Soviet Combined Arms Battalion - 1980s

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THE SOVIET COMBINED ARMS BATTALION-
REORGANIZATION FOR TACTICAL FLEXIBILITY
by
LTC Lester W. Grau
Soviet Army Studies Office
U. S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Leavenworth. Kansas
September 1989
The views expressed here are those of the
Soviet Army Studies Office. They should not
necessarily be construed as validated threat doctrine.
THE SOVIET COMBINED ARMS BATTALION-
REORGANIZATION FOR TACTICAL FLEXIBILITY
One of the key issues facing Soviet force planners is
whether to extend the combined arms TO&E structure down to the
motorized rifle and tank battalion. As this paper demonstrates,
sufficient military rationale exists for Soviet planners to
consider such a step. Critical economic, political and training
factors must be considered, however, before the Soviets implement
this tactical perestroyka.
Recent Soviet writings characterize modern combined arms
battle as one of maneuver, and simultaneous attacks from the
front, flanks, rear and air by formations, units and battalion
tactical groups.' The authoritative 1987 edition of Taktika
[Tactics) describes what it calls the "battalion tactical
group", as a modern tank or motorized rifle battalion with
significant, tailored reinforcements. The tank or motorized
rifle battalion
...may be furnished with significant quantities of
reinforcements--an artillery battalion or battery,
antitank weapons, an antiaircraft battery (platoon) and
engineer and chemical troop subunits. Tank subunits
may be added to a motorized rifle battalion and
motorized rifle subunits may be added to a tank
battalion.2
The essential question is whether the Soviets will continue
to form battalion tactical groups "through attachment" or through
integration of reinforcing weapons directly into the
organizational structure by forming true "combined arms
battalions." Significantly, Soviet writings emphasize that
combined arms integration at battalion level satisfies the
requirements of modern battle. Hence, the battalion tactical
group or combined arms battalion remains a principal focus of
tactical writings and exercises. In early.1989, a Soviet
tactician stated that
experience in local wars and in conflicts of the last
several years demonstrates that a battalion, reinforced
with artillery, air defense weapons, etc. (in all, up
to eight attached subunits) is the basic tactical
entity on the battlefield. This, to a certain degree,
is explained by the fact that here the commander still
has the ability to personally observe the situation on
his front and immediately react to it.
3
As the Soviets consider restructuring their forces in light of
their recent political declarations, the creation of TO&E
"combined arms battalions" has clearly emerged as a viable
variant for Soviet force planners.
4
Examination of peacetime
force structure and training options should best reflect how
tactical maneuver forces would fight in future battle.
The Soviet view of future battle envisions a need for
battalions capable of functioning independently on a fragmented
battlefield, since
to make it possible for commanders and staffs to
exercise control, their forces are broken down into
the appropriate number of smaller elements. Moreover,
the numerical strength and armament of the latter have
been calculated so that, without being unwieldy, they
will be able to accomplish an assigned combat mission
or execute a maneuver in a short period of time. When
forces are being subdivided into independent elements,
a long-standing rule must apply- subdivisions for
administrative and combat purposes must coincide.
5
To comprehend what these changes may entail, this paper examines
the optimum composition of a Soviet combined arms battalion based
/
on the study of over five hundred battalioi-sized Soviet exercise
2
and training experiences reported in the open press from January
1962 through June 1989.
BACKGROUND
Soviet motorized rifle battalion composition has undergone
several significant changes since World War II. In 1949, the
Soviet mechanized regiment's motorized rifle battalion (Figure
2) was not as heavily armed or manned as the rifle regiment's
rifle battalion (Figure 1). This may be due to the fact that
there were no tanks in the rifle regiment, whereas the mechanized
regiment was organized with two motorized rifle battalions and a
tank battalion. Thus the motorized rifle battalion could be more
readily reinforced. Both the rifle battalion and the motorized
rifle battalion had a direct fire artillery battery and a mortar
company/battery to provide fire support. A primary function of
the artillery battery was antitank fires.
