DD t,1120-129-76

DEFENSEINTELLIGENCE AGENCY

DIR
Defense Intelligenee Report

i,t

SOVIET TANK COMPANYTACTICS

MAY 1976

SOVIET TANK COMPANYTACTICS

DDr-l120-129-'t 6

This docubmt wasprepared Major A. Hemesley by eLR of the CroundForces/MBFR Branch, I Sovit/Vrrsar, Pact Division, Directoratefor Intelligeaie (R"*-"h a;t6;^""d * is rcleased for publication 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.Many of the conccptsand methods used by the Sovietsappearto ihe US or NATO military rcader so alien that there is a temptation to say "This is unworkable."The readershould apprcciate that the Soviet tank company commanderhas a vastly different task than his US or NATO equivalcnt.His task is to train and lead his company as dirccted by well established pdnciples set out in field sewiceregulations, and as interprctedby his superiors. The companyfigllts either as pafi of a battalion size unit, or with the closesupport of other tank, motorized rifle, and artillery units. Th battalion is the basic unit of maneuverin the Soviet Ground Forcesand a company is bst rcgardedas a fire team. Thc information used in the study has becn drawn from a wide variety of sourccs. order In to ensurcwide dissmination somedetailsof equipme[tshavebcea described a gcneral in manner. In this way the study can be issuedas an UNCLASSIFIEDdocument.Tlre rcadcr needingto study equipmentdetailshds been providcd with basicdata in the enclosurcs. stroulcl noted It be that equipment differs from on Sovict ullit to another and there are also minor differenccs in personnelmanninglevels. The study is written using a type organizationand manninglevgl which is defined in the text.

lu

CONTENTS Executive Summary CHAPTER I Introduction 2 Oqanizatlon, Command and Control ---------3 Weapons, Equipment and Services -------4 SovietTank Crew Training-----------------------5 Talrk Gumery and Firc Cont ol -----6 and Missions---------SovietConcepts -----7 Taotical Formations -----------8 CBR Defense ---------9 Reconnaissanc -----------l0 March Security Operations ----------ll The Offensive ------------------12 River Clossing Operations --------------13 Defense ---------14 The Withdrawal -----15 Dudng Halts Scurity --------------16 Combat in Built-up Areas of l? Conclusions alld an Assessment the Combat Potential of a ----------SovietMediumTank Company I Tank! and Associated Equipmedt-----------------------ENCLOSURE ENCIOSURE 2 Soviet Iffd Navigationand Night Vision Deyices ---------ENCIOSURE 3 Arms and Equipment- Soviel Tank Company --------------------------ENCLOSURE T62 and T72 Tanks 4 Page vii I 3 7 ll 33 15 I7 2I 23 27 31 43 47 53 55 57 59 6l 65 67 69

EXNCUTIVE SUMMARY The Sovict tank company is equipped with either 10 or l3 trnks. according to its subordination, and is organized into three platoons.Its personnel primarily of conscript consists soldiersgenerallywell trained in the individualskills of drivhg, loading,and gunncry.Four tank commanders eachcompanyare officersor wa-nantoffice$ who complete in extetsiveprofessional training. The remaining tank commande$ are conscriptswho have six months training before arriving in the company and tain in their units during the next l8 months until theh tcrm of serviceexpies, Tank companies equippedat presentwith tanks which are simple to operate,havelow are good mobility, and an accurate silhouettes. gun limited by its optics to a rangeof fifteen hundred mete$. Limitationsin target acquisitionand sightingequipment meanthat night firing is restricted to a mnge of about roughly half the daytime range. The Sovietsconsider that the rank company is a single fire unit. It can reinforce other combat arms or be reinforced. It normally operatesas an independcntunit in reconnaissance, as a secudty detachment,or when used as the basisfor a motorized rifle battalion'saDtitank defense.ln other tactical operationsthe tank company is subordinatedto a larger unit. primaiily of rchearsing Tactical training consists changes column and line formationsat in platoon and company levcls. Fhe conftol is exercisedby the company commanderexcept in emergcncies. Antitank guided missilesand enemy tanks are regarded pdority targets.Tanks as fhe on the move or at short halts, and fire is concentrated againsta singletarget if the company commander considers a pmticular thrat. The cornpany its assaults enemyformationor position an after artillery has providedhre support,whenever possible. Control and commlmications security is strict, and platoon and company commanders expectedto lead and show initiative. but are within the limits set by field regulations. Soviet tank tactics, which we believeare sound, emphasize concentrating againsta poorly pfeparedenemy, attacking without lengthy preparation,and lapidly exploiting success. Training of tank crewsin such skills as driving,gunnery,and maneuvedng combatformationsis cffcctive. in However,junior officers and tank commanden do not have sufficient opportunity to develop the initiatiye neededto respond effectively to mpidly changingcombat situations.Overall,we judge that the Soviet tank company is capableol completingoperationalmissionsand that, iu combat, its success would be determinedby forcc ratios,enemyeffectiveness, other cxtcmal and facto$.

Anist

Rendition of T 72

vltl

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This study prcsentsinfonnation on the l. PURDOSE. tlctics of the Soviet mdium tsnk compmy. Tactical information is prcc.dd by data on equipment,tatrk The study is primrrily crew trini[g, and orEani?ation. lntcndd to providc instruclors at schools d itr ficld units witi referencematerial, Key facti are rpated to make each sction self supporting. 2. SCOPE. a. the medium tank compary is lhe basic buildiag block of rhc Soviet trtrt arm. Nonaily, a trat comFanyvil opcrrrc es prlt of a battalior{ized un atrd be supportedby, or ln supportof, other arms. Alftough this study rfers to combined arms and tacticsof the tanl op.ations,oDly tfie techniques are analyzcd. compontrt b. Thc study exanin.s compeny and platoon tacdcs ir a Europans.tring in both nomuclerr and nucle& nvironment!. Soviet tacticrl terminolog and symbolos/ haie beenusedwhen US. teminoloF/ fails to adquatelydescribeSoviet conceptr, organization, otherwise 3tatedmilitary lermsin and tsctcs. Uniess common ushave the meaninggivn to then in JCS Publlcation I dated 3 Sep74. Sovietterns which haie oo US equivalent are defined when lust used. c, In thc tactical diagrams the rcader should exilt betweneach esum! thet radio commrmications rEhiclc dpictcd. Frontagesused in the diagramsare for nonnuclearoperations.ln nwlat oprationsthe! frontags can generaly be doubld.

{TankDivisionl. Figure1a. Organization a Tank Company of

RifleDivision) Figurc1b. Organization a Tank Company{Motorized of

CHAPTER 2 ORGANIZATION, COMMAND AND CONTROL

Section A Organization AND PLATOON. tank The l. THE TANK COMPANY company consistsol thre tank platoons and a cornpany headqulrtrs. a tankbattalion In subordinate of to a lank regiment, platoon the consists threetanks. In a tank battalionsubordinate a motorized rifle to regimentthe platoon consists four tanks.In an of independent tank baltalionsubordinate a division to the platoon consists four tanks. of c. Th driver.mechanic's duties include and maintenance rcparrof the lanl, oblaininS spre pans, and inspection the vehicle.In combat th of driver-mechanicis rcsponsiblefor slecting a route which presents gunnr the wiih goodfirin8 positions.

d. The loadris responsibl the condition for and of of sto(age ammmilion and for maintenance the nachine guns. He assists gunner in preparingthe the in 2. THE TANK CREW. The crewof a Sovietmedium main gun for combat, aids the driver-mechanic the and assumes dutiesof the tank is normally four. Thc dutisof t}te tanl crew routine maintenarce Surmer if necessary.He also nans the antiaircraft on machhegun if thereis one mounted the lank.In is rmderstrergth units theremay be no loaderin tahks a. The commander in imrnediate comn nd of a tank. Thc company cornmander platoonleaders othr than thos of the company and platoon and cornmsnd iheir own tanks. T.nk commanders' responsibilities include maintenaflcc the vehicle, of e. Thereis iittle evidence formalcross of training t Jget acquisition. control,ihe slection oI firing fire positions. witlin lhe tanl crew. Soviet tank crewmenare likely The commander the only is and rcsupply. procedures crew member traned and authorizcd usthe tan-k to be familisrwith someof the operating 10 radio exceptin emergencies. of fellow crewmenand could probably perform the hsks required in an cmerSency.In some tank units of the commander encourages efforts at crosstraining. b. The gunner second command the iank. is in the He is responsiblc tuing, servicinS, repaning for and tanks maingun andmaintaining tank sopticaland the gunnery He in instruments. assists driv.mechanic the the technical inspection the vehicle. of and repiaces the ammunition. combrt fte gunner In in assists target acquisilion selects correct thc for and ammunition each tdgct. He firesthe maingunand the couial machine gun.

me Tank Crcw. The wirc ftun d1e helm.a arc for atbchment tu the intercomm nication systam.Note u ,he apparcnt youth of all four

Section B Command
3- COMPANY COMMANDER. The lank company normrl]y a captainor seniorlieutenant, cornmmder, ibr is responsible the battalioncommandr the to commandand efficiency of his company-He is responsible the accomplidment the assigned for of mission and fire contlol of his companyduring operations. Beforeand afler conbat he is .esponsible for the maintenance and sericinS of thc vhiclesdnd the combat readiness the company the standard of and of crcw and tacrical training. In combat the responsibilities the compny commandr of include: a. Deployment;camouflagei maintenance; and replacenenl ammunition, of fuel,lubrican andfood. ts, 4. COWANY IIEADQUARTERS. headquarters consists of: Company

a. Deputy commander - a snior lieuterart or lieutenant, who is dle politicai officer. b. Tecnnical officer . a senior liutenant or lieutenant who has ihree or four years tsainingat a higher t nt techricrl school. c. A prcporshchik - (a ranl rougl y equiyalent to a US warrant officer) who attends to routine administf ative matters.

d. A tank crw mnsisting of a ddver-mechanic, b. Issuing tactical, political, ,nd preparatory a gunnerand a ioader. c. Estimatingthe situalion ,nd carrying out Mth and attachedunit reconnaissance subordinale asuing d. Formulatisg coordinatins instructions, orders, and supeNising inspections prior to The headquartersofficers and p/apolsr.rr* do not There accompany|he ranls on their combat missions. is also a truck driver and a derk.

5. PI-ATOON LEADERS. Platoon leaders ar normally lieutenants, but may sometirnsbe praporshchiki or, rarely! sergeants. The aulhority of the platoon leader in company operationsis Imited. His 1nskis to lead his platoon in the executionof th cornFny mission, to trandate superiois'orders not his e. l-eading or dtecting the company during the tanks, and into a platoon mission.Whenatiachedto a motorized opeiations, controlling fire of company attached units during execulion of the mission, .ifle bataalion, especially in defensii operations, platoon leadersrnay be alowed more flenb ity in the maintaining conlacl with flank units, and .eporting execution lheir mission. of iacticatinfor.nationto the battalioncommander.

Section C ControL 6. CONTROL MEANS. The company cornmander controls rhe tank company by radio, visual and audio signall, and pyrotechnics,in rhe employment of well rehearsed laclical drills. Only office.s cafry maps. Rcfercncc points are used for identificalion of teffain lbaiurcs. Personal example is regardedas a control tcchniqu,and conpany and platoon comrnandefs are cxpectd to personally lead lheir subunitswhen lhe situalion demmds it. 7. RAIIO NETS. The tank company commmder has rwo radios in his tank: r very high liequency (VHF) set for conr.nunicalions with the company and a high frcquency (HF) set for communications with the battalion conmander and orher trnk conpanies.ln ihe tank cornpanyrhe company and platoon commanders nt with each orher and the commanders atlached of motorized rifle dnd arlillcry units. Normally, radios in tanks other than command ianks dre operated only in ihe receiving mode Supporting arrillery comnanders can communicaledirectly to all company 9- RADIO SECURITY. The tank company, in common with other Soviet units, is forbidden to make radio transmjssions immediatclybefor contactis made with the enenry. Radio sets c opcratcd on listening silence until contact has been made.During combat, ody the company commander is authorized to Idn\nr Jn rl e .umplnJ irpqupnc) lrar'n,L.io1. "r shorl and kepi to a minimum. Plaloon leadeis are allowed to lrdnsnrit only in emergencies. combat, In o.den and tactical reports are rransmittedin the clear s h i l e ' e f e ' e 1 c p r o l e f f r i n f e - r u r e s n d o t h e rL , n i t r r e t a d

10. \{SUAL AND ALIDIBLE SIGNALS. Prior ro conrbat, normally during dre comnrander s reconndssancc, codcwordsare asigned to promnenr terrdn Ldlurs wilhin compmy boundaies. Pyrotechnicsor tracersare usedin conbal to idcnlify tdgets. boundaries, and units Prearrangedaudible signrls arc uscd for warnin8swhen the conpany is in a static position. Ijid lines are usedto communicate between tanks and between supporlcd and supporting arms while in static defensivepositions.

8. CONTROL LE\TL. It h important 1o note that co.nol of lhe comnrnd radio ncl is rctrined at battalion level, an.l when the conpany operates p r as of a battalion there will probably be no companynet, b u r a l l . n k , $ r l l ' n u l i t o r l h e b d a l i o nn e La n df e . e i v e orders liom the batlalion commuder.

YY

AA

5
(Revetr. 3r.nkl

CHA?TER 3 WEAPONS,EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES Section A Weaponsand Equipment

L WEAPONS. Equipment drd weaponsin the Soviel t nk company are durablemd beinginproved through continuing research and dcvelopment. Th Soviels expect tank units to {ight by day and night, in exlremes of climaie, and in a nucla nd chernrcal environment.Technical details of tanks, md dala on equipmntmd individual weaponscunenuy in service I with the Soviet tank company, arc in enclosures and usd 2. Dtails of navigalionand night viewingdevices in tanks are in enclosure 3. 2. SPECIAL PURPOSE TANK EQUIPMENT. Soviei medium tanks can all be providedwith auxiliary pdrts for aitaching the mine plough, the plough and ro er combination,and th tank buldozI blade.The wight of thele items reducs tne tant's obstacle crossing ability and maneurrability and makes the vehicle more difficult to handlc. The engine life of tanks having this specidlequipnenl attachedis alsoreducedThe detrimental effects of the usc of such special equipment a.e judged sufficientty sevele to inhibil frequent Eaining.

