DD t,1120-129-76

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

DIRDefenseIntelligeneeReport

i,tSOVIET TANKCOMPANY TACTICS

MAY 1976

SOVIET TANK COMPANY TACTICS

DDr-l120-129-'t 6

This docubmt was prepared by Major A. I Hemesley eLR of the Cround Forces/MBFR Branch,Sovi€t/Vrrsar, Pact Division, Directorate for Intelligeaie (R"*-"h a;t6;^""d is rcleased forpublication by authodty of the Di.ector, Orfense fiteffd;nc.-,lge"cn.-'-" *

PREFACE

This study of Soviet tank company tactics is written as a "how they fight" nranual. Manyof the conccpts and methods used by the Soviets appear to ihe US or NATO military rcaderso alien that there is a temptation to say "This is unworkable." The reader should apprcciatethat the Soviet tank company commander has a vastly different task than his US or NATOequivalcnt. His task is to train and lead his company as dirccted by well established pdnciplesset out in field sewice regulations, and as interprcted by his superiors. The company figllts eitheras pafi of a battalion size unit, or with the close support of other tank, motorized rifle, andartillery units. Th€ battalion is the basic unit of maneuver in the Soviet Ground Forces anda company is b€st rcgarded as a fire team.

Thc information used in the study has becn drawn from a wide variety of sourccs. In orderto ensurc wide diss€mination some details of equipme[ts have bcea described in a gcneral manner.In this way the study can be issued as an UNCLASSIFIED document. Tlre rcadcr needing tostudy equipment details hds been providcd with basic data in the enclosurcs. It stroulcl be notedthat equipment differs from on€ Sovict ullit to another and there are also minor differenccsin personnel manning levels. The study is written using a type organization and manning levglwhich is defined in the text.

lu

CONTENTS

Executive SummaryCHAPTER

I Introduction I2 Oqanizatlon, Command and Control ---------- 33 Weapons, Equipment and Services 74 Soviet Tank Crew Training----------- -------- l l5 Talrk Gumery and Firc Cont ol -------------- 336 Soviet Concepts and Missions ---------- ------ 157 Taotical Formations ------ I78 CBR Defense ------------ 2I9 Reconnaissanc€ ---------- 23

l0 March Security Operations ------------ 27l l The Offensive ----------- 3112 River Clossing Operations ------------------- 4313 De fense - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4714 The Withdrawal ---------- 5315 S€curity Dudng Halts ------ 5516 Combat in Built-up Areas --------------- 57l? Conclusions alld an Assessment of the Combat Potential of a

Soviet Medium Tank Company ----------- 59ENCLOSURE I Tank! and Associated Equipmedt ------------------------ 6lENCIOSURE 2 Soviet Iffd Navigation and Night Vision Deyices ---------- 65ENCIOSURE 3 Arms and Equipment - Soviel Tank Company ------------- 67ENCLOSURE 4 T62 and T72 Tanks --------------- 69

Pagevii

EXNCUTIVE SUMMARY

The Sovict tank company is equipped with either 10 or l3 trnks. according to itssubordination, and is organized into three platoons. Its personnel consists primarily of conscriptsoldiers generally well trained in the individual skills of drivhg, loading, and gunncry. Four tankcommanders in each company are officers or wa-nant office$ who complete extetsive professionaltraining. The remaining tank commande$ are conscripts who have six months training beforearriving in the company and tain in their units during the next l8 months until theh tcrmof service expies,

Tank companies are equipped at present with tanks which are simple to operate, have lowsilhouettes. good mobility, and an accurate gun limited by its optics to a range of fifteen hundredmete$. Limitations in target acquisition and sighting equipment mean that night firing is restrictedto a mnge of about roughly half the daytime range.

The Soviets consider that the rank company is a single fire unit. It can reinforce othercombat arms or be reinforced. It normally operates as an independcnt unit in reconnaissance,as a secudty detachment, or when used as the basis for a motorized rifle battalion's aDtitankdefense. ln other tactical operations the tank company is subordinated to a larger unit.

Tactical training consists primaiily of rchearsing changes in column and line formations atplatoon and company levcls. Fhe conftol is exercised by the company commander except inemergcncies. Antitank guided missiles and enemy tanks are regarded as pdority targets. Tanksfhe on the move or at short halts, and fire is concentrated against a single target if the companycommander considers its a pmticular thr€at. The cornpany assaults an enemy formation or positionafter artillery has provided hre support, whenever possible. Control and commlmications securityis strict, and platoon and company commanders are expected to lead and show initiative. butwithin the limits set by field regulations.

Soviet tank tactics, which we believe are sound, emphasize concentrating against a poorlypfepared enemy, attacking without lengthy preparation, and lapidly exploiting success. Trainingof tank crews in such skills as driving, gunnery, and maneuvedng in combat formations is cffcctive.However, junior officers and tank commanden do not have sufficient opportunity to developthe initiatiye needed to respond effectively to mpidly changing combat situations. Overall, wejudge that the Soviet tank company is capable ol completing operational missions and that, iucombat, its success would be determined by forcc ratios, enemy effectiveness, and other cxtcmalfacto$.

III

Anist Rendition of T 72

vltl

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

I

l. PURDOSE. This study prcsents infonnation on thetlctics of the Soviet m€dium tsnk compmy. Tacticalinformation is prcc.d€d by data on equipment, tatrkcrew trini[g, and orEani?ation. The study is primrrilylntcnd€d to providc instruclors at schools d itr ficldunits witi reference material, Key facti are r€p€atedto make each s€ction self supporting.

2. SCOPE.

a. the medium tank compary is lhe basicbuildiag block of rhc Soviet trtrt arm. Nonaily, atrat comFany vil opcrrrc es prlt of a battalior{izedun atrd be supported by, or ln support of, other arms.Alftough this study r€fers to combined armsop€.ations, oDly tfie techniques and tactics of the tanlcompon€trt are analyzcd.

b. Thc study exanin.s compeny and platoontacdcs ir a Europ€an s.tring in both nomuclerr andnucle& €nvironment!. Soviet tacticrl terminolog andsymbolos/ haie been used when US. teminoloF/ failsto ad€quately describe Soviet conceptr, organization,and tsctcs. Uniess otherwise 3tated military lerms incommon us€ have the meaning giv€n to then in JCSPubllcation I dated 3 Sep 74. Soviet terns which haieoo US equivalent are defined when lust used.

c, In thc tactical diagrams the rcader shouldesum! thet radio commrmications exilt betwe€n eachrEhiclc d€pictcd. Frontages used in the diagrams arefor nonnuclear operations. ln nwl€at op€rations the!€frontag€s can generaly be doubl€d.

Figure 1a. Organization of a Tank Company {Tank Divisionl.

Figurc 1b. Organization of a Tank Company {Motorized Rifle Division)

CHAPTER 2

ORGANIZATION, COMMAND AND CONTROL

Section A

l. THE TANK COMPANY AND PLATOON. The tankcompany consists ol thre€ tank platoons and acornpany headqulrt€rs. In a tank battalion subordinateto a lank regiment, the platoon consists of three tanks.In a tank battalion subordinate to a motorized rifleregiment the platoon consists of four tanks. In anindependent tank baltalion subordinate to a divisionthe platoon consists of four tanks.

2. THE TANK CREW. The crew of a Soviet mediumtank is normally four. Thc duti€s of t}te tanl crew

a. The commander is in imrnediate comn nd ofa tank. Thc company cornmander and platoon leaderscornmsnd iheir own tanks. T.nk commanders'responsibilities include maintenaflcc of the vehicle,t Jget acquisition. fire control, ihe slection oI firingpositions. and rcsupply. The commander is the onlycrew member traned and authorizcd 10 us€ the tan-kradio except in emergencies.

b. The gunner is second in command of the iank.He is responsiblc for tuing, servicinS, and repaning thetank s main gun and maintaining the tank s optical andgunnery instruments. He assists the driv€.mechanic inthe technical inspection of the vehicle. and repiacesthe ammunition. In combrt fte gunner assists in targetacquisilion and selects thc correct ammunition for eachtdgct. He fires the main gun and the couial machinegun.

Organization

c. Th€ driver.mechanic's duties includemaintenance and rcparr of the lanl, oblaininS sprepans, and inspection of the vehicle. In combat th€driver-mechanic is rcsponsible for s€lecting a routewhich presents the gunn€r wiih good firin8 positions.

d. The load€r is responsibl€ for the condition andsto(age of ammmilion and for maintenance of thenachine guns. He assists the gunner in preparing themain gun for combat, aids the driver-mechanic inroutine maintenarce and assumes the duties of theSurmer if necessary. He also nans the antiaircraftmachhe gun if there is one mounted on the lank.Inrmderstrergth units there may be no loader in tahksoth€r than thos€ of the company and platoon

e. There is iittle evidence of formal cross trainingwitlin lhe tanl crew. Soviet tank crewmen are likelyto be familisr with some of the operating proceduresof fellow crewmen and could probably perform thehsks required in an cmerSency. In some tank unitsthe commander encourages efforts at cross training.

me Tank Crcw. The wirc ftun d1ehelm.a arc for atbchment tu theintercomm u n ication systam. Note,he apparcnt youth of all four

Section B Command

3- COMPANY COMMANDER. The lank companycornmmder, normrl]y a captain or senior lieutenant,is responsible to the battalion command€r ibr thecommand and efficiency of his company- He isresponsible for the accomplidment of the assignedmission and fire contlol of his company duringoperations. Before and afler conbat he is .esponsiblefor the maintenance and sericinS of thc v€hicles dndthe combat readiness of the company and the standardof crcw and tacrical training. In combat theresponsibilities of the compny command€r include:

a. Deployment; camouflagei maintenance; andreplacenenl of ammunition, fuel, lubrican ts, and food.

b. Issuing tactical, political, ,nd preparatory

c. Estimating the situalion ,nd carrying outreconnaissance Mth subordinale and attached unit

d. Formulatisg coordinatins instructions, asuingorders, and supeNising inspections prior to

e. l-eading or dtecting the company duringopeiations, controlling the fire of company tanks, andattached units during execulion of the mission,maintaining conlacl with flank units, and .eportingiacticat infor.nation to the battalion commander.

4. COWANY IIEADQUARTERS. Companyheadquarters consists of:

a. Deputy commander - a s€nior lieuterart orlieutenant, who is dle politicai officer.

b. Tecnnical officer . a senior li€utenant orlieutenant who has ihree or four years tsaining at ahigher t nt techricrl school.

c. A prcporshchik - (a ranl rougl y equiyalentto a US warrant officer) who attends to routineadministf ative matters.

d. A tank cr€w mnsisting of a ddver-mechanic,a gunner and a ioader.

The headquarters officers and p/apolsr.rr* do notaccompany |he ranls on their combat missions. Thereis also a truck driver and a derk.

5. PI-ATOON LEADERS. Platoon leaders ar€normally lieutenants, but may sometirn€s bepraporshchiki or, rarely! sergeants. The aulhority ofthe platoon leader in company operations is Imited.His 1nsk is to lead his platoon in the execution of th€cornFny mission, not to trandate his superiois'ordersinto a platoon mission. When atiached to a motorized.ifle bataalion, especially in defensii€ operations,platoon leaders rnay be alowed more flenb ity in theexecution of lheir mission.

Section C

6. CONTROL MEANS. The company cornmandercontrols rhe tank company by radio, visual and audiosignall, and pyrotechnics, in rhe employment of wellrehearsed laclical drills. Only office.s cafry maps.Rcfercncc points are used for identificalion of teffainlbaiurcs. Personal example is regarded as a controltcchniqu€, and conpany and platoon comrnandefs arecxpect€d to personally lead lheir subunits when lhesitualion demmds it.

7. RAIIO NETS. The tank company commmder hasrwo radios in his tank: r very high liequency (VHF)set for conr.nunicalions with the company and a highfrcquency (HF) set for communications with thebattalion conmander and orher trnk conpanies.ln ihetank cornpany rhe company and platoon commandersn€t with each orher and the commanders of atlachedmotorized rifle dnd arlillcry units. Normally, radios intanks other than command ianks dre operated onlyin ihe receiving mode Supporting arrillerycomnanders can communicale directly to all company

8. CONTROL LE\TL. It h important 1o note thatco.nol of lhe comnrnd radio ncl is rctrined atbattalion level, an.l when the conpany operates as p rof a battalion there will probably be no company net,bur a l l .nk, $r l l 'nu l i tor lhe bd a l ion neL and fe.e iveorders liom the batlalion commuder.

ControL

9- RADIO SECURITY. The tank company, incommon with other Soviet units, is forbidden to makeradio transmjssions immediatcly befor€ contact is madewith the enenry. Radio sets c opcratcd on listeningsilence until contact has been made. During combat,ody the company commander is authorized toIdn\nr Jn r l e .umplnJ i rpqupnc) l rar 'n ,L. io1. " r€shorl and kepi to a minimum. Plaloon leadeis areallowed to lrdnsnrit only in emergencies. In combat,o.den and tactical reports are rransmitted in the clearshi le 'e fe 'e1cpr to le f f r in fe-rures and other L,n i t r dre

10. \{SUAL AND ALIDIBLE SIGNALS. Prior roconrbat, normally during dre comnrander sreconndssancc, codcwords are asigned to promnenrterrdn Ldlur€s wilhin compmy boundaies.Pyrotechnics or tracers are used in conbal to idcnlifytdgets. boundaries, and units Prearranged audiblesignrls arc uscd for warnin8s when the conpany is ina static position. Ijid lines are used to communicatebetween tanks and between supporlcd and supportingarms while in static defensive positions.

AAYY

5(Revetr. 3r.nkl

CHA?TER 3

WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

L WEAPONS. Equipment drd weapons in the Sovielt nk company are durable md being inproved throughcontinuing research and dcvelopment. Th€ Sovielsexpect tank units to {ight by day and night, inexlremes of climaie, and in a nucl€a nd chernrcalenvironment. Technical details of tanks, md dala onequipm€nt md individual weapons cunenuy in servicewith the Soviet tank company, arc in enclosures I and2. D€tails of navigalion and night viewing devices us€din tanks are in enclosure 3.

2. SPECIAL PURPOSE TANK EQUIPMENT. Sovieimedium tanks can all be provided with auxiliary pdrtsfor aitaching the mine plough, the plough and ro ercombination, and th€ tank buldoz€I blade. The w€ightof thele items reduc€s tne tant's obstacle crossingability and maneur€rability and makes the vehiclemore difficult to handlc. The engine life of tankshaving this specidl equipnenl attached is also reduced-The detrimental effects of the usc of such specialequipment a.e judged sufficientty sevele to inhibilfrequent Eaining.

Section A Weapons and Equipment

3. COMPANY TRUCK. One Light truck js held in thetank company. This vehicle is used by the deputycompany commander, the technical officer, md t]rcpruparshchik. Th€ v€hicle is equipped with a radiowhich can be used as a communications link from theconpany commander\ lrnk to the battaltonherdquart€rs when the tank co'npany is out of directcommunications range-

4. CBR EQUI?MENT. A[ personnel have individualprotective nasks, and most modern tank iJe probablyequipped with alr Iiltralion systems. Decontaminationof vehicles is carried out under supe$ision and withthe aid of chernical defense speciatish. CBR defenseis deall witn in detail in Chapt€r 8. Sovie! tanks havea smoke generating system for providing a defensivesmoke screen when required.

