TACTICAL OPERATIONS
Click here to download the presentation.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
Marshall A. McKay
Captain, Armor
Purpose…
To introduce SOBC students to the Army’s basic operational concept of offensive and defensive operations.
Quote…
“The primary reason it is so difficult to conduct combat operations against the Americans is that they feel no obligation to follow their own doctrine…”
Unknown German General, W.W.II
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Purpose of the Offense:
PRIMARY: DESTROY/ “KILL” the enemy.
SECONDARY:
To secure key or decisive terrain
To deprive the enemy of key resources
To gain information/time
To deceive or divert the enemy
To fix (hold) the enemy in position.
Characteristics of the Offense
SURPRISE
CONCENTRATION
TEMPO
AUDACITY
CONSIDERATIONS OF THE OFFENSE
See the battlefield
Concentrate overwhelming combat power
Suppress enemy defensive fires
Shock, overwhelm and destroy the enemy
Attack deep into enemy zone to destroy his system of defense and reinforcements
Provide continuous mobile support (cs,css)
4 FORMS OF TACTICAL OFFENSE
Movement to contact
Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit
MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
Approach March:
Enemy location is relatively certain
Enemy Forces at a great distance
Rapid Movement (“traveling”)
Meeting Engagement
Both friendly and enemy forces are moving, contact expected/location uncertain.
TYPES OF ATTACK!
“TORA! TORA! TORA!”
Hasty Attack (as a result of a mvt to contact/mtg engagement)
Deliberate Attack (fully sync. with all combat mult; TIME)
Spoiling Attack (from def. Posture; “Offensive Spirit in Def Op’s)
Raid (specific purpose other than terrain; commando operation)
Feint/Demonstration (Diversion operations)
Counter Attack (usually the reserve, force enemy to reveal his main effort.)
EXPLOITATION
The attacker extends the destruction of the defending force by maintaining offensive pressure.
Compound disorganization, erode will to resist.
If not… Enemy regroups/reorganize
PURSUIT
Part of the exploitation phase
Follows a successful attack; you are “force” oriented not “terrain” oriented.
Direct, Parallel, Envelop/Dbl Envel.
FORMS OF MANEUVER
Frontal Attack
Envelopment
Penetration
Infiltration
Turning Movement
Frontal Attack
Penetration
Infiltration
Turning Movement
TASK ORGANIZATION
Temporary grouping based on a situational need/Mission
Includes Combat Support and Service Support (Signal)
Attached, Assigned/Organic, OPCON, etc…
Task Org. Cont…
ARMOR HEAVY
+Wide Ranging, Rapid Maneuver
+Abundance of enemy automatic weapons and massed indirect fires.
+Strong enemy armor opposition
+Great observation and fields of fire
Question: What is a good OPORD for Tankers?
Task Org. Cont…
INFANTRY HEAVY
Close/detailed terrain (Urban, Mountain, Jungle, Swamp)
Strong Enemy Anti-Tank Defenses/Obstacles
Mech Heavy, Heavy-Light…
Task Org. Cont…
BALANCED
Enemy Situation Vague
Movement to Contact
Equal requirements for Tanks and Infantry
Or… When in doubt…
DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS
Purpose: The primary purpose of defensive operations is to cause the enemy attack to fail.
Less decisive form of war…
May be stronger than offense
Only used until strong enough to attack
Offensive Spirit
PURPOSE OF THE DEFENSE
Cause the enemy attack to FAIL!!!
Gain time
Concentrate forces elsewhere
Wear down enemy forces prior to friendly offensive operations
Retain Tactical, Strategic or Political Objectives.
AREAS OF THE DEFENSE
DEEP BATTLE AREA
MAIN BATTLE AREA
REAR AREA
or… CLOSE-DEEP-REAR OPERATIONS
DEEP BATTLE AREA
Disrupt enemy movement in depth/C3
Destroy “High Value” targets…
Command and Control
ADA
Artillery
Logistic’s
Other (tanks? Cdr sets target priority)
MAIN BATTLE AREA
Fights the decisive battle to defeat enemy
Security Fight to include recon assets
Defend in Depth
Reserves in the MBA…
Block/Destroy Penetrations
Re-establish the the def. Position
Regain the initiative
REAR AREA
Forward limit is the BDE rear Boundary
Area which supply and maintenance is projected forward
Location of admin and communication centers
Oh by the way…PRIMARY TARGET for ENEMY SOF FORCES!
CHARACTERISTICS DEFENSIVE PATTERNS
Two types of Defenses
MOBILE Defense: Force Oriented
AREA Defense: Terrain Oriented
Defensive Patterns Cont…
Mobile Defense
Orients on enemy forces
Mobility > to enemy forces!
Defend with minimum force
Fire and Maneuver (hammer/anvil)
Max. Cbt. Power with striking force
Defensive Patterns Cont…
Area Defense
Traditional defense, fixed
Deny enemy access to designated terrain for a specified time
Mutual supporting positions in depth, max force with interlocking fires
Smaller reserves
Defender has the advantage… (why?)
Considerations of the Defense
Understand the enemy
See the battlefield
Exploit the advantages of the Defender
Concentrate Cbt. Power at Critical Time and Place!
Fight at Combined Arms Team
Characteristics of the Defense
Preparation
Disruption
Concentration
Flexibility
Security
Advantages of the Defender
Review…
Knows ground (Realistic?)
Occupies it first
Gains strength as time passes (interior lines)
Massed on best terrain
Retrograde Operations
Planned move away from enemy forces
Delay: Time for Space (cav) Gain time for friendly forces to re-establish the defense.
Withdrawal: to assume new mission
Retirement: Admin Move (no contact)
METT-T “C”
Mission
Enemy Forces
Terrain and Weather
Troop Available
Time
Civilians on the battlefield
COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
ASSIGNED
ATTACHED
OPERATIONAL CONTROL
(OPCON)
SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS
DIRECT SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
REINFORCING
GENERAL SUPPORT-REINFORCING
DIRECT SUPPORT (DS)
GENERAL SUPPORT
REINFORCING (R)
GENERAL SUPPORT-REINFORCING
QUESTIONS?
CONCLUSION
It is important you understand the concepts of offensive and defensive operations so that you have the basic knowledge to plan, prepare and execute the Signal Support to the Maneuver gods!
