::;::r

ttl t:ì I ::::i. ...ä i:1:j - ë :!i 1

¡: i:::

:

i :.: i:::" :ji i:t rr: ::lr,'i ..>'a::: ;4...4:.

battalion and company commanders util-ize subordinate elements to conduct localreconnaissance and security missions.The important aspect of troop reconnais-sance is its responsiveness to the needs ofthe commander.

3. Regimental reconnaissance isprovided by a reconnaissance company(see figure 1) with two rèiõffiñceplg!99!q,_Thesepffilyb""ggq4]Lgr!, and are tasked to performreconnaissance across the regimentalfront (see figure 2). The reconnaissancecompany will normally operate 25 to30

.kilometers (kms) forward of the regimen-

-Lal main body, but may operate out to amaximum distance of 50 kms. Thesepatrols, normally consisting of L to 3vehicles, are the eyes and ears of the com-mander. Their purpose is to provide in-formation about the enemy location, com-position, and formations. These patrolsstress reconnaissance, and will avoiddetection and engagement by the enemyif possible. Patrols can fight, however.Personal and vehicular armament providesufficient firepower for these recon ele-ments to protect and disengage themsel-ves when necessary.

,ìr .:ì::r:ì .;::rrir,::::.::: .:r: :l::j:i:.:::.r:¡::l :::l :::! :rl ¡ìli

lìrJ' ä¡ ijtui i:ti ai :,rli:.ì:!:.:alt r:-ì:::1,:,1 ::-::i:l-ìr::lr'.1.:

l'::! :,,.r'"¡ ¡"¡ ',.ã

Tactieal Troop Reconnaissanceby Mr. Michael J. Dueweke

1. The cornerstone of Soviet military ac-tions is an aggressive, fast-moving, andhard-hitting offense. In order to attainthese types of actions, Soviet militaryoperations are carefully planned and or-chestrated at all levels. Reconnaissanceis essential to the planning and conduct ofsuccessful operations. Reconnaissancetroops are the initial elements US andNATO forces would encounter from aSoviet main force in the event of hos-tilities in the European theater.

2. At the tactical level (division andbelow), reconnaissance is conducted bymany organizations with a variety ofequipment and techniques. The mostprobable type to be encountered bySoviet opponents is troop reconnaissance,which provides commanders with bat-tlefield iniormation about the enemy thatcan be used to influence the outcome ofthe battle. Troop reconnaissance (voys-

kovaya ranedka) is reconnaissance con-ducted by troops of dedicated reconnais-sance forces as well as by maneuver unitforces. Since there are no dedicatedrecomaissance elements below regiment,

u&ö Þ,v

ùi-51;i

ß:":ü,

fruþ'*'

ACV, BMP M 1976AICV, BMP/BMP-1ASC, BRDM/BRDM-2ATGL, RPG-16LMG, RPK

23443

tt tfra" ¿

ew {& e''y' ldu Åtttçã

Figure 1. Regimental Reconnaissance Company

Figure 3. Divisional Reconnaissance Battalion

r¿n \\?D*r=¿D Oìõ u yÉrlrccÉs ' sEÉ 3¿pcf'li

'BRtc"f'be ?a¡Ñçtuøf10

HQ ANDSERVICESCOMPANY

(ueer)

ACV, BRDM/ BRDM-2ACV, BTR-60 PA

,. ACV, BMP M 1976AICV, BMP/ BMP-1MEDIUM TANKASC, BRDM/ BRDM-2ATGL, RPG-16LMG, RPK-74

1

23

126

121319

,h¡a Zy's ffi't'{t /fn¿ ,¿¿/ø (t¿.¿f (aæ\

¡é

4. Division reconnaissance assets providea broad spectrum of coverage. Theseunits are organized to provide the com-mander ground, air defense, chemical, en-

gineer, electronic, and signal reconnais-sance, as well as target acquisition. Theseassets are located throughout the division,especially in artillery and rocket units.For troop reconnaissance, the divisionhas an organic reconnaissance battalion(see fi -

laissance companie!, u. AgggñãÑiõ_@),andothertech-nical reconnaissance assets.