3. COMPANY TRUCK. OneLighttruck js heldin the tank company.This vehicleis usedby the deputy officer, md t]rc the companycommander, technical pruparshchik. Th vhicle is equipped with a radio as link which canbe used a communications from the conpany commander\ lrnk to the battalton is herdquartrs when the tank co'npany out of direct rangecommunications 4. CBR EQUI?MENT. A[ personnelhave individual protective tank iJe probably nasks,andmostmodern Decontamination equipped with alr Iiltralion systems. and with of vehicles carriedout undersupe$ision is CBR defense defense speciatish. the aid of chernical 8. is deall witn in detailin Chaptr Sovie!tankshave a smoke generatingsystemfor providing a defensive when required. smokescreen

762 tited wi$ nine plows-

Section B Services
5. SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE PLATOON. The suppiyandmaintenance platoonto evacuaae casualties commander the supplyandmainten platoon of nce of and carry amnuition. Fuel trucks resupplythe the tank battalion coordinatesthe rsupply of tanl companyas requued. companies. There is, howeirr, no evidene an of administranve for his usewithin llle battalion-Thij net could causeconsiderable difficulty i.r resupply when the companies widely separated are from battalion b. Tank comparies resuppLid the baltrlion are in assemblyara with POL and ammunition prior to combat. Main and auxiliary fuel lanks are filled to 6. TRANSPORTAND SL'PPLYcapacity approach for rnarches. 200liter auxiliary the fuel lanksaredropped prior to combat, pickedup by a. The organrc lrucls of Ihe lank baltaLion are th supplyand maintenance platoon,andrelurned to supplenented oprations the tank regiment. tants on the objective. The basicload, known to the for by Specializedunarmored tracked tnnspo(ers are Soviets "ammmitionunit of fire,rrfortanks listed as is available somunits for the medicalsectionandthe in

WEAPON
7.62mmMG (2 (2 (l (3 (l (l (l (2 (l (l ea) ea) ea) ea) ea) ea) ea) ea) ea) ea)

TANK
T-54 T-55 T-62 JS-2 JS-3 T-54 T-10 JS-2 JS-3 T.IOM T-54 T-55

RDS PER UNIT OF FIRE PER TANK

5000 rds 3500 rds 2500 rds 2100 rds 1500 rds 250 rds 250 rds (optional wpn) 744 rds 250 rds 744 rds

12.5mm MG

l4.5mm MG l00mm Main Gun I l5mm Main Gun l22mm Main dun

(2 ea)

3 7 rds 44 rds (avg)* 40 rds 30 rds 28 rds

T-62 T-10/T-10M JS-2/JS-3

*The T-55 can carry from 38 to 47 rcunds of l00mm ammunition for the main gun. About half would be antitank (HVAP-T) and the other half HE ard fragmentation rounds (FRAG-HE). The average number of on-boardrounds is 44.

c. Resupply combar norma.lly night;each in is at tank company resupplid tum. li a tsnl runsout is in duringcombatit movesto a position of ammunition In outsidc enemy observalionand is resupplied. positions defcnsive maybe placed neartne ammlmilion tank posilion to providea readyreserve. d: An ernergency reserve consists olbetween20 percentand 30 pcrcentof the norrnalload of POL, partscarried rationsand ammunition, aI spare and in This reserve not be usd without conpanytanks. may ordrsfrom t}Ic companycommlnder, 7. MATNTENANCE AND RECOVERY. a. Basicmaintenance tanLsis cdried out by of ofnccr tankcrews supervised the company by technical Identifiedfaults are recti{ied and tant commanden. on tle lpot if possible- low standard training The of of the driver-mechanic lack of equipnentrn lhe and extensive repans. comprny preclude b. In combat, recovery repairo.ganization a and observation is established battaiion at level,Atechnical point (TOP) is formed by battalionand company officersandis normallymounted an A?C. in techrlical in headquarters with Thc TOPrnoves rearof battalion the task of maintaining visualsurveillance over the batdefieldto locate damaged tanks.The TOP is in radio communication with the battalionconmander

ard monitors the comrnand net to ,dcnlify damaged and inoperative knks- Communicalions are aho mainrrined wirh rhe chief of servicesat regimenral headquarters. Thcrc is onc lrmored recovery vehicle (ARVI in each medium tank battrlion. c. Tanks damaged combal are repairedon the in s?ot or unde! the neareslcover by lhe baltalion repair and evacualiongroup (RFjG). The REG is fomed by the baltalion mrinlenancc sction with augmcnlrtion from regimentas required.lt follows the tank battalion and is tasked by the TOP. d. TanlG damaged beyond dre repair capabilily of thc REG are recovered dnd evacurtedby rcgimenral or division mainlensnce unils. Crewsremainwith these tanks rnd alsist in mrkjng rcpairs snd are ihus losr to lhe compdny commrnder unlil repairs arc made. It should be noted thal the Sovicts normdUy replace entire units rathcr than makeindividualvehicleor crew

8. MEDICAL. First atd is adninistercd to baltle casudlies by olher members of dle crew. using thc first aid pack in $e tank. fie battalion medicalteam which accompanies RBG removes thc serious casualtes from tanks once they have bccn lowed 1o covcr. Serious casuahics are collected and evacurled by reginental transpon, as thcre is no inedicalofficer at

Poutine mainenanceis car ed out by the d vermechanic crew unclerthe srpeNisionof the Company and
(n.86.

Bra*)

CHAPTER 4

SOVIETTANK CREW TRAINING

5. TANK CREWTR-AINING. Soviet tarft crews are trainedon controlleddrivingrnd firing rrngs.The emphrsis drivrtlainins is on safelyovercomrng in a timed sriesof driving hazardsand providrngthe gunner with a goodsightpicture. Obstacles a rypical on 2. CONSCRTPT TRAININC. The majorily of mer m driving course include l lls, bridges,sreep dops, a Soviettanl company conscdpts. percentage cufles,ramps. are The anda deepfordingobstacle Figure Gee of professional soldiersa1 this Ievel variesbut will 3). The gunner requled to accufately the main is lue seldom exceed l0 percent. Conscript tank gun both from staticpositions 8un and the machine gunners commanders, and driver-mechanics complte and on ihe move. a periodof four to six monthsinstruciion training in unrq beforejonng rheir companies. Loade-!receive 6. EQUPMENT CONSERVATION.To conserve no specialht trainingand join their companies after equipment combat,tank cornpanies for nomally use one month of instruction. Most conscript tank only one or two tanksfor iraining.Renainingtrnks crewmen will have received pr-induction training are kepr in storageand periodicallyrotated with beforeentering the Soviel Army. This training is given lraining tlnLs and are normallyusedonly for large by military instructors schools, facrories, at collective scale exercises. Storage maintenance standards high, are and state farms, and instiiuaes the USSR.The in but excessive inexpert and mairtenance stored of ianks standard of pre-inductiontraining vades widely probablydoes moreharn rhangood.The equipment ttuoughoutthe ussR. conseNation systemdoesnol consisiently insurethe reliability lhe company's inventory. mechanical of lank 3. TRAINING OF JTNIOR LEADERS. leastone The fiaining of crews whose lanks ltre storag At is tank conmandr each platoon is a junior officer probably less effectiveihan that of crewshaving in ot pruporshchik.The officer har receivedup to four lraining tanks. years' training in ofiicer schools,and a ptaporshchik has receivedbet\r,eensix months and a years 7. SUBIJNIT TRAINING.Training companies by and professional training followingtwo years experience as plaioonsconcenrrates fuing, driving,and rapidly on shiftingcombatformalions. About 30 percenr this of yealsthere been tiainingis at night.In recent has some 4. ROTATION OF CONSCRIPTS. Conscriptsare combined trainlng ol talk and motorized rifle inducted into the SovietArmy at six monthintervals elenents.Trainingis mairLly repiilionof srandard a andserve two years. for Thismeans appronma&ly drills with little opportunitylor junior comnanders that 22 percent a combat of unil changes verysixmonlhs. join Non-specialists tank comprnies th same at time as specjalisrr. Man) regimenral commanders reassign exprienced crewmenevery six monahsto spread l CREWEFFECTMNESS.The effecriveness ihe of tank companydepends the quality of individual on and crew training.This chapterdescribes type of tle trainingwhich members a tank crw receive. of

11

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Figure TankDriverTraining 3, Course.

D Er training concenn'aE on efelY overcominga e $ of hazeds stch as hat Clown on an obsbcle coureA ttict tima limit is impoed for completion of the coure.

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CHAPTER 5 TANK GIJNNERY AND FIRE CONTROL

Section A Cunnery
I. GIJNNERY]TIETHODS. and a. Emphasis placed on fast. accura|e, is fire during intens from the maingunandnachinegurs operations. combat Tank gunners from "in place" fire postions,at short haltsof 15 to 45 seconds, the on A deal marcb,andwhilefordingwaterobstacles- great is of tsainingtimc in tank companies spent using gunnery simulators sub.caliber and devices improve 1o by techniques. Firingon the range frequent dayand is nidt usingthe 23mmsub-caliber device the iank and b. Tank company officers and tank commanders with the tanks armament, arerequtcd1obe proficient and ofiicers are used extensively as gunnery qualili as gunnelsas instructors. Tank comnanders pan of $ir lraining,and conscnplcommanders can pay throughtheir skill as gunners. eam incntive 2. INITIAL GUNNERYTRAININC. Basicgunnery is trainingfor rh conscript dividedinto theoretical work, with emphasis on andpractical beingplaced lhe larrer.Upon lhe completioo training gunner of the is givenan oral exaninationon the theoretical sideof his training. He also fires three munds of 23mm sub&liber trainingammunition and 70 roundsfrom the tank machiregun"for the record" to obtain a proficiency fating.Trainees not fire for tlle rcord do before their instructors e satisfiedthat they can performeverydetailof the gunnery routinewithout difficdty. Supedor: Threehils wilh 23mmandat least one hir on one mactnngun tar8e1,or two 23nrn hits and all machinegun tarSts hii. Two 23mm targelshia and threemachinegun targets hit, or one 23mm targethit and hit. all machinegun targets Two 23mm targetshit and onemachinegun target hit, or firee 23mm hits and no machinegun t3rgets hit. One 23mm larget hit and several hits machinegun targelOne 23mm tarSet andno hit machineSun larSelshit, no 23nrn and ,11 hits hit, macbmgun targets or no hits wirh either-

Excellenr:

Good:

Pass:

Fail:

norrnally ttueerounds amor fire of Tank commanders piercingeachyear for familiarization.

4. CUNNERY RANGES.Tank rangesare usurlly ol situated neartank units.They normallyconsist up to ten iarget lanes a single and return{lne,downwhich tank mov in column after fuin8. Ordersfor firing from a cental to are relayed the platooncommander 3. GUNNERY STANDARDS.The standardsfor rangefrom.l00m to gunnery proficiency arc common ihroudoul the control tower by radio.Targets test is tslen oncea year. 1200m and ale old rhicles,popups,or moving Soviettank arm. A gradd of or of silhouettes 13nts,APCS, infantry.Ta*s engage Targts provided ranges 40On to 1200mfor a.e at main armament machineguns. and Threerounds from targets on order of the platoon commander. Iiring is at night. 25 the main armament,usualy of 23mm sub-caliber Approximately percentof ranS . amrlunition, have to b fired within 100 seconds. Ta-rgels iliuminated eithe! by sarchlights by or are Usingthe night fiashing bulbsattached the targets. to Machinegun brgetsappcar twicebefore twiceafler and lighl, firing is conducied th rnain largt.Ratjngsarc as folows: sightand the infraredsearch up to a rangeof 800m.

Section B Fiie Control

s. FIRECONTROL OPERATIONS. a compiny In ON operation, company the commandcr controlsthe fire of eachtank by radio.TanI fire is concentrated upon targets accordingio the priority assigned the by (ATGM)arcfirst colnJnander. Antilankguided missiies priority targets. the arsault, ln tank cngage targr the which is closest most dangerous them.Targets 1o and are indicatedby us oI encodedrerrain relerence points,by trace!fire, by the comna,:1dcr pointinghh gun at tlte target, by useof the targer or azimuth scale. The company or platoon commander gives a lire mission containinglhe followingelements: a. Call sign of unit or tank to tue. point. b. Targetlocationby us of reference c. Fire mission:destruction neutralization. or d- Firing procedure: from march, fire shorthalt. e. Type of roundi AP, HE, fra8mentation. f. Numberof rounds be firedor whento ceas to fire. 6. GllN STABILIZATION.Soviet tanis have had sornernethodof gun stabilization since1958.Tanks produced have bolh vcltical planand subsequently azimuthstabilizalion. While the Sovierconcepr calls for t.nk to fire on tlle move,the stabilization system is space oriented rathertlt,n targelorinled. rough The ride resulrinS from $e relativelycrude suspension sysimmqns that taJger stabilizarion probably is nor yet possrble. thc T54-'Ib2 series. ln Therelore,thc chance a fint round hit still depends thc skill of on of the gurlnerratherthan on the efficiencyof the stabiliza system. tion 7. ACCURACY.The accuracy Soviet tank gun of systemsappcarsto be limited by fien sighting mc,hdr5m'.rangcfL.]ders. gunner)recnnrques. and ralher than by capabilitiesof the guns and anmunition.Wassess accuracy fie l00mmgun the of of the T54/T55as beinghigh 10 1000n after which ir fall' oif rJpiJl).fhe l b2srh rfe l l5mmgJnusin8 high velocityfin slabilized armorpiercing discardin8 sabot(HVFSAPDS) ammuition is accurate h$ md a good penetration capabiiiry ranges io 1500m. at up Reduction tube life in the mainarmament the in and high cosI of ful borc ammunitionexplains the frquent use of lhe 23rnm sub{aliber dcuce in gunnery raining. In nighl gunneryth IR system presently useprcsents in problems. nost sighting The effective method of engaginglargets at night is illumination white lighl lnd engagement the by using daylight sigit.

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

l4

CHAPTER 6 AN'D MISSIONS SOVIET CONCEPTS

l. coNcEPTs.
a. The basictactical conceptof the Soviet Arrny is offensive action.This cals for Soviet forces break to gaps enemydefenses to rapidlycxploit in through and in strength and depth. Sovietmilibry writingsstate "nobility andhigh tenposofcombatoperations bring success a battlor operations." in Defense re$rded is as a temporary expedient until a favorablesituation for a retum to the offensive can be created. b. Tank unitsharra criticalroleh Soviet tactical doctdnedue to their mobility,maneuverabilily, anil speed. Thesequalitiesare strcssed the Soviet!more by than the armor protection and fuepower inherent in the tanls.

3, MISSIONS. a. As a rule, aankcompanies operate parl of as a tank balldion; howeve whenreinforced tactical r, by uniis of other ground forces,lhey arc capableof independent operations, Missions a tankcompany, of asparl of a lankbattalion in conjunction or with other (l) Reconnaissance. (2) Marchsecurity. (3) Advance suard. (4) Attacksfrom the mdch column.

c. The Soviets regard tank irm as ihe basic the (5) Deliberate prepared hasly attacks againsl and striking force of ftir ground forcs, and stess lh defenses. necessity rapid manuvr t3nk units to exploit for of the effects of nuclear, chemical.or conventional (6) Meetinsengagcments. artillery fire. Tank and motorized rifle unils may be crossattached the mission as requns. Rapidchanges (7) Forchg or crossing watcr obstacles. in mission ue an inlgral pan of Soviet tactical (8) Dfensive operations. d. Tankcompany operations usually are launched b. whentankcompanies reinforce motorized rifle from thc rnarchcolumn. Initiative and resourcefulness units, tbeir missions are: are recognizedas bin8 qualnes neededby ihe tank (l) To provideadditional unit commander the exccution in ofhis missioo. Strict antitank firepower. adherence hctical formations howevr, to is, required (2) In defense. providean armoredresrve. witlin the company. to e. Trsfficability rhe tankcnnrestrict of mobility, but ia $ould be notedihat tarft crewmen trained are to cross water obstacles snorkcting additionto by in bridgingand ferrying.Soviettank crewsaJetraind and equippedto operal in nuclearand chemical 2. ECmLONS AND RESERVES. strict Soviel In level. te.ms "echelons" not usdbelowregimental ar The first echelonwill be given prinraryobjectives. echelons initiallyassigned which Second are objectives may be alteredafter crossing their linc of departure. a and cen A resrve not initially assigned mission is moment be usdby the commander thc decisive ai of an operation. tankcompany bc assigned A can tasks in ither first or second echelons. Suitablyreinforccd a tank companycan be employedas a rcgimental will resewe. methodof operation remainthe same lts in any of theserols. (3) To lead anacks.

