“The person who is able to fully utilize the equipment of military engineering and show a flexibility of mind and military inventiveness is always able to confront the enemy with unexpected events and unexpected dimensions of the defeat dealt it." – Marshal of the Soviet Union Mikhail Tukhachevsky
LAST MONTH
In our most recent article, we provided ‘A Way’ to plan for obstacles in your defense. As you saw, the task of developing an obstacle plan is a challenging task. It is part science, part art and a takes a great deal of thought and insight. It is critical you understand obstacle planning is about prioritizing what you need and knowing the capabilities of all your assets. You will not be able to construct every obstacle you desire. However, you will be able to create the necessary obstacles you need to facilitate your defense with proper planning and preparation.
THIS MONTH
One of the major points we have stressed throughout the series is that all Commanders have a finite amount of resources to fight with. This is particularly true when the Commander is executing a defense. A Commander may have the benefit of having some extra preparation time (never enough!). However, it is almost inevitable the attacker will possess a decided advantage in forces available (normally a 3-1 advantage). Thus, it is critical the Commander utilize every asset he has available to its’ utmost.
In this month’s article, we will provide you some ‘nuggets’ and how to best use all your assets in the defense. We will provide you the proverbial laundry list of things you may want to think about. Hopefully, these will be valuable when you plan and execute your next defense. We will focus in the areas of: 1) Intelligence 2) Maneuver 3) Fire Support 4) Mobility/Counter-Mobility/Survivability 5) Air Defense 6) Combat Support 7) Command and Control
Intelligence
A Scout Gathering Key Information
The counter-reconnaissance fight prior to the enemy’s attack has a huge impact on determining the final outcome. If you allow enemy recon to move with relative impunity throughout your defense; it will not be pretty. This fight within the fight provides the winner with a marked advantage in the future.
The counter-reconnaissance fight for the defender is all about hunting and killing. The hunting can be accomplished through a variety of means. You get trusted eyes (human or technological) on his recon elements. With eyes on the target; you can now move to the killing phase. Killing can be done by direct fire or indirect fire. The advantage of indirect fire is it does give away positions. However, your indirect fire systems must be highly responsive. Recon vehicles are fleeting targets and you must act upon them immediately.
Your intelligence/recon plan should (must) change during the preparation phase of the defense. As new information comes in and it is analyzed; new requirements should be generated. Do not make the huge mistake of collecting information that is no longer relevant to your plan. This only ties up your assets and will soon leave you in the blind.
Besides blinding the eyes of your opponent’s reconnaissance; there are several significant pieces of information (many fairly obvious) you want your intelligence assets to collect and then analyze. These include:
Where is the enemy? What is his strength? What is composition? What equipment doe he possess?
What are his recon goals? This will assist you in determining his intentions.
Where are his fire support assets located (and types)?
Where are his breaching assets located (and types)?
Any weaknesses found – gaps, assailable flanks etc… ?
Where are the civilian populace and their intentions?
Location of command posts, radar systems and other key vehicles.
Analyze the terrain. Look for terrain that will support future friendly movement (counterattacks, future offensive operations).
Ensure you have developed a plan to logistical support your recon assets. Out of space, out of mind is not the right answer. Resupplying and casualty evacuation is tough business in regards to recon forces.
You do not always have to have your scouts pull all your recon missions. Sometimes it is wise to pull them in, give them a break, and let a maneuver unit perform the mission.
Reconnaissance is an interesting business. It is long periods of inactivity and then out of the blue comes the action you need to answer the key question regarding the enemy. You must be ready when that time comes.
In the recon/intelligence business sometimes the lack of any activity in an area provides just as much information as activity does.
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