|
Combat Report and Situation Report
Serial No
Secret
Copy Number
Title is to whom, such as
To army commander
command post and time and date and map
1. Results of combat actions Results of combat actions for period of
action. It can vary depending on lapsed time since receipt of order
2. Situation, composition, and character of actions of own forces at the
specific time of the situation report and character of adjacents
3. Composition, situation, and actions of enemy
4. Decision of commander at present time or in new situation coming up in
future
5. Request for assistance to fulfill mission
Signature chief of operations department
Signature of chief of staff
Signature of division commander
|
|
|
Operations Summary Operativnaya Svodka
Serial number
Secret
Copy number
To commander of army
Command post - time and date - map scale etc
1. Character of actions, situation, and composition of division during the
past 6 hours or 24 hours
2. Grouping, composition, and character of action of enemy
3. Brief combat action of regiments and others two levels below. The division
discusses battalions and the army talks about regiments.
4. Losses and what has been captured from enemy (trophies)
5. Material support, how much used, and how much on hand, how much they need
6. Brief report on situation and actions of adjacents
7. Other data on the outcome of combat
Signature of chief of operational directorate
Signature of chief of staff
|
|
|
Reconnaissance Report
Serial Number
Secret
Number of copy
To commander army or to chief of reconnaissance of
army
Reconnaissance Report
Command post - time and date and map scale
1. General character of enemy actions at the appointed time
2. Situation, grouping, and intentions of enemy
3. Changes that happened since the last report and what data from what sources
has been received
Signature chief of reconnaissance department
|
|
|
Reconnaissance Summary svodka
Differences from the reconnaissance doneseniye:
The doneseniye information is a staff document of units and formations
that report to higher staffs on the enemy. They send it at appointed time or on
their own initiative or on request of higher staff. However a reconnaissance
svodka is an information document of the staff of units, formations,
and higher units on the data on the enemy at a specified time sent to higher
staff according to the reports table and to adjacent and lower on enemy
situation.
Serial number
Secret Copy Number
Heading to whom sent
Command post and map and time and date
1. General character of enemy actions in front of unit and on flank
2. Data on nuclear, chemical, and bacteriological weapons and use of these by
enemy and location of enemy weapons at the time of preparation of report
3. Data on combat composition, grouping, character of actions, of ground forces
on each axis, showing the boundaries between enemy units, order of battle, unit
designations, formations, and their situation
4. Data on air forces, PVO, command posts, radio technical means, rear service
installations, engineer fortifications and obstacles, and others
5 Results:
--- general assessment, actions, and forces of enemy, capabilities for using
nuclear weapons, possible character of actions
--- during conduct of reconnaissance, identify and locate the following objects
required;
|
|
|
Types of reconnaissance svodka
Daily reconnaissance summary
Itogovaya svodka - Compiled results summary, as a rule it is reported
for a specified period of operation or at end of the operation and sent to
higher staff. In the itogovaya reconnaissance svodka they
analyze the following points:
--- brief analysis of combat actions of enemy for the period;
--- data on forces and means of enemy that are located in front of unit
--- character possible of actions
--- character of command, composition, and troop control organs including the
commander and his capabilities and habits etc.
--- new types of combat actions and operations
--- new weapons;
In the annex to the reconnaissance svodka are the following:
--- maps, information on the enemy organizational set up, tables of
organization, number and order of battle, etc., losses of enemy, prisoners, and
other explanatory data.