''The

basb Ectical concept of the Soviet Amy

is offenive action"

TS4/SS'S in he Astautt.

CHAFTER7 TACTICALFORMATIONS
I. GENERAL. a. During combatoperations tan* conpany the formations 10 moves well rehearsed in appropna& the mision. The placeof each t.nk in the phtoon and companyis fixed. Tant conpaniestrain for the orderly and npid redeployment from march and for procornht and combal lormations.This rraining|s inspected periodicaly by staff officers and commanders from rcgimenr who judgerhe companyt proticiency executing in the formations. to b. SiSnals deploy or chsngformarionare usurlly givcn by flag or hrnd during the march or in precombat situationsand by radio codewords after contacthas beer made.Navigarion carriedout by is ofncers, as nlisied men are not isrued maps. The followingdiagrams show lhe usualpositionof ranks in formation. 2. MARCH FORMATION. During the mrrch a tank company movs as quickly as possibleon roads in column formation. The companycommrnderleadsthe column ,nd platoons folow in nurnericalorder (see Figul! 4). l. PRECOMBAT FORMATIONS. movein Companies diffringconligurations platooncolurm, depending of on the trrainand the dkectionof the t]}reatThes .r called preconbar formationsand are xsed to actueve dispeBion when near the enemyor crossing minefields. first platoonby numerical designation The within thc company is known as the guide platoon (s.c Figure 5). Combatfolmationsare 4. COMBATFORMATIONS. by delermined the trrlin and the fireat. Basically, tanks are formed in line with the companycommander behind the line to be in position to control his in formalions at a. The company assaults combat speed.ln combat thereis l00m between line maximurn travls morethan no tanks.The company commander (see behindth guideplatooncommander 300 meters Fisure O. b. To add depth to .n assault, lhe 'two up formation may be used (see FiSure ?). ln the two up" formationknks areechelotred &at all mayffr so in the assault. similar formationxistswith only A platoon oneplatoonup. ln sucha ca!tlrc guide leads. c. To protect an exposdflank an echelon forrnation usd(seeFigure8). A similarformalion is exists the tank company b echeloned (see for to right FigurE8).

sEcoNo
PLATOON

THIRO

<<>-.{C>OO*O

OO-"CO

4. Fioure Tank Columnin March Formation

.t

0
A THIRD

0
sEcoNo/tr

\?
1\ FrFsT

0 0
0
^\ FIFST

0
V
COMMANDEF

300

(,

6l
sEcoND a

t4\ rHrRD

0
" T W OU P . I N V E F T E DV ' '

0
O N EU P W E D G E

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t
I

\?
FrFSr A

(}
PLATOONV

sEcoND a

0
A COMPANY

0
THIFO A V PLATooN

A
1l FrFsr

+
(} (.1 sEcoND

6
A rHrFo

corverrv

0
ECHLONED LEFT

THREE LINE UP

Figure PrebattleTank Formations. 5.

1E

-+e gs .<>
OE
l

-<flL..i t6 <2:

l5

5
l:

.9

s&o)
F

go

-<{r<>3 E

E .9

-<{

l5 IP

T6A in March Fomation. Note the 23nn baiel of the leading tank.

subcalibrc sleeve in d1e

Tt2 platoon in combat fomation. Att had:hesarc clogd once the tanksmove frcm cotumn fomation.

CHAPTER 8 CBR DEPENSE

t. CBR TRAINING. Tank companicstrajn to operaF in a nuclerr, biologrcal, and chenical environmenr. thdl DurinS individutil and cfew lraining it is slressed the protective featuresof the tank !r good rnd lhal tanl unils can safcly cross conhminalcd areas.Thc only CBR monitoring equipment capability within ih company is thc dosimetcr carried by lhe company conmande!. When planning operations.the comprny thc amount ofrrdiation his nen connander considers havc aireaJy rcreired and rre blely lo recervc In cro\ g !onIlnurJred rreas. cBR rc.onnaiNn(c teans nay b assignedlo the complny fron the regiment Ior individual operations. 2. PROTECTIVE IIEASURES. Each rank crewm h r r , p r o r e c t i v cm a s k a . l J p r o r e c r i v c l o t I r n B . T h e . mask causes sevcrc limitations on visibilily and ihc rubberized protectvc suil. if worn for prolonged periods, considerably reduces lmop ffcctiveness. Protectivc clothing is pur on during a CBR attack or when thc codeword "AToM" is given ovcr the radio. Audiblc rnd pyrotccinic alarmsare also usedto wrn rroop! of immincnt CBR attlck. In thc T6:- thcre is a device which culs off the cngine upon detection of nuclear radiation.

3. DECONTAMINATION

EQUIPMENT.

Deconta rinalion routines are cmployed after a CBR altack. Tank crews bru$ loos maleriai from theif tanls as soon as posliblc and laler drivc Io , point whcre the vhicle is pressurcwashedro complete the proccssoi deconlarnination. 4. CBR PREPARIDNESS-The Soviel soldier expecls to be aitackcd by ruclar and chemicalwcapons. CBR trainiig is re isric and rs included in majo. exercises. Soviet soldicrsmd their comm.ndersnre awaJe and of, train for, r rapid changefrom nonnuclearto nuclc:iJ wJJtlre. Tank comFny operations are plannd accordingly. and ofren the company is reinforced by specialishlrom the chemical delensebattalion of rhc divisior.

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.

CHAPTER9 RECONNAISSANCE
1. COMMANDAND CONTROL.A tank company If the company is acting at long ran8c, a high by rgmenl,or battalionto frequency radio lirl to battalion will be est5blidDd. may be taskd division, undrlak loI reconnaissance In thscircumstances suirabltadio is mounted itr missions,A medium a lank company moreLkelyIo condu.rreconnarss3nce a light truck to accompany patrol. $ the lasksin the offensivthan in rhe defensive. Regfnenrar reconnaissance 3. MISSIONS.Reconnaissance missions are planned up to 50 krns missions bc divid.d can forward of the main body. At longer rangesthes into two maintypes;howev.r, $ould benotedth*e it classi{icatio are not Soviet trrnioolos/. missions are executed by reconnaissanceunits. patrols providedby mcdium tanl Reconnais$nce on a, Tenain and CRR Montoring farfs. A tant companies the flanlc of tle rnain body are likely company reinforcd by chemical spcialists ard to operateup to l0 kms ahead the divisionand of ngineers may be tasked to carry out dt4ilcd within rang of arlillry support. reconnaissance mads, bridgrs, water crossing of aroas, andobsLacles lhe division regimentrl on 2. MINFORCEMTM FOR RECONNAISSANCE. A or aris.The3e reconnaissance tasks can includ CBR monitorinc of tank company is normaly rcinfo.ced for recoMaisgance mjssions,A typical Econnaissanc contaminatdor suspectedareas. gouping would be: a. A tank company- l0 tanks b. A motorizednfle plaloon - 3 APC'S c- An engineer squad- I AIC patrol of 3 or 4 d. A chernical reconnaissiulce chemical spcialists- BRDM-2RKH
-10kn+

<C-

<+O-

*CNO' J

<!

-<{<>

+GlF

'+t<>-

Z
.GI
- conpany comdand,

-+@Ensl.4rsqu.d Nore APC 1r Carryins Note2:E.chAPccariesono Chsmielsp.ci.li.t

."c i,illi::l?"{Jff:l',s",-", -<-ClAPc incolumn wirhT.nks -+@f rightr,u"r *nh HishFEquencv Fadio

Role Formation ofa Tank Companyin Reconnaissancs Figurc9. Representative

;l

\t

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

24

b. Tacticat Inte iSence Co rctian. The rank company is con$dered by the Sovietsto be suitable nissions to Sarninformation on the for leconnaissance strength, disposition, organization and movemenl of targets arei enemy forces. Particular reconn3Nsance (l) Nuclcal delivery means. (2) Artillery posiiions. (3) Communication cenlers. (4) Comrnand Posts. (5) Reserrc Fornations. During GROLTING. AND 4. STRENGTHS a reconnaissance tank company usuallv operatesas o f i r e e p a u o . s .u p r o l 0 \ m s a p a n d c p e n J i n g n l n c ol mBJo; ard rettain. The orsani,/aLion dn inrclli8ence collection patlol is shown in Figure 9 a 5. ORDERS. ln preparationfor th reconnaissance' ranl coflpany commandeli' givcn oral order, covering the fo owins: a. Enemy forces - composilion, operaiions, ard units b. Missions of adjacent teconnaissance c. Atiachmenh to L\e company d- Direclion and objective ol leconnarssance-

n. Recognition siSnrls. o. Rocedure for delivering pnsoners, caplured e q u i p m c n Lr,n d m a P s . Tank company commandersare 'lso siven a brief ofoperations by other friendlv outline of the schedul forces dudng his nission. Alier estimating the situation, the commanderissuesoral orders to patroi wilh the aboveformrt. He comnandersin accotdancc a also designates secondin conmand - pfobablv th senior phtoon commander. 6. MOVEMENT AND OBSERVATION. a. Movcment is made by road dt mdximum sped in either company column or platoon columns to the point (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 move by bounds,coveringeach odre-rlthcy remain on roads are and water obstacles PopulatedaJcas where possible. with caution, under cover rvherefdsible approached lf observation reveals no enemy positions, then populated areasare reconnoiteredand water obst"les

tank commanders b. During the reconnaissancer normaly will have their hatches open At night lR devices are used. Listening posts rnay be set up in plaloon strenglh. These posts are 15 kms from rhe mdn compmy pa!.ol- Selectedtank crewmenobserle or encm) ait aclrury rl,roughoul}e reconlai.\dnce 7. ACTION ON MEETING ENEMY Th rank avoid action during company aitempts io bypassing enemv posrnons. reconnaissance by Ambushesare planned to capturemen and equipnrenl for intelligence purposes.

e. Mission. the line of f. Location and time of crossing g. Route lo be followed. h. Point of letum to frindly lines method and tiequencies. i. Conmunicarion j. Mthod of reporting evacuation k. Casuaity Procedurc. l. Vehiclerecovry Procdure n. ltefod aircraft.

or conracrwirh recorraissance

25

CHAFTER IO MARCH SECURITYOPERATIONS

Section A Concepts l SMALL SCALE OPERATIONS.The Soviets anticipatethat, du to the use of CBR weapons, modemwarfarewil resultin a large numberof small scaieoperations conducted consecutively dilferent in direciionsand over wide frontages. The majoriiy of thcscaclions will be between forces rapidlyadvancing toward eachother, imporlance theSovieh. need rapid,decisive by for The aclion by batlalionand conpaty commanders, wilh strict tacrical formations, stressed Soviet is in military writings.Due to the CBR threatandthe introducrion of sophisticated dvices useduringdarkness, for many meetingengagements expecled taj(eplaceat are to night. Wiie eachunit or formation responsible is for iis own security, common , taskfor the tankcompany 2. SECURjTY ELEML\fS.The actions opposing is to providescurityfor a movingcolumn. of forcessecurity elemen|s colsidered be of great are to Section B Lead March Secudty Detachnlent 3. TASK. A rinforced tank company employed is as a foruardsecudly elemenr whenir\ barralon arl rj advanceguard. The Soviet erm for a company employed in lhis rol is "lead march sccurity detaclment(LMSD)." The tasksof a tank compary acting as the LMSD are to ,rllow l}le rapid and unimpeded movmenl the mdn colunn by: of a. Neutalizingenemyreconnaissance. b. Protecting column from surprise the attack. c. Clearing the designatedroule ol light n- A battery of l2lmm howitzers. d- Acting as a baseof fire for offeosive action by supporting unitsin thecledingof hca!ry opposition. e. Reportirgon te(ain and CBR contamination to higherheadquuters. b. A motorizcdrifle plrloon. c. A combdtenginccr delachnrent. d. Chcmicri defens specialists. s. STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION.A rdnk conlpanycmployedas an LlttSDwould prob:rbly bc logelherwith informationon prujectedanborneor anhndedoperations alonghis route.The limc to pass each control point on the route is spcificd. An evalualion enemyforcs, of tenain. and obslaclcs to be crossed then made. is lnd coordination coDducted wilh supporting tactical units. The company commander fien givesoral orders his subordjnates to for the accomplishment the nrisson. of

The LMSD nornally follow the routesrconnoitered c. Traffic regulators. by reconnaissance forcesand havethe supportof the remainder its parentiank battalionandofattached Possiblythe following subunitswould be addedin of artillery.The LMSD operatcs apPropdate aboui 5 kms in front circumstanccs: of the column il prctects. (a) An antlaircraft artillery ection. 4. PLANNING. Th LMSDtank conpanyconmander receives (b) An ,ssrult crossins informationsimilarto that received Lhe platoon. by recoffnissance company (see 8). commander Chapter In addition he receivesfull delails of friendly Several company tants arc fitted with minc ploughs. reconnaissance nrissionsto his front and flanks.

27

6. METHODOF OPERATION. Tte LMSD normaly a. Description ariilefy targets of and rime for in lo operales company columnandexpccts overcome opcningfire. whileremaining that formation. in The lidt opposition LMSD is employed as shown in FiBUre10. r'r'o.ethat b. Tank platoon axs,boundaries, md assault The th company commander lcadsthe tank column. distance bctwenvehicles and subunitsis 25 50 detailed mters. Individual tank! or APCS usually are c. Missionsand sssaull lines for supporting to give the LMSD front and ilank proteclion. DuriDS the advance, only the compdnycommander mdkes or radio transmissio.s, d. Combar enginer and chemicdl specialist 8ivir8 ordcr! by codewords by positions codenumbers. Controlof lhe columnis exercised and missions combat. in flagsignals dayandsignrlfiares nidt. Air attack by by e. Order to open fire and the attack signal. i! courteredby increasing speed ard marchinlrvals. on Antiaircraftfire is delivercd orderof the company commander. Dwing short h3lts the vehicles closeto 9, BNCAGEMEM. within 10 metersof each other. A1 long halts th company deploys a perimetcr into defense. LMSDduty a. The enemyis engaged directlyfrom the marcn rotaleswithin the companies th battalion. of column.Tank platoons deployfrom comprnycolufin iflto platoon columnsand then into combat line. 7. TRiFFIC REGULATION. During lacticalmoves Motodzedinfantry gencraly folows the tanks and givenby lraffic Sovictcombatunitsrely on dnections remains mountedin A?Csdulingth assadt. Hatches regulators. is likely tha. th route to be followed areclosed It whenthe LMSDmo!sfrom precombat into by the nain body will be marked by trdffic rcgulators accompaJrying LMSD. Tra*ic conhol pointsare the probablyestablished the divisiontraffic control by b. If the enemyis in gratlysuperior strenSth, prssedback by the companybasedon inforrnation the LMSD w act as a basof fire. Th LMSD ules rconnaissanc battalion and lMsD. rls ftrE power ro prerenrfie enemyfrom orgarlizinS an effectivedefens while the remainder ihe 3dvance of 8. ACTION ON CONTACTINC THE ENEMY.The guarddelivers flank attack.lf th enemyattempts a expecrthe LMSD to seizethe hitiative and Soviets to withdraw, the LMSD will pursuewithout a$,aiting a to surpri!and be capable defeating numedcally further orders. of superiorforce. lt will normallyattackfrom a flank. Ordrs issucdby LMSD commander radio on by nraking enemy contact are short and contain $e folowinB:

i!! _+O@Y6-d -@c"-*m--.**.-+<D_ r-rtu,*n''sde,-tu,*, 'C m.."* "-'" a*. rrc

_ + @

hdv*b *t *" vr * *" * + a*-. -'r

Figure10. Composition Deployment LeadMarchSecurityDetachment. and of

2A

Section C Security of Flanks and Rear

l0r LATEML MARCH SECtruTY DETACHMENT. Wherrhe.c is a thral to a flank of th main body, a Einforced tsnk company acts as a laleral march security detaclunent.This detachmentoperatesand is relnforced similarly to an LMSD. lt mov.s on a route perallel to th axis of the mrifl body atrd about five kilomters f.om it. Th I I . REAR MARCH SECURITYDETACHMENT. Soviet lerminolory for rar guard is "rear march security detachment (RMSD)." Such a detachment followsthe protected columnby aboutfivekilometers. A tank companyreinforcedwith combrt en8ineers may be orderedto carry out the actionsof a rearguard during widrdrawal operations. Th aim ol lhe detachment to preventpcnelrationof lhe mair| is column. The RMSD coven the combat enginers as they construct or demolishohtacles. The RMSD may ambush puNuing eocmy forcs during retrogrrdc 12. SECURITY WITITIN A BATTAUON COLUMN. In a battalion column, compades hava a primery res?olsibility for their own security. Coilpany ,re the commanders readyto support LMSDby means of an envelopingattack from the ma.ch column to either llank-

