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LESSON 4 EMPLOYMENT OF FRONT
ARTILLERY
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Instructor Notes:
Author: Jalali, Sloan, Wardak
Date: July 1990
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1. General: This four hour lesson provides a general
overview of artillery planning at front level. The purpose is to
familiarize the students with the planning that was accomplished at
front level prior to front issuing both the operations
directive and the combat instructions on artillery to the army.
2. Sublesson Introduction: Explain to the students that they are now beginning
the three lessons in which they will gain actual practice in artillery planning
at front, army, and division levels. The most intensive work will be
done at army level, since that is the principal headquarters in the OPFOR team.
However, by considering artillery planning at front and completing a
practical exercise the students will learn what calculations have already been
done by front before directives and instructions are sent to army.
3. Teacher Learning Objective:
General Learning Objectives for Lesson 4:
Students when playing role of front commander or chief of RT&A
will have a general familiarity with the Soviet process for making decisions.
With the help of reference books and prepared formats they should have a
beginning on being able to:
1. Determine artillery requirements for the front to accomplish its
mission and/or scope of mission achievable with available artillery;
2. Determine width of breakthrough (strike) sector possible and how to allocate
it to armies;
3. Determine artillery requirements of armies and how to allocate artillery to
them;
4. Prepare suggestions (report) of CRT&A to front commander during
his decision process;
5. Prepare plan for employment of artillery and anti-tank units including
initial plan, commitment of 2nd echelon army, and repulse of counterattacks;
6. Prepare instructions on artillery to subordinate combined arms units and
artillery instructions to subordinate artillery units;
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Task: Describe how Soviet front headquarters
organizes the combat employment of artillery and lead the students through the
sequence in which the chief of artillery presents his report and suggestions to
the front commander-in-chief.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The description of the process of organization serves as an
introduction to the entire four hours. Remind the students that they will be
applying the ideas presented in the previous three hours at front
level. The majority of this time should be devoted to going through the sample
report and suggestions to show how they fit in the flow diagram of the decision
process presented in lesson 2. Then lead the students through the practical
exercise.
Task: Analyze the process for preparing to plan the employment of artillery.
Conduct a series of practical exercises that develop these steps in sequence.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The analysis is broken into small steps in sequence to enable to
students to consider each calculation or consideration separately. The
instructors descriptions will be interspersed with the individual practical
exercises and question - answer periods.
Task: Describe the method for conveying the decision to subordinates.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The description will refer to the lesson on preparation of combat
documents. There are two sets of instructions on artillery, one sent to the
artillery units directly subordinate to the headquarters and the other sent to
the next lower combined arms unit. The instructor should show samples of both
of these. In the practical exercise the instructor will assist the students in
filling in the blanks in forms for both types of instruction. The instruction
to the army will be used later in the practical exercise at army level. The
instructor will then give a short description of the actions the artillery
staff takes to organize combat supporting measures, troops control and signals.
Task: Determine the composition, grouping, and deployment of artillery to cover
the main forces as they deploy and lead the students in a practical exercise to
accomplish this.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: This practical exercise shows the consideration the Soviet command
gives to planning for and taking positive measures to preclude being surprised
or preempted by the enemy during the critical hours their forces are first
moving from peacetime garrison status to full deployment and preparedness to
launch their initial operation.
Task: Describe Soviet measures for preparing the FUP areas prior to the
offensive.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The instructor will only have time to give a brief overview lecture
describing the Soviet planning and execution of the FUP preparation plan. He
should emphasize that this is an integral and important part of the total
Soviet planning activity as part of "organization for combat". He
should note that at front level the artillery would deploy from their
garrisons into individual assembly areas probably by brigade, but not with
entire artillery divisions in one location. By the time the units move to the
FUP areas the front artillery units have already been distributed into
the brigades and even individual battalion level and assigned to various armies
and divisions. Consequently the front artillery commander is mostly
concerned with monitoring the actions of artillery in properly developing their
FUP areas.
Task: Describe Soviet measures for collection and stockpiling material means
prior to the offensive.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The instructor will only have time for a brief overview lecture on
this critical topic. The main point to stress is that the staff officer (chief
of artillery supply) in the artillery directorate will work closely with the
staff of the deputy commander for rear services to insure that the massive
amount of ammunition required for the fire preparation against a prepared
defense is moved in a timely manner directly to the firing positions of the
guns of all artillery units. (not just the guns of the front artillery
battalions).
Task: Describe Soviet measures for preparing the troops for combat action.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The instructor will give a very brief review of Soviet ideas for
preparing the troops for combat. The main point is that the measures to prepare
the troops are a vital and integral part of the total process of
"organizing for combat". The political officer in the artillery
directorate will monitor these measures as they are taken by the staffs of
subordinate artillery divisions and brigades.
Task: Analyze the activities of the artillery staff in organizing artillery
action during the operation. Conduct a practical exercise to illuminate these
activities.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: The instructor should stress that the activities of the artillery
directorate are far from over when planning for the operation is complete. Even
though all the front's directly subordinated artillery will have been
allocated and distributed to the armies, the front commander in chief
will use it frequently during the course of the operation as one of his
principal means for influencing the outcome of actions. The initial planning
will have focused on a series of significant situations that will come up
during the operation as a way to organize planning for shifting artillery as
required. In this period the instructor will discuss several of these. The
practical exercise will highlight the requirement to shift artillery during the
operation.
Task: Direct the students in preparation of the plan for combat employment of
artillery in a practical exercise.
Condition: Given assigned references and student handouts.
Standard: In this final practical exercise the students will assemble all the
parts they have been considering in previous exercises and prepare the complete
artillery plan. However, since they will not have had sufficient experience to
do this totally on their own, the exercise is actually one of walking through
the entire process once more using prepared forms and maps. The students will
fill in the blanks under the direction of the instructor. The instructor should
observe student capability closely and monitor their progress. He then can
decide how long to allow them to work on each bit of planning and how often to
call a halt for them to describe what they have accomplished so far.
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4. Level of Instruction: Analysis.
5. Method of Instruction: lecture, discussion, and practical exercise.
6. Author's Intent: Overall - The central focus of the entire course on
artillery is at the army level. Consequently the focus of this lesson on
front artillery is to familiarize the students with how planning for
artillery is done at front level and what information and requirements
front sends to army. While there are some practical exercises in this
4 hour block there will not be sufficient time to enable the students to become
thoroughly familiar with all aspects of front employment of artillery.
Employment of front artillery: This section will include the specific
issues that are addressed by the front commander and CRT&A during
decision making and planning for employment of artillery at front
level. These include the norms for employment of artillery and the calculations
required for determining the allocation of artillery to armies in various
situations. The suggestions of the CRT&A to the commander include the
following points, which the students will address. In this period samples of
these will be provided for the front level.
Assessment of the enemy's artillery, its composition, status, location,
characteristics and capabilities
Assessment of composition and capability of front artillery troops and
personnel and equipment status
Requirements for and supply level of conventional ammunition and POL for the
operation
Missions of artillery in the operation
Best targets for artillery
Suggestions on the establishment of artillery groups in the armies, divisions
and regiments operating on the main and supporting directions
Suggestions on the composition and grouping of anti-tank reserves in the
front, armies, divisions, and regiments
Suggestions on the width of the breakthrough sector in the main direction and
other directions
Duration of artillery preparatory fire and participation of artillery and air
forces in it, and general considerations about the targets of preparatory fire
Form of assault support fire and its depth
Front artillery plan: In this period the instructor will lead the
students through an examination of a completed Soviet front level
artillery plan and the instructions and directives prepared at front
for the subordinate armies and artillery units. They will become familiar with
the material prepared at front which becomes part of the given
information and mission requirements for the army level. This material includes
the following:
-- calculations of the first echelon armies' requirements for artillery
-- distribution of attached artillery among the front's formations
-- organization of the movement of artillery to cover the deployment of the
main grouping of the front
-- organization of the employment of artillery during the preparatory fire,
assault support fire, and accompanying fire
-- organization of the employment of artillery during the commitment of the
second echelon army
-- determining the composition of front anti-tank reserves and the
lines for their deployment during the operation
-- movement of front and army artillery and rocket troops during the
operation
Specific intent for each section:
a. organizing employment of artillery - In this brief 25 min period the
instructor builds on the information given in lesson 1 on principles of
artillery and in lesson 2 on staff procedures. The instructor will had out a
sample of the chief of artillery's suggestions to the front commander
and describe how the artillery chief prepares these and their importance to the
commander. The instructor should stress the central place of considerations on
artillery in the front commander's overall decision on size and
location of breakthrough sectors. The period concludes with a practical
exercise in which the students may fill out a blank form for the chief of
artillery suggestions.
b. prepare artillery plan - This 75 min period contains five practical
exercises organized in sequence to lead the students step by step through the
planning process. In the first exercise they will determine the front
requirement for artillery using two different methods. The instructor will
explain these and then lead them through the exercise. The second exercise is
on distributing artillery to the first-echelon formations. The instructor will
explain the norms used as the basis for this. The students will then work out
the missions for artillery on the map of the operation. Exercises 5 and 6 will
also be completed using the map of the operation. The instructor will lead the
students through these exercises by explaining the norms to consider when
creating artillery and antitank groups.
c. convey decision to subordinates - There are four main points to teach. The
students should become familiar with the preparation of the instructions on
artillery that front sends to army in order to be able to evaluate and
implement these when they study the army. The instructor will only have time
for relatively brief discussion of how interaction and combat support measures
relating to artillery are organized at front level. These topics can
be discussed further in the lesson on army artillery.
d. composition, grouping, and deployment of artillery - This period focuses on
the assignment of artillery support for the regiments that are assigned to
cover the border during initial mobilization. The practical exercise on the map
will occupy most of the available time.
e. preparation of FUP area - The instructor will discuss this briefly. The main
point is the manner in which artillery must coordinate with engineers and
others in preparing and occupying assembly areas prior to the offensive.
f. collection and stockpiling material means - The instructor should discuss
the problems in providing sufficient transport to deliver the very large
quantity of ammunition required for initial fire preparation in the short time
available. The ammunition must be dumped at the firing positions so that the
artillery units can keep their basic loads on their vehicles to accompany them
when they move forward.
g. preparing troops for combat action - Remind the students that the Soviet
commander and staff do not merely perform calculations and make plans, but they
place great emphasis on activities to prepare the troops during the
"organization for combat" phase. The majority of this activity comes
under the heading of morale - political preparation. The political officer on
the chief of artillery staff will monitor this activity in the artillery troops
and report to his chief.
h. organizing artillery action during the operation - The instructor will
discuss the basic norms and principles for reorganizing artillery during combat
in the breakthrough, counterstrike, commitment of second-echelon and other
phases. A short exercise is included in which the students will plan artillery
deployment on a map showing the situation for enemy counterattack.
i. preparing plan for artillery - This is a final review and organization
together of the information discussed in the previous individual sections. A
final practical exercise gives the students a full review.