762 tited wi$ nine plows-

Section B Services

5. SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE PLATOON. Thecommander of the supply and mainten nce platoon ofthe tank battalion coordinates the r€supply of tanlcompanies. There is, howeirr, no eviden€e of anadministranve net for his use within llle battalion- Thijcould cause considerable difficulty i.r resupply whenthe companies are widely separated from battalion

6. TRANSPORT AND SL'PPLY-

a. The organrc l rucls of Ihe lank baltaLion aresupplenented for op€rations by the tank regiment.Specialized unarmored tracked tnnspo(ers areavailable in som€ units for the medical section and the

suppiy and maintenance platoon to evacuaae casualtiesand carry amnuition. Fuel trucks resupply thecompany as requued.

b. Tank comparies are resuppLi€d in the baltrlionassembly ar€a with POL and ammunition prior tocombat. Main and auxiliary fuel lanks are filled tocapacity for approach rnarches. the 200liter auxiliaryfuel lanks are dropped prior to combat, picked up byth€ supply and maintenance platoon, and relurned totants on the objective. The basic load, known to theSoviets as "ammmition unit of fire,rrfor tanks is listed

WEAPON

7.62mm MG

12.5mm MG

(2 ea)(2 ea)(l ea)(3 ea)(l ea)

(l ea)(l ea)(2 ea)(l ea)(l ea)

(2 ea)

RDS PERTANK FIRE PER

T-54T-5 5T-62JS-2JS-3

T-54

T-10JS-2JS-3

T.IOM

T-54T-5 5

UNIT OFTANK

5000 rds3500 rds2500 rds2100 rds1500 rds

250 rds250 rds (optional wpn)744 rds

250 rds

744 rdsl4.5mm MG

l00mm Main Gun

I l5mm Main Gun

l22mm Main dun

rdsrds (avg)*

rds

rdsrds

3744

T-62 40

T-10/T-10M 30JS-2/JS-3 28

*The T-55 can carry from 38 tohalf would be antitank (HVAP-T)The average number of on-board

47 rcunds of l00mm ammunition for the main gun. Aboutand the other half HE ard fragmentation rounds (FRAG-HE).rounds is 44.

c. Resupply in combar is norma.lly at night; eachtank company is resuppli€d in tum. li a tsnl runs outof ammunition during combat it moves to a positionoutsidc enemy observalion and is resupplied. Indefcnsive positions ammlmilion may be placed near tnetank posilion to provide a ready reserve.

d: An ernergency reserve consists olbetween 20percent and 30 pcrcent of the norrnal load of POL,rations and ammunition, and aI spare parts carried inconpany tanks. This reserve may not be us€d withoutord€rs from t}Ic company commlnder,

7. MATNTENANCE AND RECOVERY.

a. Basic maintenance of tanLs is cdried out bytank crews supervised by the company technical ofnccrand tant commanden. Identified faults are recti{iedon tle lpot if possible- The low standard of trainingof the driver-mechanic and lack of equipnent rn lhecomprny preclude extensive repans.

b. In combat, a recovery and repair o.ganizationis established at battaiion level,A technical observationpoint (TOP) is formed by battalion and companytechrlical officers and is normally mounted in an A?C.Thc TOP rnoves in rear of battalion headquarters withthe task of maintaining visual surveillance over thebatdefield to locate damaged tanks. The TOP is inradio communication with the battalion conmander

ard monitors the comrnand net to ,dcnlify damagedand inoperative knks- Communicalions are ahomainrrined wirh rhe chief of services at regimenralheadquarters. Thcrc is onc lrmored recovery vehicle(ARVI in each medium tank battrlion.

c. Tanks damaged in combal are repaired on thes?ot or unde! the nearesl cover by lhe baltalion repairand evacualion group (RFjG). The REG is fomed bythe baltalion mrinlenancc s€ction with augmcnlrtionfrom regiment as required. lt follows the tank battalionand is tasked by the TOP.

d. TanlG damaged beyond dre repair capabililyof thc REG are recovered dnd evacurted by rcgimenralor division mainlensnce unils. Crews remain with thesetanks rnd alsist in mrkjng rcpairs snd are ihus losrto lhe compdny commrnder unlil repairs arc made.It should be noted thal the Sovicts normdUy replaceentire units rathcr than make individual vehicle or crew

8. MEDICAL. First atd is adninistercd to baltlecasudlies by olher members of dle crew. using thcfirst aid pack in $e tank. fie battalion medical teamwhich accompanies thc RBG removes serious casualtesfrom tanks once they have bccn lowed 1o covcr.Serious casuahics are collected and evacurled byreginental transpon, as thcre is no inedical officer at

Poutine mainenance is car ed out by the d ver mechanic and crew uncler the srpeNision of the Company

9(n.86. Bra*)

CHAPTER 4

SOVIET TANK

l CREW EFFECTMNESS. The effecriveness of ihetank company depends on the quality of individualand crew training. This chapter describes tle type oftraining which members of a tank cr€w receive.

2. CONSCRTPT TRAININC. The majorily of mer ma Soviet tanl company are conscdpts. The percentageof professional soldiers a1 this Ievel varies but willseldom exceed l0 percent. Conscript tankcommanders, gunners and driver-mechanics compl€tea period of four to six months instruciion in trainingunrq before jonng rheir companies. Loade-! receiveno specialht training and join their companies afterone month of instruction. Most conscript tankcrewmen will have received pr€-induction trainingbefore entering the Soviel Army. This training is givenby military instructors at schools, facrories, collectiveand state farms, and instiiuaes in the USSR. Thestandard of pre-induction training vades widelyttuoughout the ussR.

3. TRAINING OF JTNIOR LEADERS. At least onetank conmand€r in each platoon is a junior officerot pruporshchik. The officer har received up to fouryears' training in ofiicer schools, and a ptaporshchikhas received bet\r,een six months and a yearsprofessional training following two years experience as

4. ROTATION OF CONSCRIPTS. Conscripts areinducted into the Soviet Army at six month intervalsand serve for two years. This means that appronma&ly22 percent of a combat unil changes €very six monlhs.Non-specialists join tank comprnies at th€ same timeas specjalisrr. Man) regimenral commanders reassignexp€rienced crewmen every six monahs to spread

CREW TRAINING

5. TANK CREW TR-AINING. Soviet tarft crews aretrained on controlled driving rnd firing rrng€s. Theemphrsis in driv€r tlainins is on safely overcomrng atimed s€ries of driving hazards and providrng thegunner with a good sight picture. Obstacles on a rypicaldriving course include l lls, bridges, sreep dop€s,cufles, ramps. and a deep fording obstacle Gee Figure3). The gunner is requled to accufately lue the main8un and the machine gun both from static positionsand on ihe move.

6. EQUPMENT CONSERVATION. To conserveequipment for combat, tank cornpanies nomally useonly one or two tanks for iraining. Renaining trnksare kepr in storage and periodically rotated withlraining tlnLs and are normally used only for largescale exercises. Storage maintenance standards are high,but excessive and inexpert mairtenance of stored ianksprobably does more harn rhan good. The equipmentconseNation system does nol consisiently insure themechanical reliability of lhe company's lank inventory.The fiaining of crews whose lanks ltre storag€ isprobably less effective ihan that of crews havinglraining tanks.

7. SUBIJNIT TRAINING. Training by companies andplaioons concenrrates on fuing, driving, and rapidlyshifting combat formalions. About 30 percenr of thistiaining is at night. In recent yeals there has been somecombined trainlng ol talk and motorized rifleelenents. Training is mairLly a rep€iilion of srandarddrills with little opportunity lor junior comnanders

11

{i:g r;\'' *-- i#::::"$

iffi,rffiF#*,r 1 '::;:;+'r.

== r conrorrowe, 6. Oown Hill "Slalofr " B6rw6snV€dcarly P|.c6d Matk€r Los3

7, Sh8llow tlke/DeD Fod8. B.idse

IEY

TOTAL LENGTH OF COURSE lS APPBOXIMATELYS kms.TIME ALTOWED FOR A CIRCIJIT IS 2] MINUTES.

,;:'. 3. simul.r.d Mine Fi€ld

Figure 3, Tank DriverTraining Course.

D Er training concenn'aE on efelYovercoming a e $ of hazeds stchas hat Clown on an obsbcle coure-A ttict tima limit is impoed forcompletion of the coure.

t2

CHAPTER 5

TANK GIJNNERY AND FIRE CONTROL

I. GIJNNERY ]TIETHODS.

a. Emphasis is placed on fast. accura|e, andintens€ fire from the main gun and nachinegurs duringcombat operations. Tank gunners fire from "in place"postions, at short halts of 15 to 45 seconds, on themarcb, and while fording water obstacles- A great dealof tsaining timc in tank companies is spent usingsimulators and sub.caliber devices 1o improve gunnerytechniques. Firing on the range is frequent by day andnidt using the 23mm sub-caliber device and the iank

b. Tank company officers and tank commandersare requtcd 1o be proficient with the tank s armament,and ofiicers are used extensively as gunneryinstructors. Tank comnanders qualili as gunnels aspan of $€ir lraining, and conscnpl commanders caneam inc€ntive pay through their skill as gunners.

2. INITIAL GUNNERY TRAININC. Basic gunnerytraining for rh€ conscript is divided into theoreticaland practical work, with emphasis being placed on lhelarrer. Upon lhe completioo of training the gunner isgiven an oral exanination on the theoretical side ofhis training. He also fires three munds of 23mmsub&liber training ammunition and 70 rounds fromthe tank machiregun "for the record" to obtain aproficiency fating. Trainees do not fire for tlle r€cordbefore their instructors e satisfied that they canperform every detail of the gunnery routine withoutdifficdty.

3. GUNNERY STANDARDS. The standards forgunnery proficiency arc common ihroudoul theSoviet tank arm. A grad€d test is tslen once a year.Targ€ts a.e provided at ranges of 40On to 1200m formain armament and machineguns. Three rounds fromthe main armament, usualy of 23mm sub-caliber

. amrlunition, have to b€ fired within 100 seconds.Machinegun brgets appcar twice before and twice aflerth€ rnain larg€t. Ratjngs arc as folows:

Two 23mm targets hit andone machinegun target hit, orfiree 23mm hits and nomachinegun t3rgets hit.

One 23mm larget hit andseveral hitsmachinegun targel-

One 23mm tarSet hit and nomachineSun larSels hit, no23nrn hits and ,11macbm€gun targets hit, or nohits wirh either-

Section A Cunnery

Good:

Supedor: Three hils wilh 23mm and atleast one hir on onemactnn€gun tar8e1, or two23nrn hits and allmachinegun tarS€ts hii.

Excellenr: Two 23mm targels hia andthree machinegun targets hit,or one 23mm target hit andall machinegun targets hit.

Pass:

Fail:

Tank commanders norrnally fire ttuee rounds of amorpiercing each year for familiarization.

4. CUNNERY RANGES. Tank ranges are usurllysituated near tank units. They normally consist ol upto ten iarget lanes and a single return{lne, down whichtank mov€ in column after fuin8. Orders for firingare relayed to the platoon commander from a centalcontrol tower by radio. Targets range from.l00m to1200m and ale old r€hicles, popups, or movingsilhouettes of 13nts, APCS, or infantry. Ta*s engagetargets on order of the platoon commander.Approximately 25 percent of ranS€ Iiring is at night.Ta-rgels are iliuminated eithe! by s€archlights or byfiashing bulbs attached to the targets. Using the nightsight and the infrared search lighl, firing is conduciedup to a range of 800m.

Section B Fiie Control

s. FIRE CONTROL ON OPERATIONS. In a compinyoperation, the company commandcr controls the fireof each tank by radio. TanI fire is concentrated upontargets according io the priority assigned by thecolnJnander. Antilank guided missiies (ATGM) arc firstpriority targets. ln the arsault, tank cngage the targ€rwhich is closest and most dangerous 1o them. Targetsare indicated by us€ oI encoded rerrain relerencepoints, by trace! fire, by the comna,:1dcr pointing hhgun at tlte target, or by use of the targer azimuth scale.The company or platoon commander gives a liremission containing lhe following elements:

a. Call sign of unit or tank to tue.

b. Target location by us€ of reference point.

c. Fire mission: destruction or neutralization.

d- Firing procedure: fire from march, short halt.

e. Type of roundi AP, HE, fra8mentation.

f. Number of rounds to be fired or when to ceas€fire.

6. GllN STABILIZATION. Soviet tanis have hadsorne rnethod of gun stabilization since 1958. Tanksproduced subsequently have bolh vcltical plan€ andazimuth stabilizalion. While the Sovier concepr callsfor t.nk to fire on tlle move, the stabilization systemis space oriented rather tlt,n targel ori€nled. The roughride resulrinS from $e relatively crude suspensionsysi€m mqns that taJger stabilizarion is probably noryet possrble. ln thc T54-'Ib2 series. Therelore, thcchance of a fint round hit still depends on thc skillof the gurlner rather than on the efficiency of thestabiliza tion system.

7. ACCURACY. The accuracy of Soviet tank gunsystems appcars to be limited by fien sightingmc,hdr5m'. rangc fL.]ders. and gunner) recnnrques.ralher than by capabilities of the guns andanmunition. W€ assess the accuracy of fie l00mm gunof the T54/T55 as being high 10 1000n after whichir fal l ' o i f rJpiJl) . fhe l b2 srh r fe l l5mm gJn usin8high velocity fin slabilized armor piercing discardin8sabot (HVFSAPDS) ammuition is accurate md h$a good penetration capabiiiry at ranges up io 1500m.Reduction in tube life in the main armament and thehigh cosI of ful borc ammunition explains thefr€quent use of lhe 23rnm sub{aliber dcuce ingunnery raining. In nighl gunnery th€ IR systempresently in use prcsents sighting problems. The nosteffective method of engaging largets at night isillumination by white lighl lnd engagement using thedaylight sigit.

The sunnet in 755 with he b.eech block of hequn in the foregrcund- The gunne$' left hand 6on the ftngefindet to be left of which is the

l 4

CHAPTER 6

SOVIET CONCEPTS AN'D MISSIONS

l. coNcEPTs.

a. The basic tactical concept of the Soviet Arrnyis offensive action. This cals for Soviet forces to breakthrough gaps in enemy defenses and to rapidly cxploitin strength and depth. Soviet milibry writings state"nobility and high tenpos ofcombat operations bringsuccess in a battl€ or operations." Defense is re$rdedas a temporary expedient until a favorable situationfor a retum to the offensive can be created.

b. Tank unitsharr a critical role h Soviet tacticaldoctdne due to their mobility, maneuverabilily, anilspeed. These qualities are strcssed by the Soviet! morethan the armor protection and fuepower inherent inthe tanls.

c. The Soviets regard the tank irm as ihe basicstriking force of ft€ir ground forc€s, and stess lh€necessity for rapid man€uv€r of t3nk units to exploitthe effects of nuclear, chemical. or conventionalartillery fire. Tank and motorized rifle unils may becross attached as the mission requn€s. Rapid changesin mission ue an inl€gral pan of Soviet tactical

d. Tank company operations are usually launchedfrom thc rnarch column. Initiative and resourcefulnessare recognized as b€in8 qualnes needed by ihe tankunit commander in the exccution ofhis missioo. Strictadherence to hctical formations is, howev€r, requiredwitlin the company.

e. Trsfficability of rhe tank cnn restrict mobility,but ia $ould be noted ihat tarft crewmen are trainedto cross water obstacles by snorkcting in addition tobridging and ferrying. Soviet tank crews aJe train€dand equipped to operal€ in nuclear and chemical

2. ECmLONS AND RESERVES. In strict Sovielte.ms "echelons" ar€ not us€d below regimental level.The first echelon will be given prinrary objectives.Second echelons are initially assigned objectives whichmay be altered after crossing their linc of departure.A res€rve is not initially assigned a mission and cenbe us€d by the commander ai thc decisive momentof an operation. A tank company can bc assigned tasksin €ither first or second echelons. Suitably reinforccda tank company can be employed as a rcgimentalresewe. lts method of operation will remain the samein any of these rol€s.

3, MISSIONS.

a. As a rule, aank companies operate as parl ofa tank balldion; howeve r, when reinforced by tacticaluniis of other ground forces, lhey arc capable ofindependent operations, Missions of a tankcompany,as parl of a lank battalion or in conjunction with other

(l) Reconnaissance.

(2) March security.

(3) Advance suard.

(4) Attacks from the mdch column.

(5) Deliberate attacks againsl prepared and haslydefenses.

(6) Meetins engagcments.

(7) Forchg or crossing watcr obstacles.

(8) D€fensive operations.

b. when tank companies reinforce motorized rifleunits, tbeir missions are:

(l) To provide additional antitank firepower.

(2) In defense. to provide an armored res€rve.

(3) To lead anacks.

''The basb Ectical concept of the Soviet Amy is offenive action" TS4/SS'S in he Astautt.

