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DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ARTILLERY PLANNING
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Front Artillery 1
Combat Instructions of TVD Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery to the Chief of
Rocket Troops and Artillery of Front 1
Suggestions of Chief of Artillery and Rocket Forces of the Front
during the Estimate of the Situation by the Front Commander 2
Combat Instructions of Front Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery on
Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery to Army Chief of Rocket Troops and
Artillery 7
Combat Instructions of the Front Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery
to the Army Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery 9
Order of Front Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery to the
Front Anti-tank Reserve 11
Distribution of Front Artillery and Artillery Units of VGK 12
Graphic of Initial Nuclear Strike 13
Echelonment of Artillery Material Means in the Front 14
Army Artillery 15
Combat Instructions from Front Chief of RT&A to Army on Rocket
Troops and Artillery 15
Instructions of the Army Commander on Determing Missions, Targets, and Means
for using Rocket Forces 17
Instructions of the Army Commander in Determining the Missions for Artillery 17
Suggestions of the Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery During Estimate of the
Situation by the Army Commander 18
Instructions of Army Chief of RT&A on Rocket Troops and Artillery to a
Division Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery 22
Planning Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery in Army Offensive
Operations 25
Distribution of Army Artillery and Front Artillery 27
Graphic of Artillery Preparatory Fire 28
Availability and Location of Material Supplies 29
Division Artillery 30
Instructions from Chief of RT&A at Army 30
Suggestions of Chief of RT&A to Commander 30
Suggestions of Division Chief of RT&A to the Division Commander during the
Making of the Decision 31
Instructions of the Division Commander on Determining Missions, Targets, and
Means for using Rocket Forces 33
Instructions of the Division Commander in Determining the Missions for
Artillery 33
Planning Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery in Division Offensive
Operations 33
Distribution of Artillery and Artillery Units from Army 34
Graphic of Arty Prep Fire 34
Graphic of Initial Nuclear Strike 35
Annex to Div Arty Fire Plan 35
Echelonment of Ammunition Supply in the Division 35
Division Artillery Plan 41
Combat Order from the Division Chief of Artillery on Artillery to the Division
Artillery Regiment 42
Instructions of Division Chief of RT&A on Artillery to the Chief of
Artillery of a Regiment 43
Combat Instructions of Chief of Artillery of Division on Combat Employment of
Artillery to the Chief of Artillery of a Motor Rifle or Tank Regiment 44
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Assessment of opposing nuclear missile units 2
Figure 2 Ammunition requirements and supply 4
Figure 3 Distribution of artillery 12
Figure 4 Graphic of initial nuclear strike 13
Figure 5 Echelonment of material means in the front 14
Figure 6 Distribution of army and front artillery 27
Figure 7 Graphic of artillery prep fire 28
Figure 8 Distribution of artillery and Arty units from Army 36
Figure 9 Graphic of Artillery Preparation Fire 37
Figure 10 Graphic of Initial Nuclear Strike 38
Figure 11 Annex to Division Artillery fire Plan 39
Figure 12 Echelonment of Ammunition Supply in the Division 40
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Front Artillery
Artillery support is a fundamental and critical part of every Soviet major
combat operation. At the front level the commander uses his artillery
to influence the outcome of the operation by strongly weighing the amount of
front artillery he provides to the army(ies) making the main attack.
The necessary calculations and resulting directives and instructions are
prepared by the staff of the chief of artillery and rocket troops.
Combat Instructions of TVD Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery to the
Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery of Front
The following points are included in the instructions on employment of rocket
troops and artillery issued by the TVD chief of rocket troops and artillery to
the chief of rocket troops and artillery of fronts:
----- artillery forces which are designated to support the front,
their time of arrival and location of deployment, their composition and level
of manning in personnel and weapons; shown in a table indicating unit
organization, number and type of guns;
----- boundary line between strategic and front nuclear strikes;
----- planned rocket fires of front with the aim of conducting the
first nuclear strike on the basis of exact reconnaissance data to destroy the
following targets:
----- destruction of nuclear weapons such as nuclear rockets, aviation with
nuclear bombs, and nuclear depots;
----- destruction of main grouping of enemy including his tactical nuclear
forces;
----- destruction of troops control system including CP's, signal centers, and
aviation navigation posts;
----- destruction of PVO means and radars;
----- suppression of rear service targets.
----- during the preparation period and course of the offensive all rocket
forces come to the highest combat readiness and one third of rocket forces
assume direct readiness # 3 to prepare to fire;
----- the quantity of chemical, nuclear, and conventional rocket warheads
available for the operation;
----- the quantity of ammunition available for use in the offensive;
----- to insure the rapid movement of forces on the direction of the main
attack, use only chemical or air burst nuclear strikes in order to avoid
destruction on the terrain;
----- deliver ammunition directly to the gun positions at the outset to support
the rapid resupply during the fire preparation phase;
----- targets on the front axis that will be destroyed by strategic
aviation and nuclear submarine fire;
----- means for receiving reconnaissance data from space;
----- preparation of main and alternate positions for rocket forces and
artillery in the FUP area for the offensive; deployment of artillery and rocket
forces and operational maskirovka including the use of radio
electronic combat means for maskirovka;
----- support for the commitment into the engagement of the second echelon
armies or fronts from the strategic reserves.
Suggestions of Chief of Artillery and Rocket Forces of the
Front during the Estimate of the Situation by the Front
Commander
The presentation by the chief of rocket troops and artillery to the
front commander is in three parts; his estimate of the situation
pertaining to enemy artillery forces and means, his summary of the status of
own artillery resources, and his suggestions (recommendations) on the best
employment of artillery and rocket forces in support of the front
mission. The main points include the following as illustrated in this sample
for the Central Front:
Enemy forces:
Directly opposing the front are located the I UK (blue) Army Corps, I
BE (violet) Army Corps, III GE (brown_ Army Corps, V and VII (green) U. S. Army
Corps. In their composition are included the following rocket and atomic
artillery.
Enemy Forces
Figure 1 - assessment of opposing enemy nuclear units
ENEMY NUCLEAR ROCKET AND ARTILLERY |
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Atomic
artillery |
Nuclear
rockets |
Nuclear
Warheads |
Unit |
155mm bns |
203mm bns |
Lance |
Sergeant |
Pershing |
I UK Corps |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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110 |
I BE Corps |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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40 |
III GE Corps |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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60 |
V U. S. Corps |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
150 |
VII U.S. Corps |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
180 |
Strategic med. range
rockets |
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360 |
Total |
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900 |
Strategic rockets and operational/tactical rockets have
occupied their firing positions and are at a state of higher combat readiness.
But part of the tactical rockets and atomic artillery to this time have not
occupied their positions. The range of fire of the 155mm guns is 18,100 meters,
the 203.4 mm guns is 21,000 meters, the the Honest John rocket is 40 km, the
Sergeant is 140 km, and the Pershing is 740 km.
The range of the medium strategic rockets 2500 kms.
The enemy in the first nuclear strike may employ up to 700 nuclear warheads and
may suppress the front's forces to the full depth. This requires that
the enemy's preparation to employ nuclear weapons be carefully and exactly
observed and at the determination of his preparedness it is essential that
front forces preempt the enemy with our own strike. This will require
that the rocket forces be kept at the highest level of preparedness. The
enemy's medium range strategic rockets are located in the following areas; ___,
___, and___. Pershing positions are located at ___ and ___ and ___. Sergeant
battalions are located ___, ___, and ___. The positions of the Sergeant
battalions of the Vth and VIIth Corps have not yet be determined.
Reconnaissance must locate their positions and follow them.
Assessment of high precision weapons: inncludes the following points; grouping,
composition, location, character of activities, capabilities;
The enemy has designated firing positions in his covering force area, however
his artillery has not yet occupied positions there;
On the forward defense line the majority of artillery is in prepared positions.
The enemy self-propelled artillery at the beginning of its combat action will
rapidly occupy its positions and camouflage them and be prepared to fire. For
this reason artillery reconnaissance and air and radio-technical reconnaissance
must find these positions quickly and report on them. The depth of enemy's
range of fire is up to 20 km. For this reason the main forces of the motor
rifle and tank formations and units must not occupy FUP areas for the offensive
closer than 20 km from the enemy defense lines.
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Own forces
The Central Front has been reenforced for the offensive with 3
artillery divisions and 2 heavy artillery brigades of the reserve of the high
command. The composition of these forces in personnel is 90% and from the point
of view of equipment 95%.
The Central Front has 5 armies and the artillery of the high command,
this all totals to 6400 artillery and mortars and almost 2500 anti-tank guns
and guided rockets. In accordance with this, the front is capable and
prepared to conduct breakthrough of the enemy defense at a total width of 32
km. The density of artillery on a single km of front will be 100 - 120 guns and
mortars.
