SOVIET VOROSHILOV ACADEMY LECTURES
FRONT OPERATIONS

I. Introduction


Rear Services


Rear services are an inseparable part of the armed forces of the country. This includes units, large units and rear service installations combined with storage sites for supplies and equipment, which are to form an organic part of units, large units, and operational entities. This includes units, large units and rear service installations directly under the control of the central organs of the rear services. Rear services may be divided into three distinct categories: rear services of the forces, operational rear services, and rear services of the center.


Rear Services of the Forces

This includes rear service units and subunits, which have control of mobile storage assets and form an organic part of major units, units, and subunits, and whose mission it is to provide direct supply, and technical and medical support under any type of conditions or circumstances.


The Operational Rear Services

This includes rear service units, major units, and installations, which form an organic part of operational entities and are assigned to provide all around rear service support for the forces. The operational rear services includes the front rear services, navy, military district (okrug) and PVO district, district, army rear services (missile, infantry, armor, air forces, air defense), air forces, naval air and naval bases. Organization of the operational rear services is not fixed and depends upon the combat composition, mission of operational entities, and the combat environment in the theater of strategic military action.


Rear Services of the Center

This includes large units, units, and rear service installations, which are directly subordinate to the Main Administration of the Center, Ministry of Defense and the branches of the armed forces. During peacetime, all support in the form of armed forces supplies, missile propellants, POL, rations, clothing, pharmaceuticals, as well as medical support are provided by a single system of supply services of military districts and groups of forces. During wartime, the above services are provided through the front rear services organization, by using military district facilities (units and rear service installations) and by taking advantage of local assets.

II. The Tasks and Likely Composition of the Front Rear Services

Rear services support consists of a number of measures concerning the organization of the rear services, preparation and utilization of the communications routes and transportation means, and provision of materiel, technical, medical and other types of support and services to the troops. In front operations such support is provided by the rear services of the troops, armies and front.

The rear services of the troops and of the armies are completely mobile and maintain the following amount of supplies: in a division, for four to five days; in the army, for six to seven days of combat action.

The front rear services constitutes the materiel and technical base for rear service support of the troops throughout the entire depth of the front's offensive operation. The front's rear services has the following tasks:
- supplying the troops with all kinds of supplies, timely establishment and maintaining of specified reserves, and their continuous delivery to the troops;
- preparation and reliable operations of supply routes and transportation means along with the organization of commandant and traffic control services on the front's main supply routes;
- collection, evacuation and repair of damaged vehicles and weapons;
- providing medical assistance and treatment of the wounded and sick, taking anti-epidemic and preventive (sanitary) measures during the front offensive operation;
- organization of protection, security, and defense of the rear services installations and keeping order in the front's rear services area;
- performing the tasks concerning veterinary and quartering services of the troops and the utilization of local and captured resources.
The troop control of the front's rear services is exercised by the front commander through the front staff, the deputy front commander for rear services, and the chiefs of services directly subordinate to him. The staff of the front rear services and the following chiefs of services are subordinate to the chief of the front's rear services (deputy front commander for rear services): chiefs of: motor transport service, motor routes, military communications service, POL supply service, medical service, foodstuff supply service, clothing supply service, veterinary service, quartering service, and military trade service.

The following service elements are directly subordinate to the front commander:
- rocket and artillery armaments service;
- armored vehicles service;
- motor and tractor service;
- engineer service;
- chemical service.

Composition of Front Rear Services

The composition of front rear service is not standard and depends on the following:
- composition of the front;
- missions of the front;
- conditions of the TSMA;
- characteristics of the operation;
- depth and duration of the operation;
- condition of the battle with and without the use of nuclear weapons.

The number of principle front rear service units and installations may be as follows:
- 1-2 front rear bases (FTB);
- 2-3 front forward brigades (FPB);
- 2-3 transport brigades (avt BR);
- 2-3 railroad brigades (JD BR);
- 2-3 road and command service brigades (DKBR);
- 2-3 pipeline brigades (T?BR);
- 4-6 front forward hospital bases (FPGB);
- 2-3 front rear hospital bases (FTGB);
- other rear service units.

The composition of front rear services is not permanent and depends on the composition of the troops, the missions of the front, the nature of the theater of military operations and the volume of tasks to be accomplished by the front's rear services. The composition of the front rear services can be as follows:
- forward and rear bases of the front with various supply depots and service units;
- mobile rocket technical bases and other units involved in providing support for rocket units organic to the troops;
- units and large units of railroad, highways, motor transportation, pipelines;
- front forward hospital bases, front rear hospital bases, independent medical detachments and other special medical units and facilities;
- military communications service elements;
- repair and evacuation units and facilities in support of the combat troops and services;
- rear services signal communications units and facilities;
- field military trading stores, bank offices, and military mail;
- rear service security (guard) units and large units.

In addition, special loading and unloading facilities and specialized facilities of communications routes may be allocated to the front.
The total strength of the front's rear services may reach the following figures:
- the number of large units, units, and independent installations: 2,500-3,000;
- personnel: 160,000-170,000;
- vehicles: 25,000-27,000.

The responsibility for timely supplying of the troops with weapons, combat vehicles and equipment and other materiel means belongs to the chiefs of arms and services. This should be taken into account in organization of the rear services support in front offensive operations.

III. Organizational Composition, Tasks and Capabilities of Front Rear Service Units, Large Units, and Installations

Forward Front Bases


The forward front bases are designated to maintain a specific amount of materiel reserves and insure their timely delivery to army (troops) bases. They are also assigned to conduct repairs of clothing, equipment, vehicles, and large assemblies of POL and food service technical equipment. They also reprocess POL reserves, provide laundry service, and supply bread.

Front bases are self sufficient in transportation means even when they are located far away from railroads. They can move to new locations by their organic transportation means. The capacity of supplies maintained in a forward front base is 7,000 tons which can supply supported troops for three to four days without outside replenishment. Each forward front base can supply one to two armies and the front's units and large units, the support of which is assigned to the forward base.

The forward front base consists of a base headquarters, one depot for each type of supply item, two independent service companies, an independent rear service engineer company, an independent rear service chemical protection company, three mechanical field bakery plants, maintenance facilities to repair the equipment of the POL supply service, as well as large technical equipment of food and clothing supply services, a mobile POL reprocessing station for motor fuel, two mechanical field laundry detachments, a materiel testing laboratory and military mail station.