1949 Rifle
Battalion
BNRifle Mortar Artillery
HI Company Company Battery
9X82mm
2 X 57mm
4 X 12.7mm For
3X3MMG
4 X AT Rifles -
0
Signal Supply Medical to
Company Platoon Platoon Platoon
9 MMG
ion/
Figure 1
Availability Codes
jvail and/or
3
Dist
1
Special
1949 MR
HI Rifle 1 Mortar Antitank
Company Company Battery
6 X 82mm 4 X 57mm gun
IVIVG JSignal
Company 6MGPlatoon
6 MMG
Figure 2
6
By 1954, the support structure of the motorized rifle
battalion had changed and its personnel strength had decreased
from 547 to 433 (Figure 3). Moreover, rifle divisions were
converting to a totally motorized structure.
F
I
HO&C dRfeMortar
Artillery
Platoon Company Battery Battery
/J 6 X 82ram
4 X 57mm
eIrG rvice Medical
Figure 3 pany latoon Section 7
6 HMG
By 1958, the motorized rifle battalion had increased to 500
men (Figure 4). The mortar battery was eliminated, two 82-mm
recoilless rifles and two 10
7
-mm recoilless rifles were added to
the artillery battery, an antiaircraft machine gun platoun was
added (in addition to the machine gun company), 27 RPG-2 antitank
4
grenade launchers were introduced and the AK-47 was becoming the
standard shoulder weapon of the Soviet Army.
1958 MR
BN
B Q I Artillery
Company Battery
4 X 57mm
2 X82mm RR
2 X 107mm RR
Antiair Machinegun Service
MG Pit Company Elements
Figure 4 3X14.5mm AAMG 6X7.62mmHMG
By 1966, several significant changes had occurred in the
motorized rifle battalion (Figure 5). The BTR 60-PB, in
production for five years, was replacing the BTR-152 and BTR-
50P as the standard armored personnel carrier. Mortars
returned to the battalion, but were now organized as a platoon or
three 82-mm mortars instead of the battery of six. The artillery
battery shrunk to an antitank platoon of two 5
7
-mm direct fire
guns and the three-gun antiaircraft machine gun platoon decreased
to a two-gun antiaircraft section. The machine gun company
disappeared as more machine guns were placed in the motorized
rifle company. Service units were also reorganized and the
strength of the motorized rifle battaliou fell to 386. This was
an organization optimized for combat on the nuclear battlefield.
5
S1966 MR
BN
SHQ & Serv MVR } Antitank Mortar
Units Company Gun PIt Platoon
2 X 57mm 3 X 82mm
Antiai r
MG Sect
Figure 5
2 X 14.5 AAMG
By 1967, the Soviets had introduced the BMP-1 infantry
fighting vehicle and motorized rifle battalions were now equiipped
with either BMPs or BTRs. The AKM was replacing the AK-47 as the
standard shoulder arm, the RPG-7 was replacing the RPG-2 and the
SA-7 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile (introduced in 1966)
was supplementing antiaircraft machine guns. Thus, the Soviets
were fielding a more balanced force capable of functioning on
both a nuclear and a conventional battlefield.
By 1977, the BTR equipped motorized rifle battalion was
organized as shown in Figure 6:
1977 MR
MRMortar Antitank
Company Battery Platoon
6 X 120mm 2 X SPG-9
2 X SAGGER
Supply Repair Medcal Commo
Platoon Workshop Station Platoon
Figure 6
10
6
The mortar platoon was upgraded to a mortar battery and the 120-
mm mortar replaced the 82-am mortar. Two SPG-9 recoilless rifles
and two SAGGER antitank guided weapons replaced the 57-mm guns in
the antitank platoon. The antiaircraft machine gun section was
eliminated with the introduction of three SA-7 surface-to-air
guided missiles (SAMs) into each motorized rifle company. The
battalion strength was 449.
The 1977 BMP-equipped mot.orized rifle battalion had 430 men
and was organized as shown in Figure 7:
.1977 MR
BN (BMP)
BnH RMortar
Commo
6 X 120mm
Supply Repair Medical
Platoon Workshop Station
Figure 7
11
The primary difference between the BTR-equipped and BMP-
equipped motorized rifle battalions was the absence of the
antitank platoon in the latter. The BMP-1's 73-mm smoothbore
antitank gun and ATGM launcher substituted for the antitank
weapons of the antitank platoon.
