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SOVIET VOROSHILOV ACADEMY LECTURES
PRACTICAL LESSONS

 

OUTLINE FOR POI - ARMY PLANNING

Instructor Notes:
Author: Jalali, Sloan, Wardak, McJoynt
Date: July 1990

 

LESSON VI: PRACTICAL EXERCISE ON ARMY PLANNING

 
 

1. General: In this four hour lesson the students learn how the army commander makes his decision and issues the operations directive to the divisions. They focus on the actions of the chief of operations directorate in support of the commander.



2. Sublesson Introduction: This in the second of the three practical exercises. The students will already have completed the front level exercises and should be generally familiar with the basic Soviet procedures for making decisions, issuing orders, and preparing plans. If they have already had the general, theoretical lessons provided in this course, they should not require much additional review of this material. Nevertheless, a complete treatment of the entire process is provided with view graphs for the instructor's use. He may wish to use more of these in the introductory lessons. After reviewing the material, as necessary, the instructor will guide the students through an examination of the key elements of decision making and planning. The individual exercises are designed in sequence to proceed step by step through the planning process. By the conclusion of the exercise they will have issued the army directive to the division. This will be the basis for the division practical exercise.



3. Teacher Learning Objective: To give the students a substantial background and prepare them for roles of commander, chief of staff, and chief of operations at army level. The lesson is on the procedural aspects of decision making and planning, not the tactical and operational skill required to win battles.


Task: Review the structure and organization of army troop control organs

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The extent of the review will depend on the extent of knowledge retained by the students from previous lessons and reading. If this lesson is presented separately from lessons 1-4 in this series, then it could be expanded into six or eight hours total including more complete discussion of this topic.


Task: Review the responsibilities of the army commander, chief of staff and chief of operations. The duties of the rest of the staff and the chiefs of combat arms, special troops and services may be mentioned as well.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: As with the previous task, the extent of this review will depend on the requirement remaining after previous lessons. The students should have a good understanding of the roles of all the principal staff members in order to be able to perform the practical exercises without further questions.


Task: Review the actions of army troop control organs during organization of offensive operations.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The emphasis is on procedures and methods for preparing decisions, making plans, issuing documents and similar activities, not on the tactical skill required to make sound judgments and decisions.


Task: Issue the front operations directive prepared in the previous lesson and show the students on the map the dimensions of the army mission, boundaries, and other information that would be received by the army headquarters.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The level of detail of the opposing force should be sufficient to enable the students to perform the necessary calculations. The more realistic the scenario the better able they will be to see the relevance of the calculations to combat planning.


Task: Issue exercise one and lead the students through the calculation of the width of an army sector in the given conditions.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: This exercise is a continuation of the exercise in lesson five on the width of the sector of main attack of the front. The instructor should repeat the exercise as often as necessary with changed numbers to insure that the students have mastered the formula and its application.


Task: Issue exercise two and lead the students through the calculations required to determine the correlation of forces in the main sector of an army offensive.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: This exercise is an important one to show the students how to use correlation of forces in a practical way when considering the relation of available forces to the width of the breakthrough sector. It is especially important that they understand that the formula is not used to determine what the width of the breakthrough sector should be, but rather what it would be under particular circumstances. It is then up to the commander to take the necessary measures to insure that the actual width of the breakthrough sector and the correlation of forces both match specified norms.


Task: Lead the students through the clarification of mission specified in exercise three. First use the data given in the exercise as an example and then use the information given in the directive to the army prepared in lesson five.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: Clarification of the mission is one of the most crucial steps in the organization and planning procedure. It is essential to take the time to insure that the students thoroughly know how to do this step.


Task: Discuss the purpose, content, and format of initial instructions as specified in exercise four.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The students will already have done this exercise at the front level in lesson five. And they will have discussed it at length in the previous lessons on Soviet theory. Therefore the instructor should be able to issue the requirement and immediately give the students the opportunity to write their own initial instructions. He can then issue a sample for discussion.


Task: Lead the students through the calculation of time available for preparation of the operation and discuss the content of the calendar plan as specified in exercise five.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The students will have performed this exercise at the front level. The instructor should give the required time data to enable them to perform the calculation. He may issue a blank calendar plan and ask them to fill in the form. Then he should pass out a completed sample of both the time table and the calendar plan for discussion.


Task: Discuss the requirements for raising the army to full combat readiness status and completing its mobilization plan as requested in exercise six.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The actual calculations for mobilization and movement into FUP areas would require many detailed calculations each in turn requiring much specific data on road conditions, unit assembly times, locations and distances between garrisons and FUP areas, quantities of competing traffic on the roads, weather and other information. About all the instructor can expect to do is discuss the process, perhaps using the extra view graphs provided on raising units to full combat readiness, and then go through a few of the relevant calculations. These were practiced already in the lesson on calculations. As shown in the exercise separate calculations would be required for the covering force troops, the first echelon division main bodies, the support elements, and the rear services.


Task: Determine the actual breakthrough sector and artillery requirement according to the scenario given in the front directive issued in lesson five, as required in exercise seven.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: This exercise puts into use the calculations practiced in lesson three and accomplished for the front in lesson five. The norms for artillery are given in the handbook and should be familiar from lesson five.


Task: Issue exercise eight and assist the students in calculating the correlation of forces in the given scenario.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: This exercise makes use of the technique practiced in exercise two.


Task: Issue exercise nine and lead the students through preparation of correlation of forces tables for this specific scenario.

Condition: Given the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures and lesson materials.

Standard: The answers will depend on the facts presented about the NATO (US ) forces in this scenario. The instructor might present several variations in order to give the students practice and then discuss with them how to evaluate the results. This would lead to a discussion of what to do about those cases in which the instructor had created an unfavorable correlation.


Task: Issue information to enable to students to make suggestions as chief of operations.

Condition: Given the scenario provided and initial situation generated in lesson five.

Standard: This will also required that he provide the information which would normally have been presented by the chief of reconnaissance and the chiefs of combat arms and special troops.


Task: Lead the students through a study and analysis of the terrain on the situation map and assist them in making deductions on the location of boundaries for the divisions, division missions, and other specifics of the commander's decision as required in exercise eleven.

Condition: Given the scenario provided for the practical exercises and the Handbook on Soviet Staff Procedures.

Standard: Since the emphasis of this course is on procedures, we are not able to get into a thorough discussion of tactical and operational considerations which might influence the placement of division boundaries and depths of missions in a real situation. The instructor should point out that these issues would be vital for the real commander, but in this case the exercise will be accomplished with only a simple terrain analysis and use of standard norms. The purpose of the exercise is to show the students how it is done.


Task: Issue exercise twelve and give the students time to write their aim and concept of the army operation based on the operational directive given from the front.

Condition: Given the scenario data generated in lesson five.

Standard: This is another of the most crucial steps in the Soviet process. Accordingly, the instructor should make it one of his key learning outcomes and insure that the students have a thorough understanding of what an aim and a concept are and what they contain. He should then issue the prepared sample and continue the discussion.


Task: Issue a blank form for the army operational directive and discuss its content. Then let the students fill in some blanks according to the data in this scenario. Then issue a completed operational directive and continue the discussion. Finally convert the operational directive into the combat instructions to be issued to one division.

Condition: Given the scenario and Handbook on Soviet staff procedures.

Standard: An army operational directive obviously contains specific instructions to a host of units on a great number of specific issues. This is far beyond the scope of this lesson to cover in complete detail. The instructor should point out the format of the directive, then the generic content of each section. He can then indicate the kind of data that would be provided in the sections relating to the various combat arms and special troops. The students should be asked to write the sections relating to missions of the main subordinate formations, that is the divisions. From the map they can read the locations of boundary lines and missions lines and put into the blanks the names of the delimiting towns and features. The combat instruction to the division will be used as the input data in the lesson seven on division planning.


Task: Issue a situation for D + 4 or 5 in which the army faces a major enemy counterattack and must also plan for the commitment of its second echelon division. Lead the students through the recommendations of the chief of operations, the commander's estimate of the situation, and the commander's decision, as required in exercise fourteen.

Condition: Given the scenario and Handbook on Soviet staff procedures.

Standard: The instructor will have to supply a considerable amount of the kind of information that would come from the chief of reconnaissance and the other chiefs of combat arms. A situation map is provided, along with written scenario information. He may want to develop this further or vary the situation to allow for more than one exercise. Then issue the prepared solutions.


Task: On the basis of the solution to exercise fourteen instruct the students to prepare combat instructions to army subordinate division for its commitment into the engagement, as specified in exercise fifteen.

Condition: Given the scenario and Handbook on Soviet staff procedures.

Standard: The instructor should give the students a short time to write the main parts of this combat instruction and then issue the prepared solution for discussion.



4. Level of Instruction: Familiarization.



5. Method of Instruction: Discussion and practical exercises.



6. Author's Intent: This is the most important lesson in this course. The practical exercises should give the students a chance to employ the concepts and calculations they have learned in the first lessons. Since they will generally perform the duties of an army headquarters with the OPFOR, more attention is devoted to the army than to the division or front staffs.



7. Equipment/Materials: view graphs, maps, diagrams, class handouts for calculations.



8. Homework: none, but students should read ahead on the scenario and practical exercise between the first and second day of the course.

OUTSIDE READING: see general course outline for full list.
FM 100-2-1, Chapter 9
Text Voroshilov lectures on front and army operations and on troop control
Text on Soviet decision making process



9. Annexes

Lecture notes
Discussion agenda
Homework requirements
List of Viewgraphs


 
 

LECTURE NOTES

Written Information for Army Operations Plan

I. Brief assessment of enemy and his possible course of action:
----- brief general international situation;
----- what forces and means of enemy are located directly in front of army, their composition, how many nuclear rockets, atomic artillery, high precision weapons, tanks, artillery and mortars, air defense weapons, aviation, helicopters they have;
----- the enemy second echelon forces are located ___. what forces are in their composition including how many nuclear rockets, atomic artillery, high precision weapons, tanks, artillery and mortars, air defense weapons, aviation, helicopters they have;
----- what forces are operating in the security zone;
----- what kind of aviation are used in support of the action of enemy forces and what air groups and national forces are in the order of battle, also what PVO forces are operating under central control;
----- what forces are operating on the enemy flanks;
----- what enemy reserves may arrive and take part in the action during the operation;
----- possible concept of enemy action at the beginning and during the operation;
----- axis for enemy counterattacks and forces which may participate in counter attacks.

II. Aim and concept of offensive operation of army

Aim of operation: With the use of __ number of nuclear strikes of which __ are strategic and ___ are frontal and in interaction with __ armies, the army will destroy ___ which enemy grouping of rocket means and the remainder of forces of enemy corps.

On what axis the offensive will develop and which enemy reserves will be destroyed and what time the army will seize the line of its subsequent mission.

Concept of operation:
----- with use of results of strategic, frontal, and army nuclear strikes the army will attack the enemy on what line;
----- offensive by basic forces of ___ with what forces and how many divisions on what axis and what axis to develop the offensive;
----- during the operation with use of how many additional nuclear strikes, rockets with what total yield in Kts, what remaining enemy forces and in what region will be destroyed on what day of the operation will the army seize the line of immediate mission;
----- following the commitment into engagement of the second echelon the army will develop the offensive on what axis;
----- during the operation how many nuclear rockets and how much yield in Kts are used to destroy which enemy reserves;
----- if necessary to force a water barrier on the march;
----- in interaction with what front forces the army will destroy enemy forces moving into the area and encircle them;
----- at the end of which day of the operation the army fulfills its subsequent mission and seizes what line;
----- operational formation of army;


III. Scope of operation:
----- depth of operation - 350 km
----- duration of offensive - 6-7 days;
----- average rate of advance - 60 km per day;
----- width of offensive zone.


 
 

Sample Operational Instruction Front to Army

The army receives its orders in the form of an extract of the front operational directive. The form and content of this instruction follows:

I. Enemy situation: a brief description of the enemy facing the army and its expected courses of action.

II. The content of the orders to the army describing its missions.

III. The support provided by actions of front forces and means in the army area.

IV. Troop control: The location and movement of the front command post, signal communication measures and the succession for the front commander.

V. The time and location at which the army commander must report his decision to the front commander.



 
 

Content of Operations Plan

The operations plan is the basic, official document of record. The process for its preparation includes the following activities and considerations. Detailed calculations of the correlation of forces across the entire army zone and separately on each attack direction including the analysis of quantity and quality of enemy forces as well as the effectiveness of nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.

Detailed planning of the breakthrough of prepared defenses is developed in conventional war.

Detailed planning for the concentration of necessary groupings of troops and means.

Detailed planning of preparatory and attack supporting fires based on extensive reconnaissance.

Complete calculations of the exact location of enemy strong points, armor protected targets, density of artillery, tanks, and motorized units.

Determination of the number of artillery pieces, tanks and aircraft to be employed in preparatory and supporting fires and other fire support.

Distribution of the targets to be destroyed to the firing units.

Coordination of fire support with maneuver of infantry and tank large units in terms of time, place, and objectives during the attack and breakthrough.

Organization of necessary measures to cover troops against air strikes.

Organization of all types of combat supporting measures and troop control.

Measures to support the development of the penetration toward the flanks and to the depth.

Methods for repelling counterattacks and for consolidating captured objectives.


 
 

Operations Plan

The form and content of the operations plan is described in the Handbook, Chapter three. The plan is the map on which its content is depicted. There are 13 supplementary textual and tabular items attached to the plan and placed on it in the margins. These show various data about the operation and forces and means committed to it. They are provided for information purposes so that everyone studying the plan will be aware of these matters. The information is also made a record part of the plan for historical and archival purposes. While the original data is entered into the historical record with the original plan, the information in the tables is also kept current on a daily basis along with other changes in planning as the operation progresses.


 
 

Graphic Parts of the Plan as Drawn on the Map

The map (plan) shows the following essential information. This is kept current by officers of the operations directorate.

Groupings of enemy forces and their possible courses of action;

Operational formation of the army's units for the operation at the attack assembly (FUP) area.  The immediate and subsequent missions of the army, their contents, depths, the time of their accomplishment and the rates of unit advances;

Directions of main and supporting attacks;

Targets to be destroyed during the initial nuclear strikes;

Missions and targets of chemical weapons;

Missions of first-echelon divisions (corps), the time of their accomplishment, and the boundaries;

Method of commitment of the second-echelon divisions into combat and its missions;

Composition, missions, landing areas, and the time of insertion of airborne and seaborne units;

Locations of army and divisional command posts at the beginning of the operation and the axes of their advance during the operation;

Scale of the operation (depth, front, rate of advance, and duration).


 
 

Factors Included in the Written Part of the Plan Along with the Remaining Instructions, Information, and Calculations

The following information is shown in tabular form on the map.

Best estimate (brief estimate) of the enemy alignment of forces, his capabilities, intentions, and possible actions;

Aim and concept of the army offensive operation and targets to be destroyed during the initial nuclear strikes;

Combat composition and combat capabilities of army units and attachments of support arms (distribution of supporting means);

Existence of nuclear and chemical ammunition, the time of their delivery, and their distribution;

Allocation of supporting aircraft flights to the missions and to the divisions;

Correlation of troops and means of opposing forces and the method of the occupation of attack starting areas by army units;

Means of insuring the safety of friendly forces during the delivery of initial nuclear strikes;

Method of executing preparatory and attack supporting fires;

Existence and distribution of supplies;

Other matters.



 
 

Explanatory Notes for the Plan

These notes are an integral part of the operations plan (map) and are displayed on it. They are thus available for everyone who comes to the headquarters to study of the plan. The first three notes are written text. They are the following items.

1. Estimate of the opponent's possible actions: This section is a brief summary of the estimate prepared during the estimate of the situation on which the commander's decision is based. Any changes in the enemy's probable course of action is an immediate trigger for consideration on changing the plan or making other appropriate response.

2. Concept and aim of the operation: This is the commander's expression of the fundamental purpose he seeks to achieve and the main measures he plans to take to achieve it.

3. The scope of the operation: This is the statistics on the width, depth, duration, and average rate of advance established for the army operation.


 
 

PLAN OF OFFENSIVE OPERATION OF EIGHTH GUARDS ARMY

I. ESTIMATE OF PROBABLE ENEMY ACTION

Elements of the U.S V Corps are deployed directly against the forces of the Eighth Guards Army. The first-echelon of the corps is composed of the 3rd Armored Division and 8th Mechanized Infantry Division with a total of 18 nuclear rocket systems, 300 nuclear artillery pieces, 640 tanks, 350 artillery pieces and mortars, 440 SAM systems, 470 helicopters, and ___ fixed wing aircraft.

In the second-echelon of the V Corps is the 5th Infantry Division and probably elements of West German tank forces will operate in the area, composed of ___ nuclear rocket systems, 100 nuclear artillery pieces, 130 artillery pieces and mortars, 290 tanks,100 SAM systems, and 74 combat helicopters.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and border troops are deployed in front of the forward defense area in the security zone. During the operation the combat action of the enemy forces will be supported by ___ combat aircraft with nuclear capability from the U.S. and West German national air forces and the 4th ATAF of Central Army Group.

In general the enemy can launch ___ nuclear rocket strikes and aerial bombs in the area of operation of the Eighth Guards Army and against rear services installations of the army and the front during the conduct of his operation.

The West German III Corps in the north and U. S. VII Corps in the south are deployed on the flanks of the U. S. V Corps. Their operations can affect the forces of the Eighth Guards Army. Movement and arrival of strategic reserves composed of U. S. and French armed forces and mobilization reserves of West Germany are likely during the operation in the area of the Eighth Guards Army.