The headquarters of the forward front base consists of the following:
- a base chief;
- deputy chief;
- deputy base chief for political affairs;
- political section;
- planning and organization section;
- transportation organization section;
- loading and unloading section;
- base control section;
- six senior assistants to the base chief in the following areas: armament and ammunition supply, POL, armored supply, motor and tractor supply, food and clothing, and combat equipment.

The signal communications for the forward front base is provided by its organic signal company.

The forward front base depots are capable of maintaining three to four days supplies to support the combat action of the armies. The total weight of such an amount of supplies may reach 7,000 metric tons and more. The capacity of each depot is as follows:
- artillery depot (ammunition): 250 wagons;*
- POL depot: 4,000 cubic meters;
- food depot: up to 25 wagons;*
- armored depot: up to 250 wagons;*
- motor and tractor depot: up to 25 wagons;*
- engineer depot: up to 200 wagons;*
- signal depot: up to 70 wagons;*
- chemical depot: up to 150 wagons;*
- clothing depot: up to 150 wagons;*
- medical depot: 300-350 wagons;*
- topography depot: up to 500 tons;
* One wagon is the equivalent of 20 tons.

Each depot can detach a subsidiary branch. The depots are subordinate to the chief of the base and the related chiefs of services at the front headquarters. The depots are subordinate to the chief of the forward front base in the following matters:
- reception, distribution, and delivery of supplies in accord with the plan of the rear service chief of staff and the chiefs of the related services at the front headquarters;
- deployment and movement of the depots;
- allocation of transportation means and work force to the depots;
- organization of loading and unloading;
- security and defense of the depots;
- billeting and communications.

The depots are subordinate to the front chiefs of related services in matters concerning security measures, resupply, preparation for the delivery of supplies to the troops, utilization of special equipment, accounting, and organization of expenditure of supplies.


Motor Transportation Regiment of the Forward Front Base

The motor transport regiment of the forward front base is designated to transport the supplies kept in the base, to supply materiel means, evacuation, and other transportation tasks in accordance with the plans of front rear services staff. The motor transport regiment can lift 3,300 tons of supplies in one trip.


Independent Service Companies

These companies are appointed to do the loading and unloading, to provide security, traffic regulation, and to support the troops operating in the base. One service company can load and unload up to 2,500 tons in a day.


Independent Rear Service Engineer Company

The company is designated to prepare shelters and covered dispositions for personnel, supplies, and vehicles.


Independent Rear Service Chemical Protection Company

The company is appointed to conduct chemical and radioactive reconnaissance, as well as to eliminate the impact of mass destructive weapons.


Rear Front Base

The rear front base is designated to hold materiel reserves and ensure their timely supply to the forward front bases or their subsidiaries, as well as to the troops operating in the front rear services area. The rear front base (rear services base) also conducts repair of equipment, large assemblies of the equipment belonging to POL, clothing, and food services, supplies bread, reprocesses POL, and provides laundry service for the troops. The rear front base is normally deployed on the main railroads (at rail heads), or in the vicinity of ports and harbors.


The rear front base is organized with the following elements:
- the base headquarters;
- three artillery ammunition depots, one artillery armament depot, eight POL depots and one depot of other supplies
- independent transportation battalion;
- independent service battalion;
- independent rear services engineer company;
- independent rear services chemical protection company;
- three mechanical field bakery plants;
- POL supply service equipment maintenance shops;
- maintenance facilities for the equipment of food and clothing services;
- two mobile POL reprocessing stations for motor fuel;
- seven mechanical field laundry detachments;
- unloading and distribution center of the front transportation;
- field military mailing service;
- test laboratory.


The headquarters of the rear front base is designated for troop control of the base. Its structure and organization are similar to the forward front base headquarters, which was discussed in the previous pages. In addition, there is a troop control section of the base with an attached signal platoon.

The rear front base depots maintain a large amount of materiel reserves calculated to meet the requirements of several days of combat operations by the front's troops; that is approximately 75,000 metric tons. The capacity of various depots are as follows:
- artillery (ammunition) depot: 250 wagons;*
- artillery armaments depots: up to 250 wagons;*
- POL depots: 8,000 cubic meters;
- food depot: up to 350 wagons*;
- armored equipment depot: up to 250 wagons;*
- motor and tractor depot: up to 150 wagons;*
- engineer depot: up to 200 wagons;*
- signal depot: up to 100 wagons;*
- chemical depot: up to 500 wagons;*
- clothing depot: up to 150 wagons;*
- medical depot: up to 800 tons;
- veterinary depot: up to 7 wagons;*
- billeting supplies depot: up to 50 tons;
* One wagon is the equivalent of 20 tons.



Each depot can detach two branches. The depots are subordinate to the chief of the rear front base and the front chiefs of services in the same way as was mentioned in the case of the forward front bases.

The permanent and stationary depots located in the front rear service area can also be included in the composition of the rear front base area.



The Independent Transport Battalion of the Rear Front Base


This unit is designated for internal transportation in the base area. In some situations it can also be employed in transportation of supplies to the troops for a short time in accordance with the front rear services plan. The battalion can lift in one trip 1,100 tons of supplies.


Independent Service Battalion

This unit is appointed to conduct loading and unloading work, to provide security, traffic regulation, and also to support the troops operating in the base which do not have organic supply forces and means. The battalion can load and unload up to 7,500 tons of cargo in a day, and also can accomplish up to 2,500 cubic meters of field engineering work.


Motor Transport Brigades

Motor transport brigades are employed to transport supplies, evacuate and provide other types of transport services in accordance with the plan of the front rear services staff. These brigades provide transportation services between the rear front base and the forward front bases. A motor transport brigade can lift 6,600 tons of cargo, including 1,440 tons of POL, in one trip. The brigade is organized into three motor transport battalions, one heavy motor transport battalion, two POL transport battalions, a service company, mobile maintenance shops and medical center.

Road Construction and Traffic Control Brigade

Such brigades are employed to prepare and restore the motor communications routes of the front and to provide traffic control and regulation along the routes. The capacity of one road construction and commandant's service traffic control brigade is 900 km, which means that along this distance, it can provide for the repair of the roads as well as traffic control and signal communications. The brigade is organized into the brigade headquarters, three road construction, traffic control, and commandant's service battalions, one independent road construction battalion, one independent bridging battalion, one independent special bridging battalion, signal platoon, reconnaissance platoon, chemical protection platoon, repair shop, etc. One to three road construction traffic control and commandant's service brigades can be in the composition of the front rear services.