5. The two division reconnaissance com-panies will normally provide coverage

across the division front, operating be-tween the regimental reconnaissance com-pany and the RAC. These companiestvoicallv oerform close reconnaissance

missions for the division commanderwith a primary mission of reconnaissance

rather than combat. These companieswill, ideally, locate high priority targets,

such as headquarters and command, con-trol, and communications facilities, as

well as unit deployments and movements.These units will normally operate as smallpatrols of.¡vo to thlee vehicles withtroops mounted. Troops will dismount toperform foot patrols or ambushes togather information. However, theirvehicles will not be far away.

6. The Reconnaissance Assault Company(also called the Airborne Reconnaissance

Company or the I-ong-Range Reconnais-

sance Company) performs division long-range reconnaissance and provides thedivision commander with a deep-lookcapability out to 100 kms. Small teams offive to six men from this company can beinserted by a variety of means (such as

parachute, helicopter, vehicle, or foot) tocollect informationwithin the enemy reararea. These teams will move primarily byfoot, avoiding engagements with enemyforces, and locate high priority targets inthe enemy division rear and corps for-ward areas. While the primary mission ofthese troops is reconnaissance, they mayalso have secondary missions to conductdisruptive operations in the enemy rear,

such as ambushes, prisoner snatches, traf-fic diversions, disruption of LOCs, andlimited attacks against important targetsof opportunity. When not operating inthe enemy real area, this company iscapable of providing additional reconnais-sance patrols mounted in their organicvehicles within the division area.

7. While all Soviet commanders areresponsible for conducting reconnais-

have i..- 52tasked to plan and coordinate reconnais-sance efforts. The COR is the staff intel-ligence officer who works directly for theChief of Staff. Working from thecommander's guidance, the COR tasks

subordinate and organic assets to collectspecific information. The COR will also

receive tasking from higher commands,which he will likely include in his tasking

sance, _regiment and division commanders

11

DIV RECON BN. OPERATESOUTTO 1OO KMS

RECONco(x2)

RGT RECON OPERATËSOUT TO 50 KMS,+.'-$

Note: Div reconm co includes6 tanks per company

Figure 2. Employment of Reconnaissance Elements

| =anov

| =aveTI

12

to his subordinate elements. Additional-ly, the COR will request information and

coordinate attached technical reconnais-sance assets from higher commands to as-

sist in coverage of his area of interest.This is important because dedicated troopreconnaissance forces cannot provide ade-quate coverage in width and depth ofzone aI" the same time. This weakness is

offset, however, by technical reconnais-sance assets available at division level andabove which can provide depth ofcoverage across the division front.

8. Troop reconnaissance plays a sig-nificant part in the overall intelligencegathering system. It can provide confir-mation of other collection means. Itoften provides initial information that canbe confirmed by other means such as

electronic or signal reconnaissance.

Troop reconnaissance is responsive to thecommander's needs and can provide himtimely information on which to base com-mand decisions. The division and regi-ment reconnaissance efforts are carefully

planned, coordinated, and supervised bythe COR, while battalion and lower com-manders must accomplish this task them-selves.

9. Current reconnaissance organizationslack the distinctive vehicle signature ofprevious elements; however, reconnais-sance patrols from the division reconnais-

sance companies and the regiment recon-naissance company can be distinguishedby their small size and determination toavoid decisive engagements. Historicaland current writings indicate the extremeimportance reconnaissance forces play intactics, and are most likely the first forcesthat would be encountered by US and

NATO forces on a European battlefield.

M¡. Michael J. Dueweke, a-@gjJ!@!gae!!çg, is an

Intelligence Research Specialist for the United States ArmyIntelligence and Threat Anaþis Center, Washington, DC. Hisareas of research include reconnaissance and tactics undersoecial conditions fo¡ Soffi

L* ,h/ ofi* &^ner &P! /a*" z

XX

REFERENCES

Donnelly, C. N. "Operations in the Enemy Rear: Soviet Doct¡ine and Tactics."

Sverdlov, Col. Fedor Davydovich.

l-ondon: International Defense Review, January 1980.

Moscow: Yoyçnizdal, 17 November 1982.