29

CHA TER II THE OFFENSIVE Section A Tactical Doctrine

that l. CONCEPIS. Soviet doctrine emphasiT-es offensive action h thc basiccombataclivity of tank units. Thc ain in each offensiveoperationis 10 concentratenougir firePower to deshy enemy h's defenses a narrow frontagemd to penelralc on gains positionin depth.Oncean offnsivc monentum. pressure. and Sovietdoctrinecals for rclentless day nighl, to exploii initial success. This is designed to enemyforce"and preclude enenr) use s fragmenr rhe of tacticalnuclearweapons. will takepart 2. MISSIONS. tank ompany usually A in offensive operations paft of a battalionand is as lupporled by other combat drms.A lank company Whcnlhe cnemys nraybe givenon uf rwo mrssrons. is boundaries be cleaiy identincdthe mission 10 can desrroy enemywithin a particular the sector stong or point. Whcnenemyboundaries not clearly are defined, the tank company rvill be orderedto seizcand hold key terrain unlil given funher objective.Thes missionswill take placc in the folowmg typc of a. The mee ting engagcment. b. The breakthroogh. c. The pursuil. 3. ATTACK FORMATIONS AND FRONTAGES.A on of tanl company normallyattacks a frontaSe 800 meter!wilh 100melers tanks and I00 meters between betwecnsubunits when undernuclear conditions. In frontaSe nonnuclear conditions compafly the may be reduced 500 mcters 10 with 75 meters between tanks is than and subunits. platoonfrontage rot grea@r A 200 mters4. FORMS OF ATTACK I,{ANEUVER. A tank echlon two has company eitherrhe first or sccond in basicforms of altack: a. The fronaalattack when thc enemyhas no assailable flank. Considerable effort is made lo neutralize enemyby means nuclear, the of chemical, or convcntional fires beforea frontal all8ck. (see b. An enveloping attack-ithcrclose deep or Figurell). A close envelopmeot directd is igainstthe by flmk of ,n enemyand is srrpported the tu of units attacking frontally. A deep ervelopmenth directedagainsl flanksor rear of an enemyto a the dep$ beyond range directfire support of weapons the force of lhe frontallyattacking units.An envcloping is reinforced ifldependent for actionand coordinates with units altacking by radio it! tacticaloperation frontally- Closand deep envelopmeot! lrlraly are supporred prcplanned by artillcry fre.

t-

En.ny Ddfmivo Pl.loon Posnio.

A' t,,'\

t,tr

:--=%

:ii#il':'"ilil",'"*"rars.r HowiEer
122nm Howitz{ SdtterY

--.-----/

'9r--Y

///

,t

Mete6

T6nk Company Attack by Reinforced Figure11. Enveloping

32

Section B The Mccting Engagement !. On contactwith the enemy,rhe conmander in the LMSD deploysinto a combal formationto a. The Soviets defmethe mecling engsgement rs dclver maximumfire to halt the cnemy.He reports combatbetweeropposing thc columnsrapidlyadvancing 1()Ihe battalion comrnander strength, composition, towardseach other. Meetingengagemenls most andlocahonof the enemyforce.lf possible attacks src he likely to occur in the followingcircumstanccs: rheencmy, fronror flank.If theencmy supcrior has tuepowerthc LMSDconmander seizs terrainto key (l) During an advance conllct. to act as n base lire for an artackby the mainbody. of (2) Fo owing a successful brelch bre akthrough enemydefcnss. of or b. After receiving the LMSD commanders silualion report, the baatalion commander evaluates lhe situation. transrnits He ordersto rhe main body, which movcs into precombal formation: While deploying, tank omprnycommander expect thc can to receive informalionas to: (l) His mission. (2) Missions adjacent-unitsof (3) Artillery supporl. (4) Sisnds to b used durine $e assaul!. 5, CONCEPI.

(3) In the courseof an enmycounlrattack. (4) w]len Sovietforcc, are counterdlrarking. (s) Durins pursuit. b. The Soviets that succss Sained is in consider engagements the first forceto dcployinlo meting by combat formation and attack with the supportof en8ugement artilleryand other weapons. meeling The or is a bartalion regimenta.l operation which may bc dividedinto ttuee phases: (l) Advance march column!. of

c. The company commanderthen transmits missionsto rhe platoon commanders while the cornpanyrnovcs inio combat linc- The atlack is (2) Depioyrnent secunlylemcnts. of conductedas a on-phare operationwith a single objective. This initial objective a predesignated is line (3) Assaullof the 'nain body. on lh ground. The mectinS ngaSernent is completed whcntheencmy destroyed, forcedinto a defensive is is on c. Thh sction concentrates the deployment position,or withdrawr.The tan](company may then or of th tank comp.nyin the assault the mainbody. pursLre, temporarilydefnd,depending th of on succesof the engagementOF THE MEETINC ENGAGEMENT, 6, CONDUCT

Section C The Brcakthrough

?. CONCEFI. byi a. The Soviets recognize a deliberale that attack is requned: (1) To defeat enemyforcs prepared in defensive positions which cannotbe bypassd. (2) To exploil an inirial stalemale a mee.ing in enSagement. (3) To neutralizelntitank weapons.llrlillery positions, headquarters, communications and facilitics. (l) Dispersion reduce to vulnrability nucleal to weapons dudng preparation the.ssault. for (2) Speed the asrault combned in by armsteams. (3) simultaneous attacks breakthrough by fores on naflow frontages. (4J Continuous rcconnaissancewam ofencmy lo b- TheSoviets consider succcss determired ahat is

33

8. PREPARATION AND PLANNING. b. It is apparenl that rl pfeseni Sovier conrpany comnanders nol alwaysunderstand propcrly do lnd use the techrliqes of fire supportcoordinarion. Ir their orden 1()subordinates they meretyrepeatthe nissionwithout explaining tyingin lhe and b. Bforethe attack,the cornpany commander coinpany's by is Artilleryfire and mans whichfire support provided. rcceives orders oral from thebattalion commander supporth often pre.planned, be unobserved, may and makesan cstimateof th situation.He conduclsa with his plaroon leaders and is usuallytued on a schedule. reconnaissance of commanders attached and supporling units. Upon OF OPERATIONS. completing his reconnaissance, the company IO. CONDUCT commander issues oral orden which include: two methods of launching a (l) Disposition and composition enemyforces. breakthrough: a a. ln bre*thfough operations tank company notorized .ifle can be reiniorcedby, or reinforce, unils. In eilher caie its iaciicswould be the same. (2) The missions the company its altached ol and md supportnrg units. (3) Infornatioi on adjacentunits and dreir (4) The direcrionof advancc. (5) Combatformirions. (6) Lines of dparture/deployrnent aslautt and ll. ACTION lN THE HOLDING AREA. A rank conpany commanderpreplres his compary for (7) The coordination mdio communications. combatwhile.egimental ordrs being are issued t} to of batialioncommander. Tanks .efueled, arc scrviced, and resupplied wilh ammunition.After receipt of the (8) Codewords. baltalon commande'i orders, reconnJissance rs conductcdand ordrsgivenlo platooncommandcrs. (9) Arrangemcnls arti cry support. for Time pcrmitling. rehrrsals carried are out. Movement from thc holdingarei is shownin Figure 11. (10) Vehiclc recovery and repan. (11) C sualty evacuation. (12) Locarionof the secondin command. a. the mov froln the holdinga.eais timed so that the Iine of dcpadureis feachedal the ri e specified the battalionorder.If thc attackis to b in preceded a nuclelr strile sg nst forwardenemy by 9. COORDINATION FIRE SUPPORT, OF positions,arrangemenls made to protect lhe aJe a. A tank company commanderorients his attacking force from the sirike. Aras aftording poinls3re protectionfrom radialionare prselected along the subordinales artillerysuppo(. Refrence on only us long as necessary designated and assi8ned codewords. Theserefernce route and ar occupied to poinh are used1(] cal for andadjustsuppo ng ine. shieldthe tanks and attached units frofi radrluun. It is significant that the comprnycommander not and b. The company deploys into precombat an rrtillery forwrd obselvercalls for supporting Platoon formationapproximately kjlometers lwo artilleryfire drough the battalion commander. from theiinc dcploy inlo combll formation conrmnden can request fire support from th of conlact. Platoons tankcommandem approxirnately meters 500 beiorereaching line of conrprny commrnderr individual but th contacl (seeFigue l2). reconnonre ground fie c. Pialooncommanders wilh tank commanders thereis tin. if 12. ADVANCE TO ASSAULTPOSITION.A lmk company mo!s forward, on order, with ils (l) Fron tle march aBainstan ill prepared (2) By deliberate assaulr againsr prepared defenses from a holding area.. b. Breakthroudoperalions from the mrJch ar dynamic.spontaneous, unpredicrablc. and Therefore, only opcrationslaunchd from a holding area arc

I I
I

34

!
I
O L I N E FD E P L O Y M E N T IN FNOM OMPANY TO C PLATOON COLUMN

0
INiO DEPLOY PLATOON LINE

HOWITZEF BATTEFY

Ilv
Enemy Platoon Posnions AnliTank Guided Missile EnemV

i-a

l22mm Howit2er Battery -r6nk Fomdion Plaroon Combar in

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REINFORCED MPANY CO WAITINGAF EA LEAVES ]NCOLI]MN

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n i a n t v i n $ a l l rF o r m 5 t i o n A commande, Banaion commande, companv ranrsananPcslncotumn Dneclion Fno of Boundary Prim6ry of

F i g u r e1 2 . A d v a n c e f r o ma H o l d i n gA r e a .

I3. ASSAULT. The tank comprny. when leadingthc assault,movcs.athid speed,firins on encny weapons and personnelin ihe forwdd cdgc of ihe battle are. (FEBA). When required, ensireeB prcpdre passages rnd forward ofthe defenses throush antitank obstacles company tankr equipped with nine ploughs nake hasly gaps in rninefields.If there are no gapsin fie m i n e f i e l d s 1 d m i n e p l o u g i ( r c n o r a \ a i l r b l e .h c a through the minefield in preconbat company advances

14. E)CLOITATION. Afier overrunning an nemy posilion, a tank companycommanderordels detensive his tanks to continue the attack. If resisknceco apses compleicly. the company forms into march fbrmation and continues in pursuit of the wilhdrawing enemy. 15, BREA(THROUGH OF A HASTY DEFENSE. A hasty defcnsiveposition is characterizedby hck of ensinecr lortifications, inadequatetuc pldnning, and significant gaps within the dcfcnsive positions. The Soviets consider th enemy in a hasty defense,wi allempi to stfengthenhis position along key tedain. in a. The basis for success overrunninga hasty defenscis to attack from the march wiihout lengthy preparation. Penetralion is suplorted by available ariillery fire and air slrikes. The rapid mornentumand use shock created by aggressive of tanks is intcnded to disrupt cncmy withdrawal, and to forc picccne.l A commitmcnl of reserves. sudden attack sizesthe forces th enemy initiative. while conlinuous-plessure to nght without coordinaiion. b. A tank company approachcs tJIe enerny defensive position in march or combal formation. Durng t]Ie approach, the company commander receives ofde6 by radio liom the battalion commander. These orders specify the line of deploymcnt, the objective within the FEBA and the The compiny conmsndef direction offurther advance. evaluatesthe situation, and transmits ordcrs to the platoons.when supportdby motorized rifle units, the delincs thel missions and assault comprny conrmander positions- The assault is thn cdlied out in same manner as lllal descdbedin pragrrph 13 (seFisure 14). 16. TANK PLATOON AS BATTALION RESERVE, A iank plaloon can be used as a ballilion reseffe during offensive operrlions. Its tasksare exptoitation, mopping up bypassedpockets of resistance,or the suppolt of motorizd rifl units a5 an immediate antitank defense. During the offensive, the reserve platoon will follow the battalion commander one taclical bound behind the combat formation. The battalion commandertransmitsmissionsto the leserve plaloon, which usually movs through a gap in th baitali:Jn lin or from the flanki.

a. Undcr cover of supporting fires. tdnk and attachedmotorizcd ritle units attempt to penetate the defenses,and lhen continue the advance-A tank conpany supportsadjacentunits but dosnot deviate from its own dircclion of advance. Momentun is maintainedeven when supportingclementsale slowed or hnlted. b. In thc !t1ack. irnks fire on the movc, tioln short halts, or at the halt. The preferred method is 1o fire on the move, which provides immediaie fuepower wiihout slowing rhe lempo oI the advance. The short hrll is used to fire one aimed round fron the nain gun or severalbursts from th mrchinegun. A longer halt is usedto fire three to four rounds.When lanks encounter a target of imporlancc to the mission, concenrratedfife of rhe company is used.Tanks halt behind availablecover and continue 1l) lire until the target is neutralized. c. Attached motorized rifie unils norrnally folow the tanks by t0010 500 melers.Nlotorizednfle troops rcmdn nounled wheneverpossibie and try to maintain the sa]nspeed as the tanks. finng Luoud the ports of the APCS dunng rc assrult. (seeFigurt3) d. Afler overcomingthe for*dd positionsofthe ol' eneny defense.tank units become the spearhead the advance and are given priority oI arlillery support. Enemy strong points arc bypa$ed. If the advanceof a cornprrry is haited and a flankjng mancuvris not possiblc,the cornprny comrnandercalls for addilional fire support. Tanks tllen move under covr of supportins lire in theiJ ,ssigned direclion as taJ forward as possible. Radiological or cbemicar contamiturted areas do nol slow the lernpo of the advance;ihese areasarc crossdrapidly or bypassed.

MOVING NEMY E INTANKS

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TankPlatoon Fl.ingLine on Borndaryol PrimrryOnecti.n

Figure13. AssauhFormations.