Bridge Construction Brigade

The bridge construction brigade is part of a central reserve and is employed to reinforce the active operations of the fronts. Its mission is to construct crossings over the wide rivers which link motor routes. The brigade is organized into a brigade headquarters, two bridge construction battalions, two independent bridging battalions, two special bridge construction battalions, a bridge and machinery repair base, reconnaissance platoon, signal platoon, and etc.



Pipeline Brigades

The pipeline brigades are designated to provide POL transport through field pipelines. One to two pipeline brigades may be found in the front. Each brigade can establish 600 km of pipeline. The pipeline brigade is organized into four independent pipeline battalions, independent signal battalion, independent motor transport battalion, independent engineer and technical company, helicopter company, medical center etc. The brigade, in a 24 hour period, can transport up to 800 tons of fuel by using 100 mm pipelines, and 2,000 tons of fuel by using 150 mm pipelines, for a distance of 75-150 km, and also can construct 65-75 km of pipeline.



Independent Rocket Fuel Transportation Battalion

The battalion is organized into three rocket fuel transport companies, mobile motor vehicles maintenance shop, and a signal platoon. The battalion can lift, in one trip 640 tons of rocket fuel.


Front Rocket Fuel Depots

The front's rocket fuel depots are designated to hold rocket fuel reserves at the front level. Each depot can hold up to 500 cubic meters of rocket fuel.



Forward Front Hospital Bases

The forward front hospital bases consist of large mobile medical units which are assigned to provide medical support to the front's first-echelon armies. They receive casualties and provide specialized medical treatment. There may be as many as 6 forward front hospital bases. The total capacity of forward front hospital bases is up to 6,500 beds. The forward front hospital base deploys in one, two, or three locations. It can relocate in one trip by utilizing the independent ambulance battalion of the front and its organic vehicles. The forward front hospital base consists of the following elements: - the base headquarters;
- two triage hospitals: each one consisting of 500 beds;
- four field multi-purpose (polyclinic) hospitals, each with the capacity of 300 beds;
- nine field mobile surgery hospitals of 200 beds each;
- three field mobile internal hospitals (for internal diseases) of 200 beds each.;
- two field mobile psychiatric hospitals of 200 beds each;
- two field mobile epidemic disease hospitals of 200 beds each;
- one hospital for specially dangerous epidemic diseases;
- hospital for lightly wounded of up to 1,000 beds;
- specialized medical assistance (aid) detachment;
- independent medical support battalion for the base itself;
- blood bank station;
- x-ray mobile group;
- mobile oxygen station;
- military mail station.




Rear Front Hospital Bases

The rear front hospital base consists of large medical units appointed to receive wounded and sick and provide them with specialized medical treatment at the front rear service area. There may be two to three rear hospitals bases in a front. The total capacity of such bases is up to 20,000 beds, including 5,900 beds in mobile field hospitals and 14,100 in evacuation hospitals. The rear front hospital bases are normally deployed in two to three locations on rail heads and are transported by railroad. Their transportation via motor routes requires, in addition to their organic vehicles, 700-800 motor vehicles. The base consists of the following elements:
- three triage hospitals of 500 beds each;
- four field mobile multi-purpose hospitals of 300 beds each;
- nine mobile field surgery hospitals of 200 beds each;
- three mobile field internal hospitals of 200 beds each;
- two mobile field psychiatric hospitals of 200 beds each;
- a mobile field hospital for dangerous epidemic diseases with 200 beds;
- a mobile field special epidemic dangerous diseases hospital with 200 beds;
- five evacuation hospitals of 400 beds each;
- ten evacuation hospitals of 500 beds each;
- six hospitals for lightly wounded of 1,000 beds each;
- independent motorized medical company;
- specialized medical aid detachment;
- independent hospital base support battalion;
- two blood bank stations;
- two mobile oxygen stations;
- mobile x-ray group;
- military mail station.



Independent Ambulance Battalions

Ambulance battalions are designated to evacuate wounded and sick at the front and army levels and also to transport the hospital installations to specified areas. Their number is normally dependent on the number of the forward front hospital bases. An ambulance battalion can carry up to 3,000 wounded and sick in one trip. The battalion is organized into two ambulance companies, hospital transportation company, mobile maintenance workshop, medical center and supply platoon.


Independent Air Ambulance Regiment

The air ambulance regiment is assigned to evacuate critically wounded and sick. It is organized into three squadrons with a total of 32 AN-26. The regiment can airlift in one trip 180 casualties.


Repair and Evacuation Units and Installations

The repair and evacuation units and installations are under command of the chiefs of their related services. They can be listed as follows:
- front rocket weaponry repair shop;
- front artillery repair shop;
- front radar repair shop;
- front anti-aircraft artillery repair shop;
- front air defense missiles (SAM) repair shop;
- independent artillery armament evacuation battalion;
- independent tank repair battalion;
- independent tank recovery battalion;
- mobile tank repair shop;
- mobile repair plant to repair large tank assemblies;
- independent armored vehicles evacuation battalion;
- independent recovery, repair and restoration battalion;
- independent battalion for recovery, repair, and restoration of the main assemblies of motor vehicles;
- independent battalion for recovery, repair, and restoration of the main assemblies of tracked vehicles;
- independent motor and tractor vehicles evacuation battalion;
- independent engineer vehicles repair battalion;
- independent repair battalion for large assemblies of engineer vehicles;
- signal repair base;
- mobile signal repair shop.



Railroad Brigades

Railroad brigades are designated to establish or restore front railroads. A railroad brigade is organized into a brigade headquarters, two railroad construction battalions, three railroad bridge construction battalions, independent mechanized railroad battalion, independent railroad signal communications battalion, independent railroad technical battalion, independent motor transport battalion, independent wood preparation battalion, independent railroad exploitation company, technical reconnaissance company, chemical protection company, etc.



Independent Railroad Exploitation Regiment

The regiment is intended for the exploitation and use of individual areas of the front railroads. It is organized into two movement battalions, one steam engine battalion, a service battalion, and a signal company.

Independent Railroad Bridge Construction Regiment

The railroad bridge construction regiment is assigned to restore large railroad bridges in support of front operations. The regiment is organized into two bridge construction battalions, one technical battalion, and a material preparation company.


Independent Signal Regiment of the Front Rear Services

The signal regiment organic to the front rear services establishes signal communications between the front rear command posts and the rear command posts of the armies and large units, as well as with large units and units of the front rear services. The regiment has two signal battalions.