7. Equipment/Materials
Materials required: lesson 4:
Employment of front artillery - This period requires student handouts
in the form of tables and blank forms on which they can perform calculations.
It will require a prepared scenario of the operational and strategic situation
in the theater and the TVD directive to the front as well as
instructions on artillery from the TVD. Rather than actually role-play the
development of the front artillery plan the students will be led
through a prepared scenario and completed solution.
Front artillery plan - This will require a prepared front
operational plan, the operational directive and instructions from
front to the armies on use of artillery. It will require also a
prepared sample of the entire front artillery plan. The instructor
will lead the students through this as basic instruction on front
planning and it will serve as the essential basic document for the later work
at army and division level.
8. Homework: none
9. Annexes
Discussion agenda
Lecture notes
Practical exercises
List of viewgraphs
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LESSON 4 DISCUSSION AGENDA
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3 min
Introduction lesson IV: describe the content and purpose of this 4 hour period.
VG 1-2
25 min
a. organizing combat employment of artillery and the method and sequence of
interaction between the front commander, front staff, and
artillery staff while preparing the operation:
VG 3
-- elements of organizing the use of artillery;
-- clarifying the mission and instruction on artillery and rocket troops;
VG 4-6
-- artillery chief's suggestions to the front commander describe
process and show format for content. The actual procedure is in exercise 3 and
should be deferred until after exercises 1 and 2 on determining requirements.
-- making the decision on the combat employment of the artillery.
75 min
b. planning the combat employment of artillery
-20 VG 7-9
-- 1. determining the requirement of artillery for the front:
--- on the basis of number of targets;
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- VG 10-16
-- on the basis of the width of assigned breakthrough areas.
VG 17-19 (Note: Explanation is followed by exercise #1)
-20 VG 20
-- 2. distributing artillery among formations and establishing artillery groups
on the basis of the following:
VG 21
-- artillery groups are not established at the front;
-- first-echelon armies are given sufficient artillery to establish AAG, AGRA:
RAG of first-echelon regiments in accordance with the following norms:
-- AAG 8-10 battalions;
-- AGRA 4-5 battalions;
-- DAG 4-6 battalions;
-- RAG 3-4 battalions.
-- 1-2 antitank reserves are to be established at the front and
first-echelon armies, division, and regiment in accordance with the established
norms (Explanation and exercise #2)
-15 VG 22-36
-- 3. specifying mission of the operation (to be worked out on the map) and
should include mission during the preparatory fire, assault support fire and
accompanying fire, support of the commitment of the second-echelon and
repulsion of counterstrike, support of front level river crossing and
airborne assaults (explanation and exercise #4)
-- 4. establishing artillery groupings in the initial phase (to be mark on the
map as part of exercise #5)
-15 min
-- 5. composition, missions and area of deployment of front antitank
reserves in the departure are and during the operation (explanation is followed
exercise #6)
20 min
c. conveying the decision to subordinates
VG 37
-- 1. form and content of combat instructions to artillery units and formations
-- VG 38-39
-- 2. forms and content of instructions on artillery issued to armies (note:
both instructions are practically prepare on blanks using the map. Exercise #7)
-- 3. organization of interaction between artillery and other front
element
-- 4. organizing combat supporting measures, troop control or signal system
15 min
d. composition, grouping and deployment of artillery to cover the deployment of
the main forces of the front and repelling enemy's surprise aggression
(exercise #8)
10 min
e. preparation of FUP areas
VG 40
10 min
f. collection and stockpiling material means
10 min
g. preparing troops for combat action
20 min
h. organizing the actions of artillery during the operation:
VG 41
1. support of the breakthrough;
2. artillery action to repel enemy counterstrikes (exercise #9);
3. artillery action to support the commitment of the second-echelon army
(artillery missions, duration of preparatory fire and other fires, density of
artillery).
30 min
i. Preparing the plan of combat employment of artillery:
VG 42
-- content of the graphic part of the plan;
-- content of the written part of the plan;
-- annexes;
(Explanation is followed by exercise #10)
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LECTURE NOTES FOR LESSON FOUR
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These notes cover the main issues to be discussed in the
three hours on artillery at front level. since this is the first of
the three levels to be discussed, it will be well to insert reminders about the
various issues covered in the previous three hours of general theoretical
discussion. The students won't be familiar yet with the standardized procedures
for conducting the meeting in which the chief of artillery delivers his report
and makes his suggestions to the commander. They will probably need further
discussion on the role and capabilities of anti-tank reserves. Feel free to use
view graphs shown in the previous lessons as required.
Calculation of number of artillery units required.
This example may be used as basis for lecture and discussion with students.
Then use another example as a practical exercise for the students to work out
themselves and discuss.
The artillery required for the attack in terms of number of battalions in each
RAG and DAG is given in the directive which lists number of units in artillery
groups. So go to the table that shows number of artillery battalions available
in the entire force such as the front or army and count battalions
available not counting antitank battalions. For this example it shows the
following:
At front in the three artillery divisions
- 12th artillery division - 22 battalions
- 15th artillery division - 15 battalions
- 16th artillery division - 15 battalions
=52 battalions at front
At Army level in the army artillery regiments:
- five armies each has four battalions=20 battalions in army
- - heavy brigade has four battalions
=76 battalion total
Then at the division level counting only the divisions in the first-echelon for
this example we count on the map 16 divisions. And each division has 4
battalions at division in the artillery regiment. Then count that there are 2
regiments in first-echelon=6x16 - 96 battalions.
This gives a total of 170 battalions. The requirement for artillery battalions
according to the directive is as follows:
We need 16 divisions x 2 regiments=32 regiments which need regimental artillery
groups x 3-4 battalions each=96-128 RAG
So need 96-128 for RAGs.
Then the 16 divisions x 4-6 battalions each=64-96 for DAG's.
And for the 5 armies x 8-10 battalions each the total is=40-50 battalions for
AAG's. In armies we also need MRL groups.
Its always the case that you can't get as many battalions as the norms say or
you want. So to economize we don't give artillery to the army in supporting
attack. This knocks out 3 divisions from the count, and cut the army as well, -
cut 18 divisional and 4 army battalions=22. Then take out the artillery in all
the RAG's of those divisions. We have to deduct the artillery of that army from
the available count as well as deducting the theoretical requirement of that
army from the requirement count.
-38-52 deducted from 200-274 gives a requirement of 162-222 battalions. We
still can't meet even the 162 with the 150 left in the force. So have to
establish RAG's and DAG's only in the divisions supporting the main direction
in the army on the main attack axes.
There will be 1 second echelon division in each army in main axis. The
divisional artillery regiment battalions of these will be available for the
preparatory fire, but not the regimental battalions. This makes - 4 divisions x
4=16 battalions available, which makes 166 battalions available for the
requirement of 162.
Now take the maximum number for the army in the main attack.
Normally make the DAG's bigger versus the RAGs if terrain allows - DAG can
support both regiments. If the operation will be fast then make RAGs bigger
even eliminate the army artillery group.
This is the first step.
Then consider the type of artillery to distribute, that is the various calibers
and which should go to the army and division.
Now for rocket launcher artillery (reactive artillery) if there is enough it
should be in a separate group and not counted in the RAG's or DAG's. The number
of battalions left is reduced by those that go to establish the army group of
reactive artillery.
- Division can have MRL unit or group as well as guns and howitzers. The
division has BM-21. The BM-27 is for army, with a 40 km range, since it can hit
enemy division reserve and rear area of first-echelon division.
So how many BM-27's are there in the list? It turns out there are 12 battalions
of BM-27 in our sample.
So there are 4 battalions of BM-21. With 4 armies to support, and to give the
MRL's to, we can give 4 each or 5 to some and 3 to others. So give 5 battalions
each to the northern 2 armies and 3 each to the southern 2 armies.
Then the army artillery brigade shows 130 gun and howitzer battalions and no
MRL so give armies some MRL, with part going to each first-echelon division.
Each division has on BM-21 battalion. So if there were more MRL available we
would give one to the division on main echelon.
Can use MRL from second-echelon division to support penetration.
Determine requirements for artillery headquarters
Another issue of the distribution of artillery is how to make sure each group
has a staff and command. We discussed in an earlier lesson the difference
between the commander of a RAG and the regimental chief of artillery. All the
RAG's DAG's and the army AAG must have a commander with staff capable of
control and coordinating the fire of all the battalions. There are a number of
commanders and staffs available for this purpose.
The army needs command for 3 divisions' DAG's in first-echelon and 6 RAGS,
which makes 11 troop control elements to command the artillery groups. Where do
these come from? There are three command groups in the 3 division artillery
regiments=3. Plus one in the army brigade=4, which means we need 7 more.
Even if we give command of the RAG to the commander of the regimental battalion
and attach the other battalions, the norm calls for 6 which=1 more.
Sometimes the artillery regiment needs a troop control element too.
So in this example we have for the Northern army DAG
- 6 regiment artillery groups - 10 battalions
- army group - 9 battalions
- MRL=38 battalions
-3 divisions x 4 battalions=12
-6 regiments x 1=6 in 12th artillery division
-4 regiment battalion=4
=22
Take 25 artillery brigade 24
-25 MRL brigade
-1 battalion 26th
So take all 25th - 1 battalion BM-21
- need how and gun - 130 mm and 152 SP
- 21st brigade and 22nd brigade - 7
So give army 12 artillery divisions - 23rd brigade and 24th brigade and 26 MRL
- 1 battalion.