The enemy tries to inflict losses on and destroy the Warsaw Pact forces and seize vital territories by a surprise and decisive offensive operation. If the Warsaw Pact forces overtake the enemy in initiation of offensive operations, the forces of the U. S. V Corps are likely to hold a pre-prepared defensive line along the Bad Hersfeld, Niedervaule, Schlitz, Fulda, Gersfeld, and Bad Heustadt line, to inflict maximum losses on the Eighth Guards Army by defensive action, and then launch counter strikes by the second-echelon forces from the line of Birstein - Gedern in the direction of Grekenhain, Lauerbach, Bad Hersfeld, and from the line of Neustadt - Homberg in the direction of Kirtarf, Alsfeld -Niederaula.



II. AIM AND CONCEPT OF OPERATION

Aim:

Using the result of strategic and frontal nuclear strikes, destroy the enemy rocket forces and the main elements of the U. S. V Corps and then rapidly develop the offensive on the direction Bad Hersfeld - Alfeld - Giessen. Then destroy the enemy corps reserve and after that develop the offensive on the direction Hanhausen - Limburg - Wetzlar and in interaction with the Twenty Eighth CAA destroy the principal forces of the U. S. Vth and VIIth Corps and occupy the line Boss - Gillenbeuren - Bullay - Sohrem.

Concept:

In the initial nuclear strike, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons. The enemy's nuclear rocket and artillery troops in areas ___, his air force in areas ____, his main infantry and tank forces in areas ___, and the enemy's command posts at ___ are destroyed and decisive losses are inflicted on the enemy's air defense troops in areas ___, and on his rear service installations in areas ___.

Exploiting the results of the initial strategic nuclear strike and nuclear strikes of the front and army means the army attacks the enemy along the line of Bad Hersfeld, Schlitz, Fulda, and Gersfeld and develops its attack by its main forces; i.e. the 16th, 18th, and 19th Motorized Rifle Divisions in the direction of Bad Hersfeld, Alsfeld, and Wetzlar; and during the operation by employing additional ( ) rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys the main forces of the U. S. V Corps in the area; Bad Hersfeld, Alsfeld, Giessen, Echzell, Gedern, and Fulda and seizes on the third day the line of Wettenberg, Butzbach, Bad Nauheim, and Nidderau. Subsequently by committing the second-echelon forces into the engagement the army develops the attack in the direction of Wetzlar, Limburg, Boppord, and Simmern and during the conduct of the operation, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys newly detected enemy nuclear weapons, destroys the enemy's approaching reserves from the line of march, conducts assault crossing over the Rhine River and with the cooperation of and by exploiting the success of the Twenty-eighth CAA encircles and destroys the main forces of the U. S. Vth and VIIth Corps and approaching strategic reserves, and on the 7th day of the operation seizes the line of Boss, Gillenbeuren, Bullay and Sohren.

The army's operational formation is established in two echelons:
---- - in the first-echelon: the 16th, 18th, 19th, and 21st Motorized Rifle Divisions;
---- - in the second-echelon: the 17th and 20th Tank Divisions;
---- - the 31st Separate Tank Regiment is the army's reserve.



III. SCOPE
----Width: 55 Km
----Depth: 240 Km
----Duration: 7 Days
----Rate of advance: 35 Km/ day



 
 

Combat Grouping of Army

This table shows the name and number of major subordinate formations that will be available on each day of the operation.

 
 

Distribution of Support Units

This table shows the distribution of artillery, air defense, engineer and chemical troops from army and (when given) from front to the major formations (divisions) and other units, and which will be held in army reserve.

 
 

Availability and Time of Use of Chemical and Nuclear Weapons

This shows the number of nuclear, chemical, and special rocket warheads by yield and rocket type. It shows how many are on hand in army depots and with the troops and how many are expected to arrive during the operation. The same warheads are shown divided according to the formations and units that will use them or receive their support, and according to the sequence of major army tasks and milestones for the operation.

 
 

Destruction of Targets in First Nuclear Strike

This table summarizes the distribution of targets and firing units. It shows such data as the warhead yield, height of burst, degree of defeat of the target and time for the strike. Several variants will be worked out and kept current for quick response when the order is given.

 
 

Distribution of Air Support

This table is a written description of the aircraft support the air army will provide to the army. The first section shows the distribution of aircraft in sorties according to the sequence of army missions and major milestone activities. The second section shows the same aircraft sorties distributed by each day of the operation.

a. In missions of the operation: ____, _____, _____, etc.

b. In days of the operation: ______, ______, ______,. etc.



 
 

Correlation of Forces Tables

This is the most important table in that it depicts the calculation of force ratios and densities which play such an important part in Soviet planning. It is a set of correlations, made for different times and locations. One table shows the total number of friendly and enemy forces and means at the beginning of the operation and expected to be remaining after each major event. Other tables show the correlation on individual axes and for various other milestones.

 
 

Measures to Protect Against Nuclear Weapons

This is the tenth section in the explanatory notes for the army plan. It is a brief written description of the following three topics:

a. Safe line for nuclear fires:

b. Warning signals indicating nuclear explosions are immanent:

c. Marking of own troops locations: The methods that will be used to mark the location of the forward line of troops visually to insure that pilots can distinguish friend from foe. The troops carry colored marker panels, which are displayed on the ground upon proper signal.

 
 

Availability and Technical Condition of Tanks, Self-propelled Guns, and Armored Vehicles

This table shows the number of tanks and other armored vehicles available in operational condition and how many are in each category of maintenance in each division and major formation. The categories are in accordance with standard Soviet norms for kilometers before next scheduled maintenance.

 
 

Availability, Location, and Distribution of Material Supply

This table shows the distribution of most types of ammunition, POL, and food available for the operation either on hand or due in and how much must remain at the end of the operation. The ammunition is measured in units of fire, fuel in refills, and food in days of rations.

 
 

Warning Signal Plan

The warning signal plan gives the main alarm signals, and means for identification.

 
 

Appendices of the Operation Plan

Plan of the army's participation in initial nuclear strikes;

Plan of preparation and occupation of the attack starting areas;

Plan for restoring the combat capabilities of the troops and eliminating the impact of the enemy's strikes;

Other documents.



 
 

Plan for the Initial Nuclear Strike

The army always prepares a plan for its participation in the initial nuclear strike even when the expectation is that the war will begin with only conventional weapons.

The army plan is integrated in the front plan.

The front plans to destroy enemy nuclear delivery means, inflict decisive casualties on enemy troops, air forces, air defense forces, command posts and other targets.

The army plan specifies each target, which large unit should engage it, the center of explosion, the number and yields of nuclear weapons, the altitude of pall, and the safety distance for friendly forces.

It is not possible to know in detail the results of the mutual nuclear strikes ahead of time. Consequently plans for subsequent phases of action must be reevaluated in detail using post strike reconnaissance and operational data.
Plan is drawn graphically on a 1:200,000 or 1:100,000 scale map with written instructions on the map or it could be a written plan with map annex.



 
 

Content of Operations Plan for Nuclear Strike

The method of combat against enemy air forces during repulse of the enemy's surprise attack, during the advance and occupation of FUP areas, launching the attack and during destruction of each enemy grouping.

Measures necessary to destroy enemy nuclear weapons, command posts and vital rear services.

Methods for seizing vital terrain features.

Allocation of air units and artillery to destroy rocket launching pans, nuclear artillery, nuclear weapons depots, and artillery

Employment of deep reconnaissance and sabotage (subversion) groups, airborne landing units and special detachments.

 
 

Plan for Interaction

The Soviet command stresses the importance of interaction (coordination) among all participating organizations and individuals. This is carefully planned by the commander and staff and the commander uses his explanation of interaction as an important opportunity for insuring that everyone knows his role in the operation. Following are some main points:

Interaction is one of the most important measures;

Planned in greater detail for the initial nuclear strikes, first day of operation, and for repelling possible enemy attacks;

Planned in lesser detail due to difficulties in assessing the situation for later days up to the immediate mission;

Only estimated for the period of accomplishing the long range mission;

Main points are specified in the commander's decision and their detailed illustration is shown in the plan of interaction, plan for offensive operation, plans for employment of combat arms and plans for combat support measures;

Interaction is achieved by assigning clear missions to subordinate large units and by mutual understanding regarding execution of missions;

In conventional war the most important issues are to determine the methods and sequences for neutralizing enemy forces in the security zone and main defense positions by use of artillery and tactical air strikes, for passing the state boundaries, for commitment of advanced detachments and main bodies into combat, and the form of destruction of the enemy's first-echelon main forces.


 
 

Content of the Plan for Interaction

The following are the main points found in the plan for interaction. The plan is generally prepared as a table. A sample blank table is provided.

Missions of army elements and other cooperating large units at the beginning and during the operation;

The method for accomplishing missions;

Signals for coordination, identification of targets, mutual identification, and mutual alert;

For interaction a special signal network is established and liaison officers are exchanged.


 
 

Army Operations Directive

The army operations directive is prepared by the chief of the operations directorate under supervision of the chief of staff. It is based on the army commander's decision. It is a written statement in order form of the first day's combat actions shown for the addressee in the plan. The operational directive has the following structure and content:

Enemy situation: This section contains a succinct description of the nature of the opposing forces and character of their actions.

Mission conducted by forces and means of the front and adjacents: This section contains the commander's understanding of the front mission as developed in his "clarification of the mission" and the relevant aspects of the actions by adjacents.

Concept of the operation: This is the description of the commander's understanding of how he intends to carry out the army mission as he developed it in his decision making process.

I order: This is the actual statement of exactly what is required from the subordinates.

Control of army troops: This provides information on the location and movement of the army command post and who will be the commander's deputies.



 
 

Combat Instructions from Army to Division

Once the army commander has made his decision and the army operations plan and operations directive have been written, the army will issue extracts of the operations directive to each division in the form of "Combat Instructions." The format of the instructions contains the following sections.

I. Enemy: This is based on the statement of the enemy found in the army operational directive.

II. Specific missions to the division: The part of the "I order" section of the operational directive directed to the individual division.

III. Army means and missions of adjacents: The actions of the army forces in the division's area in support of its actions and a summary of the actions of adjacents relevant to the division.

IV. Troop control measures: A restatement from the army operational order of the location and movement of command post, signal communications measures, and the designation of army succession in command.

A sample of the combat instructions is provided.

I Approve --/--/89 Serial Number:______
Commander Eighth Guards Army SECRET
Major General ____ Copy Number: _______
Sig



OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF

The commander of the Eighth Guards Army for offensive operations.

Command Post at Wickerstedt,___________, (time) _______________

(date), Map 1:250,000 August 1983 ed.


I. ENEMY SITUATION:

As a result of the development of acute international tension NATO is secretly engaged in bringing its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and intends to launch a surprise attack on the territories of Warsaw Pact countries.

Elements of the U.S V Corps are deployed directly against the forces of the Eighth Guards Army. The first-echelon of the corps is composed of the 3rd Armored Division and 8th Mechanized Infantry Division with a total of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___tanks, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___SAM systems, ___helicopters, and ___ fixed wing aircraft.

In the second-echelon of the V Corps is the ___ Infantry Division and probably elements of West German tank forces will operate in the area, composed of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___ tanks, ___ SAM systems, and ___ combat helicopters.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and border troops are deployed in front of the forward defense area in the security zone. During the operation the combat action of the enemy forces will be supported by ___ combat aircraft with nuclear capability from the U.S. and West German national air forces and the 4th ATAF of Central Army Group.

In general the enemy can launch ___ nuclear rocket strikes and aerial bombs in the area of operation of the Eighth Guards Army and against rear services installations of the army and the front during the conduct of his operation.

The West German III Corps in the north and U. S. VII Corps in the south are deployed on the flanks of the U. S. V Corps. Their operations can affect the forces of the Eighth Guards Army. Movement and arrival of strategic reserves composed of U. S. and French armed forces and mobilization reserves of West Germany are likely during the operation in the area of the Eighth Guards Army.

The enemy tries to inflict losses on and destroy the Warsaw Pact forces and seize vital territories by a surprise and decisive offensive operation. If the Warsaw Pact forces overtake the enemy in initiation of offensive operations, the forces of the U. S. V Corps are likely to hold a pre-prepared defensive line along the Bad Hersfeld, Niederaule, Schlitz, Fulda, Gersfeld and Bad Heustadt line, to inflict maximum losses on the Eighth Guards Army by defensive action, and then launch counter strikes by the second-echelon forces from the line of Birstein - Gedern in the direction of Grekenhain, Lauerbach, Bad Hersfeld, and from the line of Neustadt - Homberg in the direction of Kirtarf, Alsfeld -Niederaula.


II. MISSION CONDUCTED BY FORCES AND MEANS OF THE FRONT AND ADJACENTS.

a. The following targets in the army's attack area are destroyed by the front's rocket troops and aviation forces during the initial nuclear strike:
----- enemy's nuclear weapons and nuclear depots in the area ___, ___, ____, and ___.
----- enemy's airfields in the areas ___, ___, ___, ___, and ___.
----- command posts of the Central Army Group in the area ___ and command posts of the 4th ATAF of the Central Army Group in the area ___.
----- enemy's reserves in area ___, ___, ___, and ___.
----- enemy's rear service installations in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___.

Twenty regimental sorties of the front's fighter- bomber aviation are allocated to the army to support the army's action during the offensive operation and five regimental sorties of the front's helicopter aviation and one transport aviation division from the main command of the air force are allocated to support the airborne assaults. These sorties will be covered by the front's fighter aviation during their flight.

b. Adjacents:

On the right flank of the army the First Guards Tank Army attacks in the direction of Bebra, Marburg, Herborn, Lindlar. Its immediate mission is to seize the line of Marsburg, Medebach, Ballenberg, and Marburg An Der Lahn; and its long range mission is to seize the line of Leverkusen, Bornheim, Rheinbach, and Hill 1251. The boundary with the right adjacent passes through Eilenburt, Eisenach, Hill 1427, Neuwied, and HIll 1610. All points are included in the Eighth Guards Army's area.

On the left flank of the army the Twenty-eighth Combined Arms Army attacks in the direction of Schweinfurt, Wurzburg, Mosbach, Wiesloca and west of Kreuznach. The immediate mission of the Twenty-eighth CAA is to seize the line of Gelnhausen, Ashaffenburg, Michelstadt, and Mosbach and its long range mission is to seize the line of Kira, Enkenbach, and Hill 456. The boundary line with the left adjacent passes through Mittwelda, Kahla, Hill 2435, Gersfeld, Bad Vilbel, Bingen and Trier. All points are included in the Twenty-eighth CAA area.



III. CONCEPT OF THE OPERATION

In the initial nuclear strike, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons. The enemy's nuclear rocket and artillery troops in areas ___, his air force in areas ____, his main infantry and tank forces in areas ___, and the enemy's command posts at ___ are destroyed and decisive losses are inflicted on the enemy's air defense troops in areas ___, and on his rear service installations in areas ___.

Exploiting the results of the initial strategic nuclear strike and nuclear strikes of the front and army means the army attacks the enemy along the line of Bad Hersfeld, Schlitz, Fulda, and Gersfeld and develops its attack by its main forces; i.e. the 16th, 18th and 19th Motorized Rifle Divisions in the direction of Bad Hersfeld, Alsfeld, and Wetzlar; and during the operation by employing additional ( ) rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys the main forces of the U. S. V Corps in the area; Bad Hersfeld, Alsfeld, Giessen, Echzell, Gedern, and Fulda and seizes on the third day the line of Wettenberg, Butzbach, Bad Nauheim, and Nidderau. Subsequently by committing the second-echelon forces into the engagement the army develops the attack in the direction of Wetzlar, Limburg, Boppord, and Simmern and during the conduct of the operation, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys newly detected enemy nuclear weapons, destroys the enemy's approaching reserves from the line of march, conducts assault crossing over the Rhine River and with the cooperation of and by exploiting the success of the Twenty-eighth CAA encircles and destroys the main forces of the U. S. Vth and VIIth Corps and approaching strategic reserves, and on the 7th day of the operation seizes the line of Boos, Gillenbeuren, Bullay and Sohren.

The army's operational formation is established in two echelons:
----- in the first-echelon: the 16th, 18th, 19th, and 21st Motorized Rifle Divisions;
----- in the second-echelon: the 17th and 20th Tank Divisions;
----- the 31st Separate Tank Regiment is the army's reserve.


IV. I ORDER

a. The 16th Motorized Rifle Division with one brigade of artillery of the VGK reserve, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer battalion is to attack the enemy on the line: Ludwigsau - Eichhof, to develop the attack in the direction of Bad Hersfeld - Rockerod, to destroy the enemy in the area of Ludwigsau, Gittersed, Rockerod, and Eichhof and continue the attack in the direction of Go Bmanerode - Ottrau, destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area of Willingshain, Schorbach, Ottrau, and Kemmerod and seize the line of Schorbach, Ottrau and north of Lingellach by H + 10.

Then the division is to develop the attack in the direction of Ottrau, Alsfeld and Hill 384 and at the end of the day seize the line of west of Anlrifttal, Heimertshausen, and the stretch of route 49 to the south.

The future attack direction of the division for the next day is Heimertshausen and Hill 322. The division is to assign one reinforced BMP motorized rifle regiment as the forward detachment to destroy from the line of march the enemy's covering forces and border troops in the enemy's security zone and facilitate quick advance of the division's main forces to the forward defense line of the enemy.

For the conduct of the division's attack 15 nuclear, 5 chemical and 15 conventional rockets are allocated to the division. The use of nuclear and chemical weapons will be conducted only at signal and command of the front for the initial nuclear strike.