37

H
Lal

TANK COMPANYIN ASSAULT

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Figufe14. Breakthrough oflhe HastyDelensive Position. 38

Section D Pursuit
17. CONCEPTS.Pursuit is the continuation of lhe withdrawing enemy.A advance againsta disorganized, tank companywith its mobility and firepoweris commanders are ideally suitedfor pursuii.Company required io initiaie pu$uit immediately upon indication of nmywithdrawal; they then inform the battalioncommandr. The Sovit aim is to tum a hnited enemy withdrawalinto a full scaleretreat firough pursuit by units in contact. Punuit jr continued day and night and t trminatedonly on orders of the higher commander becaue of strong or of enemyresistance. Reinforcement employment and a trnk company pursuilwill be similarto t}Iat in in a meetingengaSemeni. lant( 18. CONDUCT THE PURSUIT. rcinforced OF A conpany participates pursuit as part of a laBer in force. The pursuit may be direct, parallel,o. a it combinationof both, in which ca.se will be a regimenlal operation. c. A combinedpursuit is the applicationof both direct andparalllpunuit against withdrawingenmy a (seeFisure l5). 19. MISSIONS OF THE TANK COMPANY IN PtlRSUlT. Probable mirsions for a tark compary engaged part of a lflrger forc in pursuit oprations as a- Reconnaissance, b. Marchscuritydtachments. c. Tank ambush parties. d. Seiziog key terrain on with&awal rcutcs. A tank companypunues in -rnarchor prcombat formation and moves into combat formations on

SUPPORT. Pursuitoperarions require frontalpressurc 20. LOGISTIC a. Dicct pursuitis the continued logisticsupportboth in ammunition and against withdralving r enemy denyhim time considerable to applied POL. Higher headquarters must keep supplies posilionwell to reestablish defnsve a forward and readily availabl io the pursuit forcs. b. Paralel pursuit is rapid movementalong axes parallel theenemy to withdrawal route,withthe intent to attackhis flanks or rear.

6 "'!tiiv*

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Figure15.Directand ParallelPursuh.

39

Section E Ni!fit Attacks

21. CONCEPTS. Soviets The consider night attack s a normal operationto maintainmomenLun.Night gain surprisc, attacks reducecasurlties, nrinimize rnd the thrert of nuclearattack-With improvednighl visionand batrlefield illumination dvices, Sovicls the placthe samereliance tanksthat they do during oo the day. Tank units are accompanied motorized by rifle and artillery udts for mght offensives. The majorityof night attacks deliberate, targets but are of opportudtywill be exploited a hastyarhck should by the opportunityoccur. 22. PLANNINC.A tank battalioncommander flans night attacksand briefsand conducts rcconnaissance with hb company commanders duing dayligh! if potsible. lime permils.d relaln recdnnaissrncc If ir conducted duringdarkness that the difficultiesof so control, coordination, and illunination can b rerolved. Preparation planning a niBhrattack and for is extensive is launchd position. ifit against preprred a It will include: a. Establishins easily recognized refernce point!. b. M.rking $e axis of adv,ncec. hsuinSthc azimuthfor the directionof the the d. Coordinating usc of night visiondcvices and bardefieldilluminationmeans. Coordinarionof company boundaries and usc of aiillely fire is Sivcngrcal cmphdis.A crrefui chck of lankr is madcto ensure lhat unautlorized vehicle (seeFigurc 16). liShb are extinguished 23. ADVANCE TO ASSAULT POSITION. Covered routesto the asaull positions are usd,if possible, to counter the effech of enemy night vision and [f routes, detectionequipmenl- thereare no covered tanks move to their line of deploymentin march formatioflundercovcrof artillery.A supported night attack is precededby a short intense artillery preparation. the Artillery firc is planned neutralize to If enemyand to destroymcans night surveillance. of thereis an iluminationplan,this is implemented after is tlle artillery prcparation oomplete. 24. CONDUCTOF THE ASSAIiLT. Od order, the lead tank companies the assault combatformation. in They open fire using night vision dvices or ih daylight sightwhneon the mow.lvlinefields other and arc tbrough previously marked obstacles negotiated Ianes. rifle unitsin Tank ale folowed by motorized APCS. Emphasis on desuoying is enemypocketsof resistance without maneuvcring the staft of the at attack.Tank units atlempl to ldvancdirectlyalong prcdcsignatcd rculesusingdirectional S/ro compasses (seeEncloslrre Reference pointsand azimuths 3). are from their.outes. usedto reorienttaits whi.h deviale If the tank companyencounlna superior enemy posilions selected provide good force,temporary are to from nuclear fieldsof fire, antitani defense, cover and strikes. Enemy counleraltacksarc repolsed by of concentrated tank and arlillery fire. Repuls an is enemycounterattack followed immediately an by rttack on a flank to regain initiativelhc The tempo of thc advanc continues throughout folowingday the and night. At first Iight the companycommander paying reevaluatcs situaiion thc and hsues new ordcrs, particularaltcnlion to likly eneny countcraltack routes. the siluationpermits.fuel and ammumtion If are calledfooard and damagcd hnks 3nd casualties group evacurled thebattalion by repair evacuation and (REG).

40

lF FEFERENCEPOINT

ENEMY

?2MILS

STARTLINEHELD A Y M O T O R I Z E OF L E T R O O P S RI .

* _

C O L O R EL I G H T A N D D TBAFF|C REGU LAToRs MARK BOUTE FOFWARO FOFTANKCOMPANY

Nore 1 Azimlth ot Atact is fxed on the dri@Fmechanic and Commander Di.ecrional cyo J. a A V C O L O B EL I G H T A N D O TRAFFTC BEGULATOFS MARKTHEPOINTIO TURNOFFINFRARED

DRrvrNcArDs

Nore2 Thesingalroaitackis qiven by an llluminaiion Fa.e or by nadio Cod*ord

Figure16. Controllvleasures NightAttack. for

4l

Sectior F Offensives in Diilicult Terrain 15. MOUNTAIN AREAS. Th Soders resafd rhe peffornrnce!o limitins faclorsof terdin and engrne be restrictive but not insurmountable arnror to operations mounrainareas.Thc lank company in requresJ0 ro 50 percenr e fJel lor mounrarn mo operations. Pioneer tools are fequiredfor eachtank. Th vElueof supporting molorizedrifle units and attachedartillery and mortarsis hig! in rnountain operations. Companytacticsar des'gned exploil to firepower. Combar formarions emplo)r\e maximum possible number of lanks forward. Extensive reconnaissance lequired to avoid enemy tank is ambushes. tank company The commander to a1tmpts move on roads. usinglateral and plrallel rodds to maneuver the flanksof cnemy posiiions. 1o March and precombatfornution intcrvalsare doubled during mounoln operatrdns. 26. FORESTS AND MARSIILANDS. forests In and marshlands nrovementis restrictedto roads, llre brerks,and ttuoughsparse woods and clearings. Tank companies normally opente in conjunctionlvith infanlry. Movmentis restrictedto columrs, bui
echclonedmovc rent on parallelroutes and sonrcfank maneuve. may bc artemptcd. contact between unjts is nraintained disnounted infant.y. The Sovietssc by the problem of operationsin forests and mdshes ,s being rerrain, restrictionson tank gun range,control, observation, and orientation. Rates of advance are geatly reduced. Tlrc destruction causedby nuclear slflkes in iorest or mdsnland dicrares rh-arengineer supporl be atlached to tank companies operatjons. lor In summer the provision of repellent to ward off "winged blood sucking insec$" n thought to be

27. OPERATIONS IN SNOW. During operaiions in snow, the problems of overcoming terrain and low rempcraturesare Siven mofe emphasisthan tactics. Opcrationsin soch aJeas connderdby ihe Soviets are lo be dependenr on ihe ef1-ectiveness loghtic of supfort. In parlicular, clorhirg, anti-frostbjle equipment,ard vitanin prcprations are considered to be indispensiblc. Moveme t is restrjctedand attacks are Iaunchedfronr column irs near lo cnemy posilioni

1^

Flrb..

;3
F,ai
in snow covered mounEin area.

T62's ope.ating n narch farnation

42

CHAPTER 12 R]VERCROSSINC OPERATIONS

l. CONCEPTS. Soviel racricaldoctrinc stresses thc importance c.ossing of rivers,gaps, \{aterobsraclcs and without losinSmomenrun. Bridging.frrying..rnd amphibiousequipmentis designcd cross watcr to obstacles rapidiy as possible. as Whencrossing warcr obstaclcs.mediumlank compury a oFrares pr J\ ol a barralion. company The n)rr cros drc uo\racre in one of thc following ways: a. Over pcrmaoent lemporafybridges. or b. Orer tank launched bridgescrions. c. Orrr truck launchcd pontoon bfldgs. d. Owr amphibious bfidgseclions feffies. or e. Trackedself propclledferries. 2, PLANNINC AND CONTROL. a. The Soviets cros!warer obsractes rhetinc from of tnarch.This presupposes rcconnaissance that and securityoperations have bcen carriedour md rhar engineer prepmtions have bcen completed ranks or have been prepared snorkelinS. for b. The ba alion .onrmander no,may re.crves rldju orde6 shich designare cro:JE 3,ea. lhe The battalionheadquarrers controh rhe crossins shown as in Fisurc 17. A re8ularion st.rioh is estabiished near lhc crossing sitcs.Each fordin8site is conrrolled by ,r crossing commandr \rili normaly be from the who rtrached rngineer unrr.A cornrnmJ po\t is sctup on DolhbJn\ to Jonrrol forward cumpanie\ c,osslng rhc obnJ.le. Thiswill be undcr Jireltron thebarralion o' deputy comnandcrfor technical matters. Roursro cfossing siteswill be mjrked. The repdr andrecovcry 8roup.battrlion aid stalion,and rce service elcmenis crossaf(cr rhe rank companies_ 3. FORDING.A sire 30 to 50 meierswide ls useo lbr_a compmy cfossingwater obstacles deep by forJin;.ln hi\ modclheranL requfes preparation no floweve,.rhe bdnks of rhc obrracte mJ) need prcparation wherevehicles enterand exjt rhe warer. A tank may passthrougha deplh of 1.4 meters without a snorkel.Markcr! indicarethe site. and at niShlgreen Lighr\ usedto nJicateduccrion. are

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

754/55 being loadedonto a fetry before crc$ing e waterobsbcte.All but first echetonuniEwitt nomally ctoJs water obsdcles by btidge or fetry.

1"

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/

RECONNAISSANCEAND OETACHMENTS

BATTAL|ON COMMAND Ib\POSTIFAR BANK) l,.z

CROSSINGSITE

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WATERCROSSING COMMANDEF 15t]l 2mm

TANKS POSMON IN TOSUPPbRT CiOSStNG ROUTES MARXED FOR oAYANDNTGHTUSE

x
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Fr

TANK coMPANrEs_--l INCOLUMN

BATTALION PBEPARATION A8E{

Figure River 17. Crossing Control Organization. 44

4, SNORKELING. a. Soviet tanks equippedwith snorkelscan cross under a wrtr obstacle up to 5.5 meten in dcpth. Preparation of the enlrancc dnd exir points of the obstacle may tre required. Tdnks require prepamtion and tank crews undergo lraining to learn Morkeling techniquesb. Tines 10 prepare a nedium tmk unit for a s.lorkel crossingof a water barrir vary greatly with the type of tank involved but normally it is abour I l/2 hours.The tunel is scded with an infiaiablerubbcr device. Specirl onc way vatves are attached to the exhaust system to alow ihe cilaust funresto escape but prevent waier lrom entering. Tte rernahing exposed working parts are snrearedwith rcsin and snorkels re then attached. SpeciJl wide "chimney snorkels are used in training only. These are wide enough for a nan to esclpc throush. h combat a nuow tube is used ibr lcntilation. Tanks are orrvcn cross the obstacleon a preassigned nagnetic xzinulh. with necessary corrections to left or righl glvcn by radio from tank on the banks In conbal. aftcr lclvlng the water the snorkcl rs jettisoned. The iank Lhcn requnes about 20 minutcs work before it can operate norrnr y. A. snorkelirg lank must be driven slowly in low gear as the tracks tnd lo slip. Care must aho be taken. or it will slall and luve to b pulled out of the waier. Tank crcwsusegasmaskequipmentwhle snorkelinSas a sourceof oxygen. Snofkelingtanks ale 'lulnerable to undeNater obstacles.soft dver beds, swiftly flowing curents, and debris.Wlrcnever po$ible th Sovietscross water obstaclesby ferry or bridges.

5. STAGDS IN CROSSINGWATER OBSTACLBS.A tJnk company may be called 10 crossa water obstacle in either reconnai$ance march securily rolc!, ur as or part of tle main body. The merhod ofcrossinga water obslacle is deternined by the mission of the tank company i! the advmcmg colunrn. a. Reconnaissance. Tant companies in the rcconnaissance are reinforcd by ensineers, role divers, and chcmical specialishto survey nver banks to find suitablecrcssingsi1s. Motonzed infantry and ariilery are in support-If Llnderwater sufley is requlred,it will probably bc conducted at night. Reconnarssanc elements also seek 1() identify ensting bridges or fordinS sitesrs well asenemy positionson both banks. b Seunry Daachnelrs Tn\ companies cmployed as security detrcbmcnts sizecrossin areas discovercd reconnarssmce by elemeotsand attempt to use shallow fords 1o estabiisha lridgehead on rhe far bank. nre nerr bmks of crossingsites are held untii the afrival of ihe main body if the nemy slrengtl prernts an immediate c.ossing. c. Main Bodt. A company rrl t]rc main body crossesthe obsiacle using either fofds or esrablishd crossing sitesunder the cover ofsecudty detachments. After crossing lhe obsiacle. it morcs on dsignated routes to its objective,perhapsthree to four kilomelers from the obstacie. If the bat.alion has no !curity eiements, a company will cross as a LMSD aftr inlensive concentrationsof anillery and tank fue.