Rear Service Security (Guard) Division

The rear service security division, employed at the front level, has the following missions:
- establishing the security and defense of vital installations along the supply routes and of the main objectives (depots);
- fighting enemy infiltration groups in the rear service area;
- conducting reconnaissance and inspection of terrain and built-up areas, and searching for and recovering weapons, ammunition and other military property from local inhabitants;
- keeping law and order in the rear service area;
- preventing the local population from trespassing into military off-limits areas, and extending assistance to recover disabled and stranded military vehicles;
- organization of POW camps and guarding the camps.



The division is organized into the following elements:
- division headquarters;
- three to four guard (security) regiments;
- independent reserve battalion;
- independent convoy guard battalion;
- independent signal company;
- independent engineer company;
- independent training company;
- chemical protection platoon;
- prisoners of war centers;
- etc.

IV. The Impact of Nuclear Weapons and the Characteristics of Troop Combat Armament and Equipment Upon the Composition and Organization of Rear Service Support in Front Offensive Operations


There are a number of factors affecting the structure and operations of rear services in support of the front offensive operation. Among these are the introduction of nuclear weapons and new equipment. They can be listed as follows:
- the development of mobility and maneuverability of the rear service, reflected in the fact that the forward front base, the forward front hospital bases, and other elements are organized as mobile formations.
- the growth and increase of the requirements for materiel means and mobile reserves which should be supplied in a timely and rapid manner;
- the increase of likely casualties and losses in personnel, combat equipment and supplies due to the employment of mass destructive means and other modern weapons. This has increased the volume of rear service support requirements widening the capabilities of rear services units and installations;
- the need to maintain the rear services secured, viable, and active by dispersion, concealment, covering the rear service support units and supplies, and organization of technical coverage of supply routes;
- the need constantly to maintain reserves of rear services forces and means in order to restore the combat capability of troops and rear services when it becomes necessary;
- the introduction of new principles and methods of action concerning the grouping and operations of the rear services and the establishment of new rear services units (front's forward base, front forward hospital bases, ambulance motor transportation battalion, medical support detachments, rear services engineer units etc.);
- the requirements for continuous and reliable troop control of the rear services which have resulted in the organization of new rear services signal communications units;
- the requirement that the organization of rear services support should insure the combat actions of the troops with or without the employment of nuclear weapons.

V. Support of the Rear Services

General Principles

Organization of rear service support is the process of planning, taking measures concerning the preparation, deployment, and survival of the rear services, thorough rear services support for the troops and the steady and reliable troop control of the rear services. The fundamentals of the organization of rear service support in the front's offensive operations should be based on the following principles:
- the organization of rear service support should comply with the plan of conducting the operations and with the missions of the troops;
- the grouping of forces and means of the rear services should be capable of supporting the combat operations of the troops under all conditions, with or without the employment of nuclear weapons;
- the main efforts of the rear service should be concentrated on supporting that grouping of troops which is assigned to accomplish the main mission;
- insuring sustainability of the groupings of the troops in terms of rear service support;
- in operational formations of the ground forces rear service support should be organized in the interest of all troops participating with them in the operation.

The rear is the grouping of rear services forces and means assigned to conduct rear service support of the troops in the operation.

Deployment

The deployment of the front rear services echelon is conducted in the framework of plans prepared in advance. It includes the transition of the rear services echelon from peacetime to wartime status through mobilization of rear services elements which is normally carried out concurrently with the deployment of the combat forces organic to the front. The process includes upgrading all rear services echelons to a state of full combat readiness, mobilization of rear services, movement of additional logistical support units, large units and installations, supplies and stores to the theater of action and the deployment of the rear services echelon in accordance with the requirements set for the logistic support of combat actions in specific situations.

The operational organization of the rear services is the grouping of rear services troops and means into a structure organized to provide rear service support to the troops. In front offensive operations the grouping of rear services forces and means is established in echelons, within the limits of the rear services area along the main directions of troop actions.

The front's forward rear service base is relocated once every three days, when the speed of attack is 40 - 60 kilometers per day; so that its distance from the army's mobile base should not exceed 150 km, which is a half-day march by the front's transport vehicles.

The front rear services deploy and operate in the front's rear area. The boundaries of the front rear area are defined as follows: at the flanks, by the boundaries with adjacent fronts; at the rear, by the rear boundary of the front specified in the directive of the commander-in-chief; and forward by the rear boundaries of armies' mobile bases.

In the (iskhodniye nastupatelhaya rayon), the forming up position for the attack, the depth of the front's rear area reaches up to 300-400 km, while in the course of the offensive operations it may increase to 800-900 or more. The front rear services elements deploy in echelons throughout the depth of the rear services area on the main axes of combat operations. Their main efforts are allocated in support of the troops conducting the main attack.

Depending on their missions, mobility, and method of operation, front rear services units, large units, and installations are grouped into two echelons, i.e., the forward echelon and the second-echelon of the front's rear services.


Forward Echelon of Rear Services

The forward echelon of the front's rear services is composed of the following elements:
- forward front bases;
- rocket engineering units and rocket fuel depots;
- forward front hospital bases;
- pipeline units and large units;
- front mobile repair units and installations, etc.

In the forming up position for the attack the units and installations included in front rear service forward echelon are grouped in accordance with the axes of the first-echelon armies' operations. If the available rear services forces and means are not sufficient, a single grouping is established to support two adjacent armies.

The forward front's bases are deployed close to the railroads at a distance of 80-100 km from the mobile army bases. To ensure the dispersed deployment of the forward front base, an area of 150 sq km is required for its deployment. When the front has only one forward base, it is recommended that it deploy in two locations. The bulk of its elements should deploy to support the troops operating in the direction of the main attack and a branch of the base should deploy to support the troops conducting supporting attacks.

The front's rocket technical units are deployed in accordance with the grouping of rocket troops. Usually the mobile rocket technical bases of the front deploy at the beginning of the operation at a distance of 30-40 km from the location of the front's rocket brigade, while the independent rocket park battalion deploys 10-15 km apart from the unloading stations, ports, and supply airfields. The rocket fuel depots and rocket fuel transportation units deploy close to the unloading stations and supply airfields. Branches of rocket fuel depots are moved forward to be at a distance of not more than 50-70 km from rocket engineering technical bases.

The deployment of medical installations at the beginning of the operation can be as follows:
- at a distance of 50-70 km from the front line, groups of hospitals organic to the rear front hospital bases are deployed and the local hospitals of the area are also placed under their command;
- the forward front hospital bases move within the armies' attack zones in a manner to be prepared to deploy in the course of the operation. In the absence of rear front hospital bases, the forward front hospital bases are deployed in advance;
- the independent medical detachments deploy close to the first-echelon troops as well as near the front's reserves. this is done in situations when eliminating the impact of enemy nuclear attacks may become necessary.


