HDv 300/100

The Heeresdienstvorschrift 300/100: Operation der verbundener Kräfte (Operation of Combined Forces) is an Arcaenian Army field operations manual which contains the basic military doctrine for the Arcaenian land forces (Heer) in the conduct of combined arms operations. HDv 300/100 is issued to virtually every officer and NCO in the Arcaenian Heer and covers such topics as order of battle and task organization, troop command, reconnaissance operations, offensive operations, defensive operations, panzer operations, communications, electronic warfare, air defense operations, and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) warfare.

I. Introduction

The Arcaenian Heer believes that only offensive actions, particularly those combined with the element of surprise, can achieve decisive success on the battlefield. Key to the success of offensive operations is initiative, speed of movement, and extremely aggressive command at the tactical, operational, and strategic level of war. Initiative of subordinates is heavily emphasized and encouraged. A strenuously selected highly trained officer and NCO corps and a thoroughly disciplined army are the necessary elements to implement this aggressive philosophy. Officers must be highly knowledgeable of military tactics and strategy and must have supreme trust that their subordinates are capable of understanding the intent of their commands and executing them as they see fit. Doctrine, tactics, and unit organizations should be as flexible as possible and that subordinates should have broad independence to interpret tactical situations and execute actions that fulfill their superior's intent, deviating from their superior's orders without permission or warning as necessary in order to accomplish the higher commander’s intent.

II. Reconnaissance Operations

1.General

The commander must continuously, day and night and in all weather conditions, conduct aggressive reconnaissance operations and utilize all available intelligence means to seek information clarifying the disposition of the enemy. Efficient reconnaissance is not obtained by employment of large numbers of reconnaissance forces but rather by the careful direction and instruction of these units as to what the commander wishes to know. When conducting reconnaissance operations it is paramount to fight to obtain superiority in the area to be reconnoitered and strive for continuous observation of the enemy during all phases of battle. Reconnaissance units should be employed in force and expected to fight to obtain the desired information. Advanced hostile security and reconnaissance forces must be penetrated or thrown back in order to make contact possible with the hostile main force. To preserve reconnaissance strength only enough reconnaissance troops should be sent on a mission to assure superiority in the area to be reconnoitered. Reserves are to be kept on hand to be committed when the reconnaissance must be intensified, when the original force meets strong enemy opposition, or when the direction and area to be reconnoitered are changed. Aggressive action against enemy security and reconnaissance forces is encouraged and reconnaissance units should attempt to engage and destroy any inferior enemy reconnaissance or security forces they encounter. When reconnaissance units meet superior enemy forces they should seek to fight a delaying action while units in the main force attempt to flank the enemy.

2.Operational Reconnaissance

Operational reconnaissance involves reconnaissance units penetrating over a large area in great depth and gain information on the composition of enemy forces in the entire depth of the combat area, provides the basis for strategic planning and action. Operational reconnaissance missions include determining the location, status, and activities of enemy forces, the locations of enemy command and logistic centers, the forward or rearward dispositions of enemy personnel, the locations of field or permanent fortifications, the locations of hostile air force, and the locations of hostile artillery and missile systems. Operational reconnaissance is carried out by mechanized reconnaissance units, aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles, and by satellites and other strategic intelligence assets including communications and electronic reconnaissance systems.

3.Tactical Reconnaissance

Tactical reconnaissance is carried out in the operational area and is used to gain immediate knowledge about the presence, disposition and strength of enemy forces at the forward edge of the battle area, determination of enemy reinforcement capabilities, and terrain reconnaissance of advanced sectors. Tactical reconnaissance is conducted by dismounted scouting teams, mechanized panzer reconnaissance battalions organic to panzer and panzergrenadier brigades, and by unmanned aerial vehicles. During ground reconnaissance operations a reconnaissance sector will usually be assigned to each panzer reconnaissance company in the panzer reconnaissance battalion with boundary lines separating adjacent sectors. Alternatively the companies in the battalion may be assigned only reconnaissance objectives with no defined sectors or assigned to the boundary of an open flank. Orders assigned to tactical reconnaissance units will usually include a line and time of departure, the disposition and sectors of adjacent reconnaissance units, reconnaissance sector boundaries or the direction of reconnaissance operations, reconnaissance objectives, and instructions for the transmission of reconnaissance and contact reports. The commander of a panzer reconnaissance battalion will typically send out patrols who advanced by bounds, the distance of which are shortened as the proximity to the enemy force increases. The distance of bounds varies by terrain but will typically be 40-60 kilometers ahead of the battalion, the panzer reconnaissance battalion itself positioned 20-30 kilometers ahead of its assigned panzer or panzergrenadier brigade.

4.Combat Reconnaissance

Combat reconnaissance is the reconnaissance which is carried out by all combat units during combat operations. Combat reconnaissance is not typically intended to penetrate into enemy rear areas but rather is intended to obtain information on the disposition of enemy forces at the forward line of enemy troops (FLET) which can be immediately exploited during the conduct of battle. Combat reconnaissance is conducted during all types of operations including attack , defense and delaying actions and is the constant task of all combat units involved in combat operations. The goals of combat reconnaissance include the location of enemy troops, open enemy flanks or gaps in enemy defensive positions, the presence of terrain obstacles, the firing positions of enemy heavy weapons and artillery, the locations of field fortifications and engineering obstacles such as mines and barriers, location of enemy reserves, and the direction of possible enemy counter attacks. The depth of combat reconnaissance actions will vary as a function of force disposition and terrain but is generally less than 5 km behind the FLET.