-division - 1 Hqs
-130 brigade=2
-122 regiment=3
-Bn of 27 brigade=4
4 hqs from division - give command of army AAA to front artillery
division headquarters.
Give one to army MRL group to BM-27 brigade.
-have 2 more plus army
- so give those to division
-and division headquarters goes to one of regiments
So only one regiment needs to use its own headquarters
Antitank brigade commands army antitank reserve
Give the army antitank regiment to division for its antitank reserve.
So sometimes commander of artillery battalion of one regiment becomes CO of
RAG.
Front take 125 mm AT guns - for 2 brigades of front antitank
reserve. It can give 2 - 100 mm guns regiments to army.
-125 is new gun.
Calculate - width of penetration area for front.
Use table of nationality and width of penetration.
To determine the number of guns available, give 3 artillery divisions to armies
in main attack sectors.
Don't count antitank weapons.
-1222 guns in the 3 divisions of artillery.
1222
-Armies 4 armies 4 x 72=288
1510
-first-echelon divisions - 13 divisions x 72 each=936
2446
-2 regiments per division 26 x 24=620
3066
-second-echelon division 4 divisions 72=288
3358
Do it in 2 ways divide axis artillery by norms.
- separate - or do average
-Front level average take average 100-120
- 33.5 km
- 100 34 km
- 120=28 km of penetration
Normally we have to divide the attack sector into two parts, since it is not
possible to put all the guns effectively into one place anyway. In this case we
decided on 12 km in south and 16 in the north. This gives 8 km per each of 2
armies in the north, and 6 km per army in the south. This should be done for
each sector.
In the north we have 9 divisions x 72=648
- 14 regiment x 24 336
96
- 12 artillery divisions 72
- 15 artillery - 2 antitank 72
- BM27 18
- total in north 1906
British 100=19 km
-10 km one army 9 km other army
- width 4km concentrate
- 12km 4km
- 19km 4km
- 7km 4km
- 3km
-give 10 km to me
-give 10 km to other
-boundary depends on terrain
So one army 3 divisions - 4 km each
-other army 2 divisions
Some divisions wide on flank - other two in middle on 4 km
-other army inside division 4 km
-and outside division 3 km
Divide out so division gets to 20 km wide after penetration
-Regiment on 2 km
-Battalion on 1 km
-division on flank have wider area
-units will have to funnel into area
Army and division will also calculate
-will calculate time of fire - shells per target
-operational level sets general level
- army refines it
- division level calculates detail of time and regiment assign main direction
of fire for each gun
-Battalion more detail
-more detail at lower level
Army norm 8 - 12 km - norm matches capability
In attack one battalion is versus one company.
A regiment versus 1/2 battalion in penetration area.
A division versus 1/2 brigade.
Can not destroy enemy simultaneously but in succession.
Cannot establish this density everywhere.
-penetration only 34 or 10% of area for front or for army 15%.
This is against prepared defense.
Support for second echelon
Second-echelon enters battle for development and completion of operational
mission. Second-echelon goes into combat between first-echelon or gap or where
enemy defense is weak.
Second-echelon may be on new axis. Second-echelon consisting of two divisions
may be committed simultaneously or in sequence.
Army sometimes commits them on 2 axes.
In enter combat fire prep. fire duration depends on enemy.
If weak - then 10-15 fire strikes - don't need prep fire.
Fire phases for support of second-echelon:
-1. deployment support
-2. preparatory fire
- 3. accompanying fire
- 4. support for units moving in depth
Commitment of second-echelon could have all same phases as first-echelon.
If second-echelon moves 10 km at 20 km per hr then it takes 30 min.
Conduct preparatory fire, but if enemy withdraw or move, just strike for 15
minutes.
Hit targets in front of line of commitment to secure attack when no known fixed
targets then use accompanying fire new-fire support for units on march. Four
phases instead of three - discuss advance to cover zone then penetration
-division moves forward in march
Discussion of phases of artillery
If enemy defense organized, the fire prep is needed.
-fire prep length 20-30 minutes each strike 10-15 minutes
-density 40-60 guns per km
- .4-.6 units of fire expenditure
-fire support 20-30 - 2-3 strikes
- successive concentrated fire
- during fire prep
- destroy - nuclear weapons
- destroy or suppress air defense and artillery battery
- destroy or suppress CP
- destroy or suppress reserves close
- destroy or suppress line especially artillery weapons
show - enemy defense on map
- artillery occupies position then rest of force goes through to deploy
-during fire
- between prep fire and support fire there is covering fire overlap fire on
artillery too
-after fire support also conducted
- successive concentration
- norm on one or 2 lines
- sometime fire support consists of massive fire
-after seizure enemy first line position - conduct accompany fire - method -
massive or concentration fire
- help artillery from adjacent units
- cooperation aviation units
- strike rocket forces too
- create - artillery groups
-receive artillery
-re-subordinate or from army that had losses - its artillery
-if strong defense - artillery also needs time norm is
- 4-6 hours, of which 1 1/2 hours daylight
- target registration.
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Chief of artillery of front controls. He goes himself to place and
controls all prep and organization. This commitment is the most important
moment in the engagement.
Flanks of second-echelon covered by anti-tank reserve and mobile obstacle
detachments - repel flank tank units.
When commander of front receives order for operation commander of
artillery and rockets also is deciding what is needed.
- 1st step rocket and artillery
- 2nd step nuclear depots and air units
First before war can't know all about nuclear weapons.
Some objectives can know where all are
Plan for Artillery -
Start army sector from right to left.
-front and army targets -
-FM 100-2-3 Scaleboard - range 900
- scuds - count assets - 6 launchers for battalion
- put R300 - deeper - airfield - corps headquarters
- move R65 to 15km of border
- 2 airfields - division CP's and division reserves
- division artillery groups
Need set format for following the sequence of the report and suggestions.
Two missions to do - present suggestions to front commander on use of
artillery and rocket troops.
Format for recommendation:
- points one at time;
- assessment of enemy - nuclear rockets;
- mechanized and tank division - army and army group;
- list of number of warheads and nuclear rockets etc. nuclear artillery -
airfields;
- looks for location of rockets - put ? on charts, if unknown;
- go from division to corps to army group;
- what is known leads to look for more.
Planning - First - first-echelon army requirement is basis for need for
artillery
- army 8km -
VG Organization of combat employment
- making decision on artillery
- plan content of employment
Chief of artillery troops also helps front commander with his decision
- So chief of RT&A presents a report and suggestions on artillery to
front Commander in chief The report is in three areas.
- 1. assessment of enemy forces and friendly forces artillery and rocket troops
- capability - combat - strength - location etc. \
- 2. other missions of artillery in offensive including instructions from chief
of artillery of higher command - MOD - TVD
- 3. Suggestions on employment of RT&A in strategic nuclear strike and
first phase.
Commander may ask chief to present only part of this if time is short.
Chief of RT&A contributes to decision of front Commander and
also makes own clarification and estimate and decision
VG - duties of - clarify front mission
-RT&A Co - clarify artillery mission in order to project employment of
artillery
-Front received operational directive and each arm and service gets
order from higher
So all arms and services chiefs inform commander of the instructions received
from higher headquarters
Estimate enemy strength location capability when can deploy when able to launch
attack supported number of targets - volume of artillery fire
VG Planning of Combat Employment
-- sequence and content
- determine needs of first-echelon armies
- - how much artillery to give them
- - how distribute artillery from higher headquarters
- - keep only anti-tank
-- organize movement from areas
-- organize actions
Role of planning - first thing - organizations of combat - make the decision -
clarify - estimate - then formulate decision - based on decision - decision is
what to do -planning is how to do it.
Planning is flexible can change details
Determine needs of first-echelon armies
Steps to determine artillery regiment
- VG
- 1. first-echelon armies - give artillery to first-echelon armies
So how much they need is based on first-echelon needs
Highest requirement is for penetration phase
Air targets deducted -
-artillery norms - how many targets
- each has so much requirement
- subtract army organic to get required addition at operational level.
VG Methods of determining Army Requirements
- when both sides deployed can specify
- terms of volume of artillery missions
- two ways - missions based on accurate reconnaissance -
- enemy artillery and rockets;
- strong points in first-echelon battalion;
- tank and infantry platoon strong points;
- command points.
-may have 25 platoon strong points
- 24 batteries
- 10 CP's and ? etc.
Fire preparation for artillery:
Detail planned at army - penetration area planned to depth of enemy forward
defense - depth of first-echelon division - reserve
+ 1 km on both sides of designated breakthrough sector
- 2 divisions army 7-8 km
- 3 divisions 10-12 km
- division 4 km
Use 1 km each side to insure no enemy at flanks left alive.
Can specify percent of coverage for enemy forces at various locations
Use 100% for artillery and CP's - 60-80% for troop positions
Operational norms are average don't specify the kind of guns or depth - use
general norms.
One method when have detailed information on the enemy targets
- in initial phase
- use assumption on enemy organization in frontage
- use enemy TO&E - known norms on enemy combat capability numbers are based
on detailed study of enemy forces.
VG
Operational Norms of Density of Artillery - used in method 2
-used against specific enemy forces.
-army level higher norm per km than at front level
Second different method - no time at all don't know enemy
- use norm of how large a RAG - DAG - AAG should be.
- just say RAG will be three to four battalions
- DAG will be four to six battalions
- AAG - AGRA etc.
So on basis of this planning
- determine number of artillery - say an army used 2 divisions - 7-8 kms
VG Army Organic Artillery
- so add up artillery - new division has more 168 + 18=186 guns
- then artillery brigade
- army MRL regiment get total 300 + - 8km
- army second-echelon division divide=700-800 guns
So need 700-800 army has 400 need 400 more guns
-so need almost 1 more artillery division
- calculate army requirement - figure army needs 400 extra guns - if three
armies then 1,200 guns
Front requirement is the requirement of first-echelon armies plus
antitank reserve - use norms of 100 guns or detailed norm versus specific enemy
country
If can't establish required density then
VG Methods for Decreasing Density Requirement if Artillery is
Insufficient
- 1. extend duration of fire
- 2. use air
- 3. reduce width of area
Norms is for time of battalion deployment from battalion deploy to assault -
time is main element.