|
|
|
Operational Directive of Army
Serial number approval army commander
Secret
Number of copy
Command post time date, map scale and etc. date
1. Brief data on composition, grouping, actions, and possible concept of
enemy;
2. Missions of forces and means of higher commander and adjacents;
--- a. missions of forces and means of higher hqs in support of army;
--- b. missions of adjacents of army and boundaries with adjacents;
3. Concept of operation:
--- means for destruction of enemy and mission of army;
--- axis of main attack and other attacks;
--- combat grouping ;
--- means for maneuver;
4. Missions for subordinate formations:
I order:
division of first-echelon: forces and means for reenforcement, line for
commitment into engagement, width of breakthrough sector, missions for fire
preparation, means for destruction of enemy, axis of main strike, immediate
mission, subsequent mission, missions of forward detachments if any, number of
nuclear and chemical weapons for battle, positions for FUP areas, axis for
routes for movement into commitment, command posts of division and rear control
post, boundary lines with adjacents;
division of second-echelon: line of commitment into engagement, means for
destruction of enemy, axis of main attack, immediate mission, axis for further
advance, location for deployment of division, means and routes for movement
forward for commitment of division. means and forces for reenforcement on
commitment into battle, number of nuclear and chemical rockets at time of
battle;
missions of rocket forces brigade: missions during offensive, targets for first
nuclear strike, time for delivery of rockets, missions on reconnaissance and
observation of targets, preparation of rocket forces for firing, position area
for unit, how positions will be prepared by engineer fortifications,
maskirovka of area, defense and security of area, movement of rocket
forces during operation;
missions of artillery forces: composition of artillery group army, division and
regiments, general missions of artillery during offensive, missions during the
fire preparation, duration of fire preparation, quantity of ammunition fired in
preparation, means of fire support, and accompanying fire, and positions for
artillery;
missions for supporting aviation: general missions during offensive, missions
during participation in air preparation, aviation support and aviation
accompanying fire, missions for reconnaissance, missions for fight against
enemy tanks, missions for covering main grouping of army against enemy aviation
strikes, distribution of air resources by missions to divisions and conduct of
air assaults;
missions of air assaults: composition and means of air desants, areas
for landings, time for landing, missions of desant actions, FUP for
desant forces, and assembly waiting areas, aircraft or helicopters for
the landing, cover of FUP area ,time for landing of aircraft, means for support
of desant during flight and landing and time of combat. troop control
of desant;
missions of PVO forces: missions for covering main grouping and rear service
installations during preparation for operation and during operation, missions
for reconnaissance, observation, and warning on enemy; combat duty service,
position areas for forces, movement forward of PVO during the operation;
missions of anti-tank reserve: composition and mission of anti-tank, lines for
deployment, with aim of destruction of enemy tanks, area for location in FUP
area, means for movement and axis of movement;
missions of POZ (mobile obstacle detachment): composition and missions, lines
for mine fields, areas for deployment in FUP area, means for movement and axis;
missions of general combined arms reserve: composition, deployment area, means
for movement during operation and possible missions;
engineer reserve: composition, location of deployment, means and axis for
movement, possible missions during operation;
chemical reserve: composition, location for deployment, means and axis of
movement, possible missions during operation;
time for preparation of forces for operation;
norms for use of material means during operation; 5. Troop control: command
post and forward CP and rear control post and axis for their deployment;
signal communications;
deputies.
Signature chief of operational directive
Signature of chief of staff
|
|
|
Journal of Combat Operations:
The journal of combat operations (zhurnal boyevykh deyestviy) is the
basic document providing historical information and description of the combat
operation and various phases of the operation. Its purpose is to provide
material for studying combat experiences and to serve as a source of historical
data on the unit for a given combat operation. The journal is maintained during
lulls in the operation, but it must not lag behind events more than 24 hours at
division level, 2 days at corps level, and 3 days at army level. The keeping of
the journal is usually the responsibility of assigned line officers who are
assisted by the chief of staff and the chief of operations. The journal is kept
on the basis of documents and notes selected by these officers. With in 1 month
after completion of an operation, the journal entry describing the operation,
complete with appended documents, must be ready for the signature of the chief
of staff and the chief of the operations directorate and the approval of the
commander. (At front and army levels it must be approved by the
military council. The typical entry in the journal of combat operations
describing a complete combat operation includes:
--- a detailed account of the combat operation, the work of the commander and
staff, and the utilization of arms and services, including conclusions and
lessons to be learned from the operation and various phases of it. ---
significant innovations in the utilization of personnel or weapons, in tactics,
and in the utilization of material or equipment;
--- comments from various sources describing the operations by subordinate
units and by the commander and staff, including outstanding episodes or heroic
feats which would be of interest to military historians;
--- copies of all important operational documents and maps used for a given
operation are appended to the journal.
This is a reporting information document which relates to the time of
preparation and during the course of combat actions. It is used for developing
lessons and combat experience, and making reports and reference material on
combat activities of forces, for preparing historical journals and also used
for scientific experimental work in the future. The journal of combat actions
of units and formations and larger units and ships from first to third rank is
prepared and made by officers and prepared by a staff officer appointed to this
duty for the duration of the time he is on the army staff.