13

T@WED ARìTILLERV

.N ANTTTANK cuN GENERIc

**-{ ANTTTANK GUN (LESS THAN BSMM)

-*-.t+< ANTTTANK GUN MT-t2 cooMM oR LESS)

-:"t+4 ANTTTANK cuN (MORE THAN looMM)

CANNON GENERIC

*ë.'r cANNoN (LESS THAN rooMM)

-i:ir cANNoN (LESS THAN r55MM) 2A36 Mt9T6

#i' cANNoN (MoRE THAN r55MM)

*äæ HowtrzER cENERtc

-=-ì-* HowrrzER (LESS THAN oR EoUAL To t22MM) D-30

-rã--t{Ð HowtrzER (LESS THAN l55MM) D-t, D-20

-äiTit* HowlrzER (MoRE THAN l55MM)

SELF - PROPELLED AR]TILLERV

t>> cANNoN GENERIc

{*Þ cANNoN (LESS THAN rooMM)

CANNON (LESS THAN I55MM) 2S5

<{T}} cANNoN (MoRE THAN rsSMM) 2sT

€7r HOW|TZER GENERTC

<<ÌÈ HOWTTzER (LESS THAN oR EoUAL To t22MM) zst

HOWITZER (LESS THAN OR EOUAL TO I55MM) 2S3

<q3È HOWTTzER (MORE THAN rssMM)

SP & TOWED ARTV (F[RE POSN ) BATTERV(SELECTED EXAMPLES)

2SI BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

2S3 BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

HEAVY SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

CANNON (LESS THAN IOOMM) BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

CANNON (LESS THAN I5SMM) BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

CANNON (MORE THAN I55MM) BATTERY IN FIRING POSITION

¿

TOWED & SP ARTV (F[RE P@SN ) BATTALI@N(SELECTED EXAMPLES)

25I BATTALION IN FIRING POSITION

BM-2I BATTALION IN FIRING POSITION

D-30 BATTALION IN FIRING POSITION

')J

NNOR]TARS, NNRLS, & SPEGIAL GONFIGURA]rI@NS

)r

-(-ì./'l

()-'I

)\lli{ ìri\-_i !

\:l¡ ''{\-¡'-,'.\

..--'hii"-\ !4ll-.-'

MORTAR GENERIC

SMALL CALIBER MORTAR 82MM

MEDIUM CALIBER MORTAR ISOMM

LARGE CALIBER MORTAR 24OMM

AUTOMATIC MORTAR VASILEK

2S4 HEAVY MORTAR

4

@J@@E@

@JIEu¡

Þ

@Eo@

ôu{@Ð

¿qé@EEo@

A /\ lt ^ r^r ( ,. t\ u. tf ( (

vil {':ì,t'i),;('),?'\,'.,:; ,l ü d u E E,i i $ ry þ il il F F F n

SAUAD, SEGURITV, & PATROL SVN4BOLS

{l}]å

BMP M,/I976 W,/TALL MIKE ON MOUNTED PATROL

RECON PLATOON (BMP) ON MOUNTED PATROL

RECON PLATOON (BRDN¡) ON MOUNTED PATROL

TANK ON MOUNTED PATROL

BMP ON MOUNTED PATROL

BRDM ON MOUNTED PATROL

FOOT MOUNTED PATROL

MOUNTED SECURITY PATROL (BN/P)

N4OUNTED SECURITY PATROL (TANK)

MOUNTED SECURITY PATROL (BTR)

MOUNTED SECURJTY PATROL (BRDM)

RECON DETACHMENT

COMBAT RECON PATROL

6

PLATOON- SIZtrD FORNNATOONS

.*'{>-*-{:li"-*- TANK pLATooN w,/ATTAcHED INFANTRY souAD (BMP)