Can increase time of fire to start before battalion deployment but preference
is to decrease time of fire.
- have to fire 1/2 - 1/3 of ammunition during first ten minutes of fire strike.
- because enemy may move - want surprise etc.
-but looks like Soviet artillery is increasing in number
- change in capability of NATO forces has increased may increase Soviet need
for density
-if penetrations are on multiple axes need more artillery
-enemy penetration has two flanks that must be covered.
II Distribution of VGK artillery to armies.
VG Distribution of Artillery
- in order to distribute -
- must follow front decision
- make on basis of decision - armies on main attack
- get more artillery.
No artillery group at front level - gives all artillery to armies -
keeps front antitank reserves.
Artillery - anti-tank brigade cover 20-25 km width of frontage, which is the
width of a 1-2 tank division attack.
So division usually needs 8 + battalions needs 4-5 added battalions or could
increase to 4 battalions in RAG and 6 in DAG
- RAG - 4 km DAG - 5 km
To shorten time of penetration bring forces in early.
Artillery need 6-8 hours to set up positions and register on new targets,
including 2 hour daylight.
Army artillery group 8-10 battalions - Army also has MRL group of 3-5
battalions comes from front.
Artillery headquarters used to establish headquarters of RAG and DAG
-battalions divided according to range and use
VG Mission of Army Artillery Group
- destroy nuclear etc.
VG - army reactive artillery group
VG - mission of division artillery group
VG - contents of battalions of division artillery group -
mixed guns and MRL but artillery group at army divided into MRL and guns and
howitzers -
Army group divided to support number of axis of main attack - normally two main
axes.
VG Regiment Group Mission
Plan of Artillery
- after decision and estimate
VG Plan - 1 500,000 or 1 - 200,000
-points Plan is not disseminated
-on map Graphic - situation and action of enemy forces
- show enemy corps headquarters units airfields SAM's
- air defense etc.
- situation and mission of armies - show divisions
- boundaries and missions
- front reserve divisions - air army divisions
- combat helicopter units
- Front and army rocket brigades
- division rocket battalions - air defense units
- boundary line between strategic and operational ? ?
- line of commitment of second-echelon army
- targets for nuclear strike target\yield
- unit \time
-show locations - division rocket battalions 5 km from border
- army brigade behind divisions
-show relocation of rocket brigades - of army and front - once a day division
battalions relocate with division
-show locations when main events take place
-show artillery groups of army and division at initial location
- antitank reserves
- penetration areas - show artillery groups move during penetration
- show location of artillery group during subsequent phases
- show firing line of antitank reserve
- when commit second-echelon AT on flank
- where enemy counterattack expected AT line shown
Written part of the plan
- 1. number of nuclear and chemical rockets - table
- 2. availability and distribution of ammunition
- 3. distribution of artillery units
- 4. distribution of ammunition to missions and phases
- 5. allocation of antitank reserves
Other points on working documents of plan:
- method time of delivery of rocket troops;
- calculations of time to move and repair;
- expenditure of rocket and ammunition;
- measures to protect against enemy.
Preparation of FUP area for artillery and rocket troops:
The positions for rocket troops and artillery in the assembly area for the
offensive are prepared during peacetime. They are designed with the objective
of supporting the front troops against sudden enemy attack but are
also organized to facilitate going over to the offensive. If the situation
develops so that the planned positions could not be constructed before the
beginning of the operation, then they are completed immediately at the start of
preparations for the offensive. They prepare the following engineer
fortifications for rocket troops and artillery in the FUP area:
- main firing positions;
- temporary positions;
- reserve positions;
- bunkers and covered defensive positions;
- shelters for personnel;
- covered positions for transport vehicles;
- observation, observation/command, and command posts;
- ammunition supply dumps;
- routes for maneuver.
The commanders of the artillery and rocket units are personally responsible for
engineer preparation of the positions for their own units. The positions and
engineer fortifications, weapons positions, and combat vehicles are camouflaged
against enemy aerial and ground observation.
Collection of ammunition, weapons, and material supplies:
Ammunition, rockets, and artillery weapons for operational formations and
front troops are simultaneously collected at every level. Creating
designated reserves at each level has a very important significance for the
offensive. Collection of ammunition, rockets, and artillery weapons is a duty
of the chief of artillery armament service. The supplies of ammunition and
material means are created in accordance with the designated norms at each
echelon from front to regiment, and if there are shortages they are
quickly made up from the higher echelon. The ammunition supplies are kept in
artillery dumps. These artillery dumps are subordinated to the chief of the
artillery armament service . The calculations and planning for filling dumps,
organization of security and defense, preparation for movement, and sending and
receiving ammunition supplies, is a mission of the artillery armament chief.
The chief of the front supply base has the following missions:
- receive and send supplies to units in accordance with the plan of the
artillery armament service;
- distribute supplies on the ground in locations and organize their dispatch to
the troops;
- support of the depots from the point of view of transport and workers to load
and unload material;
- organize the loading and unloading of supplies;
- organize defense of depots and work on the facilities themselves such as
barracks
Supply and distribution of artillery weapons to the troops and also collection
and repair for damaged weapons and sending them back to troops are conducted by
the chief of artillery armament service. Rockets are secured in the rocket
technical bases. In accordance with the plan and at the order of the chief of
artillery they are sent to the subordinate rocket troop units.
Other material means such as food and clothing, POL, medicines, and others are
collected in depots of the front base and in accordance with the plan
of the chief of rear are sent to the rocket and artillery troops in accordance
with designated norms.
Preparation of forces for combat:
In the Soviet Army they pay special attention to the preparation of troops for
combat. The basic principal for this work is brain washing because they prepare
the personnel for conducting offensives on foreign territory and for conducting
viscious combat to support the spread of communist order across the world. The
Soviets believe that success in combat actions to a significant level depends
on the political morale condition, psychological strength, and mastery of
military expertise by the personnel. For preparation of troops for combat an
important role is played by the chief of the political department or
directorate. The political activities are a basic part of the military
preparations. In the combat situation political activities are strong and
continuous in furthering the policy of the Communist Party within the armed
forces. The following are some of the aims of political/party work:
- strengthening the political morale condition of the troops, creation of
strong discipline, insuring high quality expertise in military technology,
raising combat mastery of the personnel, support of high level combat
readiness, and combat capabilities of the staffs and rocket troops and
artillery of the front and subordinate formations and mobilization of
personnel for successfully fulfilling combat missions and orders.
The basic tasks of the political activities in combat are the following:
- teaching personnel with the aim of inculcating automatic response for support
of the motherland, nation, Communist Party, Soviet state, and idea of
communism, belief in their military actions, fulfilling assigned missions
without questions, constant preparation for the most self-motivated fighting
against enemy, and giving all their strength, if the situation requires, even
their lives for victory over the enemy.
The most important mission of political activities is to propagandize on the
Communist revolution, heroic activities of the Soviet army and brother
socialist countries, and operational use of these in fulfilling creation of
communist heaven.
For this objective the chief of the political department prepares plan of
political activities before the operation and during the combat
The organizational structure established to accomplish this political work
includes the chief of political affairs and his directorate at the
front level. Then in the staff of the chief of rocket troops and
artillery there is a political section. The chief of this section is
responsible for the political work within the artillery staff itself and also
supervises the political work of the political deputies who are on the staffs
of the subordinate artillery and rocket formations and units.
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PRACTICAL EXERCISES
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Lesson 4: Employment of front
artillery
Prep 5 min:
Exercise 1 (10 min)
Determine artillery requirement for the Central Front on the basis of
the following assumptions:
1. detailed information about the enemy targets on the ground is not available
2. Three armies are in the first echelon conducting breakthrough on the
following frontages:
-- 10 km against US forces
-- 12 km against UK forces
-- 8 km against US forces
Answer:
Artillery required by norm:
- 1 ___ army: 10 x 110=1100 guns
- 2 ___ army: 12 x 100=1200 guns
- 3 ___ army: 8 x 115=920 guns
- Total 3220 guns
Available guns
-1 ___ army: 3 first echelon division + army artillery and artillery from one
2nd echelon division: - 3 x 144 + (72 + 54) + 72=432 + 198=620
-1___ army: same as above=620
-1___ army: 2 first echelon divisions + army artillery + 2nd echelon=2 x 144 +
(72 + 54) + 72=288 + 198=486
-Total in front=1726
front requirement=3220 - 1726 in armies=1494
front AT reserve: 1 - 2 antitank brigades
-reinforcement to first echelon armies=1 - 2 brigades
Total=2 - 3 brigades
About 3 artillery divisions are required for the front
Exercise 2 (10 min)
Distribute the available artillery at the front (the table is
attached) to reinforce first echelon armies and to establish front AT
reserve.
Answer (5 min)
Attached table to include AAG's, DAG's, and RAG's and AT reserves;
-(to be completed from the map)
Exercise 3 (10 min)
Prepare suggestions of the CRT&A to front commander.
Answer (5 min)
See prepared text.
Exercise 4 (10 min)
Work out the missions of the artillery during the different phases of the
offensive operation.
Answer (5 min) ( to be completed from the map)
Specific missions from the map to cover the following:
- breakthrough sectors and their depth
- assault supporting fire areas and their depths
- support of commitment of the second echelon
- repulse of counter strikes
- support of river crossing (front level)
- support of airborne assaults
- others
Exercise 5 (5 min)
Mark the deployment of artillery on the map in the initial situation and their
relocation
Answer (5 min)
Make overlays from the map
Exercise 6 (10 min)
Work out the composition, deployment, direction of movement, and planned fire
lines of front's anti-tank reserve(s).
Answer (5 min)
Make overlays from the map.
Exercise 7 (10 min)
Prepare instructions on artillery to subordinate combined arms armies and
combat instructions to subordinate artillery units and large units
Answer (5 min)
Issue prepared documents
Summing up( 10 min)
Exercise 8:
Work out (mark on the map) the grouping and deployment of artillery to cover
the border and to repel enemy's surprise attack.