Under all circumstances, at the beginning of the operation, the number of medical installations deployed in the area of each first-echelon army is calculated to the able to deal with the treatment of all casualties received during the first two or three days of the operation.


The pipeline brigades are deployed to provide for the flow of POL from the permanent POL depots as well as from the front's POL depots to the troops operating in the main grouping of the front elements. If two pipeline brigades are available in the front, a number of pipelines can be established on one or two axes of the attack. The main field pipelines are also used to transport air forces' fuel to the airfields, to transport POL across rivers, and to bypass the destruction of railroad centers, and also to disperse POL reserves from large depots.


The front's mobile repair units move in army areas at the beginning of the operation or they are attached to the armies.


Front Rear Service Second-Echelon

The front's rear service second-echelon is deployed further to the rear. It is composed of the following elements:
- rear front bases;
- rear front hospital base;
- repair shops and other units and installations deployed to the rear of the front rear service areas.


The depots of the rear front base are deployed in echelons along the railroads. The stationary depots are located in the front's rear area with their materiel reserves subordinated to the rear front base.


The order of deployment of front bases depends on their number and the time of their arrival in the front. Moreover, the locations of their deployment should be in accordance with the locations of deployment of forward front bases and their branches. For example, if at the beginning of the operation, there is only one rear front base available, then its recommended breakdown should allow its main part to be deployed on the main rail head and a branch of the base to be allocated to another axis. In addition a second branch of the base is kept in reserve, for temporary deployment in the loading area or ready to move to an important railroad extension area.


If two rear front bases are available in the front, then each one deploys on one or two railroad axes. In this case a branch of the rear front base should deploy in an area 120-150 km from the forward edge of the battle area, while a second branch should be kept in reserve to be moved during the operation.


As the experience of field exercises indicates, it is better that the rear front hospital bases deploy in two to three locations on the main railroad axes. Depending on their missions and the availability of bases, their distance from the FEBA can be from 50-70 km up to 200-300 km.


The repair shops are deployed close to the rear front bases and local repair facilities are also used if possible.


Rear services units and installations arriving during the operation are deployed in appropriate areas. Depending on their missions, they should be deployed on major railroad links or they should be included in the composition of the first-echelon of the front's rear services and deployed accordingly.


Therefore, in the forming up position for the attack, the rear services units and installations with less mobility -- the operation of which is closely dependent on, and connected with, railroad movement -- should be deployed first, while the mobile units and installations should be kept prepared to move and follow attacking troops during the operation. For this purpose they should stay close to the armies which they support.


Redeployment of Rear Service Bases

The movement and relocation of front rear services large units, units, and installations in the course of the operation is dependent on the rate of advance of attacking elements and the situation.

In principal the distance of the forward echelon of front rear services from the armies' rear services large units, units, and installations should not exceed half-a-day's march by transportation means, which is about 150 km. This will ensure daily resupply of the army's exhausted materiel reserves and also will facilitate timely medical aid to the wounded and sick and their evacuation. It will also insure timely recovery, repair, and restoration of damaged vehicles.

In such cases the army's mobile bases will not be able to follow closely behind the attacking elements, and may be left behind at a distance of 100-200 km. Therefore the armies' transportation means may be employed to move the supplies from the forward front bases, and troops transportation means may be used to move supplies from the army's mobile bases.

According to the above-mentioned principle, the rear services large units, units, and installations included in the composition of the front's first rear services echelon should relocate in the following manner:


Forward front bases should follow the first-echelon armies. The distance between the forward front bases and their branches and the army's mobile base should not exceed 150 km. Therefore when the rate of advance is 45-50 km a day, the forward front bases and their branches should move once every three days. When the rate of advance is 80-100 km per day, they should move once a day or once every two days. The forward front bases may relocate in their entire strength, or they may conduct alternate movement by moving their branches first and following them with the bulk of the base. Frequent movement of forward front base is desirable, but this may decrease its capabilities and will require a large amount of transport means in its movement.

The front's mobile rocket technical bases follow the attacking troops in bounds of 150-200 km, and the independent rocket park battalions conduct relocation in accordance with the extension and restoration of railroads and the establishment of new materiel support airfields. The rocket fuel depots and their branches usually move together with the mobile rocket technical bases.

The forward front hospital bases move to the massive casualty areas and deploy at a distance of 40-50 km from the FEBA.

Mobile repair units move to the areas where a large number of damaged vehicles are collected.



The rear service large units, units, and installations included in front rear services second-echelon move in accordance with the preparation of railroad lines. The rear front base, during the operation, detaches its branches to areas where railroad construction is completed, and sometimes it moves on motor routes in the absence of railroads. In such cases it should be provided with additional motor transport means.

All elements of the rear front base completely relocate only at the end of the front's offensive operation.

VI. Requirements in the Organization and Content of the Rear Services Support Plan

The plan of rear services support, in the interest of the front's troops is a part of the front's operations plan. Therefore the requirements pertaining to any command and control document are also applicable to the plan of rear services support. The plan should be concise and clear. The conciseness of the plan is achieved by including only the most important matters concerning the organization of rear services support. The clarity of the plan is achieved by precisely reflecting the special symbols of the rear services, of supply routes, and transportation means, and also by providing the most effective data tables in the plan. The plan of rear services support should be organized in complete conformity with the concept of the operations and the missions of the troops.


The contents of the rear services support plan include all matters concerning rear service support of the troops handled by the deputy front commander for rear services and the service chiefs. The plan also includes issues of supplying the troops with ammunition, vehicles, and technical equipment, since the deputy front commander for rear services is responsible for their timely supply. The supply of the troops with rockets and their movement by specialized transportation means, technical support of armament, armored vehicle support, motor and tractor and other equipment support are reflected in other plans prepared by the chiefs of the front's services who are not subordinate to the deputy front commander for rear service support.


The front's rear service support plan in an offensive operation normally reflects the following:
- the basic missions of front's rear services.
- the composition of front's rear services including the large units, units, and installations of the rear services planned to support the offensive operation;
- the deployment of the front's rear services during the preparation of the operations and their movement during the course of the operation;
- the front's communications routes, their development, restoration and maintenance during the operation;
- materiel support of the front troops;
- medical support of the front troops;
- protection, security and defense of the front rear.
- organization of command and control of the front's rear services;
- other matters.


