Operations

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1982 Excerpt: ...is based on the following principles: q To locate and to fix the enemy, the commander must lead with a small mobile force, but he must also hold the bulk of his force back far enough so that he can maneuver without becoming inadvertently engaged in a decisive action. He fights through light resistance with lead units whenever possible to maintain the momentum of the operation. The commander must organize the force into combined arms teams that are ready to deploy and to attack rapidly in any direction with the support of accompanying air and artillery. The formation must provide for allaround security--that is, to the flanks and rear and against air attack, as well as to the front. q The force must move aggressively with maximum speed. A slow or a cautious advance on a high-intensity battlefield will be dangerous, because slow-moving forces are easy to outflank or to target for a nuclear strike. The commander must decentralize execution of the movement to leaders on the front and flanks. However, he must also maintain sufficient control to assure that long-range supporting fires are effective and that succeeding echelons are prompt to follow up after contact. ORGANIZATION AND PLANNING A corps and its divisions usually organize a covering force, an advance guard, and a main body for movement to contact. The main body normally provides flank and rear security forces. The composition, size, and operation of the covering force may influence the entire course of the battle. It must include the necessary fire support, logistic support, and other resources necessary to enable it to fight independently. In this regard it is essential that the covering force include engineer assets--bridging for hasty gap-crossing and dozers and plows to reduce obstacles, including ...