Combat reconnaissance will typically be conducted by observation posts, mounted patrols, or dismounted patrols. Mounted patrols with armored vehicles enables reconnaissance in force and is the primary responsibility of panzer reconnaissance units. Mounted patrols enable greater depths of penetration into enemy territory and typically consist of three heavy infantry fighting vehicles from one of the scout platoons in a panzer reconnaissance company. An artillery forward observer will usually accompany the patrol in one of the infantry fighting vehicles so that if necessary artillery fire can be rapidly brought down on enemy forces detected by the patrol. If enemy resistance is expected or more main battle tanks from the panzer platoons in the panzer reconnaissance company will also typically be attached to the patrol. Panzer pioneer vehicles from the brigade panzer pioneer battalion will also typically be attached to the patrol in order to deal with road blocks, obstacles, and mine fields. Tasks of mounted combat patrols include testing the strength of enemy positions and forward outposts, engaging of enemy patrols, ambushing enemy supply columns, and reconnoitering approaches to fortified areas, defiles, rivers, or other terrain obstacles. Patrols will typically last 1-2 days at a distance of up to 60 kilometers from the panzer reconnaissance battalion. Patrols are as a rule never split up and the distance between patrol vehicles will typically be several hundred meters in open terrain. Artillery support given to patrols is usually harassing fire put down just before the patrol reaches its objective with the artillery also firing into adjacent sectors to confuse the enemy as to the actual area to be reconnoitered.

III. Marches

1.General

The premise of the march should be that the main body of the force should arrive at its destination with the minimum possible transit time and the maximum possible secrecy. to enable this thorough training and practice of march operations, the extensive reconnaissance of routes and the issue of detailed march orders must be stressed. Orders for movement are issued to the formations of combat troops by the operations group of a unit headquarters. With the prevalence of air and satellite reconnaissance marches should be conducted at night or in poor weather and without lights wherever possible.

2.Road Marches

Road marches are performed by mechanized and motorized forces which employ combat and support vehicles to move all of their personnel and equipment. Considerations for commanders planning road marches include the ability of the route network to support the numbers, sizes, and weights of the combat and support vehicles assigned to or supporting the unit making the march, and available refueling and maintenance sites and crew rest areas. Panzer and panzergenadier units are self-sufficient enough to conduct road marches over short distances. Light infantry (Jäger) units and most support units are not completely motorized and will require assistance from transportation units to conduct road marches. For road marches a traffic control service consisting of members of the military police which is under the orders of the operations group is used to direct traffic. Each front-line brigade will usually be assigned its own road or sector of advance which is marked by advance parties. Other troops directed simultaneously on the same roads will be subordinated to the brigade for the duration of the move.

3.Marching in Multiple Columns

Wherever possible units should be marched in multiple columns to afford better protection against air and artillery attacks and allows the columns to be more rapid massed and deployed into combat formations. For all marches the march columns are divided into an advance guard, a main body, a rear guard, and one or more flank guards. When contact with the enemy is imminent the march formation should allow for a rapid deployment into combat formations. The mechanized panzer, panzergrenadier, and panzer reconnaissance elements of the brigade, unless employed on reconnaissance or security missions, are to be organized into one or more echelons which follow the march column on its open flank by bounds, typically along a separate road. The echelonment of mechanized panzer elements also enables envelopment of enemy flanks should an enemy force be encountered ahead of the column. The location and strength of the echeloned forces is determined as a function of the location and strength of the enemy and the local terrain. Should the location or strength of enemy forces be vague then several weak columns should attempt to make contact with the enemy where the mass of the force can then follow. As a rule the spacing of columns should not be so large that the mass of the force can can not be concentrated when enemy contact is made. To maintain proper spacing between columns clear zones of advance and boundaries between columns are to be determine before marches.

4.March Security

Mechanized forces should always be employed for the protection of the flanks and rear of road march columns at the brigade level and up. smaller tactical units such as a battalion or company, may advance over short distances without flank or rear security detachments. Protection against air, artillery, and missile attacks, particularly at river crossings, crossroads, and defiles, is to be heavily emphasized during all march operations. Anti-aircraft missile and artillery units are to advance in bounds along the flanks of columns are are to be given priority on all roads. When under threat from air, artillery, and missile attack the depth and breadth of all columns are increased and troops and vehicles spread out as far as possible given the terrain. Long columns will also be broken up into several shorter columns spaced several kilometers from each other.

IV. Offensive Operations

1.General

The fundamental purpose of offensive operations is the encirclement and annihilation of the enemy. Combined arms in the attack involves mechanized forces including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, dismounted infantry, and artillery who attack with sufficient firepower and shock effect to decisively break through enemy defensive positions. Concentration of forces and of fire, speed of movement, and the element of surprise all play vital roles in the success of offensive operations. Coordination between combined arms under unified command is a requirement for the execution of all successful combined arms operations. When conducting offensive operations a main effort (Schwerpunkt) for a breakthrough must be identified where the bulk of forces are to be committed along narrow sectors of attack. Secondary sectors of the front are to be engaged by weaker diversionary forces in order to deceive the enemy as to the point of the breakthrough and to prevent him from massing forces in response. In selecting the point for the main offensive effort the enemy's defensive position and fortifications, suitability of the terrain for tanks and other armored vehicles, possible approach routes, and possibilities for supporting fire by artillery and tactical aircraft must be considered. During the attack plans for shifting the main effort should be made if unexpected success is met elsewhere. To allow such shifts sufficient reserve forces and a strong, unified command are required. To successfully attack on a narrow front to achieve a breakthrough it is necessary to commit enough forces to widen the initial widen the initial breakthrough while maintaining the momentum of attacking forces and to protect the flanks of the breakthrough from flank attacks. Once a successful breakthrough it must then drive straight to its objective, regardless of opposition.