Supplies of ammunition are at designated norms at the units and army and
front depots. For conduct of the offensive operation the
front expenditure requirements in ammunition, its resupply during the
operation, and creation of supply reserves at the end of the operation are
shown in the following table:
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Figure 2 Ammunition requirements and supply
AMMUNITION REQUIREMENTS, ECHELONMENT, AND RESUPPLY
DURING FRONT OPERATION
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TYPES OF AMMUNITION IN UNITS OF
FIRE |
TOTAL REQUIREMENT, QUANTITY, ECHELONMENT AND
RESUPPLY |
SMALL ARMS |
ARTY & MTRS |
MRL |
TANK |
PVO |
AIR |
TOTAL REQUIRED |
4-4.5 |
7.5-9.0 |
7.5-9.O |
7.5-8.0 |
8.5-9.5 |
22-23 |
QUANTITY ON HAND |
2.15 |
3.25 |
3.25 |
5.25 |
5.75 |
17.5 |
WITH TROOP UNITS |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
2.25 |
2.0 |
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AT ARMY DEPOTS |
0.15 |
0.30 |
0.30 |
0.40 |
0.50 |
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AT FRONT DEPOTS |
1.0 |
1.95 |
1.95 |
2.6 |
3.25 |
17.5 (AIR)
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ARRIVE DURING OPERATION |
1.85-2.3 |
4.25-5.75 |
4.25-5.75 |
2.25-2.75 |
2.75-3.75 |
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USED IN OPERATION |
1.85-2.3 |
4.24-5.75 |
4.25-5.75 |
2.25-2.75 |
2.75-3.75 |
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CREATE SUPPLY AT END OF OPERATION |
2.15 |
3.25 |
3.25 |
5.25 |
5.75 |
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For conduct of artillery preparation we must supply to the initial firing
positions 2.5 units of fire. This is a critical task that will require the
attention of the rear service transport elements.
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Suggestions:
One most important mission of artillery during the offensive is the successful
completion of the breakthrough of the enemy defense positions. To enable the
front artillery organization to be capable of fulfilling that mission,
for its conduct, I suggest that the front organize the following
artillery groups in the armies , divisions, and regiments:
----- for armies - up to 10 battalions;
----- for divisions on main axis - up to 6 battalions;
----- for regiments on main axis - up to 4 battalions;
For repelling enemy tank attacks I recommend front create the
following anti-tank reserves of the formations, large units, and units:
----- a. in the front - 2 anti-tank reserves, one with the composition
of up to 1-2 anti-tank brigades and the other of the combat helicopter regiment
MI-24 ;
----- b. in the armies - 1 anti-tank regiment;
----- c. in divisions that are on the main axis - 1 anti-tank battalion;
----- d. in the regiments that are on the main axis - 2 anti-tank batteries;
I recommend the distribution of the artillery from the reserve of the high
command in the following manner:
----- a. First Guards Tank Army - ___ division;
----- b. Eight Guard Army - ___ division:
----- d. 28th Guards Army - ___division;
----- e.
During the commitment into the engagement of the second echelon army, it should
be reenforced with the following artillery ___division;
----- Anti-tank reserve for the armies=___ brigades
The width of the breakthrough sector for armies should be distributed as
follows:
----- First Guards Tank Army - 8 km
----- Eight Guards Army - 8 km;
----- 28th Guards Army - 8 km;
----- _______ - 8 km
Duration for conduct of artillery preparatory fire and the participation of
artillery in it will be determined according the actual situation conditions
and the nature of the enemy defense according the recommendations of the chiefs
of artillery of the armies.
Artillery support during the course of the offensive must be conducted in a
manner to insure the uninterrupted forward movement of the tank and motor-rifle
forces. I recommend that, if the enemy has a deep defense area, artillery
preparatory fire must be conducted by means of single or double barrage fire to
the depth of the full positions of the first echelon battalions, and by means
of single or double successive fire to the depth of the first echelon brigades.
Artillery accompanying fire should be by means of massive and concentration
fire.
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Rocket forces
The majority of rocket forces of front are moving into their position
areas, and rocket forces of the armies have occupied their positions and
division rocket forces are located at a distance of 10 km from the state border
in accordance with plans. They have occupied their positions and they are
prepared. One third of the rocket forces of front and armies are at a
status of combat alert at level 3 of combat readiness for firing. Rocket forces
of the front, armies, and divisions in personnel are at 93% and in
combat equipment at 97%.
Front has in its composition 100 launchers R-65 and 92 R-300
launchers. For the initial nuclear strike the front is capable of
destroying 6 - 9 enemy divisions, and also to suppress nuclear depots, command
posts of army groups, corps, divisions, and brigades; the important centers of
alarm and guidance, and control of air forces, PVO; and it also may partly
suppress tactical aviation on the airfields and also the basic majority of
anti-air rockets.
Front for the conduct of the offensive requires 484 rockets, of which
182 are the R-300. At present 250 FROG (R-65) and 140 SCUD (R-300) are on hand
in the rocket units and the remainder will arrive during the course of the
operation.
For conduct of the offensive operation, the front requires 500
conventional rocket R-65 and 276 rockets R-300 and 200 chemical rockets for
R-65 and 92 rockets R-300. All these are on hand in the rocket units.
The most important mission of rocket forces during the offensive is conduct of
the initial nuclear strike. In this strike I recommend that we destroy the
following targets:
----- a. enemy nuclear rocket in areas ___, ___;
---------- nuclear storage at ___, ___;
---------- aviation carrying nuclear weapons at ___, and ___;
----- b. destruction of___, and ___ divisions of ___ Corps and ___ division
of___corps etc.;
----- c. destruction of command posts of corps ___, ___; and signal
communication centers in ___ area; centers for guidance of aviation at ___.
----- d. destruction of anti-air defense system at ___ etc. and radar stations
at ___. suppression of rear service targets at ___, ___.
With the aim of strengthening the front initial nuclear strike, I
recommend that the rocket forces of divisions of the second echelon armies also
participate in it. For this I recommend that they also occupy firing positions
at 10 km from the state border.
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Combat Instructions of Front Chief of Rocket Troops
and Artillery on Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery to Army Chief of
Rocket Troops and Artillery
The following points are included in the instructions given by the
front chief of rocket troops and artillery to the chief of rocket
troops and artillery at army:
----- what artillery formations and units and anti-tank units are being
assigned to reenforce the army;
----- the time for their assignment, location of their deployment and their
organization and composition;
----- organization of security (cover) provided by artillery and rocket forces
for the deployment of the army and occupation of the FUP areas by the main army
forces;
----- width of the army breakthrough sector in the enemy first defensive line
and the density of artillery per kilometer of breakthrough frontage, the time
of artillery preparatory fire and amount of ammunition to be used in the
preparatory fire;
----- the composition of artillery groups:
----- army group
----- divisions on main attack axis;
----- regiments on main attack axis;
----- methods for conduct of support and accompanying fire;
----- means for use of artillery and rocket forces in securing the commitment
into the engagement of the second echelon army of the front;
----- organization of anti-tank reserve;
----- army reserve;
----- division on main attack axis;
----- regiments on main attack axis;
----- conduct of air preparation, support, and accompaniment during the
corresponding phases of artillery fire including its direction against which
targets and reserves in interaction with artillery;
----- quantity of expenditure of ammunition during the offensive and amount
required for creation of reserves at end of the operation;
----- how to resupply ammunition during the fire preparation phase directly to
army, division, and regimental artillery groups.
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Rocket forces
Upon receipt of the alarm signal how the rocket and artillery forces will shift
to the higher state of combat readiness with 30% of rockets going to
preparation stage number 3, ready to fire, with the aim of being ready for
destruction of the most important enemy targets (especially nuclear weapons)
and for participation in the front initial nuclear strike;
----- which rocket forces will participate in the initial nuclear strike;
----- planning for the army rocket forces with the aim of their participation
in the front initial nuclear strike conducted on the basis of exact
reconnaissance data, for the destruction of the following targets:
----- destruction of nuclear weapons, rockets, launchers, aviation carrying
nuclear bombs, atomic artillery, and nuclear depots.
----- destruction of the main forces of which corps and divisions in what
region;
----- destruction of control points of divisions and brigades in the area ___
and aviation control navigation centers;
----- destruction of PVO forces and means in which areas, and radar locating
stations located ___.
----- suppression of rear service targets in specified regions;
----- plan to use air bursts and chemical strikes in areas on the main attack
axis with the aim of reducing the collateral damage to the area and reduce
radiation;
----- plan and graphic of the participation of rocket forces in the nuclear
strike must be prepared and delivered to the front staff by ___ time;
----- targets in the army area which will be destroyed by front
forces;
----- quantity of resupply of nuclear, chemical, and conventional racket
warheads during the operation, divided according to use in front first
nuclear strike and by army missions;
----- security provided by artillery for commitment into the engagement of the
front second echelon;
----- means for securing reconnaissance data from space;
----- time to be prepared to accomplish assigned missions.