CHAFTER 7

TACTICAL FORMATIONS

I. GENERAL.

a. During combat operations the tan* conpanymoves in well rehearsed formations appropna& 10 themision. The place of each t.nk in the phtoon andcompany is fixed. Tant conpanies train for the orderlyand npid redeployment from march and forprocornht and combal lormations. This rraining |sinspected periodicaly by staff officers andcommanders from rcgimenr who judge rhe companytproticiency in executing the formations.

b. SiSnals to deploy or chsng€ formarion areusurlly givcn by flag or hrnd during the march or inprecombat situations and by radio codewords aftercontact has beer made. Navigarion is carried out byofncers, as €nlisied men are not isrued maps. Thefollowing diagrams show lhe usual position of ranksin formation.

2. MARCH FORMATION. During the mrrch a tankcompany mov€s as quickly as possible on roads incolumn formation. The company commrnder leads thecolumn ,nd platoons folow in nurnerical order (seeFigul! 4).

l. PRECOMBAT FORMATIONS. Companies move indiff€ring conligurations of platoon colurm, dependingon the t€rrain and the dkection of the t]}reat- Thes€.r€ called preconbar formations and are xsed toactueve dispeBion when near the enemy or crossingminefields. The first platoon by numerical designationwithin thc company is known as the guide platoon(s.c Figure 5).

PLATOON

4. COMBAT FORMATIONS. Combat folmations aredelermined by the t€rrlin and the fireat. Basically,tanks are formed in line with the company commanderbehind the line to be in position to control his

a. The company assaults in combat formalions atmaximurn speed.ln combat line there is l00m betweentanks. The company commander trav€ls no more than300 meters behind th€ guide platoon commander (seeFisure O.

b. To add depth to .n assault, lhe 'two upformation may be used (see FiSure ?). ln the twoup" formation knks are echelotred so &at all may ffr€in the assault. A similar formation €xists with onlyone platoon up. ln such a ca!€ tlrc guide platoon leads.

c. To protect an expos€d flank an echelonforrnation is us€d (see Figure 8). A similar formalionexists for the tank company to b€ echeloned right (seeFigurE 8).

sEcoNo THIRO

<<>-.{C>OO*O OO-"CO OFioure 4. Tank Column in March Formation

I300

6lII

.t

0A THIRD

0

0sEcoNo/tr

0

t\?1\ FrFsT

0

tV

COMMANDEF

0+0^\ FIFST

0

T(,

t4\ rHrRD

0

sEcoND a

0

TWO UP.INVEFTED "V' ' ONE UP WEDGE

t\?

FrFSr A

0

I(}

sEcoND aPLATOONV

0

+0A THIFOV PLATooN

0

A COMPANY

A

1l FrFsr

I

+(}

(.1 sEcoND

6A rHrFo

0

I corverrv T

Pre battle Tank Formations.

1E

THREE UP LINE

Figure 5.

ECHLONED LEFT

.9

s&

o)

z-<

{€ R

p

E

-+e

g

sO

E.<>

ll5-<

flL..it6

5

<2

:l:FE.9

=

go

-<{r<

> 3

E

?l5IP

o

T6A in March Fomation. Note the 23nn subcalibrc sleeve in d1ebaiel of the leading tank.

Tt2 platoon in combat fomation. Att had:hes arc clogd once the tanks move frcm cotumn fomation.

CHAPTER 8

CBR DEPENSE

t. CBR TRAINING. Tank companics trajn to operaFin a nuclerr, biologrcal, and chenical environmenr.DurinS individutil and cfew lraining it is slressed thdlthe protective features of the tank !r€ good rnd lhaltanl unils can safcly cross conhminalcd areas. Thconly CBR monitoring equipment capability within ih€company is thc dosimetcr carried by lhe companyconmande!. When planning operations. the comprnyconnander considers thc amount ofrrdiation his nenhavc aireaJy rcreired and rre blely lo recervc Incro\ g !onI lnurJred r reas. cBR rc.onnaiNn(cteans nay b€ assigned lo the complny fron theregiment Ior individual operations.

2. PROTECTIVE IIEASURES. Each rank crewmhrr , prorect ivc mask a. lJ prorecr ivc . lo t I rnB. Themask causes sevcrc limitations on visibilily and ihcrubberized protectvc suil. if worn for prolongedperiods, considerably reduces lmop €ffcctiveness.Protectivc clothing is pur on during a CBR attack orwhen thc codeword "AToM" is given ovcr the radio.Audiblc rnd pyrotccinic alarms are also used to wrnrroop! of immincnt CBR attlck. In thc T6:- thcre isa device which culs off the cngine upon detection ofnuclear radiation.

Deconta rinalion routines are cmployed after a CBRaltack. Tank crews bru$ loos€ maleriai from theiftanls as soon as posliblc and laler drivc Io , pointwhcre the v€hicle is pressurc washed ro complete theproccss oi deconlarnination.

4. CBR PREPARIDNESS- The Soviel soldier expeclsto be aitackcd by rucl€ar and chemicalwcapons. CBRtrainiig is re isric and rs included in majo. exercises.Soviet soldicrs md their comm.nders nre awaJe of, andtrain for, r rapid change from nonnuclear to nuclc:iJwJJtlre. Tank comFny operations are plann€daccordingly. and ofren the company is reinforced byspecialish lrom the chemical delense battalion of rhcdivisior.

3. DECONTAMINATION EQUIPMENT.

Tank crcwmen wearing prctective srits and nasks while decontaninating h6ir tank.

Soviet $ldiers arc accustomed to taining in rcatistic exercips wherc CBR attack k sinulated.

1. COMMAND AND CONTROL. A tank companymay be task€d by division, r€gmenl, or battalion tound€rlak€ lo€I reconnaissance missions, A mediumlank company $ more Lkely Io condu.r reconnarss3ncelasks in the offensiv€ than in rhe defensive. Regfnenrarreconnaissance missions are planned up to 50 krnsforward of the main body. At longer ranges thes€missions are executed by reconnaissance units.Reconnais$nce patrols provided by mcdium tanlcompanies on the flanlc of tle rnain body are likelyto operate up to l0 kms ahead of the division andwithin rang€ of arlill€ry support.

2. MINFORCEMTM FOR RECONNAISSANCE. Atank company is normaly rcinfo.ced forrecoMaisgance mjssions, A typical Econnaissanc€gouping would be:

a. A tank company - l0 tanks

b. A motorized nfle plaloon - 3 APC'S

c- An engineer squad - I AIC

d. A chernical reconnaissiulce patrol of 3 or 4chemical sp€cialists - BRDM-2RKH

If the company is acting at long ran8c, a highfrequency radio lirl to battalion will be est5blidDd.In th€s€ circumstances a suirabl€ tadio is mounted itra light truck to accompany the patrol.

3. MISSIONS. Reconnaissance missions can bc divid.dinto two main types;howev.r, it $ould be noted th*eclassi{icatio are not Soviet t€rrnioolos/.

a, Tenain and CRR Montoring farfs. A tantcompany reinforc€d by chemical sp€cialists ard€ngineers may be tasked to carry out d€t4ilcdreconnaissance of mads, bridgrs, water crossing aroas,and obsLacles on lhe division or regimentrl aris. The3ereconnaissance tasks can includ€ CBR monitorinc ofcontaminat€d or suspected areas.

CHAPTER 9

RECONNAISSANCE

-10kn+

Z

Figurc9. Representative Formation ofa Tank Company in Reconnaissancs Role

<C- <+O- *C-NO'€ J

.GI-€ conpany comdand€,

."c i,illi::l?"{Jff:l',s",-",-<-Cl- APc in column wirh T.nks

-+@f right r,u"r *nh Hish FEquencv Fadio

<€! -<{<> +GlF '+t<>-

-+@-

Nore 1r APC Carryins Ensl.4rsqu.d

Note2: E.ch APc cariesono Chsmiel sp.ci.li.t

;l

\ t

L::[:::^';;'tr!tr1?,#"i]"1;,'!iiii,[trfT'X.?f;,i'f",!,#il! move in p'a,oon co'unn

L

24

b. Tacticat Inte iSence Co rctian. The rank

company is con$dered by the Soviets to be suitable

for leconnaissance nissions to Sarn information on the

strength, disposition, organization and movemenl of

enemy forces. Particular reconn3Nsance targets arei

(l) Nuclcal delivery means.

(2) Artillery posiiions.

(3) Communication cenlers.

(4) Comrnand Posts.

(5) Reserrc Fornations.

4. STRENGTHS AND GROLTING. During

reconnaissance a tank company usuallv operates as

f i ree pauo.s. up ro l0 \ms apan dcpenJing on lnc

mBJo; ard rettain. The orsani,/aLion ol dn inrclli8ence

collection patlol is shown in Figure 9

5. ORDERS. ln preparation for th€ reconnaissance' a

ranl coflpany commandel i' givcn oral order, coveringthe fo owins:

a. Enemy forces - composilion, operaiions, ard

b. Missions of adjacent teconnaissance units

c. Atiachmenh to L\e company

d- Direclion and objective ol leconnarssance-

e. Mission.

f. Location and time of crossing the line of

g. Route lo be followed.

h. Point of letum to fri€ndly lines

i. Conmunicarion method and tiequencies.

j. M€thod of reporting

k. Casuaity evacuation Procedurc.

l. Vehicle recov€ry Proc€dure

n. l tefod or conracr wirh recorraissanceaircraft.

n. Recognition siSnrls.

o. Rocedure for delivering pnsoners, capluredequipmcnL, rnd maPs.

Tank company commanders are 'lso siven a briefoutline of the schedul€ ofoperations by other friendlvforces dudng his nission. Alier estimating the

situation, the commander issues oral orders to patroi

comnanders in accotdancc wilh the above formrt. He

also designates a second in conmand - pfobablv th€

senior phtoon commander.

6. MOVEMENT AND OBSERVATION.

a. Movcment is made by road dt mdximum spe€d

in either company column or platoon columns to thepoint (or poims) at which the enemy is likelv lo be

encountcred. Reports on terrdn and roads are made

by radio. Once enemy contact is likelv, trnks moveby bounds, covering each odre-rl thcy remain on roads

where possible. Populated aJcas and water obstacles are

approached with caution, under cover rvhere fdsiblelf observation reveals no enemy positions, thenpopulated areas are reconnoitered and water obst"les

b. During the reconnaissancer tank commandersnormaly will have their hatches open At night lRdevices are used. Listening posts rnay be set up inplaloon strenglh. These posts are 15 kms from rhemdn compmy pa!.ol- Selected tank crewmen obserleor encm) a i t ac l rury r l , roughoul l }e reconla i . \dnce

7. ACTION ON MEETING ENEMY Th€ rank

company aitempts io avoid action duringreconnaissance by bypassing enemv posrnons.

Ambushes are planned to capture men and equipnrenlfor intelligence purposes.

25

CHAFTER IO

MARCH SECURITY OPERATIONS

Sect ion A Concepts

l SMALL SCALE OPERATIONS. The Sovietsanticipate that, du€ to the use of CBR weapons,modem warfare wil result in a large number of smallscaie operations conducted consecutively in dilferentdireciions and over wide frontages. The majoriiy ofthcsc aclions will be between forces rapidly advancingtoward each other,

2. SECURjTY ELEML\fS. The act ions of opposingforces security elemen|s are colsidered to be of great

Section B Lead March

3. TASK. A r€inforced tank company is employed asa foruard secudly elemenr when ir \ barralon r j ar ladvance guard. The Soviet erm for a companyemployed in lhis rol€ is "lead march sccuritydetaclment (LMSD)." The tasks of a tank comparyacting as the LMSD are to ,rllow l}le rapid andunimpeded mov€menl of the mdn colunn by:

a. Neutalizing enemy reconnaissance.

b. Protecting the column from surprise attack.

c. Clearing the designated roule ol light

d- Acting as a base of fire for offeosive actionby supporting units in the cleding of hca!ry opposition.

e. Reportirg on te(ain and CBR contaminationto higher headquuters.

The LMSD nornally follow the routes r€connoiteredby reconnaissance forces and have the support of theremainder of its parent iank battalion and ofattachedartillery. The LMSD operatcs aboui 5 kms in frontof the column il prctects.

4. PLANNING. Th€ LMSD tank conpany conmanderreceives information similar to that received by Lherecoffnissance company commander (see Chapter 8).In addition he receives full delails of friendlyreconnaissance nrissions to his front and flanks.

imporlance by the Sovieh. The need for rapid, decisiveaclion by batlalion and conpaty commanders, wilhstrict tacrical formations, is stressed in Soviet militarywritings. Due to the CBR threat and the introducrionof sophisticated d€vices for use during darkness, manymeeting engagements are expecled to taj(e place atnight. Wiie each unit or formation is responsible foriis own security, , common task for the tank companyis to provide s€curity for a moving column.

Secudty Detachnlent

logelher with information on prujected anborne oranhnded operations along his route. The limc to passeach control point on the route is sp€cificd. Anevalualion of enemy forc€s, tenain. and obslaclcs tobe crossed is then made. lnd coordination coDductedwilh supporting tactical units. The companycommander fien gives oral orders to his subordjnatesfor the accomplishment of the nrisson.

s. STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION. A rdnkconlpany cmployed as an LlttSD would prob:rbly bc

n- A battery of l2lmm howitzers.

b. A motorizcd rifle plrloon.

c. A combdt enginccr delachnrent.

d. Chcmicri defens€ specialists.

c. Traffic regulators.

Possibly the following subunits would be added inapPropdate circumstanccs:

(a) An antlaircraft artillery ection.

(b) An ,ssrult crossins platoon.

Several company tants arc fitted with minc ploughs.

27

6. METHOD OF OPERATION. Tte LMSD normalyoperales in company column and expccts lo overcomelidt opposition while remaining in that formation. TheLMSD is employed as shown in FiBUre 10. r'r'o.e thatth€ company commander lcads the tank column. Thedistance bctw€en vehicles and subunits is 25 50m€ters. Individual tank! or APCS are usually detailedto give the LMSD front and ilank proteclion. DuriDSthe advance, only the compdny commander mdkesradio transmissio.s, 8ivir8 ordcr! by codewords orcode numbers. Control of lhe column is exercised byflag signals by day and signrl fiares by nidt. Air attacki! courtered by increasing speed ard march inl€rvals.Antiaircraft fire is delivercd on order of the companycommander. Dwing short h3lts the vehicles close towithin 10 meters of each other. A1 long halts th€company deploys into a perimetcr defense. LMSD dutyrotales within the companies of th€ battalion.

7. TRiFFIC REGULATION. During lactical movesSovict combat units rely on dnections given by lrafficregulators. It is likely tha. th€ route to be followedby the nain body will be marked by trdffic rcgulatorsaccompaJrying the LMSD. Tra*ic conhol points areprobably established by the division traffic controlcompany based on inforrnation prssed back by ther€connaissanc€ battalion and lMsD.

8. ACTION ON CONTACTINC THE ENEMY. TheSoviets expecr the LMSD to seize the hitiative andto surpri!€ and be capable of defeating a numedcallysuperior force. lt will normally attack from a flank.Ord€rs issucd by LMSD commander by radio onnraking enemy contact are short and contain $efolowinB:

a. Description of ariilefy targets and rime foropcning fire.

b. Tank platoon ax€s, boundaries, md assault

c. Missions and sssaull lines for supporting

d. Combar engine€r and chemicdl specialistpositions and missions in combat.

e. Order to open fire and the attack signal.

9, BNCAGEMEM.

a. The enemy is engaged directly from the marcncolumn. Tank platoons deploy from comprny colufiniflto platoon columns and then into combat line.Motodzed infantry gencraly folows the tanks andremains mounted in A?Cs duling th€ assadt. Hatchesare closed when the LMSD mo!€s from precombat into

b. If the enemy is in gr€atly superior strenSth,the LMSD w act as a bas€ of fire. Th€ LMSD ulesrls ftrE power ro prerenr fie enemy from orgarlizinSan effective defens€ while the remainder of ihe 3dvanceguard delivers a flank attack. lf th€ enemy attemptsto withdraw, the LMSD will pursue without a$,aitingfurther orders.

i!!_+O@Y6-d

-@c" - *m- - . * * . - -

+<D_ r-rtu,*n''sde,-tu,*,

'C m.."* "-'"

a*- . rrc

_ + hdv*b

@ *t *" vr * *" * + a*-. -'r

Figure 10. Composition and Deployment of Lead March Security Detachment.

