QUIZ 3

1. Fundamentals of Mech Warfare

1. Jockeying may be carried out by individual tanks/ Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) or by
all tanks/ ICVs on orders of the tp leader/ pl cdr.

2. One tank/ ICV in a troop/ platoon should jockey at any one time.

3. During jockeying, the new position selected must be within visual contact and fire support
of the rest of the troop.

4. Line Ahead and Staggered Line Ahead is best used for move when not in contact with the
enemy.

5. Two Up fmn is best used when required to contact a known or anticipated enemy position
on a broad front.

6. Three up fmn is applicable to mech pl only.

7. Leap frogging is suitable for fire and move when speed is essential.

8. The keynote of combat grouping concept is flexibility, even after teams are committed to
action, their composition or organisation can be quickly adjusted to meet the requirements of a
changing situation.

9. A CG is the basic tactical unit for mobile warfare. It is a temporary grouping of all arms
including attack helicopters.

10. Grouping of sp eles at CG vs CT Level :-

CG CT

One Med Bty FOO

One Tp AD (SP) Schilka/Strella Engr Recce party

One AD Msl (SP) Tp BLT

One CGTF One Tp Trawl

Sig Det ACT with Tentacle

IRG Mount AD (SP)

Tr Amb Veh FRT/MCRT

One FRT per CT IRG (if CT op indep)

ACT with Tentacle
 11. The cdr of the combat teams will be nominated by the CG cdr under whom they are
operating.

12. The formation to be adopted is decided upon by the cdr of the unit/ sub-unit concerned. It
is NOT dictated by the formation adopted by the next higher level.

13. Line & double line fmn are used at CT level only.

14. Inter tank distance generally varies from 400-600 m in open terrain to 200-400 m in close
country. The dist between two tanks could be taken as 500 m.

2. Char & Tac Implications of Linear Obst

Blue Land
1. Width of the Ditch should not be less than 27.5 m.

2. Ditch should be minimum 4 m deep, water should be 1.8-2.4 m deep.

3. In the case of wet ditch, the depth of water surface from the level of the bank should be
more than 1.2 m in order to deny entry to ‘A’ vehicles. In the case of dry ditch, the depth should
not be less than 2.4 to 3 m.

4. Slope of ditch should be 60 deg & that of Bund should be 60-75 deg.

5. ATGM tr is 3m & maint tr is 6m wide.

6. The effectiveness of inundation will depend on the composition of soil.

7. Cnl vs DCB :

Aspect DCB Cnl

Purpose Def Irrigation

Location Near IB Generally away from IB

Bunds Single On both except in case of def

oriented cnl

Tracks Maint,ATGM & Service Tr Maint Tr

Water Wet/Dry Flowing water except in seasonal cnl

Water- stagnant

Dead Zone Less Depends on bank ht

 Permanent Exist May Exist
Defenses

Defenses On One bank Can be on both banks

8. Siphon takes a water body underneath another water body, Aqueduct takes awater body
over another water body.

9. Headwork controls the flow of water downstream in a river, it has number of sluice gates,
Regulator controls the flow of water in cnls, distributaries & or DCBs.

10. Generally RDs are 300m apart, but may vary, they are marked on map & grnd.

Red Land

1. Generally, the defensive formations as a guideline are expected to complete their

defensive preparations and occupation of defence within 4 days.

2. Twin DCBs are 10-15 to 3-5 kms apart.

Tac Implication

1. Kink towards defender’s side can be developed as a killing ground by the defender.

2. Brigade holds approximately 30 kms frontage and Battalion Defended Area would be
approximately 8-10 kms.

3. Def Ops in ORT

1. Ditch cum Bund (DCB) or Canals are meant to provide a strong defence line to ensure
that in the event of a pre-emptive offensive, the adversary’s Mech forces do not over run the
defender.

2. Only those fixed elements will be cleared which assist in furtherance of operation.

3. Red Land Heliborne Capability :

(a) At 6000 Ft : Day - Battalion Group, Ni – 3 Coys

(b) Above 6000 Ft : Day – 3 Coys, Ni – 2 Coys

(c) AB ops : 9000 Ft – Bn Gp, Above 9000 Ft – 2 Coys

4. CGs Strength would be dependent on the depth of the forward zone and defenders overall
aim. In addition to the armour operating in the forward zone, Reconnaissance and Support
Company will also be operating in the forward zone.