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Combat Instructions of the Front Chief of Rocket
Troops and Artillery to the Army Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery
Series number
Secret \
Copy number #
To: Chief of Artillery of Eighth Guards Army
Combat instructions on employment of artillery
Command Post ___: Time ___: Date___:
Map__: Scale__; Time of year:
1. The 100th Artillery Division and 103rd Heavy Artillery Brigade of the
reserve of the high command are assigned to the army for the offensive. The
artillery division will arrive at ___ hrs on ___ date in ___(location) area.
The heavy artillery brigade at ___hrs on ___ date will assemble in ___ area.
The organization, types of weapons, and number of guns per battery are shown in
annex # 1.
2. With the aim of securing (covering) the deployment of the main forces of the
army, the destruction of possible enemy strikes, and support for the army going
over onto the offensive, each first echelon division will deploy three or four
artillery battalions in the covering force area. Prepare positions for this
artillery at a distance of 3-7 kms from the state border. Also with this aim
and for participation of the rocket battalions of first echelon divisions in
the initial nuclear strike, deploy these battalions 10 km from the state
border. These positions are camouflaged against enemy observation and
reconnaissance. In the army FUP areas with the aim of repelling possible enemy
strikes, prepare and camouflage main and alternate positions for artillery;
3. The army breakthrough zone in the enemy forward first defense zone is not
less than 8 km wide and the density of artillery in this zone will be not less
than 110 guns and mortars per km.
4. During the breakthrough of the defense and during the course of the
offensive organize the following artillery groups in army, divisions, and
regiments that are on the main axis of advance:
----- army artillery group of not less than 10 battalions;
----- division artillery groups of 6 battalions;
----- regimental artillery groups on main axes of up to 4 battalions;
5. With the aim of development of the offensive at a high tempo into the depth
of the enemy defense, artillery support fire will be conducted up to the depth
of the rear of the enemy first echelon brigades by means of single and double
barrage fire and successive concentration fire. After this, accompanying fire
for attacking forces will be conducted by concentration fire or massive fire.
6. Commitment into the engagement of the front second echelon army
will be supported by a minimum of 10 artillery battalions in the composition of
army, division, and regimental artillery groups in the region of commitment in
addition to the artillery of the second echelon itself.
7. The composition of the anti-tank reserve of army, divisions, and regiments
will be designated by the chief of rocket troops and artillery at the decision
of the army commander. (Note that in the composition of the army anti-tank
reserve will be the anti-tank brigade of the reserve of the high command.
8. During the conduct of the artillery preparation, support, and accompanying
fire; aviation preparation, support, and accompaniment will be conducted by
three fighter bomber regimental sorties. Designation of targets and times for
air strikes and for support of the security of aviation during fire preparation
and the course of the operation is coordinated between the chiefs of rocket
troops and artillery, PVO, and the center of combat control of the air army.
9. The quantity of ammunition for the offensive and for creation of reserves at
the end of the operation is shown in the annex.
10. For the conduct of fire preparation during the breakthrough of the enemy
first line ammunition will be delivered and dumped directly at the firing
positions of regimental, division, and army artillery groups. Plan that the
duration of fire preparation will be 40 minutes and the quantity of ammunition
expended will be 1 unit of fire. This may be changed as needed according to the
latest reconnaissance data.
11. The time to be prepared to fulfill the missions is ___.
12. Command posts are located at___.
Signed Chief of front artillery
Chief of Staff of front artillery
Chief of artillery operations department
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Order of Front Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery to
the Front Anti-tank Reserve
Serial Number
SECRET
Copy Number
To: the Commander of Front AT Reserve # 1
Order from chief of rocket troops and artillery
Command post __ Time__ Date__ Map__ Scale__ year__
1. Assessment of enemy
In accordance with the worsening international situation, the commander in
chief of NATO forces is secretly bringing NATO forces to full combat readiness
and plans a sudden surprise attack on the Warsaw Pact forces. Directly in front
of the Central Front are located the forces of the Vth and VIIth U. S.
Corps, the IIIrd German Corps, the IInd Belgian Corps, and the Ist British
Corps; in the first echelon. These units have the following: ___motorized,
mechanized and tank divisions with ___ nuclear rockets, ___atomic artillery,
___tanks, ___ artillery and mortars, ___air defense weapons, ___ helicopters,
and ___ combat aircraft.
In the second echelon the U. S. IIIrd Corps deploys and the forces of the West
German and French armies are mobilizing to create reserves. In the composition
of these forces are the following: ___motorized, mechanized and tank divisions
with ___ nuclear rockets, ___atomic artillery, ___tanks, ___ artillery and
mortars, ___air defense weapons, ___ helicopters, and ___ combat aircraft. The
enemy against the Central Front has ___ medium range strategic
rockets. The enemy operations are supported by the 4th OTAC with ___ combat
aircraft.
2. The Central Front delivers its main attack on the axis ___. which
is conducted by the forces of the 8th Guards Army. The front immediate
mission is to seize the line ___ by the 6th day. The front will commit into the
engagement the 7th Guards Tank Army on the axis ___ , and on the 13th day reach
the coast line between __ and __.
3. The front commander in chief orders:
The ___ Anti-tank Brigade will form the first AT reserve of the front
and will deploy in the region ___. It conducts battle against the enemy tanks
on the axis of the front main attack: possible lines of repelling
enemy counter attacks of tanks are planned ahead to be the following:
----- Line # 1: ___ to ___ axis __
----- Line # 2: ___ to ___ axis ___
----- Line # 3: ___ to ___ axis __
----- Line # 4: ___ to ___ axis ___
The AT reserve during the course of operation moves behind the ___ division of
the 8th Guards Army. It will be prepared to repel counterattacking enemy tanks
in coordination with the front 1st Mobile Obstacle Detachment and
other forces of the army.
4. The quantity of ammunition for the AT artillery and AT rockets during the
offensive is 8 units of fire.
5. The time to be prepared to fulfill missions is ___.
6. The command post of the chief of artillery and rocket forces is ___.
Signature: Chief of artillery
Signature: Chief of staff of artillery
Signature: Chief of artillery operations department
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Figure 3 - Distribution of Front Artillery and Artillery Units
of VGK
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Figure 4 - Graphic of Initial Nuclear Strike
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Figure 5 - Echelonment of Artillery Material Means
in the Front
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Army Artillery
The following section contains the documents prepared by and used in the
artillery directorate in the course of organizing and planning artillery
support for army operations.
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Combat Instructions from Front Chief of RT&A to
Army on Rocket Troops and Artillery
The front staff in the name of the commander issues instructions to
each army on the details of rocket troops and artillery. The instructions
elaborate on the information about artillery found in the front
operations directive. The instructions are issued by the front chief
of rocket troops and artillery directly to the army chief of rocket troops and
artillery. The latter uses these instructions as one basis for his
clarification of mission, estimate of situation and decision. He briefs the
army commander on the content of these instructions as part of his report and
suggestions during the army commander's decision making process. The following
points are included in the front instructions:
----- which artillery and anti-tank formations and units (by specific
designation) will be reenforcing the army;
----- how many nuclear and chemical warheads for rockets will be available for
expenditure by the army for the operation, their distribution for the
front first nuclear strike and by army mission;
----- expenditure of conventional rockets given by mission, the possibilities
for their resupply during the operation, and how many to keep on hand at the
end of the operation;
----- army's allowable expenditure of ammunition during the operation, its
possible resupply during the operation, and the quantity of ammunition to have
on hand at the conclusion of the operation;
----- on the receipt of the alarm signal a minimum of 30 % of the rocket forces
of the army must be at the highest stage of full combat readiness in order to
be ready for participation in the first nuclear strike of the front
and destruction of important targets;
----- planning for the army's participation by rocket forces in the
front nuclear strike will be on the basis of detailed reconnaissance
data obtained by the army for the destruction of the following targets:
---------- a. destruction of nuclear forces, supply depots, and nuclear capable
air forces;
---------- b. destruction of basic main forces of enemy divisions of the first
and second-echelon of the opposing corps in the army area;
---------- c. destruction of command posts of the enemy corps and division and
control posts for aviation;
---------- d. destruction of PVO rockets and radar installations;
---------- e. destruction of main rear service targets;
-----the army will use air bursts from nuclear rockets and chemical weapons on
the main attack axis, with the aim of preventing destruction that would block
the movement of our forces;
----- the plan and graphic showing the participation of the army rocket force
in the front nuclear strike must be sent to the front by ____
hrs;
----- targets that will be destroyed by front nuclear forces in the
army area of operations are the following: ______, _____,
----- the army must create the following army, division, and regiment artillery
groups on the main attack axis in the following manner;
---------- army artillery group of ten battalions;
---------- division artillery groups of six battalions each;
---------- regimental artillery groups on the main attack axes of four
battalions each;
----- the creation of the army, division, and regimental anti-tank reserves
will be in accordance with the decision of the chiefs of rocket troops and
artillery;
----- the army will organize and place in position rocket troops and artillery
groups to support the deployment of the main forces into the FUP areas and
occupation of the covering area near the border to defend against possible
enemy initial surprise attack (invasion);
----- the army will break through the enemy main line of defense in a
breakthrough area of ten kilometers width and the density of artillery per km.
will be not less than 110 guns and mortars;
----- fire support will be conducted to the depth of the defending brigades of
defender's first-echelon by means of successive concentration fire and barrage
fire on one or two lines;
----- ammunition for use during the preparatory fire on the first defense line
will be distributed to the weavpons firing positions of the army, division, and
regimental artillery groups;
----- support for the commitment of the second-echelon army will be provided by
a minimum of ten artillery battalions;
----- during the artillery preparation there will also be air preparation by
the air army on targets and reserves that are located in the depth of the
breakthrough area;
----- the army will receive intelligence from cosmic reconnaissance means in
the following manner.