<++{:l-.-'-.{)'*-'- MR pLATooN (BTR) w/ATTAcHED TANK

,++{-JJ_*^<}.'^ MR PLATooN (BMP) W/ATTACHED TANK

<+{¡**. TANK pLATooN tN PLATooN MARcH coLUMN

**..{_.-þ* MR pLATooN (BTR) tN pLATooN MARcH coLUMN

e¡t--þ"- REcoN PLATooN (BRDM) lN PLATooN MARCH coLUMN

<+'i*rl** MR PLATooN (BMP) lN PLATooN MARcH coLUMN

*'{EÜ BM-zz lN MARCH coLUMN

7

GOnnPANV - SïZtrD FORnflA=r[@NS

+.-{)*';*i¡-_ TANK COMPANY REINFORCED W,/MR PLATOON (BMP)

-¡-I+<]-j'_*-{}-*-_ MR COMPANY (BTR) REINFORCED W,/TANK PLATOON

'3t+<:.Ii'.'<\>-'_ MR COMPANY (BMP) REINFORCED W,/TANK PLATOON

4*-T¿\)> * ' TANK COMPANY IN MARCH COLUMN

<11"(-':1." . MR COMPANY (BTR) IN MARCH COLUMN

"T.}f<*II.-.- MR COMPANY (BMP) IN MARCH COLUMN

B

BATTALION - SIZED FORNNATIONS

<l-++ F-.--^'---,

4¡ii"-P'*3-

<*-l{*r /. +\ -.-

€-l+l-L<>**-

4+l+j<z\--

<-iìr L<i-\*-

4r+þt-f-.trr--l

INDEPENDANT TANK BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

(GENERIC) TOWED ARTILLERY BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

(GENERIC) SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY BATTALION IN MARCH

2SI BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

253 BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

GUN BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

BM-zI BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

8M.22 BATTALION IN MARCH COLUMN

COLUMN

9

G@ANBINED ARNNS BATTALI@N SVNNBOLS

TANK BN REINFORCED W,/AN MRC (BMP)

DIVISIONAL ANTITANK BATTALION (ATGM) & (MT-IZ)

MR BN (BTR) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO

MR BN (BMP) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO

MR BN (BMP) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &SP ARTILLERY (GENERIC)

MR BN (BMP) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &2Sls ARTILLERY

MR BN (BMP) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &TOWED ARTILLERY (GENERIC)

MR BN (BTR) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &SP ARTILLERY (GENERIC)

MR BN (BTR) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &2SIs ARTILLERY

MR BN (BTR) REINFORCED W,/A TANK CO &TOWED ARTILLERY (GENERIC)

TANK BN REINFORCED W,/MR CO (BMP) & 2S3S

TANK 8N REINFORCED W,/[¡R CO (BMP) & 2SIS

LØ

BATTTLtr FORÑNATTO@N SVANBOLSÂ

l\*¿rrt-f:-- "li\ IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE FOR MR BATTALION

ADVANCING FORCES HALTED

FORCES IN WITHDRAWAL

TIME DISTANCE PHASE LINE *I

TIME DISTANCE PHASE LINE +2

TIME DISTANCE PHASE LINE I*3

FRONT LINE TRACE OPPOSING FORCES

LINE FOR TRANSITION TO ATTACK (GENERIC)

LINE OF EXPECTED MEETING W,/ENEMY

r-* ft- -

,þ

"l;1\ -.--1 r,\./ \/ LINE FOR TRANSITION TO ATTACK TANK

LINE FOR TRANSITION TO ATTACK MR (BMP)

+AIA'-1J '- -!l '-,

Á^ì-l\fì I il

fl r- -.-]ìl SUBSEOUENT OBJECTIVE OF MR BATTALION (BMP)

SUESEOUENT OBJECTIVE OF TANK BATTALION

47\ "it

{r":1" -*--

jh

1

I IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE GENERIC

SUBSEOUENT OBJECTIVE GENERIC

iþll* ._ ._--L._ _,.^lr- -- ---- - -rl

i1

BATTLE F@RAflATI@N SVNNBOLS

ATTACK FORMATION FOR TANK BATTALION

ATTACK FORMATION FOR MR BATTALION (BMP)

,{

-)i 'r li-('t llì ATTACK FORMATION FOR MR BATTALION (BTR)