5. Generally, no dedicated armour will be allotted to an Infantry battalion.

 6. 6 -7 BOPs per Brigade may be reorganized or re-sited. The BOPs will generally be located
5-6 kms apart.

7. Two to three Anti-Tank Mobile Teams (ATMTs) per Infantry battalion. Number of ATMTs
will depend upon threat and also availability of other Mech elements.

8. Six to seven nests each comprising of one Light Machine Gun (LMG) / Medium Machine
Gun (MMG) and one Rocket Launcher (RL) detachment per Battalion in the minefield.

9. On completion of their tasks nests withdraw to main defences.

10. Orders for withdrawal of forward zone elements will be issued by the Division
Headquarters or authority can be delegated to the Brigade.

11. Extension of forward zone may involve capture of enemy’s Border Out Posts and
deployment of mobile elements across the IB.

12. Each permanent defence is weapon specific. Location cannot be changed.

13. 81 mm Mortars should preferably be deployed as a platoon if they can cover the entire
frontage. If same is not feasible, then deployment in sections may be resorted to. Brigaded
Mortars may not be feasible and therefore, not advisable in ORT.

14. There may be an Inter Battalion gap of approximately one kilometre which may have
defences existing but not occupied.

15. On Cnl, Inf Bn covers 5-10 kms, depth loc 1-1.2kms, coy in 2.5-3 kms, pl takes 600-800m,
inter pl gap 300-400m, inter coy gap 600-800m, mine fd 800-1000m deep & nest at 400-600m
from cnl.

16. Infantry Battalion can give four Mine Laying Parties (MLP).

17. The Battalion Cdr identifies the breach and decides upon the shoulder where sealing
action is to take place.

18. Battalion ‘B’ echelons may be Brigaded.

4. Offn Ops in ORT

1. Lean on operations are operations predominantly carried out by Mech forces with
supporting arms as a precursor to deliberate operations (Break In) on a linear obst. Lean on is
generally carried out on a frontage of 25 to 30 kilom.

2. Dedicated Lean On is conducted generally by affiliated armour sqn.

3. Prophylactic Lean On is generally carried out in areas which are not likely BrH sites, with
the aim of hiding the exact location of intended BrH site
 4. During corridor securing the width of the corridor should be 3 to 4 kms, whereas the length
would depend on the distance between own and enemy’s obst. Separate task force consisting
of Armour and Infantry Battalion is tasked for this job. However, in case of lack of resources, the
tps allotted for capture of Advance Position are tasked to secure the corridor post completion of
capture.

5. When dist betw 2 corridors is less than 5 kms or threat is less only outer flks are secured.

6. Reqmt of tps :

Task Tps Required Remarks

Contacting the Obst (5 5 Sqns Contact over 25-30 km.

Contact Points) Engineers as per
requirement.

Encounter / Opportunity Xg 1 x Mechanised Engineers as per

Infantry Battalion requirement

Reduction of Advance Sqn Armour and Infantry Battalion from the

Position Infantry Battalion Holding Formation

Reduction of Border Out Post Infantry and Armour Selected Border Out Post
(BOP) (Holding Formation) (BOP) identified

Corridor securing Sqn Armour and Ideally separate Infantry

Infantry Battalion Battalion. Recycled if paucity
of tps – time penalty

Flank Protection 2 x Combat Teams Mechanised Infantry /

Reconnaissance and
Support Company in
conjunction with Sqn Armour
(Holding formation)

7. Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) are capable of xg a water obst with current up to 2 knots.
However, skilled drivers can negotiate currents up to 4 knots.

8. Reconnaissance party for encounter xg is based on Armoured Engineering

Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV).