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Instructions of the Army Commander on Determing Missions,
Targets, and Means for using Rocket Forces
The army commander issues instructions on his general policies and principles
for the employment of rocket forces. This guidance is taken by the chief of
rocket troops and artillery and it forms one of the bases for the detailed
planning of rocket troops. The guidance includes the following points:
----- the following enemy groups and targets will be destroyed in the first
nuclear strike by the army and division rocket forces:
---------- a. destruction of nuclear means and nuclear depots in the following
locations ____. ____ and nuclear capable air units in the following locations
____,____;
---------- b. destruction of main forces of this ____ and ____ and ____
divisions;
---------- c. destruction of command posts of the ____ corps at the following
locations ____, of the ____ divisions at ____-, and ____, and ____; and the air
control points at ____-and ___-;
---------- d. destruction of PVO points at locations ____,____, and --; and
radar installations at ____ and ____;
---------- e. destruction of rear service targets at ____, ____, and ____;
----- the enemy forces will be destroyed to the following level in percent
using the following types of warheads and bursts -( for example, air burst of
20 kt);
----- the forces and means that will participate in the first nuclear strike
(divisions including 2nd echelon);
----- distribution of nuclear and chemical weapons ammunition by mission and
between formations;
----- reserve of nuclear and chemical ammunition;
I will listen to the suggestions of the chief of rocket troops and artillery
during the estimate of the situation .
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Instructions of the Army Commander in Determining the Missions
for Artillery;
The army commander also issues instructions giving his guidance for the
employment of artillery in support of the coming operation. The instructions
include the following points:
----- the composition of artillery groups and distribution of artillery among
the formations;
----- designate the specific composition of the army artillery group and
composition of the anti-tank reserve;
----- designate the main missions for artillery during the preparation phase
and the course of the operation;
----- designate the breakthrough area, time for artillery preparation, depth of
artillery support and its type; and the quantity of ammunition which will be
used;
----- which artillery will participate in the artillery preparation;
----- how artillery will support the commitment of the army second-echelon
division;
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Suggestions of the Chief of Rocket Troops and
Artillery During Estimate of the Situation by the Army Commander
Enemy forces
The forces of the Vth American Corps, which has in its composition the
following rocket and atomic artillery, are located in front of the army.
ARTILLERY OPPOSING 8TH
GUARDS ARMY
|
Division |
Conventional arty |
Atomic arty |
Missiles |
Nuclear warheads |
155mm |
AT means |
155mm |
203.4mm |
Lance |
Pershing |
8th Mech. |
54 |
ATGM-36 ATgun-117
|
18 |
|
|
|
40 |
3rd Armor |
54 |
153 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
Corps Arty |
|
|
36 |
36 |
|
|
|
MRBM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
210 |
In front of the army medium strategic rockets are located, which occupy
their positions and are at the level of higher combat readiness.
Operational/tactical rockets also have occupied their firing positions, but
part of the tactical rockets and the atomic artillery have not occupied their
prepared firing positions. The range of the 155 mm howitzers of atomic
artillery 18,000 meters
-----Range of the 203.4 mm howitzers artillery 21,000 meters.
-----Range of the Honest John 40 km.
-----Range of the Sergeant 140 km.
-----Range of the Pershing 740 km.
-----Range of the medium range strategic rockets is 2500 km.
The enemy in the first nuclear strike can employ up to 200 nuclear warheads
against the army forces and rear service targets. It can hit all the army
targets. With the objective of countering the enemy's nuclear weapons it is
essential that the following measures be accomplished:
----- maintain all rocket forces at highest level of combat readiness;
----- designate reconnaissance to determine exactly the locations of enemy
nuclear weapons, depots, and airfields on which are located nuclear capable
aircraft;
----- observe and follow closely the enemy preparations to employ nuclear
weapons and, if it is determined that he is nearly prepared to use nuclear
weapons, we must strike first with a initial nuclear strike;
----- with the objective of protection of forces from mass destruction weapons,
build bunkers, revetments, and shelters in the FUP areas for the offensive for
all rocket forces and artillery, motor rifle, and other forces and command
posts;
Until now the following enemy nuclear weapons positions have been located:
----- medium strategic rocket units in region ___, ___;
----- positions of Pershing in regions ___, ___;
----- positions of Lance in regions ___, ___;
----- positions of Honest John in regions ___, ___;
----- positions of 203.4 mm howitzers in regions ___, ___;
----- positions of the 155 mm howitzers in regions ___, ___;
Positions of the Lance, Pershing, and 203.4 mm howitzers have not yet been
located.
It is necessary to discover and determine these positions.
Assessment of the enemy high precision weapons: Grouping, conditions, and
character of operation and capabilities;
Conventional artillery: The enemy designates artillery positions in his
covering forces area but has not yet constructed the engineer fortifications
for them. The enemy positions for artillery in the first defense area are
prepared but not yet occupied. The majority of enemy artillery is self
propelled and at the start of his combat operations they may rapidly occupy and
camouflage their positions and be prepared to open fire. Artillery
reconnaissance and artillery aviation and radio technical reconnaissance must
determine the enemy's occupation of artillery positions and also the
reconnaissance means must determine the movement and occupation of firing
position by artillery in the covering force area. The range of enemy artillery
is 20km. He may destroy our forces up to 15 to 20 km from the state border.
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Friendly forces
The army has been reenforced with one artillery division and one heavy
artillery brigade from the reserve of the high command. The reenforcing and TOE
artillery is at 90% in personnel manning and the equipment is at 95% strength.
The army artillery has occupied its firing positions in the FUP area and the
majority of the artillery of the troop units has also occupied its firing
positions in the FUP area. Part of the artillery of the divisions and
regiments, located in the covering area, already has occupied its firing
positions. Positions for repelling possible enemy initial strikes are prepared.
The artillery division and heavy artillery brigade of the high command reserve
have accomplished their march to the designated locations and are ready to be
distributed to divisions.
The army in its own composition with the reinforcing artillery has about 1400
artillery and mortars and 660 ATGM and anti-tank guns. The army at this
composition is capable to accomplish the following missions:
----- breakthrough enemy defense on a width of 8 to 10 km with a density of
artillery of 110 guns per km;
----- during a 20 minute fire preparation, destroy 750 hectares of targets and
the army tanks can destroy 200 hectares, and the nuclear weapons may destroy
11,400 hectares of targets. During the course of this period may destroy 20 -
24 rocket launcher positions and 8 - 12 motor rifle battalions , and suppress
24 - 28 artillery batteries.
The level of ammunition supplies is at the designated norms.
The army requirements for ammunition and creation of reserves for the
conclusion of the operation are shown in the following table.