754b5 fitted with the narrcw snotkel tube u#d in conbat opentions Note the covet on the gun muzzte.
srank) 1R.w6a

CHAPTER13 DEFENSE SectionA Concepts

b. Switching lo the defensecan lake placeeither in or out of contacl with the enemy. A defense a. The Soviets rgard th defensivear a adopted whilc in contacr wilh theenemy considerd is to lt iemporary phae dsigned repel the attack of io be a difficult operalion. is likely that the tank enemy superjor forccs whileinflictingsignificant losses. companywiil be expected seize linearposition to a is long to The purpose to hold positions enough creat on tactically SSnificant terrah. This initial position should be capableof bhg convertedinto a stronger conditions favorablefor a retum to th offnsiv.In posinonwhen cifcumstances of on taclicalterms thesuccess defens depends the allow. Out of contact, a positionin depth will be plannedwhen ordered. skillful use of terrain, combincd with a well lire coordinated plan. I. SUCCESS DEFENSE. OF

Section B Organizationof Defense

TASKS. tank company used is 2. TANK COMPANY A in defeffe in one of the folowing roles: a. Holding an area. b. A counterpcnctration countraltack or force, c. Reinforcin8 thc antitank defense of a motorizednfle uni!. normallya batlalion. d. As a force to cove. an areabetween CBR contaminated aress. e. A trn]( lmbush. or A tanl plaloon may be usdasa banalionresn patrol. as 3 reconnaissnnce a. Maintaining tank tue density while retaining all-rounddefensc. b. Revrs sloppositions. c- Mutual support within companyand with adjacent units. d. Secondaryfire positions for tanks witn routesfrom primarypositions. covered 4. DEFENSM CONFIGIJRATION.A tank conpany conmandr considers th following in selecting positionsr dfensiYe

Civen thes conflicting rcqutements, th t"nk commander ulually places platoons tlvo company his forwardand oneback.The rearplatooncanbe to the ri8ht or lefr rearasdictated the lrrainand by 3. FRONTAGES. Wrn cmploydin rhe defensive center, lo role,ar part of a batrdlion, tank comFny defcnds lhreat-Molorizcddfle troopsgivelocalprotection the 1000 meten wide and laoks ,nd fill in gaps within the position, using a strongpoinl approxjmately LinaJ in and antitankweapons500 meters depth.Thereare normally300 meters machineguns hand.held wherelhe tank for an formations acceptable positions are in betweenplatoons.The arc of obsrvation echelon. is Withinthe defensive individualtank is restriutd the field of viron as company in thc lecond to srgn$ position a "wandedngtank" may be designated to slen thlough the gunnef'sand commander's gaps the without moving the turret. This givcssn arc of 300 movebetween andflanls to confuse enemyt an the of Soviet mils.* Tanks normdly assigned individual estimating numberand locations the tad<s. ar arc of fire between200-250soviet mils. Thereare normally150 mclcrsbetween individual tanks.Figure 5. TANK FIRE FROM PREPAREDPOSITIONS.A tank company firing from prepared positiotrs is 18 givesfurther detailsof the arc of fire. *There are 6000 unit mils to a circlein the Soviet

47

expected open fire at l50O metersand achieve a a. Positions for tanb and AFCS. to 50 percent Etio. The Soviets kill ftat encmy consider tanls will atlackat an average 15 krn/hour. of They b. Clearing arcs of fire. estimate will that each Soviettank in the company beableto fir l0 to 12 rounds duringan nemy c. Conltructing antitank and antipersonnel attack. with a potential obstacles alorg likly enemyalenuesof approach. EachSovieltank is lherefore credited of five or six tark kils.It is projected the Soviets by d. PrpaJation allernatepositions. of fial a trnk compan), afrerJ0 percent ca:ualrieJ. can still theoretically counteran attackby 30 to 40 enenly e. Preparing ammunition storage facilities. tanks. they Allhoud suchnadnatics areoptimistic, questions. of aretypica.l the sovietattitudero tacrical A typical tank alring position is shown in Figure 19. PREPARED DEFENSIVE O. ENGINEER 7. FIRE PLAN.Those which cannotbe colrred aras POSITIONS. with Whena company out of contact is by directfire arecovred adllery andmortar fir. by th enemy, considerable engineerwork can be The flanks and the forward edSe of likely enemy in tanl posations. priority The accomplished preparing assault positions are priodty artillery targts. of work h usuallyas [ollows:

Fis!rc showsihei.rnockinsarcsol t re ol iwo ranksin lhe Primary of Arc Fne. The crireri.rre lhal fne ol individualtanksr.tsocksat400rn., andrharai leasr v. olrhetomol rhea@isove appd The200 250 mllarc ofa tank ca. be obserued w thout rcratl.g rh6 lurel. Secondary Arcs coverthsareaof rsponsibility Adjaco Platoon3. ot 03pth pbroonscov6.the Fear

Thissvsiemm3kslo.sre6r concentarion tn on a narow ol tronraseand b6t slned b is positions.In a fronra shoot enfilade eilherthecrheia mu5tb @laxed or oositions lackdepth and will probablyrhere be tne qapswilhin wirl plaloon areasol GspoGibiliry.

-l

j50n

l+

o6bk!

Bdwei

FrDs P6,ioE

Figure18. Arcs of Fire. 48

lor Section C Sequence Adopting a DefensivePosition

8. BATTALION ORDERS. Th tank company commander rcceives his orders from the batt2lion on eitherby radioor in person depending commander mission the situation. is givnboth the company He with adjacent uniis. The and detallsof coordination the comp.ny conmanderthen estimates situation from a map or the gound. 9. RECONNAISSANCE. not in conlaot with the If enemy,the tanl company commandcr, accompanied makes a by platoon and attached unil commanders, reconnaissance the companysectorand arbmpts to of outlined in srte his tanks accordingto the procdures paragraph He makesa plrn which includeslhe 4. following: a. Companyand platoonboundaries. b. Trnk primary and altemate firing positions. c. Individualtrnk and platoon arcs of lne. units. and arcsof fire for attached d. Positions by e. Means sccuring for flanksandSaps dilry fire or constuctionof obstacles. work. f. Prioritiesfor engineer g. Use of night vjsion devices. is it lf physicalreconmissance prevented, may be limited to an estimate from a map.
DIRECTION FIFE OF

IO. COMPA}.IYORDERS AND COORDINATION. the a. Following his reconnaissance company the situation3nd issues oral commander estirnales orders to the tanl< platoonsand to attachedand wherethe companyis units. In sjtualrons supporring in contactwidr the nmy, orders transmitted are by radio on the companynt. of b. Folowing linal organization the defensive position on the grourd, the compary commander position to the sendsa diagiamof his company's battalior commaflder-Ttis diagam (Figurc 20) includes the followingdetails: (1) Prominent terrain fealuresand a scalc. (2) Enemypositions. (3) Tank platoon,nd attached subunit locations and alternatcpositions. (4) Primaryand al.ernate direcnons lire. of (5) Obstacles. (6) lrcation of companyheadquarters.

FIBING

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

Tank FiringPosition Preparsd Figure19. Engineer 49

2Ptf

HILIOCX

zoNEoF coNcENTRATED MActiiNEG'uN FtFE

2PLT

DUG IN

I
\

r1 \.

_o_

A
\ 5m

133

>+;{..:'

position Tankin prcp8red Scon&rylank position

Hgure 20. SovietTank CompanyCommanders (Based SovietDiagram.l Sketchof Defensive Positon. on

50

Section D Conduct of the Defense

I I, ENEMY PROBES. a. The Sovjelsconsiderthat the enemyrnight attack inilially usingprobingactionsto locate tank probes liring positions. wi be folowed by tank These attacks suppofted by me.hanizedinfanlry. They expect that the eneny may us tactical nuclear prior to weapons will usean artilery pftparation and b- The tank company commander details tank a to ngagecncmy probes so that dre main firin8 positionsare not detecred. This tank designatd in "the wandenng Sovietterminology rank" moves and position.Duringthis fires from within the company pedodradjustmenls the conpanypositioncaused of by enernynuclear artilleryfire are made.After a or readjustment his posilion, company of the commander recheckscommunications wilh both his own and attachedunits and hider headquarlers. 12. THE MAIN ATTACK, 13. TANK COMPANY IN "RESERVE." A tank corhpany in depth within the battrlion position is frequendy referredto in Sovietwriting asth "resErve company. This company, well asheving primary ae a role to hoid an area,will har seconda.y tssksof acting as a counterattack force.Two or th&. routesto the forward companies'arasare raconnoiaa$d,snd lines of departureare assigned. The routcs ar msrked for night use. th "rcserre corngany" is atso responsible for defenseagainstaibome astults. 14. DEFENSE AT MGI{T. In night defensive operations, an ilumination plan is prepaftd. Illumination ordered the company is by comnunder. Dfensive and gulnery principles do not radically differ from those used during daylight. Recent developments Soviet night vision cquipment may in mean that there will be Iess. need for battl.field illumhation .

15. ANTITANK SUPPORTOF INFANTRY. wllen operaiing as an antitanl defens. forc! subordinateto a motorized rifle battalion, a tank comprny deploys launches main attackthe by platoons.Eachplatoon deployswithin a motorized his a. Whenthe enemy part tic company commander concenlrales grcatest of rifle cornpanyarea or strongpoint. Reconnaissanc is his tank fu on the most lireatening portion of the cafrid out by platoon commandrs toSetherwith the reaches infanry enmy asaull. Firc is opcflcdwhenthe enemy company commander, Tank platoon the forwardedge the company of responsibility commandrs give advice on thc location and of area (approximatelyi500 rnetets).Key points on the coordination of the antitank dcfcnse. The tsnt front are dsignlied aras as ofconcentraled company commander remains with the infaniry company tank fire (see Figure 20). Atlached infantry and battalioncommander duringthe defensive battle and inldtry ard APCS wit}I the acts ashis antitankdefense machineguns engage enemy coordinator. Authority to aim of isolalingthe infantry lrom the armor. movs the tanks within the battallon poritlon remains with the tank companycommsnder. b. II thc cnemy auack fails, the cornpany commander may shift his fire power againstunits 16. COUNTERATTACK. positions- peneiration made lf is assnulting adjacenr are a. The inobility and fuepowcr charactrislicof inio the tankcompinyposition, counterattacks not rn armor make the tank compMy an effectiiE atlemptcd thc company. by Suwiving tar*s remain posilionandsupporlcounterattacks ordred higher counterattack force. In this rc|., a @mpany is by ' headquarten. Only on order of the battalion normally reinforcedby motorized riflc troops. A tart will lave theirpreassignd compaoy may be employdas tle rcgimcntalr.serrc. commander conpanytanks positions to join r counleratlack. Similarly, ln this role it occupies a prepa.ed position in the position regimental second echelonof defnse. company penetration the enemyinlo an adjacent The by is counterdby fire and nol by counterattack. commander prepares routes into the forward area!, and designates of departur Counterattack normallya functionof the ballalion batlalions' is lines and lfiing poaitions. Routs maikedby rignswhichare or regimental rescrve, are isible ar night. Depending on the time available, are cardedout on counterettack wilh lhe approval rehearsak routes. c. The company comnander, Commu cations and fire plans ar. then coordinated of the battalion commander, may moi tanks to with forward udts. alternatepositjons.Thh is to causefie enemyto attack vacabd positions.

b. Both pdmaryandsecondary posiiions tank are selecled.Positionsare dug alld futly prepared,if time prmits, before occupatior. Referencepoints arc designated the usual in manner. Engagemetrt rangcs src at 1000meters less:surprisetie dominating or is fsctor in planning.SmaI groups of enemy vehicles$e allowedto pass thJoughthe ambush until a suitable sit plannedin target is selected. ar tznt companymay be Ambuslrcs sometimes c. A reginentalreserve or employed to occupy areasdevastated nuclear o er to clpiure ems, equipment, enemysoldiers by purposs. atrack. Movmentrnust be rapid. The commander for intelligence seiects shortesttraflicable the foute to the areaand transmits orden 10platoons during movement.In such operations menaJeshielded from radiation the by the protective protective linersof the tank andindividual clothing. Increased monitoring is cafried out by chemicalspecialists prevent t}le companyfrom to 'hot spots." movinginlo radioactive fires a b. when comterattacking, lank company place" and then, on reciving signal,the a "from "rushes" enemy.It is significant note the to company that. without th permissionof the battalion commander,ihe company commandermay not maneurr platoon. by 17. TANK AMBUSHES. positions, a. Exposedflanks, gapsin defensive for andenemyapproach routes be sites amburhes. can The soviels regard tank ambushes effectivedefcnsive a.s operations which may be carried oul at platoon, are cbmpany, or battaiion level. Tank companies by antitankweapons for usuallyreinfofcd additionai principlesare thn operation.The usual dfensive enployed in liting tank ambush positions. They arc in defiladeand we carnouflaged.

T62i conducting a defensive *oot on a field firing nngc. The light in d1edisance isp.obably a simulating .levice ro

52

CHAPTER 14 THE WITHDRAWAL

1. CONCEPIS. a. Soviet concepts allow withdrawal to avoid enemy nuclear strikes or to occupy a nrore position. In the defensethe operation is advantageous carfied out ro reposition a unit's front towardsa {lank h response enmy action or to reduce the lngih to of a threatenedsupply line. During advanoc contact, 1() a withdawal can be ordred when stubborn enemy oppostion is met or at the conclusion of an unsuccessful meeting engagement. b. It i! impo(ant to note that only a hlgher commandermay order witndrawal.This is usurlly done to improve the tactical configuration or to free units for other opeiations. A withdrawal is usualy crJried out in face of enemy action. It is inplied, howver, that the eneny wil not be alowed to dictate a withdrawal. A company withdraws as part of r battalion operation. 2. DISENGAGEMENT. (5) Planned suppo(ing adillery flre. a. The crilical tine in the wilhdrawal is the brear< with tll enemy. A tank company will attempt to break contact eilher at nighi or during conditions of low visibility. In theory, withdrawalswil lake place undef cover of adillery and tactical air suppoit. The suppolt is plarned at battalion ievel and coordinaled in a regimental plan. b. Once it has broken contact, the conprny noves to its new firing positiooswithout intrmdiale positions. ln cares where lhe unit is still in contact with the enemy, intermediate posttionswill be used (6) Assembly areas. b. A tank company withdraws to an assembly area I to 1.5 kiloneters behind rhe FEBA. APCS withdraw, covered by tanks, into the assemblyarea. c. If a tank company is in contact with the enerny, it may withdraw wilh platoons coveringeach other. Altemalively, the entte comprny may move simultaneously,covered by another compdny or the baitaljon resewe.Once the tank companyhas brcken contacr. platoons forrn into columns. A company colu.nn is fornd once the company has passed d[ough the positions of the rear narch security c. A5 a latral malch security derachment. d. As tank ambush Lmii on enemy axes of

ln ach casethe conpany is usually renrforcedby a rnotorized rifle platoon. 4. SSQUENCE OF WITHDRAWAL. a. A company commander will rceive orders frorn the battalion conma(der either in personor by radio, including: (l) Taciical inteligence on the enemy. (2) Mission. (3) Coordination details for tle withdrawal. (4) Lbes of deploynent.

3. ROLES. During a wthdrawrl, th lank company may be employed: a . A s d r e a r m a r c hs e c u r y d e l a c h m e l r . b. As a lead march security detachmentto lead the rearward 'noving column.

d. Th withdrawalis deemedto be completeonce the tank company is redeployed in a new tiring position or har taken up a position with a batalion rear assemDry area.