9. Only in exceptional circumstances, planned deliberate BrH is abandoned in favor of

Encounter Xg BrH

10. Encounter xg may also provide another dirn of attack for the main obj on the obst.
 11. During Lean On Ops 2-3 CGs, advance from FAA in staggered line ahead
formation in the given OOM. No of routes depend on xg places (both existing and created)
on own obsts. Two xgs per CG are allotted. 2-3 kms short of IB at a pre-selected CGRP,
CGs start advancing two up i.e. two CTs up fmn. After xg the IB fence, CTs advance two up.
While doing so, they seek and destroy enemy’s mobile elements operating in the fwd zone.
However, leading CTs do not get involved in clearing of BOPs / Advance Position(s). Sqn
tasked for capture of Advance position will be last in the OOM. 3-4 kms short of enemy’s
minefield, at the CTRP, prophylactic lean on Sqn to fan out to move three tps up. Dedicated
lean on Sqn continues to move two tps up. 1-1.5 Kms short of enemy’s minefield, at the POP,
the tps move with all three tanks up.

12. Lean On force will be self-contained for 72 hours from FAA onwards. IRG will follow the
‘F’ echelon up to a bound behind. First replenishment will be carried out at Regimental RV or
AVWA prior to induction/ Breakout as required.

13. Break In incl breaching & bridging activities of Engrs.

14. Securing and Forming Up Place (FUP) marking party is generally placed under command
for move of Lean On force.

15. Surveillance officer or any other nominated officer of each Assaulting Battalion extend the
Start Line (SL) tape up to the last assaulting rod on their side.

16. Once initial Bridgehead is secured, carry out Immediate Reorg and send Tank Hunting
parties (THTs) in the directions from which enemy’s counter attack is expected.

17. Bde CP is located at 700-900m short of FUP & is manned by AA&QMG, Bn CP is manned
by SA & is 300-500m from FUP.

18. Each assault Bn has its own BOLP,BIP may be org in the launching area.

19. Flt is a sub div of wave.

20. Time diff betw two flts is 1 min.

21. Bank Ctrl Org ctrls the mov of tps & eqpt across the cnl, it fns directly under Bn Cdr.

22. Min 2 VSLs & 2 return VSLs are created in each BrH.

23. Techs for breakout are corridor drill, Box/Inverted L, Asslt by Bounds & Direct Breakout
under Arty Barrage.

24. IRG has 07 x HMVs per Bn & carries :

(a) Amn : 5 rds/Tanks, 250 rds & 1 msl per ICV

(b) FOL : 50kms/ AFV, 100kms/B Veh

(c) Water : 24 Hrs,Dry Ration : 01 Day

 5.Lgs in ORT
For Inf :

1. ‘F’ Echelon consists of the manpower, equipment and vehicles involved in the
fighting. It may also include Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) with Regimental
Aid Post (RAP).

2. ‘A’ Echelon basically consists of manpower, stores and vehicles involved in

collection and distribution of essential stores to ‘F’ echelon, which are required
for the battle.

3. ‘B’ Echelon consists of vehicles and stores which are not required in the battle
and will be required once the unit is pulled out of battle or during temporary
pause in battle.

4. For Mech Forces :

(a) F’ Echelon consists of manpower and ‘A’ vehicles required for battle. It may also
be grouped with Regimental Medical Officer and Technical Officer with the
Forward Repair Team (FRT).

(b) ‘A1’ Echelon consists of vehicles required for immediate replenishment of ‘F’
echelon at end of day’s fighting.

(c) ‘A2’ Echelon is the main collecting, holding and forwarding agency for daily
requirements.

(d) ‘B’ Echelon consists of vehicles and stores not required immediately in battle.

5. Based on Trn Mech has fwg varns :

(a) IRG follows immediately behind F ech.

(b) EVC 1/ Brigaded EVC. It is composed of first line transport of the unit, which
may be brigaded for carriage of stores required for 24 hours.

(c) EVC 2/ Divisional EVC. It is composed of 2nd line transport of the formation and
also some pooled 1st line transport for carriage of another 24 hours of stores.

(d) B Echelon. Consists of stores and vehicles not immediately required and are
generally located in the Divisional Administration Area (DAA).

6. The basic logistic model in ORT is based on the design of battle and the depth
and frontages likely to be covered by a formation.
7.

