THE ART AND SCIENCE OF OBSTACLE EMPLACEMENT

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“An obstacle loses 50% of its value if you stand back from it, allowing the enemy to reconnoitre the approaches and subsequently to cross without interference.”
— Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (pictured below)

LAST MONTH
In our last article, we focused on the planning of the engagement area. Our discussion keyed on answering several key questions. These included: 1) What is an engagement area? 2) Why is it important? 3) What is the Commander’s thought process in planning an engagement area? 4) What are the steps in building an engagement area? 5) What are the keys to success in building an engagement area and ultimately achieving success?

THIS MONTH
During last month’s article, we emphasized the critical relationship between indirect fires, direct fires, and obstacles in the execution of a defense. Certainly, an obstacle plan which has been developed with this relationship in mind greatly increases the potential for success in the defense. However, devising and implementing this plan is no simple endeavor. It is a blend of both art and science that is not acquired by a commander and his staff overnight.

This month, we will begin a two-part series on obstacle emplacement. In our first article, we will set the conditions by addressing some key concepts and terminology as it relates to obstacles. In our next article, we will put it all together and go through the process of planning an obstacle system.

To set the conditions we will answer the following questions: 1) What is an obstacle? 2) What is the difference between an existing obstacle and a reinforcing obstacle? 3) What are the types of reinforcing obstacles you may utilize? 4) What are the four types of obstacle effects we want to achieve on the battlefield? 5) How do we integrate each of these effects with direct and indirect fires?

THE BASICS – KEY TERMINOLOGY
Let’s begin with some basic terminology as it relates to our subject. First, what is an obstacle in ‘Tactics 101’ terms?

Definition:
“An obstruction designed or employed to disrupt, fix, turn, or block the maneuver of your enemy. This action should ultimately result in additional losses in personnel, resources, and time to your opponent”. Critical in any discussion of an obstacle is that it has a purpose. It is constructed with a distinct purpose and intent in mind. If an obstacle does not have a purpose or intent, the construction of it is a complete waste of time and resources.

Why Obstacles?
Obstacles are vital in the defense for several reasons. First, they are utilized to influence the maneuver of an attacking enemy. Second, as discussed earlier they are a key factor in greatly improving the lethality of a unit’s indirect and direct fires. Finally, they can protect a unit from enemy attack and provide valuable time to repel that attack.

Types of Obstacles
There are two basic types of obstacles – existing and reinforcing. Existing obstacles are just that – obstacles already existing on the battlefield. They can be of the natural variety such as rivers, hills and mountains, and forested areas. Or they can be of the cultural kind (man-made terrain features) such as population centers, bridges/canals, and railroad embankments/tracks. It is the wise commander who can best utilize existing obstacles in his defense. After all, the price in terms of resources to emplace them is basically free. In these economic times; that is important!

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