The division conducts the breakthrough of the enemy's main defensive line, at a 4 km front and during the artillery preparatory fire destroys and suppresses the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries and enemy's immediate reserves.

On the left the 18th Motorized Rifle Division attacks. The boundary line with that division passes through Mohara, Hill 366, road junction southeast of Bad Hersfeld, Kleba, Lingellach, and Nieder.

During the penetration (breakthrough) of the enemy's defense, the destruction of the enemy's brigade reserve, development of the attack in depth and destruction of the enemy's division reserves are conducted in interaction with the 18th Motorized Rifle Division.

The division's command post during the penetration of the enemy's defense is to deploy 3 km west of Fredewald road junction, and the rear service control point during this phase is to deploy in ___.


b. The 18th Motorized Rifle Division with one artillery brigade of VGK artillery division, one anti-tank battalion and engineer battalion attacks the enemy at the line ___ (As for the 16th Div).


c. The 19th Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions of the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies attacks the enemy at the line ___ (as for the 16th Div).


d. The 21st Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions from the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies is to attack the enemy from the line ___ ( as for the 16th Div).


e. The 17th Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. The division is to deploy in departure (assembly) area in Vogelsberg, north of Weimar, Pfiffelbach, Niedar, Hardislehen. During the operation the division is to follow the 16th MRD by bounds at a distance of 40 - 60 km on at least 3 routes and be prepared to be committed into battle from the line No 1. (Bieber - Grund) with the mission to destroy the enemy's advancing reserves from the line of march and seize the line of Mengers, Ober and Seelbach. The direction of its future attack is Ober- Hadamar, Nassau.

The line NO. 2 of commitment is the line of ___ with the immediate mission line at ___ and the direction of future development of the attack at ___.
At the time of commitment, the division is reinforced by 3 artillery battalions, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer road construction battalion.

In case of the use of nuclear weapons, the division is allocated 15 nuclear, 5 chemical, and 15 conventional rockets.

The area of responsibility of the division to fight enemy's airborne assaults and his reconnaissance groups includes ___.


f. The 20th Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. It is to deploy ___ (As for the 17th Tank Div).


g. Army's rocket brigade is to accomplish the following tasks:
-----1. destroy the following targets during the initial nuclear strike of the front:
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 302 in the area of ___ by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00.20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 203 in ___, by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00:20 or at front's signal.
----- enemy's V Corps command post, target No. 304 in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:2- or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's rear command post, target NO. 305, in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target NO. 306, in ___ by a 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target No 307, in ___ by 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's second-echelon division in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___; including the following targets:
----- targets NO. 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, and 313 - each by a 20 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.

(Note: Targets for divisional rocket strikes are also designated in the same way)


2. Time of delivery of nuclear and chemical rockets to the troops is P - 6 hrs. Time of delivery of conventional rockets to the troops is D - 3 days.


3. The status and situation of planned targets for nuclear strike are to be continuously followed and necessary adjustment in the plan of the nuclear strikes is to be made according to the actual situation.


4. Preparation of rocket troops for launch is to be kept at the highest state and technical rocket support of the rocket troops is to be organized in detail.


5. Position areas of rockets are to be well prepared in terms of engineer work and well camouflaged. Alternate positions for rockets are to be established and their protection against mass destruction weapons as well as the security and defense of rocket positions and mobile rocket bases must be organized and established.


6. To maximize the range of fire and to launch timely strikes on designated targets, timely relocation of positions and movement of rocket troops during the conduct of the operation, are to be planned and executed.


h. Artillery
-----1. The following artillery groups are to be established in army's large units and units:
----- army artillery group (AAG): 10 artillery battalions;
----- army reactive artillery group (AGRA): 4 BM-22 Bns. in the 16th and 18th Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- divisional artillery groups (DAG) of 6 artillery battalions each
----- regimental artillery groups (RAG) on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each;

in the 19th and 21st Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- DAG of up to 4 artillery battalions each
----- RAG on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each

2. Artillery missions:

During the preparation, initiation and conduct of the offensive operation, the artillery is to accomplish the following tasks:
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy's nuclear weapons;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his aggression in the army's area. At this phase in addition to the security zone's regimental artillery, part of the divisional artillery is also assigned;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during crossing the international border and during the battle in the enemy's security zone by artillery units of forward detachments of the first-echelon divisions, and part of the artillery of the first-echelon divisions:
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and particularly destruction of strong points, destruction of artillery and mortar batteries, and command posts, and suppression of the enemy's immediate reserves;
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy and providing support for own troops during the assault support fire during the combat in the forward defense area of the first-echelon brigades;
----- providing fire support for attacking troops during the combat action in the depth of the enemy in the form of accompanying fire;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his counter-attacks and counter- strikes;
----- support of the army troops during assault river crossing;
----- support and covering of open flanks and gaps between combat formations;
----- struggle against enemy's artillery and mortars during the conduct of the offensive operation in the depth of the enemy's defense;
----- support of the commitment of the second-echelon troops and combined arms reserves into combat.

3. The density of the artillery for the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense during the preparatory fire is 100 - 120 guns and mortars per kilometer of front, duration of the preparatory fire is 30 - 40 minutes and the ammunition expenditure is 0.8 - 1.0 units of fire. the density of artillery during the commitment of the second-echelon forces into combat is to be 40 - 60 guns and mortars per kilometer of front and the duration of artillery preparatory fire is 15 - 20 minutes with an expenditure of 0.6 - 0.8 units of fire.

4. The assault support fire is to be conducted in the form of successive concentration of fire on one or two lines, single or double attack moving barrage to the depth of the first-echelon brigades i.e. 8 - 10 kms.

5. The accompanying fire is conducted by the method of concentration of fire, massive fire, and fire on individual targets.


I. Organic and attached aviation troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation.
-----participation in the preparatory fire and assault support and accompanying fire during the conduct of the operation to destroy nuclear weapons and nuclear depots, command posts, to destroy and suppress enemy's deep reserves, air defense and radar positions, rear service installations, signal centers, aircraft guidance points, as well as the command posts and positions of radio electronic warfare systems during the attack.
----- conduct of air reconnaissance and air photography in support of the army's operation and reconnaissance for damage assessment of targets hit by friendly nuclear strikes. Up to the initiation of the attack, the reconnaissances to be conducted only by observation and aerial photography using fixed wing aircraft and helicopters along the state borders without crossing the border.
----- support and covering of the troops and army's targets against enemy's air strikes during the preparation and conduct of the operation;
----- the flight (sortie) resources are to be distributed as follows:
----- a. to the 16th and 18th MRD's 3 fighter - bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day;
----- b. to the 19th and 21st MRD's 2 fighter- bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day
----- conduct struggle against the enemy tanks by combat helicopters;
----- insert airborne assault troops (desants) by transport helicopters in the rear of the enemy in accordance with separate plans;


J. to Air defense troops;

The air defense troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation:
----- covering of the main combined arms and tank troops in the FUP areas, during the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and in the depth of the enemy area;
----- covering of rocket and artillery troops in the departure (FUP) area, during their firing and during the conduct of the operation;
----- covering of command posts in the departure area and during the conduct of the operation;
----- covering of rear service installations in the departure area and during the operation;
----- covering of reserves and second-echelon troops in the departure area, during their movement and their commitment into combat;
----- covering of desants in their departure areas, during their flight, in their landing areas in the depth of the enemy's area, and during their combat actions;
----- covering of the troops during the assault river crossing;
----- covering the troops during the repulse of the enemy's counter strikes.


2. The fire, reconnaissance, and warning systems of the army's air defense troops are to be coordinated with the fire and reconnaissance systems of the front and divisions' air defense troops and fighter aviation of the front air army and national air defense forces as part of an integrated unified plan so that massive strikes of the enemy's air force can be effectively repelled.


3. During the preparation and conduct of the operation, all air defense troops of the army and lower echelons (troops) are to be brought to the state of full combat readiness so that they will be ready to repel the enemy's air strikes. In any situation one third of the air defense troops must be kept at combat duty status.


4. Appropriate positions for the air defense troops are to be prepared in terms of engineer work. In addition to the main positions, alternate positions are to be established as well.


5. The movement of the air defense troops during the preparation and conduct of the attack is conducted in a way so that at critical phases of the operation all or the bulk of the air defense troops of the army and the troops have occupied positions to repel the enemy's air strikes and they are ready for the execution of their mission.


k. Airborne Assault troops (desant)

During the operation two airborne assaults are conducted:

1. A tactical airborne assault by a reinforced motorized rifle battalion from the 20th Tank Division with a mortar battery.

The departure area for the desant is ___ and it should be occupied at 0600 on the first day of the operation for a 24 hrs period of preparation for the desant force.

The desant is airlifted by the front's transport helicopter regiment and it is supported by two fighter aviation squadrons.

The desant is landed in the enemy's rear in the area ___ at 0600 on the second day of the operation.

The mission of the desant is to destroy the enemy's nuclear depot and to seize and destroy the enemy's command post in ___.

Prior to the landing, the enemy's reserves and other targets in the landing area are initially hit by front's fighter-bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Positions of the enemy's air defense means and airfields in the flight corridor of the helicopters are suppressed and destroyed by the air force.

Planning of the airborne assault for movement and landing is to be worked out by the helicopter regiment commander in cooperation with the army's operations directorate and the commander of the airborne assault force.
The troop control during the preparation for desant is conducted from the command post of the helicopter regiment in the departure area for the desant, and then during the operation it is conducted from the army's command post and the desant battalion's command/observation post.


2. Operational airborne assault (desant) by an airborne assault regiment reinforced by one towed artillery battalion. The departure area for this desant is ___ and it is to be occupied at 0800 on the fourth day of the operation for the preparation of the desant. The desant is air-lifted by an aviation transport division from the air force main command and one transport helicopter regiment and it is covered during the flight and landing by two fighter aviation regiments.

The landing is in the rear of the enemy in area ___ at 0600 on the fifth day of the operation.


The mission of the desant is to seize a bridgehead on the Rhine River, destroy enemy logistic depots and to assist the army troops during the assault river crossing at the Rhine.

Prior to the landing, the enemy's targets in the landing area and his close-by airfields are initially hit by fighter-bomber and bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Enemy's air defense means and radars located in the flight corridor of the desant are destroyed by the air force, rocket troops and artillery.

Planning of the desant for movement and landing is to be worked out by the commander of the aviation transport division in cooperation with the army staff and airborne assault regiment.

Troop control during the preparation for the desant is conducted from the command post of the aviation transport division and command post of the airborne assault regiment, while during the combat action it is conducted from the army's command post and the command post of the airborne assault regiment in the combat action area.


L. Combined Arms Reserve

The 91st Separate Tank Regiment is the combined arms reserve of the army and it is to deploy in area ___ and follow the 18th Motorized Rifle Division by bounds at a 30 - 40 km distance and be prepared for unexpected missions during the conduct of the operation.


M. Army's Anti-tank Reserve:

1. The army's artillery anti-tank reserve is the 51st Anti-tank Regiment from the VGK artillery division. It is to deploy in area ___ and conduct struggle against tanks on the army's main attack direction. The likely fire lines of the anti-tank reserve to repel the enemy's tank counter-attack during the operation are as follows:
----- Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.

The army's anti-tank reserve moves during the operation on the direction of the army's main attack following the 16th MRD.

2. The combat helicopter regiment, in addition to support of the army troops during the operation, is to conduct struggle against enemy tanks. It is to deploy in the area ___ and be prepared to fight the enemy tanks on the following lines:
----- Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.


N. Mobile Obstacle Detachment (POZ) is the first and second companies of the army's obstacle battalion. It is to deploy in area ___ and move and operate with the anti-tank reserve to repel enemy tanks.


O. Engineer Reserve is the 1st Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment, the 1st Road and Bridge Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the Pontoon Bridge Regiment. After accomplishment of assigned missions during the preparation of the army's operation, the engineer reserve is to deploy in area ___ and be prepared to conduct unexpected missions during the operation. In the course of the conduct of the operation it is to follow the 18th Motorized Rifle Division.


P. Chemical Reserve:

The chemical reserve is composed of the army's separate chemical protection battalion. It is to be prepared to conduct unexpected missions in the course of the operation. The chemical reserve is to deploy in area ___ and move during the operation in the direction ___.


Q. Time of readiness of the troops for the operation is at 2400 hrs on ___.

The norms of mobile reserves of material means during the operation are to be kept as follows:
1. Infantry weapons - 1.15 units of fire
2. Arty and mortars - 1.3 units of fire
3. Reactive arty - 1.3 units of fire
4. Tank ammunition - 2.6 units of fire
5. Air defense ammo - 2.5 units of fire
6. Auto gasoline - 2.6 refills
7. Diesel fuel - 3.1 refills
8. Foodstuffs - 15 daily rations


V. CONTROL OF ARMY TROOPS


The army CP is in Wickerstedt.

The army's rear control point is at Tumpling.

The army's FCP is at Walresleben.

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and Rear CP during the operation, is the direction of Waldfisch, Schenklengsfeld, Grunberg, Weilmunster, Ober Dammerschausen.

The signal communication from army's CP to the front's commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent, and interacting troops will be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are:
The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of political affairs, and commander of the 16th MRD.

Chief of Operations Directorate:
(Signature)

Chief of Staff of the army
(Signature )

 
 

SAMPLE BLANK ARMY OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE


I Approve --/--/89
Commander _____________ Army Serial Number:
Major General ____ SECRET
Sig Copy Number:

OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF
The commander of the _____________ Army for offensive operations.

Command Post at ___________,___________, (time) _______________
(date), Map 1:250,000 August 1983 ed.

I. ENEMY SITUATION:

As a result of the development of acute international tension NATO is secretly engaged in bringing its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and intends to launch a surprise attack on the territories of Warsaw Pact countries.

Elements of the ___________ are deployed directly against the forces of the _____________ Army. The first-echelon of the _____ is composed of the ___________ Division and _______________________ Division with a total of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___tanks, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___SAM systems, ___helicopters, and ___ fixed wing aircraft.

In the second-echelon of the__ Corps is the ____________ Division and probably elements of ________________ forces will operate in the area, composed of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___ tanks, ___ SAM systems, and ___ combat helicopters.

The _____________________________ and border troops are deployed in front of the forward defense area in the security zone. During the operation the combat action of the enemy forces will be supported by ___ combat aircraft with nuclear capability from the U.S. and West German national air forces and the ________ of Central Army Group.

In general the enemy can launch ___ nuclear rocket strikes and aerial bombs in the area of operation of the _____________ Army and against rear services installations of the army and the front during the conduct of his operation.

The _____________________ in the north and _________ Corps in the south are deployed on the flanks of the _______ Corps. Their operations can affect the forces of the _____________ Army. Movement and arrival of strategic reserves composed of _____ and ______ armed forces and mobilization reserves of ____________ are likely during the operation in the area of the _____________ Army.

The enemy tries to inflict losses on and destroy the Warsaw Pact forces and seize vital territories by a surprise and decisive offensive operation. If the Warsaw Pact forces overtake the enemy in initiation of offensive operations, the forces of the _______ Corps are likely to hold a pre-prepared defensive line along the ____________, ___________, _______, _______ and ___ ________ line, to inflict maximum losses on the _____________ Army by defensive action, and then launch counter strikes by the second-echelon forces from the line of ________ - ______ in the direction of __________, _________, ____________, and from the line of ________ - _______ in the direction of _______, _______, __________.

II. MISSION CONDUCTED BY FORCES AND MEANS OF THE FRONT AND ADJACENTS.

a. The following targets in the army's attack area are destroyed by the front's rocket troops and aviation forces during the initial nuclear strike:

enemy's nuclear weapons and nuclear depots in the area ___, ___, ____, and ___.
enemy's airfields in the areas ___, ___, ___, ___, and ___.
command posts of the _______ ___ ____ in the area ___ and command posts of the ____ of the ____________ Group in the area ___.
enemy's reserves in area ___, ___, ___, and ___.
enemy's rear service installations in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___.

T_____ regimental sorties of the front's fighter- bomber aviation are allocated to the army to support the army's action during the offensive operation and _____ regimental sorties of the front's helicopter aviation and one transport aviation division from the main command of the air force are allocated to support the airborne assaults. These sorties will be covered by the front's fighter aviation during their flight.

b. Adjacents:

On the right flank of the army the _____ ______ ____ Army attacks in the direction of _____, _______, _______, _______. Its immediate mission is to seize the line of ________, ________, __________, and _____________; and its long range mission is to seize the line of __________, ________, _________, and _________. The boundary with the right adjacent passes through _________, ________,________, and _________. All points are included in the ______ ______ Army's area.

On the left flank of the army the _____________ ___________ Army attacks in the direction of _______, ________, _______ and west of _________. The immediate mission of the ___________ is to seize the line of __________, _________, and _______ and its long range mission is to seize the line of ____, _________, and ______. The boundary line with the left adjacent passes through _________, _________, __________, and _____. All points are included in the _____________ area.

III. CONCEPT OF THE OPERATION

In the initial nuclear strike, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons. The enemy's nuclear rocket and artillery troops in areas ___, his air force in areas ____, his main infantry and tank forces in areas ___, and the enemy's command posts at ___ are destroyed and decisive losses are inflicted on the enemy's air defense troops in areas ___, and on his rear service installations in areas ___.