ARMY AMMUNITION
REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPLY |
Requirements and locations |
Type of ammo in BK |
Small arms |
Artillery and mortar |
MRL |
Tank |
PVO |
Total
requirement |
With NUC |
2.15-2.75 |
3.40-4.50 |
3.40-4.50 |
5.45-5.85 |
6.0-8.0 |
Without NUC |
2.95-3.15 |
5.80-6.30 |
5.80-6.30 |
5.65-6.65 |
6.0-8.0 |
Total on hand |
1.15 |
1.30 |
1.30 |
2.65 |
2.50 |
- with troop
units |
1.0 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.25 |
2.00 |
- in army
depot |
0.15 |
0.30 |
0.30 |
0.40 |
0.50 |
Receive during
operation |
with NUC |
1.0-1.6 |
2.1-3.2 |
2.1-3.2 |
2.4-3.3 |
3.5-5.6 |
without NUC |
1.8-2.0 |
4.5-5.0 |
4.5-5.0 |
3.0-4.0 |
3.5-5.6 |
Expend during
operation |
with NUC |
1.0-1.6 |
2.1-3.2 |
2.1-3.2 |
2.4-3.3 |
3.5-5.6 |
without NUC |
1.8-2.0 |
4.5-5.0 |
4.5-5.0 |
3.0-4.0 |
3.5-5.6 |
Create reserve at end of
operation |
1.5 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
2.65 |
2.5 |
One of the most important missions for artillery during the offensive
operation is successful support of the breakthrough of the enemy defense. In
order for the army artillery with reenforcement to fulfill this mission, I
suggest the organization of the following artillery groups in the army and
troop units:
----- army artillery group of 10 battalions;
----- division artillery groups for main axis division - 6 battalions
----- regimental artillery groups on main axis - up to 4 battalions;
For repelling enemy tank attacks, create the following anti-tank reserves:
----- anti-tank reserve for army of one anti-tank regiment;
----- anti-tank reserve for division on main axis - of one anti-tank battalion;
----- anti-tank reserve of regiments on main axis - 2 batteries.
I recommend the distribution of the artillery and anti-tank weapons between the
division and elements of combat formation:
----- in the composition of the artillery group of army the 1st brigade of the
reserve of the high command
----- in the composition of the reactive artillery group ___;
----- in the anti-tank reserve of the army ___ unit.
----- in the 16th Rifle Division : ___ units
----- in the 18th MRD ___
----- in the 19th MRD: ___ units
----- in the 21st MRD ___ units;
When the 17th and 20th Tank divisions are committed into the engagement they
should have the following ___;
I recommend that the breakthrough be 8 km wide and each division have 4
kilometers.
Duration of the artillery fire preparation of 40 minutes and ammunition
expenditure of 1 unit of fire. The density of artillery on the breakthrough
sector will be 110 guns and mortars.
During the commitment of the second echelon division into the engagement in
accordance with the situation the fire preparation may last 15 - 20 minutes
with expenditure of .6 to .8 units of fire.
Artillery support fire must be conducted in a manner to support uninterrupted
continuous movement of force into enemy depth. I recommend at the beginning of
artillery support to employ double barrage fire to the depth of the enemy
position of the first echelon battalions. After that by using successive
concentration fire to the depth of the first echelon brigades.
Artillery accompanying fire with be conducted in accordance with the situation
by use of concentration fire and massive fire.
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Rocket forces:
The army rocket brigade occupies its positions in the FUP area and accomplishes
engineer fortification and maskirovka. The rocket battalions of the
divisions with the objective of participation in the initial nuclear strike
move to the state border in order to occupy firing positions and one third of
the army rocket forces are raised to the combat duty (alert status at the 3rd
level of readiness for firing.
Rocket forces of army and division are manned at 93% of TOE and their equipment
is at 97% level.
The army in total has 12 missile launchers and 24 R-64 rockets. With these
rocket forces in the first nuclear strike of the front the army has
the following capability:
----- destruction of Sergeant rockets in front of the army and 2 - 3 divisions
with tactical nuclear means, or up 40% partially destroy 4 - 5 divisions.
The army in order to conduct the offensive requires 24 rockets R-300 and 72
rockets SS-21. Now it has 18 R-300 rockets and 54 SS-21 rockets. The remaining
6 R-300 rockets and 12 rockets SS-21 will be supplied during the course of the
operation.
In order to conduct the operation 120 SS-21 conventional rockets and 36 R-300
conventional rockets and also 48 chemical rockets SS-21 and 12 rockets R-300.
These rockets are already on hand in the units and sub=units.
The most important missions for rocket forces during the front initial nuclear
strike I recommend destruction of the following targets:
----- nuclear rockets in regions ___,___;
----- airfields with nuclear weapons at ___,___;
----- nuclear depots at regions ___,___;
----- destruction of divisions at ___, and ___;
----- command posts of ___ and ___ division::
----- enemy anti-air rockets at ___, _)__
----- destruction of rear service targets at ___, __-
With the aim of reenforcing the nuclear strike I recommend that the rocket
battalions of the 17th and 20th Tank divisions also participate in the initial
nuclear strike. I recommend that these battalions occupy start positions in the
areas ___, and ___.
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Instructions of Army Chief of RT&A on Rocket Troops and
Artillery to a Division Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery
The chief of rocket troops and artillery at the army level prepares
instructions on various technical details of artillery activities for each
division. These instructions provide the division artillery chiefs with
information on their division requirements to fit the army plan, what resources
they can expect, and other matters. The division chiefs report on this
information to their commanders and use it as one of the bases for their
artillery planning. The instructions contain the following points:
----- what artillery formations and units and anti-tank artillery units will be
provided as reenforcement for the division;
----- what are the norms for expenditure of nuclear and chemical rockets will
be for the operation and their distribution to the first nuclear strike and by
missions;
----- what the norms for expenditure of conventional rockets during the battle
will be and its resupply;
----- what will be the norms for expenditutre of ammunition during the
preparatory fire and support fire, and for the division's important missions,
and the capabilities for its resupply during the course of the battle;
----- what measures should be taken to bring the division rocket forces to full
combat readiness;
----- what targets are designated for the division's rockets for planning the
division's participation in the first nuclear strike, the yield of the rockets
on each target, type of burst and height, time for being ready, and time for
delivery of rocket and nuclear, chemical, and conventional warheads from depots
to the firing units.
----- instructions for conduct of re-confirming reconnaissance and exact
determination of the targets that will be destroyed in the initial nuclear
strike of the front;
----- what support must be taken for protection of own troops during the
nuclear strike;
----- which army artillery sub-group will support the division during the
course of the day's battle; (The army artillery group is usually divided into
subgroups for closer coordination of support with first-echelon divisions.)
----- composition of the division artillery group and regimental groups for
regiments on the main attack axis (in number of battalions);
----- width of the breakthrough sector for the division, density of artillery
per kilometer of front, and length of duration of the preparatory fire,
composition of the fire preparation (usually it consists of 3-5 artillery
strikes), means for delivery of ammunition to the gun firing positions;
----- details on movement of the artillery units to their forward firing
positions in order to be ready for conduct of prepratory fire, the areas for
the firing positions, time to arrive and be prepared, conduct of artillery
reconnaissance, designation of the targets for the preparatory fire,
----- how support fire will be provided up to the depth of the defending
first-echelon brigades and the types of artillery support fire;
----- methods for providing artillery accompanying fire during the battle;
----- composition and grouping of the artillery in the covering force area and
its missions;
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Combat Order of Army Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery on
the Employment of Artillery to the Division Chief of Rocket Troops and
Artillery
Serial number
Secret
Copy Number
To: Chief of Artillery of 16th MRD
Combat order on employment of division artillery
Command post __ Time __ Date__ Map Scale __ Year
1. The 16th MRD will be reenforced for the offensive battle by the army
artillery brigade and the first anti-tank battalion of the army anti tank
regiment. The brigade will arrive in region ___ at ___ hours on ___ date; and
the anti-tank battalion will assemble at ___ time in ___ area.
2. With the aim of securing the FUP area, repelling possible enemy strikes, and
successfully going over to the offensive by division forces, the 16th MRD will
deploy 4 artillery battalions forward, of which one artillery battalion will be
from the regiment comprising the forward detachment. For this artillery,
prepare firing positions at a distance of 3 to 8 km from the state border. Also
deploy the division rocket battalion at a distance of 10 km from the state
border and prepare for it a camouflaged position. In the division FUP area
prepare main and alternate positions for the remaining artillery of division
and regimental groups with the aim of repelling possible enemy attack.
3. The movement of the forward detachment through the enemy covering force area
will be supported by a minimum of 3 artillery battalions. The remaining
artillery forces of the division will be ready to support the deployment and
entry into battle of the division main forces.
4. The division will conduct a breakthrough of the enemy forward defense zone
on a width of 4 km. With the aim of supporting the required density of
artillery in the breakthrough zone, bring forward the artillery of the
division's second echelon regiment to participate in the preparatory fire. The
duration of fire preparation will be 40 minutes and quantity of ammunition
expended will be 1 unit of fire.
5. Create the following artillery groups:
----- division group of 6 battalions;
----- regimental groups on main axis of 4 battalions'
----- regimental groups on secondary axis of 2 - 3 battalions;
Firing positions for division artillery group and regimental artillery groups
are designated in the following areas; ___, ___, ___, etc.
6. Artillery reconnaissance group units of the division artilelry, under
direction of the chief of artillery reconnaissance, with their reconnaissance
means, will move behind the forward detachment at ___ time, on ___ date; to
fulfill the following missions:
----- a. with employment of artillery reconnaissance means, exactly determine
the locations of enemy strong points on the forward edge and in the depth of
his position, the positions of artillery and mortar batteries and firing means,
command posts, second echelons and reserves. They should contact the chief of
artillery of the forward detachment to obtain further exact information. They
will determine the coordinates of targets and report this information to the
army artillery command post.