Answer ( 5 min)
Issue prepared diagram.
Exercise 9
Prepare and mark on the map the artillery grouping to repel enemy's counter
attack in a given situation to be prepared).
Answer
Issue prepared diagram.
Exercise 10
Combine answers of all exercises in lesson 4 and 5 in a overall plan of the
employment of artillery in front's offensive operation.
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LIST OF VIEWGRAPHS LESSON FOUR
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VG 1- Outline of content of lesson IV
VG 2- Measures conducted by the front's chief of rocket troops and
artillery and his staff on the organization of the use of artillery in
offensive operations
VG 3- Organizing the combat employment of artillery
VG 4- Sequence of organization of artillery during front offensive
operation
VG 5- Format the report (doklad) of the chief of front's
RT&A during the front commander's process of making the decision
VG 6- Format the suggestions (doklad) of the chief of
front's RT&A during the front commander's process of
making the decision
VG 7- Planning combat employment of artillery - outline
VG 8- Planning of combat employment of the artillery
VG 9- Determining requirements for artillery
VG 10 Factors determining the composition of front artillery
VG 11- Factors determined by the general staff during peacetime on the level
of attachment of supreme high command artillery to the front
VG 12- Total artillery in possible front
VG 13- Targets calculated to determine the army's need for artillery
VG 14- Steps to determine artillery requirements
VG 15- Army's organic artillery which may be called to operate in
penetration areas
VG 16- Total front artillery requirement
VG 17- Methods of decreasing the number of artillery required
VG 18- Exercise 1
VG 19- Exercise 1 Answer
VG 20- Distributing artillery among formations
VG 21- Distribution of artillery to establish groupings
VG 22- Areas of commitment of the second-echelon army
VG 23- Forms of commitment of second echelon army
VG 24- Missions of artillery during artillery preparatory fire supporting
2nd echelon
VG 25- Measures conducted by chief of artillery on organizing artillery for
defense
VG 26- Aims of counterpreparatory fire
VG 27- Missions of artillery during counterpreparatory fire
VG 28- Forms planned for counterpreparatory fire
VG 29- Characteristics of counterpreparatory fire
VG 30- Factors in the struggle against enemy tanks and armored vehicles
methods for destroying enemy tanks
VG 31- Coverage capability in terms of fighting against tanks across the
front
VG 32- Plans for counterblow made on the basis of decisions of the
front commander
VG 33- Forces called to inflict losses on the enemy and to support the
forces which conduct counterblows
VG 34- Goals of artillery missions during preparatory fire
VG 35- Conduct of supporting fires for counterblows to the depth of enemy
first-echelon battalions
VG 36- Norms for artillery to prepare for counterblow
VG 37- Norms for artillery fire supporting second echelon
VG 38- Conveying decision to subordinates
VG 39- Sample instructions
VG 40- Other preparations
VG 41- Organizing artillery actions during operation
VG 42- Preparing plan for combat employment of artillery
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FACTORS DETERMINING THE COMPOSITION
OF FRONT ARTILLERY
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1. composition of the organic artillery of the
front;
2. front's formations and large units;
3. availability of the Supreme High Command artillery elements attached to the
front.
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FACTORS DETERMINED BY THE GENERAL STAFF DURING
PEACETIME ON THE LEVEL OF ATTACHMENT OF SUPREME HIGH COMMAND ARTILLERY TO THE
FRONT
1. missions to be assigned to the front during the operation;
2. composition and characteristics of likely actions of opposing enemy
groupings;
3. nature of employment of different means of destruction.
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TOTAL ARTILLERY IN POSSIBLE FRONT
5,000 guns, mortars, self-propelled guns, and reactive (multiple rocket)
launchers;
700 antitank guns;
about 2,000 antitank guided rocket weapon systems.
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MEASURES CONDUCTED BY THE FRONT'S CHIEF OF ROCKET TROOPS
AND ARTILLERY
AND HIS STAFF ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE USE OF ARTILLERY IN
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
- make decisions on employing artillery and rocket troops;
- plan combat employment of artillery and rocket troops;
- grouping, distribution, and allocation of artillery for accomplishing
assigned missions;
- assign (convey) missions to rocket troops and artillery;
- organize interaction (coordination);
- prepare FUP areas for the attack and positions for the artillery and rocket
troops to cover the deployment of the main groupings of forces;
- collect and stockpile material means;
- organize political affairs of rocket and artillery troops;
- organize all combat supporting measures;
- organize troop control, preparation of command posts and signal systems;
- prepare troops for combat action;
- maintain high combat-readiness of troops for accomplishing assigned missions.
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PLANNING OF COMBAT EMPLOYMENT OF
ARTILLERY
- determine the needs of first-echelon armies for attached artillery (for
artillery reinforcement).
- distribute the Supreme High Command's artillery to front organic
formations.
- organize movements of artillery to cover deployment of main groupings of
front forces, and to repel likely enemy aggressions, and to support initiation
of the attack by friendly forces.
- organize actions of the artillery during the conduct of the following front
missions:
- during conduct of artillery preparatory fire, assault support fire,
accompanying fire and covering boundaries, flanks, and gaps by fire;
---- organize actions of artillery while repulsing enemy counterblows
(counterattacks);
---- organize combat actions of artillery during assault crossings over water
obstacles;
---- organize combat actions of artillery while committing second-echelon
troops into combat;
---- organize combat actions of artillery while conducting meeting engagements;
---- organize combat actions of artillery while conducting other important
front missions.
- determine the composition of front anti-tank reserves and specify
their likely missions and the method of movement of front anti-tank
reserves during offensive operations.
- organize the front's supply formations with artillery equipment and
ammunition.
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TARGETS CALCULATED TO DETERMINE THE ARMY'S NEED FOR ARTILLERY
on enemy forward defensive lines;
in penetration areas.
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STEPS TO DETERMINE ARTILLERY REQUIREMENTS
- requirements of first-echelon armies and front anti-tank
reserve;
- highest requirement is during penetration of prepared defensive lines;
- targets hit by air force are deducted;
- artillery norms used to calculate for remaining targets;
- number of organic army artillery subtracted from this figure;
- remainder is required reenforcement from front;
- total of all first echelon army requirements is front requirement.
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ARMY'S ORGANIC ARTILLERY WHICH MAY BE CALLED TO PERATE IN
PENETRATION AREAS
artillery of two first-echelon motorized divisions:
- 126 + 126=252;
- army's artillery brigade=72;
- artillery regiment and reactive (multiple rocket launchers)
artillery battalion of army second-echelon divisions=72;
total=396.
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TOTAL FRONT ARTILLERY REQUIREMENT
-army penetration with two divisions - 700 -800 guns and mortars;
- three armies in first echelon - total of 2100 to 2400 guns and mortars.
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METHODS OF DECREASING THE QUANTITY
OF ARTILLERY REQUIRED
- extending the duration of preparatory fire;
- assigning aircraft and tanks;
- reducing the penetration areas.
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EXERCISE 1
Determine artillery requirement for the a Front on the basis of
the following assumptions:
-- detailed information about the enemy targets on the ground is not available
-- three armies are in the first echelon conducting breakthrough on the
following frontages:
----- 10 km against US forces
----- 12 km against UK forces
----- 8 km against US forces
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EXERCISE 1 ANSWER
Artillery required by norm:
--- 1 ___ army: 10 x 110=1100 guns
--- 2 ___ army: 12 x 100=1200 guns
--- 3 ___ army: 8 x 115=920 guns
--- Total 3220 guns
Available guns:
---1 ___ army: 3 first echelon division + army artillery and artillery from one
2nd echelon division: - 3 x 144 + (72 + 54) + 72=432 + 198=620
---1___ army: same as above=620
---1___ army: 2 first echelon divisions + army artillery + 2nd echelon=2 x 144
+ (72 + 54) + 72=288 + 198=486
---Total in front=1726
front requirement=3220 - 1726 in armies=1494
front AT reserve: 1 - 2 antitank brigades
reinforcement to first echelon armies=1 - 2 brigades
Total=2 - 3 brigades
About 3 artillery divisions are required for the front
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DISTRIBUTION OF ARTILLERY TO
ESTABLISH GROUPINGS
in accordance with front concepts and decisions;
-- at front there is an anti-tank reserve but no artillery reserve;
-- army on axis exposed to tank attack receives 2-3 anti-tank bns. as well as
an artillery division;
-- tank army without organic artillery receives long-range artillery;
-- artillery groups of armies and divisions are composed of organic and
attached artillery according to their missions;
-- division on main axis receives 4-5 additional artillery battalions;
- army artillery group of 8-10 bns, including 4-5 long range units.
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AREAS OF COMMITMENT OF THE
SECOND-ECHELON ARMY
-- in areas of one or two armies operating in the front to further develop
the attack;
-- at adjoining flanks of two armies;
-- in gaps created during the operation;
- in areas weakly occupied by the enemy.
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FORMS OF COMMITMENT OF SECOND ECHELON ARMY
-- entirely at once;
-- in a successive method;
-- only part of it is committed into combat.
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MISSIONS OF ARTILLERY DURING ARTILLERY PREPARATORY FIRE SUPPORTING
2ND ECHELON
-- destroy enemy nuclear delivery means;
-- reliably suppress enemy antitank defenses in the area of commitment of front
second-echelon forces into combat;
-- reliably suppress enemy artillery and mortars;
-- destroy enemy troop control systems;
-- suppress enemy personnel, weapons, and tanks located in strong points.
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MEASURES CONDUCTED BY THE CHIEF OF FRONT ARTILLERYH AND
ROCKET T TROOPS AND HIS STAFF
ON ORGANIZATION OF THE USE UNITS AND LARGE UNITS IN DEFENSIVE
OPERATIONS
-- make decisions on employment of rocket and artillery troops;
-- plan combat employment of artillery and rocket troops;
-- assign (convey) missions to missions to rocket troops and artillery;
-- organize coordination (interaction);
-- prepare main, alternate, and temporary positions of artillery and prepare
lines of deployment (lines of fire) and positions of antitank reserves;
-- collect (supply) and dump material means;
-- organize political affairs;
-- organize all types of supporting measures;
-- organize troops control, prepare command posts, and establish signal
systems;
-- prepare troops for action and maintaining high combat-readiness of troops
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AIMS OF COUNTERPREPARATORY FIRE
-- foil enemy attacks;
-- weaken striking enemy groupings;
-- gain time to complete defenses and to delay enemy attacks.