2A

l0r LATEML MARCH SECtruTY DETACHMENT.Wher€ rhe.c is a thr€al to a flank of th€ main body,a Einforced tsnk company acts as a laleral marchsecurity detaclunent. This detachment operates and isrelnforced similarly to an LMSD. lt mov.s on a routeperallel to th€ axis of the mrifl body atrd about fivekilom€ters f.om it.

I I . REAR MARCH SECURITY DETACHMENT. Th€Soviet lerminolory for r€ar guard is "rear marchsecurity detachment (RMSD)." Such a detachmentfollows the protected column by about five kilometers.A tank company reinforced with combrt en8ineers

Section C Security of Flanks and Rear

29

may be ordered to carry out the actions of a rear guardduring widrdrawal operations. Th€ aim ol lhedetachment is to prevent pcnelration of lhe mair|column. The RMSD coven the combat engin€ers asthey construct or demolish ohtacles. The RMSD mayambush puNuing eocmy forc€s during retrogrrdc

12. SECURITY WITITIN A BATTAUON COLUMN.In a battalion column, compades hava a primeryres?olsibility for their own security. Coilpanycommanders ,re ready to support the LMSD by meansof an enveloping attack from the ma.ch column toeither llank-

CHA TER II

THE OFFENSIVE

Section A Tactical Doctrine

l. CONCEPIS. Soviet doctrine emphasiT-es thatoffensive action h thc basic combat aclivity of tankunits. Thc ain in each offensive operation is 10concentrate €nougir firePower to deshy enemydefenses on a narrow frontage md to penelralc h'sposition in depth. Once an off€nsivc gains monentum.Soviet doctrine cals for rclentless pressure. day andnighl, to exploii initial success. This is designed tofragmenr enemy force" and preclude rhe enenr) s useof tactical nuclear weapons.

2. MISSIONS. A tank €ompany will usually take partin offensive operations as paft of a battalion and islupporled by other combat drms. A lank companynray be given on€ uf rwo mrssrons. Whcn lhe cnemy sboundaries can be cleaiy identincd the mission is 10desrroy the enemy within a particular sector or stongpoint. Whcn enemy boundaries are not clearly defined,the tank company rvill be ordered to seizc and holdkey terrain unlil given funher objective. Thes€missions will take placc in the folowmg typc of

a. The mee ting engagcment.

b. The breakthroogh.

c. The pursuil.

3. ATTACK FORMATIONS AND FRONTAGES. Atanl company normally attacks on a frontaSe of 800meter! wilh 100 melers between tanks and I00 metersbetwecn subunits when under nuclear conditions. Innonnuclear conditions the compafly frontaSe may bereduced 10 500 mcters with 75 meters between tanksand subunits. A platoon frontage is rot grea@r than200 m€ters-

4. FORMS OF ATTACK I,{ANEUVER. A tankcompany in either rhe first or sccond ech€lon has twobasic forms of altack:

a. The fronaal attack when thc enemy has noassailable flank. Considerable effort is made loneutralize the enemy by means of nuclear, chemical,or convcntional fires before a frontal all8ck.

b. An enveloping attack -€ithcr close or deep (seeFigure ll). A close envelopmeot is direct€d igainst theflmk of ,n enemy and is srrpported by the tu€ ofunits attacking frontally. A deep ervelopment hdirected againsl the flanks or rear of an enemy to adep$ beyond the range of direct fire support weaponsof lhe frontally attacking units. An envcloping forceis reinforced for ifldependent action and coordinatesby radio it! tactical operation with units altackingfrontally- Clos€ and deep envelopmeot! are lrlralysupporred by prcplanned artillcry fre.

t -

En.ny Ddf€mivo Pl.loon Posnio.

t,trA' t,-

, ' \

:--=- :ii#il':'"ilil",'"*"-% HowiEer rars.r

122nm Howitz{ SdtterY

- - . - - - - - /

,t/// Mete6'9r--Y

Figure 11. Enveloping Attack by Reinforced T6nk Company

32

Section B The

5, CONCEPI.

a. The Soviets defme the mecling engsgement rscombat betweer opposing columns rapidly advancingtowards each other. Meeting engagemenls src mostlikely to occur in the following circumstanccs:

(l) During an advance to conllct.

(2) Fo owing a successful brelch orbre akthrough of enemy defcns€s.

(3) In the course of an en€my counl€rattack.

(4) w]len Soviet forcc, are counterdlrarking.

(s) Durins pursuit.

b. The Soviets consider that succ€ss is Sained inm€eting engagements by the first force to dcploy inlocombat formation and attack with the support ofartillery and other weapons. The meeling en8ugementis a bartalion or regimenta.l operation which may bcdivided into ttuee phases:

(l) Advance of march column!.

(2) Depioyrnent of secunly €lemcnts.

(3) Assaull of the 'nain body.

c. Thh s€ction concentrates on the deploymentof th€ tank comp.ny in the assault of the main body.

6, CONDUCT OF THE MEETINC ENGAGEMENT,

Mccting Engagement

!. On contact with the enemy, rhe conmanderin the LMSD deploys into a combal formation todclver maximum fire to halt the cnemy. He reports1() Ihe battalion comrnander thc strength, composition,and locahon of the enemy force. lf possible he attacksrhe encmy, fronr or f lank. I f the encmy has supcriortuepower thc LMSD conmander seiz€s key terrain toact as n base of lire for an artack by the main body.

b. After receiving the LMSD commanderssilualion report, the baatalion commander evaluateslhe situation. He transrnits orders to rhe main body,which movcs into precombal formation: Whiledeploying, thc tank €omprny commander can expectto receive informalion as to:

( l ) His mission.

(2) Missions of adjacent-units-

(3) Artillery supporl.

(4) Sisnds to b€ used durine $e assaul!.

c. The company commander then transmitsmissions to rhe platoon commanders while thecornpany rnovcs inio combat linc- The atlack isconducted as a on€-phare operation with a singleobjective. This initial objective is a predesignated lineon lh€ ground. The mectinS €ngaSernent is completedwhcn the encmy is destroyed, is forced into a defensiveposition, or withdrawr. The tan]( company may thenpursLre, or temporarily def€nd, depending on th€succes of the engagement-

Section C The Brcakthrough

?. CONCEFI.

a. The Soviets recognize that a deliberale attackis requned:

(1) To defeat enemy forc€s in prepared defensivepositions which cannot be bypass€d.

(2) To exploil an inirial stalemale in a mee.ingenSagement.

(3) To neutralize lntitank weapons. llrlillerypositions, headquarters, and communications facilitics.

b- The Soviets consider ahat succcss is determiredbyi

(l) Dispersion to reduce vuln€rability to nuclealweapons dudng preparation for the.ssault.

(2) Speed in the asrault by combned arms teams.

(3) simultaneous attacks by breakthrough for€eson naflow frontages.

(4J Continuous rcconnaissance lo wam ofencmy

33

8. PREPARATION AND PLANNING.

a. ln bre*thfough operations a tank companycan be reiniorced by, or reinforce, notorized .ifleunils. In eilher caie its iaciics would be the same.

b. B€fore the attack, the cornpany commanderrcceives oral orders from the battalion commander andmakes an cstimate of th€ situation. He conducls areconnaissance with his plaroon leaders andcommanders of attached and supporling units. Uponcompleting his reconnaissance, the companycommander issues oral orden which include:

(l) Disposition and composition enemy forces.

(2) The missions ol the company and its altachedmd supportnrg units.

(3) Infornatioi on adjacent units and dreir

(4) The direcrion of advancc.

(5) Combat formirions.

(6) Lines of d€parture/deployrnent and aslautt

(7) The coordination of mdio communications.

(8) Codewords.

(9) Arrangemcnls for arti cry support.

(10) Vehiclc recovery and repan.

(11) C sualty evacuat ion.

(12) Locarion of the second in command.

c. Pialoon commanders reconnonre fie groundwilh tank commanders if there is tin€.

9. COORDINATION OF FIRE SUPPORT,

a. A tank company commander orients hissubordinales on artillery suppo(. Ref€rence poinls 3redesignated and assi8ned codewords. These refer€ncepoinh are used 1(] cal for and adjust suppo ng ine.It is significant that the comprny commander and notan rrtillery forwrd obselver calls for supportingartillery fire drough the battalion commander. Platoonconrmnden can request fire support from th€conrprny commrnderr but individual tank commandem

b. It is apparenl that rl pfeseni Sovier conrpanycomnanders do nol always understand lnd propcrlyuse the techrliq es of fire support coordinarion. Irtheir orden 1() subordinates they merety repeat thecoinpany's nission without explaining and tying in lhem€ans by which fire support is provided. Artillery firesupport h often pre.planned, may be unobserved, andis usually tued on a schedule.

IO. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS.

breakthrough:

( l ) Fron t le

two methods of launching a

march aBainst an ill prepared

III

(2) By deliberate assaulr againsr prepareddefenses from a holding area..

b. Breakthroud operalions from the mrJch ar€dynamic. spontaneous, and unpredicrablc. Therefore,only opcrations launch€d from a holding area arc

ll. ACTION lN THE HOLDING AREA. A rankconpany commander preplres his compary forcombat while .egimental ord€rs are being issued to t}€batialion commander. Tanks arc .efueled, scrviced, andresupplied wilh ammunition. After receipt of thebaltalon commande' i orders, reconnJissance rsconductcd and ord€rs given lo platoon commandcrs.Time pcrmitling. reh€rrsals are carried out. Movementfrom thc holding arei is shown in Figure 11.

12. ADVANCE TO ASSAULT POSITION. A lmkcompany mo!€s forward, on order, with ils

a. the mov€ froln the holding a.ea is timed sothat the Iine of dcpadure is feached al the ri especified in the battalion order. If thc attack is to b€preceded by a nuclelr strile sg nst forward enemypositions, arrangemenls aJe made to protect lheattacking force from the sirike. Ar€as aftordingprotection from radialion are pr€selected along theroute and ar€ occupied only us long as necessary toshield the tanks and attached units frofi radrluun.

b. The company deploys into precombatformation approximately lwo kjlometers from the iincof conlact. Platoons dcploy inlo combll formationapproxirnately 500 meters beiore reaching th€ line ofcontacl (see Figue l2).

34

I!l

LINE OF DEPLOYMENTFNOM COMPANY INTO

PLATOON COLUMN

DEPLOY INiOPLATOON LINE

0

HOWITZEF BATTEFY

IlvEnemy Platoon Posnions

EnemV AnliTank Guided Missile

l22mm Howit2er Battery

-r6nk Plaroon in Combar Fomdion

i-a

ol-o!aI

tQ-f -$t .r-, ""'o".von

Firios Line

- i . n iantv in A$al l r Form5t ion

{t+ Banaion commande,

<+-O companv commande,

€ ranrs ana nPcsln cotumn

> Boundary of Prim6ry Dneclion of Fno

Figure 12. Advancefrom a Hold ing Area.

REINFORCED COMPANYLEAVES WAITING AF EA

]N COLI ]MN

I3. ASSAULT. The tank comprny. when leading thcassault, movcs.at hid speed, firins on encny weaponsand personnel in ihe forwdd cdgc of ihe battle are.(FEBA). When required, ensireeB prcpdre passagesthroush antitank obstacles forward ofthe defenses rndcompany tankr equipped with nine ploughs nakehasly gaps in rninefields. If there are no gaps in fieminef ie lds a1d mine p lougi ( rc nor a\a i l rb le. hccompany advances through the minefield in preconbat

a. Undcr cover of supporting fires. tdnk andattached motorizcd ritle units attempt to penetate thedefenses, and lhen continue the advance- A tankconpany supports adjacent units but do€s not deviatefrom its own dircclion of advance. Momentun ismaintained even when supporting clements ale slowedor hnlted.

b. In thc !t1ack. irnks fire on the movc, tiolnshort halts, or at the halt. The preferred method is1o fire on the move, which provides immediaiefuepower wiihout slowing rhe lempo oI the advance.The short hrll is used to fire one aimed round fronthe nain gun or several bursts from th€ mrchinegun.A longer halt is used to fire three to four rounds. Whenlanks encounter a target of imporlancc to the mission,concenrrated fife of rhe company is used. Tanks haltbehind available cover and continue 1l) lire until thetarget is neu tralized.

c. Attached motorized rifie unils norrnally folowthe tanks by t0010 500 melers. Nlotorized nfle troopsrcmdn nounled whenever possibie and try to maintainthe sa]n€ speed as the tanks. finng Luoud the portsof the APCS dunng rc assrult. (see Figur€ t3)

d. Afler overcoming the for*dd positions oftheeneny defense. tank units become the spearhead ol'the advance and are given priority oI arlillery support.Enemy strong points arc bypa$ed. If the advance ofa cornprrry is haited and a flankjng mancuv€r is notpossiblc, the cornprny comrnander calls for addilionalfire support. Tanks tllen move under cov€r ofsupportins lire in theiJ ,ssigned direclion as taJforward as possible. Radiological or cbemicarcontamiturted areas do nol slow the lernpo of theadvance; ihese areas arc cross€d rapidly or bypassed.

14. E)CLOITATION. Afier overrunning an €nemydetensive posilion, a tank company commander ordelshis tanks to continue the attack. If re sisknce co apsescompleicly. the company forms into march fbrmationand continues in pursuit of the wilhdrawing enemy.

15, BREA(THROUGH OF A HASTY DEFENSE. Ahasty defcnsive position is characterized by hck ofensinecr lortifications, inadequate tuc pldnning, andsignificant gaps within the dcfcnsive positions. TheSoviets consider th€ enemy in a hasty defense, wiallempi to stfengthen his position along key tedain.

a. The basis for success in overrunning a hastydefensc is to attack from the march wiihout lengthypreparation. Penetralion is suplorted by availableariillery fire and air slrikes. The rapid mornentum andshock created by aggressive use of tanks is intcndedto disrupt cncmy withdrawal, and to forc€ picccne.lcommitmcnl of reserves. A sudden attack s€izes theinitiative. while conlinuous-plessure forces th€ enemyto nght without coordinaiion.

b. A tank company approachcs tJIe enernydefensive position in march or combal formation.Durng t]Ie approach, the company commanderreceives ofde6 by radio liom the battalioncommander. These orders specify the line ofdeploymcnt, the objective within the FEBA and thedirection offurther advance. The compiny conmsndefevaluates the situation, and transmits ordcrs to theplatoons. when support€d by motorized rifle units, thecomprny conrmander delincs thel missions and assaultpositions- The assault is th€n cdlied out in samemanner as lllal descdbed in pragrrph 13 (s€e Fisure14).

16. TANK PLATOON AS BATTALION RESERVE,A iank plaloon can be used as a ballilion reseffeduring offensive operrlions. Its tasks are exptoitation,mopping up bypassed pockets of resistance, or thesuppolt of motoriz€d rifl€ units a5 an immediateantitank defense. During the offensive, the reserveplatoon will follow the battalion commander onetaclical bound behind the combat formation. Thebattalion commander transmits missions to the leserveplaloon, which usually mov€s through a gap in th€baitali:Jn lin€ or from the flanki.

5(! -.H-"] -.n :' \

'r

?1T A N K s a N D A P c s I

IN F INAL +AssAULrPosrroN

a

| .-.\ *ir:it",i:*it t \ \ l ' J

. wooos | \ \ \ J.

i:.,/\\\\ |: iJ,l / \ l\\ \ |

;ii,\ /(\\ \ /i' i ':',' \ l"ll ioJoo o'."tu",J I L/ANo MovEs lNro \-,/ / ,/FIRE posrnoN\

,/ rt

\ v,// i\ --z'r',/ t\r-t' ll' i

\ z i t I coupo"" .o""o"o.^a . / l l i 2 r d a N D 3 ' d r A ' { \ P L A r o o N s\ J l I i i w l H w o a P c s v o v E

r-, i | . I r -oqtcHr |LA,,J(

t '-e.:: bll l$r,: \i i IJf.{.die{ | ; I

t:#, \iln:# \i I

MOVING ENEMYINTANKS

.lO<r4O-

<€

+ll-

+I

, r l nv-*-\/

'rank P atoo. in Co amn

E*!