----- b. determine suitable locations for firing positions for every artillery
group and sub-unit and prepare basic firing data. When nighfall comes, send
enough personnel to prepare the artillery firing positions and camouflage them.
----- c. Units and sub-units in division and regimental artillery groups at ___
time, and ___ date will employ darkness to move into and occupy firing
positions.
7. The anti-tank reserve for the division and regiments will be composed of the
following:
----- division reserve - 1 AT battalion from the Army AT Regiment
----- regimental reserves main axis - 2-3 At batteries;
----- regimental reserves support axis - 2 AT batteries;
(The order could tell the division commander to decide on the composition of
the regimental AT reserves. The size depends on the quantity of reenforcement
received by the division.)
8. Artillery support fire will continue to a depth of the enemy first echelon
brigade positions. It will be conducted by single or double barrage fire and
successive concentration fire (single or double). Accompanying fire will be
conducted by massive fire or concentration fire.
9. During the commitment into battle of the army second echelon division, in
addition to its own artillery and the army artillery group, it will be
supported by a minimum of 6 artillery battalions from the first echelon
division artillery group and regimental groups active in that axis.
10. An air preparation, support, and accompaniment of 3 squadrons of fighter
bomber aviation will be conducted during the conduct of the preparatory fire,
fire support, and accompanying fire. The designation of targets for air strikes
must be coordinated between the division chief of artillery, chief of group of
combat support of air army, and division chief of PVO.
11. The quantity of ammunition available for expenditure per day of battle is
as follows:
----- small arms - 1.5 units of fire;
----- arty and mtrs - 3.5 units of fire;
----- MRL rockets - 3.5 units of fire;
----- Tanks - 2.5 units of fire;
----- PVO - 3 units of fire;
12. For the conduct of artillery preparatory fire on the main defense area 2.5
units of fire of artillery ammunition will be delivered to the firing
positions. To obtain this send guides to meet the transport.
13. Time for opening preparatory fire is 0430 hrs on ___ date.
Command post is located ___.
Signature - Chief of army artillery
Signature - Chief of staff of army artillery
Signature - Chief of operations department of army artillery
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Planning Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery in
Army Offensive Operations
The plan of employment of rocket troops and artillery is the principle document
prescribing combat actions of rocket troops and artillery in terms of missions
of the operation. The plan of combat employment of rocket troops and artillery
is a main component of army plans for the operation. It is the principle
document of the army's staff, of rocket troops, and of artillery.
While planning the combat employment of rocket troops and artillery in army
offensive operations, the chief of rocket troops and artillery accomplishes the
following:
----- clarify the mission;
----- study the decision of the front commander on the employment of
rocket troops and artillery;
----- study instructions from higher echelons on the employment of rocket
troops and artillery;
----- conduct a full assessment (estimate) of the situation;
----- make decisions on employment of rocket troops and artillery on the basis
of which the plan for combat employment is prepared.
The plan is prepared in graphic form on a 1/200,000 or 1/100,000 scale map with
an annex of written instructions. The plan is signed by the chief of the rocket
troops and artillery and his chief of staff. It is approved by the army
commander. The plan is considered a part of the army's plan of operation. The
following points are shown in the graphic part of the plan:
----- situations and actions of enemy forces, his important groupings, and
targets of rocket troops and artillery;
----- situations and missions of army forces and divisions and boundaries
between them;
----- missions of rocket troops in the initial and subsequent nuclear strikes,
number of targets, yields of nuclear rounds, types of bursts, sub-units and
units launching the strikes, and time of delivery of strikes;
----- employ rocket troops against enemy nuclear means;
----- directions of movements and positions areas of rocket troops and army
technical rocket sub-units in attack (FUP) positions, position areas of rocket
battalions of divisions in the attack (FUP) areas, and in the security and
border areas;
----- relocate positions of rocket troops and rocket technical sub-units during
the course of conduct of operations;
----- artillery groupings of the army, divisions and regiments in attack (FUP)
areas and in security and border areas;
----- penetration (breakthrough) areas and density of artillery in these areas;
----- areas of deployment of antitank reserves of the army, divisions, and
regiments and the directions of their actions;
----- areas of deployment of front antitank reserves and directions of
their actions;
----- maneuver of rocket troops and artillery during the course of conduct of
operations;
----- positions of air defense artillery and areas of radar;
----- other elements of army combat formations.
In the plan an annex of the initial nuclear strike of the army's rocket troops,
with written instructions is also prepared.
In the written instructions, the following points are covered:
----- combat composition of rocket troops and artillery, distribution of
attached and organic artillery among the divisions and elements of combat
formations, and their regroupment during the course of conduct of operations;
----- specific numbers of nuclear and chemical rockets allocated for operations
and their distribution in terms of their allocation to the initial nuclear
strike and army's missions and in terms of their distribution to different
divisions;
----- availability and distribution of conventional rockets in terms of their
allocation to army missions and their distribution to different divisions;
----- distribution of artillery rounds in terms of their allocation to army
missions and in terms of their distribution to different divisions;
----- composition of antitank reserves of the army, divisions, and regiments.
The following issues are reflected in the work document:
----- method, time of preparation, and delivery of rockets to troops;
----- calculation of time for bringing rocket troops and artillery to full
combat readiness;
----- calculation of time for movement of army and divisions rocket troops;
----- expenditure of conventional rounds in operations and for each mission
during the operation;
----- measures for protecting troops against enemy mass-destruction weapons.
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Figure 6 - Distribution of Army Artillery and Front
Artillery
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Figure 7 - Graphic of Artillery Preparatory Fire
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Availability and Location of Material Supplies
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Division Artillery
The following section contains the basic documents used in planning artillery
support at the division level.
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Instructions from Chief of RT&A at Army
The chief of rocket troops and artillery at army issues instructions on
artillery to the divisions. These instructions inform the division on what
artillery reinforcements it will receive and what fire missions it must
undertake for army, as well as what targets will be attacked by army artillery
and other matters. See the section on the army artillery for detailed
discussion.
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Suggestions of Chief of RT&A to Commander
The chief of rocket troops and artillery informs the commander of the
instructions received from higher headquarters, his own estimate of the enemy
artillery and status of friendly artillery and makes suggestions in support of
the commander's decision. See sample which follows.
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Suggestions of Division Chief of RT&A to the Division
Commander during the Making of the Decision
Enemy Forces
Directly opposing the 16th MRD are elements of the ___8th Mechanized Division,
Vth US Corps. They have the following missiles and nuclear artillery:
----- _____;
----- _____;
---- ______;
Deeper in the enemy defense area the following operational-tactical missiles
can affect the division's attack sector:
----- ____;
----- ____;
----- ____;
The enemy's artillery supporting his brigade and divisional defense area
consists of ___,___,___,___.
On the forward defense belt the majority of artillery is in prepared positions
with its known battery positions as follows:
----- ____;
----- ____;
----- ____;
---- _____;
Artillery reconnaissance and air and radio-technical reconnaissance is to
locate the positions of brigade and division artillery which are not yet known.
Own forces
The 16th MRD is reinforced for the offensive with six gun and one MRL artillery
battalions and 1 anti-tank battalion from ____. The attached artillery units
will arrive at the division at ____. The composition of these units along with
the divisional artillery in personnel is 92% and 95% in equipment.
The total artillery available in the division totals 16 artillery battalions
(288 guns and howitzers and 36 MRL's), plus 54 mortars and 36 AT guns and 78
ATGM's. IN terms of the required number of guns per kilometer of breakthrough
frontage, the division shall be capable to support a break through sector of up
to 4 km width. The capability of the division artillery makes it possible to
establish DAG and RAG's with the following compositions:
----- DAG - 6 arty battalions;
----- RAG1 - 3 arty battalions;
----- RAG2 - 3 arty battalions;
----- RAG3 - 2 arty battalions.
The division can establish an AT reserve composed of one AT battalion and still
be able to reinforce the anti-tank sub-units of first echelon regiments.
Organic and attached artillery units and sub-units are currently in the
assembly area preparing for the operation, their training and combat experience
is satisfactory. Supplies of ammunition and fuel are at designated norms at the
units and at the division level.
The division expenditure requirements in ammunition for the conduct of the
offensive battle and its resupply during the operation and creation of supply
reserves at the end of the operation are as follows:
Totals required |
SA |
ARTY |
MRL |
TANK |
PVO |
Quantity on hand |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
2.25 |
2.0 |
in units |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
in div depots |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.75 |
0.5 |
Resupplied during the battle |
1.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
Used during the battle |
1.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
Balance at end of battle |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
2.25 |
2.0 |
From the army's instructions on the employment of RT&A the following
are known:
----- the 16th MRD should deploy 4 arty bns forward, of which one arty bn will
be from the regiment comprising the forward detachment. These artillery units
should prepare firing positions 3-8 km from the border. Also the division
rocket battalion should deploy 10 km from the border.