Exploiting the results of the initial strategic nuclear strike and nuclear strikes of the front and army means the army attacks the enemy along the line of ____________, _____, and ________ and develops its attack by its main forces; i.e. the ____, ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions in the direction of _________,________, and _______; and during the operation by employing additional ( ) rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys the main forces of the _______ Corps in the area; ________,________, _______, _______, and _____ and seizes on the third day the line of _________, ________, _________, and ________. Subsequently by committing the second-echelon forces into the engagement the army develops the attack in the direction of _______, _______, and _______ and during the conduct of the operation, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys newly detected enemy nuclear weapons, destroys the enemy's approaching reserves from the line of march, conducts assault crossing over the _____ River and with the cooperation of and by exploiting the success of the _____________ CAA encircles and destroys the main forces of the _________ and _____ Corps and approaching strategic reserves, and on the _th day of the operation seizes the line of ____, _______, ______ and ______.

The army's operational formation is established in two echelons:
in the first-echelon: the __th, __th,___th, and __st Motorized Rifle Divisions;
in the second-echelon: the __th and __th Tank Divisions;
the __st Separate Tank Regiment is the army's reserve.

IV. I ORDER

a. The __th Motorized Rifle Division with one brigade of artillery of the VGK reserve, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer battalion is to attack the enemy on the line: _________ - _______, to develop the attack in the direction of __________ - ________, to destroy the enemy in the area of _______, ________, ________, and to continue the attack in the direction of _______ - ______, destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area of __________, ________,_______, and ______ and seize the line of the immediate mission at _________, ______ and _____________ H + 10.

Then the division is to develop the attack in the direction of ______, _______ and _______ and at the end of the day seize the line of west of _________, ______, and _________________.

The future attack direction of the division for the next day is ________ and ________. The division is to assign one reinforced BMP motorized rifle regiment as the forward detachment to destroy from the line of march the enemy's covering forces and border troops in the enemy's security zone and facilitate quick advance of the division's main forces to the forward defense line of the enemy.

For the conduct of the division's attack ___nuclear, _ chemical and __ conventional rockets are allocated to the division. The use of nuclear and chemical weapons will be conducted only at signal and command of the front for the initial nuclear strike.

The division conducts the breakthrough of the enemy's main defensive line, at a 4 km front and during the artillery preparatory fire destroys and suppresses the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries and enemy's immediate reserves.

On the left the ____ Motorized Rifle Division attacks. The boundary line with that division passes through ______, ________, _________, ________,___________, and ______.

During the penetration (breakthrough) of the enemy's defense, the destruction of the enemy's brigade reserve, development of the attack in depth and destruction of the enemy's division reserves are conducted in interaction with the ____ Motorized Rifle Division.

The division's command post during the penetration of the enemy's defense is to deploy _ km west of ________, and the rear service control point during this phase is to deploy in ___.


b. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with one artillery brigade of VGK artillery division, one anti-tank battalion and engineer battalion attacks the enemy at the line ___ (As for the ____ Div).

c. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions of the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies attacks the enemy at the line ___ (as for the ____ Div).

d. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions from the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies is to attack the enemy from the line ___ ( as for the ____ Div).

e. The ____ Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. The division is to deploy in departure (assembly) area in __________, __________, ___________, ___________. During the operation the division is to follow the ____ MRD by bounds at a distance of 40 - 60 km on at least 3 routes and be prepared to be committed into battle from the line No 1. (______________) with the mission to destroy the enemy's advancing reserves from the line of march and seize the line of _______, ____, and ________. The direction of its future attack is _______, ______.
The line No. 2 of commitment is the line of ___ with the immediate mission line at ___ and the direction of future development of the attack at ___.

At the time of commitment, the division is reinforced by 3 artillery battalions, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer road construction battalion.

In case of the use of nuclear weapons, the division is allocated __ nuclear, _ chemical, and __ conventional rockets.

The area of responsibility of the division to fight enemy's airborne assaults and his reconnaissance groups includes ___.


f. The __th Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. It is to deploy ___ (As for the ____ Tank Div).

g. Army's rocket brigade is to accomplish the following tasks:
-----1. destroy the following targets during the initial nuclear strike of the front:
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 302 in the area of ___ by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00.20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 203 in ___, by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00:20 or at front's signal.
----- enemy's ___ Corps command post, target No. 304 in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:2- or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's rear command post, target No. 305, in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target No. 306, in ___ by a 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target No 307, in ___ by 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's second-echelon division in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___; including the following targets:
----- targets No. 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, and 313 - each by a 20 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.

(Note: Targets for divisional rocket strikes are also designated in the same way)


2. Time of delivery of nuclear and chemical rockets to the troops is P - 6 hrs. Time of delivery of conventional rockets to the troops is D - 3 days.

3. The status and situation of planned targets for nuclear strike are to be continuously followed and necessary adjustment in the plan of the nuclear strikes is to be made according to the actual situation.

4. Preparation of rocket troops for launch is to be kept at the highest state and technical rocket support of the rocket troops is to be organized in detail.

5. Position areas of rockets are to be well prepared in terms of engineer work and well camouflaged. Alternate positions for rockets are to be established and their protection against mass destruction weapons as well as the security and defense of rocket positions and mobile rocket bases must be organized and established.

6. To maximize the range of fire and to launch timely strikes on designated targets, timely relocation of positions and movement of rocket troops during the conduct of the operation, are to be planned and executed.

h. Artillery

1. The following artillery groups are to be established in army's large units and units:
----- army artillery group (AAG): 10 artillery battalions;
----- army reactive artillery group (AGRA): 4 BM-22 Bns.
----- in the ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- divisional artillery groups (DAG) of 6 artillery battalions each
----- regimental artillery groups (RAG) on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each;
----- in the ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- DAG of up to 4 artillery battalions each
----- RAG on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each

2. Artillery missions:

During the preparation, initiation and conduct of the offensive operation, the artillery is to accomplish the following tasks:
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy's nuclear weapons;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his aggression in the army's area. At this phase in addition to the security zone's regimental artillery, part of the divisional artillery is also assigned;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during crossing the international border and during the battle in the enemy's security zone by artillery units of forward detachments of the first-echelon divisions, and part of the artillery of the first-echelon divisions:
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and particularly destruction of strong points, destruction of artillery and mortar batteries, and command posts, and suppression of the enemy's immediate reserves;
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy and providing support for own troops during the assault support fire during the combat in the forward defense area of the first-echelon brigades;
----- providing fire support for attacking troops during the combat action in the depth of the enemy in the form of accompanying fire;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his counter-attacks and counter- strikes;
----- support of the army troops during assault river crossing;
----- support and covering of open flanks and gaps between combat formations;
----- struggle against enemy's artillery and mortars during the conduct of the offensive operation in the depth of the enemy's defense;
----- support of the commitment of the second-echelon troops and combined arms reserves into combat.

3. The density of the artillery for the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense during the preparatory fire is ___ - ___ guns and mortars per kilometer of front, duration of the preparatory fire is __ - __ minutes and the ammunition expenditure is ___ - ___ units of fire. the density of artillery during the commitment of the second-echelon forces into combat is to be __ - __ guns and mortars per kilometer of front and the duration of artillery preparatory fire is __ - __ minutes with an expenditure of ___ - ___ units of fire.

4. The assault support fire is to be conducted in the form of successive concentration of fire on one or two lines, single or double attack moving barrage to the depth of the first-echelon battalions i.e. _ - _ kms.

5. The accompanying fire is conducted by the method of concentration of fire and massive fire on individual targets.

I. Organic and attached aviation troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation.
----- - participation in the preparatory fire and assault support and accompanying fire during the conduct of the operation to destroy nuclear weapons and nuclear depots, command posts, to destroy and suppress enemy's deep reserves, air defense and radar positions, rear service installations, signal centers, aircraft guidance points, as well as the command posts and positions of radio electronic warfare systems during the attack. ----- conduct of air reconnaissance and air photography in support of the army's operation and reconnaissance for damage assessment of targets hit by friendly nuclear strikes. Up to the initiation of the attack, the reconnaissances to be conducted only by observation and aerial photography using fixed wing aircraft and helicopters along the state borders without crossing the border.
----- support and covering of the troops and army's targets against enemy's air strikes during the preparation and conduct of the operation;
----- the flight (sortie) resources are to be distributed as follows:
---------- a. to the ____ and ____ MRD's 3 fighter - bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day;
---------- b. to the ____ and ____ MRD's 2 fighter- bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day
----- conduct struggle against the enemy tanks by combat helicopters;
----- insert airborne assault troops (desants) by transport helicopters in the rear of the enemy in accordance with separate plans;

J. to Air defense troops;

The air defense troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation:
----- covering of the main combined arms and tank troops in the FUP areas, during the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and in the depth of the enemy area;
----- covering of rocket and artillery troops in the departure (FUP) area, during their firing and during the conduct of the operation;
----- covering of command posts in the departure area and during the conduct of the operation;
----- covering of rear service installations in the departure area and during the operation;
----- covering of reserves and second-echelon troops in the departure area, during their movement and their commitment into combat;
----- covering of desants in their departure areas, during their flight, in their landing areas in the depth of the enemy's area, and during their combat actions;
----- covering of the troops during the assault river crossing;
----- covering the troops during the repulsion of the enemy's counter strikes.

2. The fire, reconnaissance, and warning systems of the army's air defense troops are to be coordinated with the fire and reconnaissance systems of the front and divisions' air defense troops and fighter aviation of the front air army and national air defense forces as part of an integrated unified plan so that massive strikes of the enemy's air force can be effectively repelled.

3. During the preparation and conduct of the operation, all air defense troops of the army and lower echelons (troops) are to be brought to the state of full combat readiness so that they will be ready to repel the enemy's air strikes. In any situation one third of the air defense troops must be kept at combat duty status.

4. Appropriate positions for the air defense troops are to be prepared in terms of engineer work. In addition to the main positions, alternate positions are to be established as well.

5. The movement of the air defense troops during the preparation and conduct of the attack is conducted in a way so that at critical phases of the operation all or the bulk of the air defense troops of the army and the troops have occupied positions to repel the enemy's air strikes and they are ready for the execution of their mission.

k. Airborne Assault troops (desant)

During the operation two airborne assaults are conducted:

1. A tactical airborne assault by a reinforced motorized rifle battalion from the ____ Division with a mortar battery.
The departure area for the desant is ___ and it should be occupied at 0600 on the first day of the operation for a 24 hrs period of preparation for the desant force.
The desant is airlifted by the front's transport helicopter regiment and it is supported by two fighter aviation squadrons.
The desant is landed in the enemy's rear in the area ___ at 0600 on the second day of the operation.
The mission of the desant is to destroy the enemy's nuclear depot and to seize and destroy the ________ in ___.
Prior to the landing, the enemy's reserves and other targets in the landing area are initially hit by front's fighter-bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Positions of the enemy's air defense means and airfields in the flight corridor of the helicopters are suppressed and destroyed by the air force.
Planning of the airborne assault for movement and landing is to be worked out by the helicopter regiment commander in cooperation with the army's operations directorate and the commander of the airborne assault force.
The troop control during the preparation for desant is conducted from the command post of the helicopter regiment in the departure area for the desant, and then during the operation it is conducted from the army's command post and the desant battalion's command/observation post.

2. Operational airborne assault (desant) by an airborne assault regiment reinforced by one towed artillery battalion.
The departure area for this desant is ___ and it is to be occupied at ____ on the ______ day of the operation for the preparation of the desant.
The desant is air-lifted by an aviation transport division from the air force main command and one transport helicopter regiment and it is covered during the flight and landing by two fighter aviation regiments.
The landing is in the rear of the enemy in area ___ at ____ on the _____ day of the operation.
The mission of the desant is to seize a bridgehead on the _____ River, destroy enemy logistic depots and to assist the army troops during the assault river crossing at the _____.
Prior to the landing, the enemy's targets in the landing area and his close-by airfields are initially hit by fighter-bomber and bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Enemy's air defense means and radars located in the flight corridor of the desant are destroyed by the air force, rocket troops and artillery.
Planning of the desant for movement and landing is to be worked out by the commander of the aviation transport division in cooperation with the army staff and airborne assault regiment.
The troop control during the preparation for the desant is conducted from the command post of the aviation transport division and command post of the airborne assault regiment, while during the combat action it is conducted from the army's command post and the command post of the airborne assault regiment in the combat action area.

L. Combined Arms Reserve

The ____ ______ Regiment is the combined arms reserve of the army and it is to deploy in area ___ and follow the ____ Motorized Rifle Division by bounds at a 30 - 40 km distance and be prepared for unexpected missions during the conduct of the operation.

M. Army's Anti-tank Reserve:

1. The army's artillery anti-tank reserve is the ____ Anti-tank Regiment from the VGK artillery division. It is to deploy in area ___ and conduct struggle against tanks on the army's main attack direction. The likely fire lines of the anti-tank reserve to repel the enemy's tank counter-attack during the operation are as follows:
----- Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.

The army's anti-tank reserve moves during the operation on the direction of the army's main attack following the ____ MRD.

2. The combat helicopter regiment, in addition to support of the army troops during the operation, is to conduct struggle against enemy tanks. It is to deploy in the area ___ and be prepared to fight the enemy tanks on the following lines:
----- Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
----- Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.

N. Mobile Obstacle Detachment (POZ) is the first and second companies of the army's obstacle battalion. |It is to deploy in area ___ and move and operate with the anti-tank reserve to repel enemy tanks.

O. Engineer Reserve is the 1st Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment, the 1st Road and Bridge Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the Pontoon Bridge Regiment. After accomplishment of assigned missions during the preparation of the army's operation, the engineer reserve is to deploy in area ___ and be prepared to conduct unexpected missions during the operation. In the course of the conduct of the operation it is to follow the ____ Motorized Rifle Division.

P. Chemical Reserve:

The chemical reserve is composed of the army's separate chemical protection battalion. It is to be prepared to conduct unexpected missions in the course of the operation. The chemical reserve is to deploy in area ___ and move during the operation in the direction ___.

Q. Time of readiness of the troops for the operation is at 2400 hrs on ___.

The norms of mobile reserves of material means during the operation are to be kept as follows:
----- 1. Infantry weapons - ____ units of fire
----- 2. Arty and mortars - ____ units of fire
----- 3. Reactive arty - ____ units of fire
----- 4. Tank ammunition - ____ units of fire
----- 5. Air defense ammo - ____ units of fire
----- 6. Auto gasoline - ____ refills
----- 7. Diesel fuel - ____ refills
----- 8. Foodstuffs - __ daily rations

V. CONTROL OF ARMY TROOPS

The army CP is in ___________.

The army's rear control point is at _______.

The army's FCP is at _________.

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and Rear CP during the operation, is the direction of _________, __________, _______, __________, _____________.

The signal communication from army's CP to the front's commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent, and interacting troops will be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are:

The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of political affairs, and commander of the ____ MRD.

Chief of Operations Directorate:

(Signature)

Chief of Staff of the army

(Signature)



 
 

Sample Combat Instructions from Army to Division

I approve ___/___/Guards Army Serial No:
Major General -- SECRET
Copy No:


Combat Instructions

of the commander of the Eighth Guards Army for offensive operation to the commander of the 16th MRD:

Command post Wickerstedt, at ____, on ____ Map 1:250,000 Aug 1983 ed:

I. Enemy

As a result of the deterioration of the international situation the NATO has secretly brought its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and wants to launch a surprise attack on the territories of the Warsaw Pact.

Confronting the troops of the Eighth Guards Army, t he forces of the U. S. V Corps are deployed with the Third Armored Division and the Eighth Mechanized Division in the first-echelon composed of a total of up to ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery pieces, ____ tanks,____ guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, and ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In the second-echelon of the V Corps, the ___ division and most likely tank troops of the FRG will operate with a total of ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery piece tan guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In front of the forward defense belt, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the enemy's border troops are deployed in the security zone.

The combat action of the enemy during the operation will be supported by ____ combat aircraft from the U.S. and FRG national air forces and aviation troops of the 4th ATAF, organic to the Central Army Group, which has nuclear capability. During the conduct of the operation the enemy can launch a total of ( ) strikes of nuclear rockets, rounds, and bombs in the area of the Eighth Guards Army.

On the flanks of the Vth Corps, the III German Corps in the north and the VII U. S. Corps in the south will operate. Their actions can affect the Eighth Guards Army actions during the conduct of the operation.

During the operation, movement of the U. S. and French strategic reserves and newly mobilized German reserves to the area of the Eighth Guards Army is likely. The enemy tries to inflict maximum losses on the Warsaw Pact countries by launching a surprise decisive offensive operation and seize vital territories. If the Warsaw Pact countries overtake the NATO in offensive operations, it is likely that the troops of the Vth U. S. Corps will hold pre-prepared defensive lines at the line of Bad Hersfeld, Niederaule, Schlitz, Fulda, Gersfeld, Bad Neustadt, to inflict heavy losses on the army by defensive actions.

In this case the enemy's counter strikes by his second-echelon troops are likely to be launched from the line: Birstein - Gedern in the direction of Grehenhain, Lauterbach, Bad Hersfeld, and from the line: Neustadt, Homberg in the direction of Kirtarf, Alsfeld, Niederaula.

II. Order to 16th MRD:

The 16th MRD with the ____arty bde of the VGK artillery div, -- Anti-tank Bn, ____Combat Engineer Bn, -- Assault Crossing Co, and ___ Bn of the Road and Bridge Regiment is to attack the enemy at the line of Ludwigsau, Eichhof and to develop the attack in the direction Bad Hersfeld, - Rockerod and destroy the enemy in the area Ludwigsau, Gittersed, Rockerod, Eichhof and to continue the attack in the direction of Go Bmanerode - Ottrau and destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area: Wigshain, Schorbach, Ottrau, and Kemmerod and at ____ hrs seize the line of its immediate mission at Schorbach, Ottrau, and north of Lingitbach.