2.Forms of Attack

Frontal attack: The frontal attack is an attack across a broad front at the forward positions of an enemy force. A frontal attack is the most costly form of attack as it strikes the enemy at his strongest point and thus usually requires overwhelming superiority of force and fire at the point of attack to be successful. However as the simplest and most direct form of attack frontal attacks can be useful against weaker or disorganized forces, during meeting engagements where speed of engagement is paramount, or at points where the attacking force can break through into favorable terrain in the depth of the enemy position. Frontal attacks may also be employed by subordinate elements of a larger formation conducting an envelopment or encirclement as a method of fixing a defending force in place.

Flank attack: A flank attack is an attack directed at the flank of an enemy force. A flank attack is designed to avoid the enemy's forward oriented combat power and strike at his more vulnerable flanks. A flank attack is similar in concept to an envelopment but is usually conducted on a more shallow axis and does not intended to strike deep into his rear areas. A flank attack requires an assailable flank which can be a gap or weak point in the enemy's defense although in counterattacks or meeting engagements it may be the actual flank of the enemy force. The flank to be attacked may be created and exploited by the attacker through the use of fires or by a successful penetration. As opposed to envelopments which are conducted by brigades or divisions a flank attack will generally be conducted by smaller tactical maneuver units such as maneuver battalions, companies, and platoons. As a general rule wide flank attacks executed from a distance are generally more successful than close-in flank attacks unless there is unusually favorable terrain permitting a close in flank attack. A successful flank attack requires surprise, concentration of forces at the point of attack, and availability of mobile reserves. Caution must be exercised during flank attacks as the deeper the flank goes into the enemy position the greater the danger that the attacker will himself become enveloped.

Envelopment: An envelopment is an attack in which the attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy's defenses by striking at his flanks and rear, allowing the targeted enemy force to be enveloped in their current positions. A envelopment is generally the most effective type of attack and if aggressively employed along the enemy flanks and rear can result in decisive victory and even the complete annihilation of the enveloped enemy. An envelopment combines a frontal attack by diversionary forces in order to fix a defender in place with one or more deep flank attacks by the main attacking force which maneuver around the enemy's defenses to strike at his rear. Envelopments can either be a single envelopment targeted against only one flank of the defending forces or a double envelopment with attack attack both flanks. A double envelopment is generally only to be attempted when the attacking force is clearly superior. Envelopments, single or double, are generally to be conducted by brigades and divisions as opposed to smaller tactical units. As with a flank attack a successful envelopment requires the discovery or creation of an assailable flank. An assailable flank is usually gap or weak point in the enemy's defense although in counterattacks or meeting engagements it may be the actual flank of the enemy force. A successful envelopment requires extremely high mobility and deception on the part of the attacking force as it requires the attacker to penetrate into the enemy's vulnerable rear area before he can shift his forces and fires to react.

Encirclement: An encirclement (sometimes also referred to as a turning movement) is a variant of the envelopment in which the attacking force either completely avoids the enemy's defensive positions or attacks them only by light forces while passing entirely around them, seizing terrain objectives behind the enemy's current position and forcing him to maneuver out of his current positions or divert major forces to meet the threat behind them. An encirclement is more difficult to execute than a flank attack or an envelopment and requires extremely high mobility and deception on the part of the attacking force.

Penetration:A penetration is not a separate form of attack but rather the result of a successful attack on the enemy's front or flank. A penetration results in the rupture of enemy defenses on a narrow front which in turn destroys the continuity of the enemy front line. A penetration will create both assailable flanks and access to the enemy's rear areas. A penetration will generally develop in three phases; the initial rupturing of the enemy defensive line, the roll-up of the enemy flanks on either side of the penetration and repulsion of enemy flank attacks, and the exploitation of the penetration to drive into the enemy rear. Strong mobile reserves are necessary during a penetration to repulse enemy counterattacks against the flanks of the penetration and to widen the penetration by rolling up the enemy line on either shoulder. Fire support during a penetration must first concentrate on suppressing enemy defenses before shifting to protect the flanks of the attacking force. After a penetration the attacker should seek to penetrate as deeply as possible, reducing individual enemy positions by encircling and isolating them along the way. A penetration becomes a breakthrough (Durchbruch) when it has successful overcome the enemy's artillery positions. When possible it is desirable to create as many penetrations in the enemy line as possible, dispersing the enemy's fire and preventing him from massing his reserves.

3.Organization of the Attack

Attack order: An attack order will contain the objectives of the attack, the disposition of the attacking forces, attacking unit sectors and boundaries, disposition and fire missions of supporting artillery, location of reserves, the line of departure, and the time of attack. Attack orders should not be overly detailed and thus restrict initiative. A typical attack order will generally include:

1. The disposition of friendly attacking and enemy defending forces.
2. Objectives of the attacking force.
3. Assembly areas and sector boundaries for the attacking units.
4. Instructions for the continuation of combat reconnaissance.
5. Instructions to the artillery for fire preparation and coordination.
6. Instructions to rear services including medical and logistical units.
7. Assembly areas for the reserve forces.
8. line of departure
9. Time of attack.