The 1982 BTR-equipped motorized rifle battalion (Figure 8)
was organized essentially the same as the 1977 model.
7
S1982 MR
BN (BTR)
M ortar Antitank
n
Company
Battery
Platoon
6 X 120mm 2 X SPG-9
4 X AT-3/AT-4
Commo Supply Repair Medical
Platoon Platoon Workshop Station
Figure 8 1 2
Two additional AT-3/SAGGER or AT-4/SPIGGOT antitank guided
missiles were added to the antitank platoon as were two RPG-16
antitank grenade launchers. A weapons squad was created in the
motorized rifle company which employed two AGS-17 grenade
launchers. The battalion had 455 men.
1 3
The 1982 BMP-equipped motorized rifle battalion (Figure 9)
differed from its 1977 predecessor:
F 1982MR
BN (BMVP)
M R Antiair Mortar
Company Platoon Battery
9 X SA-7/14 6X 120mm
AGS-17 Commo Supply Repair
Platoon Platoon Platoon Workshop
6 X AGS-17
Medical
Station
Figure 9
8
The BMP-2 with a 30-mm chain gun and antitank guided missile
mounts was introduced in 1981. The nine SA-7 (or its
replacement, the SA-14) shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles
were taken from the motorized rifle companies and consolidated
into an antiaircraft platoon. A platoon of six AGS-17 30-mm
automatic grenade launchers was established. The battalion had
432 men.
1
s
Like the 1982 BMP-equipped battalion, the current BTR-
equipped battalion has taken issets from the motorized rifle
companies to form an air defeose platoon and an automatic grenade
launcher platoon (Figure 10).
1989 MR
BN (BTR)
HMRMortar
Attn
8 X 120rn 2 X SPG-9
or 82mm Auto 4 X AT-3/AT-4
Signal Supply Repair Medical
Platoon Platoon Workshop Station
Antiair AGS-17
Platoon Platoon
Figure 1.0 19f-Paol 6
9 X SA-7/14/16 6 X AGS-17
The number of mortars i.. the mortar battery has increased from
six to eight and, in some instances, the 120-mm mortar has been
replaced by the 82-mm automatic mortar (Vasilek). In the
motorized rifle company, the weapons squad, which originally
9
contained two AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, has been
changed to a machine gun/anti Lank platoon containing three AT-7
antitank guided missiles arl three machine guns. 17
The current BMP-equippeJ mutorized rifle battalion has not
changed its force structure from 1977 but has increased to an
authorized 497 personnel. This increase is due to the addition
of two mortars in the mortar battery and the addition of the
machine gun platoon in each of the motorized rifle companies.
The BMP-equipped motorized rifle company lacks the AT-7 antitank
guided missile system in their machine gun platoon, sinc'e every
BMP can mount an AT-3, AT-4 or AT-5 antitank guided missile.'
8
Soviet tank battalion organization has also changed since
World War II. In 1949, the medium tank battalion of both the
tank and mechanized division consisted of 35 tanks organized as
shown in Figure 11:
Tank BN
TankRecon
Technical
BN HQ Company
Platoon
Company
2 Tanks
3 Tanks
3 X 10 Tanks
Figure 11
19
In 1954, the tank battalion strength decreased to 21 tanks,
although the standard tank :mpany remained at ten tanks (Figure
12).
10
1154
Tank BN
HQ & Cmd TankSevcMdia
plafftoon Company Platoon Section
1 Tank
I
2 X 10 Tanks
Figure 12
2 0
The reconnaissance platoon was eliminated, as was one entire tank
company. Support elements were also reorganized.
In 1958, six tanks were added to each of the tank
companies.
2
' A tank battalion of a tank regiment (Figure 13) was
also organized differently than a tank battalion of a mechanized
regiment (Figure 14). The tank regiment's Lanl battalion was
organized with two companies while the tank battalion of a
mechanized regiment also had two tank companies and an additional
122-mm assault gun company.