Then the division is to continue the attack in the direction of Ottrau, Alsfeld, Hill 384, destroy the enemy forces in the area ____, ____, ____, ____ and at the end of the day seize the line of west of Anlrifttal, Heimertshausen and the stretch of route 49 to the south. The direction of attack of the division for the next day is Heimertshausen and Hill 322.

The division is to detach one reinforced BMP motorized rifle battalion as a forward detachment to destroy, from the line of march, the enemy's border and covering troops in the security zone and to facilitate quick advance of the division to the line of the enemy's forward defense area.

For the division's attack 15 nuclear rockets, 5 chemical rockets and 15 conventional rocket warheads are allocated. The chemical and nuclear weapons will be used in accordance with the order and instructions via signal for the initial nuclear strike by the front.

(In case of the conduct of the attack with the use of nuclear weapons the targets of divisional rocket troops are specified as shown below.) During the initial nuclear strike of the front the following targets are to be destroyed by the division's rocket battalion:

target No 314, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____, --by a 3 kt warhead air burst at H- 00:20 or at the signal;

target No 315, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____ , ____by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 316, enemy artillery bn, in area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 317, enemy brigade second-echelon bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 318, enemy brigade second-echelon tank bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20 or at the signal:

target No. 319, enemy's division CP, in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20.

target No. 320 enemy's brigade CP in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20

target No. 321, enemy's rear service, in area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20.

The division is to conduct breakthrough of the enemy forward defense area in the area ___ on a 4 km front and destroy or suppress during the preparatory fire the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in the depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries, and enemy's immediate reserves.

The division CP during the breakthrough of the enemy's defense is to be established at 3 km west of road junction of Fredewald and the division's rear Cp in the area ____.

The time of readiness of the division troops for the attack is 2400 on __.

III. The army means and adjacent missions:

a. The following targets are destroyed in the division's sector by army means:

enemy's Corps CP at ____

nuclear depot at ____

nuclear rocket system at ____

During the artillery preparatory fires, the following targets in the division's sector are destroyed : targets ____, ____, ____, ____.

The air force destroys and suppresses during the preparatory fire the enemy's nuclear weapons at ____, enemy CP at ____, enemy SAM systems in ____, enemy radar posts at ____.

b. On the right the 11th MRD of the First Guards Army attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of the road junction west of Schellbach, Wattenstein, Rabolds, and a subsequent mission to seize the line of Frielendorf, 3 km west of Seigertshausen, and Neukirchen. The daily mission of the division is to seize the line of Momberg, Neustadt, Arnsha. The boundary with the division passes through: Eisenach, Hill 754, and Dannenrod.

On the left, the 18th MRD attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of road junction 3 km northwest of Hattenbach, Breilenburg, 2 km east of Hatterode. The division's subsequent mission is to seize the line of Lingetach, and airfield at Lauterbach, and its daily mission is to seize the line of 2 km west of Neider, east of Windhausen, and Meiches. The boundary with the division passes through : Mohara, Hill 366, road junction south east of Bad Hersfeld, Kleba, Lingellach, Neider.

IV. Troop control- The Army's FCP is at Walreslenben

army's CP is at Wickastedt

army's rear CP is at Tumpling

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and rear CP during the operation is the direction of Waldfisch, Schenklengsfeld, Gruynbverg, Weilmunster, Ober Dmershausen.

The signal communication from army's CP's to the front' commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent and interacting troops is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are in order of succession: The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of the political affairs dept, and commander of the 16th MRD.

Chief of operations directorate

Chief of Staff

x

 
 

Blank Sample Combat Instructions from Army to Division

I approve ___/___/Guards Army Serial No:
Major General -- SECRET
Copy No:


Combat Instructions

of the commander of the _____________ Army for offensive operation to the commander of the ____ MRD:

Command post ________, at ____, on ____ Map 1:250,000 Aug 1983 ed:

I. Enemy

As a result of the deterioration of the international situation the NATO has secretly brought its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and wants to launch a surprise attack on the territories of the Warsaw Pact.

Confronting the troops of the ___________ Army, the forces of the _____ _ Corps are deployed with the _____ ________ and the _______ _______ Division in the first-echelon composed of a total of up to ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery pieces, ____ tanks,____ guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, and ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In the second-echelon of the _ Corps, the ___ division and most likely tank troops of the FRG will operate with a total of ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery piece tan guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In front of the forward defense belt, the ________________ Regiment and the enemy's border troops are deployed in the security zone.

The combat action of the enemy during the operation will be supported by ____ combat aircraft from the U.S. and FRG national air forces and aviation troops of the ___ ATAF, organic to the Central Army Group, which has nuclear capability.

During the conduct of the operation the enemy can launch a total of ( ) strikes of nuclear rockets, rounds, and bombs in the area of the __________ Army.

On the flanks of the ___ Corps, the _________ Corps in the north and the _______Corps in the south will operate. Their actions can affect the ______ ______ Army actions during the conduct of the operation.

During the operation, movement of the U. S. and French strategic reserves and newly mobilized German reserves to the area of the Eighth Guards Army is likely. The enemy tries to inflict maximum losses on the Warsaw Pact countries by launching a surprise decisive offensive operation and seize vital territories. If the Warsaw Pact countries overtake the NATO in offensive operations, it is likely that the troops of the ____ U. S. Corps will hold pre-prepared defensive lines at the line of __________, __________, _______, ________, to inflict heavy losses on the army by defensive actions.

In this case the enemy's counter strikes by his second-echelon troops are likely to be launched from the line: __________ - ____ in the direction of ________, _________ ,___________, and from the line: _______,________ in the direction of _______, _______, __________.

II. The division

The ____ MRD with ____ Artillery Brigade of the VGK artillery div, -- Anti-tank Bn, ____Combat Engineer Bn, -- Assault Crossing Co, and ___ Bn of the Road and Bridge Regiment is to attack the enemy at the line of ________, _______ and to develop the attack in the direction ________, - _______ and destroy the enemy in the area _________, ________, _______, ______ and at ____to continue the attack in the direction of __________ - _____ and destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area: ________, ________, ______, and _______ and at ____ hrs seize the line of its immediate mission at ______, ______, and _____________.

Then the division is to continue the attack in the direction of ______, _______, ________, destroy the enemy forces in the area ____, ____, ____, ____ and at the end of the day seize the line of __________, ___________ and ______________. The direction of attack of the division for the next day is _________ and ________.

The division is to detach one reinforced BMP motorized rifle battalion as a forward detachment to destroy, from the line of march, the enemy's border and covering troops in the security zone and to facilitate quick advance of the division to the line of the enemy's forward defense area.

For the division's attack __ nuclear rockets, _ chemical rockets and __ conventional rocket warheads are allocated. The chemical and nuclear weapons will be used in accordance with the order and instructions via signal for the initial nuclear strike by the front.

(In case of the conduct of the attack with the use of nuclear weapons the targets of divisional rocket troops are specified as shown below.) During the initial nuclear strike of the front the following targets are to be destroyed by the division's rocket battalion:

target No 314, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____, --by a 3 kt warhead air burst at H- 00:20 or at the signal;

target No 315, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____ , ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 316, enemy artillery bn, in area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 317, enemy brigade second-echelon bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 318, enemy brigade second-echelon tank bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20 or at the signal:

target No. 319, enemy's division CP, in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20.

target No. 320 enemy's brigade CP in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20

target No. 321, enemy's rear service, in area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20.

The division is to conduct breakthrough of the enemy forward defense area in the area ___ on a 4 km front and destroy or suppress during the preparatory fire the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in the depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries, and enemy's immediate reserves.

The division CP during the breakthrough of the enemy's defense is to be established at _______________ and the division's rear Cp in the area ____.

The time of readiness of the division troops for the attack is 2400 on __.

III. The army means and adjacent missions:

a. The following targets are destroyed in the division's sector by army means:

enemy's Corps CP at ____

nuclear depot at ____

nuclear rocket system at ____

During the artillery preparatory fires, the following targets in the division's sector are destroyed : targets ____, ____, ____, ____.

The air force destroys and suppresses during the preparatory fire the enemy's nuclear weapons at ____, enemy CP at ____, enemy SAM systems in ____, enemy radar posts at ____.

b. On the right the ____ MRD of the __________ Army attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of the road junction west of __________, _______, _______, and a subsequent mission to seize the line of _______,_____, and ________. The daily mission of the division is to seize the line of _______, ______,_______. The boundary with the division passes through: ________, ________, and _________.

On the left, the ____ MRD attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of road junction _______, ___________, ____________. The division's subsequent mission is to seize the line of _______, and __________ , and its daily mission is to seize the line of ___________, _________________, and _______. The boundary with the division passes through : _____, ________, ____________________, _________, and _________.

IV. Troop control- The Army's FCP is at ________

army's CP is at __________

army's rear CP is at ________

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and rear CP during the operation is the direction of ________,________,________, _____________.

The signal communication from army's CP's to the front' commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent and interacting troops is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are in order of succession: The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of the political affairs dept, and commander of the 16th MRD.

Chief of operations directorate

Chief of Staff

x

I Approve --/--/89 Serial Number:______
Commander in chief Central Front SECRET
General of Army ____ Copy Number: _______
Sig



 
 

OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF THE CENTRAL FRONT

to Eighth Guards Army

Command Post ... map 1:1,000,000, 1983 ed. 1330 1, 2, 1985



I. Enemy Situation

In accordance with the international crisis and the deterioration of the international situation, the enemy has secretly brought his armed forces to a state of full combat readiness, and is preparing a surprise invasion into the territory of the countries of the Warsaw Pact.

The Eighth Guards Army is confronted by the US V Corps. Its first-echelon is composed of __ mechanized and armored divisions, __ Armored Cavalry Regiment ___ nuclear SSM's, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ____tanks, ___ artillery, ____SAM's and ____aircraft and helicopters.

In the second-echelon, the US V Corps has deployed ___ while mobilizing German and French units are in reserve with a total of ___ divisions, ___ nuclear SSM's, ___nuclear artillery pieces, ___ tanks,___ artillery, ___SAM's, and ___ aircraft and helicopters.

The enemy operation is supported by ___combat aircraft including ___ aircraft with nuclear capabilities. The enemy will try to destroy the Warsaw Pact forces by a surprise and decisive attack and disrupt its preparation for the offensive operation.  If the Warsaw Pact forces are able to overtake the enemy in preparations and launch of the attack, the enemy is likely to conduct delaying action along several pre-prepared defensive lines mostly on main rivers to inflict the heaviest losses on WP forces and eventually destroy it in counter-blows.

The enemy's counter-blows are likely to be launched from the line: ___________ in the direction of ______________, and from the line: _________ in the direction of __________________.



II. The Eighth Guards Army reinforced with _____ artillery division, ______ anti-tank regt, _______:

Advances from the line _______________ by breaking the enemy's defense line between ___ and ___ to launch the main blow in the direction ___________________ to destroy the enemy's main forces in the area ____, _____, _______________, __________. At the end of D + 3 reach the line_________ - ____________. Subsequently advance in the direction _______________ to destroy on the march the enemy's arriving reserves in the area ___, ___, ___, ___ and at the end of the operation's _______ day seize the line ______, _________. Alloted for the conduct of the operation are __ nuclear, __ chemical, __ conventional rocket warheads.

The army FUP area is _______________________.

On the right is the First Guards Tank Army

The boundary with them follows the line Eilenburt - E 11o 34' - Eisenach - Mast 2474 - N 51o 13' - 1427 (E 80o 26', N 50o 8') - Rhine at Neuwied.

On the left is the Twenty-eighth Guards Army

The boundary with them follows the line Mittwelda - Kahla - 2425 (E 10o 26' N 50o 37') - Gersfeld - Bad Vilbel - Frankfurt - Rhine at Bingen - Trier.

Position the command post in the _____________ area, and the rear control post in the _____________ area.



III. The following enemy sites in the army's attack zone are destroyed by the front's rocket brigades: ________, _____.

The Eighth Guards Army will receive ___ regimental sorties per day during the accomplishment of the immediate mission and ___ regimental sorties per day during its accomplishment of its subsequent mission.

The army will coordinate air defense with the ___ Fighter Division operating in tis sector and the ___ SAM Brigade in sector.



IV. The front command post is in the area of _________.

The front forward command post is in the area of __________________.

The front rear control point is in the area of ___________________.

The command post, forward command post and the rear control post move forward in the direction of _________________.

Deputies: the front chief of staff, the first deputy commander of the front, and the chief of the political directorate.

Communications are organized with all control points through radio, radio-relay, telephone-telegraph, with subordinates, neighbors and units interacting with yours.

V. The army commander will report his decision to the front commander at ___ hrs. The army will be prepared to initiate the offensive by ___ hrs.

Signatures:

1.  Chief of the Operational Directorate

2.  Front Chief of Staff

3.  Front Commander

I Approve --/--/89 Serial Number:______

Commander in chief Central Front SECRET

General of Army ____ Copy Number: _______

Sig



 
 

OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF THE CENTRAL FRONT

to Eighth Guards Army

Command Post ... map 1:1,000,000, 1983 ed. 1330 1, 2, 1985



I. Enemy Situation

In accordance with the international crisis and the deterioration of the international situation, the enemy has secretly brought his armed forces to a state of full combat readiness, and is preparing a surprise invasion into the territory of the countries of the Warsaw Pact.

The Eighth Guards Army is confronted by the US V Corps. Its first-echelon is composed of __ mechanized and armored divisions, __ Armored Cavalry Regiment ___ nuclear SSM's, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ____tanks, ___ artillery, ____SAM's and ____aircraft and helicopters.

In the second-echelon, the US V Corps has deployed ___ while mobilizing German and French units are in reserve with a total of ___ divisions, ___ nuclear SSM's, ___nuclear artillery pieces, ___ tanks,___ artillery, ___SAM's, and ___ aircraft and helicopters.

The enemy operation is supported by ___combat aircraft including ___ aircraft with nuclear capabilities. The enemy will try to destroy the Warsaw Pact forces by a surprise and decisive attack and disrupt its preparation for the offensive operation.  If the Warsaw Pact forces are able to overtake the enemy in preparations and launch of the attack, the enemy is likely to conduct delaying action along several pre-prepared defensive lines mostly on main rivers to inflict the heaviest losses on WP forces and eventually destroy it in counter-blows.

The enemy's counter-blows are likely to be launched from the line: ___________ in the direction of ______________, and from the line: _________ in the direction of __________________.



II. The Eighth Guards Army reinforced with _____ artillery division, ______ anti-tank regt, _______:

Advances from the line _______________ by breaking the enemy's defense line between ___ and ___ to launch the main blow in the direction _________________to destroy the enemy's main forces in the area ____, _____, _______________, __________. At the end of D + 3 reach the line ________ -___________. Subsequently advance in the direction _______________ to destroy on the march the enemy's arriving reserves in the area ___, ___, ___, ___ and at the end of the operation's _______ day seize the line ______, _________. Alloted for the conduct of the operation are __ nuclear, __ chemical, __ conventional rocket warheads.

The army FUP area is ___________________.

On the right is the First Guards Tank Army

The boundary with them follows the line Eilenburt - E 11o 34' - Eisenach - Mast 2474 - N 51o 13' - 1427 (E 80o 26', N 50o 8') - Rhine at Neuwied.

On the left is the Twenty-eighth Guards Army

The boundary with them follows the line Mittwelda - Kahla - 2425 (E 10o 26' N 50o 37') - Gersfeld - Bad Vilbel - Frankfurt - Rhine at Bingen - Trier.

Position the command post in the _____________ area, and the rear control post in the _____________ area.



III. The following enemy sites in the army's attack zone are destroyed by the front's rocket brigades: ________, _____.

The Eighth Guards Army will receive ___ regimental sorties per day during the accomplishment of the immediate mission and ___ regimental sorties per day during its accomplishment of its subsequent mission.

The army will coordinate air defense with the ___ Fighter Division operating in tis sector and the ___ SAM Brigade in sector.



IV. The front command post is in the area of _________.

The front forward command post is in the area of __________________.

The front rear control point is in the area of ___________________.

The command post, forward command post and the rear control post move forward in the direction of _________________.

Deputies: the front chief of staff, the first deputy commander of the front, and the chief of the political directorate.

Communications are organized with all control points through radio, radio-relay, telephone-telegraph, with subordinates, neighbors and units interacting with yours.

V. The army commander will report his decision to the front commander at ___ hrs. The army will be prepared to initiate the offensive by ___ hrs.