Attack sectors: The width of a sector assigned to an attacking unit in the attack depends on the unit's mission, on the unit's composition and strength, on terrain conditions, on available fire support assets, and on the probable strength of enemy resistance. For panzer and panzergrenadier units advancing in open terrain the typical attack sectors will be 5 to 8 kilometers for a battalion and 15 to 25 kilometers for a brigade. Assigned attack widths in the attack sector will typically be 250 to 500 meters for a platoon, 500 to 1,000 meters for a company, 2 to 3 kilometers for a battalion, and 5 to 8 kilometers for a brigade. The depth of of immediate attack objectives in the attack sector will typically be 500 meters for a company, 2-3 kilometers for a battalion, and 20-25 kilometers for a brigade. For large units such as brigades and division the sectors will be determined primarily with maps while smaller tactical units like battalions, companies, and platoons will have their sectors determined by analysis of the terrain. When creating sectors strongpoints and potential terrain obstacles should be located within a units sector and not on the boundary between sectors. The sectors are extended deep enough into hostile territory to preclude mixing of units and to maintain direction for the duration of the operation. Objectives for the attack should always be located in units' sectors unless the objective is to be attacked by several units. As a general rule although all sectors along a front should be designated it is usually not necessary to occupy the whole width of a sector with troops.

Fire plan: To achieve fire superiority during an attack is necessary to have effective coordination of infantry, armor, and artillery weapons. A fire plan will thus be created to regulate the commitment of all weapons involved in the attack. A typical fire plan will include the following:

1. Distribution of targets that are confirmed by reconnaissance and surveillance assets.
2. Designation of target observation and sensor-to-shooter communication links.
3. Orders for the use of preparation and deception fires to shape the enemy’s defense.
4. Designation of high-value targets to be destroyed by air support before shifting to reinforcing enemy units, artillery assets, and command and control centers.
5. Orders for the suppression of enemy air-defense systems.
6. Orders for preparation fires that shift just as the attacking forces arrives on the objective.
7. Orders for the suppression and obscuration fire plan to support pioneer breaching operations.
8. Instructions for the positioning of ammunition stocks.
9. Instructions for the integration of electronic warfare effects.
10. Designation of fire support coordination measures to allow attacking forces to get as close as possible to the objective before lifting fires.
11. Signals for lifting and shifting fires on the objective primarily by combat radio and by visual signals as a backup.

4.Preparation of the Attack

Preparation for an attack initially involves the concentration of attacking forces and their associated equipment into assembly areas. Although attacks are best organized and coordinated in assembly areas near the front a commander may decide that rapid action is essential and opt to to use an assembly area in which case significant advance planning and competence in communications and battle drills are required. Preparation for an attack may also include the conduct of diversionary actions and delivery of preparatory fires. Before the attack the attacking units will move into assembly areas with as much secrecy as possible, usually at night and along routes that prevent or limit the enemy’s ability to observe or detect the movement. To avoid congestion units should occupy assembly areas for the minimum possible time. While in the assembly area each unit will be responsible for its own protection including local ground security. While subordinate units move to and occupy assembly areas the unit commander will complete the process of planning and coordinating the attack. Preparations undertaken by attacking units in assembly areas will include task organization, sector reconnaissance, refining of orders, briefing of troops, conducting of rehearsals, moving of logistics and medical support units forward, and positioning of the attacking force for the subsequent offensive action. As part of the preparatory effort commanders at all levels should conduct personal reconnaissance of the terrain assuming this will not compromise operational security or result in excessive risk to the unit commander. Modern reconnaissance systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles can permit commanders to conduct a virtual reconnaissance when physical reconnaissance impractical. If a limited-visibility attack is planned commanders should also reconnoiter the terrain at night or during limited-visibility conditions.

Before an attack it is necessary that thorough reconnaissance of the objective, the terrain, and enemy positions in the area be conducted. Commander's should exploit all available reconnaissance assets for this purpose including requesting imagery from higher level reconnaissance surveillance assets such as reconnaissance aircraft and satellites. Reconnaissance forces organic to the attacking units should infiltrate through the enemy front to conduct an area reconnaissance of their attack sector, potentially employing precision munitions and artillery fires to destroy detected enemy outposts while remaining undetected. Reconnaissance forces should also attempt to locate and infiltrate the enemy’s main defensive positions in order to confirm enemy unit dispositions. Reconnaissance units may also be given a mission to conduct covert breaches in the enemy defensive obstacle complexes to facilitate the rapid movement of the subsequent attacking force. During the reconnaissance phase brigade commanders should position their artillery target-acquisition radars to provide support throughout the area of operations. Brigade and higher division headquarters will establish quick-fire channels between sensors, such as counterbattery radars and reconnaissance drones, and firing units assigned to counterfire missions in order to rapidly silence enemy artillery systems. Before the attack commences commanders should review the anticipated battle sequence with subordinate leaders to ensure all subordinate unit leaders understand their objectives, the fire plan and the coordination between fire and maneuver elements, and the synchronization of critical events. Critical events to be synchronized include the moving from the assembly area to the line of deployment, breaching or gap crossing operations, assaulting of the objective, exploiting of successful breakthroughs and pursuing of withdrawing enemy forces, and the commitment of reserve forces. Before the start of the operation units should conduct rehearsals under as many types of adverse conditions as reasonably possible given time and security constraints. Lower tactical units should rehearse battle drills such as grossing gaps, clearing obstacles, and creating lanes through minefields. Just prior to the commencement of the attack units are to move rapidly into their attack positions. This movement to attack positions must be thoroughly planned and coordinated to avoid confusion and delays in the attack. The movement and concentration of the attacking force should take place as rapidly as possible and should make maximum use of concealment, radio communication discipline, and deception on order to avoid alert the enemy to the coming attack.