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MISSIONS OF ARTILLERY DURING
COUNTERPREPARATORY FIRE
-- destroy enemy nuclear delivery means;
-- suppress enemy artillery, mortars, and air defense artillery;
-- destroy enemy command and control systems, i.e., destroy enemy command
posts, command and control, and signal communication means;
-- inflict losses on enemy groupings of forces particularly tanks.
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FORMS PLANNED FOR COUNTERPREPARATORY FIRE
-- plan counterpreparatory fire while there is direct contact with the
enemy
\-- plan while the enemy is located in depth and moves to attack defenses from
the line of march
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CHARACTERISTICS OF COUNTERPREPARATORY FIRE
--employ as much artillery, air, and rockets as possible;
-- conduct fire from temporary positions (requires 4-6 hours to prepare;
-- conduct fire at front level;
-- two to three strikes of 10-15 min. duration each;
-- fire to maximum possible depth;
-- density of fire is 30-40 guns and mortars per km.
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FACTORS IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST ENEMY TANKS AND ARMORED
VEHICLES
-- coordinate artillery fire with strikes of rocket troops and the air
force;
-- continue cooperation with tank and engineer troops;
-- readiness of all artillery for struggle against tanks, prepare all types of
fires, and deploy artillery to cover tank threatened directions so that it may
engage the intruding tanks with direct (flat trajectory) fire. In this case
destruction of tanks is conducted from artillery's actual positions or through
relocation of artillery to positions prepared in advance for this purpose.
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METHODS FOR DESTROYING ENEMY TANKS
-- massive fires (MO), concentration fires (SO), and barrage fires from
covered positions against tanks in their assembly areas, during their movement
to the defense, and during their deployment;
-- in front of the forward defense line and in the depth, by fires of antitank
guided missiles, antitank artillery, other artillery and tanks conducting
direct fire and by antitank grenade launchers and other means coordinated with
antitank obstacles.
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PLANS FOR COUNTERBLOW MADE ON THE BASIS OF DECISIONS OF THE
FRONT COMMANDER
-- establish artillery groupings and time of their arrival in positions;
-- duration and structure of preparatory fire;
-- methods of support of counterblows by artillery;
-- troops control and signal communications.
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FORCES CALLED TO INFLICT LOSSES ON THE EN EMY AND TO SUPPORT
THE
FORCES WHICH CONDUCT COUNTERBLOWS
-- artillery groups of adjacent large units and army defending in the
direction of the conduct of front counterblows;
-- front aviation and rocket troops.
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GOALS OF ARTILLERY MISSIONS DURING
PREPARATORY FIRE
-- destroy enemy nuclear delivery means;
-- inflict effective losses on enemy artillery, mortars, antitank weapons, and
air defense artillery;
-- suppress enemy personnel in close contact with forces which launch
counterblows;
-- destroy enemy command and control systems.
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CONDUCT OF SUPPORTING FIRES FOR
COUNTER-BLOWS TO THE DEPTH OF ENEMY FIRST-ECHELON BATTALIONS
-- successive concentration fire (PSO);
-- double successive concentration fire;
-- rolling barrage (OV);
-- massive fire (MO);
-- concentration fire (SO) on call, just as in case of the assault supporting
fire during the attack.
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NORMS FOR ARTILLERY TO PREPARE FOR
COUNTERBLOW
-- artillery in units after movement into position require 1 to 1.5 hours
to prepare
-- army artillery requires 2 hrs including 1 hr of daylight
-- if distance is 60 km then 4 hrs required to move and prepare
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NORMS FOR ARTILLERY FIRE SUPPORTING
SECOND ECHELON
-- duration of artillery preparation fire: 20-30 min, with 2-3 fire strikes
of 10 - 15 min
-- density of artillery fire equals 40-60 guns per km
-- ammunition expenditure of .6-.8 units of fire
-- assault fire by successive concentrations (PSO) on 2-3 lines or by massive
fire (MO) and concentration fire (SO) on strong points
-- accompanying fire by massive fire and concentration fire
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NORMS FOR ARTILLERY FIRE ON TARGETS
Targets |
Up to 10 km |
Over 10 Km |
Launch pad destroy |
6 |
12 |
Launch pad damage |
6 |
12 |
Battery of guns, mtr or SP guns |
12 |
18 |
Battery of guns, mtrs or SP guns without armor |
6 |
12 |
Air defense arty or SAM btry |
12 |
18 |
Radar or guidance |
6 |
12 |
Personnel in covered positions 6 hectare |
12 |
18 in prepared defense |
Personnel in covered stgrong point 6 hectare |
12 |
12 in hastry defense |
Division forward CP 8 hectare |
24 |
36 |
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ARTILLERY ANNEX TO THE GENERAL SITUATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITUATION OF ARTILLEREY AND ROCKET
TROOPS
--1. The composition of the artillery attached to the front by the
Supreme High Command includes the following:
--- - 3 artillery divisions (12th, 15th and 16th);
--- - 2 heavy artillery brigades (25th and 35th);
--The type of weapons and number of guns per battery are shown in the attached
table number 1.
--2. The location and deployment of the artillery and rocket troops are shown
on the attached overlay.
--3. All artillery and rocket troops are 95% complete in equipment and 91%
complete in personnel. The ammunition in artillery units and large units is
supplied up to norms. (table number 2)
--4. The ammunition expenditure for the entire offensive operation is shown in
attached table number 3.
--5. From the instructions on artillery and rocket troops received from the
chief of artillery and rocket troops of the high command of the TVD, the
following points are noted.
-- - as of this morning all rocket troops must be kept at the highest state of
combat readiness so they can participate at the appropriate time in the initial
nuclear strikes. One third of rocket troops must be kept at direct firing
readiness number 3.
-- - the initial nuclear strike must be planned and updated on the basis of
reconfirming reconnaissance as soon as possible, the priority in targeting is
as follows;
-- - nuclear delivery means of --- div., --- corps, and --- army group in the
following areas---,---,---;
-- - a. main grouping of the enemy forces in areas ---,--,--;
-- - b. command post of the --- army group at --- and ---, and the --- corps
command posts at ---,---,---. The --- army group command post at ---.
-- c. air defense means and airfields at --,--,---.
-- d. enemy rear service targets at ---,---,---.
- - in the following directions, the use of ground nuclear bursts causing
radioactive fallout must be avoided;
--- - 1. the direction ________.
--- - 2. the direction ________.
--- - the boundary line of operational nuclear strikes is shown on the overlay;
--- - to speed up the supply of ammunition for the artillery preparatory fire,
the front transport means will deliver ammunition directly to the
positions of the army and divisional artillery groups;
--- - the following targets in the front sector are planned to be hit
by higher echelon's rocket forces, long range aviation and nuclear submarines
during the initial nuclear strike;
--- - 1. _______;
--- - 2. _______;
--- - 3. _______;
- - information on enemy targets from the cosmic reconnaissance means are
communication directly to the front.
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TASKS FOR STUDENTS AS CHIEF OF
FRONT'S RT&A
--1. During the decision making process, present the suggestions on the
employment of the front's artillery and rocket troops during the
operation.
-----2. After the front commander's decision is made, plan the
employment of the artillery and rocket troops to include:
---- calculation of the first echelon armies' requirement for artillery;
--- distribution of attached artillery among the front's formations;
---- organization of the movement of artillery to cover the deployment of the
main grouping of the front.
---- organization of the employment (action) of artillery during the
preparatory fire, assault support fire and accompanying fire;
---- planning the initial nuclear strike of the front and preparing
the graphic of launch;
---- organization of the employment of artillery and rocket troops during the
commitment of the front second echelon;
---- determining the composition of front anti-tank reserves and lines
for their deployment during the operation;
---- movement (relocation) of front and armies' rocket troops during
the operation.
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FORMAT
THE SUGGESTIONS (DOKLAD) OF THE CHIEF OF FRONT'S RT&A
DURING THE FRONT
COMMANDER'S PROCESS OF MAKING THE DECISION
- Assessment of the enemy's nuclear rocket troops, their location, number
of nuclear rockets the enemy can launch on targets in the front area
and their range.
- Situation, status and characteristics of front rocket troops.
- Composition and capability of front artillery troops.
- Requirement of the front for nuclear, chemical, special, and
conventional rockets during the operation.
- Availability and supply of nuclear, chemical, special, and conventional
rockets during the operation.
- Supply level of conventional ammunition and POL in front's artillery
and rocket troops.
- Requirement of the front for conventional ammunition and material
means during the operation and their echelonment in formations and large units.
- Strength (completeness) level of personnel and combat equipment in rocket
troops and artillery.
- Missions of rocket and artillery troops in the offensive operation.
- Best targets for the rocket troops.
- Suggestions on the establishment of artillery groups in the armies, divisions
and regiments operating on the main and supporting attack directions.
- Suggestions on the composition, and grouping of anti-tank reserves in the
front, armies, divisions, and regiments.
- Suggestions on the distribution of front artillery among the armies.
- Suggestions on the width of the breakthrough areas on the direction of the
main attack and other directions of attack.
- Duration of artillery preparatory fire and participation of artillery and air
force in it, general considerations about the targets of the preparatory fire.
- Form of assault support fire and its depth.
- Form of accompanying fire.
- Main calculations related to the employment of the artillery and rocket
troops to support (assist) making the decision by the front commander.
- Suggestions on interaction during the critical phases of the offensive
operation.
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THE CHIEF OF FRONT
RT&A SUGGESTIONS DURING THE COMMANDER'S DECISION MAKING
- Assessment of the enemy's nuclear rocket troops, their location, number
of nuclear rockets the enemy can launch on targets in the front area
and their range.
- Situation, status and characteristics of front rocket troops.
- Composition and capability of front artillery troops.
-- Requirement of the front for nuclear, chemical, special, and
conventional rockets during the operation. \
- Availability and supply of nuclear, chemical, special, and conventional
rockets during the operation.