In planning rear services support the following principles must be observed:
- the plan should reflect the future volume of the rear services actions in planned operations in terms of their actual capabilities;
- a unified plan should be worked out for the operations with or without the employment of nuclear weapons;
- the plan is worked out in accordance with the front's missions. Rear service support during the accomplishment of the immediate mission, particularly for the first three days of operation, is reflected is more detail;
- the front's rear services support plan for offensive operations reflects only the most important and basic matters, and does not include all tasks of the rear services, which are included in other plans, such as the plan of dispersion of materiel reserves, materiel supply plan, rear service support of airborne and seaborne assault operations, and the plan of rear services regrouping;
- the plan should be worked out in a short time. While in peacetime sufficient time is available to prepare the plan, in the beginning of the war, as well as in the course of the war, time is normally limited, and therefore the logistic support plan should be worked out in a short time;
- the tables of the rear services support plan should be worked out in a format which can be used in computers.


The front's rear services support plan is prepared on a map with written instructions, or it can be prepared in written form with a map annex. The plan is signed by the chief of the front rear services and his chief of staff. It is coordinated with the front's chief of staff and approved by the front commander.

The initial data in preparing the plan of rear services support are the following:
- the rear service directive of the Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff;
- the decision of the front commander for offensive operations and his instructions on rear service support;
- the decision of the deputy front commander for rear services on the organization of the rear services support for the offensive operation;
- the information on the size, number, composition, and status of the troops;
- information about the composition, deployment, mobilization, status, and location of operational rear services.


The directives of the Armed Forces General Staff constitute the basis for planning and, without waiting for the other information, the preparations for planning should begin once the directive is received. The commander's decision and his instructions on rear services support are supplemented by other initial data in planning the rear service support for the front's offensive operation.

VII. Front Level Rear Service Principles


General Principles of Supply


The following are general principles of supply:
- the forces will receive sufficient supplies every day in order to maintain their prescribed norms;
- priority of supply goes to those forces which are successful;
- transport vehicles at all echelons will be used to their maximum capacity;
- forces in the second-echelon will supply themselves through the use of their organic vehicles;
- in the event of a rapid advance or a successful airborne operation, supplies will be moved by air and special air fields will be prepared to receive them;
- transloading from one vehicle to another should be avoided.


Rules Governing Movement of Supplies and Types of Transport Vehicles


Up to front Rear Base:
- 75% by rail;
- 15% by motor vehicles;
- up to 10% by pipeline.


From front Rear Base to front Mobile Base:
- up to 15% by rail;
- 75% by motor vehicles;
- 10% by pipeline;
- 5% by air.


From front Mobile Base to Field Army Mobile Base:
- 90% moved by motor vehicles;
- 5% by air.


The planning for supply is conducted by the staff of the rear services in conjunction with individual services, such as transportation, tracked vehicle, rations, clothing, etc. The daily ranges of transport vehicles are: - 200 km for transport vehicles of the forces;
- 250 km for transport vehicles of the field army;
-300 km for transport vehicles of front.


Rear Services Management

Rear Services management includes planning and a series of measures concerning readiness, deployment, operation of the rear services, comprehensive support (obespecheniye) of the forces and firm troop control of the rear services. The main principles of management of rear service support for the forces in a front offensive operation will be based on the following fundamentals:
- management of rear service support for the forces must comply with the overall planning of the conduct of the operation and mission of the forces;
- the deployment of rear services forces and means should be capable of supporting combat activities in all circumstances, in both conventional and nuclear environments;
- the principal emphasis of the rear services forces should be oriented towards supporting those forces carrying out the main mission;
- there must be assurance that from the rear service point-of-view the highest degree of initiative will be available to the groupings of the forces;
- the management of rear services means should be carried out in such a manner that all the units participating in a given operation might profit from such support.


Establishment of the Rear Services in an Offensive Operation and Methods of Movement

Establishing the rear services includes a series of measures with respect to the distribution and deployment of rear service forces and means. It also includes establishing an environment favorable to the uninterrupted flow of materials to the forces within the framework of the operation. The action of establishing the rear services comprises the following:
- preparation of rear service large units, units, and installations for accomplishing their mission;
- positioning and movement of rear service units and installations;
- measures for protection from the effects of weapons of mass estruction;
- protection and physical security of rear area targets;
- establishing the rear services is based on the commander's decision within the specific operation, with consideration given to the existing situation. Tailoring the rear services is based on the grouping of the forces.


Front Level Requirements Concerning Content and Management of Rear Service Support Plans

The plan for rear service support is part of an overall operational plan. The rear service support plan presents the same requirements as all the other troop control documents. Conciseness of the rear services support plan may be achieved by applying the salient features of rear service management. Clarity of the plan may be achieved by careful usage of rear service symbols and of clear marking of principal truck routes, as well as through the use of charts and diagrams. The rear service plan will be based completely on the overall concept of the operation and the mission of the forces. The plan's content will include items relevant to the rear service support of the forces as prescribed by the deputy commander for rear services and other subordinate services. The plan also gives special consideration to the support of the forces with ammunition and technical equipment (all the items are specified in terms of palletable units and tonnages). The deputy commander for rear services is responsible for timely supply to the forces. Missile supply and transport by special vehicles, supply of technical weapons, supply of armored, armored tracked, and other vehicles, are specified in a separate plan of the chiefs-of-services subordinate to the deputy commander for rear services.

The following is usually pointed out in the front rear service support plan for a offensive operation:
- principal mission of the front rear services;
- composition of the front Rear services with consideration for attached major units and installations within the framework of the planned offensive;
- the preparation and deployment of the front rear service during preparatory stages of the operation and its movement during the course of the operation;
- front communication routes, their maintenance, repair and serviceability;
- supply/support of front forces;
- continuous flow of supplies;
- medical support for front forces;
- protection, security and defense of the front rear services;
- management of front rear service troop control.
- other subjects.


During the preparatory stage of rear service support planning, the following principles are taken into consideration:
- the plan should reflect the future volume of rear service activities within the planned operation and should be based upon the real capabilities of the rear services;
- the rear services plan should be prepared in such manner as to be applicable to both conventional and nuclear war;
- the plan will be prepared in accordance with the front mission; support measures for the immediate mission, especially for the initial two to three days of the operation, will be reflected in much detail;

- the various aspects of the rear service tasks will be reflected in separate plans (e.g. the supply, storage, and dispersal plan, the securing of supplies, the rear service support of air, airborne and amphibious operations, and regrouping).


