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SOVIET VOROSHILOV ACADEMY LECTURES
ARMY OPERATIONS

 

ARMY AIRBORNE OPERATIONS


 

Landing of operational desant force

 
 

Forces of the 8th Guards Army from the 9th of June after the conduct strategic air operation, and artillery preparatory fire go over onto the offensive. during the course of 4 and a half day the 4 operational action of the forward defense area of the corps was broken through and the army forces moved up to 150 km into the enemy depth in the enemy territory. now their offensive continues with movements in the depth. At 1200 hrs the Blue west forces with 4 operational reserve divisions conducted a converging counter attack on two axes with the objective of encircling and destroying the main grouping of the 8th Guards and First Guards Tank Army and restor the previous situation on the state border. The commander of the 8th guards Army on one side used one tank division of the second echelon and part of the forces of the first echelon of the army with the aim of repelling the enemy counterattack went onto the defensive. On the other side he committed into the engagement the other tank division of the second echelon with the aim of continuing the offensive into the enemy depth. At the same time the commander of the 28th CAA with his second echelon forces with the aim of delivering a strike oh the flank and rear of the enemy countering grouping committed into the engagement and their strived in interaction with the forces of the 8th Guards Army to inflict heavy losses on the counterattacking grouping and encircle it and destroy it.

The forces of the 28th CAA advanced on the axis from Lohr to Aschaffenburg and the forces of the 8th Guards Army advanced on the axis Nidderau to Hanau to Aschaffenburg to surround and flatten the US forces in area north east of Aschaffenburg and north of Lohr. The situation of the forces on both sides is shown on the map of the initial situation as of 1800 hrs the 9th of June. The air forces of both sides widely using radio electronic means deliver effective strikes during the operation on important targets such as forces of the first echelon rear service targets, second-echelon troops, reserves, and airfields of both sides. Decisive actions on both sides are striving to achieve air superiority. But the results of the operations show that so far neither side has obtained decisive supremacy in the air. The enemy during the previous battle widely used the high precision weapons, but effective action of our reconnaissance strike groups and reconnaissance strike complexes and reconnaissance groups SPETZNAZ, air assaults, diversionary groups and strikes of rocket troops and aviation on the high precision weapons of enemy . However so far these weapons remain as one of the basic dangerous weapons of the enemy.

 
 

Detailed special situation:

The movement of the army forces continues in the enemy territory. Some enemy forces retreat to the banks of the Rhine River. On the opposing bank of the Rhine River they are starting to construct new defensive positions. In an areas extending 120 - 12 km on this side from the bridges and crossing on the river they prepare defensive line in order to be able to construct the line for support the organized retreat and crossing of he river by the enemy forces. And also reconnaissance has discovered some small enemy reserves which are moving toward the Rhine. It is possible that they can prepare and reinforce the defense on the far bank and block our offensive and prevent our forcing of the Rhine River. The army commander decides that in order to support the forcing of the Rhine by the army forces from the march. With this aim he designates a crossing area for each first echelon division. he orders each first echelon division to send forward detachments with reinforcements of engineer river crossing means to the river. And the remaining engineer forces that are designated to each first echelon division prepare the required preparations and in the composition of the main forces of each division they move to the river. the army commander decided with the aim of seizing a bridge head on the Rhine and seize bridges and crossing areas from the enemy, and prevent organized enemy defense and retreat to the river, and set up a defense on the far bank of the river. to support the army forcing groups on the march, destruction of enemy targets on the far bank and block the enemy reserves from moving into the area. The 1170th Parachute Dessant Regiment by use of parachute landing in the area Oberwesel, Urbar, Stoar. The landing after accomplishing mission and forcing forces of army on the Rhine will concentrate in the area Leiningen, Laudert, Badenhard and prepare for future combat orders from the army commander. For the assault landing are designated the 40th Air transport division of the high command military transport in one lift sortie. On the commander's orders that are sent at 1800 on 9 June to the commander of the air assault regiment and also on the order that the commander of the 40th Transport aviation divisions received from his higher staff the following points are clear:

The 1170th Parachute Regiment now is located north of Eisenberg
----- this assembly area for assault is designated at the following air fields Merseburg, Lutzen, Schkeuditz, and Leipzig.
----- arrival of the assault forces at the jump off area is ordered for 01:30 on 10 of June and the landing is ordered for 0645 on 10 June to seize the landing area.
----- photography of the landing area that has the required reconnaissance data with the combat order for landing is sent to the commander of the assault regiment. New reconnaissance data is continuously sent during the preparation period and before the flight. and during the flight and during the landing to the assault regiment and commander of the air transport divisions through the operational reconnaissance department of the army and center for combat control of the air army.
----- the following targets for PVO radio location stations, military airfields, fields for combat helicopters, and ground targets that are shown on the map of the initial situation before the start of the air assault movement are struck and destroyed by the following forces and means.
---------- a. artillery forces of the army and first echelon divisions have the following ___,___,___.
---------- b. rocket forces of army and first echelon divisionis the following ___,___; during the battle some important targets that are shown by the assault force commander are destroyed by rocket troops of the army with conventional warheads.
---------- c. forces of air forces of front have the following ___,___; during the battle most important targets are suppressed by fighter bomber aviation that are designated by the desant commander from the aviation representative in the landing group.
---------- d. by radio electronic means of the army the following targets ___,___;
-----the landing and transport aviation in the assembly area are covered by PVO forces and fighter aviation of front and by the internal defense means of the desant force itself. During the flight the PVO forces of army and two fighter regiments of the air army.
----- during the battle the combat action of the assault is supported by two squadrons of fighter bomber aviation of the air army on requires from the commander of the desant regiment.
----- before the landing deliver a strike fighter-bomber aviation on targets and enemy reserves in the landing area.
----- the landing of combat material, weapons, and personnel from aircraft the flight and landing of the assault force is conducted with close interaction of the commander of the air transport division and the commander of the assault landing regiment
----- with the aim of support of combat action of assault during the battle and support for air reconnaissance data they send the representative of the aviation with communications means with the desant troops to the combat area.
----- the forming of the desant forces in personnel is 95% and in combat equipment is 93% and in weapons is 97%.
----- supply of material means is in the regiment up to norms.
----- remaining bases of the air transport division are located in the depth of the country at the following airfields ___,___, ___. The air transport division is at combat readiness number 3 and it is ready to fulfill the mission at 01:30 on the 10th of June its regiments fly at low altitude to the assembly area for the desant The air assault regiment is located at the following airfields: the aviation regiment 1115th at the airfield Mersburg, the 1116 regiment at Lutzen, the 1117th at Schkeuditz, and the 1118th at Leipzig.
----- at the airfields in the assembly area are assembled the required supplies of fuel and other items. During the loading of combat equipment and weapons they also refuel the aviation.

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Organization:

1. the air assault regiment consists of the following units:
----- regiment regiment
----- 3 air assault battalions
----- one SP artillery battalion
----- one anti-tank battery
----- one antiaircraft battery
----- one reconnaissance company
----- one signal company
----- one engineer sapper company
----- one chemical platoon
----- one medical company
----- regimental rear services

2. The air transport division consists of four air transport regiments in each regiment has (___-)
----- report of decision is 19:30 on the 9th of June at the alternate command post of the air transport division by the representatives of the commander of the 8th guards army
----- the command post of the air transport division in area ___,___. The command post of the Eight Guards Army is 3 km west of point 1395 and the alternate command post of the transport division is at the airfield at Schkeuditz.
----- the commander and staff of the air assault regiment with representatives of the commander of air transport division are located at the alternate command post at airfield Schkeuditz. The clarify the questions on planing the assault and the plan table for the flight with the operational group of the air transport division.