53

CHAF|ER I5 SECURITYDURING HALTS

l. CONCEPTS. Analysrs combat of aclions shows lhat etcr in fast moving opcrationshrlls rale place frequently. Thesehalts rnay bc momentary order in 1o fire. shoi term to coverother rroops. longer or term stopsto restor coordinatc planning actions. and No tacticrlrconfiguration necessary the shorter is for haltsas tanksare likely to be in firing posilions and havc artillery supportavrilable. The purpose this of chapteris to describe securityat longrhalts,when thereis no enemycontact. 2. CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEAI-MENT. us The of sophisiicaled reconnaissilct the encrny.and by the threat from air attacks, airborne ass4ulr. nuciear and sttack, mste camouflagc and concealment most the importantfactofsin the seleclion halr eas.Thc of cmphasize thh muslnor impai rheability Soviets that of tank unitsro defendlhemselves to resume or rapid 3. LOCATIONOF RESTAREAS.A tank company normallyoccupies of an 8 to l0 squme part kilometer areaof its baltalion.Thereis flormallybetween to I 1.5 kiloneters betweencach company\{irhin the battalion eea. The combat situllion and climatic conditionsdictate the location ussd, but inhabiled areas 3re avoided. The direclion of maJcn aro influnces selection individual the of positions within 4. MOVE INTO REST AREAS. Areasare selected from the nap by the baualion con1lrl,nder a and locationis designated each tank company. for Thc batlaUon commander scnds forwarda reconndissancc party composedof batlalion staff oflicers and companyreprcsentatives. parry establishes This the posilion to be occupied,having considered access roads, cover concealmenl, and minefields, chemical and and radiation }azards. reconnai$arce The commander, havingcompleted task, rcportsto the batlalion his commander eitler prsonally by radioor 5. OCCUPATION A RESTAREA. OF a. The battalion gives commander ordl orders for the occupation the positionincluding: of (l) Tacticalinlclligence. (2) Pnonliesfor ngneerwork. (3) Conposiion and missions scurity of units. (a) AnLjarrcml' plar.. and nu.lcar Llefense (5) Altc ativ battalionareaand routes to it. (6) Communication plan. (7) Incation of lhe command post. Orders ee repeated for each cornpany. lf circumstances demand. this feconnaissance md procedurc be shortened the useof occupation can by rudio orders and the movement can be into unfeconnoitered from rhe map by a areasselecled b. Tank compades arc mct by subunit arcas. No rcprcscntatives ied into theirdsignaled and roads1()restareas permitted. are Tanks haltson access of are sited 3G50 meters apart.Sctors fire for la*s weapons allotted, are andfoxholes dug and individual by tank crews near their tanks. Vehicles are camouflaged a priority lssk. If the positionis to as for be occupied any lngthof tim, tanksaredugin and a relephon is laid to the bailalioncornmand line post.The cornpany tank commander's is sitedwith the platoon in the centerof the position.The plaloons are 100-150 metersaparl (seFigure 2l). 6. LOCAI SECURITY.Locals.curity is maintaind and parrolsdetailedon a daily basis. In by sentries addilion,platoonsmaintainob!rvatiorposts(OPt. The OPs maintain antiair (AA), ground, and radio-watch. night onemanin eachlank crewacts At mans company ihe aslentry.A duty officeror scrgeant with tank in commander's ard remains comnrmication rhe battalionheadquarters, radio and landline. A by from the companyOP is sel up about 1500meters of areain lhe mostlikely arnue approach. company patrol cbecks individual sentries and A two-rnan the and OPs.s detaied by the duty officer.Passwords counlersigns changed ar daily.

55

7. SECTJRITY FROM AIR AND NUCLEAR ATIACK. By monitodng the battalion ner, the duty officer is able to alert the tant crwsof air or nuclear attack.Passive defens measures taln by crewmenJ are who thn man their vehiclesand prepare then rq,{ weapons.AA fre begins on ordr of th compary commander.I-w flyin8 hlicopters,or aircrafr dropping or landing troops de engaged.Wlrcn the nuclear attack wafling is given, crews don dren protecti\ clothing and man then !hicles. If caughr by surprise,crewmnare responsible placing gas for maskson the womded and renderinSfust aid. After

a nuclear attack, t}IE company dispositionis changed oncewoundedharr beenevacuated damaged and tanls 8, ORCANIZATION OF WORK IN A REST AREA. Company tanks are provided POL, ammunition and rations in rcst areas.While in rest aress,routin or combat maintenance is prformed on vehicles. Rehearsals individual training rre ciried out when and outside the irnmediatecombat area.Crewmnare also given political indoctrhation.

SECUFITYOETACHMENT I NO P . 1 5 @ M E T E F S DIRECTION \ OFENEMY \

!9195
L

".!v-ooDs

KEY

-\-{

rin. .itr, r"r"pnon" r,"na

o
-Fo

-.+o
Figure Company 21. Security rheHatt. at

CHAPTER 16

COMBATIN BUILT-UPAREAS
l. CONCEPIS. Sovict doctrine shtcs that built-up areas bypa:ledwhenposible.lvhen llus course are is followed, townsandvillages isolated dealtwith are and echelons. a builtup arcais vital to thc by second If plan and filst echelonsare Soviet commander's required captureit, emphasis on the destruclion to is of thc enemydefending area.This methodsecks the to avoidthe wasle time,manpower. equipment of and rcquired to capturc such objectives. in Operations built-up ,reas lcad to fragmcntation cffort. These of s.parate,combinedaims operatiorsare difficult to control, and requiremuch more frdomof aclion than Soviet doctrinedems nofmal.The dlegation of control inherent urbanoperations in callsfor a higher stddard of training tlan many junior Soviet commrnders haveyet attained. 2. EMPI-OYMENI OF TANK COMPANY. A tank companycan be employed operations in against an enmyin builtup areas eithr the rcgimental in first or secondecfielon.It is part of a combined arms combatgroup,and can be employed one of the in followingroles: a. Reconnaissance. b. Scurity. c. Assaultforce. d. Closesupportof infantry. e. Re8imental ressrve. f. Defense. 3. COMBATORGANIZATION. or a. TanI companies either reinforced used are in to rcnforce motorizcd infanrry for operarrons buillup areas- typicallytank heary force designed A to capturcan objectiv the outlyingportion of a in towll would include: (l) A tank company. (2) One or two morurired rifle plaroons. (3) A mortar platoon. 5. THE DEFENSE. in Defensive operations buih-up arasuc basedon a sries unconnccred of battles. Grouping based milsion.Tinks arc attached is on to infant.y companies provide to anli-tank dcfense. Those taoksusedas antitankweapons may be movedinto cmplacements buildingsor enginer may bc built, shouldtime allow. A tank company alsobe used cdn as a mobil rersfte. This rescne is kept in depth and moves threalencd to openareas. Except .reasthrough for the mobilereserve, in defensive opemtions builtup areas unlikelyto be foughla! complnyoperations. are (4) A howitzerbattery. (s) An cnsineer detachment. b. Onc in the environsof thc buihup area, commandof the operationprobablypasses the to commander a motofizedrifle company. typical of A
or^,'nino miohr thrn hP.

(l) A rnotorizd infantry company. (2) A tank platoon. (3) A mortar battery. (4) A platoon of antitankguns. (5) An engineer detachment. Groupingof forceswill depend the mission. on The weidt of firepower concenlrated company levelis at significant4. CONDUCT OPERATIONS. Soviets attack OF The built-up areas on narrow frontages.The assault fronlag a reinforced of company mightbc 200metefs on thc outskirlsof the area. Within the environs of th built-uparca,de company assnults alongthe ais of one nain street. The anillery Prcparation is followedby infanlrymoving from buildingto bu dins. The task of altached tanksi! immediaefire support 10 infantry movingdown streetsThe tanksfire on enemyin the upper storiesof buildings. The attack on a company front is based lhe assault a series on of of numbe.ed objcctives. Timingis tightly controllcd. Artillery is usedin a di.ect fue role.

57

CHAPTER 17 CONCLUSIONS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMBAT POTENTIAL OF A SOVIET MEDIUM TANK COMPANY
l. SUMMARY. Sigrificant findings of thn study, as potential ofa Soviet medium they relate the combat to tank ompary are summdizd blow under the followingtopicsl a. Effectiveness tacticalconcepts. of b. Command and control. c. Effectivene of training. s! d. Effectiveness organization. of e. Suitabilityof equipment. well lrainedin the technical of aspects thirdulicsbut are closlysupervised the battalioncommander. by They appearto lack initiativc and experiencc. The has the authority lo crll for companycommander supporring in combar. ru$"r.r). howcver. fires Ilrs i\ in rcstricted maneuvering wholecompany wel to thc rehearsed combat formalioo!. Platoon conrmanders resctto the company cornmanderorderundhave s no independcnce tacticalnraneuvcr. in Thereis r tilth for officer in the companywho hrs rcsponsibiliiy tec}nicalmatters, ,nd somecompanies havea slxth officer wiLh rcsponsibiliry politiral alf r\. for

b. The remaining laflk commanders the in company are either p/dporurcrrkt (who have and for OF their conscripl servicc volunreered 2. EFFECTI}ENESS TACT]CAL CONCEPTS, complcted . further tern of military scruce), or .onscript officers.A prapolsrclr&treceives a. A tank company prepared combatin a is for non.commissioned tank commander war which the Soviets consider will be rapid in up to a years lrdning- A conscripl receives six montlN spcialist training. movemnt and sho( in duralion.A tank compmyis hrve sound trainedto "rush" an enemy who is eitler on th move Non-coffnissionedtank conrmanders by or trainingin thc basicesscntials gunncryrnd tael of or has been neutralized nonnuclar, chemical, scqurrlron some anJ uaming fJdru fomnrunrcrriols ouclear weapons.The intent is to seizethe initiative In ,nd rtdle deepinto the flanks and rear of the encmy. and lrnk dliving.A tank co rDrndcr'sresponsibility tank companytacticssre basedon &taacking is reslrictedto iulfilling combatmissions o.dcred as Soviea withoutlergthy preparation, forces, and by the comp ry comnander and led by thc platoon concentra.ing rapidly exploiting a poorly pfeprred and weaker commanderechelons enemy. Attacks are deliired by successive c- Tanksare equipped wirh radios. only thc but until objectivesare secured.Defenle is a tempor{y hop to weaken conpany commandcr is Siven thc unrestrictcd expcdient during which the Soviets the enemyso that they will quicklybe able10resume authority to tr,msmit. Calls for fire sut)portare the offensive. the defense, ln tank fir is concentrated chdnneled firough the battalion comm,nder. with attached on narrow frontages.A tank companyrnay be used Communications motorizedrile urits in ary echelon or as a rcserve for a regimental arc on a common nel. Dhmounrednllnrry have difliculty in transmitting1o llnks due to the low ndiosets. radiationoulput of manfacked b. Under lhe circumstrnces defined, Soviet d. Mapsarc carnedonly by officers. tactical concepts are effective. Against a baldnced T.mksare opposition with tactical nuclear weapons,or widt equippedwith dtectional gyros which rllow the periay in numbers,success @mbat would tle in commander and driver to maintaindirecfion.Some dpendent factorssuchas command on and conlrol, commandtanks re fitted with nrore solhislicated faining, organization, equipment. and equipment which provides continuous dat! on map 3. COMMAND AND CONTROL. a. The company commander and platoon commanders a Soviettank companyare officcrs, in In additionto theircommand dutiesthese officcrs arc tank corrmandersof their individual tank. They aJe e. Soviet officcrs and non-commissknred tank commanders well trained n the basicskills of arc maneuver,rarget acquisition, and gunnery.Junior do commandcrs nol have the opporlunity to show iniliative in lactical exefcise and thereforeiack

expcdence. Their estimates a combat of situation are Likciy io be slow and sonetimes faulty. f. The connunicaiions doesnol alow a system oi tank conpany conrnander conirol fire support to fuly coordinatc with disrnounted infanty in a rapidly chmgrng siluation- Non-commissioned tank cornmandrs nol havelhe mernsto relay targets do of opportunity10 fre supportunits sincethey have neither rnaps nor the authority to initiate radio 4, EFFECTIVENESS TRATNING. OF a. Sovilrank crcwsarc well trainedin driving, gunnry.md conbal fornations. One tant in the Erch mernber conpanyis usedlbr trainingpurposes. of thc crew LeiJns dutisby repetitionuntil he his can perform thm to the requlred slandard without conscious eftbrt. Thereis hearyreliance the training in of driversand gunners simulators. on Tlerefore,it takescrewmen sometime to adapt to the irregular movemenlof a tank in motion. Subcrliberlralning rounds are used tbr gunnery taining- The tank commanderis lrained to fire the gun but other of members rhe crw are not crosstraincd.Due 10 frequentrotalion of conscripts. tank crewssldom nmain togelhrlbr more than a yeaJ. b. Due to rcpcritivenatDreol- Soviet lraining methods tank crws de urnikely 10 have their degraded th slrainsof by individuatskills seriously combar.While the useof simulators auowslrequent to trainingsessions, would be requtedfor crews time becomeaccustomed their equipment. io During this periodthe cfewnanwouldnot be fully effective. The lack of cross trainnrg means singie a casualty a tank in crcw would often makethe entiretank nonffeclive. workingtogether Tank crewshavelimited expericnce prsonnel f.quently because arc rotatedboth in units 5. EFFECTIVENESS ORGANIZATION. OF a. The combat element of a tank company of s consisls the conmander tank and threeplatoons of eirherthreeor four tanks.The co.npny operates as an ntity with the fire of a[ tanks under close control of the companyconmander.A conpany normally operates part of its battalion.bua can as rifle unih and reinforce be feinforced motolized or by artillery tor specificinissions. Combined tlainingby

small tank and motorized rifle units is fairt frequent. Thoush tlerc have been ditficulries noted in coordinaiion, tanks and motorized rifle units are generally capable of coofdinated operations. ofrapid concentration b. The companyis capable of tank fire on targetswhichthe companycommander can identify. Firing by the tank company is not so ffective,however,if the cornpanycommander cannol i d e n u f y r l e r a r b e r .I 1 c o r o r r . a r d n k c o . n p a n ) i s expected to continue conducting opcraLionsdespile

6, SUITABILITY OF EQLNPMENT FOR LIKELY MISSIONS. a. Soviet tanks are ruggedihavc a good rnain gun with an effective range of 1500 meten and machneguns which have an effective range of 800 meters.The gunnery control systemis spaceoiented. Tanks dre designedto lire both on the move and at the halt. Later nodels of tanks may have a buili in protective liner to reduce the effects of nuclear radialion. Sovit mdium tanks have the ,bility to cross waler obstaclesup io 5.5 metrs in depih by snorkelins. The soviet nisht gunnery technique rcquircs thc use of an active IR system or whit light for target acquisition. The effectivenight fighting range for Soviet lanks is 1000 meters. b. Soviet tanks are capable of canying out in nuclearand nonnuclear environments closequarter, the day and nishr combat that Soviet tactical doctrine demands.Night fighting shortens the effective range of tank guns and requires the use of night vision

7. AN ASSESST1ENT OF COT{BAT POTENTIALequipped and The Souet tank company is organized, trained to figlt as part of a battalion.Although it may on occasionbe given a separate mission, it will harc lhe closc supporl ol other tank and motorized rille units and a considerable amount ol artillery. The tanL company is employd in such a manner that deficienciesin equipment, tuainingstandardsand tle command dnd coniJol systen crn be conpensatedfor by conceniralion of force. Offensive operations are continued until dre enemyforce is incapable ofputting up a coordinated defense and is destroyed or withdraws. Within tiis concept the Soviet tank company is an effctive fighting force ttith a high

60

TANKS AND ASSOCIATED EOUIPMENT l. SCOPE.This Enclosureprovidesdetails on tar)ksin Soviet tank units ro precludcthe need for reference other manuals. to Morc cxtensivedetailsmay be found jn vrdous DIA publications. 2. MEDIUM TANKS, a. T34 and T44 ianks arc obsolete,but are used lbr trainilg. Many T34 chassis havebeen rebuilt as armorcd rccovery vehiclcswhich the Sovicts designate T-34-T. venion.T55. rre theDost numerous b. T54 tanksand the improved medium tanks service in with Sovict !tround forccs at the presenttime. Both the T54 arrd the T55 have loonrm gunsc. The T62 tank is an improvement the T55. It has a llsmm smoothbore gun and on fires HVAPFSDSand fragmentationammunition as well as HEAT. This sipnificantlyimproves penetmtion over the earlicr models. d. The T72 is the most reccntaddition to the Sovicttank irlveDlory, is superiorin ffepower it and rnobility to the T62. Althouel there are insufficicnr detailsof the tank known to include it in the table at Appcndix I to this Enclosurea short compadsonbetweenthe T62 and the T72 is included at Enclosure4. 3. HEAVY TANKS. SomeJS-2and JS-3tanksareslill in scnicein CSFG.The Tl0 and Tl0M, post war imprcvementsof the JS3, are also in servicein battalion alrd regimentalstrength.It should be noted that althougl these are dcsigllatedhea[/ tanks by the Soviets.they weigh approximatelythe samc as the US and British nredium tanks. 4. COMPARATIVE TABLES AND SILHOUETTES.Details of armamentand performance for some Soviet tanks in serviceiD medium tank and heavy tank companies at Appendix I to are this Enclosure.Comparative sketchesof some Soviet and NATO ta ks are at Appendix 2 to this Enclosure.