The notes for the journal are entered every day and usually have the following
list:
--- date, day, month, and year
--- general situation at beginning of the operation or battle;
--- composition and grouping, character of actions, and situation of enemy in
the area of combat actions;
--- means of battle, weapons, new means, and tactics that enemy has used
--- on own forces - combat and organizational composition including composition
and number of each and their location;
--- missions that were issued to units and formations and large units;
--- decisions that were made by the commander during the operation or battle;
--- material support of forces in main basic types;
--- morale- political situation of personnel;
--- situation of adjacents and fulfillment of missions by them;
The account shows the following information:
--- account of action during combat actions, new missions that were issued to
units, formations, and large units from higher commanders, decisions that were
made by the commanders during operation, actions of troop control and signal
means, episodes and actions that are most important and heroic actions of
officers and soldiers, new types of tactical actions, means for conduct of
combat;
In the journal of combat actions only new data are written but not routine
activities when out of action. In the journal there are annexes for operational
directives, combat instructions, report maps, and plans for enemy fortified
regions, photographs of officers and soldiers mentioned. At an appointed time
they make a copy of the journal and send it to the higher staff.
Situation Report Map:
Otchetnaya carta obstanovki;
The situation report map (otchetnaya carta obstanovki), kept by the
operations section illustrates operations conducted during the given period.
During the less active periods of combat the time covered by the map is of
course greater, in more fluid situations a situation report map is prepared for
each phase of the operation;
The situation report map is used primarily to report the situation to higher
headquarters. copies of this map or sketches form the map are frequently
appended to reports and summaries. The original map is appended to the journal
of combat operations and is considered a fundamental source of material for the
preparation of military history.
This is a reporting information document in which the historical sequence of
action of own forces and those of enemy for an appointed period of time is
shown by means of graphics and maps. The map is issued by the staff of units,
large units, and formations. The map is used for information and explanation of
combat experience of forces and for making reports for use during preparation
of historical material. The map shows the following information:
--- general data on the situation of own and enemy forces at the start of the
operation;
--- combat missions of formations, large units, and units of own forces and
attached and supporting forces and adjacents;
--- actions of own forces and adjacents during fulfillment of given missions
and results that they achieved;
--- actions of enemy forces.
The map typically shows most important situations (breakthrough of enemy
prepared defense, destruction of counter attack blow, commitment of
second-echelon into combat, passing of water obstacles and others). During the
conduct of combat actions with use of mass weapons, they show on the map
nuclear strikes of both sides, areas of contamination, destruction, movement of
forces around destruction areas. Data on own forces is shown for two levels
lower. The situation of forces at various times is shown by different symbols
or colors in accordance with use of proper tactical symbols.
For protection of the surface of the map itself they use plastic and write with
special dissolvable solutions. The map for the staff of formations and large
units is prepared by an appointed officer in the operational department or
directorate. The map for reconnaissance, artillery, engineer, signal, and rear
service units is prepared by officers of their staffs. In units they only
prepare one map - that is prepared by the assistant to the chief of staff.
Recording documents
The various staffs, staff sections, and headquarters elements preparing,
receiving, and dispatching operations documents are required to keep current
records on the documents and their location. Procedures for recording documents
vary with the headquarters; however, in the processing of documents, three
basis records are generally required. These are - a "record journal",
a "daily record sheet", and the "dispatch book."~ Receipts
are also used to supplement these records. If the contents of documents are
transmitted by signal communications, the messages are coded, but the
transmitted or received messages are registered in the clear in a "form
for recording signal communications."
"Record journal" (zhurnal ucheta)
The record journal is primarily a record of documents prepared by the preparing
agency. The preparing section keeps a separate journal of each of the various
types of documents prepared, such as one for operations orders, one for
reconnaissance plans, one for air defense plan, etc. Documents prepared
primarily for use within the section such as working documents, as well as
documents prepared for dispatch, such as orders, are noted in the "record
journal." However, in the latter case, dispatched documents are also noted
in the "dispatch book'.
"Daily record sheet" (list po dennoy zapis)
The daily record sheet a daily record of all document received. Essentially, it
is a record of the identity of the document received, when dispatched, from
whom it came, and when and by whom it was received.
"Dispatch Book" (razhosnaya kniga)
The dispatch book is a record of documents dispatched. In addition to
identifying the document and the sender, this record identifies the messenger
and the final recipient and indicates the time required to deliver he document.
Receipts
Receipts are an additional method used to record the exchange of documents.
Sometimes, standard receipt forms are utilized, but it is more common practice
to have the envelope in which the document is delivered signed by the recipient
and retained by the messenger as a receipt.
Form for recording signal communications (blank zapisi
peregovorov)
The form is used to record receipt and dispatch of messages and conversations
conducted by telephone, telegraph, or radio. The communications normally are
coded, but this record identifies the station, participants, and summarizes the
communication in the clear.