8. IRG is responsible for the immediate replenishment of the Armoured Regiment /

Mechanised Infantry Battalion during operations. IRG follows in the wake of ‘F’
Echelon

9. There is no standard organisation of IRG. IRG includes vehicles of affiliated

Artillery, Engineers and Army Air Defence.

10. The empty IRG vehicles are sent back to the Logistics Support Area (LSA) and
are refilled from the EVC-I.

11. Brigade EVC (EVC-I). The vehicles of EVC-I are composed mostly of first line
vehicles and are located in the Logistics Support Area (LSA) established by the
Brigade Headquarters. Brigade EVC carries 24 hours requirement of
commodities such as FOL, ammunition, rations, water and repair and recovery
vehicles. Brigade EVC moves only at night and the move is controlled by the
Brigade Headquarters. It moves approximately 30-40 Kilometres every night and
deploys approximately 30 Kilometres behind the forward troops. It is located
within a day’s turnaround.

12. Division EVC (EVC-II). It carries 24 hours requirement of commodities of the

formation and is based on second line transport and certain pooled first line
transport. It is commanded by Commanding Officer, Army Service Corps (ASC)
Battalion. Division EVC deploys approximately 30-40 Kilometres behind Brigade
EVC. Move of Division EVC is restricted along the Division Operational Track. It
moves only during night from one deployment area to another.

13. Division Logistics Support Area (DLSA). It is established along Division Centre
Line by EVCs / Replenishment Points (RPs) ex Corps resources. It also provides a
suitable location for administrative elements such as Advanced Dressing Station
(ADS) / Forward Surgical Centre (FSC) / Workshops to function. At the Division
level, two DLSAs may be planned; one each for EVC-I and EVC-II.
14. IRG Command. Squadron Dafadar Major (SDM) of the Squadron and Senior JCO
of the Mechanised Infantry Company will command the IRG vehicles. At the
Armoured Regiment level, the IRG must be commanded by the Second in
Command (2IC) of the Headquarter Squadron.

15. Control. IRG is generally centrally controlled by the CG Headquarters. However,

IRG may also be controlled by Squadron / Company Headquarters.

16. EVC I (Bde EVC) cmd by OC HQ Sqn & ctrl by AQMG ex Bde HQ.

17. EVC II (Div EVC) cmd by CO, ASC Bn,ctrl by QM of Div.

18. In ORT, it is not necessary to follow the system of IRG and EVC. There are 10 x
High Mobility Vehicles (HMV) (4x4), 8 x HMV (6x6) and 4 x HMV (8x8) authorized
to all Armoured Regiments in the offensive formations. However, for defensive
formations 4 x HMV (8x8) are not authorized.

19. Ammunition point will be established in the Divisional Administrative Area.

Ammunition point will be opened in the Bridgehead as soon as possible after the
breakout.

20. Replenishment of supplies is resumed as soon as the Bridgehead is established.

21. The OCCO is allotted medical units for medical treatment.

22. One Brigade Workshop should be established by the Division near the forward
equipment collecting point.

23. Recovery posts are required to be established on both sides of the crossing.

24. First Reinforcements. The Armoured Delivery Regiment has a separate est and
its pers will not be counted against the first rft auth to units.

25. Subsequent Reinforcements. These are based on war wastage rates and are
sanctioned by the Govt.

26. Basic scale of first rft:

(a) To Armd : 01 Sub,06 Gnr,10 Dvr AFV
(b) To Mech : 01-02-70
27. First Reinforcements will be authorised in peace time at scales given in various
war establishments. They will be located with units and no demands will be
initiated for them.

28. Advance reinforcement and casualty section will place demands on Org-3 (RR&C)
to make up deficiencies arising in the holding of reinforcement.

29. Replacement of AFVs is carried out with its full complement of crews. The crew
(not injured) of an AFV casualty has to be fed back into the reinforcement channel.

30. ADR is scaled at the Theatre level.

31. The sub-unit technical JCO co-ordinates the workof FRT, however, the overall
control and supervision is exercised by the Technical Officer (TO). The FRT travels
in the Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and is responsible for carrying out
essential light repair in situation.

32. When a Tank / ICV becomes a casualty, accurate grid reference of the location of
the casualty and exact nature / extent of damage needs to be passed to the TO.