5.Conduct of the Attack

To be effective an attack must be extremely violent and rapid in order to shock and disrupt the enemy and prevent his effective recovery until his defensive positions have been penetrated and destroyed. During the attack the attacking force must minimize its exposure to enemy fires, avoid or breach obstacles, and remain organized as it advanced towards its objective. For attacks by mechanized combined arms forces to be effective there must be concentrated employment of all arms at the decisive place and time. The tanks and infantry fighting vehicles constitute the striking force of the mechanized combined arms force and will always advance as the first echelon of the attack with the objective to break through enemy defensive positions and into the enemy rear. The mission of the other arms including pioneers and artillery will be to assist the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in their advance, particularly by clearing obstacles and eliminating enemy antitank and artillery weapons.

Combat Formations : The basic formation for panzer and panzergrenadier platoons, companies, and battalions are the column , double column, wedge, and blunt wedge. Which formations are used will depend on terrain characteristics, visibility, and the strength of the enemy opposition.

• Column: In a column formation all elements are placed one behind another in a single column. A column formation will be used when the commander does not anticipate early contact, the objective is distant, and speed and control over all column elements are critical. The location of artillery and air defense units within the column will reflects the length of the column and the range fans of those systems. The lead element of the column will typically advance traveling overwatch technique with the following units. The primary advantages of the column formation is that it is the best formation to move forces quickly on roads and through terrain with limited visibility, makes enemy contact with only the lead element of the column, and allows for the easy transition to other combat formations. The disadvantage of the column formation are that the majority of the column’s firepower can only be immediately employed on the column’s flanks, The long length of the column impacts movement, and the unit’s flanks are exposed to enemy flank attacks.

• Double Column: The double column formation, also referred to a staggered column formation, is a formation with subordinate elements arranged into two columns with one column leading and one column trailing behind to provide overwatch. The staggered column is generally used as a platoon level formation and affords good all-round observation and fields of fire. The double column allows the unit to change directions and shift to other formations rapidly and is generally used for rapid movement across open terrain when the direction of the enemy is not precisely known. The disadvantages of the double column formation are that it requires four subordinate maneuver elements and generally requires sufficient space for dispersion laterally and in depth.

• Wedge: In a wedge formation the unit is arranged in a V-shaped wedge pointed at the enemy. The wedge formation provides excellent firepower to the front and good firepower to the flanks is generally used when contact is expected but the enemy’s location and disposition are not known. The wedge is also typically the formation of choice for units with three subordinate maneuver units as it allows contact to be initiated with one unit with the other two uncommitted subordinate units positioned to maneuver as the situation develops. As with the double column formation the wedge formation is suited for rapid crossing of open terrain and allows the unit to change directions and shift to other formations rapidly. The disadvantages of the wedge formation are that it requires sufficient space for dispersion laterally and in depth and is difficult to employ in close terrain or in poor visibility conditions.

• Blunt Wedge: In a blunt wedge or invented wedge formation two maneuver elements are positioned abreast ahead with one or more units trailing. This formation is essentially a revered wedge formation and provides maximum firepower to the front and good firepower to the flanks and is generally used when a unit is advancing against a known enemy threat to the front. The blunt wedge is generally the best offensive formation when expecting enemy contact and when the enemy’s location and disposition are known. The blunt wedge formation also allows the unit to change quickly to a column or wedge formation. The disadvantages of the blunt wedge formation are that it is more diffivult to turn or reorient than a wedge formation, that it requires sufficient space for dispersion laterally and in depth, and that it is difficult to employ in close terrain or in poor visibility conditions.

Attack by Mechanized Forces: When attacking with combined arms panzer and panzergrenadier formations emphasis must be placed on rapid and concentrated employment at the decisive place and time of the entire combined command of panzer, panzergrenadier, and other forces (less necessary mobile reserves). Advancing forces must first be dispersed to stretch the enemy's defenses and to avoid presenting east targets for enemy artillery and missile weapons, then concentrating rapidly along converging axes to overwhelm enemy forces at the point of attack, then disperse once again to exploit initial success and attack the enemy's in depth. Units making the attack at the schwerpunkt (main effort) must be allocated enough organic support including artillery, pioneers, and reconnaissance units to be capable of dealing with changing battle circumstances without time consuming and potentially confusing unit reorganizations. Commanders must give their subordinates broad flexibility to adjust to changing battle circumstances while at the same time exerting enough to control to be capable of shifting the main effort to a attack along a secondary sector if the latter appears more promising. At every level, but especially at brigade and higher, special emphasis must be devoted to concealing the concentration of force until it is too late for the enemy to react to it effectively. Units must avoid or mask patterns of movement and preparatory activity which might reveal the location, direction, or timing of attack. Logistical build-ups, reconnaissance activities, communications, and artillery fires must be monitored to preclude any visible changes in the attacking force's operating pattern. Speed, security, and deception are essential to successful concentration for an attack.