The front rear service plan only mentions the most important elements:
- while in peacetime, a sufficient amount of time is available for the preparation of the plan; this may not be the case at the onset of hostilities or during a war situation. It is therefore imperative that the plan be prepared within the shortest period of time;
- schematics used in preparation of the rear service support plan should use a format permitting its processing by computers;
- the rear service support plan is prepared with the use of an overlay as well as written comments, or in a narrative form with a map annex.


The plan will be signed by the rear services chief of staff as well as the chief of rear services and must be coordinated with the chief of staff of the front and authenticated by the front commander.



Supply Management of Air Defense Surface-to-Air Missiles


Supply of surface-to-air missiles for front air defense forces is carried out with due regard for the number of missiles allocated for a specific planned operation. The requirement is calculated on the basis of the operational mission and the necessary replenishment of supply levels for future actions after the end of the planned operation. The distribution of missiles allocated for a specific operation is carried out by the front air defense chief. The number of missiles varies in accordance with enemy activities and the importance of a given direction. At the beginning of the operation, all air defense units should have their maximum number of missiles on hand. During the preparatory stage of an operation, the required documents designating the levels of expenditure of the various types of missiles are issued. Directives are published specifying the rates of replacement, locations for SAM depots, methods of movement, availability, issue, distribution and the time limits on their readiness are specified. The chief of air defense, in conjunction with the chief of artillery armament will manage the flow of SAM supplies. The chief of air defense will provide the chief of artillery armament with the following information:
- number of missile launching pads within front;
- supplying the launchers with missiles;
- the location and sites of the technical battalions of SAM regiments.


In addition to the above, the following matters must be coordinated:
- methods of missile issue;
- times of delivery;
- a listing and the number of missiles to be issued;
- directions for supply vehicle movements;
- arrangement for the change of positions, etc.

VIII. Organizing Transportation of Material Means in Front Offensive Operations

In order to insure a more efficient organization of supply in support of front operational formation's, it is mandatory that reserves of material means are constantly delivered close to the armies. This means that front forward bases are constantly moved forward. In this case the armies transport their own material means, or material may be delivered to them by front transport means.

The main principle of supply is that the front's chief of rear service conducts supply to the armies. The higher echelon is responsible for the supply of lower (subordinate) echelons which must be conducted constantly. The continuity of supply is achieved only through a total and full employment of all types of transportation means. The total (overall) volume of transportation in front offensive operations using nuclear weapons is up to 300,000 tons, while in operations not using nuclear weapons it increases up to 450,000 tons, 1/3 of which includes supplies for the air army, air defense forces, reserves, and front rear services. The volume of supplies to first-echelon armies is up to 20,000 tons per day. The daily movement stage of transport means is as follows:
- troop transport means 200 km;
- army transport means 250 km;
- front transport means 300 km.



General Principles of Supply

The general principles of supply are as follows:
- reserves of material means in troops are replenished every day;
- first priority in supply is given to troops with the most successes in operations;
- transport means of all levels are generally employed for supply (transport means of troops, armies, and fronts);
- the second-echelon troops conduct supply using their own transport means;
- air supply and movement is conducted when troops move a great distance ahead, or when airborne assault troops land (for which airfield facilities are established);
- additional transportation (from one vehicle to another) must be avoided as much as possible, since this may cause loss of time and waste of effort in loading and unloading personnel.

XI. Roles of Different Types of Transport in Supply From Front to Armies (See Printed Lecture)


Planning of Supply

Supply is planned by the front's rear service staff with the participation of military communication service, food, clothing, motor and tractor, POL, and other services.


Requirement of Material Means - Their Norms, Content, and Echelonment in Front Offensive Operations

The requirement of material means, their content, and echelonment in front offensive operations depends on the characteristics of the operation, front missions, depth and duration of the operation, and the conditions of operation with or without the use of nuclear weapons. In the operation, requirement of material means equals expenditure of material means along with establishment of required material reserves at the end of the operation. The requirement for material means in front offensive operations reaches 700,000 tons which breaks down as follows:
- artillery and mortar ammunition 7.5-9.0 units of fire;
- tank ammunition 7.5-8.0 units of fire;
- air defense ammunition 8.5-9.5 units of fire;
- infantry ammunition 4-4.5 units of fire;
- air ammunition 22-23 units of fire;
- gasoline 8-9 refills;
- diesel 11-13 refills;
- aviation POL 26-27 refills;
- foodstuff 30 daily rations.

Total in Ammunition POL Foodstuff
front (units of (refills)(daily fire) rations)


Inf Arty Tank Air Air Motor DieselAir Def. Gas Gas

Total in front 2.15 3.25 5.25 5.75 17.5 5.15 7.6515 28-29 including:

in troops 1.0 1.0 2.35 2.0 - 1.7 2.4 - 13

in army (2 days) 0.15 0.3 0.4 0.5 - 0.45 0.7 - 2

air army reserves 1.75 - - - 17.5 3.0 3.5 7.5 21

in front forward bases 0.22 0.45 0.6 0.7 - 0.6 1.0 -3-4

in front rear bases 0.78 1.5 2.0 2.55 - 2.3 3.5 7.510

X. Organization of Medical Support in Front Offensive Operations


Medical support is the organization and conduct of medical treatment and evacuation and issues related to hygiene and antiepidemic measures. The main principle of medical support is bringing the medical installation as close to the massive personnel casualty areas as possible. In other words the medical support must be conducted on site. During the organization of medical support it is mandatory that likely personnel casualties, types of diseases, and the capability of medical installations are taken into account.

Field exercises and military studies indicate that personnel casualties during front offensive operations using nuclear weapons will be 35-40% (average - 2-2.6% per day). The following is a breakdown of casualties in terms of the types of weapons used:
- nuclear weapons 16-18%;
- fire arms 6-7%;
- chemical weapons 5-6%;
- biological weapons 1.5-2%;
- disease 1.5-2%;
- other weapons 4-5%.

A large number of casualties are expected during the initial nuclear strike. These casualties will account for thirty percent of all casualties. During nuclear mass and group strikes, personnel casualties may reach up to four percent per day.

In operations conducted without nuclear weapons the overall casualties during front offensive operations will be 12-13.5% (an average of 0.8-0.9).

On the basis of such numbers of casualties 120,000-130,000 hospital beds are needed including 40,000-50,000 beds at the beginning of the operation. Such large numbers of hospital beds are not available in the front, therefore, each available bed is expanded into two beds to meet the requirements of likely casualties.