Signatures:

1.  Chief of the Operational Directorate

2.  Front Chief of Staff

3.  Front Commander



 
 

DISCUSSION AGENDA

This discussion agenda follows the sequence of topics given in the instructor tasks and list of practrical exercises. No time schedule is given because the length of time devoted to each exercise will vary greatly depending on the instructors' perceptions of the manner in which the students are absorbing the information. The discussion topics follow the following logical sequence.
structure and organization of army troop control organs
responsibilities of commander and operations staff
actions of army troop control organs during organization of offensive
actions of army troop control organs during conduct of offensive
front operations directive and map showing the dimensions of the army mission, boundaries, and other information received by the army headquarters.
calculation of the width of an army sector in the given conditions.
calculations required to determine the correlation of forces in the main sector of an army offensive.
clarification of army mission from operational directive
initial instructions to be issued by army
calculation of time available for preparation of the operation and discussion of the content of the calendar plan
raising the army to full combat readiness status and completing its mobilization plan
width of breakthrough sector and artillery requirement according to the scenario given in the front directive
calculation of the correlation of forces in the given scenario.
preparation of correlation of forces tables for this specific scenario.
suggestions as chief of operations.
making deductions on the location of boundaries for the divisions, division missions, and other specifics of the commander's decision
aim and concept of the army operation based on the operational directive given from the front.
army operational directive and combat instructions for one division
situation for D + 4 or 5 in which the army faces a major enemy counterattack and must also plan for the commitment of its second echelon division
recommendations of the chief of operations, the commander's estimate of the situation, and the commander's decision
combat instructions to army subordinate division for its commitment into the engagement


 
 

LIST OF VIEWGRAPHS

VG1 -Outline of lesson V

VG2 - Elements established in the Soviet army troop control system

VG3 - Composition of troop control organs

VG4 - Elements of organization of the army staff

VG5 - Activities of the combat operations section during combat

VG6 - Main command post (cp)

VG7 - Forward command post

VG8 - Organs of control located at the rear control point

VG9 - Airborne command post

VG10 - Signal system

VG11 - Elements included in the order for changing control from main to alternate or to forward post

VG12 - Measures taken by the staff when control is changed to the forward command post

VG13 - Composition of army signal troops

VG14 - Elements included in the signal center units and sub-units

VG15 - Elements included in signal line and cable units

VG16 - Elements included in the field mail signal service

VG17 - Missions fulfilled by the army commander personally or through the staff and control organs

VG18 - Most important duties of the chief of staff fulfills

VG19 - Duties of the chief of the operations directorate

VG20 - Functions of the officers in the operations section

VG21 - Duties of the chief of the reconnaissance

VG22 - Elements in the information the intelligence section collects, evaluates, disseminates, and presents on the enemy

VG23 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of rocket troops and artillery

VG24 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of air defense

VG25 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of engineers

VG26 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of engineers part II

VG27 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of chemical troops

VG28 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of chemical troops part II

VG29 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of signal troops

VG30 - Duties fulfilled by the army chief of signal troops part II

VG31 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of radio-electronic combat

VG32 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of armament and technical services

VG33 - Duties fulfilled by the deputy commander for rear services

VG34 - Elements included by the army commander upon receiving the operational directive

VG35 - Measures for preparation organized in the calendar plan

VG36 - Information shown on the headquarters duty roster for staff officers

VG37 - Calculations necessary for staff officers to make decisions on various operational elements to be included in the report to the commander

VG38 - Norms for organization and planning

VG39 - Points the army commander determines in order to clarify the aim of the mission

VG40 - Items the commander determines as a result of the clarification of the mission

VG41 - Information expected for the organization of combat and its time for delivery

VG42 - Items determined by the army commander during the estimate of the enemy

VG43 - Items determined by the commander as a result of his estimate of the enemy

VG44 - Items determined by the army commander during his estimate of own forces

VG45 - Points the army commander makes clear as a result of assessing his own forces

VG46 - Items determined by the army commander during the estimate of adjacents

VG47 - Items determined by the army commander during his estimate of the social political situation of the population in the army area

VG48 - Items determined by the army commander during his estimate of the economic capabilities of the army area

VG49 - Most important factors on conditions in which the operation is being prepared

VG50 - Sequence in which the recommendations are reported

VG51 - Points raised during the reports and suggestions of the chief of staff and chiefs of arms and services

VG52 - Points raised in the report and suggestions of chief of reconnaissance on the enemy

VG53 - Points raised in the report and suggestions of chief of reconnaissance on the enemy part II

VG54 - Points raised in the report and suggestions of the chief of operational directorate

VG55 - Points raised in the suggestions of the chief of rocket forces and artillery

VG56 - Points raised in the report and suggestions of the chief of army air defense

VG57 - Suggestions of other chiefs of special troops and services during estimate of situation and decision making process

VG58 - Suggestions of the chief of staff during the estimate of the situation and presentation of proposed decisions to the commander

VG59 - Estimates of the situation and logistic decisions made by the chief of rear services

VG60 - Points determined by the army commander as a result of clarifying the mission and making an all-around estimate of the situation

VG61 - Questions the concept of the operation answers

VG62 - Uses of correlation of forces measures in determining the concept of operations

VG63 - Army missions and plans

VG64 - Possible planning issues

VG65 - Planning air support

VG66 - Combat operations schedule

VG67 - Manner in which subordinate large units and units of combat arms and special troops and services receive missions

VG68 - Elements contained in the operation directive and combat order

VG69 - Situation reports

VG70 - Measures taken by the army commander in order to prepare to repel an enemy surprise attack which may attempt to preempt the army offensive

VG71 - Documents which may compose the army operation plan

VG72 - Elements contained in the basic document in the operation

VG73 - Elements shown on the map in the graphic part of the plan

VG74 - Elements usually shown in the summary of the explanatory notes VG - Points contained in the plan for preparing and occupying the assembly area( FUP) for the offensive

VG75 - Points in the explanatory notes

VG76 - Stages for the interaction of the offensive

VG77- Points contained in commander's actions if interaction is organized on the ground

VG78 - Orders of the army commander in the interest of the agreed upon use of the forces and means that participate in the front first nuclear strike and in accordance with the front commander's orders for the army rocket brigade and separate division battalions (which participate in the first nuclear strike) and for other army forces

VG79 - Points the army commander agrees with pertaining to rocket forces and supporting air forces during organization of interaction by the order of the front commander

VG80 - Questions coordinated by the army commander on actions in the covering force area and during the breakthrough of the enemy main defense lines during organization of interaction in the course of the offensive without employment of nuclear weapons

VG81 - Orders of the army commander with the aim of coordinating the actions of the attacking forces and air assault forces

VG82 - Points shown in the plan made by the operations directorate (schematic, map, tables) on army interaction for the offensive together with the staff of the rocket troops and artillery, PVO, engineer troops, chemical troops, and others

VG83 - Combat support organized by the army staff in the offensive operation

VG84 - Points which are part of the control process

VG85 - The chief of staff's main methods for timely troop control

VG86 - Measures for support of troop control

VG87 - Measures taken by the chief of staff and other troop control elements to accomplish durability of troop control

VG88 - Basic mission of the commandant service while preparing for offensive operations

VG89 - Basic measures for preserving security of state and military secrets

VG90 - Basic missions of army troop control during offensive operations

VG91 - Most important task of the army commander, chief of staff, staff, rear services, and chiefs of combat arms and special troops and services when some army formations and units become weakened and lose combat capability

VG92 - Measures contained in the plan for restoring combat effectiveness and liquidating the results of nuclear strikes

VG93 - Most important missions of the army commander, staffs, and troop control organs

VG94 - Main methods for destroying the attacking enemy and break up his offensive

VG95 - Information determined by the chief of reconnaissance

VG96 - Items specified by the chief of staff in last minute assessment of the enemy

VG97 - Army commander

VG98 - Manner in which the army commander performs for making the decision more specific during the breakthrough staff of control organs

VG99 - Manner in which the army commander performs for making the decision more specific during the breakthrough staff of control organs

VG100 - Action of army staff and control organs while repelling enemy counterattacks

VG101 - Action of army staff and control organs while repelling enemy counterattacks part II

VG102 - Information received by the staff and army troop control organs for making the decision and reporting it to the army commander

VG103 - Information received by the staff and army troop control organs for making the decision and reporting it to the army commander part II

VG104 - Orders the army commander issues when he makes his decision on the commitment of the second-echelon and his combat instructions on the commitment

VG105 - Items explained by the chief of reconnaissance

VG106 - Items reported on by the chief of operations

VG107 - Items the chief of engineers reports on

VG108 - Items explained by the chief of rocket troops and artillery

VG109 - Topics reported on by the chief of the center for control of the air army

VG110 - Topics reported on by the chief of air defense

VG111 - Points discussed by the chief of staff

VG112 - Points ordered by the army commander when he makes his decision on forcing an obstacle based on the various chief's suggestions and on information he has on the situation, locations, and water obstacle

VG113 - Elements included in the combat readiness plan

VG114 - Duties accomplished in order to reach the level of higher combat readiness

VG115 - Measures taken for conduct of field troop

VG116 - Control at the level of full combat readiness

VG117 - Measures accomplished by the forces in the permanent garrisons upon receipt of the alarm

VG118 - Duties fulfilled by the army commander while bringing the army forces to full combat readiness

VG119 - Duties which the chief of staff performs upon receipt of the combat alarm in order to fulfill measures on controlling forces as they reach full combat readiness with times for accomplishment and their sequence

VG120 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of operations directorate while bringing the forces to full combat readiness

VG121 - Missions fulfilled by the chief of reconnaissance while bringing army forces to the state of full combat readiness

VG122 - Missions fulfilled by the chief of rocket troops and artillery while bringing forces to level of full combat readiness

VG123 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of PVO for support of higher combat readiness of PVO forces, to cover army forces and rear targets against enemy air strikes, and for bringing PVO forces to full combat readiness

VG124 - Tasks fulfilled by the chief of engineer troops while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness

VG125 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of engineer troops while army forces are being brought to full combat readiness part II

VG126 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of chemical troops while bringing army forces to full combat readiness

VG127 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of chemical troops while bringing army forces to full combat readiness part II

VG128 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of signal troops while bringing army forces to full combat readiness

VG129 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of signal troops while bringing army forces to full combat readiness part II

VG130 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of radio-electronic combat while bringing army forces to full combat readiness

VG131 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of radio-electronic combat while bringing army forces to full combat readiness part II

VG132 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of technical and armament services while bringing army forces to full combat readiness

VG133 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of technical and armament services while bringing army forces to full combat readiness part II

VG134 - Duties fulfilled by the chief of rear services while bringing army forces to full combat readiness

VG135 - Exercise one

VG136 - Answer exercise one

VG137 - Exercise Two

VG138 - Answer exercise two

VG139 - Exercise three

VG140 - Exercise three answer

VG141 - Exercise six

VG142 - Exercise nine

VG143 - Exercise ten



 
 

PRACTICAL EXERCISES


 
 

Exercise 1: Determine the width of the main sector for an army when;
----- width of overall sector is 80km;
----- overall correlation of forces and means 1:1;
----- acceptable correlation outside of main sector is 0.5;
----- required correlation of forces and means in main sector is 3:1;

{short description of image}

BGA=80 (1 - 0.5) ÷ (3 - 0.5)=40 ÷ 2.5=16 km

 
 

Exercise 2: To determine the correlation in the main sector of a army when;
----- width of overall sector 70km;
----- width of main sector 12km;
----- overall correlation of forces 0.8
----- acceptable correlation outside main direction 0.5;

{short description of image}

70 ÷ 12 ( 0.8 - 0.5) + 0.5=1.5

Now a correlation of 1.5 : 1 is not enough for attack, there are four ways to increase it:

First Option: further reduce the correlation outside the main sector looking for maximum reduction i.e.(0) correlation outside main sector;

70 ÷ 12 (0.8 - 0 ) + 0=2.67

So 2.67:1 is the highest correlation one can achieve in a 12km sector when the overall correlation is 0.8 on a 70km front. However in this case no forces will be available to cover the remaining 58km of the front. Therefore the correlation in the main sector should be less than 2.67, so that some forces and means will be available to cover the rest of the army zone, a 2:1 is a reasonable option.

In this case what kind of correlation can be achieved in the rest of the army area?

{short description of image}

CDR=[(70 x 0.8) - (12 x 2)] ÷ (70 - 12)=0.5

Therefore, if the correlation on other direction is reduced to 0.5:1, one can achieve a correlation of 2:1 on a 12 km wide main sector of the army.

Second option:

Reduce the width of the main sector. In this case a 50% reduction of the main sector frontage means that a correlation will increase in this direction.

{short description of image}

Therefore in order to get a 3:1 correlation in the main sector the width the main sector should be reduced to the following extent:

{short description of image}

=70 (0.8 - 0.5) ÷ (3 - 0.5)=8.4 km

Therefore the width of the main sector should be reduced to 84 km in order to obtain a correlation of 3:1 in the main sector and still have a 0.5:1 correlation of forces and means in other sectors.

Third option:

Attach additional forces and means to the army so that a higher overall correlation is achieved. In order to determine the required overall correlation use this formula:

{short description of image}

X=12 ÷ 70 (3 - 0.5) + 0.5=1.1

Therefore an overall correlation of 1.1:1 should be established on a 70km front so that the army can achieve a 3:1 correlation on a 12km wide main sector and 0.5:1 correlation in the rest of the army's area. To determine the percentage of reinforcement (additional troops) use this formula:

{short description of image}

C=(1.1 - 0.8) ÷ 0.8 x 100=37%

This means that army's forces and means should be augmented by of its current composition.

Fourth option:

To inflict further losses on enemy to the extent to meet the required correlation of forces and means. To determine the percentage of required casualties inflicted on the enemy we can use either the formula or the nomogram.

{short description of image}

M: Required casualties to be inflicted on the enemy.

CM: current correlation of forces and means

CT: required correlation of forces and means.

P: expected losses of friendly forces due to enemy action.

In our example CM equals 1.5, CT=3. If P is assumed to be 30%, then

M=100 - 1.5 ÷ 3 (100 - 30)=65%

This means that if own forces have 1500 "utils" and enemy has 1000 "utils" then with 65% losses to the enemy and 30% losses to own forces the ratio will be as follows

1500 x 7 ÷100=1050 utils (own)

1000 x 35 ÷100=350 utils (enemy)

Correlation 1050 ÷ 350=3 or 3:1

This calculation can also be conducted by using the nomogram.

 
 

Exercise 3: In the initial instructions received by the army commander the army is assigned a mission for offensive operation with the following:

Scope:
width - 60 km;
depth - 250 km;
duration - 6 days.

The army is composed of 5 divisions. During the clarification of the mission determine the following:
----- number of attack directions and breakthrough areas:
----- number of divisions in the first-echelon:
----- rate of advance, and required correlation of forces.

Answer: 2 directions, 4 divisions in first echelon, rate of advance of 250/6=42 km per day.



 
 

Exercise 4:

On the basis of the clarification of the mission issue initial instructions to the divisions regarding the upcoming operation.

Answer, see prepared text

 
 

Exercise 5:

Prepare the calculation of time available for the preparation of the operation and develop the calendar plan of the preparation of the operation, when the mission is received at --- and the time to be prepared for attack is 0500 June 14.



 
 

Exercise 6:

Given the location of the army forces and means determine the time to mobilize and establish the grouping of forces and means in the departure area:


Answer:
Calculation of time is based on current data about the location of troops, distance to the departure area, and simple movement formulas for the following:
----- covering troops;
----- first echelon divisions and regiments;
----- division and army support elements;
----- rear service installations.

 
 

Exercise 7:

Assume that the width of breakthrough is as given in exercise 2 at 8.4 km.

Determine the overall breakthrough area and number of artillery pieces required.


Answer: 924 guns and mortars.



 
 

Exercise 8:

Given the composition of the army and the enemy's order of battle shown on the map (table) prepare the table of correlation of forces and means for the following areas:
----- start of the operation (all front, main sector, and supporting attack sector);
----- at the end of first day;
----- end of army's immediate mission;
----- end of army's long range mission;
----- end of division immediate mission;
----- end of division long range mission (first day);


Answer:

(see prepared table). To fill the tables use the following qualitative factors
Soviet Division 1.0
US Division 1.1
UK Division 0.9
FRG Division 1.0
Belgium Division 0.8

 
 

Exercise 9:

Studying the terrain on the map determine the following and show them on overlay:
----- division boundaries;
----- division missions;
----- deployment of army's grouping in departure area;
----- line of commitment of second echelon division and its mission;
----- command posts and their relocation;
----- airborne assault landings;
----- rear service establishments;


Answer:

(see prepared map [diagrams] and discuss the solution focusing on subjective evaluation based on simple terrain analysis from map data and norms of suitability.

 
 

Exercise 10:

Prepare the suggestions of the chief of operations and the chief of staff to the army commander.


Answer:
(see prepared text)

 
 

Exercise 11:

Write the aim and concept of the operation for the army commander.


Answer:
(see prepared text)

 
 

Exercise 12:

Using the blank of army's operational directive fill in the blank from the data marked on the map of the army's plan for offensive operation.



 
 

Exercise 13:

During combat prepare the estimate of the situation and commander's assessment and decision at the time of commitment of the army second echelon division into the engagement and repelling of enemy counterattack.


Answer: (see prepared text)

 


 
 

Exercise 14:

Issue orders to subordinate division for missions as determined in exercise 13:


Answer: (see prepared text)


 
 

LESSON V OUTLINE

structure and organization of army troop control organs

responsibilities of commander and operations staff

actions of army troop control organs during organization of offensive

actions of army troop control organs during conduct of offensive

practical exercises in operations planning


 
 

EXERCISE ONE

Determine the width of the main sector for an army when:
width of overall sector is 80 km;
overall correlation of forces and means 1:1;
acceptable correlation outside of main sector is 0.5;
required correlation of forces and means in main sector is 3:1;

ANSWER EXERCISE ONE



{short description of image}

BGA=80 (1 - 0.5) ÷ (3 - 0.5)=40 ÷ 2.5=16 km



 
 

EXERCISE TWO

Determine the correlation in the main sector of a army when;
----- width of overall sector 70km;
----- width of main sector 12km;
----- overall correlation of forces 0.8
----- acceptable correlation outside main direction 0.5;

If the correlation is not sufficient, evaluate options for increasing it.


ANSWER EXERCISE TWO




{short description of image}

70 ÷ 12 ( 0.8 - 0.5) + 0.5=1.5



Now a correlation of 1.5:1 is insufficient to attack:
There are four ways to increase it:
----- further reduce the correlation outside the main sector;
----- reduce the width of the main sector;
----- attach additional forces and means to army;
----- inflict further losses on enemy prior to attack.