During the attack it is best to outflank or encircle the main area of the enemy defenses with mechanized formations and to have the dismounted infantry roll up the defenses from the rear, or alternatively to beak frontally through the enemy defenses with massed mechanized forces and then roll up the enemy line on either side with infantry. Tanks charging by themselves at hostile concentrations of antitank defenses is a futile effort and thus effort must be placed on the coordination and combination of other arms including panzergrenadiers and artillery in order to effectively achieve a breakthrough. Attacks are generally made in two waves, the first wave breaking through and thrusting to the enemy's artillery positions, the wave second crushing the enemy's forward positions in detail and mopping up any resistance not dealt with by the first wave. A typical panzer brigade's attack formation of this type would have as follows; a first wave with one panzer battalion reinforced with an additional panzergrenadier company and a company of panzer pioneers, a the second wave consisting of the other panzer battalion and the remainder of the panzergrenadier battalion. The flanks of the attacks are protected by panzer reconaissance units and by the remaining elements of the panzer pioneer brigade who will deploy minefields along the attack's open flanks. Artillery observation radar vehicles and artillery forward observers in armored vehicles will travel with the first wave. The tanks and infantry fighting vehicles will advance by fire and movement, taking up hull-down firing positions and giving covering fire while other tanks and infantry fighting vehicles advance to the next commanding feature. Once the first wave has reached the rear of the enemy's forward defenses it pushes straight on into enemy rear areas to attack the enemy's artillery and command centers. When these positions have been destroyed the first wave reforms beyond the artillery positions and either prepares to exploit the attack or forms an all-round defensive position on suitable ground.

When attacking in close terrain or when conducting attacks against well prepared defensive positions with natural or constructed tank obstacles the panzergrenadiers will dismount from their infantry fighting vehicles and attack before the tanks. The panzergrenadiers, supported by covering fire from their tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery, penetrate into enemy positions and destroy enemy antitank missile weapons and neutralize enemy anti-tank teams so that the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles can advance. When the enemy antitank defenses are destroyed, and no additional antitank defense are expected in the depth of the enemy's main defensive position, the panzergrenadiers remount into their infantry fighting vehicles and breaks through simultaneously with the panzer or panzergrenadier unit. In other cases the panzergrenadiers are transported the line of departure in their infantry fighting vehicles in order to protect them from artillery fire and to increase their speed. The infantry leaves their infantry fighting vehicles at the last possible moment, and goes into action with automatic weapons and shoulder fired weapons. The tanks and infantry fighting vehicles wull advance by bounds from cover to cover, reconnoitering the terrain ahead and providing supporting fire for the dismounted panzergrenadiers. The The panzergrenadiers attacks in small formations also by bounds under the fire cover of their own weapons and those of the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Coordination between panzer/panzergrenadier units and artillery assets are vital at every stage of the attack. During the attack a unified brigade-level command will control the artillery fire as long as the panzer and panzergenadier units are fighting on the same line. When the panzer and panzergenadiers break through the enemy forward defensive lines the panzer artillery battalion designated for the support of the tank unit is then placed under the command of the panzer or panzergenadier unit commander. Emphasis must be placed on the fact that artillery fire must not slow the momentum of an attack and thus the heaviest artillery fire must fall well ahead of the attacking panzer and panzergenadiers or outside of their sector. Before the attack the artillery has the mission of counter-battery fire on enemy artillery located in a position to be able of firing on the terrain over which the attack is to be made, fires on concentrations of enemy forces in assembly areas, delivery of minefields to disrupt the movement of enemy forces, and harassing fire on all areas in which enemy antitank units are located or suspected of being located. Adjustment fire by forward observers is also made on probable enemy observation posts commanding the sector to be attacked who are then blinded with smoke as soon as the attack begins. During the attack the mission of the artillery is screening of flanks with smoke munitions, blinding and destroying enemy observation posts, counter-battery fire on all enemy artillery which attempts to fire on the attacking forces, destruction of enemy antitank weapons, engaging of successive lines of defense as the attack progresses, and delaying the movement and deployment of enemy reserves through harrowing fire and through the use of artillery delivered mines. Coordination between the artillery and panzer and panzergenadiers during the attack is established by artillery forward observers who move with the first wave in armored artillery observation vehicles. Each panzergenadier platoon will also typically take along a forward observer in one of its infantry fighting vehicles. As with artillery coordination between panzer/panzergrenadier units and tactical air support assets are vital at every stage of the attack. Air support missions for combined arms operations includes offensive and defensive counter-air missions by fighter aircraft to protect ground force concentrations from detection and attack by enemy aircraft, reconnaissance and interdiction missions by fighter/bomber aircraft to detect and then delay, disrupt, and destroy enemy reserves, and close air support missions conducted by attack helicopters and fighter/bomber aircraft to augment artillery fires and sustain the momentum of the attack.