 
 

Mission:

In the role of the commander of the 1170th assault regiment decide the following questions:
----- clarify the mission
----- divide the time
----- prepare the initial instructions
----- estimate the situation
----- make the decision and prepare the combat order
----- organize interaction
----- plan the operation:
----- prepare the plan
----- prepare the plan table
----- prepare the combat action plan for the assault landing area



 
 

Clarifying the mission:

The parachute desant regiment received a combat mission at 0645 on the 10th of June to, by use of parachute landing, land in the area of Oberwesel, Urbak ,Stoar, Birkheim; and seize the bridghead on the Rhine River in the area of Biebernheim, Urbar, Bellhefen, Laudert, Dorth. It is also the seize bridges and crossing sites on the river, support the army crossing forces on the march across the river, block the movement of enemy reserves into the area, and destroy enemy PVO forces and ground targets in the far bank of the river. The regiment after supporting the army crossing concentrates in trhe area Leiningen, Laudert, Badenhard and prepares to be ready for future army commander orders. The regiment does not receive for the landing and combat action any reinforcements. With its own forces and means it fulfills the missions. the assault landing is conducted with the forces of the 40th transport aviation division that has units composition (____ aircraft L 76 and ______ AN 12). The assembly area for the assault is designated and shown in the area of the city Leipzig at four airfields at Merseburg, Lutzen, Schkeuditz, and Leipzig. the air transport aviation assembles in the assembly area at 01:30 on the 10th of June. The flight from the assembly area to the landing area is 350 kms. the line of the forward echelon of the army to the area of landing is 45 kms. The area of deployment of the regiment is 50 km from the assembly area. In order to complete the march it is necessary to take 2 and half hours.
The assault forces in the assembly area are covered from enemy air strikes by the front PVO forces and the PVO forces of the air assault regiment. During the flight by air transports it is covered by the forces of army PVO and two fighter aviation regiments from the air army of front. The PVO, radio reconnaissance means, airfields, and fields for combat helicopters and their ground targets of enemy are destroyed before the start of the flight with the forces and means of the rocket troops and artillery of army and first-echelon divisions, and air forces of front, and means of radio electronic combat of the army they are suppressed and destroyed. .Before the landing they deliver an airstrikes by the fighter bomber aircraft on ground targets and nearby reserves in the desant landing area. So this helps the successful accomplishment of the landing.

The combat action of the air assault during the fulfillment of the mission supported by two fighter bomber squadrons from the front air army on call by the commander. The combat mission of the landing is the most important mission that with its successful completion supports the army's river forcing means from the march and quickly movement of army forces into the enemy depth of defense. At the end of it it helps surround and destroy the main forces of the Vth and VII US Corps in interaction with the main forces of the 8th Guards Army and the 28th CAA. This requires that the means for fulfilling this mission carefully organize by the commander of transport aviation and troop control organs of army and with attention planned and in accordance with the plan clearly and exactly designate missions for each subunits. and organize closely exactly and constantly in interaction between the subunits and the supporting forces. The start timely and quickly complete the missions.



 
 

Distribution of time
----- receive mission - 1800 9 June
-----clarification of mission - 1800 - 1830
-----Sending out the initial instructions with aim of preparing troops for combat action - 1830 - 1850
-----preparation of calculations - 1830 - 1900
-----Estimate of situation and making decision - 1850 - 1930
-----Preparation of combat order - 1930 - 2010
-----Preparation of plan table for landing 1930 - 2010
-----deliver decision to the representation of the army commander- 1930 - 1945
-----issue combat missions and training on a terrain model 1950 - 2130
-----Organize interaction - 2130 - 2230
-----Planning of landing 1800 - 2230
-----start of flight of aviation from their airfields to the assembly area - 2300
-----arrival of aircraft at the assembly area 0130 on 10th June
-----Start of movement of desant forces to the assembly area 2230
-----arrival of landing forces at the assembly area 0130
-----loading of combat equipment and fuel on the transports and refueling of transports 0200 to 0530
-----Loading of personnel on aircraft 050 - 0540
-----Monitoring and rendering assistance 2230 to 0600
-----report on preparation for flight - 0545
-----take off of loaded aircraft 0550
-----start of flight 0600
-----arrival of reconnaissance aircraft and support aircraft at the landing area 0615
-----arrival of landing force and parachute landing 0645 -0700
-----assembly in the concentration area on the ground 0700 0715
-----movement to fulfill combat missions 0715
-----seize area bridghead and organize defense 1000.



 
 

Issuing the initial instruction to prepare the troops for the landing

1 the airborne regiment received a combat mission for 0630 10 June with objective to seize bridge head on the far bank of the Rhine river by parachute from transport aviation.