 
 

EXERCISE TWO - PART II

Consider the four options and perform relevant calculations for each:

ANSWER EXERCISE TWO - PART II


Option one - first determine the maximum reduction theoretically possible (ie 0 ) outside the main sector. This gives the following result.

70 ÷ 12 (0.8 - 0 ) + 0=2.67


Try a correlation of 2.1:1
In this case the correlation that can be achieved in the rest of the army area is:



{short description of image}

CDR=[(70 x 0.8) - (12 x 2)] ÷ (70 - 12)=0.5

Therefore if the correlation on the rest of the front is reduced to 0.5:1, one can achieve a correlation of 2:1 on a 12 km wide main sector of the army.


Option two: reduce the width of the main sector.


In this case a 50% reduction of the main sector frontage means that a correlation will increase in this direction.



{short description of image}

Therefore in order to get a 3:1 correlation in the main sector the middle of the main sector should be reduced to the following extent:
=70 (0.8 - 0.5) ÷ (3 - 0.5)=8.4 km


{short description of image}

Therefore the width of the main sector should be reduced to 8.4km in order to obtain a correlation of 3:1 in the main sector and still have a 0.5:1 correlation of forces and means in other sectors.



Option three: Attach additional forces and means to the army so that a higher overall correlation is achieved. In order to determine the required overall correlation use this formula:

{short description of image}

=12 ÷ 70 (3 - 0.5) + 0.5=1.1

Therefore an overall correlation of 1.1:1 should be established on a 70km front so that the army can achieve a 3:1 correlation on a 12km wide main sector and 0.5:1 correlation in the rest of the army's area. To determine the percentage of reinforcement (additional troops) use this formula:

{short description of image}

C=(1.1 - 0.8) ÷ 0.8 x 100=37%

This means that army's forces and means should be augmented by of its current composition.



Option four: To inflict further losses on enemy to the extent to meet the required correlation of forces and means. To determine the percentage of required casualties inflicted on the enemy we can use either the formula or the nomogram.

{short description of image}

M:Required casualties to be inflicted on the enemy.

CM: current correlation of forces and means

CT: required correlation of forces and means.

P: expected losses of friendly forces due to enemy action.

In our example CM equals 1.5, CT=3. If P is assumed to be 30% then

M=100 - 1.5 ÷ 3 (100 - 30)=65%

This means that if own forces have 1500 "utils" and enemy has 1000 "utils" then with 65% losses to the enemy and 30% losses to own forces the ratio will be as follows
1500 x 7 ÷100=1050 utils (own)
1000 x 35 ÷100=350 utils (enemy)


Correlation 1050 ÷ 350=3 or 3:1
This calculation can also be conducted by using the nomogram.

 
 

EXERCISE THREE

In the initial instructions received by the army commander the army is assigned a mission for offensive operation with the following:

Scope:
----- width - 60 km
----- depth - 250 km
----- duration - 6 days



The army is composed of 5 divisions. During the clarification of the mission determine the following:
----- number of attack directions and breakthrough areas:
----- number of divisions in the first-echelon;
----- rate of advance, and required correlation of forces.



 
 

EXERCISE FIVE

Prepare the calculation of time available for the preparation of the operation and develop the calendar plan of the preparation of the operation, when the mission is received at --- and the time to be prepared for attack is 0500 June 14.

 
 

EXERCISE SIX

Given the location of the army forces and means discuss how to determine the time to mobilize and establish the grouping of forces and means in the departure area:


Answer:

Calculation of time is based on current data about the location of troops, distance to the departure area, and simple movement formulas for the following:
----- covering troops;
----- first echelon divisions and regiments;
----- division and army support elements;
----- rear service installations.


 
 

EXERCISE NINE

Given the composition of the army and the enemy's order of battle shown on the map (table) prepare the table of correlation of forces and means for the following areas:

start of the operation (all front, main sector, and supporting attack sector);

at the end of first day;

end of army's immediate mission;

end of army's long range mission;

end of division immediate mission;

end of division long range mission (first day);


To fill the tables use the following qualitative factors
Soviet Division 1.0
US Division 1.1
UK Division 0.9
FRG Division 1.0
Belgium Division 0.8


 
 

CHIEF OF RECONNAISSANCE DIRECTORATE

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



 
 

CHIEF OF OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE

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



 
 

CHIEF OF ROCKET TROOPS AND ARTILLERY

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


 
 

STAFF ACTIVITIES DURING BREAKTHROUGH

Chief of staff:

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

Army commander:

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


 
 

OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTION FRONT TO ARMY

The army receives its orders in the form of an extract of the front operational directive. The form and content of this instruction follows:

I. Enemy situation: a brief description of the enemy facing the army and its expected courses of action.

II. The content of the orders to the army describing its missions.

III. The support provided by actions of front forces and means in the army area.

IV. Troop control: The location and movement of the front command post, signal communication measures and the succession for the front commander.

V. The time and location at which the army commander must report his decision to the front commander.


 
 

OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTION FRONT TO ARMY

The army receives its orders in the form of an extract of the front operational directive. The form and content of this instruction follows:

I. Enemy situation: a brief description of the enemy facing the army and its expected courses of action.

II. The content of the orders to the army describing its missions.

III. The support provided by actions of front forces and means in the army area.

IV. Troop control: The location and movement of the front command post, signal communication measures and the succession for the front commander.

V. The time and location at which the army commander must report his decision to the front commander.


 
 

ARMY OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE

I Approve --/--/89
Commander _____________ Army Serial Number:
Major General ____ SECRET
Sig Copy Number:

OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF

The commander of the _____________ Army for offensive operations.

Command Post at ___________,___________, (time) _______________

(date), Map 1:250,000 August 1983 ed.

I. ENEMY SITUATION:

As a result of the development of acute international tension NATO is secretly engaged in bringing its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and intends to launch a surprise attack on the territories of Warsaw Pact countries.

Elements of the ___________ are deployed directly against the forces of the _____________ Army. The first-echelon of the _____ is composed of the ___________ Division and _______________________ Division with a total of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___tanks, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___SAM systems, ___helicopters, and ___ fixed wing aircraft.

In the second-echelon of the__ Corps is the ____________ Division and probably elements of ________________ forces will operate in the area, composed of ___ nuclear rocket systems, ___ nuclear artillery pieces, ___ artillery pieces and mortars, ___ tanks, ___ SAM systems, and ___ combat helicopters.

The _____________________________ and border troops are deployed in front of the forward defense area in the security zone. During the operation the combat action of the enemy forces will be supported by ___ combat aircraft with nuclear capability from the U.S. and West German national air forces and the ________ of Central Army Group.

In general the enemy can launch ___ nuclear rocket strikes and aerial bombs in the area of operation of the _____________ Army and against rear services installations of the army and the front during the conduct of his operation.

The _____________________ in the north and _________ Corps in the south are deployed on the flanks of the _______ Corps. Their operations can affect the forces of the _____________ Army. Movement and arrival of strategic reserves composed of _____ and ______ armed forces and mobilization reserves of ____________ are likely during the operation in the area of the _____________ Army.

The enemy tries to inflict losses on and destroy the Warsaw Pact forces and seize vital territories by a surprise and decisive offensive operation. If the Warsaw Pact forces overtake the enemy in initiation of offensive operations, the forces of the _______ Corps are likely to hold a pre-prepared defensive line along the ____________, ___________, _______, _______ and ___ ________ line, to inflict maximum losses on the _____________ Army by defensive action, and then launch counter strikes by the second-echelon forces from the line of ________ - ______ in the direction of __________, _________, ____________, and from the line of ________ - _______ in the direction of _______, _______, __________.

II. MISSION CONDUCTED BY FORCES AND MEANS OF THE FRONT AND ADJACENTS.

a. The following targets in the army's attack area are destroyed by the front's rocket troops and aviation forces during the initial nuclear strike:
----- enemy's nuclear weapons and nuclear depots in the area ___, ___, ____, and ___.
----- enemy's airfields in the areas ___, ___, ___, ___, and ___.
----- command posts of the _______ ___ ____ in the area ___ and command posts of the ____ of the ____________ Group in the area ___. -----enemy's reserves in area ___, ___, ___, and ___.
----- enemy's rear service installations in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___.

T_____ regimental sorties of the front's fighter- bomber aviation are allocated to the army to support the army's action during the offensive operation and _____ regimental sorties of the front's helicopter aviation and one transport aviation division from the main command of the air force are allocated to support the airborne assaults. These sorties will be covered by the front's fighter aviation during their flight.

b. Adjacents:

On the right flank of the army the _____ ______ ____ Army attacks in the direction of _____, _______, _______, _______. Its immediate mission is to seize the line of ________, ________, __________, and _____________; and its long range mission is to seize the line of __________, ________, _________, and _________. The boundary with the right adjacent passes through _________, ________,________, and _________. All points are included in the ______ ______ Army's area.

On the left flank of the army the _____________ ___________ Army attacks in the direction of _______, ________, _______ and west of _________. The immediate mission of the ___________ is to seize the line of __________, _________, and _______ and its long range mission is to seize the line of ____, _________, and ______. The boundary line with the left adjacent passes through _________, _________, __________, and _____. All points are included in the _____________ area.


III. CONCEPT OF THE OPERATION

In the initial nuclear strike, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons. The enemy's nuclear rocket and artillery troops in areas ___, his air force in areas ____, his main infantry and tank forces in areas ___, and the enemy's command posts at ___ are destroyed and decisive losses are inflicted on the enemy's air defense troops in areas ___, and on his rear service installations in areas ___.

Exploiting the results of the initial strategic nuclear strike and nuclear strikes of the front and army means the army attacks the enemy along the line of ____________, _____, and ________ and develops its attack by its main forces; i.e. the ____, ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions in the direction of _________,________, and _______; and during the operation by employing additional ( ) rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys the main forces of the _______ Corps in the area; ________,________, _______, _______, and _____ and seizes on the third day the line of _________, ________, _________, and ________. Subsequently by committing the second-echelon forces into the engagement the army develops the attack in the direction of _______, _______, and _______ and during the conduct of the operation, by using ( ) nuclear rockets with a total yield of ( ) kilotons destroys newly detected enemy nuclear weapons, destroys the enemy's approaching reserves from the line of march, conducts assault crossing over the _____ River and with the cooperation of and by exploiting the success of the _____________ CAA encircles and destroys the main forces of the _________ and _____ Corps and approaching strategic reserves, and on the _th day of the operation seizes the line of ____, _______, ______ and ______.

The army's operational formation is established in two echelons:
----- in the first-echelon: the __th, __th,___th, and __st Motorized Rifle Divisions;
----- in the second-echelon: the __th and __th Tank Divisions;
----- the __st Separate Tank Regiment is the army's reserve.

IV. I ORDER

a. The __th Motorized Rifle Division with one brigade of artillery of the VGK reserve, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer battalion is to attack the enemy on the line: _________ - _______, to develop the attack in the direction of __________ - ________, to destroy the enemy in the area of _______, ________, ________, and to continue the attack in the direction of _______ - ______, destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area of __________, ________,_______, and ______ and seize the line of the immediate mission at _________, ______ and _____________ H + 10.

Then the division is to develop the attack in the direction of ______, _______ and _______ and at the end of the day seize the line of west of _________, ______, and _________________.
The future attack direction of the division for the next day is ________ and ________. The division is to assign one reinforced BMP motorized rifle regiment as the forward detachment to destroy from the line of march the enemy's covering forces and border troops in the enemy's security zone and facilitate quick advance of the division's main forces to the forward defense line of the enemy.
For the conduct of the division's attack ___nuclear, _ chemical and __ conventional rockets are allocated to the division. The use of nuclear and chemical weapons will be conducted only at signal and command of the front for the initial nuclear strike.
The division conducts the breakthrough of the enemy's main defensive line, at a 4 km front and during the artillery preparatory fire destroys and suppresses the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries and enemy's immediate reserves.

On the left the ____ Motorized Rifle Division attacks. The boundary line with that division passes through ______, ________, _________, ________,___________, and ______.
During the penetration (breakthrough) of the enemy's defense, the destruction of the enemy's brigade reserve, development of the attack in depth and destruction of the enemy's division reserves are conducted in interaction with the ____ Motorized Rifle Division.
The division's command post during the penetration of the enemy's defense is to deploy _ km west of ________, and the rear service control point during this phase is to deploy in ___.

b. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with one artillery brigade of VGK artillery division, one anti-tank battalion and engineer battalion attacks the enemy at the line ___ (As for the ____ Div).

c. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions of the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies attacks the enemy at the line ___ (as for the ____ Div).

d. The ____ Motorized Rifle Division with two artillery battalions from the army's artillery brigade, two anti-tank batteries and two engineer companies is to attack the enemy from the line ___ ( as for the ____ Div).

e. The ____ Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. The division is to deploy in departure (assembly) area in __________, __________, ___________, ___________. During the operation the division is to follow the ____ MRD by bounds at a distance of 40 - 60 km on at least 3 routes and be prepared to be committed into battle from the line No 1. (______________) with the mission to destroy the enemy's advancing reserves from the line of march and seize the line of _______, ____, and ________. The direction of its future attack is _______, ______.
The line No. 2 of commitment is the line of ___ with the immediate mission line at ___ and the direction of future development of the attack at ___.
At the time of commitment, the division is reinforced by 3 artillery battalions, one anti-tank battalion and one engineer road construction battalion.
In case of the use of nuclear weapons, the division is allocated __ nuclear, _ chemical, and __ conventional rockets.
The area of responsibility of the division to fight enemy's airborne assaults and his reconnaissance groups includes ___.

f. The __th Tank Division is in the army's second-echelon. It is to deploy ___ (As for the ____ Tank Div).

g. Army's rocket brigade is to accomplish the following tasks:

-----1. destroy the following targets during the initial nuclear strike of the front:
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 302 in the area of ___ by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00.20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's nuclear rocket, target No. 203 in ___, by a 20 kt warhead, air burst at H - 00:20 or at front's signal.
----- enemy's ___ Corps command post, target No. 304 in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:2- or at the front's signal. ----- enemy's rear command post, target No. 305, in ___ by a 100 kt warhead, ground burst at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target No. 306, in ___ by a 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- airfield, target No 307, in ___ by 40 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.
----- enemy's second-echelon division in the area ___, ___, ___, and ___; including the following targets:
----- targets No. 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, and 313 - each by a 20 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the front's signal.

(Note: Targets for divisional rocket strikes are also designated in the same way)

2. Time of delivery of nuclear and chemical rockets to the troops is P - 6 hrs. Time of delivery of conventional rockets to the troops is D - 3 days.

3. The status and situation of planned targets for nuclear strike are to be continuously followed and necessary adjustment in the plan of the nuclear strikes is to be made according to the actual situation.

4. Preparation of rocket troops for launch is to be kept at the highest state and technical rocket support of the rocket troops is to be organized in detail.

5. Position areas of rockets are to be well prepared in terms of engineer work and well camouflaged. Alternate positions for rockets are to be established and their protection against mass destruction weapons as well as the security and defense of rocket positions and mobile rocket bases must be organized and established.

6. To maximize the range of fire and to launch timely strikes on designated targets, timely relocation of positions and movement of rocket troops during the conduct of the operation, are to be planned and executed.

h. Artillery

1. The following artillery groups are to be established in army's large units and units:
----- army artillery group (AAG): 10 artillery battalions;
----- army reactive artillery group (AGRA): 4 BM-22 Bns.
----- in the ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- divisional artillery groups (DAG) of 6 artillery battalions each
----- regimental artillery groups (RAG) on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each; ----- in the ____ and ____ Motorized Rifle Divisions:
----- DAG of up to 4 artillery battalions each
----- RAG on the main direction of 3 artillery battalions each

2. Artillery missions:

During the preparation, initiation and conduct of the offensive operation, the artillery is to accomplish the following tasks:
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy's nuclear weapons;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his aggression in the army's area. At this phase in addition to the security zone's regimental artillery, part of the divisional artillery is also assigned;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during crossing the international border and during the battle in the enemy's security zone by artillery units of forward detachments of the first-echelon divisions, and part of the artillery of the first-echelon divisions:
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and particularly destruction of strong points, destruction of artillery and mortar batteries, and command posts, and suppression of the enemy's immediate reserves;
----- destruction and suppression of the enemy and providing support for own troops during the assault support fire during the combat in the forward defense area of the first-echelon brigades;
----- providing fire support for attacking troops during the combat action in the depth of the enemy in the form of accompanying fire;
----- inflicting losses on the enemy during his counter-attacks and counter- strikes;
----- support of the army troops during assault river crossing;
----- support and covering of open flanks and gaps between combat formations;
----- struggle against enemy's artillery and mortars during the conduct of the offensive operation in the depth of the enemy's defense;
----- support of the commitment of the second-echelon troops and combined arms reserves into combat.

3. The density of the artillery for the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense during the preparatory fire is ___ - ___ guns and mortars per kilometer of front, duration of the preparatory fire is __ - __ minutes and the ammunition expenditure is ___ - ___ units of fire. the density of artillery during the commitment of the second-echelon forces into combat is to be __ - __ guns and mortars per kilometer of front and the duration of artillery preparatory fire is __ - __ minutes with an expenditure of ___ - ___ units of fire.

4. The assault support fire is to be conducted in the form of successive concentration of fire on one or two lines, single or double attack moving barrage to the depth of the first-echelon battalions i.e. _ - _ kms.