Document routing
Methods of Transmission
Documents or messages may be delivered by messenger or liaison officer, or
transmitted by telephone, telegraph, radio, or liaison aircraft. In the latter
group, the contents of documents sent by signal communications are normally
coded, and the more important operations documents are sent band received only
through the cryptographic section or the staff for coding and decoding. Decoded
messages re sent directly to the chief of staff and the operations section. A
record is kept of all messages sent or received by signal means in the
"form for recording signal communications".
Incoming Documents
Depending on the means of delivery documents arrive in the message center,
radio center, central telephone station, or at the air liaison landing strip.
The documents are then recorded and delivered directly to the addressee. The
addressee signs a receipt, normally on the envelope, making a notation as to
the time of delivery, and notifies the sending agency immediately, normally by
signal communications. Documents with a dispatch classification of
"K", "G", or "B" coming to the command post are
delivered immediately to the operations duty officer. He, in turn, immediately
sends "K" documents to the addressee and "G" documents to
the chief of staff or chief of operations section. "B" documents,
with the exception of those addressed to the political section, are opened by
the operations duty officer and delivered to the address within the specified
time limit or in accord with significance of contents.
Outgoing Documents
The documents preparing agency or staff section keeps a record of documents
prepared in the "record journal" In addition to recording dispatched
documents in the dispatch book, notation is made on the copy retained by the
preparing agency, as to the number of copies prepared and to whom, when, and by
what means the document or excerpts from the document were dispatched. For
delivery, the documents are given to a signal communication agency, to a
liaison officer, or to the message center. The documents are then delivered
according to the dispatch classification. The more important documents are
delivered personally by the liaison officers. The most important documents
received by the message center are dispatched immediately to the addressee.
Documents of lower category and other correspondence are sent to the message
center to be delivered according to priority and schedule.
Filing Documents
Most staff sections use a five folder system for filing the operations
documents. Documents are numbered consecutively for filing in each folder;
there is a folder for each of the following types of documents: ---documents
received from higher staffs;
--- documents prepared by the staff section;
--- reports to higher staffs;
--- documents from lower staffs;
--- all other operations documents.
Final Disposition of Documents
In addition to the staff combat documents, the staff collects for record and
historical purposes the individual situation maps and field note books of the
unit officers and the forms for recording signal communications. The operations
section of the staff has primary responsibility for preparing on the basis of
these documents the unit history and other studies to be used for instruction
and training. Twice a year, at a time prescribed by the general staff, usually
1 January and 1 july, documents are collected and sent to a central receiving
point to be processed for storage in the central archives of the Soviet army in
Moscow.
Decision Process and Document Preparation
The Soviet method for making decisions in which the commander and staff
interact has been discussed in the chapters on division, army, and
front troop control procedures. It conforms to the description of the
dual subordination of Soviet combat arms, special troops, and services chiefs
to their commanders and to their counterparts at the next higher headquarters
that is shown in the diagram in Chapter One. The procedure is essentially the
same for each specialty, ie. artillery, signal, engineer, etc.
At the same time that the commander receives the operations directive or order
from his superior commander each of these chiefs is receiving instructions on
the use of their forces and means from their counterpart. These instructions
provide details on the forces and means they may receive as reinforcements from
above, what actions the higher level forces will be doing that may affect their
level, what activities they will be required to accomplish in the interest of
the higher level, and other coordinating instructions relative to their
specialty. As the commander clarifies his mission, they also clarify these
instructions and prepare to brief the commander. When the commander receives
the operations order he also issues his own preliminary instructions to his
staff and other officers. After the clarification of the mission the commander
and staff begin the estimate of the situation during which the special staff
and other officers provide their suggestions as desired by the commander. After
the commander makes his decision it is translated into action by the dual
channel method. The more general aspects are promulgated in the form of the
operations order or instructions to the next subordinate combined arms
commander and the special aspects are covered in two sets of special
instructions issued by the various specialty chiefs. One set of instructions is
on the actions of that specialty forces and means directly subordinate to that
headquarters (ie instructions on engineer support issued by army to the army
engineers troops), and the other set of instructions is issued to the related
specialty chief at the next lower combined arms headquarters (ie, instructions
on engineer matters issued by army to the chief of engineers at division). This
process is illustrated in the diagram in Figure 200.
|
|
|
|
Journal of Orders, Instructions, and Reports
Sent and Received
JOURNAL OF ORDERS,
REPORTS, AND INSTRUCTIONS SENT AND RECEIVED
|
Number |
Time and date |
To whom sent or from whom received |
Brief summary of content |
Means by which sent |
Who sent or received |
Who discussed the info |
Signature |
Remarks |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|