1958
Tank BN
BNHQCompany Elements
2 Tanks 1
2 X 16 Tanks
Figure 13
2 2
11
958 Tank
sit Gn
BN
I-
I
I
BN HQ Tank
sslt Gun] Service
Company Company Elements
2 Tanks ! 11 122mm
Figure 14 2 X 16 Tanks Asslt Guns 2 3
Tank battalion strength between 1960 and 1970 varied from 31
to 32 tanks (the tank in question was that of the battalion chief
of staff) , but the strucLure waxs uniform for all Lank battalioris
(Figure 15). 11960"1970
if iTand more Sa Mediea
Section Company Maint Pit aSection
One Tank i
3 X 10 Tanks
II I I
a/Supply re aigrCommo e6[.Mess
ection Man etSection Section
Figure 15
26
By the mid 1970s, however, the tank battalion in the
motorized rifle regiment had more tanks than did the tanic
battalion in the tank regiment, although the battalion structure
appeared identical (Figure 16).25s
Han &8Nr Tn
8nQ 1 Q& erPatoon I
n
]Company
Figure 16
2 6
1.2
The principal difference was that the 31-tank battalion of the
tank regiment had three tanks in each tank platoon, while the
40-tank battalion of the motorized rifle battalion had four
tanks in each platoon, making companies of ten and thirteen tanks
respectively. This structure has remained up to the present.
Given these structural changes in the motorized rifle and
tank battalion since the end of World War II, an important
question remains. Did the Soviets exercise these battalions as
organized or did they task-organize them to fulfill particular
-assignments? The study of exercise experience provides an answer
to this question.
METHODOLOGY
Publications such as Voyennyy Vestnik [Military Herald-the
Soviet official tactical monthly journal] and various tactical
studies depicted battalion-sized exercises in twenty-five
categories. These exercises were differentiated by type of
mission (forward detachment, advance guard, flanking detachment,
etc.), type of combat (attack from the march, transition to the
defense, committal of second echelon battalion, etc.),
specialized circumstances (night attack, river crossing,
amphibious landing, etc.) or locale (desert, mountains, polar
regions, etc.). Since many exercises fit into more than one of
the categories (for example, a forward detachment making a night
attack from the march across a river in swampy terrain could fit
into any one of five categories), I have listed each exercise in
only one category to avoid double counting. I then cross checked
13
categories to determine patterns of force organization for
various types of tactical activity and then noted differences and
similarities between the period of overwhelming nuclear emphasis
of the early sixties and today's more balanced
conventional/nuclear emphasis.
ORGANIZATION FOR COMBAT
Combined Arms: The motorized rifle battalion and tank
battalion were always organized to be the nucleus of a combined
arms fbrce. In only 12 of the examined 551 exercises (2%) did a
pure battalion act without attachments or supporting units.
None of the 12 examples occurred after 1972. In an additional 4
examples, motorized rifle and tank battalions fought "pure" but
were reinforced by additional artillery or other assets. Thus,
motorized rifle and tank battalions were organized as a combined
arms force 97% of the time. A motorized rifle battalion had a
tank company attached 80% of the time, two tank companies
attached 5 % of the time, a tank battalion attached in one
instance (0.2%), two tank platoons attached 1% of the time, a
tank platoon attached 0.7% of the time and no armor attached 11%
of the time. In seven instances, the armor attachments were
characterized as "subunits"-which can be anything from a single
tank to a tank battalion. Thus, armor was attached to the 427
motorized rifle battalion examples 89% of the time.
14
Armor was not attached when the motorized rifle battalion
had an airmobile mission. Armor was often not attached when
operating in the mountains and occasionally not attached during
the defense. When no armor was attached in the defense, an armor
battalion normally supported the motorized rifle battalion with a
counterattack. In some examples which dealt with the role of a
particular supporting element (a mortar platoon, air defense
platoon, artillery battery or reconnaissance platoon in support
of a motorized rifle battalion), the other attached or supporting
elements were mentioned in passing or not at all. Thus, it is
most likely that the actual instances of attachment of armor to
motorized rifle battalions exceeded 89%.
Tank battalions, however, did not receive attachments as
frequently as motorized rifle battalions. In the 124 tank
battalion examples, a motorized rifle company was attached 44% of
the time, two motorized rifle platoons were attached 3% of the
time, and a motorized rifle platoon was attached 8% of the time.
