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SOVIET VOROSHILOV ACADEMY LECTURES
RECONNAISSANCE LECTURE

 

SOVIET RECONNAISSANCE


 

View graphs for Lectures on Reconnaissance


 
 

RECONNAISSANCE ELEMENTS DEPLOYED BEFORE BATTLE

division, regiment and subunits observation posts:

divisional radio and radio technical reconnaissance posts:

artillery, air defense and engineer reconnaissance:

helicopter reconnaissance along the division front:


 
 

RECONNAISSANCE ELEMENTS DEPLOYED DURING BATTLE


subunits combat reconnaissance patrols (BRD);

units reconnaissance patrols and separate reconnaissance patrols;

division reconnaissance detachment and reconnaissance patrols;

officer reconnaissance patrols;

engineer and chemical/radiation and reconnaissance patrols;

division deep reconnaissance patrols (spetznaz).

 
 

TASKS OF RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS


locate and report on enemy control points, nuclear weapons (high precision weapons) troops locations, signal centers and movement of enemy forces and means;

locate minefields, demolitions and other obstacles, radio-active and chemical contaminated areas, water obstacles and crossings;

identify routes and key terrain.

 
 

FORMS FOR RECONNAISSANCE


reconnaissance detachment;

reconnaissance group;

separate reconnaissance patrol;

reconnaissance patrol:

 
 

MISSIONS OF DIVISIONAL RECONNAISSANCE DETACHMENTS, GROUPS, AND PATROLS


reconnoitering divisional direction of advance;

locating enemy targets, primarily nuclear and high precision systems for engagement by divisional nuclear or conventional weapons;

conducting area reconnaissance along the advance directions, reporting on enemy defensive lines, obstacles, movement of troops, location of control points etc.

 
 

DIVISION RECONNAISSANCE ELEMENTS: NUMBER GROPS NUMER AXES FRONTAGE

6-8 squad size:----------- 3-4 directions-------------- 3 km each

 
 

DAYTIME TASKS OF ARTILLERY RECONNAISSANCE TO LOCATE ENEMY'S FIRING SYSTEMS


enemy nuclear weapons systems;

artillery positions;

control points;

reserves;

assembly areas of the troops and rear service targets.

 
 

STAGES AT WHICH COMMANDER REQUIRES DATA


end of the artillery preparation fire;

accomplishment of the first echelons immediate mission;

counter-attack by enemy's brigade and division reserve;

commitment of the second echelon;

accomplishment of division's immediate mission;

pursuit of the enemy;

river crossing and launching tactical airborne assault troops;

accomplishment of divisions's long range mission;

planning the combat action of the following day.



 
 

RECONNAISSANCE CONSIDERATIONS


keep the reconnaissance plan constantly updated;

assign new reconnaissance tasks as required;

maintain coordination (interaction) of reconnaissance forces and means;

make effective use of reconnaissance information before it is outdated.

 
 

SITUATION CHANGES REQUIRED


updating the plan;

reconfirming the assigned task;

assigning new tasks;

regrouping reconnaissance forces and means;

committing reconnaissance reserve.


 
 

RECONNAISSANCE ESTABLISHES


extent of destruction of enemy strongpoints by fire;

measures enemy has implemented to restore the disrupted system of fire and obstacles

fire positions that are hindering the forward progress of the subunits;

presence of the high precision weapons systems

nature of artificial obstacles and the means of avoiding them;

composition of the enemy reserves and the direction of their advance.


 
 

CHARACTERISTICS OF RECONNAISSANCE


Reconnaissance expands during combat

Reconnaissance planning is continuous

Reconnaissance patrols support their parent headquarters at all levels

Reconnaissance scope, content, and timing varies with level of headquarters


 
 

RECONNAISSANCE DEPTHS


Battalion 6-8km

Regiment 25km

Division 50km

Radio 25-30km

Radio-technical 60km

Artillery target acquisition 20km

Deep (spetznaz) 100km