5. The accompanying fire is conducted by the method of concentration of fire and massive fire on individual targets.

I. Organic and attached aviation troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation.
----- - participation in the preparatory fire and assault support and accompanying fire during the conduct of the operation to destroy nuclear weapons and nuclear depots, command posts, to destroy and suppress enemy's deep reserves, air defense and radar positions, rear service installations, signal centers, aircraft guidance points, as well as the command posts and positions of radio electronic warfare systems during the attack.
------ conduct of air reconnaissance and air photography in support of the army's operation and reconnaissance for damage assessment of targets hit by friendly nuclear strikes. Up to the initiation of the attack, the reconnaissances to be conducted only by observation and aerial photography using fixed wing aircraft and helicopters along the state borders without crossing the border.
------ support and covering of the troops and army's targets against enemy's air strikes during the preparation and conduct of the operation;

the flight (sortie) resources are to be distributed as follows:
a. to the ____ and ____ MRD's 3 fighter - bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day;
b. to the ____ and ____ MRD's 2 fighter- bomber aviation squadron sorties each per day

conduct struggle against the enemy tanks by combat helicopters;

insert airborne assault troops (desants) by transport helicopters in the rear of the enemy in accordance with separate plans;

J. to Air defense troops;

The air defense troops are to conduct the following missions during the preparation and conduct of the operation:

covering of the main combined arms and tank troops in the FUP areas, during the breakthrough of the enemy's prepared defense and in the depth of the enemy area;

covering of rocket and artillery troops in the departure (FUP) area, during their firing and during the conduct of the operation;

covering of command posts in the departure area and during the conduct of the operation;

covering of rear service installations in the departure area and during the operation;

covering of reserves and second-echelon troops in the departure area, during their movement and their commitment into combat;

covering of desants in their departure areas, during their flight, in their landing areas in the depth of the enemy's area, and during their combat actions;

covering of the troops during the assault river crossing;

covering the troops during the repulsion of the enemy's counter strikes.

2. The fire, reconnaissance, and warning systems of the army's air defense troops are to be coordinated with the fire and reconnaissance systems of the front and divisions' air defense troops and fighter aviation of the front air army and national air defense forces as part of an integrated unified plan so that massive strikes of the enemy's air force can be effectively repelled.

3. During the preparation and conduct of the operation, all air defense troops of the army and lower echelons (troops) are to be brought to the state of full combat readiness so that they will be ready to repel the enemy's air strikes. In any situation one third of the air defense troops must be kept at combat duty status.

4. Appropriate positions for the air defense troops are to be prepared in terms of engineer work. In addition to the main positions, alternate positions are to be established as well.

5. The movement of the air defense troops during the preparation and conduct of the attack is conducted in a way so that at critical phases of the operation all or the bulk of the air defense troops of the army and the troops have occupied positions to repel the enemy's air strikes and they are ready for the execution of their mission.

k. Airborne Assault troops (desant)

During the operation two airborne assaults are conducted:

1. A tactical airborne assault by a reinforced motorized rifle battalion from the ____ Division with a mortar battery. The departure area for the desant is ___ and it should be occupied at 0600 on the first day of the operation for a 24 hrs period of preparation for the desant force.
The desant is airlifted by the front's transport helicopter regiment and it is supported by two fighter aviation squadrons.
The desant is landed in the enemy's rear in the area ___ at 0600 on the second day of the operation.
The mission of the desant is to destroy the enemy's nuclear depot and to seize and destroy the ________ in ___.
Prior to the landing, the enemy's reserves and other targets in the landing area are initially hit by front's fighter-bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Positions of the enemy's air defense means and airfields in the flight corridor of the helicopters are suppressed and destroyed by the air force.
Planning of the airborne assault for movement and landing isto be worked out by the helicopter regiment commander in cooperation with the army's operations directorate and the commander of the airborne assault force.
The troop control during the preparation for desant is conducted from the command post of the helicopter regiment in the departure area for the desant, and then during the operation it is conducted from the army's command post and the desant battalion's command/observation post.

2. Operational airborne assault (desant) by an airborne assault regiment reinforced by one towed artillery battalion.
The departure area for this desant is ___ and it is to be occupied at ____ on the ______ day of the operation for the preparation of the desant.
The desant is air-lifted by an aviation transport division from the air force main command and one transport helicopter regiment and it is covered during the flight and landing by two fighter aviation regiments.
The landing is in the rear of the enemy in area ___ at ____ on the _____ day of the operation.
The mission of the desant is to seize a bridgehead on the _____ River, destroy enemy logistic depots and to assist the army troops during the assault river crossing at the _____.
Prior to the landing, the enemy's targets in the landing area and his close-by airfields are initially hit by fighter-bomber and bomber aviation and then by rocket troops using conventional warheads. Enemy's air defense means and radars located in the flight corridor of the desant are destroyed by the air force, rocket troops and artillery.
Planning of the desant for movement and landing is to be worked out by the commander of the aviation transport division in cooperation with the army staff and airborne assault regiment.
The troop control during the preparation for the desant is conducted from the command post of the aviation transport division and command post of the airborne assault regiment, while during the combat action it is conducted from the army's command post and the command post of the airborne assault regiment in the combat action area.

L. Combined Arms Reserve

The ____ ______ Regiment is the combined arms reserve of the army and it is to deploy in area ___ and follow the ____ Motorized Rifle Division by bounds at a 30 - 40 km distance and be prepared for unexpected missions during the conduct of the operation.

M. Army's Anti-tank Reserve:

1. The army's artillery anti-tank reserve is the ____ Anti-tank Regiment from the VGK artillery division. It is to deploy in area ___ and conduct struggle against tanks on the army's main attack direction. The likely fire lines of the anti-tank reserve to repel the enemy's tank counter-attack during the operation are as follows:
Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.

The army's anti-tank reserve moves during the operation on the direction of the army's main attack following the ____ MRD.

2. The combat helicopter regiment, in addition to support of the army troops during the operation, is to conduct struggle against enemy tanks. It is to deploy in the area ___ and be prepared to fight the enemy tanks on the following lines:
Line NO 1: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 2: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 3: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.
Line NO 4: The line of ___ in the direction of ___.

N. Mobile Obstacle Detachment (POZ) is the first and second companies of the army's obstacle battalion. |It is to deploy in area ___ and move and operate with the anti-tank reserve to repel enemy tanks.

O. Engineer Reserve is the 1st Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment, the 1st Road and Bridge Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the Pontoon Bridge Regiment. After accomplishment of assigned missions during the preparation of the army's operation, the engineer reserve is to deploy in area ___ and be prepared to conduct unexpected missions during the operation. In the course of the conduct of the operation it is to follow the ____ Motorized Rifle Division.

P. Chemical Reserve:

The chemical reserve is composed of the army's separate chemical protection battalion. It is to be prepared to conduct unexpected missions in the course of the operation. The chemical reserve is to deploy in area ___ and move during the operation in the direction ___.

Q. Time of readiness of the troops for the operation is at 2400 hrs on ___.

The norms of mobile reserves of material means during the operation are to be kept as follows:
1. Infantry weapons - ____ units of fire
2. Arty and mortars - ____ units of fire
3. Reactive arty - ____ units of fire
4. Tank ammunition - ____ units of fire
5. Air defense ammo - ____ units of fire
6. Auto gasoline - ____ refills
7. Diesel fuel - ____ refills
8. Foodstuffs - __ daily rations


V. CONTROL OF ARMY TROOPS

The army CP is in ___________.
The army's rear control point is at _______.
The army's FCP is at _________.

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and Rear CP during the operation, is the direction of _________, __________, _______, __________, _____________.
The signal communication from army's CP to the front's commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent, and interacting troops will be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are:
The chief of staff,
first deputy army commander,
chief of political affairs,
and commander of the ____ MRD.
Chief of Operations Directorate:
(Signature)

Chief of Staff of the army
(Signature)



 
 

ARMY OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE

I Approve --/--/89
Commander _____________ Army Serial Number:
Major General ___ SECRET
Sig Copy Number:

OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE OF

The commander of the _____________ Army for offensive operations.

Command Post at ___________,___________, (time) _______________

(date), Map 1:250,000 August 1983 ed.

I. ENEMY SITUATION: (Brief discussion of enemy status and intentions)

II. MISSION CONDUCTED BY THE FRONT AND ADJACENTS.

nuclear targets and missions

other assistance rendered by higher headquarters and other forces

III. CONCEPT OF THE OPERATION

nuclear strike, targets and missions

main concept of ground attack, line from which attack is launched, main direction, forces involved, location of immediate and subsequent missions, time, enemy destroyed.

operational formation (echelons)

IV. I ORDER

detailed assignment to each major formation (division) giving attachments, line for launching attack, enemy to be destroyed in area, axis of main attack, line for immediate and subsequent missions, etc.

missions to rocket brigade

missions to artillery including groups to be created, specific details on form and content of preparatory fire, assault support fire, and accompanying fire.

missions for aviation forces

missions to air defense troops

missions and details of air assault troops

missions and details for combined arms reserve

missions and details for army's anti-tank reserve:

missions and details for mobile obstacle detachment

missions for engineer reserve

missions for chemical reserve

Time of readiness of the troops for the operation is at 2400 hrs on ___.

The norms of mobile reserves of material means during the operation are to be kept as follows:

1. Infantry weapons - ____ units of fire

2. Arty and mortars - ____ units of fire

3. Reactive arty - ____ units of fire

4. Tank ammunition - ____ units of fire

5. Air defense ammo - ____ units of fire

6. Auto gasoline - ____ refills

7. Diesel fuel - ____ refills

8. Foodstuffs - __ daily rations

V. CONTROL OF ARMY TROOPS

The army CP is in ___________.

The army's rear control point is at _______.

The army's FCP is at _________.

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and Rear CP during the operation, is the direction of _________, __________, _______, __________, _____________.

The signal communication from army's CP to the front's commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent, and interacting troops will be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are:

The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of political affairs, and commander of the ____ MRD.

Chief of Operations Directorate:

(Signature)

Chief of Staff of the army

(Signature)


 
 

COMBAT INSTRUCTIONS FROM ARMY TO DIVISION

I approve ___/___/Guards Army Serial No:

Major General -- SECRET

Copy No:



Combat Instructions

of the commander of the _____________ Army for offensive operation to the commander of the ____ MRD:

Command post ________, at ____, on ____ Map 1:250,000 Aug 1983 ed:

I. Enemy

As a result of the deterioration of the international situation the NATO has secretly brought its armed forces to the state of full combat readiness and wants to launch a surprise attack on the territories of the Warsaw Pact.

Confronting the troops of the ___________ Army, the forces of the _____ _ Corps are deployed with the _____ ________ and the _______ _______ Division in the first-echelon composed of a total of up to ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery pieces, ____ tanks,____ guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, and ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In the second-echelon of the _ Corps, the ___ division and most likely tank troops of the FRG will operate with a total of ____ nuclear rocket systems, ____ nuclear artillery piece tan guns and mortars, ____ SAM systems, ____ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

In front of the forward defense belt, the ________________ Regiment and the enemy's border troops are deployed in the security zone.

The combat action of the enemy during the operation will be supported by ____ combat aircraft from the U.S. and FRG national air forces and aviation troops of the ___ ATAF, organic to the Central Army Group, which has nuclear capability.

During the conduct of the operation the enemy can launch a total of ( ) strikes of nuclear rockets, rounds, and bombs in the area of the __________ Army.

On the flanks of the ___ Corps, the _________ Corps in the north and the _______Corps in the south will operate. Their actions can affect the ______ ______ Army actions during the conduct of the operation.

During the operation, movement of the U. S. and French strategic reserves and newly mobilized German reserves to the area of the Eighth Guards Army is likely. The enemy tries to inflict maximum losses on the Warsaw Pact countries by launching a surprise decisive offensive operation and seize vital territories. If the Warsaw Pact countries overtake the NATO in offensive operations, it is likely that the troops of the ____ U. S. Corps will hold pre-prepared defensive lines at the line of __________, __________, _______, ________, to inflict heavy losses on the army by defensive actions.

In this case the enemy's counter strikes by his second-echelon troops are likely to be launched from the line: __________ - ____ in the direction of ________, _________ ,___________, and from the line: _______,________ in the direction of _______, _______, __________.

II. The division

The ____ MRD with ____ Artillery Brigade of the VGK artillery div, -- Anti-tank Bn, ____Combat Engineer Bn, -- Assault Crossing Co, and ___ Bn of the Road and Bridge Regiment is to attack the enemy at the line of ________, _______ and to develop the attack in the direction ________, - _______ and destroy the enemy in the area _________, ________, _______, ______ and at ____to continue the attack in the direction of __________ - _____ and destroy the enemy's division reserves in the area: ________, ________, ______, and _______ and at ____ hrs seize the line of its immediate mission at ______, ______, and _____________.

Then the division is to continue the attack in the direction of ______, _______, ________, destroy the enemy forces in the area ____, ____, ____, ____ and at the end of the day seize the line of __________, ___________ and ______________. The direction of attack of the division for the next day is _________ and ________.

The division is to detach one reinforced BMP motorized rifle battalion as a forward detachment to destroy, from the line of march, the enemy's border and covering troops in the security zone and to facilitate quick advance of the division to the line of the enemy's forward defense area.

For the division's attack __ nuclear rockets, _ chemical rockets and __ conventional rocket warheads are allocated. The chemical and nuclear weapons will be used in accordance with the order and instructions via signal for the initial nuclear strike by the front.

(In case of the conduct of the attack with the use of nuclear weapons the targets of divisional rocket troops are specified as shown below.) During the initial nuclear strike of the front the following targets are to be destroyed by the division's rocket battalion:

target No 314, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____, --by a 3 kt warhead air burst at H- 00:20 or at the signal;

target No 315, enemy's first-echelon bn, in area ____ , ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 316, enemy artillery bn, in area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 317, enemy brigade second-echelon bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 3 kt warhead, air burst, at H - 00:20 or at the signal;

target No. 318, enemy brigade second-echelon tank bn, in the area ____, ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20 or at the signal:

target No. 319, enemy's division CP, in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20.

target No. 320 enemy's brigade CP in the area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, ground burst, at H + 00:20

target No. 321, enemy's rear service, in area ____ by a 10 kt warhead, air burst, at H + 00:20.

The division is to conduct breakthrough of the enemy forward defense area in the area ___ on a 4 km front and destroy or suppress during the preparatory fire the enemy's strong points on the forward line and in the depth, command posts, artillery and mortar batteries, and enemy's immediate reserves.

The division CP during the breakthrough of the enemy's defense is to be established at _______________ and the division's rear Cp in the area ____.

The time of readiness of the division troops for the attack is 2400 on __.

III. The army means and adjacent missions:

a. The following targets are destroyed in the division's sector by army means:

enemy's Corps CP at ____

nuclear depot at ____

nuclear rocket system at ____

During the artillery preparatory fires, the following targets in the division's sector are destroyed : targets ____, ____, ____, ____.

The air force destroys and suppresses during the preparatory fire the enemy's nuclear weapons at ____, enemy CP at ____, enemy SAM systems in ____, enemy radar posts at ____.

b. On the right the ____ MRD of the __________ Army attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of the road junction west of __________, _______, _______, and a subsequent mission to seize the line of _______,_____, and ________.. The boundary with the division passes through: ________, ________, and _________.

On the left, the ____ MRD attacks with an immediate mission to seize the line of road junction _______, ___________, ____________. The division's subsequent mission is to seize the line of _______, and __________. The boundary with the division passes through : _____, ________, ____________________, _________, and _________.

IV. Troop control- The Army's FCP is at ________

army's CP is at __________

army's rear CP is at ________

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and rear CP during the operation is the direction of ________,________,________, _____________.

The signal communication from army's CP's to the front' commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent and interacting troops is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are in order of succession: The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of the political affairs dept, and commander of the 16th MRD.

Chief of operations directorate

Chief of Staff

x

 
 

COMBAT INSTRUCTIONS FROM ARMY TO DIVISION

I approve ___/___/Guards Army Serial No:

Major General -- SECRET

Copy No:



Combat Instructions

of the commander of the ______ Army for offensive operation to the commander of the ____ MRD:

Command post ________, at ____, on ____ Map 1:250,000 Aug 1983 ed:

I. Enemy

(A short version of the discussion of the enemy situation and forecast concept of his operations from the operations directive. This includes specific information of strength, quantities of weapons, and locations)

II. The division

(The assignment to the division as stated in the operations directive including attachments and support by army units, line for deployment into attack, direction of attack, destruction of specific enemy in specific area, line of immediate mission, direction of further advance, line of subsequent mission, and times for achieving missions)

(Further instructions such as creation of forward detachments, establishing covering force)

(Discussion of nuclear strike plan including specific target assignments for the division rocket battalion.)

(Assignment of breakthrough mission including dimensions of frontage and tasks during artillery preparatory fire.)

(Designation of location for division command post and rear control point.

(Designation of time to be ready to attack.)

III. The army means and adjacent missions:

(Specific data enumerating targets to be destroyed by army means (nuclear strike, air, artillery fire.)

(Information on immediate missions, subsequent mission, boundary lines, and other information about activities of adjacent formations and units.)

IV. Troop control- The Army's FCP is at ________

army's CP is at __________

army's rear CP is at ________

The direction of relocation of the FCP, CP, and rear CP during the operation is the direction of ________,________,________, _____________.

The signal communication from army's CP's to the front' commander and staff and with the subordinate, adjacent and interacting troops is to be established by radio, radio-relay, telephone, and mobile communications means with strict observation of the rules of secrecy of the troop control.

My deputies are in order of succession: The chief of staff, first deputy army commander, chief of the political affairs dept, and commander of the 16th MRD.

Chief of operations directorate

Chief of Staff