In one instance, two motorized rifle companies were attached and
in another instance, a motorized rifle squad was attached. In
two instances, the motorized rifle attachments were characterized
as subunits. The tank battalions apparently acted without
motorized rifle attachments 41% of the time. For the reasons
stated above, the figure for attachments may actually be higher.
It is clear, however, that armored elements are much more likely
to be attached to motorized rifle battalions than the reverse.
15
Artillery: Artillery was normally attached to or in support
of both battalions.'
7
In 37 of the 551 articles (7%), there was
no mention of supporting artillery, but in only 8 of these
articles was it clear that no attached or supporting artillery
was employed (2%). The 427 motorized rifle battalion examples
had 2 examples where 2 artillery battalions were attached to a
single motorized rifle battalion (0.5%), 23 examples where an
artillery battalion plus a battery were attached to a motorized
rifle battalion (5%), and 187 examples where an artillery
battalion was attached to a motorized rifle battalion (34%). In
13 of the 187 examples, additional artillery (a battalion or
more) also supported the battalion tactical group. In 16 of the
examples, nuclear strikes also supported the battalion tactical
group. In another 20 exercises, 2 batteries (sometimes supported
by additional artillery and nuclear strikes) were attached to a
motorized rifle battalion. In 91 exercises (21%), a battery was
attached to a motorized rifle battalion. Of these 91 exercises,
48 had no additional supporting artillery, 23 were supported by
additional artillery, 13 were supported by additional artillery
and nuclear strikes and 7 were supported by nuclear strikes. The
exercises in which batteries, vice artillery battalions, were
attached to motorized rifle battalions were usually during the
1960s and early 1970s (during this period, the motorized rifle
battalion had its own organic artillery battery and nuclear fires
played the dominant role on the battlefield). In five instances,
the size of the artillery unit attached to the motorized rifle
16
battalion could not be determined. In 77% of the exercises,
artillery was attached to the motorized rifle battalion.
In 18% of the exercises, artillery was used to support the
motorized rifle battalion. Usually artillery was in support
during the defense or during an attack against a prepared
defense. In five exercises, multiple battalions supported a
single motorized rifle battalion; in one exercise, an artillery
battalion and a battery were supported a single motorized rifle
battalion and in 59 exercises, an artillery battalion supported a
motorized rifle battalion. In 14 of these 59 exercises, the
supporting artillery battalion was reinforced with nuclear
strikes. In an additional 13 exercises, supporting artillery was
mentioned, but the size of that artillery could not be
determined.
Tank battalions had attached or supporting artillery in 87%
of the exercises. When tank battalions exercised with
artillery, it was attached 86% of the time. In 3 instances, an
artillery battalion plus a battery were attached (3%) and in 74
exercises (80%) an artillery battalion was attached. In 8 of
these 74 exercises, the attached battalion was supported by
nuclear strikes or additional artillery. In four exercises, two
batteries were attached to the tank battalion and in ten
exercise, a battery was attached to a tank battalion. In one
instance, the size of the attached artillery could not be
determined. When artillery was placed in support of a tank
battalion (13%), it was usually an artillery battalion (56%) but
17
could be as much as two battalions or as little as a battery.
In 16 of the instances, artillery was not mentioned (17%).
Thus, artillery is most often attached to rather than in support
of tank battalions and the attachment is usually an artillery
battalion.
Engineers: Engineer attachment to the maneuver battalion
did not always occur or, at least, was not always reported. Of
the 427 motorized rifle battalion examples, engineers were
attached in. 243 instances (62%). Of these, 21 exercises featured
an attached engineer company (9%), 23 exercises featured 2
attached engineer platoons (10%), 202 exercises featured an
attached engineer platoon (83%), 6 exercises featured an
attached engineer squad (3%), 1 exercise featured 2 attached of a
non-specified subunit (4%). Thus, engineer units were attached
more often than not to motorized rifle battalions and the most
common attachment was an engineer platoon. The primary
determinant of the size and type of engineer units and equipment
attached was the mission and terrain.
Of the 124 tank battalion examples, engineers were attached
in 71 instances (57%). Of these, 4 exercises featured an
attached engineer company (6%), 12 exercises featured the
attachment of 2 platoons (17%), 41 exercises featured an
attached engineer platoon (58%), 11 exercises featured an
attached engineer squad (15.5%), 1 exercise featured attachments
in excess of an engineer company (1%), and 2 exercises featured
the attachment of unspecified engineer subunits (3%). Thus,
18
engineer units were attached to tank battalions just over half
the time and the most common attachment was an engineer platoon.