----- the movement of the forward detachment through the enemy's covering force
area should be supported by a minimum of 3 artillery battalions. The remaining
artillery troops of the division should be ready to support the deployment and
commitment into battle of the division main forces.
The division will conduct a break through on the enemy forward defense zone on
ta width of 4 km. The division breakthrough area will be also covered by fire
of 4 artillery battalions of AAG, 2 battalions of the AGRA, and 3 battalions of
second echelon division artillery.
The duration of artillery preparatory fire will be 40 minutes, assault support
fire should be conducted through the depth of the enemy's first echelon brigade
defenses.
Artillery reconnaissance of division artillery should detect and locate the
enemy's FLOT, strong points, artillery and mortar batteries, CP's and reserves.
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Suggestions
1. To support the division mission the artillery groups should be established
as follows:
----- DAG: army artillery brigade + MRL bn (attached) + division MRL bn - total
6 battalions.
----- RAG1: (main direction) division arty regiment (- MRL bn) + regt arty bn -
total 4 bns.
----- RAG2: 22 Arty Bde (- 2 bns) + regt arty bn - total 3 bns.
----- Division anti-tank reserve: Army AT Bn (attached).
----- Regt AT reserve (main direction) 2 AT batteries.
----- Regt AT reserve 2 AT batteries;
----- Regt AT reserve 1 AT battery
2. During the commitment into battle of the division second-echelon the tank
regiment will be reinforced by two artillery battalions.
3. Duration of artillery preparatory fire is 40 minutes and should be started
when own troops deploy into battalion columna at the line of ___.
4. Artillery support during the course of the battle should be conducted by
double fire curtain (ognivoi val) up to the depth of the enemy's first echelon
battalions, then by the method of successive concentrations of fire (PSO) to
the entire depth of the brigade defense. Further on artillery accompanying fire
should be conducted by means of massive and concentration fire.
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Instructions of the Division Commander on Determining Missions,
Targets, and Means for using Rocket Forces
The division commander issues detailed instructions on the employment of rocket
forces. This guidance is taken by the chief of rocket troops and artillery and
it forms one of the bases for the detailed planning of rocket troops. The
guidance includes the following points:
----- which enemy groups and targets will be destroyed in the first nuclear
strike by the division rocket battalion:
---------- a. destruction of nuclear means and nuclear depots in the following
locatio
---------- b. destruction of main forces of the ____ division;
---------- c. destruction of command posts of the ____ brigades at the
following locations _____;
-===---- d. destruction of PVO points at ____,____, and --;
----- the enemy forces will be destroyed to the following level in percent
using the following types of warheads and bursts -( for example, air burst of
20 kt);
----- reserve of nuclear and chemical ammunition;
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Instructions of the Division Commander in Determining the
Missions for Artillery;
The division commander also issues instructions giving his guidance for
the employment of artillery in support of the coming operation. The
instructions include the following points:
----- the composition of artillery groups and distribution of artillery among
the regiments;
----- designate the specific composition of the division artillery group and
composition of the anti-tank reserve;
----- designate the main missions for artillery during the preparation phase
and the course of the operation;
----- designate the breakthrough area, time for artillery preparation, depth of
artillery support and its type; and the quantity of ammunition which will be
used;
----- which artillery will participate in the artillery preparation;
----- how artillery will support the commitment of the division second-echelon
regiment;
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Planning Combat Employment of Rocket Troops and Artillery in
Division Offensive Operations
The plan of employment of rocket troops and artillery is the principle document
prescribing combat actions of rocket troops and artillery in terms of missions
of the battle. This plan is a main component of division plans for the battle.
While planning the combat employment of rocket troops and artillery, the chief
of rocket troops and artillery accomplishes the following:
----- clarify the mission;
----- study the decision of the division commander on the employment of rocket
troops and artillery;
----- study instructions from higher echelon (army) on the employment of rocket
troops and artillery;
----- conduct a full assessment (estimate) of the situation;
----- make decisions on employment of rocket troops and artillery on the basis
of which the plan for combat employment is prepared.
The plan is prepared in graphic form on a 1/100,000 or 1/50,000 scale map with
an annex of written instructions. The plan is signed by the chief of the rocket
troops and artillery and his chief of staff. It is approved by the division
commander. The plan is considered a part of the division's plan of battle. The
following points are shown in the graphic part of the plan:
----- situations and actions of enemy forces, his important groupings, and
targets of rocket troops and artillery;
----- situations and missions of division forces and regiments and boundaries
between them;
----- missions of rocket troops in the initial and subsequent nuclear strikes,
number of targets, yields of nuclear rounds, types of bursts, sub-units and
units launching the strikes, and time of delivery of strikes;
----- employ rocket troops against enemy nuclear means;
----- directions of movements and positions areas of rocket troops in attack
(FUP) positions, and in the security and border areas;
----- relocate positions of rocket troops during the course of conduct of
battle;
----- artillery groupings of the division and regiments in attack (FUP) areas
and in security and border areas;
----- penetration (breakthrough) areas and density of artillery in these areas;
----- areas of deployment of antitank reserves of the division and regiments
and the directions of their actions;
----- maneuver of rocket troops and artillery during the course of conduct of
operations;
----- positions of air defense artillery and areas of radar;
----- other elements of division combat formations.
In the plan an annex of the initial nuclear strike of the division rocket
troops, with written instructions is also prepared.
The following points are covered in the written instructions:
----- combat composition of rocket troops and artillery, distribution of
attached and organic artillery among the regiments, and their regroupment
during the course of battle;
----- distribution of artillery rounds in terms of their allocation to division
missions and in terms of their distribution to different regiments;
----- composition of antitank reserves of the division and regiments.
The following issues are reflected in the work document:
----- method, time of preparation, and delivery of rockets to troops;
----- calculation of time for bringing rocket troops and artillery to full
combat readiness;
----- calculation of time for movement of rocket troops;
----- expenditure of conventional rounds in battle and for each mission during
the battle;
----- measures for protecting troops against enemy mass-destruction weapons.
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Figure 8 - Distribution of Artillery and Artillery Units from
Army
The Chief of Rocket Troops and Artillery must distribute the division artillery
battalions and those received from army to form the regimental artillery groups
and the division artillery group. The form for entering this information is
given in the table .
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Figure 9 - Graphic of Arty Prep Fire
This table is prepared by the staff of the rocket troops and artillery in
planning the coordinated fire of all the division artillery during the
preparatory fire phase. It shows the time and sequence for firing at each
target.
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Figure 10 - Graphic of Initial Nuclear Strike
This table shows the times for the division rocket battalion to prepare and be
ready to participate in the front initial nuclear strike. It is kept
constantly up to date during the battle as the status of designated targets
shifts.
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Figure 11 - Annex to Div Arty Fire Plan
This table is prepared as part of the division artillery fire planning. It
shows the participation of all division organic and attached artillery units
including those from army included in the DAG and RAG's. The table shows the
sequence of fire during preparatory, support and accompanying phases.
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Figure 12 - Echelonment of Ammunition Supply in the
Division
This table shows the amount and location of ammunition available for the
battle.
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Division Artillery Plan
The division artillery plan depicts the spacial layout of the artillery forces
and means supporting the division in relation to the operational framework for
the offensive. The framework is the boundary lines of the division with its
adjacents and between the regiments, as well as the boundaries of the
breakthrough sector and the deployment lines of the combined arms regiments
into battalion and company columns and the assault line. It provides a
schematic diagram of the organizational structure of the artillery into its
army, division, and regimental artillery groups, surface to surface rocket
units, and anti-tank reserve units. It also shows the air defense units
covering the artillery and unit headquarters. It also presents a visual
schematic layout of the pre-planned artillery fire during the preparatory fire
and assault support fire stages. The individual and grouped fire concentrations
are numbered by target and related to the firing artillery group by color code.
The target numbers are listed in the graphical tables accompanying the map.