12nm Hown.er 8.[..y :

Dismounred APC Sq!.d

Tank Platoon on Fl.ing Line

Borndary ol Primrry Onecti.n

Figure 13. Assauh Formations.

37

IFE POSITIONMOVES INTO

TANK COMPANY IN ASSAULT

TANK COMPANY/ANO IN FANTRY '

ENGAGE ENEMYALBEADYIN POSIT ON

PLANNEDAFT LLEHYTAHGEIS

SECONDAUY @@-rNrRD @@

Figufe 14. Breakthrough oflhe Hasty Delensive Position.

38

| - - - - -

l-- a''* \@0-.H \-, - , \

\

tt

HLal

o

ffi.I

!iii i,"'

I !'"^4i,,...r'/ ?t**.;i

.1 / /Y l , /

.l

{ f'^'iw;:t"la'i

I

SEOUENCEOF EVENTS SI]OWING POSS BLE CONCUFBENT ACTIV TY

Section D Pursuit

17. CONCEPTS. Pursuit is the continuation of lheadvance against a disorganized, withdrawing enemy. Atank company with its mobility and firepower isideally suited for pursuii. Company commanders arerequired io initiaie pu$uit immediately uponindication of €n€my withdrawal; they then inform thebattalion command€r. The Sovi€t aim is to tum ahnited enemy withdrawal into a full scale retreatfirough pursuit by units in contact. Punuit jrcontinued day and night and t t€rminated only onorders of the higher commander or becaue of strongenemy resistance. Reinforcement and employment ofa trnk company in pursuil will be similar to t}Iat ina meeting engaSemeni.

18. CONDUCT OF THE PURSUIT. A rcinforced lant(conpany participates in pursuit as part of a laBerforce. The pursuit may be direct, parallel, o. acombination of both, in which ca.se it will be aregimenlal operation.

a. Dicct pursuit is the continued frontal pressurcapplied against r withdralving enemy to deny him timeto reestablish a def€nsve posilion-

b. Paralel pursuit is rapid movement along axesparallel to the enemy withdrawal route,with the intentto attack his flanks or rear.

c. A combined pursuit is the application of bothdirect and parall€l punuit against a withdrawing en€my(see Fisure l5).

19. MISSIONS OF THE TANK COMPANY INPtlRSUlT. Probable mirsions for a tark comparyengaged as part of a lflrger forc€ in pursuit op€rations

a- Reconnaissance,

b. March s€curity d€tachments.

c. Tank ambush parties.

d. Seiziog key terrain on with&awal rcutcs.

A tank company punues in -rnarch or pr€combatformation and moves into combat formations on

20. LOGISTIC SUPPORT. Pursuit operarions requireconsiderable logistic support both in ammunition andPOL. Higher headquarters must keep supplies wellforward and readily availabl€ io the pursuit forc€s.

!

6 "'!tiiv*

lal

+l

0 .*^o-- '

Figure 15. Direct and ParallelPursuh.

39

'^"- \

Section E Ni!fit Attacks

21. CONCEPTS. The Soviets consider night attack sa normal operation to maintain momenLun. Nightattacks gain surprisc, reduce casurlties, rnd nrinimizethe thrert of nuclear attack- With improved nighlvision and batrlefield illumination d€vices, the Soviclsplac€ the same reliance oo tanks that they do duringthe day. Tank units are accompanied by motorizedrifle and artillery udts for mght offensives. Themajority of night attacks are deliberate, but targets ofopportudty will be exploited by a hasty arhck shouldthe opportunity occur.

22. PLANNINC. A tank battalion commander flansnight attacks and briefs and conducts rcconnaissancewith hb company commanders duing dayligh! ifpotsible. If lime permils. d relaln recdnnaissrncc irconducted during darkness so that the difficulties ofcontrol, coordination, and illunination can b€rerolved. Preparation and planning for a niBhr attackis extensive ifit is launch€d against a preprred position.It will include:

a. Establishins easily recognized refer€nce point!.

b. M.rking $e axis of adv,nce-

c. hsuinS thc azimuth for the direction of the

d. Coordinating the usc of night vision dcvicesand bardefield illumination means.

Coordinarion of company boundaries and usc ofaiillely fire is Sivcn grcal cmphdis. A crrefui ch€ckof lankr is madc to ensure lhat unautlorized vehicleliShb are extinguished (see Figurc 16).

23. ADVANCE TO ASSAULT POSITION. Coveredroutes to the asaull positions are us€d, if possible,to counter the effech of enemy night vision anddetection equipmenl- [f there are no covered routes,tanks move to their line of deployment in marchformatiofl under covcr of artillery. A supported nightattack is preceded by a short intense artillerypreparation. Artillery firc is planned to neutralize theenemy and to destroy mcans of night surveillance. Ifthere is an ilumination plan, this is implemented aftertlle artillery prcparation is oomplete.

24. CONDUCT OF THE ASSAIiLT. Od order, thetank companies lead the assault in combat formation.They open fire using night vision d€vices or ih€daylight sight whne on the mow.lvlinefields and otherobstacles arc negotiated tbrough previously markedIanes. Tank ale folowed by motorized rifle units inAPCS. Emphasis is on desuoying enemy pockets ofresistance without maneuvcring at the staft of theattack. Tank units atlempl to ldvanc€ directly alongprcdcsignatcd rcules using directional S/ro compasses(see Encloslrre 3). Reference points and azimuths areused to reorient taits whi.h deviale from their.outes.If the tank company encounl€n a superior enemyforce, temporary posilions are selected to provide goodfields of fire, antitani defense, and cover from nuclearstrikes. Enemy counleraltacks arc repolsed byconcentrated tank and arlillery fire. Repuls€ of anenemy counterattack is followed immediately by anrttack on a flank to regain lhc initiative- The tempoof thc advanc€ continues throughout the folowing dayand night. At first Iight the company commanderreevaluatcs thc situaiion and hsues new ordcrs, payingparticular altcnlion to lik€ly eneny countcraltackroutes. If the siluation permits. fuel and ammumtionare called fooard and damagcd hnks 3nd casualtiesevacurled by the battalion repair and evacuation group(REG).

40

lF FEFERENCEPOINT

ENEMY

Figure 16. Control lvleasures for NightAttack.

Nore 1 Azimlth ot Atact is fxedon the dri@Fmechanic andCommander Di.ecrional cyo

Nore2 The singalro aitack is qivenby an llluminaiion Fa.e or bynadio Cod*ord

IIl

?2MILS

J. COLOBEO LIGHTAND

a TRAFFTC BEGULATOFS

A MARKTHEPOINTIO

V TURNOFFINFRARED

A DRrvrNcArDs

STARTLINE HELDAY MOTORIZEO RIFLETROOPS .

* COLORED LIGHTAND_

TBAFF|C REGU LAToRsMARK BOUTE FOFWARO

FOFTANKCOMPANY

\

4 l

Sectior F Offensives

15. MOUNTAIN AREAS. Th€ Soders resafd rhelimitins faclors of terdin and engrne peffornrnce !obe restrictive but not insurmountable to arnroroperations in mounrain areas. Thc lank companyrequres J0 ro 50 percenr mo e fJel lor mounrarnoperations. Pioneer tools are fequired for each tank.Th€ vElue of supporting molorized rifle units andattached artillery and mortars is hig! in rnountainoperations. Company tactics ar€ des'gned to exploilf i repower. Combar formarions emplo) r \e maximumpossible number of lanks forward. Extensivereconnaissance is lequired to avoid enemy tankambushes. The tank company commander a1t€mpts tomove on roads. using lateral and plrallel rodds tomaneuver 1o the flanks of cnemy posiiions. March andprecombat fornution intcrvals are doubled duringmounoln operatrdns.

26. FORESTS AND MARSIILANDS. In forests andmarshlands nrovement is restricted to roads, llrebrerks, and ttuough sparse woods and clearings. Tankcompanies normally opente in conjunction lvithinfanlry. Mov€ment is restricted to columrs, bui

in Diilicult Terrain

echcloned movc rent on parallel routes and sonrc fankmaneuve. may bc artemptcd. contact between unjtsis nraintained by disnounted infant.y. The Soviets s€cthe problem of operations in forests and mdshes ,sbeing rerrain, restrictions on tank gun range, control,observation, and orientation. Rates of advance aregeatly reduced. Tlrc destruction caused by nuclearslflkes in iorest or mdsnland dicrares rh-ar engineersupporl be atlached to tank companies lor operatjons.In summer the provision of repellent to ward off"winged blood sucking insec$" n thought to be

27. OPERATIONS IN SNOW. During operaiions insnow, the problems of overcoming terrain and lowrempcratures are Siven mofe emphasis than tactics.Opcrations in soch aJeas are connder€d by ihe Sovietslo be dependenr on ihe ef1-ectiveness of loghticsupfort. In parlicular, clorhirg, anti-frostbjleequipment, ard vitanin prcprations are considered tobe indispensiblc. Moveme t is restrjcted and attacksare Iaunched fronr column irs near lo cnemy posilioni

1^

Flrb.. F,aifarnation in snow covered mounEin area.

42

;3T62's ope.ating n narch

CHAPTER 12

R]VER CROSSINC OPERATIONS

l. CONCEPTS. Soviel racrical doctrinc stresses thcimportance of c.ossing rivers,gaps, and \{ater obsraclcswithout losinS momenrun. Bridging. f€rrying. .rndamphibious equipment is designcd to cross watcrobstacles as rapidiy as possible. When crossing warcrobstaclcs. a medium lank compury oFrares J\ prol a barral ion. The company n)rr cros drc uo\racrein one of thc following ways:

a. Over pcrmaoent or lemporafy bridges.

b. Orer tank launched bridge s€crions.

c. Orrr truck launchcd pontoon bfldg€s.

d. Owr amphibious bfidg€ seclions or feffies.

e. Tracked self propclled ferries.

2, PLANNINC AND CONTROL.

a. The Soviets cros! warer obsractes from rhe tincof tnarch. This presupposes that rcconnaissance andsecurity operations have bcen carried our md rharengineer prepmtions have bcen completed or rankshave been prepared for snorkelinS.

b. The ba al ion .onrmander no,ma y re.crvesr ldju orde6 shich designare lhe cro:JE 3,ea. Thebattalion headquarrers controh rhe crossins as shownin Fisurc 17. A re8ularion st.rioh is estabiished nearlhc crossing sitcs. Each fordin8 site is conrrolled by,r crossing command€r who \rili normaly be from thertrached rngineer unrr. A cornrnmJ po\t is sct up onDolh bJn\ to Jonrrol forward cumpanie\ c,osslng rhcobnJ. le. This wi l l be undcr Jirel t ron o' the barral iondeputy comnandcr for technical matters. Rour€s rocfossing sites will be mjrked. The repdr and recovcry8roup. battrlion aid stalion, and rce service elcmeniscross af(cr rhe rank companies_

3. FORDING. A sire 30 to 50 meiers wide ls useolbr_a compmy cfossing water obstacles by deepforJin;. ln hi \ modc lhe ranL requfes no preparat ionf loweve,. rhe bdnks of rhc obrracte mJ) needprcparation where vehicles enter and exjt rhe warer.A tank may pass through a deplh of 1.4 meterswithout a snorkel. Markcr! indicare the site. and atniShl green Lighr\ are used to nJicate duccr ion.

. .. :j.t::.iaai:: - . . .

754/55 being loaded onto a fetry before crc$ing e water obsbcte. All but first echeton uniEwittnomally ctoJs water obsdcles by btidge or fetry.

1"

oaJEcnvEs

cRossrNG SrTEs

f...l,.z BATTAL|ON

COMMANDIb\POSTIFAR BANK)

I/

II

+??

TANKS IN POSMONTO SUPPbRT CiOSStNG

ROUTES MARXED FOR

\ oAYANDNTGHTUSE

xh TANK coMPANrEs_--l

\-- IN COLUMNFr

RECONNAISSANCEAND

\I CROSSINGSITE

15t]l2mm

Figure 17. River Crossing Control Organization.

CFOSSINGSITE

WATERCROSSINGCOMMANDEF

OETACHMENTS

BATTALION PBEPARATION A8E{

44

4, SNORKELING.

a. Soviet tanks equipped with snorkels can crossunder a wrt€r obstacle up to 5.5 meten in dcpth.Preparation of the enlrancc dnd exir points of theobstacle may tre required. Tdnks require prepamtionand tank crews undergo lraining to learn Morkelingtechniques-

b. Tines 10 prepare a nedium tmk unit for as.lorkel crossing of a water barri€r vary greatly withthe type of tank involved but normally it is abour Il/2 hours. The tunel is scded with an infiaiable rubbcrdevice. Specirl onc way vatves are attached to theexhaust system to alow ihe cilaust funres to escapebut prevent waier lrom entering. Tte rernahingexposed working parts are snreared with rcsin andsnorkels re then attached. SpeciJl wide "chimneysnorkels are used in training only. These are wideenough for a nan to esclpc throush. h combat anuow tube is used ibr lcntilation. Tanks are orrvcncross the obstacle on a preassigned nagnetic xzinulh.with necessary corrections to left or righl glvcn byradio from tank on the banks In conbal. aftcr lclvlngthe water the snorkcl rs jettisoned. The iank Lhcnrequnes about 20 minutcs work before it can operatenorrnr y. A. snorkelirg lank must be driven slowly inlow gear as the tracks t€nd lo slip. Care must ahobe taken. or it will slall and luve to b€ pulled outof the waier. Tank crcws use gas mask equipment whlesnorkelinS as a source of oxygen. Snofkeling tanks ale'lulnerable to undeNater obstacles. soft dver beds,swiftly flowing curents, and debris. Wlrcnever po$ibleth€ Soviets cross water obstacles by ferry or bridges.

5. STAGDS IN CROSSING WATER OBSTACLBS. AtJnk company may be called 10 cross a water obstaclein either reconnai$ance or march securily rolc!, ur aspart of tle main body. The merhod ofcrossing a waterobslacle is deternined by the mission of the tankcompany i! the advmcmg colunrn.

a. Reconnaissance. Tant companies in thercconnaissance role are reinforc€d by ensineers, divers,and chcmical specialish to survey nver banks to findsuitable crcssing si1€s. Motonzed infantry and ariileryare in support- If Llnderwater sufley is requlred, it willprobably bc conducted at night. Reconnarssanc€elements also seek 1() identify ensting bridges orfordinS sites rs well as enemy positions on both banks.

b Seunry Daachnelrs T€n\ companiescmployed as security detrcbmcnts s€ize crossin€ areasdiscovercd by reconnarssmce elemeots and attempt touse shallow fords 1o estabiish a lridgehead on rhe farbank. nre nerr bmks of crossing sites are held untiithe afrival of ihe main body if the €nemy slrengtlprer€nts an immediate c.ossing.

c. Main Bodt. A company rrl t]rc main bodycrosses the obsiacle using either fofds or esrablish€dcrossing sites under the cover ofsecudty detachments.After crossing lhe obsiacle. it morcs on d€signatedroutes to its objective, perhaps three to four kilomelersfrom the obstacie. If the bat.alion has no !€curityeiements, a company will cross as a LMSD aft€rinlensive concentrations of anillery and tank fue.

754b5 fitted with the narrcw snotkel tube u#d in conbatopentions Note the covet on the gun muzzte.

1R.w6a srank)

CHAPTER 13

DEFENSE

Section A Concepts

I. SUCCESS OF DEFENSE.

a. The Soviets r€gard th€ defensive ar aiemporary phae d€signed to repel the attack ofsuperjor enemy forccs while inflicting significant losses.The purpose is to hold positions long enough to creat€conditions favorable for a retum to th€ off€nsiv€. Intaclical terms the success of defens€ depends on theskillful use of terrain, combincd with a wellcoordinated lire plan.

b. Switching lo the defense can lake place eitherin or out of contacl with the enemy. A defenseadopted whilc in contacr wilh the enemy is consider€dio be a difficult operalion. lt is likely that the tankcompany wiil be expected to seize a linear positionon tactically SSnificant terrah. This initial positionshould be capable of b€hg converted into a strongerposinon when cifcumstances allow. Out of contact, aposition in depth will be planned when ordered.

