HDv 300/100

The Heeresdienstvorschrift 300/100: Operation 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. Arcaenians believe that 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.

III. Reconnaissance Operations

Aggressive reconnaissance is required in all phases of military operations. Reconnaissance is divided into operational reconnaissance (operative aufklarung), tactical reconnaissance (taktische aufklarung), and combat reconnaissance (Gefechtsaufklarung) 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. As a rule reconnaissance units should be employed in force and expected to fight to obtain the desired information. Key to combined arms reconnaissance operations are the panzer reconnaissance units of the Arcaenian army which combine main battle tanks, heavy infantry fighting vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and organic self propelled artillery and which are intended to conduct ground-based combat reconnaissance operations, engage and destroy enemy reconnaissance forces, conduct probing attacks and delaying operations in front of advancing mechanized forces, and to screen open flanks and to delay enemy forces which attack along said open flanks. Each Arcaenian panzer and panzergrenadier brigade includes an organic panzer reconnaissance battalion with three panzer reconnaissance companies which are equipped to operate independently of the battalion. Each panzer reconnaissance company contains two platoons of main battle tanks, two platoons of heavy infantry fighting vehicles, and a self-propelled mortar section. During reconnaissance one or more panzer reconnaissance companies will be deployed ahead of the brigade to assure superiority in the area to be reconnoitered. The other panzer reconnaissance companies of the battalion will be kept in reserves 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 of reconnaissance forces is heavily encouraged and Arcaenian panzer reconnaissance units will attempt to engage and destroy any enemy reconnaissance or security forces they encounter. Should a superior enemy force be encountered the panzer reconnaissance units will fight a delaying action while the main body of the panzer or panzergrenader unit attempts to flank and envelop the enemy force.

Operational Reconnaissance (Operative Aufklarung)

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 is intended primarily to determine 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 primarily with aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles and by satellites and other strategic intelligence assets including communications and electronic reconnaissance systems.

Tactical Reconnaissance (Taktische Aufklarung)

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.

Combat Reconnaissance (Gefechtsaufklärung)

Combat reconnaissance is the reconnaissance which is carried out by all combat forces including panzer, panzergrenadier, panzer reconnaissance, and panzer pioneer 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.

IV. Marches

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. 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.

For all marches the march column is 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. With the prevalence of air and satellite reconnaissance marches should be conducted at night or in poor weather and without lights wherever possible. 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. 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.

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.

V. Offensive Operations

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.

Forms of Attack

Frontal attack (Frontalangriff): 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 (Flankenangriff): 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 (Umfassungsangriff): 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 (Einkreisung): 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 (Einbruch):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.

Organization of the Attack

Attack order (Angriffsbefehl): 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, and the time of attack. Attack orders should not be overly detailed and thus restrict initiative, generally only the mission of the attack should be strictly defined. 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. 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 in open terrain the typical sectors assigned will be 1-2 kilometers for a platoon, 2 to 4 kilometers for a company, 4 to 8 kilometers for a battalion, 12 to 24 kilometers for a brigade, and 24 to 48 kilometers for a division. For large units such as brigades and division 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 prescribed it is usually not necessary to occupy the whole width of a sector with troops.

Fire plan (Feuerplan): 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 re-position of ammunition and munitions 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.

Preparation of the Attack

Preparation for an attack involves the concentration of attacking forces and their associated equipment into assembly areas and the movement into contact with the enemy. 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 actual terrain assuming this will not compromise operational security or result in excessive risk to the unit’s leadership. 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.