Engineers were attached for a variety of tasks, the most
common of which were river crossings, road maintenance,
reconnaissance, obstacle breaching and obstacle emplacement.
Terrain and the enemy were the primary factors in determining
attachment of engineers.
Reconnaissance: Reconnaissance units were seldom attached
to motorized rifle and tank battalions, but usually were in
support of them, particularly in theadvance guard and forward
detachment, and in transitioning to defense. In virtually all
instances, the battalion constituted its own reconnaissance
platoon from a second echelon company's platoon and relied on
additional reconnaissance support from higher headquarters.
Air Defense: Air defenses were seldom attached to tank and
motorized rifle battalions, as the battalions relied on their
organic air defenses. In the 427 motorized rifle battalion
exercises, air defense forces were attached in only 90 exercises
(21%). Of these, 31 of the exercises featured an attached air
defense battery (34%), 58 of the exercises featured an attached
air defense platoon (64%), and 1 exercise featured the
attachment of an undetermined subunit (1%).
In the 124 tank battalion exercises, only 25 involved the
attachment of air defense forces (20%). In these 25 exercises,
6 featured an attached air defense battery (24%), 18 featured an
19
attached air defense platoon (72%) and 1 exercise featured the
attachment of an undetermined subunit (4%).
Air defense forces were likely to be attached to forward
detachments and advance guards, march columns and when conducting
river crossings.
Antitank: Antitank elements were seldom attached, probably
since the motorized rifle and tank battalions have always had a
potent, organic antitank capability, and the Soviets like to
have large antitank reserves with which to influence the battle.
Of the 427 motorized rifle exercises, only 37 (9%) involved the
attachment of antitank elements (1 antitank battalion, 17
antitank batteries, 12 antitank platoons and 7 subunits). Of the
124 tank battalion exercises, only 3 (2%) involved the
attachment of antitank elements (1 battery and 2 platoons).
Antitank units were normally held by the higher headquarters as
part of the antitank reserve and placed in support of maneuver
battalions.
Chemical and radiological reconnaissance: The chemical and
radiation reconnaissance squad was a common attachment,
particularly for the forward detachment and advance guard
missions. Of the 427 motorized rifle battalion exercises, 151
(35%) had a chemical and radiation reconnaissance squad
attached. Of the 124 tank battalion exercises, 42 (34%) had a
chemical and radiation reconnaissance squad attached.
General findings: During the exercises, Soviet battalions
normally functioned as combined arms groups, but only with
20
attachments. The most common grouping was a motorized rifle
battalion with a tank company, an artillery battalion, and an
engineer platoon. The most common tank battalion organization
for combined arms combat was the tank battalion with a motorized
rifle company, an artillery battalion and an engineer platoon.
Tank battalions were less likely to organize as combined arms
battalions. Both motorized rifle and tank battalions were most
likely to organize into combined arms groups to function as a
forward detachment, advance guard, in the attack from the march,
or when forcing a river crossing. The attachments have tended to
increase in number and size from 1975 onward. This may have
produced a contemporary Soviet judgement that reinforcing or
attached elements should be organically included in future
battalions to make them truly combined arms in their own right.
These combined arms groups are suited for maneuver warfare
and seem to fit the Soviet view of future war. The Soviets
believe that the future battlefield will be a high tempo, lethal
arena in which the meeting battle will be the primary form of
combat. The prolonged, linear struggle against a prepared
defender with tied-in flanks must be avoided despite enemy
efforts to impose it, since this would heighten the possibility
of the war becoming nuclear and facilitate targeting by the
adversary. The changing Soviet concept of future war will
require units which are organized and equipped differently than
in the past and today. Units must be more self-sufficient on the
fragmented future battlefield.
2
8 The Soviets envision the use of
21
a TO&E combined arms structure down to battalion level, with the
combined arms battalion clearly a candidate for becoming the
standard maneuver unit of the future.
2 9
Only other realities,
such as political and economic difficulties or a deception system
for converting a peacetime structure into a wartime structure
would preclude or delay peacetime creation of these battalions.