Section B Organization of Defense

2. TANK COMPANY TASKS. A tank company is usedin defeffe in one of the folowing roles:

a. Holding an area.

b. A counterpcnctration or count€raltack force,

c. Reinforcin8 thc antitank defense of amotorized nfle uni!. normally a batlalion.

d. As a force to cove. an area between CBRcontaminated aress.

e. A trn]( lmbush.

A tanl plaloon may be us€d as a banalion res€n€ oras 3 reconnaissnnce patrol.

3. FRONTAGES. Wr€n cmploy€d in rhe defensiverole, ar part of a batrdlion, the tank comFny defcndsa strong poinl approxjmately 1000 meten wide and500 meters in depth. There are normally 300 metersbetween platoons. The arc of obs€rvation for anindividual tank is restriut€d to the field of viron asslen thlough the gunnef's and commander's srgn$without moving the turret. This givcs sn arc of 300Soviet mils.* Tanks ar€ normdly assigned an individualarc of fire between 200-250 soviet mils. There arenormally 150 mclcrs between individual tanks. Figure18 gives further details of the arc of fire.

4. DEFENSM CONFIGIJRATION. A tank conpanyconmand€r considers th€ following in selectingd€fensiYe positionsr

a. Maintaining tank tue density while retainingall-round defensc.

b. Rev€rs€ slop€ positions.

c- Mutual support within company and withadjacent units.

d. Secondary fire positions for tanks witncovered routes from primary positions.

Civen thes€ conflicting rcqutements, th€ t"nkcompany commander ulually places his platoons tlvoforward and one back. The rear platoon can be to thecenter, ri8ht or lefr rear as dictated by the l€rrain andlhreat- Molorizcd dfle troops give local protection lolaoks ,nd fill in gaps within the position, usingmachineguns and hand.held antitank weapons- Lin€aJformations are acceptable in positions where lhe tankcompany is in thc lecond echelon. Within the defensiveposition a "wandedng tank" may be designated tomove between gaps and flanls to confuse the enemytestimating the number and locations of the tad<s.

5. TANK FIRE FROM PREPARED POSITIONS. Atank company firing from prepared positiotrs is

*There are 6000 unit mils to a circle in the Soviet

47

expected to open fire at l50O meters and achieve a50 percent kill Etio. The Soviets consider ftat encmytanls will atlack at an average of 15 krn/hour. Theyestimate that each Soviet tank in the company willbe able to fir€ l0 to 12 rounds during an €nemy attack.Each Soviel tank is lherefore credited with a potentialof five or six tark kils.It is projected by the Sovietsf ial a trnk compan), afrer J0 percent ca:ualr ieJ. canstill theoretically counter an attack by 30 to 40 enenlytanks. Allhoud such nad€natics are optimistic, theyare typica.l of the soviet attitude ro tacrical questions.

a. Positions for tanb and AFCS.

b. Clearing arcs of fire.

c. Conltructing antitank and antipersonnelobstacles alorg lik€ly enemy alenues of approach.

d. Pr€paJation of allernate positions.

e. Preparing ammunition storage facilities.

A typical tank alring position is shown in Figure 19.

7. FIRE PLAN. Those ar€as which cannot be colrredby direct fire are cov€red by adllery and mortar fir€.The flanks and the forward edSe of likely enemyassault positions are priodty artillery targ€ts.

O. ENGINEER PREPARED DEFENSIVEPOSITIONS. When a company is out of contact withth€ enemy, considerable engineer work can beaccomplished in preparing tanl posations. The priorityof work h usually as [ollows:

Fis!rc showsihe i.r€nockins arcs olt re ol iwo ranks in lhe Primary Arc ofFne. The crireri. rre lhal fne olindividualtanksr.ts ocks at400rn.,and rharai leasr v. olrhetomolrhea@isove app€d The 200 250mllarc ofa tank ca. be obseruedw thout rcratl.g rh6 lurel.

Secondary Arcs coverths area ofr€sponsibility ot Adjaco Platoon3.

03pth pbroons cov6.the Fear

Thissvsiem m3k€slo.sre6rconcentarion ol tn on a narowtronraseand is b6t slned benfilade positions. In a fronra shooteilherthe crheia mu5t b€ @laxedor oositions will lack depth andprobablyrhere wirl be tne qapswilhinplaloon areas ol GspoGibiliry.

Figure 18. Arcs of Fire.48

-l j50n l+ o6bk! Bdwei FrDs P6,ioE

Section C Sequence lor Adopting a Defensive Position

8. BATTALION ORDERS. Th€ tank companycommander rcceives his orders from the batt2lioncommander either by radio or in person depending onthe situation. He is giv€n both the company missionand detalls of coordination with adjacent uniis. Thecomp.ny conmander then estimates the situation froma map or the gound.

9. RECONNAISSANCE. If not in conlaot with theenemy, the tanl company commandcr, accompaniedby platoon and attached unil commanders, makes areconnaissance of the company sector and arbmpts tosrte his tanks according to the proc€dures outlined inparagraph 4. He makes a plrn which includes lhefollowing:

a. Company and platoon boundaries.

b. Trnk primary and altemate firing positions.

c. Individual trnk and platoon arcs of lne.

d. Positions and arcs of fire for attached units.

e. Means for sccuring flanks and Saps by dil€ryfire or constuction of obstacles.

f. Priorities for engineer work.

g. Use of night vjsion devices.

lf physical reconmissance is prevented, it may belimited to an estimate from a map.

IO. COMPA}.IY ORDERS AND COORDINATION.

a. Following his reconnaissance the companycommander estirnales the situation 3nd issues oralorders to the tanl< platoons and to attached andsupporring units. In sjtualrons where the company isin contact widr the €n€my, orders are transmitted byradio on the company n€t.

b. Folowing linal organization of the defensiveposition on the grourd, the compary commandersends a diagiam of his company's position to thebattalior commaflder- Ttis diagam (Figurc 20)includes the following details:

(1) Prominent terrain fealures and a scalc.

(2) Enemy positions.

(3) Tank platoon ,nd attached subunit locationsand alternatc positions.

(4) Primary and al.ernate direcnons of lire.

(5) Obstacles.

(6) lrcation of company headquarters.

DIRECTION OF FIFE

FIBING

.L--i-,)t-,i- -- - -r'

Figure 19. Engineer Preparsd Tank Firing Position

49

f

N

+I

2Ptf

I\t

Tank in prcp8red position

S€con&rylank position

Hgu re 20. Soviet Tank Company Commanders Sketch of Defensive Positon. (Based on Soviet Diagram.l

A\

5m

_o_133

>+-;{..:'

HILIOCX

zoNE oF coNc ENTRATED MActiiNEG'uN FtFE

02PLT

DUG IN

r1 \.

50

Section D Conduct of the Defense

I I, ENEMY PROBES.

a. The Sovjels consider that the enemy rnightattack inilially using probing actions to locate tankliring positions. These probes wi be folowed by tankattacks suppofted by me.hanized infanlry. Theyexpect that the eneny may us€ tactical nuclearweapons and will use an artilery pftparation prior to

b- The tank company commander details a tankto €ngage cncmy probes so that dre main firin8positions are not detecred. This tank designat€d inSoviet terminology "the wandenng rank" moves andfires from within the company position. During thispedod r€adjustmenls of the conpany position causedby enerny nuclear or artillery fire are made. After areadjustment of his posilion, the company commanderrechecks communications wilh both his own andattached units and hider headquarlers.

12. THE MAIN ATTACK,

a. When the enemy launches his main attack thecompany commander concenlrales tic grcatest part ofhis tank fu€ on the most lireatening portion of theen€my asaull. Firc is opcflcd when the enemy reachesthe forward edge of the company area of responsibility(approximately i500 rnetets). Key points on thecompany front are d€signlied as ar€as ofconcentraledtank fire (see Figure 20). Atlached infantry andmachineguns engage enemy inldtry ard APCS wit}I theaim of isolaling the infantry lrom the armor.

b. II thc cnemy auack fails, the cornpanycommander may shift his fire power against unitsassnulting adjacenr positions- lf peneiration is madeinio the tank compiny position, counterattacks are notatlemptcd by thc company. Suwiving tar*s remain rnposilion and supporl counterattacks ord€red by higher

' headquarten. Only on order of the battalioncommander will conpany tanks l€ave their preassign€dpositions to join r counleratlack. Similarly,penetration by the enemy inlo an adjacent positionis counter€d by fire and nol by counterattack.Counterattack is normally a function of the ballalionor regimental rescrve,

c. The company comnander, wilh lhe approvalof the battalion commander, may moi€ tanks toalternate positjons. Thh is to cause fie enemy toattack vacabd positions.

13. TANK COMPANY IN "RESERVE." A tankcorhpany in depth within the battrlion position isfrequendy referred to in Soviet writing as th€ "resErvecompany. This company, ae well as heving a primaryrole to hoid an area, will har€ seconda.y tssks of actingas a counterattack force. Two or th&. routes to theforward companies' ar€as are raconnoiaa$d, snd linesof departure are assigned. The routcs ar€ msrked fornight use. th€ "rcserre corngany" is atso responsiblefor defense against aibome astults.

14. DEFENSE AT MGI{T. In night defensiveoperations, an ilumination plan is prepaftd.Illumination is ordered by the company comnunder.Dfensive and gulnery principles do not radicallydiffer from those used during daylight. Recentdevelopments in Soviet night vision cquipment maymean that there will be Iess. need for battl.fieldillumhation .

15. ANTITANK SUPPORT OF INFANTRY. wllenoperaiing as an antitanl defens. forc! subordinate toa motorized rifle battalion, a tank comprny deploysby platoons. Each platoon deploys within a motorizedrifle cornpany area or strongpoint. Reconnaissanc€ iscafri€d out by platoon command€rs toSether with theinfanry company commander, Tank platooncommand€rs give advice on thc location andcoordination of the antitank dcfcnse. The tsntcompany commander remains with the infanirybattalion commander during the defensive battle andacts as his antitank defense coordinator. Authority tomovs the tanks within the battallon poritlon remainswith the tank company commsnder.

16. CO UNTERATTACK.

a. The inobility and fuepowcr charact€rislic ofarmor make the tank compMy an effectiiEcounterattack force. In this rc|., a @mpany isnormally reinforced by motorized riflc troops. A tartcompaoy may be employ€d as tle rcgimcntal r.serrc.ln this role it occupies a prepa.ed position in theregimental second echelon of def€nse. The companycommander prepares routes into the forwardbatlalions' area!, and designates lines of departur€ andlfiing poaitions. Rout€s are maiked by rigns which areisible ar night. Depending on the time available,rehearsak are carded out on counterettack routes.Commu cations and fire plans ar. then coordinatedwith forward udts.

b. when comterattacking, a lank company fires"from place" and then, on rec€iving a signal, thecompany "rushes" the enemy. It is significant to notethat. without th€ permission of the battalioncommander, ihe company commander may notmaneur€r by platoon.

c. A reginental reserve tznt company may beemployed to occupy areas devastated by nuclearatrack. Mov€ment rnust be rapid. The commanderseiects the shortest traflicable foute to the area andtransmits orden 10 platoons during movement.In suchoperations the men aJe shielded from radiation by theprotective liners of the tank and individual protectiveclothing. Increased monitoring is cafried out bychemical specialists to prevent t}le company frommoving inlo radioactive 'hot spots."

17. TANK AMBUSHES.

a. Exposed flanks, gaps in defensive positions,and enemy approach routes can be sites for amburhes.The soviels regard tank ambushes a.s effective defcnsiveoperations which may be carried oul at platoon,cbmpany, or battaiion level. Tank companies areusually reinfofc€d by additionai antitank weapons forthn operation. The usual d€fensive principles areenployed in liting tank ambush positions. They arcin defilade and we carnouflaged.

b. Both pdmary and secondary tank posiiions areselecled. Positions are dug alld futly prepared, if timep€rmits, before occupatior. Reference points arcdesignated in the usual manner. Engagemetrt rangcs srcat 1000 meters or less:surprise is tie dominating fsctorin planning. SmaI groups of enemy vehicles $eallowed to pass thJough the ambush sit€ until a suitabletarget is selected. Ambuslrcs ar€ sometimes planned ino er to clpiure ems, equipment, or enemy soldiersfor intelligence purpos€s.

T62i conducting a defensive *oot on a

field firing nngc. The light in d1e disanceisp.obably a simulating .levice ro

52

1. CONCEPIS.

a. Soviet concepts allow withdrawal to avoidenemy nuclear strikes or to occupy a nroreadvantageous position. In the defense the operation iscarfied out ro reposition a unit's front towards a {lankh response to en€my action or to reduce the l€ngihof a threatened supply line. During advanoc 1() contact,a withdawal can be ord€red when stubborn enemyoppostion is met or at the conclusion of anunsuccessful meeting engagement.

b. It i! impo(ant to note that only a hlghercommander may order witndrawal. This is usurlly doneto improve the tactical configuration or to free unitsfor other opeiations. A withdrawal is usualy crJriedout in face of enemy action. It is inplied, how€ver,that the eneny wil not be alowed to dictate awithdrawal. A company withdraws as part of rbattalion operation.

2. DISENGAGEMENT.

a. The crilical tine in the wilhdrawal is the brear<with tll€ enemy. A tank company will attempt to breakcontact eilher at nighi or during conditions of lowvisibility. In theory, withdrawals wil lake place undefcover of adillery and tactical air suppoit. The suppoltis plarned at battalion ievel and coordinaled in aregimental plan.

b. Once it has broken contact, the conprnynoves to its new firing positioos without int€rm€dialepositions. ln cares where lhe unit is still in contactwith the enemy, intermediate posttions will be used

3. ROLES. During a wthdrawrl, th€ lank companymay be employed:

a. As d rear march secu ry delachmelr .

b. As a lead march security detachment to leadthe rearward 'noving column.

c. A5 a lat€ral malch security derachment.

d. As tank ambush Lmii on enemy axes of

CHAPTER 14

THE WITHDRAWAL

53

ln €ach case the conpany is usually renrforced by arnotorized rifle platoon.

4. SSQUENCE OF WITHDRAWAL.

a. A company commander will r€ceive ordersfrorn the battalion conma(der either in person or byradio, including:

(l) Taciical inteligence on the enemy.

(2) Mission.

(3) Coordination details for tle withdrawal.

(4) Lbes of deploynent.

(5) Planned suppo(ing adillery flre.

(6) Assembly areas.

b. A tank company withdraws to an assemblyarea I to 1.5 kiloneters behind rhe FEBA. APCSwithdraw, covered by tanks, into the assembly area.

c. If a tank company is in contact with theenerny, it may withdraw wilh platoons covering eachother. Altemalively, the entte comprny may movesimultaneously, covered by another compdny or thebaitaljon resewe. Once the tank company has brckencontacr. platoons forrn into columns. A companycolu.nn is forn€d once the company has passedd[ough the positions of the rear narch security

d. Th€ withdrawal is deemed to be complete oncethe tank company is redeployed in a new tiringposition or har taken up a position with a batalionrear assemDry area.

CHAF|ER I5

SECURITY DURING HALTS

l. CONCEPTS. Analysrs of combat aclions shows lhatetcr in fast moving opcrations hrlls rale placefrequently. These halts rnay bc momentary in order1o fire. shoi term to cover other rroops. or longerterm stops to rest or coordinatc planning and actions.No tacticrl r€configuration is necessary for the shorterhalts as tanks are likely to be in firing posilions andhavc artillery support avrilable. The purpose of thischapter is to describe security at long€r halts, whenthere is no enemy contact.

2. CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEAI-MENT. The us€of sophisiicaled reconnaissilct by the encrny.and thethreat from air attacks, airborne ass4ulr. and nuciearsttack, mste camouflagc and concealment the mostimportant factofs in the seleclion of halr eas. ThcSoviets cmphasize that thh musl nor impai rhe abilityof tank units ro defend lhemselves or to resume rapid

3. LOCATION OF REST AREAS. A tank companynormally occupies part of an 8 to l0 squme kilometerarea of its baltalion. There is flormally between I to1.5 kiloneters between cach company \{irhin thebattalion eea. The combat situllion and climaticconditions dictate the location ussd, but inhabiledareas 3re avoided. The direclion of maJcn aroinflu€nces the selection of individual positions within

4. MOVE INTO REST AREAS. Areas are selectedfrom the nap by the baualion con1lrl,nder and alocation is designated for each tank company. ThcbatlaUon commander scnds forward a reconndissanccparty composed of batlalion staff oflicers andcompany reprcsentatives. This parry establishes theposilion to be occupied, having considered accessroads, cover and concealmenl, minefields, and chemicaland radiation }azards. The reconnai$arce commander,having completed his task, rcports to the batlalioncommander eitler p€rsonally or by radio-

5. OCCUPATION OF A REST AREA.

a. The battalion commander gives ordl orders forthe occupation of the position including:

(l) Tactical inlclligence.

(2) Pnonlies for €ngneer work.

(3) Conposiion and missions of s€curity units.

(a) AnLjarrcml' and nu.lcar Llefense plar..

(5) Altc ativ€ battalion area and routes to it.

(6) Communication plan.

(7) Incation of lhe command post.

Orders ee repeated for each cornpany. lfcircumstances demand. this feconnaissance mdoccupation procedurc can be shortened by the use ofrudio orders and the movement can be intounfeconnoitered areas selecled from rhe map by a

b. Tank compades arc mct by subunitrcprcscntatives and ied into their d€signaled arcas. Nohalts on access roads 1() rest areas are permitted. Tanksare sited 3G50 meters apart. S€ctors of fire for la*sand individual weapons are allotted, and foxholes dugby tank crews near their tanks. Vehicles arecamouflaged as a priority lssk. If the position is tobe occupied for any l€ngth of tim€, tanks are dug inand a relephon€ line is laid to the bailalion cornmandpost. The cornpany commander's tank is sited with theplatoon in the center of the position. The plaloonsare 100-150 meters aparl (s€e Figure 2l).

6. LOCAI SECURITY. Local s.curity is maintain€dby sentries and parrols detailed on a daily basis. Inaddilion, platoons maintain ob!€rvatior posts (OPt.The OPs maintain antiair (AA), ground, andradio-watch. At night one man in each lank crew actsas lentry. A duty officer or scrgeant mans ihe companycommander's tank ard remains in comnrmication withrhe battalion headquarters, by radio and land line. Acompany OP is sel up about 1500 meters from thecompany area in lhe most likely ar€nue of approach.A two-rnan patrol cbecks the individual sentries andOPs .s detaied by the duty officer. Passwords andcounlersigns ar€ changed daily.

55

7. SECTJRITY FROM AIR AND NUCLEARATIACK. By monitodng the battalion ner, the dutyofficer is able to alert the tant cr€ws of air or nuclearattack. Passive defens€ measures are tal€n by crewmenJwho th€n man their vehicles and prepare then rq,{weapons. AA fre begins on ord€r of th€ comparycommander. I-w flyin8 h€licopters, or aircrafrdropping or landing troops de engaged. Wlrcn thenuclear attack wafling is given, crews don drenprotecti\€ clothing and man then !€hicles. If caughrby surprise, crewm€n are responsible for placing gasmasks on the womded and renderinS fust aid. After

a nuclear attack, t}IE company disposition is changedonce wounded harr been evacuated and damaged tanls

8, ORCANIZATION OF WORK IN A REST AREA.Company tanks are provided POL, ammunition andrations in rcst areas. While in rest aress, routin€ orcombat maintenance is p€rformed on vehicles.Rehearsals and individual training rre ciried out whenoutside the irnmediate combat area. Crewm€n are alsogiven political indoctrhation.

SECUFITYOETACHMENTIN OP.15@METEFS

DIRECTION \OFENEMY

\

".!v-ooDsL

!9195

KEY

-\-{ rin. .itr, r"r"pnon" r,"na

Ao

-Fo-.+o

Figure 21. Company Securi ty at rhe Hatt .

COMBAT IN

l. CONCEPIS. Sovict doctrine shtcs that built-upareas are bypa:led when posible. lvhen llus course isfollowed, towns and villages are isolated and dealt withby second echelons. If a builtup arca is vital to thcSoviet commander's plan and filst echelons arerequired to capture it, emphasis is on the destruclionof thc enemy defending the area. This method secksto avoid the wasle of time, manpower. and equipmentrcquired to capturc such objectives. Operations inbuilt-up ,reas lcad to fragmcntation of cffort. Theses.parate, combined aims operatiors are difficult tocontrol, and require much more fr€€dom of aclionthan Soviet doctrine d€ems nofmal. The d€legation ofcontrol inherent in urban operations calls for a higherstddard of training tlan many junior Sovietcommrnders have yet attained.

2. EMPI-OYMENI OF TANK COMPANY. A tankcompany can be employed in operations against anen€my in builtup areas in eith€r the rcgimental firstor second ecfielon. It is part of a combined armscombat group, and can be employed in one of thefollowing roles:

a. Reconnaissance.

b. S€curity.

c. Assault force.

d. Close support of infantry.

e. Re8imental ressrve.

f. Defense.

3. COMBAT ORGANIZATION.

a. TanI companies are either reinforced or usedto rcnforce motorizcd infanrry for operarrons inbuillup areas- A typically tank heary force designedto capturc an objectiv€ in the outlying portion of atowll would include:

( l ) A tank company.

(2) One or two morurired r i f le plaroons.

(3) A mortar platoon.

BUILT-UP AREAS

(4) A howitzer battery.

(s) An cnsineer detachment.

b. Onc€ in the environs of thc buihup area,command of the operation probably passes to thecommander of a motofized rifle company. A typicalo r ^ , ' n i n o m i o h r t h r n h P .

(l) A rnotoriz€d infantry company.

(2) A tank platoon.

(3) A mortar battery.

(4) A platoon of antitank guns.

(5) An engineer detachment.

Grouping of forces will depend on the mission. Theweidt of firepower concenlrated at company level issignificant-

4. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS. The Soviets attackbuilt-up areas on narrow frontages. The assaultfronlag€ of a reinforced company might bc 200 metefson thc outskirls of the area. Within the environs ofth€ built-up arca, de company assnults along the aisof one nain street. The anillery Prcparation isfollowed by infanlry moving from building to bu dins.The task of altached tanks i! immediae fire support10 infantry moving down streets- The tanks fire onenemy in the upper stories of buildings. The attackon a company front is based on lhe assault of a seriesof numbe.ed objcctives. Timing is tightly controllcd.Artillery is used in a di.ect fue role.

5. THE DEFENSE. Defensive operations in buih-upar€as uc based on a s€ries of unconnccred battles.Grouping is based on milsion. Tinks arc attached toinfant.y companies to provide anli-tank dcfense. Thosetaoks used as antitank weapons may be moved intobuildings or engine€r cmplacements may bc built,should time allow. A tank company cdn also be usedas a mobil€ rersfte. This rescne is kept in depth andmoves to threalencd .reas through open areas. Exceptfor the mobile reserve, defensive opemtions in builtupareas are unlikely to be foughl a! complny operations.

CHAPTER 16

57

CHAPTER 17

CONCLUSIONS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMBATPOTENTIAL OF A SOVIET MEDIUM TANK COMPANY

l. SUMMARY. Sigrificant findings of thn study, asthey relate to the combat potential ofa Soviet mediumtank €ompary are summdiz€d b€low under thefollowing topicsl

a. Effectiveness of tactical concepts.

b. Command and control.

c. Effectivene s! of training.

d. Effectiveness of organization.

e. Suitability of equipment.

2. EFFECTI}ENESS OF TACT]CAL CONCEPTS,

a. A tank company is prepared for combat in awar which the Soviets consider will be rapid inmovem€nt and sho( in duralion. A tank compmy istrained to "rush" an enemy who is eitler on th€ moveor has been neutralized by nonnucl€ar, chemical, orouclear weapons. The intent is to seize the initiative,nd rtdle deep into the flanks and rear of the encmy.Soviea tank company tactics sre based on &taackingwithout lergthy preparation, concentra.ing forces, andrapidly exploiting a poorly pfeprred and weakerenemy. Attacks are delii€red by successive echelonsuntil objectives are secured. Defenle is a tempor{yexpcdient during which the Soviets hop€ to weakenthe enemy so that they will quickly be able 10 resumethe offensive. ln the defense, tank fir€ is concentratedon narrow frontages. A tank company rnay be usedin ary echelon or as a rcserve for a regimental

b. Under lhe circumstrnces defined, Soviettactical concepts are effective. Against a baldncedopposition with tactical nuclear weapons, or widtperiay in numbers, success in @mbat would tled€pendent on factors such as command and conlrol,faining, organization, and equipment.

3. COMMAND AND CONTROL.

a. The company commander and platooncommanders in a Soviet tank company are officcrs,In addition to their command duties these officcrs arctank corrmanders of their individual tank. They aJe

well lrained in the technical aspects of th€ir dulics butare clos€ly supervised by the battalion commander.They appear to lack initiativc and experiencc. Thecompany commander has the authority lo crll forsupporr ing f i res in combar. I l rs ru$"r.r) . howcver. i \rcstricted to maneuvering thc whole company in welrehearsed combat formalioo!. Platoon conrmandersresct to the company cornmander s order und have noindependcnce in tactical nraneuvcr. There is r tilthofficer in the company who hrs rcsponsibiliiy fortec}nical matters, ,nd some companies have a slxthofficer wiLh rcsponsibiliry for politiral alf r\.

b. The remaining laflk commanders in thecompany are either p/dporurcrrkt (who havecomplcted their conscripl servicc and volunreered for. further tern of military scruce), or .onscriptnon.commissioned officers. A prapolsrclr&t receivesup to a year s lrdning- A conscripl tank commanderreceives six montlN sp€cialist training.Non-coffnissioned tank conrmanders hrve soundtraining in thc basic esscntials of gunncry rnd ta€elscqurr l ron anJ some uaming In fJdru fomnrunrcrr iolsand lrnk dliving. A tank co rDrndcr's responsibilityis reslricted to iulfilling combat missions as o.dcredby the comp ry comnander and led by thc platooncommander-

c- Tanks are equipped wirh radios. but only thcconpany commandcr is Siven thc unrestrictcdauthority to tr,msmit. Calls for fire sut)port arechdnneled firough the battalion comm,nder.Communications with attached motorized rile uritsarc on a common nel. Dhmounred nllnrry havedifliculty in transmitting 1o llnks due to the lowradiation oulput of manfacked ndiosets.

d. Maps arc carned only by officers. T.mks areequipped with dtectional gyros which rllow thecommander and driver to maintain direcfion. Somecommand tanks re fitted with nrore solhislicatedequipment which provides continuous dat! on map

e. Soviet officcrs and non-commissknred tankcommanders arc well trained n the basic skills ofmaneuver, rarget acquisition, and gunnery. Juniorcommandcrs do nol have the opporlunity to showiniliative in lactical exefcise and therefore iack

expcdence. Their estimates of a combat situation areLikciy io be slow and sonetimes faulty.

f. The connunicaiions system does nol alow atank conpany conrnander to conirol fire support oifuly coordinatc with disrnounted infanty in a rapidlychmgrng siluation- Non-commissioned tankcornmand€rs do nol have lhe merns to relay targetsof opportunity 10 fre support units since they haveneither rnaps nor the authority to initiate radio

4, EFFECTIVENESS OF TRATNING.

a. Sovi€l rank crcws arc well trained in driving,gunn€ry. md conbal fornations. One tant in theconpany is used lbr training purposes. Erch mernberof thc crew LeiJns his duti€s by repetition until hecan perform th€m to the requlred slandard withoutconscious eftbrt. There is heary reliance in the trainingof drivers and gunners on simulators. Tlerefore, ittakes crewmen some time to adapt to the irregularmovemenl of a tank in motion. Subcrliber lralningrounds are used tbr gunnery taining- The tankcommander is lrained to fire the gun but othermembers of rhe cr€w are not cross traincd. Due 10frequent rotalion of conscripts. tank crews s€ldomnmain togelh€r lbr more than a yeaJ.

b. Due to rcpcritive natDre ol- Soviet lrainingmethods tank cr€ws de urnikely 10 have theirindividuat skills seriously degraded by th€ slrains ofcombar. While the use of simulators auows lrequenttraining sessions, time would be requted for crews tobecome accustomed io their equipment. During thisperiod the cfewnan would not be fully effective. Thelack of cross trainnrg means a singie casualty in a tankcrcw would often make the entire tank non€ffeclive.Tank crews have limited expericnce working togetherbecause p€rsonnel arc f.€quently rotated both in units

5. EFFECTIVENESS OF ORGANIZATION.

a. The combat element of a tank companyconsisls of the conmander s tank and three platoonsof eirher three or four tanks. The co.npny operatesas an €ntity with the fire of a[ tanks under closecontrol of the company conmander. A conpanynormally operates as part of its battalion. bua canreinforce or be feinforced by motolized rifle unih andartillery tor specific inissions. Combined tlaining by

small tank and motorized rifle units is fairt frequent.Thoush tlerc have been ditficulries noted incoordinaiion, tanks and motorized rifle units aregenerally capable of coofdinated operations.

b. The company is capable ofrapid concentrationof tank fire on targetswhich the company commandercan identify. Firing by the tank company is not so€ffective, however, if the cornpany commander cannolidenufy r le rarber . I1 cororr . a rdnk co.npan) isexpected to continue conducting opcraLions despile

6, SUITABILITY OF EQLNPMENT FOR LIKELYMISSIONS.

a. Soviet tanks are ruggedi havc a good rnain gunwith an effective range of 1500 meten andmachneguns which have an effective range of 800meters. The gunnery control system is space oiented.Tanks dre designed to lire both on the move and atthe halt. Later nodels of tanks may have a buili inprotective liner to reduce the effects of nuclearradialion. Sovi€t m€dium tanks have the ,bility tocross waler obstacles up io 5.5 met€rs in depih bysnorkelins. The soviet nisht gunnery techniquercquircs thc use of an active IR system or whit€ lightfor target acquisition. The effective night fighting rangefor Soviet lanks is 1000 meters.

b. Soviet tanks are capable of canying out innuclear and nonnuclear environments the close quarter,day and nishr combat that Soviet tactical doctrinedemands. Night fighting shortens the effective rangeof tank guns and requires the use of night vision

7. AN ASSESST1ENT OF COT{BAT POTENTIAL-The Souet tank company is organized, equipped andtrained to figlt as part of a battalion. Although it mayon occasion be given a separate mission, it will harclhe closc supporl ol other tank and motorized rilleunits and a considerable amount ol artillery. The tanLcompany is employ€d in such a manner thatdeficiencies in equipment, tuaining standards and tlecommand dnd coniJol systen crn be conpensated forby conceniralion of force. Offensive operations arecontinued until dre enemy force is incapable ofputtingup a coordinated defense and is destroyed orwithdraws. Within tiis concept the Soviet tankcompany is an eff€ctive fighting force ttith a high

60

TANKS AND ASSOCIATED EOUIPMENT

l. SCOPE. This Enclosure provides details on tar)ks in Soviet tank units ro precludc the needfor reference to other manuals. Morc cxtensive details may be found jn vrdous DIA publications.

2. MEDIUM TANKS,

a. T34 and T44 ianks arc obsolete, but are used lbr trainilg. Many T34 chassis have beenrebuilt as armorcd rccovery vehiclcs which the Sovicts designate T-34-T.

b. T54 tanks and the improved venion. T55. rre the Dost numerous medium tanks in servicewith Sovict !tround forccs at the present time. Both the T54 arrd the T55 have loonrm guns-

c. The T62 tank is an improvement on the T55. It has a l lsmm smooth bore gun andfires HVAPFSDS and fragmentation ammunition as well as HEAT. This sipnificantly improvespenetmtion over the earlicr models.

d. The T72 is the most reccnt addition to the Sovict tank irlveDlory, it is superior in ffepowerand rnobility to the T62. Althouel there are insufficicnr details of the tank known to includeit in the table at Appcndix I to this Enclosure a short compadson between the T62 and theT72 is included at Enclosure 4.