2. the chief of reconnaissance received exact data on the situation and condition of enemy forces on the far bank of the Rhine river, near by reserves to the west, quantity of air forces and combat helicopters near to the landing area, and existing crossing sites, and forces and means that defend them.

3. the desant forces prepare for fulfillment of combat mission and the start of the movement of forces to the assembly area for the landing starts at 2230 hrs.

4. combat equipment is prepared for the operation and resupply it with fuel and POL up to norms.

5. weapons and other combat means prepare for conduct of battle and resupply ammunition in regimental subunits up to norms, In addition resupply it with one BK in the regimental rear service above norm.

6. food and supplies for personnel prepare dry rations for two days and water

7. Communication means prepare for movement and action prepare code tables obtain secret tables from army staff.

8. the assembly area for loading is designated in the area around Leipzig on the following 4 airfields. Meisburg, Lutzen, Schkeuditz, Leipzig. the concentration area for each subunit of the regiment for loading personnel and equipment on the aircraft will be designated after the decision is made.

9.The chief of staff will supervise the calculate the time for staff actions and subunits with the staff of the transport division. They will prepare the plan table for the landing and plan of the operation.

10. The chief of operations department will fulfill planning of the landing, preparation of plan table and preparation of combat action of regiment with close interaction and support from staff of military transport aviation and their supporting means of army and front. Also prepare the model of terrain for making the decision and organization of interaction.

11. Preparation of subunits for movement to the concentration area will be reported.



 
 

Estimate of the situation

Estimate of enemy forces

The enemy defends on a line from ____, ____ and some forces are retreating toward the Rhine River. The enemy builds bridges and crossing sites on the Rhine and in front of them prepares new lines of defense with the aim of covering and supporting his retreat of forces across the river and on the far bank he also establishes new defensive lines along the river banks. Also he has moving forward reserves from the depth of his territory. The enemy in the regiments landing area on the Rhine prepares new bridges and crossing sites so that one pontoon bridge in the area of Torgars and one pontoon crossing is at Urbar. Engineer troops that create these crossings are about 2 engineer pontoon companies. some enemy forces are retreating to the Rhine banks at a distance of 10 15 km from the river. In front of the bridges and crossing sites create new defensive positions with aim of support of retreat of their forces and organized crossing across the river. The enemy along the western bank of the river prepares new defensive positions with use of engineer position equipment. The enemy strives to use water obstacles to prevent the crossing of the army forces over the Rhine and development of our attack into the depth. IN the regiment's landing area are found the following enemy forces:

Some motor rifle forces with engineer position preparation machines preparing defensive positions in the area near Helzfeld. Along the river bank only a motor rifle company with engineer position equipment preparing trenches in the area of Oberwesel. The chief of reconnaissance received exact data on the quantity composition, weapons, and their positions from the army staff and from the air forces. The north of Wiebelsheim operate several personnel with engineer technical and signal means it is possible that they create a command point or communication center. In the area of Kabach, Birkheim, Breifschreid we have discovered the positions of antiaircraft rockets. These targets before the landing will be suppressed by forces of rocket troops and air forces. To the south west of the landing area at a distance of 40 km is located the concentration area of up to one motor rifle regiment that after completion of long march concentrated in this region. Arrival of this force in the landing area is possible after 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. One field for combat helicopters is located in the area of Macken. the attack by these helicopters during the landing is possible on the axis from south west and north west. that enhance their secret flight into the landing area. Enemy airfields are located in the area ___, ____. It is possible that air strikes by enemy aviation on the landing forces during the landing action Therefore the means of PVO of the regiment and subunits when their arrive on the ground must quickly occupy their firing positions and prepare for repelling enemy air attacks. In according with the estimate of the enemy the assault regiment must be landed in following four areas:

The 1st assault battalion in the area of Stgoar
The second battalion in the area Urbar, directly the enemy crossing sites
The 3rd battalion in the area Birkheim and other sub units of support services in the area Oberwesel.

With the landing of the first and 2nd battalions on the ground immediately seize the bridges and crossing sites and cover them on both banks. After that other ground targets can be seized. At the end After that the battalion will seize other targets and then they will create larger bridghead areas and prepare for repelling attack by enemy forces and support the army's forcing forces.