33.The location to which this casualty is recovered will be decided by the TO

bearing in mind the nature of the casualty, operation in progress and the overall
recovery plan. Based on these considerations, a vehicle may be recovered to any of
the following locations:-
(a) A2 echelon where the LRW will be located.
(b) The Brigade Recovery Post from where formation recovery resources will
arrange to backload the casualty.

34. At Corps level, one permanent PsW Camp is established, provost estb it.

6. Heliborne Ops
1. H Hour. The time of touchdown of the leading helicopter of the assault echelon in the
Landing Zone.

2. Landing Points. A designated or selected touchdown point where a single

helicopter lands and comes to rest or disembark troops or cargo. Landing Site. A
sub division of a landing zone that contains one or more landing points. Landing
Zone (LZ). A sub-division of a landing area that encompasses one or more landing
sites, normally has the required control facilities.
3. Landing Areas. A general area that encompasses one or more landing zones. In
a restrictive terrain situation the landing area, zone, site and point may be the
same location.

4. Due to paucity of helicopters, the employment of heliborne troops must be

vested in the highest field commander in a sector / theatre. However, it is
imperative that once the heliborne troops are allotted to a certain formation, the
planning and method of execution of the mission must rest with that formation
commander.

5. The ultimate goal in heliborne operations is to land the attacking force on the
objective.

6. For company size operations, there should not be a requirement of any

pathfinder party or advance preparations at the landing zone.

7. For battalion operations (or a force larger than one company group), minimum
preparations will be carried out by a pathfinder party.

8. Phases of Heliborne Ops :

(a) Ph 1 Preparatory Ph : This phase commences from the time the heliborne
operation is ordered and lasts till the time heliborne force takes-off for
mission.
(b) Ph 2 Approach Ph : commences from the time heliborne force, takes off from
mounting area and lasts till force lands in the Landing Zone. Can be further
divided into Breakthrough Ph & Enroute Ph.
(c) Ph 3 Tgt Ar Ph : commences from the time helicopters land at the target area
and lasts till the helicopters take off with heliborne force for return flight / till
link up with ground forces.

(d) Ph 4 Withdrawl/Link Up Ph : commences from the time the heliborne force

takes off from Landing Zone and lasts till it reaches base / links up with
ground forces. The withdrawal phase does not have the advantage of surprise
element prevalent in Approach Phase. Hence it is desirable that the
withdrawal route is the shortest and safest. The withdrawal / link up phase is
the most hazardous part of the operation.

9. Landing Zone/Alt Ldg Zone is selected by HB force cdr & HB Fleet cdr (IAF).

10. Under Slung load can be carried by helicopters in Skid Boards / Cargo Net (250
Kilogram, 500 Kilogram & 1500 Kilogram) and is unhooked before slithering
down of troops.
 7. RL Armed Forces

1. Width of the ditch varies between 07 to 30 metres. The ditch is normally wet and
flow of water can be controlled to raise or lower water levels.

2. Red Land Forces has developed twin Ditch cum Bunds in certain areas aimed
at upsetting attacker’s time plan of attack and day lighting him between the two
obstacles.
3. Protective mine fields of depth 600-800 m are laid ahead of the canal / Ditch
Cum Bund. At certain places depth may be increased up to 1200-1600 m.

4. The divisional counter attack is planned within 2-3 hours with the corps counter
attack likely in 4-6 hours.
5. Each Red Land armoured/ mechanised division has three to four MIBs based on
Armoured Personnel Carriers.

6. Inf Div is auth 1 LAT Bn, they are either sub allotted to inf fmn/units or may
operate indep, they can be tasked to relieve Armr.

LCB
1. Orbatted to Corps to enhance the overall reaction capb / trans IB ops.
2. Emp str varies from min comb team to max Lt Cdo Coy depending upon trn,
gaps & nature of task.
3. Op 10-12 Km behind en lines & staying power upto 72hr.
4. Capb to undertake AB Ops unlikely.
5.
LAT & HAT Bn

1. HAT Bn auth to a Corps & Inf div auth one LAT Bn – coys equipped to op
indep

2. Sited on successive delay lines – est msl bases in conj with armr and other
A Tk elements