6.Meeting Engagements

Fluid situations where both sides have freedom of maneuver will frequently produce a meeting engagement in which each side attempts to seize the initiative and either overwhelm the other or force it into the defensive. Meeting engagement will commonly occur in small-unit operations when reconnaissance is less effective. Meeting engagement will also occur when the opponents are aware of each other and both decide to attack immediately to obtain the imitative or to seize key terrain. In a meeting engagement the side which succeeds first in making effective preparation for the attack and thereby deprives the enemy of his freedom of maneuver is likely to prevail. In a meeting engagement the situation is vague and the disposition of both forces uncertain. Commanders must be careful that meeting engagements do not develop into an uncoordinated attack against the enemy position, the commander must quickly coordinate the functions of his various subordinate officers in order to develop a plan to to fix the hostile force in place, make expediated preparations for an attack, occupy ground favorable for observation, intensify reconnaissance efforts to determine the enemy's immediate disposition, and then surprise and shock the enemy through rapidity of movement and effective concentration of force prior to the attack.

For meeting engagements which develop from march columns the advance guard of each march column must provide the time and space necessary for effective deployment of the main body. An aggressive advance by the advance guard should seek to seize important terrain features to the front and flanks in order to fix the enemy force. By attacking over a broad front the advance guard can deceive the enemy as to its true strength and the direction of its movements. In a meeting engagement it is necessary to develop and prepare for combat much earlier than otherwise. To ensure effective coordination the location of the main effort must be effectively communicated to the other elements of the unit who must then rapidly deploy as part of the general effort. When attacking during a meeting engagement prompt employment of the units of the march columns as they reach the combat area must be prioritized with rapid and occupation and development of a position of readiness from which an attack can be launched. As planning time will be extremely limited the prompt execution of battle drills at company level and below, and standard actions on contact for larger units, are essential in order to maintain the initiative during the meeting engagement.  

7.Pursuit

The object of the pursuit is the complete annihilation of a retreating or routed enemy with a complete disregard for all other factors. Effective pursuit requires initiative from commanders of all echelons of command, who must not hesitate to aggressively and even recklessly pursue a retreating enemy, even when their troops are exhausted. The enemy must be given no time to pause to reorganize his forces and reconstitute his defense. A pursuit is will generally be conducted on a broad front by means of fire and movement with continuous efforts to harass the hostile force in front and on the flanks and to block his avenues of retreat. It is of critical importance that the intention of the enemy to withdraw be promptly recognized whereupon the commander will immediately organize and use all available force at his disposal in order to annihilate the enemy. Although premature pursuit can result in a disastrous envelopment of the pursuer a pursuit executed too late can permit the enemy to break off combat, loosing the opportunity for a decisive victory. Commanders must thus therefore carefully evaluate the situation prior to committing his forces to a pursuit operation.

Pursuit operations are most successful when executed with the support of aircraft. Reconnaissance aircraft including unmanned reconnaissance drones can locate large bodies of hostile retreating troops and determine their direction of withdrawal and tactical attack aircraft can interdict columns of retreating enemy troops and vehicles and can destroy bridges to block their retreat. Artillery is to be employed in harassing missions and to vigorously barrage potential avenues of withdrawal, the artillery leap-frogging rapidly behind pursuing maneuver units to render support. Pursuing panzer and panzergrenadier units are assigned distant objectives in the direction of the withdrawal and are to push forward aggressively literally on the heels of the enemy, giving the enemy no time to time to organize a coherent defense. Pioneer units are to repair damaged roads and remove obstacles in the path of pursuing forces, facilitating the continuous flow of supply and troops

V. Defensive Operations

1.General

The objective of defensive operations is halting an enemy attack in order to buy time, economize forces, and otherwise develop conditions favorable for the resumption offensive operations. Only offensive operations leads to decisive successes, as such the preparation and development immediate and violent counterattacks should be the main objective of any defensive plan. As such defense operations are used to gain time for reinforcements to arrive and to economize forces in one sector while concentrating forces for a counterattack in another. Commanders conducting defensive operation should conduct spoiling attacks to disrupt the enemy and should exploit opportunities to counterattack the enemy whenever resources and conditions permit. Defensive operations conducted by mechanized combined arms forces will typically fall into two categories: mobile defense and are defense

2.Organization for the Defense

The objective of the defender should be to break a hostile attack in front of the main line of resistance or at the forward limit of his battle position. A commander should determine from the map the sectors which are to be defended and assigns a general line as guide for the location of the main line of resistance in order to ensure continuity of defensive positions across the sectors to be defended. Lower echelon tactical commanders will fix the main line of resistance on the ground, conducting a thorough reconnaissance of the terrain to determine the the details of the defense. Reconnaissance however must not delay the construction of defensive positions. Organization of defensive position will generally includes an advanced position and an outpost position under immediate command of the area commander along with one or more reserve position. The width and depth of defense sectors will depend upon the terrain and the proportional strength of friendly and hostile forces. In general defensive sectors will be around twice that of the same unit when attacking in the same terrain and will be about 500 to 1,000 meters for a platoon, 1,000 to 2,000 meters for a company, and 5 to 10 kilometers for a battalion. Depths of defensive sectors will typically be 500 to 1,000 meters for a company and 3 to 5 kilometers for a battalion. An advanced position should be placed 5 to 7 kilometers in front of the main line of resistance, within the range of heavy mortars and anti-tank missile systems. The advanced position should be placed overlooking important terrain features and provide good observation points for friendly artillery fire and should act to deceive the enemy as to the location of the actual main line of resistance. Forces deployed along the advanced position will not attempt to hold their position at all costs and will fight a delaying action under the cover of friendly artillery fire, disrupting and delaying the enemy and getting him to prematurely commit his forces and attack in the wrong direction. Forces deployed to the advanced line will typically be mobile reconnaissance units combining high fire power and mobility who can conduct an effective fighting retreat.