I2

@@NTROL LINES & B@UNDARIES

BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN BATTALIONS

BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN REGIMENTS

BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN DIVISIONS

BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN ARMIES

13

GONNNflAND & G@NTROL FLAGS

:- .vi\IA DrvtsroNAl coMMAND posr,/oBSERVATtoN POST'-tÌi |iIl

, ). CORPS COMMAND POST,/OBSERVATION POST

i'' '- I

t--¡\ ARMY COMMAND POST,/OBSERVATION POST

t"-

L,j=l

/.\ BATTALToN coMMAND posr,/oBSERVATtoN Posr:-- -^7

,/iI

I\ BRIGADE COMMAND POST,/OBSERVATION POST

i--'..-lil

^ REGTMENTAL coMMAND posr,/oBSERVATIoN POST

t'a!- ri-j

I

A FRONT COMMAND POST,/OBSERVATION POST

i, -lI DIVISIoNAL coMMAND Posrr f- '.- --l-t

lr _ -Lii CORPS COMMAND POST

i...r,,r,,,Jì ARMY COMMAND POST

fì-"ti BATTALION COMMAND POSTi* ' ..-.?

l- _./i BRIGADE COMMAND POST

i,I REGIMENTAL COMMAND POSTi-\..-.r,-*ì

RONT COMMAND POST

ll*+r--** BRIcADE coMMAND posr 0N THE MovE

-Ll<{J-_*''" REGIMENTAL COMMAND POST ON THE I'/OVE

I4

OBSTAGLES & BARRIERS

L.õ-:,i1,.-Þ,-jìl

i3:3:-.-r¡-----?l

¡3---3...--¡,-,.-!ü

nir: '¡,":¡::_d_l

XXXKXXX

(Trìîl-tl-t)

gSYr

:,o\ !c\ ,\s_\*\

SOVIET ANTIPERSONNEL MINE FIELD

SOVIET ANTITANK & PERSONNEL MINE FIELD

SOVIET ANTITANK MINE FIELD

SOVIET DUMMY MINE FIELD

SOVIET WOOD & WIRE BARRIER

SOVIET ANTITANK DITCH

SOVIET FOOT WIRE ENTANGLEMENT

SOVIET RADIO CONTROL MINES

SOVIET MINE BARRIER

SOVIET ANTIPERSONNEL WIRE

15

AIR DEFENSE SVSTENNS

Y;ì sA-r3

7SU-23/ 4 W,/RADAR

{-É": SA-g

Cltri SA-7/14 tN BRDM

1.8{l SA-1/14 tN BMp

-4-,1 c^ -¿'.- t /14 lN BTR

1-rãl SA-4

"s:- AA GUN GENER|C

{*{r AA cuN SMALL CALIBER

43:rì AA GUN MEDIUM CALIBER

lb)

DEFENSIVE P@S[T[ON SVNNBOLS

FIELD FORTIFICATION FOR ONE OR MORE SYSTEMS

4'-¡-l)

L-r--.i-r UNOCCUPIED FIELD FORTIFICATIONS

3"-rt\Àr1 / STRONGPOINT GENERIC'É /":!, ,/\ ]j \t\

: ) srRoNGporNT occuptED By MR TROops (BMp), ''n ./-^:xi-'

"f,"-

lr ] UNOCCUPIED STRONGPOINT1/!,

., J uNOccuPtED BATTAL|oN STRONGPOINT

i/:' /-2 ,/-1 ./I ,/-1i.,.- -''

FIELD FORTIFICATION W,/TANK EMPLACEMENT

FIELD FORTIFICATION W/MT-2 ANTITANK GUN

,)" il"

\:f.,\.,-;'7

.þt-n-:::i iÌ1')r-!-l_,¡ ,,-l--1..:

t-.--t---*.--- \--.)-'$ -1r- ir Å'./\ \-..t \ll \

I -'-\ \-1/'\it r >il \x i Ui r i OCCUPIED BATTALION STRONGPOINIj \ 7 i rMR BN (BMp) RE|NFORCED WITANKS, w,/postloNEDf ¡ / MORTAR BATTERY, E CP/OP IDENTIFIED]t{i \' /. - i. /\_ tt /,å -,/_i*.,-'-,-'"

-t.-{\l\-i\Å'

T7