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

ENCLOSURE I

Artist Rendition of T-72

63

ENCLOSURE 1

APPENDIX I

TANK PERFORI\,1ANCE COMPARATIVE TABLE

JS3 Tt0 50 9875 8550 3566 2255 2600 430 724 4600 700 v12 42 250 9m 3@ 3000 900 32 1200 120td, 80/45 T10t!l 52 '10600 T54 36 9000 845 6450 3210 24(xl 2640 425 580 3840 v-54 520 v 12 Diesel 5050 400 812 190 2704 800 30 30 1400 100/60 7At0 170basis 444 T55 36 9000 845 6450 3270 2404 2UA 4E 580 3&10 V-55 580 V-12 Di6s 500 960 190 2JA0 800 30 30 1400 100/60 1010 170 basis 162 36.5 9110 9000 6715 3350 24to 2&O 425 580 4150 V7 580 V 12 Diesel s00 912 190 2AA0 800 30 30 1400 100/o t'/a 170 basls

8230

s2aa
3566 20 2ffi ,130 580 ,1600 V? 700 v12 2ao 900 360 3000 9m 32 1200 120/60 gJl45

650 4625

v2ts
520 v-12

L L/100km

520 350

l-ilt

mm/o

120155

S6condary ahament AA

122 wn 025 2A +20 3 360 1950 12.7 1.62 250 1500

122grn D IOT 30 3 360 1830 12.7 12.1 1000 30 +17 3 360 1830 14.5 14.5 360 1150 12.1 7.62 7.62 500 3000 D-10T2S U 5TS 43 40 +11 +1/ 360 1750 162 1.62 3500 3@ 1750 J.62 3500

B6sicload 12.7mm

ENCLOSURE 1

SOVIET LAND NAVIGATION AND NIGHT VISION DEVICES LAND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS The three types of land navigationsystemsuscd i]l thc Soviet Ground Forces arc: a- Dfectional gyro driving aids b. A map coordinate and direction indicator c. Navigationalsystem with map plotter The latter systemis not installed in tanks but may bc used by some attachcdmotorized rifle units. All three systems depcndon a directionalgyro; that is an instrumentwhich is designed aJe self to accuntely preserve initial referencebearingduring movementan The three systems from electronictransmitte$. and do not requirc space contained,do not depend or emissions are to on the radio waveband.The systems not susceptiblc interccpt,jammingor other electronic countermeasures, D I R E C T I O N A C Y R O D R I V I N UA I D S L The GPK-48and GPK-59are installedin someT55 and T62 tanks.The d vcr is only rcquired to switch the instrumcnt on, give it time to warm up, and set his headingto actuatethe systen. The GPK 48 was designedto give direciiorl in snorkelingoperations but has no built-in compensation allow for the Earth's rotation. The instrunent is accurateonly for periodsof to minutes without resetting. GPK 59 hasa con]pensatiDg mechanism I5 The more rccentlydcveioped I l/2 hou$. and can operatc accuratelyfor up to MAP COORDINATE AND DIRECTION INDICATOR systemknown to the Sovictsoldieras the coordinator" A computerand displaynavigation three of which is installedin some T62 commandtanks.Thc systemcorsistsof six components, map coordinates requfe no accessby tlle crew except fbr inspection.The systemdispiays in heading displayed terms of northingsand erstings roundedoff to the nearest mete.s.The vehicle I0 The instrument is in Sovietmils on coane and fillc sca]es. The instrunent is 90 percentaccuratesquareonce set. can be used to navigatewithin a lo0-kilometer ldd to A newer navigationsystemis also in evidence. This appears be a vastly imprcvedve$ion permits operationwithin a j0oo-kilometergrid square of "the coo.dinator." The newer system without resettirg. The instrument displaysplus and minus coordinateson one kilometer and 200-metei scalesfrom the presentlocation. The bcaringto thc dcstinationis also shown on a separate dial. TACTICAL USES OF NAVIGATION SYSTEMS systems can prcvide the capabilityfor In addition to use in normal conditions,navigational plotting a tank's position and heading: a. While snorkeling. b. At night or in conditions of reduced visibility. 67 ENCLOSURE2

c. In teEain without promineat featutes such as desert, tundra, or nuclear devastatederessNavigational systems also give accumte locations as an aid to cornmand and control or resupply and Fovide datum points for fire cooidination. NIGIIT VIEWING DEVICES hecise information conceming the extent of Soviet night viewing equipment is sparse. Tanks have both inftared (IR) sighting equipment for Ore main amamont, and searcl ights that can be equipped with an IR filter. Targets can be identifted up to 800 metels. Therc is a limiting factor in that use of active IR can btray the exsct position of the uset should the xreDy be using 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-Epe passive IR sensors are extensively used by tank commande.s. Soviet tanks use the daylight gusight at night usilg white light illumination rMhenpo$ibleThe next step in the development chain is the production of an ambient lieht sighting device, and this may have ben built into the T?2.

ENCIOSURB 2

68

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 Mine Clearing Plow Sets RadiosR 112 R I l3l123

12 3 l0 I 3 4 l0 -

We believe each tanl platoon has a minimum of one tant mountedDSHK l2.7mm machinegun for low-level antiahcraft protection.

ENCLOSURE 3
,

T62 AND T72 TANKS chargcrcund with L The T62 has a ll5mm smooth bore gun rnd fires a fin stabilizcdshaped a high probability of a first round hit at ftnges up to 1500 meters. The two-plane (ho zontal-vertical) stabilizationof the T62's gun cannot bc fully exploited because the low of The night visiondevices and.therefore, shockabsorbtioncapacityof the chassis. T62 hasno passive has a low night combat capability. 2, Thc layout of thc T62 also hassomebasicdisadvantages. to the extremelycompactnature Due is and ammunitionarein closeprcximity, of the tank, intrior space limitcd. The luel tanks,engine, Auxiliary fuel taiks are on the tanks decksand have no armor protection. ALthoughthe flash point of diesel fuel is higll, it can not withstrnd a direct hit. Fuel tank positionsincrease the possibility of an ammunitioD firc. Fillally, the driver, gunner,and commanderare virtually in if a line and are likely to become casualties a tank is penetratedfrom the front. 3. In 1970 a picture of a new tank appcaredin the Soviet technicalpress.This was probably M1970 in the West.The production model has beendesigrated a prototype and was designated T72 ir some wesrcm mililary joumi '. 4. The T72 has incorporatedfcaturcsmade possibleby improvcd rechnologyand basicchanges to in design.Thc T72 is both lower and sleeker than its predecessors. There appears be a radical changein the chassisdesign.Thc chamcte stic flat tank of the carlier medium tank sefieshas been replacedby a track support roller system. mean that 5. It is probablethat a to$ion bar suspension systcm has been uscd.Theseadvances the T72 is more stable than its prcdecessors. stability of the T?2 indicatesthat the armamentand fire control systems are 6. The incrcased probably probably stabilizedeffectively.The I l5mm gun of the T62 appea$to havebeenretained, p usingthe laser nciple, to achieve standardization ammunition.lt is probablethat a rangefinder, in has been incorporated.This signilicantly improves the first round hit capability beyond 1500 metels. of 7. We have estimatedthe T72's nigllt fighting capabjlityftom photographs the Ml9?0 which is show two largepiecesof equipftert oD the tudet besidethe gun mantle.One of these probably a conventionalwhite light or infrared scarchlght. The other equipment collld be a low ligit with a heat detectorand an impulsesearchlight, a pureheat-sensing or amplificationdevicc,possibly sight. This combination would mean that the same impulse searchlightcould be used for Even though illuminatioDand rangefinding, but either systemwould not bc completelypassivc. either system can be classed active, the chaDceof a target havingtime to take evadingor as counteractioD smallis 8. The armor protection of the crcw of the T72 has been increasedby improving the shape ol the bow and by making mo.e gradualthe inclined planeof the front slopeof the hull. There The is also someindicationthat the armorthickness the froDt hasbeenincreased. crewpositions on prcbably been altercd sliehtly,which will decrease chanceof multiple casualties the in T72 have from one round s penetration.

7l

ENCLOSURE 4

9. Some risk of fire appearsto be acceptable the Soviets.as fuel tanks stilLappearon the to tank's deck. 10. In summary. T72 shows the imprcvements its predecessor mobility.target over in acquisition at night, and firing effectivencss. improved technological Its featureshave placedii arnongthe most moderntnd effe.ttvel,rnk\ in ser!icc.

M1970 - Considered to be a prototype

fot 772.

BNCLOSURE 4

SOVIET CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS

Tank- Gene6lsyhbol usedto showa

I
0
I
i
+
Comm8ndrahk. Thehorizomstba6 donobcommandlovelandm5y be u*don anybasi. syhbot. + oneba, islof Ptatoon tevet. + rwo ba6 a ror companytev6t.

X
V

Tanl showrnssaondsry arcotfre.

9r

Movinscolumnsof vehictBshowing,

fr
0

+ rn,* or," to,e"n"tion t.'"r","

0
4-r-Ot

+
T
Movinq colufrn or tanks showins Prolsciert dnedion ol movemenr APC,general symbot showjngan ApC

Tanksin marchcollmn.

o
0

Tanksmovinain combatto.maiio..

rsnksonriinsrin6.

0
Q o.on'o'ou.or".

Tanks,movinqin cohbaitomation, showing primarya.coffi.e, Thearcwed tin6 ca. be usd to she fie left and dsht timns of pnmary src ot tn. by using one lin6 ar each onremiiy.

ti\

T v rank priharyns showine arc f

73

Amphibious APC,noving, carrving

SYMBOLS SOVIET CONVENTIONAL

,/4\

Motoized intunt y in delense.

,Z---\

F onrasedAisnatedloroccuparion by moroi2edinfanrry.

'Rddiosetoperaring High Frquency on

'Badio sl opedtingon Very Hish

I
Are occupied by t@ps. Symbolinside circle denote type and conmand level

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

=a

Howkzer u.it movi.S.

Water crossing cohhandei

%
A.tr.lio. O.plty Commendorin pon. @mm..d-obseruation : Ae6s or @ncdtr6r.d tdnk rne.

r'____-,/
-V_--'-""\ ,'.-----\j----s

oiredion ol main efton. 'Nors th.$ ae nor Soviersymbols but

Oieiion of mainefiorr danned b ya c n m a n d e r .

Sasicsymbol indicarB radio commu.ic.ions or dic{rion of radio 6mmuni@rions.

74

DISTRIBUTION LIST DOD ANDJOINT AGENCIES

NAVY DO33 STRATANALSUPPGRU DO42 NAVFACENGCOTI D2l7 NAVT,IPNCEt{ 0220 0 R D246 NAVSURFWPNCEN DAHL D248 NAVSEASYSC0T'| 0249 MVPGSCOL D36I FL N EI,IIEI,{ARTRAC EN 0492 NAVSCOLEOD D5O6I{AVUSEACEN 0559 NiIEDFLORCHLAB CLE,] (20) D700 CGMCDEC D97l 0P-009F D972 0P-009BrP Dl50 cl'rc( rNT) D507 COl'1INE}JARCOI4 AV 0040 0cEA 0280 0P-098D ArR FqRCE E0t6 AFIS/INC EO]7 AFlRDXTR-II (2) Eot AFIRDXTR-C 8 E046 7602AIG/lNXE EO53AFlINAM EO54AFlINAKB Er00 TAc (eTH Trs/LDD) (',r3) E228 AF JACI I E3O3AFlINAP E4O8AFI,IL E4I'I ASD/FTD/ETID (5) E42OFTD/NICD ( rND) (2) E429 SAMSo (SUR) E436 AFEWC E 4 3 7A F ] S / I N I E45I AUL/LSE E2OO AAC U & S Col'll4ANDS GOOsCINCAD

A]00 05D AI15 OASD ISA AI17 OASD PA&E A2O5 DMTC ( A 3 i 0 J C S / J - 3 s P0 P D r v ) A353 JSTPS (2) Al24 oSD NET ASSESSMENT (2) A362 USDoCoLANDSoEAST AO24DEF NUCLEAR AGCY

D008 r{rsc (2)

Ar04 oAsD (2) rNT

DIA

AO33ASST DEPSECDEF TO

D 8 0 4 0 D r A / S C -(2 r 0 ) BO55DIA/DT-48 BI32 DIA/DE-'I BI34 DIA/0E.2 BI52 DIA,/DT-IA2 BI69 DIA/DT-20 8485 DrA/ rS ( r 30) 8545 DIA/DI F2 8566 DIA/DIR-I 8573 DIA/DIR-4EI 8579 DIA/DIN-282 8580 DrA/DrR-l (0P0) G3 B58I DIA/DIR-IB 8584 DrA/DrR-l ( l5) 84 8583 DIA/DIR-I D (2) 8594 DIA/DIR-'IF 8597 DIA/DIR-IG] 8 7 3 7 D r A / D S - 4( L r B ) ( s ) 84 (2 8607 DrA/DrR-2Br ) 86l5 DIA/DIN-2C 865'I DIA/DIR.3A 8150 DIA/DT 855'I DIA/DID.3 8593 DIA/DIR-I G2 8722 DIA/DIR.5B 8080 DIA/Slils 8859 USDAO BULGARIA 8871 USDAO CZECHOSLOVAKIA 8886 USDAO HUNGARY POLAND B9I7 USDAO B9I9 USDAO ROMIiIA YUGOSLAVIA 8939 USDAO 8934 USDA0 USSR(2)
75

(2) E0r0AFrs/rNDoc

U&SCololANDS(Cont'd) HOOs USCINCEUR (J-3) Holo SoTFE ( IRC) HIO] USAFE 497RTG HOO6USEUCOI,I DEFANALCTR J5I5 FICEURLANT

,r5l7 cor't{AvsuRFlAliT
J575 FIiIFLANT/ R FI.IFEU J593 C0I.0PTEVFoR KOOsCINCPAC K020 COiIUSTDC KOOTCOruSJAPAN KIOO PACAF RTG 548 K5OOCIIICPACFLT K5I4 COiITHIRDFLT K5I5 COI4SEVETITHFLT K5I6 FIRST I,IAF K525 C0I'IIIAVAIRPAC K6O] FIRSIT'IAU K650 CoTITNAVSURFPAC K658 COI'IJSNAVPHIL K679 FLTCORGRU I (CoDE K300 rPAC rC-L) ARI{ (6) L04o sAc 544TH t{005 usREDcoil OTHER POOS ERDA (25) P055 CrA/CRS/ADD/SD (5) P085 STATE P090 NSA (35) R]45 ACDA s030 FRD LrB 0F Colic (7) 406 copies D I AD i s t . .. . . . . . . . 204 coples D I AS t o c k . . . . . . . . , 6nf copies D I AT o t a l . . . . . . . , 7,650copies D Anny ist,... .. .. . D i s t . . , . . . . . . . 2,400copies Marine orps C 10,660 TOTAL copies PRII{T

76