to a
regiment.
I Approve --/--/-- Serial No ----
Commander 16th MRD SECRET
General Major Ivanov Copy NO.
(signature)
COMBAT INSTRUCTIONS
of the commander of the 16th MRD for
offensive battle to the commander of the 112th MRR
Command Post at --- at ---(time) on --- (date)
Map 1:50,000, Aug 1972 edition
I. Enemy
As the international situation deteriorates, the NATO is secretly bringing its
armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and may intend to launch a
surprise attack o nth territories of the Warsaw Pact nations. If NATO succeeds
to initiate an offensive action, it may aim at destruction of friendly forces
during a surprise and decisive offensive operation to inflict maximum losses on
W P forces and to seize vital areas in W P territory. If on the other hand the
Warsaw Pact forces succeed in overtaking the NATO in initiating the offensive
operation, the enemy forces are likely to hold pre-prepared defensive line
along the Fulda River to inflict maximum losses on friendly forces from
defensive posture. In this case, units of enemy 3rd Armored Division of the Vth
U. S. Corps will be directly confronting the 16th Motorized Rifle Division,
with up[ to 1.5 mechanized battalions in his first defensive positions
consisting of the following company strongpoints.:
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
----- - company strong point at ----
The enemy's brigade reserve composed of up to one tank battalion is likely to
deploy in company strongpoints as follows:
---------, ----, -----, -----, the counter attack of the brigade reserve is
likely from the line Gittersdorf in the direction of Hahlgaus - Eichhof.
Positions of enemy's brigade artillery are disclosed in the following areas,
---, ---, --- and ---. Positions of general support artillery are at ---, ---,
and ---.
Totally in the first echelon of the enemy forces, directly in front of the 16th
MRD will be -- mech companies, ---tanks, --- guns and mortars, --- anti-tank
means and --- air defense means.
The enemy's division reserve composed of up to one tank brigade is deployed in
the area: Liederbach, Wallenrod, Vadenrod, and East of romrool. Its counter-
attack is likely from the line of hill 408 and Beinenrod in the direction of
Grebenau - Bad Hersfeldz. The enemy's second echelon forces may include ---
nuclear rocket systems, --- nuclear artillery pieces, --- mech companies, ---
guns and mortars, --- tanks, --- anti-tank means and --- air defense means.
In the sector of the 16th MRD attack, up to one enemy armored cavalry battalion
is likely to operate in the covering (security) zone.
The action of enemy forces will be supported by nuclear capable U. S. air
forces and --- combat helicopters . The enemy can fire --- nuclear rounds
during the initial nuclear strike on 16th MRD targets.
II. The 112th MRR with three artillery battalions of the division's artillery
regiment, combat engineer company of the division engineer battalion and the
division's anti-tank battalion (minus 1st company) is to attack the enemy from
the line of Eichhof - southern edge of Asbach; develop the attack in the
direction of Asbach - Hohe Wurzel; destroy the enemy in the area: Eichhof,
hills, 238 and 325 and Asbach; and seize the line of the south of hills 376 and
359 as its immediate mission. Then the regiment is to develop the attack in the
direction of Hohe Wurzel - Kirchheim; destroy the enemy in the area : Hill 320,
Kirchheim, and Hill 319; and seize the line of the bridge north of Kirchhneim
and the northern edge of Kleba as its subsequent mission. Then the Regiment is
to continue the attack in the direction of Reimbolds.
The regiment is to breakthrough the enemy's forward defense area, in
interaction with the 16th Tank Regiment and the 114th MRR of the 18th MRD, on a
two kilometer front, and during the artillery preparatory fire destroy and
suppress enemy's strong points on the forward line and its immediate vicinity,
as well as the enemy's artillery and mortars.
During the breakthrough of the enemy's defense the regiment's command post is
to deploy in the area of Hill 296 and its rear control point is to be at
Malkomes.
Time to be ready for the attack is 2400 hrs of ___ (date).
III. The division's tasks in support of the regiment and the adjacents.
a. In the regiment's sector of the attack the following targets are destroyed
by the division's means:
----- - enemy Bde CP i nth area _--.
----- - enemy's strong points in areas ---, ---, ---, and ---;
----- - enemy's artillery in areas ---, ---, ---, and ---.
b. On the right flank the 16th Tank Regiment attacks and conducts breakthrough
of the enemy defense o na two kilometer front. Its immediate mission is to
destroy the confronting enemy and to seize the line of Hill 308 and Hill 376
and its subsequent mission is to destroy the enemy in its sector and seize the
line of south of Grossmannersrode and northern edge of Kirchheim. The boundary
line with the regiment passes through the following points:
----- Molkomes, HIll 439, Schlof, Hill 376, and T road junction north of
Kirchhneim.
On the left the 114th MRR of the 18th MRD attacks with an immediate mission to
seize the line of Hill 358 and Hill 346 and a subsequent mission to seize the
line of HIll 336 and Hill 363. The boundary line with the regiment passes
through the following points: Scheulkslz, Koulhausen, Kleba, and Lingelbach.
IV. Troop control
----- - the division's CP deploys at Unlerneurode;
----- - division's rear control point deploys at Donges;
----- - division's forward CP deploys south of T road junction west of
Melkames.
The direction of relocation of the division's command post during the conduct
of the offensive battle is the direction of Asbach, Rimberg - Hallhof.
Signal communication from the division's command posts with the army commander
and staff, as well as with subordinate and inter-acting troops commanders and
staff is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile
communication means, with strict observation of secure troop control
regulation.
My deputies are: the chief of staff, chief of political affairs (deputy
commander for political affairs) and the commander of the 112th MRR.
Div chief of operations section
(signature)
Div chief of staff
(signature)
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