These concentrations are planned to the full depth of the enemy position
against known targets. The sample map shows only some of the planned
concentrations, for lack of space to preserve clarity for the viewer. Newly
detected targets will be added as they appear. On the map are indicated some of
the nuclear strikes by division rockets, which are always planned whether or
not use of nuclear weapons is expected to occur immediately. The map also
indicates the lines for the successive double barrage that forms the first
phase of the assault support fire. This is delivered on the leading edge of the
defense positions just as the assaulting forces reach their final line and then
shifts into the depth as indicated. The lines for firing against possible enemy
counter attacks are shown. In this sample map only one is indicated. An
important feature of artillery planning is the designation of deployment lines
for the regimental and division anti-tank reserves. During the combat these
units will always be on the march from one designated line to the next,
remaining in column, and only actually deploying at the next designated line if
an enemy counter-attack seems likely. The diagram also indicates the general
pre-planned location of the main artillery groups at certain critical stages on
the battle, such as during the commitment of the second-echelon and during
forcing a water barrier. Actually, the individual artillery battalions of these
RAG's and DAG will be displacing forward frequently to intermediate firing
positions not indicated on the map. Starting from the right, the map shows the
division in its assembly area 25 to 40 km from the national border prior to D
Day. Only a covering force from one regiment with artillery and the divisional
rocket battalion are forward, within 10 km of the border. The map then shows
the deployment scene after the forward detachment has pushed the defender back
through his covering force area and revealed the location of the main defense
line (FEBA). The artillery has come forward behind the forward detachment and
gone into position at least 6 hours prior to the attack. It has been
distributed into a RAG for each first-echelon regiment, the division DAG, and
the army AAG and AGRA.. All are covered by the regimental and division SAM air
defense units. After the artillery is in position the motor rifle and tank
battalions of the first-echelon regiments move forward, deploying into
battalion, company, and platoon columns at designated lines. The commencement
of the artillery preparatory fire is timed to start with the arrival of the
assault forces at the battalion deployment lines and to continue until they
reach the assault line. At this time the assault support fire commences.
However there is a short interim between these called "overlapping
fire" during which the artillery conducts special firing sequences
designed to confuse the enemy and conceal the time of the assault. The targets
fired upon during this period are not specially designated on the map.
The center of the sample map shows a representative number of the fire
concentrations intermingled with the representations of the defender's strong
points and the deployment lines for the anti-tank reserve. The lines for the
immediate and subsequent missions of the battalions are not shown. In the left
center are the general locations of the RAG's, DAG, and division rocket
battalion at the time of commitment of the second-echelon regiment. Further
left the same units are shown at the time of their support for the forcing of
the water barrier. At the far left they are shown again as the division
consolidates the ground gained and prepares for the next day's operations.
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Combat Order from the Division Chief of Artillery on Artillery
to the Division Artillery Regiment
The chief of rocket troops and artillery of the division prepares the order
directing the division's artillery regiment to provide support to the combined
arms units and participate in the offensive battle. The typical combat order
sent to the division's artillery regiment contains the following points of
information:
----- which artillery and anti-tank units are assigned from army and
front to reinforce the regiment during the offensive and their
locations;
----- organization of the division's regimental artillery groups (RAG's) and
their firing positions;
----- width of breakthrough sector and which artillery will participate in
preparatory fire, time and duration of preparatory fire, and authorized
expenditure of ammunition;
----- conduct of artillery reconnaissance and its missions, manner to report
reconnaissance information to the division staff;
----- time to occupy firing positions, engineer preparation for the artillery
position area and its maskirovka;
----- designation of firing data (ranges, azimuths, etc) for the coming
preparation;
----- methods for artillery support and accompanying fire;
----- composition of the anti-tank reserves and their missions;
----- support for the commitment into combat of the division second echelon;
----- required technical preparation;
----- quantity of ammunition expenditure for a day of combat, and how it will
be supplied.
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Instructions of Division Chief of RT&A on Artillery to the
Chief of Artillery of a Regiment
The chief of rocket troops and artillery at the division level prepares
instructions on various technical details of artillery activities for each
regiment. These instructions provide the regimental artillery chiefs with
information on their regiment's requirements to fit the division plan, what
resources they can expect, and other matters. The regiment chiefs report on
this information to their commanders and use it as one of the bases for their
artillery planning. The instructions contain the following points:
----- what artillery battalions and anti-tank artillery units will be provided
as reenforcement for the regiment;
----- what will be the norms for expenditure of ammunition during the
preparatory fire and support fire, and for the regiment's important missions,
and the capabilities for its resupply during the course of the battle;
----- instructions for conduct of re-confirming reconnaissance and exact
determination of the targets that will be destroyed in the artillery
preparatory fire phase;
----- which division or army artillery sub-group will support the regiment
during the course of the day's battle;
----- width of the breakthrough sector for the regiment, density of artillery
per kilometer of front, and length of duration of the preparatory fire,
composition of the fire preparation (usually it consists of 3-5 artillery
strikes), means for delivery of ammunition to the gun firing positions;
----- details on movement of the artillery units to their forward firing
positions in order to be ready for conduct of preparatory fire, the areas for
the firing positions, time to arrive and be prepared, conduct of artillery
reconnaissance, designation of the targets for the preparatory fire,
----- how support fire will be provided up to the depth of the defending
first-echelon brigades and the types of artillery support fire;
----- methods for providing artillery accompanying fire during the battle;
----- composition and grouping of the artillery in the covering force area and
its missions;
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Combat Instructions of Chief of Artillery of Division on Combat
Employment of Artillery to the Chief of Artillery of a Motor Rifle or Tank
Regiment
In addition to issuing orders to the division artillery regiment the chief of
rocket troops and artillery must prepare the instructions on employment of
artillery issued by division to each combined arms regiment. The content covers
many of the same types of points as does the order to the division artillery
regiment. The following sample illustrates this document.
Series number
SECRET
Copy number
To the Chief of Artillery of the 112th Motor Rifle Regiment
Combat instructions from division staff
on employment of artillery
Command Post___ Time___ Date___ Map scale___ Year
1. For reenforcment during the offensive battle, the regiment will receive
the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd artillery battalions of the division artillery regiment
and the 1stt and 3rd gun batteries of the division anti-tank battalion. The
artillery battalions are located in the following areas ___, ___, etc.; and the
anti-tank batteries are assembled in the following areas ___, ___, etc. Their
commanders received orders to report to your command post at ___ time.
2. The regimental artillery group will be organized from 4 artillery
battalions, of which the regimental artillery battalion is one. Its firing
positions are designated in the following areas ___, ___, etc.
3. The breakthrough sector of the enemy forward defense line is on a width of 2
kilometers; in addition, suppress enemy strong points and firing means to a
width of 1 km on the right side. Tanks and anti-tank guns will also participate
in the preparatory fire and suppress enemy direct firing weapons located on the
forward edge. Duration of preparatory fire is 40 minutes and authorized
expenditure of ammunition is 1 unit of fire.
4. The artillery reconnaissance group of the artillery battalions under control
of the regiment chief of artillery reconnaissance, with their reconnaissance
means, will move behind the forward detachment at ___ time and ___ date, with
the aim of fulfilling the following tasks:
----- a. before the beginning of the preparatory fire exactly determine enemy
platoon strong points, character of engineer defensive preparations, engineer
obstacles, positions of artillery and mortar batteries and platoons, other fire
means, especially anti-tank weapons, and command posts; and determine their
coordinates. To fulfill these tasks also obtain reconnaissance date on the
enemy from the chief of artillery of the forward detachment;
----- b. send reconnaissance data constantly after each hour to the division
command post;
----- c. select suitable firing positions for the artillery sub-units and, with
the onset of nightfall, send sufficient personnel to prepare firing positions
and camouflage them;
----- d. prepare basic firing data and basic topo-geodetic survey of the firing
positions.
5. Artillery sub-units of the regimental artillery group at ___ hrs and ___
date with use of night (under cover of darkness) will move and occupy their
firing positions.
6. Preparatory fire for the offensive to the depth of the enemy first echelon
battalion positions will be conducted by use of single or double barrage fire,
to the depth of the first echelon brigade positions by use of single or double
successive concentration fire, and after that conduct support fire by means of
massive fire or concentration fire.
7. Anti-tank reserve of the regiment will be organized from 2 anti-tank
batteries of 100mm guns from the division anti-tank battalion, and they will
conduct battle with enemy tanks in interaction with the engineer mobile
obstacle detachment.
8. The commitment into the battle of the division second echelon will be
supported with a minimum of 2 artillery battalions from the regimental
artillery group.
9. Technical preparation will be conducted in the FUP area for the offensive
and will be completed by 1800 hours ____date with the forces of the artillery
sub-units in their own areas.
10. The authorized quantity of ammunition expenditure for a day of combat is
the following:
----- small arms - 1.5 unit of fire;
----- artillery and mortars - 3.5 units of fire;
----- tank - 2.5 units of fire;
----- anti-tank - 3.5 units of fire;
----- air defense - 3.0 units of fire;
Resupply of 2.5 units of fire of artillery ammunition during the night
preceding the offensive will be conducted directly to the artillery firing
positions. At 2200 hrs send guides to meet the ammunition supply transport at
the ___ crossroads, to direct the transport to the firing positions.
11. Preparation of artillery units to open fire will be completed by 0430 hrs,
___ date (30 min to 1 hr before fire starts).
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