3. HEAVY TANKS. Some JS-2 and JS-3 tanks are sl i l l in scnice in CSFG. The Tl0 and Tl0M,post war imprcvements of the JS3, are also in service in battalion alrd regimental strength. Itshould be noted that althougl these are dcsigllated hea[/ tanks by the Soviets. they weighapproximately the samc as the US and British nredium tanks.

4. COMPARATIVE TABLES AND SILHOUETTES. Details of armament and performance forsome Soviet tanks in service iD medium tank and heavy tank companies are at Appendix I tothis Enclosure. Comparative sketches of some Soviet and NATO ta ks are at Appendix 2 tothis Enclosure.

JS-3 Heavy bnk sone of which a.e still in Eruice in Group ol SovietForces Gernany (GSFG).

o l ENCLOSURE I

Artist Rendition of T-72

63 ENCLOSURE 1

TANK PERFORI\,1ANCE COMPARATIVE TABLE

JS3

8230

6504625v2 t s520v-12

L 520L/100km 350

mm/o 1201551200 1200120td, 120/6080/45 gJl45

T54 T55 162

36 36 36.59000 9000 911084€5 84€5 90006450 6450 67153210 3270 335024(xl 2404 24to2640 2UA 2&O425 4E 425580 580 5803840 3&10 4150v-54 V-55 V 7520 580 580v 12 V-12 V 12Diesel Di6s€ Diesel€ 5 0 5 0400 500 s00812 960 912190 190 1902704 2JA0 2AA0800 800 80030 30 3030 30 301400 1400 1400100/60 100/60 100/o7At0 1010 t'/a170basis 170 basis 170 basls4 4 4

D IOT

+ 1 7

360115012.17.627.62500

3000

D-10T2S U 5TS43 40+ 1 1 + 1 /

360 3@1750 1750

1 6 21.62 J.62

APPENDIX I

3500 3500

l-ilt

S6condary ahament AA

B6sic load 12.7mm

122 wn0 2 52A+203360195012.7

1.622501500

122grn

30

3360183014.5

14.5

Tt0

5098758550

3566225526004307244600

700v 1 2

422509m3@300090032

30

3360183012.7

12.11000

T10t!l

52'10600

s2aa

35662€02ffi,130580,1600V ?700v 1 2

2ao90036030009m32

ENCLOSURE 1

SOVIET LAND NAVIGATION AND NIGHT VISION DEVICES

LAND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

The three types of land navigation systems uscd i]l thc Soviet Ground Forces arc:

a- Dfectional gyro driving aids

b. A map coordinate and direction indicator

c. Navigational system with map plotter

The latter system is not installed in tanks but may bc used by some attachcd motorizedrifle units. All three systems depcnd on a directional gyro; that is an instrument which is designedto accuntely preserve an initial reference bearing during movement- The three systems aJe selfcontained, do not depend or emissions from electronic transmitte$. and do not requirc spaceon the radio wave band. The systems are not susceptiblc to interccpt, jamming or other electroniccountermeasures,

D IRECTIONAL CYRO DRIV INU A IDS

The GPK-48 and GPK-59 are installed in some T55 and T62 tanks. The d vcr is only rcquiredto switch the instrumcnt on, give it time to warm up, and set his heading to actuate the systen.The GPK 48 was designed to give direciiorl in snorkeling operations but has no built-incompensation to allow for the Earth's rotation. The instrunent is accurate only for periods ofI5 minutes without resetting. The more rccently dcveioped GPK 59 has a con]pensatiDg mechanismand can operatc accurately for up to I l/2 hou$.

MAP COORDINATE AND DIRECTION INDICATOR

A computer and display navigation system known to the Sovict soldier as the coordinator"is installed in some T62 command tanks. Thc system corsists of six components, three of whichrequfe no access by tlle crew except fbr inspection. The system dispiays map coordinates interms of northings and erstings rounded off to the nearest I0 mete.s. The vehicle heading displayedis in Soviet mils on coane and fillc sca]es. The instrunent is 90 percent accurate- The instrumentcan be used to navigate within a lo0-kilometer ldd square once set.

A newer navigation system is also in evidence. This appears to be a vastly imprcved ve$ionof "the coo.dinator." The newer system permits operation within a j0oo-kilometer grid squarewithout resettirg. The instrument displays plus and minus coordinates on one kilometer and200-metei scales from the present location. The bcaring to thc dcstination is also shown on aseparate dial.

TACTICAL USES OF NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

In addition to use in normal conditions, navigational systems can prcvide the capability forplotting a tank's position and heading:

a. While snorkeling.

b. At night or in conditions of reduced visibility.

67 ENCLOSURE 2

c. In teEain without promineat featutes such as desert, tundra, or nuclear devastated eress-

Navigational systems also give accumte locations as an aid to cornmand and control or resupplyand Fovide datum points for fire cooidination.

NIGIIT VIEWING DEVICES

hecise information conceming the extent of Soviet night viewing equipment is sparse. Tankshave both inftared (IR) sighting equipment for Ore main amamont, and searcl ights that canbe equipped with an IR filter. Targets can be identifted up to 800 metels. Therc is a limitingfactor in that use of active IR can b€tray the exsct position of the uset should the €xreDy beusing IR sensors. This hazard will be readily appreciated by the Soviets h then night lightirg.Thg use of IR binoculars by tank drivers is a regular featwe of night taining, and binoculsr-Epepassive IR sensors are extensively used by tank commande.s.

Soviet tanks use the daylight gusight at night usilg white light illumination rMhen po$ible-The next step in the development chain is the production of an ambient lieht sighting device,and this may have be€n built into the T?2.

ENCIOSURB 2 68

Wefor

i

,

I

ARMS AND BQUIPMENT - SOVIET TANK COMPANY

Tank Company in the Tank Battalion of a Tank Regiment

9mm Pistol PM

?.62mm Rifle AKM

SAM (SA-7) GRAIL (cdpstock)

Medium Tank "l54JT55l'162

Tr[ck Zil l30l l3l I l51l 157

12

3

l0

I

3Mine Clearing Plow Sets

Radios R 112

R I l 3 l123

believe each tanl platoon has alow-level antiahcraft protection.

4

l0 -

minimum of one tant mounted DSHK l2.7mm machinegun

ENCLOSURE 3

T62 AND T72 TANKS

L The T62 has a ll5mm smooth bore gun rnd fires a fin stabilizcd shaped chargc rcund witha high probability of a first round hit at ftnges up to 1500 meters. The two-plane(ho zontal-vertical) stabilization of the T62's gun cannot bc fully exploited because of the lowshock absorbtion capacity of the chassis. The T62 has no passive night vision devices and. therefore,has a low night combat capability.

2, Thc layout of thc T62 also has some basic disadvantages. Due to the extremely compact natureof the tank, int€rior space is limitcd. The luel tanks, engine, and ammunition are in close prcximity,Auxiliary fuel taiks are on the tanks decks and have no armor protection. ALthough the flashpoint of diesel fuel is higll, it can not withstrnd a direct hit. Fuel tank positions increase thepossibility of an ammunitioD firc. Fillally, the driver, gunner, and commander are virtually ina line and are likely to become casualties if a tank is penetrated from the front.

3. In 1970 a picture of a new tank appcared in the Soviet technical press. This was probablya prototype and was designated M1970 in the West. The production model has been desigratedT72 ir some wesrcm mil i lary joumi ' .

4. The T72 has incorporated fcaturcs made possible by improvcd rechnology and basic changesin design. Thc T72 is both lower and sleeker than its predecessors. There appears to be a radicalchange in the chassis design. Thc chamcte stic flat tank of the carlier medium tank sefies hasbeen replaced by a track support roller system.

5. It is probable that a to$ion bar suspension systcm has been uscd. These advances mean thatthe T72 is more stable than its prcdecessors.

6. The incrcased stability of the T?2 indicates that the armament and fire control systems areprobably stabilized effectively. The I l5mm gun of the T62 appea$ to have been retained, probablyto achieve standardization in ammunition. lt is probable that a rangefinder, using the laser p nciple,has been incorporated. This signilicantly improves the first round hit capability beyond 1500metels.

7. We have estimated the T72's nigllt fighting capabjlity ftom photographs of the Ml9?0 whichshow two large pieces of equipftert oD the tudet beside the gun mantle. One of these is probablya conventional white light or infrared scarchlght. The other equipment collld be a low ligitamplification devicc, possibly with a heat detector and an impulse searchlight, or a pure heat-sensingsight. This combination would mean that the same impulse searchlight could be used forilluminatioD and rangefinding, but either system would not bc completely passivc. Even thougheither system can be classed as active, the chaDce of a target having time to take evading orcounteractioD is small-

8. The armor protection of the crcw of the T72 has been increased by improving the shapeol the bow and by making mo.e gradual the inclined plane of the front slope of the hull. Thereis also some indication that the armor thickness on the froDt has been increased. The crew positionsin T72 have prcbably been altercd sliehtly, which will decrease the chance of multiple casualtiesfrom one round s penetration.

7 l ENCLOSURE 4

10. In summary. the T72 shows imprcvements over i ts predecessor in mobil i ty. target acquisit ionat night, and firing effectivencss. Its improved technological features have placed ii arnong themost modern tnd effe.ttve l ,rnk\ in ser! icc.

9. Some risk of fire appears to be acceptable to the Soviets. as fuel tanks stilL appear on thetank's deck.

M1970 - Considered to be a prototype fot 772.

BNCLOSURE 4

4-r-Ot rsnksonriinsrin6.

Iti\

T

SOVIET CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS

XV Tanl showrns saondsry arc otfre.

Movins columns of vehictB showing,

Movinq colufrn or tanks showinsProlsciert dnedion ol movemenr

APC, general symbot showjng an ApC

0 Tank- Gene6lsyhbol used to showa

Ii0

+0

IComm8ndrahk. Thehorizomstba6donobcommand loveland m5y beu*don any basi. syhbot.

+ oneba, islof Ptatoon tevet.

+ rwo ba6 a€ ror company tev6t.

+ rn,* or," ","

to, e"n"tion t.'"r-

+9r

frIi

00

I+0oT

Tanks in march collmn.

Tanks movina in combatto.maiio.. 0

{

0

Tanks, movinq in cohbaitomation, showingprimarya.coffi.e, The arcwed tin6 ca. be usdto she fie left and dsht timns of pnmary src ottn. by using one lin6 ar each onremiiy.

Q o.on'o'ou.or".

Amphibious APC, noving, carrving

v rank showine prihary arc f ns73

,/4\ Motoized intunt y in delense.

+ F onrasedAisnatedlor occuparion,Z---\ by moroi2ed infanrry.

Are occupied by t@ps. Symbolinsidecircle denote type and conmand level

-,--4\ uno rne eodms /n G@pnone nanoset.

Water crossing cohhandei

A.tr.lio. O.plty Commendor in@mm..d-obseruation pon.

Sasic symbol indicarB radio commu.ic.ionsor dic{rion of radio 6mmuni@rions.

SOVIET CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS

'Rddiosetoperaring on High Fr€quency

'Badio s€l opedtingon Very Hish

I

t

-- Howitze..

€=a Howkzer u.it movi.S.

%

: Ae6s or @ncdtr6r.d tdnk rne.

'Nors th.$ ae nor Sovier symbols but

r'____-,/-V_--'-""\ oiredion ol main efton.

,'.------ Oieiion of main efiorr danned\ j - - - -s by a cnmander .

74

DISTRIBUTION LIST

DOD AND JOINT AGENCIES NAVY

A]00 05DAI 15 OASD ISAAI 17 OASD PA&EA2O5 DMTCA3i0 JCS/J-3 (sP 0P Drv)A353 JSTPSAl24 oSD NET ASSESSMENT (2)A362 USDoCoLANDSoEAST (2)AO24 DEF NUCLEAR AGCYAr04 oAsD rNT (2)AO33 ASST TO DEPSECDEF

DIA

8040 DrA/SC-2 (Dr0)BO55 DIA/DT-48BI32 DIA/DE-'IBI34 DIA/0E.2BI52 DIA,/DT-IA2BI69 DIA/DT-208485 DrA/ rS ( r 30 )8545 DIA/DI8566 DIA/DIR-I F28573 DIA/DIR-4EI8579 DIA/DIN-2828580 DrA/DrR-l G3 (0P0)B58I DIA/DIR- IB8584 DrA/DrR-l 84 ( l5)8583 DIA/DIR-I D8594 DIA/DIR-'IF (2)8597 DIA/DIR- IG]8737 DrA/DS-484 (LrB) (s)8607 DrA/DrR-2Br (2)86 l5 DIA/DIN-2C865'I DIA/DIR.3A8150 DIA/DT855'I DIA/DID.38593 DIA/DIR-I G28722 DIA/DIR.5B8080 DIA/Slils8859 USDAO BULGARIA8871 USDAO CZECHOSLOVAKIA8886 USDAO HUNGARYB9I7 USDAO POLANDB9I9 USDAO ROMIiIA8939 USDAO YUGOSLAVIA8934 USDA0 USSR (2)

D008 r{rsc (2)DO33 STRATANALSUPPGRUDO42 NAVFACENGCOTID2l7 NAVT,IPNCEt{0220 0 RD246 NAVSURFWPNCEN DAHLD248 NAVSEASYSC0T'|0249 MVPGSCOLD36I FL EI,II N EI,{ARTRAC EN0492 NAVSCOLEODD5O6 I{AVUSEACEN0559 NiIEDFLORCHLAB CLE,]D700 CGMCDEC (20)D97l 0P-009FD972 0P-009BrPDl50 cl'rc ( rNT)D507 COl'1INE}JARCOI40040 0cEA AV0280 0P-098D

ArR FqRCE

E0r0 AFrs/rNDoc (2)E0t6 AFIS/ INCEO]7 AFlRDXTR-IIEot 8 AFIRDXTR-C (2)E046 7602 AIG/lNXEEO53 AFlINAMEO54 AFlINAKBEr00 TAc (eTH Trs/LDD) (',r3)E228 AF I JACIE3O3 AFl INAPE4O8 AFI,ILE4I'I ASD/FTD/ETIDE42O FTD/NICD (5)E429 SAMSo ( rND) (2)E436 AFEWC (SUR)E437 AF]S/ INIE45I AUL/LSEE2OO AAC

U & S Col'll4ANDS

75

GOOs C INCAD

U&SColo lANDS(Cont 'd )

HOOs USCINCEURHolo SoTFE (J-3)HIO] USAFE 497RTG ( IRC)HOO6 USEUCOI,I DEFANALCTR

J5I5 FICEURLANT,r5l7 cor't{AvsuRFlAliTJ575 FIiIFLANT/ FI.IFEU RJ593 C0I.0PTEVFoR

KOOs CINCPACK020 COiIUSTDCKOOT COruSJAPANKIOO PACAF 548 RTGK5OO CIIICPACFLTK5I4 COiITHIRDFLTK5I5 COI4SEVETITHFLTK5I6 FIRST I,IAFK525 C0I'IIIAVAIRPACK6O] FIRSIT'IAUK650 CoTITNAVSURFPACK658 COI'IJSNAVPHILK679 FLTCORGRU IK300 rPAC (CoDE rC-L)

L04o sAc 544TH ARI{ (6)

t{005 usREDcoil

OTHER

POOS ERDAP055 CrA/CRS/ADD/SD (25)P085 STATE (5)P090 NSA (35)

R]45 ACDA

s030 FRD LrB 0F Colic (7)

DIA Dis t . . . . . . . . . .DIA Stock. . . . . . . . ,DIA Tota l . . . . . . . . ,Anny Dis t , . . . . . . . .Mar ine Corps Dis t . . , . . . . . . .

TOTAL PRII{T

406 copies204 coples6nf copi es

7,650 copies2,400 copies

10,660 copies

76