THE COMBINED ARMS BATTALION
The optimum organization for the combined arms battalion
would be one designed for maneuver warfare which resembles the
forward detachment of the past, i.e., a tactical grouping with
both defensive and offensive applications. It should contain
armored, motorized rifle, artillery, air defense, chemical and
radiological defense, reconnaissance and engineer forces. In all
variants, either the motorized rifle battalion or the tank
battalion could form a nucleus for the combined arms battalion.
Exercise experience demonstrates that the motorized rifle
battalion is more likely to be reinforced than is the tank
battalion. Furthermore, the current motorized rifle battalion
structure is more adaptable to combined arms conversion than is
the tank battalion. Therefore, the current motorized rifle
battalion structure is used as the base for the following
variants.
22
Combined
I
Arms Bn
TaH
MRFnk
Recon
Company Company Platoon
10 Tanks 3 X BMP/BTR
Mortar AGS-1 7 Antitank Antiair
Battery Platoon Platoon Platoon
8 X 120mm 6 X AGS-17 2 X SPG-9 9 X SA-7/14/16
4 X AT-3/AT-4
Signal Supply epair & Medical
Platoon Platoon Evac Pit Station
Figure 17
This first variant combines all the essentials except for
sufficient artillery and engineer forces (Figure 17). The morLar
battery and AGS-17 platoon provide indirect and direct fire
capability, but still lack the punch of the normally attached
artillery battalion. Engineer forces are not included in this
variant since the introduction of battalion-level engineers wi].l
probably be postponed until sufficient forces and equipme, . arc!
available. A chemical and radiation reconnaissance squad is
embedded in the battalion headquarters and the repair arid
evacuation detachment of the current motorized rifle battalion
has been upgraded to a platoon in order to service the
additional tank company. The supply platoon will also require
additional transport.
A reconnaissance platoon is also included because of the
shortcomings inherent in assigninig elements from Lhe motorized
23
rifle companies to this role. Almost all exercise examples
employed a reconnaissance platoon, normally from a second echelon
company. Since the Soviet army is a conscript army, the platoon
can be well trained as either a reconnaissance platoon or a
motorized rifle platoon. It cannot do both successfully.
3 0
Therefore, probably only one platoon in the battalion is well-
trained as a reconnaissance platoon. This fact dictates that the
battalion commander must habitually assign the parent company of
the reconnaissance platoon as the second echelon company and
means that the second echelon can never be committed at full
combat strength. There is a clear advantage inherent in an
organic, dedicated, battalion-level, reconnaissance element.
The current battalion has another problem, a readiness
imbalance experienced every six months in troop rotation when the
Soviets create companies manned by members of the same call-up.
Thus, in a single battalion, there may be seasoned companies
which have served from six months to over a year serving side by
side with a company of new recruits. This status may be
acceptable for motorized rifle companies, but a battalion cannot
afford to have its reconnaissance platoon composed entirely of
new recruits, the reconnaissance element is too vital. Thus,
the reconnaissance ?latoon responsibility must either be rotated
from one m- to the next (with predictable degradation in the
level of training) or a reconnaissance platoon must be
established that will be able to function effectively despite
troop rotation. Further, a three-squad reconnaissance platoon
24
seems ideal. The combined arms battalion tank company will
usually be in support of the motorized rifle companies or will be
in the second echelon. Thus, the maximum number of
reconnaissance squads normally required will be three.