- Supply level of conventional ammunition and POL in front's artillery
and rocket troops.
- Requirement of the front for conventional ammunition and material
means during the operation and their echelonment in formations and large units.
- Strength (completeness) level of personnel and combat equipment in rocket
troops and artillery.
- Missions of rocket and artillery troops in the offensive operation.
- Best targets for the rocket troops.
- Suggestions on the establishment of artillery groups in the armies, divisions
and regiments operating on the main and supporting attack directions.
- Suggestions on the composition, and grouping of anti-tank reserves in the
front, armies, divisions, and regiments.
- Suggestions on the distribution of front artillery among the armies.
- Suggestions on the width of the breakthrough areas on the direction of the
main attack and other directions of attack.
- Duration of artillery preparatory fire and participation of artillery and air
force in it, general considerations about the targets of the preparatory fire.
- Form of assault support fire and its depth.
- Form of accompanying fire.
- Main calculations related to the employment of the artillery and rocket
troops to support (assist) making the decision by the front commander.
- Suggestions on interaction during the critical phases of the offensive
operation.
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SEQUENCE OF ORGANIZATION OF ARTILLERYDURING FRONT
OFFENSIVE OPERATION
Front commander |
Chief of RT&A |
1. Receives Missions from TVD |
Receives instructions from Chief of RT&A of
TVD |
2. Commander Clarifies Mission |
Clarifies instructions |
3. Briefs Chief of RT&A on outcome of the clarification of
mission and issues initial instructions |
Report to commander on artillery missions received from
higher headquarters |
4. Commander and staff make estimate of situation |
Does the following:
- estimate situation on basis of higher echelon's instructions
- issue instructions to artillery units on combat readiness, reconnaissance,
and artillery cover
- coordinate artillery tasks with the air army
- prepare suggestions to the front commander on the establishment of the
artillery groups at army and division and employment of artillery
means |
5. Front commander makes the decision and issues
missions |
---- |
6. ---- |
Artillery chief conducts: - clarrification of the
artillery mission
- estimate of the situation
- makes thedecision on use of artillery |
7 Staff conducts planning |
Staff participates and contributes - completes the
artillery plan and annexes such as: plan of initial nuclear
strike |
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SAMPLE
ARTILLERY ANNEX TO THE GENERAL SITUATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITUATION OF ARTILLERYU AND ROCKET
TROOPS
1. The composition of the artillery attached to the front by the
Supreme High Command includes the following:
- 3 artillery divisions (12th, 15th and 16th);
- 2 heavy artillery brigades (25th and 35th);
The type of weapons and number of guns per battery are shown in the attached
table number 1.
2. The location and deployment of the artillery and rocket troops are shown on
the attached overlay.
3. All artillery and rocket troops are 95% complete in equipment and 91%
complete in personnel. The ammunition in artillery units and large units is
supplied up to norms. (table number 2)
4. The ammunition expenditure for the entire offensive operation is shown in
attached table number 3.
5. From the instructions on artillery and rocket troops received from the chief
of artillery and rocket troops of the high command of the TVD, the following
points are noted.
- as of this morning all rocket troops must be kept at the highest state of
combat readiness so they can participate at the appropriate time in the initial
nuclear strikes. One third of rocket troops must be kept at direct firing
readiness number 3.
- the initial nuclear strike must be planned and updated on the basis of
reconfirming reconnaissance as soon as possible, the priority in targeting is
as follows;
- nuclear delivery means of --- div., --- corps, and --- army group in the
following areas---,---,---;
- a. main grouping of the enemy forces in areas ---,--,--;
- b. command post of the --- army group at --- and ---, and the --- corps
command posts at ---,---,---. The --- army group command post at ---.
c. air defense means and airfields at --,--,---.
d. enemy rear service targets at ---,---,---.
- in the following directions, the use of ground nuclear bursts causing
radioactive fallout must be avoided;
- 1. the direction ________.
- 2. the direction ________.
- the boundary line of operational nuclear strikes is shown on the overlay;
- to speed up the supply of ammunition for the artillery preparatory fire, the
front transport means will deliver ammunition directly to the
positions of the army and divisional artillery groups;
- the following targets in the front sector are planned to be hit by
higher echelon's rocket forces, long range aviation and nuclear submarines
during the initial nuclear strike;
- 1. _______;
- 2. _______;
- 3. _______;
- information on enemy targets from the cosmic reconnaissance means are
communication directly to the front.
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FORMAT
THE REPORT (DOKLAD) OF THE CHIEF OF FRONT'S RT&A DURING
THE FRONT COMMANDER'S
PROCESS OF MAKING THE DECISION
1. Assessment of the enemy's nuclear rocket troops, their location, number
of nuclear rockets the enemy can launch on targets in the front area
and their range.
2. Situation, status and characteristics of front rocket troops.
3. Composition and capability of front artillery troops.
4. Requirement of the front for nuclear, chemical, special, and
conventional rockets during the operation.
5. Availability and supply of nuclear, chemical, special, and conventional
rockets during the operation.
6. Supply level of conventional ammunition and POL in front's
artillery and rocket troops.
7. Requirement of the front for conventional ammunition and material
means during the operation and their echelonment in formations and large units.
8. Strength (completeness) level of personnel and combat equipment in rocket
troops and artillery.
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THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF RT&A
DURING THE FRONT COMMANDER'S PROCESS OF MAKING THE DECISION
1. Assessment of the enemy's nuclear rocket troops, their location, number
of nuclear rockets the enemy can launch on targets in the front area
and their range.
2. Situation, status and characteristics of front rocket troops.
3. Composition and capability of front artillery troops.
4. Requirement of the front for nuclear, chemical, special, and
conventional rockets during the operation.
5. Availability and supply of nuclear, chemical, special, and conventional
rockets during the operation.
6. Supply level of conventional ammunition and POL in front's
artillery and rocket troops.
7. Requirement of the front for conventional ammunition and material
means during the operation and their echelonment in formations and large units.
8. Strength (completeness) level of personnel and combat equipment in rocket
troops and artillery.
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SAMPLE
SUGGESTIONS OF CHIEF OF RT&A TO FRONT COMMANDER
1. Use of front rockets and artillery
- Missions of rocket and artillery troops in the offensive operation.
- during the initial nuclear strike
- during the air operation (if planned)
- during the first day (movement to contact and preparation for breakthrough of
enemy prepared defense)
- Best targets for the rocket troops.
2. Distribution of artillery to first echelon armies
- Suggestions on the distribution of artillery and establishment of artillery
groups in the armies, divisions and regiments operating on the main and
supporting attack directions.
- Suggestions on the composition, and grouping of anti-tank reserves in the
front, armies, divisions, and regiments.
- Suggestions on the width of the breakthrough areas on the direction of the
main attack and other directions of attack.
- Duration of artillery preparatory fire and participation of artillery and air
force in it, general considerations about the targets of the preparatory fire.
- Form of assault support fire and its depth.
- Form of accompanying fire.
- Main calculations related to the employment of the artillery and rocket
troops to support (assist) making the decision by the front commander.
- Suggestions on interaction during the critical phases of the offensive
operation.
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SAMPLE
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ROCKET TROOPS AND ARTILLERY
1. Enemy forces
The Central front is facing elements of NATO NORTHAG and CENTAG. These
consist of the First German Corps, First British Corps, the First Belgian
Corps, The Third German Corps and the Fifth US Corps.
These corps have the following nuclear rocket units at the given locations:
Unit Location Number of rockets Yields Range
I GE Corps
7th AD
1st AD
11th AD
I UK Corps
1st AD
2nd AD
3rd AD
4th AD
I BE Corps
16th MD
1st MD
10th MD
III GE Corps
2nd AID
5th AID
V US Corps
3rd AD
8th MD
The total number of nuclear rockets the enemy can launch against the Central
front is:
2. Friendly forces
The Central front has the following rocket troops:
Unit Location Number of rockets Yields Range
The composition of Central front artillery is as follows:
Unit Location Strength
12th ArtyD
15th ArtyD
16th ArtyD
25th HvyBde
35th HvyBde
The front will require the following nuclear and other rockets during
the operation:
Nuclear Chemical Special Conventional
The supply of rockets and warheads is shown on the table:
The supply level of artillery ammunition is shown on table:
The front requirement for artillery ammunition during the operation is
depicted in table:
The front has received the following missions for accomplishment by
the rocket troops and artillery:
One third of rocket troops must be kept at direct firing readiness number 3.
The initial nuclear strike must be planned and kept current with priority of
targeting to the following:
- nuclear delivery means of 1,2,3 UK divs, 3, 8 US divs, UK and US Corps, and
CENTAG in the following areas:___
- main enemy groupings east of Hannover and around Fulda, and ___
- command posts of CENTAG, and AFCENT at ____ and ____, and the 5 corps command
posts at ____,____.
- air defense means and airfields at ____.
-etc.
The best targets for the rocket troops are the NATO airfields at _____, main
command posts at _____, nuclear storage sites at _____, main supply depots at
______, reserve unit assembling at _____ .
The concept of the operation and missions of the front suggest that
army artillery groups be created in the following armies:
Unit Number of bns
_________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Division artillery groups should be established in the following divisions:
Unit Number of bns.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The following anti-tank reserves should be created:
At the front:
Unit Number of guns
_______________________________________________ \
In the armies:
Unit Number of guns
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Anti-tank reserves will be established by each division using its organic
anti-tank units.
In order to establish the army and division artillery groups listed above the
front artillery of the supreme high command (VGK) should be
distributed to the armies according to the attached table:
The number of guns and mortars available within the front indicates
that a total of 30 km of breakthrough sector can be created. The concept of
operation and mission of the front calls for conducting the main
attack on the northern axis from ___ to ___ in the zones of the 2nd Guards Army
and the NGF. On this axis a breakthrough sector of 18 km can be created. The
second axis in the south, in the zone of the First Guards Tank and Eighth
Guards Armies can support a breakthrough sector of 12 km. In the center the
20th Guards Army will not attempt to create a breakthrough sector, but will
conduct a secondary attack across a wide front.