Wounded are evacuated from separate medical detachments and divisional medical battalions to front hospital bases. The evacuation is conducted by army and front ambulances and in some cases by air transport means.

The front's hospital bases must deploy in such a way that the distance covered by evacuating vehicles carrying wounded and sick, is not more than 120-150 km, allowing the ambulances to move them to medical bases in 5-6 hours.

XI. Preparation, Nature and Usage of Communications Routes in a Front Offensive Operation and Mission and Capabilities of the Road Construction and Traffic Control Brigade


Communications routes are one of the most important elements in an offensive operation. In offensive operations the front will use all available routes (railroads, waterways, airways, roads, pipelines).

Railroads: In the front area, there should always be available two to three frontal and two to three lateral (rocade) railroads with a capability of handling 70 round trip trains (para poyezdov) within 24-hours. In the course of an operation, one to two railheads will be established, which should increase the capacity by up to 30 round-trip trains. The speed of laying a railroad with two brigades may be may up to 40-45 km within 24 hours. In case of total or massive destruction, this figure should be cut in half to 20-22 km per 24 hours.

At the Field Army echelon: All types of access routes will be used in the course of an operation; as well as all types of transport vehicles such as railways, highways, waterways, and pipelines. Two to three rocade rail lines and two to three railroads perpendicular to the FEBA will be laid. Their capacity will be approximately 60-70 round-trip trains. One-to-two railheads will be established with a capacity of twenty to thirty roundtrip trains. The above will depend upon the availability of railroad brigades at front. Two-to-three R/S distribution stations (raspredelitel'nyye stantsii) will be established and R/P distribution ports will be designated on the waterways. For the movement of the forces and for the transportation of supplies by motor vehicles, frontal truck routes (Frontovaya voyennoavtomobilnaya doroga) will be designated leading from front bases to field army bases. The capabilities of the railroad brigades include 20-25 km of construction within 24-hours or nine km under conditions of massive destruction. Two to three distribution stations as well as two in reserve may be allocated per field army. Also, per field army, the following unloading stations may be allocated: one per division; two to three per field army mobile base. Temporary unloading sites: one-to-two per front. Waterways: per front, one distribution port (raspredelitel/nyye porty - V/P) and for the field army one unloading point will be allocated.

Military Motor Vehicle Routes: (Frontovyye voyenno-avtomobil/nyye dorogy - FVAD): will connect front bases with their sections and their sections with the field army mobile bases. One FVAD will be established behind every first-echelon army. Its capability should be up to l0,000 motor vehicles per 24-hours.

Field main pipeline (Polevoy magistral'nyy trubovod - PMT): Its mission is to bring in POL from permanent depots and front depots to the main concentration of front forces. It is laid in the direction of the main attack.

Air Transport of Supplies (Aerodromno-materiyal'noye obespecheniye - AMO): It is organized to provide supply support through airfields. There will be seven or eight such airfields to provide supply support per front. Arrangements will be made to exploit all kinds of transport completely. For this purpose, a network of supply routes will be established and technical cover provided.

Road Construction and Traffic Control Brigade (Dorozhno- komendantskaya brigada - DKBR): The brigade consists of three road construction and traffic control battalions, one road construction battalion, one bridging battalion and one special bridging battalion. Its mission is to prepare, maintain and restore communications routes of the front; its mission is also to control all traffic. The brigade is capable of the following:
- coverage of routes within a 900 km radius;
- it can deploy three complete sets (komplekty) of service stations and 25 dispatch centers;
- it can establish l60 traffic control points;
- it is capable of constructing underwater bridges ll0 m long, with a carrying capacity of l6 tons;
- it can perform evacuation work of up to 4,500 cubic meters;
- it can repair roads up to 90 km;
- it can repair pavement up to l0 km.

XII. Establishing the Front Rear Services in a Front Defensive Operation

The establishment of the front rear services depends upon the conditions under which the defensive posture is assumed, types of weapons to be employed, mission of the front and the order of battle. The front rear area will be designated for the deployment of the front rear services. Its size is not prescribed and may extend to the depth of up to 500 km. The possibilities of initiating offensive action by the front forces without delay will be taken into consideration. The preparation of the rear service units and installations for their mission of supporting the forces in an operation consists of the following: providing rear service units and installations with personnel replacements and with technical means and materials, the conduct of training (combat, political and special), and the preparation and readiness of rear service technical units for the accomplishment of their mission.


Rear Service Support of Front Forces in a Defensive Situation

The governing principles of rear service management of front forces in a defensive operation and management of rear services depend on the circumstances under which the defensive posture had to be assumed by the forces and upon the types of weapons used by the belligerent forces. In comparison with an offensive situation, the composition of rear service forces in front defense is rather limited. If, in the course of operations, the front is forced to assume a defensive posture, it will probably be the result of having suffered numerous casualties; also, the levels of supply storage will be low. Hospitals will be filled with casualties. In the case in which the front goes over to defensive positions prepared in advance, rear services forces, according to plan, would deploy rapidly and the levels of supply would be high.


Establishment of Front Rear Services in Defensive Operations

The establishment of front rear services in defensive operations depends on conditions for assuming the defense, types of weapons to be used (nuclear or conventional), front missions, and front defensive layouts (formations).

To deploy the front's rear service, a rear service area is designated, the dimension of which is not standard. The depth of this area may reach up to 500 km and its flanks are marked by the front's boundaries. The depth of the front rear service area is usually specified in the directive from the general staff.

The rear service units and installations are dispersely deployed in the directions of actions of the troops echeloned in terms of depth and across the front. The rear service units and installations are deployed far from potential targets of enemy nuclear weapons and out on the flank of the enemy's main attack.

The rear service units and installations are assigned main and alternate areas for deployment.

Sections of front's rear base are deployed at a distance of 150-200 km from the forward line. In defense it is required that reserves of rear service units and installations be established.


Front rocket technical bases are deployed at a distance of 30-40 km from the "start" positions of rocket brigades.

XIII. Air Army's Rear Service

The rear services of the front's air army is managed by the deputy air army commander for rear services. The air army's rear service is composed of the following elements:
- headquarters (staff) of air army's rear service;
- air army's bases (one to two in the air army);
- aviation technical support regiments (the number of which depends on the number of aviation divisions in the air army).

Each regiment is composed of three to four separate aviation technical support battalions (OBATO), as follows:
- separate aviation technical support battalions, the number of which depends on the number of separate aviation regiments in the air army;
- separate aviation technical support companies (ORTO), the number of such companies in the air army is the same as the number of separate aviation squadrons in the air army.