3.Mobile Defense

A mobile defense is the most effective type of defense and combines offensive, defensive, and delaying operations to decisively destroy enemy attacks. A mobile defense focuses on destroying the enemy by allowing him to advance to a point where he is fixed with a small forward force and then aggressively counterattacked by a mobile striking force. The main component of the mobile defense in the mobile striking force which will constitute the constituting the majority of available combat power. The smaller fixing force supplements the mobile striking force and seeks to engage the enemy fight and delaying action while drawing him into a position where the mobile striking force will counterattack into one his flanks. A successful mobile defense requires a large mobile reserve to form the mobile striking force and requires a defensive sector with enough depth to permit the enemy to overextend himself and expose his flanks. As such a mobile defense should only be conducted by brigade and division size units equipped with significant heavy forces and assigned a defensive sector of considerable depth. A mobile defense will also require ceding ground to the enemy and should thus only be conducted when loss of some terrain is acceptable.

4.Area Defense

As opposed to a mobile defense which focuses solely on destroying an enemy attack an area defense is conducted to deny the enemy access to specific terrain for a specific amount of time. Area defense is a mostly static form of defense where the majority of the defending force is positioned in prepared, mutually supporting defensive positions which is supplemented by a small mobile reserve. Units conducting an area defense will attempt to hold their positions and control the terrain between positions and will attempt to destroy attacking forces using interlocking fires from multiple defensive positions and through local counterattacks against enemy units penetrating between defensive positions. An area defense will not result in outright destruction of the attacking force and thus requires other simultaneous or subsequent offensive operations to achieve decisive defeat of the enemy. Unlike mobile defenses, which require significant heavy forces and a defensive sector of considerable depth, an area defense can be conducted by units of all sizes and types across defensive sectors of varying depth. Light forces including foot mobile infantry forces will typically only be capable of area defense operations. An area defense conducted by a larger force in a sector of considerable depth should resemble a mobile defensive where forward reconnaissance elements identify and delay the enemy's main effort while mobile reserved conduct counterattacks on the flanks of the main enemy attack and then envelop and destroy the penetrating enemy forces.

VI. Retrograde Operations

1.General

A retrograde operation is an organized movement away from an enemy force. Retrograde operation are conducted when the engagement has served its purpose; when conditions require the employment of the troops on another sector, when an attack exhausts itself without attaining its objective, when troops are to be repositioned to more favorable locations, or when envelopment or encirclement is imminent. Retrograde operations serve to gain time, preserve forces, avoid combat under undesirable conditions, or to overextend and draw a pursuing enemy into an unfavorable position where he can be counterattacked. Retrograde operations are inherently highly risky and thus be well organized and well-executed to succeed. Categories of retrograde operations include delays, withdrawals, and retirements.

2.Delaying Actions

Delaying actions are conducted to enable a main force to disengage itself from battle, retreat in order, and regroup and re-organize itself at new position to reestablish an effective defense or to prepare a counterattack to regain the initiative. Delaying actions will deceive the enemy as to the strength of the main force, dispositions, and intentions; and prevent the enemy from close pursuit of the main force. Delaying actions are also used to protect a friendly unit's exposed flank against enemy flank attacks, giving the friendly force time to establish a viable defense along its threatened flank. Units conducting delaying actions give up ground to gain time, harassing and inflicting the greatest possible damage on the enemy while retaining their mobility and avoiding a decisive engagement with the enemy. At the same time forces conducting delaying actions should attempt to take the initiative whenever possible, conducting rapid counterattacks to throw the enemy off disorganizes his forces, and prolong the delaying action. Forces committed to delaying actions should be reconnaissance or other mobile forces characterized by high firepower and mobility. Pioneer units are also typically assigned to delaying operations to deploy minefields and construct defensive obstacles to slow the pursuing enemy force. Maintenance of contact is a most important principle of a delaying action as the delaying forces must must offer the continued threat of serious opposition, forcing the enemy to repeatedly concentrate his forces to fight and maneuver. As such delaying forces must be highly mobile to allow them to displace before the enemy is able to concentrate sufficient forces to decisively engage and defeat the delaying forces. The delaying force must also continually observe the size, composition, direction, and intention of the attacking enemy force. A delaying operation will always be assigned a sector with a large frontage and a considerable depth. In practice the sectors assigned to delaying actions will be twice the width and depth of sectors normally allocated in defensive operations. In the sector multiple positions from which delaying actions are to be fought are identified to which the delaying force will move back to by bounds. Forces assigned to a delaying action will typically be organized into a main body, a security force, and a mobile reserve. The security force will typically be a reconnaissance unit which will deploy forward of the initial delay positions and will attempt to engage and destroy enemy reconnaissance forces to prevent them from making contact with the main body. The main body contains the majority of the delaying force’s combat power and will usually be deployed into two parts roughly equal in combat power in order to occupy each set of positions when conducting a delay from alternate or subsequent positions. The mobile reserve of the delaying force will act to contain enemy penetrations between delay positions, to reinforce fires into a defensive sector, or to help a unit disengage from the enemy. The reserve force thus requires the mobility and the strength to strike with such force that the enemy is forced to confront the threat of the reserve force while the main force disengages and withdraws to the next delay position. A delaying operations are conducted across a very broad front delaying forces require a greater than normal allocation of artillery and other fire support assets. Attacks by attack helicopters and tactical fighter-bomber aircraft can be used to augment or replace artillery fires for delaying actions.