The duration of the artillery preparatory fire should be:
Assault support fire should commence upon:
Accompanying fire should be conducted in the form of a combination of massive
fire against defending strong points and concentration fire against targets
identified by the supported unit commanders.
The following are the main calculations made in support of this assessment of
the employment of artillery.
Interaction of artillery with the forces conducting an airborne operation at
___ on the ___ day of the operation will be required.
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ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION BY CHIEF OF RT&A
SAMPLE CONTENT
During the assessment of the enemy:
1. Situation, status, character of action, and intention of enemy ground
forces.
2. Situation, status, location, and capabilities of enemy artillery, air, air
defense, and other special (nuclear) targets.
3. Grouping of enemy artillery
4. Location of enemy nuclear rocket troops and nuclear depots.
5. Location of enemy reserves.
During the assessment of friendly forces:
--1. Situation, status, and location of friendly artillery, availability and
number of nuclear rockets, reinforcements from VGK, etc.
--2. Supply situation, transportation requirements, movement considerations
etc.
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SAMPLE
PLAN FOR EMPLOYMENT OF ARTY & ROCKET TROOPS
1. Calculation of requirement for artillery to support first echelon
armies:
- Second Guards Army
- NGF
- Twentieth Guards Army
- First Tank Army
- Eighth Guards Army
2. Distribution of attached artillery to armies:
3. Organization of movement of artillery to cover deployment of main group
4. Plan for initial nuclear strike
5. Organization of artillery to support commitment of front second
echelon army
6. Composition of front anti-tank reserve and line for deployment
7. Movement of front and army rocket troops during operation.
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LESSON IV
PLANNING FRONT ARTILLERY
organizing combat employment of artillery and the method and sequence of
interaction between the front commander, front staff, and
artillery staff while preparing the operation:
planning the combat employment of artillery
conveying the decision to subordinates
composition, grouping and deployment of artillery to cover the deployment of
the main forces of the front and repelling enemy's surprise aggression
preparation of FUP areas
collection and stockpiling material means
preparing troops for combat action
organizing the actions of artillery during the operation
preparing the plan of combat employment of artillery:
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ORGANIZING EMPLOYMENT OF ARTILLERY
elements of organizing the use of artillery;
interaction between the front commander, front staff, and
artillery staff while preparing the operation:
clarifying the mission and instruction on artillery and rocket troops;
artillery chief's suggestions to the front commander
making the decision on the combat employment of the artillery.
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PLANNING THE COMBAT EMPLOYMENT OF
ARTILLERY - OUTLINE
determining the requirement of artillery for the front:
distributing artillery among formations and establishing artillery groups
specifying mission of the operation
establishing artillery groupings in the initial phase
composition, missions, and area of deployment of front antitank
reserves in the departure are and during the operation
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DETERMINING THE REQUIREMENT OF
ARTILLERY FOR THE FRONT
on the basis of number of targets;
on the basis of the width of assigned breakthrough areas.
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DISTRIBUTING ARTILLERY AMONG
FORMATIONS AND ESTABLISHING ARTILLERY GROUPS
artillery groups are not established at the front;
first-echelon armies are given sufficient artillery to establish AAG, AGRA,
DAG, and RAG of first-echelon regiments
---- NORMS:
-------- AAG 8-10 battalions;
-------- AGRA 4-5 battalions;
-------- DAG 4-6 battalions;
-------- RAG 3-4 battalions.
1-2 antitank reserves are established at the front, first-echelon
armies, division, and regiment.
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CONVEYING THE DECISION TO
SUBORDINATES
form and content of combat instructions to artillery units and formations
forms and content of instructions on artillery issued to armies
organization of interaction between artillery and other front element
organizing combat supporting measures, troop control or signal system
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OTHER PREPARATIONS
preparing the grouping and deployment of artillery to cover the deployment
of the main forces of the front and repelling enemy's surprise
aggression )
preparing FUP areas
collecting and stockpiling material means
preparing troops for combat action
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ORGANIZING THE ACTIONS OF ARTILLERY
DURING THE OPERATION
support of the breakthrough
artillery action to repel enemy counterstrikes
artillery action to support the commitment of the second-echelon army
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PREPARING THE PLAN OF COMBAT
EMPLOYMENT OF ARTILLERY
--content of the graphic part of the plan;
-- content of the written part of the plan;
-- annexes;
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INSTRUCTIONS OF ARMY CHIEF OF
RT&A TO A DIVISION CHIEF OF ROCKET TROOPS AND ARTILLERY
--The army CRT&A prepares instructions on artillery for each division.
--The instructions contain the following points:
----- what artillery formations and units and anti-tank artillery units will be
provided as reenforcement for the division;
----- what are the norms for expenditure of nuclear and chemical rockets will
be for the operation and their distribution to the first nuclear strike and by
missions;
----- what the norms for expenditure of conventional rockets during the battle
will be and its resupply;
----- what will be the norms for expenditutre of ammunition during the
preparatory fire and support fire, and for the division's important missions,
and the capabilities for its resupply during the course of the battle;
----- what measures should be taken to bring the division rocket forces to full
combat readiness;
----- what targets are designated for the division's rockets for planning the
division's participation in the first nuclear strike, the yield of the rockets
on each target, type of burst and height, time for being ready, and time for
delivery of rocket and nuclear, chemical, and conventional warheads from depots
to the firing units.
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INSTRUCTIONS OF ARMY CHIEF OF
RT&A TO A DIVISION CHIEF OF ROCKET TROOPS AND ARTILLERY (cont)
-- instructions for conduct of re-confirming reconnaissance and exact
determination of the targets that will be destroyed in the initial nuclear
strike of the front;
-- what support must be taken for protection of own troops during the nuclear
strike;
--
which army artillery sub-group will support the division during the course of
the day's battle; (The army artillery group is usually divided into subgroups
for closer coordination of support with first-echelon divisions.)
-- composition of the division artillery group and regimental groups for
regiments on the main attack axis (in number of battalions);
-- width of the breakthrough sector for the division, density of artillery per
kilometer of front, and length of duration of the preparatory fire, composition
of the fire preparation (usually it consists of 3-5 artillery strikes), means
for delivery of ammunition to the gun firing positions;
-- details on movement of the artillery units to their forward firing positions
in order to be ready for conduct of prepratory fire, the areas for the firing
positions, time to arrive and be prepared, conduct of artillery reconnaissance,
designation of the targets for the preparatory fire,
-- how support fire will be provided up to the depth of the defending
first-echelon brigades and the types of artillery support fire;
-- methods for providing artillery accompanying fire during the battle;
-- composition and grouping of the artillery in the covering force area and its
missions;
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DIVISION COMMANDER INSTRUCTIONS ON
MISSIONS, TARGETS, AND MEANS FOR USING ROCKET FORCES
The guidance includes the following points:
-- which enemy groups and targets will be destroyed in the first nuclear strike
by the division rocket battalion:
----- a. destruction of nuclear means and nuclear depots in the following
location;
----- b. destruction of main forces of the ____ division;
----- c. destruction of command posts of the ____ brigades at the following
locations _____;
----- d. destruction of PVO points at ____,____, and --;
--the enemy forces will be destroyed to the following level in percent using
the following types of warheads and bursts -( for example, air burst of 20 kt);
-- reserve of nuclear and chemical ammunition;
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DIVISION COMMANDER INSTRUCTIONS
DETERMINING ARTILLERY MISSIONS
The instructions include the following points:
---- the composition of artillery groups and distribution of artillery among
the regiments;
---- designate the specific composition of the division artillery group and
composition of the anti-tank reserve;
---- designate the main missions for artillery during the preparation phase and
the course of the operation;
---- designate the breakthrough area, time for artillery preparation, depth of
artillery support and its type; and the quantity of ammunition which will be
used;
---- which artillery will participate in the artillery preparation;
---- how artillery will support the commitment of the division second-echelon
regiment;
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COMBAT ORDER FROM THE DIVISION
CHIEF OF ARTILLERY ON ARTILLERY TO THE DIVISION ARTILLERY REGIMENT
The typical combat order sent to the division's artillery regiment contains
the following points of information:
---- which artillery and anti-tank units are assigned from army and
front to reinforce the regiment during the offensive and their
locations;
---- organization of the division's regimental artillery groups (RAG's) and
their firing positions;
---- width of breakthrough sector and which artillery will participate in
preparatory fire, time and duration of preparatory fire, and authorized
expenditure of ammunition;
---- conduct of artillery reconnaissance and its missions, manner to report
reconnaissance information to the division staff;
---- time to occupy firing positions, engineer preparation for the artillery
position area and its maskirovka;
---- designation of firing data (ranges, azimuths, etc) for the coming
preparation;
---- methods for artillery support and accompanying fire;
---- composition of the anti-tank reserves and their missions;
---- support for the commitment into combat of the division second echelon;
---- required technical preparation;
---- quantity of ammunition expenditure for a day of combat, and how it will be
supplied.
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INSTRUCTIONS OF DIVISION CHIEF OF
RT&A TO THE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY OF A REGIMENT
The instructions contain the following points:
---- what artillery battalions and anti-tank artillery units will be provided
as reenforcement for the regiment;
---- what will be the norms for expenditure of ammunition during the
preparatory fire and support fire, and for the regiment's important missions,
and the capabilities for its resupply during the course of the battle;
---- instructions for conduct of re-confirming reconnaissance and exact
determination of the targets that will be destroyed in the artillery
preparatory fire phase;
---- which division or army artillery sub-group will support the regiment
during the course of the day's battle;
---- width of the breakthrough sector for the regiment, density of artillery
per kilometer of front, and length of duration of the preparatory fire,
composition of the fire preparation (usually it consists of 3-5 artillery
strikes), means for delivery of ammunition to the gun firing positions;
---- details on movement of the artillery units to their forward firing
positions in order to be ready for conduct of preparatory fire, the areas for
the firing positions, time to arrive and be prepared, conduct of artillery
reconnaissance, designation of the targets for the preparatory fire,
---- how support fire will be provided up to the depth of the defending
first-echelon brigades and the types of artillery support fire;
---- methods for providing artillery accompanying fire during the battle;
---- composition and grouping of the artille y in the covering force area and
its missions;
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