Such a combined arms battalion variant seems to be a
reasonable first step. It integrates into the battalion essential
armor and reconnaissance elements and provides an ideal training
vehicle for combined arms commanders. The force, Lowever, is
st. iI I ightl in f ire support. and engineers. Hence an artillery
battalion and engineers would continue to be attached as
ICombined
I
required .ArsB
T an Rneco
Company ompany Platoon
Mortar AGS-17 AntitnAtir
Battery Platoon Platoon Platoon
8 X 120mm 6 X AGS-17 2 X SPG-9 9 X SA-7/14/16
4 X AT-3/AT-4
Signal Supply Repair& Medical
Platoon Platoon Evac PIt Station
SEngineer
Figure 18 Platoon
A second variant of the combined arms battalion is an
evolutionary development of the first (Figure 18). It adds an
engineer platoon to meet stated Soviet requirements for movement
support. and obstacle emplacement at tactical levels. As shown by
25
the exercises, engineers would construct fortifications, enplace
mines and obstacles, clear minefields and obstacles, support the
deception and camouflage plan, support river crossings, maintain
roads, provide water, conduct rescue and restoration following
nuclear strikes and conduct engineer reconnaissance. Many of
these functions are beyond the capability of one conscript
engineer platoon, and so additional engineer forces will be
attached as needed. As a minimum, the battalion's engineer
platoon should have a limited water crossing capability (MTU-or
follow-on), a mine-laying capability (PMR-3), a mine-clearing
capability (KMT-4/5 mine plows and mine rollers), carriers and
Combined
explosives. 31
M:{ h] lTank I Recon ]
Company Company Platoon
I -_ -
Arty AGS'17 Antitank Antiair
Btry Platoon Platoon Platoon
[ 6 X AGS-17 2 X SPG-9 9 X SA-7/14/16
16 X 2S9 4 X AT-3/AT-4
Signal Supply epair&Meia
Platoon Platoon vac Plt Station
Engineer
Figure 19 Platoon
The final two variants of the combined armed battalion are
an evolution of the first two and address the problem of fire
support and span of control. The third variant. (Figure 19)
replaces the mortar battery with two artillery batteries of 2S9
26
combination guns. The combination gun is capable of the
trajectories of the mortar and howitzer and can also perform
direct fire missions. Apparently, however, its range is limited
and its rate of fire is less then that of a mortar. This variant
will not replicate the firepower of an attached artillery
battalion.
A much bigger problem exists. There are too many units for
the battalion commander to control. The optimum span of control
is from five to ten separate entities.
32
With the limited
battalion staff and the numerous entities, functions either need
to be returned to the companies (such as air defense and the AGS-
17 grenade launcher) or the force needs to be restructured to
facil&;tate the commanders span of control.
A fourth combined arms variant addresses this span of
control problem (Figure 20). Whereas the Western solution is to
create headquarters and combat support companies, the Soviet
solution is to group entitities under various deputy commanders.
This variant adds a battalion deputy commander for the rear--a
step that the Soviets have debated since the mid-1970s.
27
Commander
I
Caie o M
latooy
},, Comm pany pay rnI~ mandorl
Bn Staf
[ ir Spt,+
Subunitpato
ignal Pit Re nPi
A ai irn E/g n
]
IDeputy for Deputy for
he Rear
rmaments
Pateriel Medicalb
Figure 20 Ppt Subunit P
The Chief of Staff is a deputy commander and already
controls the battalion signal officer (who is also the signal
platoon leader). The Chief of Staff would also control the new
battalion staff intelligence officer (the reconnaissance platoon
leader) in an arrangement similar to that currently practiced at
regiment. The battalion deputy commander would control the other
staff elements. The deputy commander for armaments would control
the expanded mobile repair and evacuation subunit, while the
additional deputy, the deputy for the rear, would control the new
battalion materiel support subunit and the medical platoon. 3
The commander now has 8 entities to control instead of 14.
Further, the commander now h[ns a fire support element integrated
into his force structure. The engineer platoon has been
reinforced with PTS and GSP ferries to facilitate river
crossings. This structure replicates the most common battalion
tactical grouping of the 551 exercises. A major difficulty
remaining is that this is a very large organization. Since the
majority of Soviet battalion commanders are senior captains or
28
junior majors, this organizat.in may prove too cumbersome for
these officers to manage efre(:tively in garrison, even with an
augmented staff.
The remaining problem is determining the most effective fire
support element. Based on exercise experience, an artillery
battalion or battalion-sized element is normally considered
sufficient. An optimum battalion fire support group might look
like Figure 21. BR Fire
ISpt
Grp
F _I I I I
HQ&FDArtillery
Mortar AGS-1 7
C Battery Battery Platoon
8 X20mm 6 X AGS-17
2 X 8 2S9
Figure 21
This battalion fire support group employs two batteries of
the 2S9, the 120-mm mortar battery arid the AGS-17 platoon. Since
the combined arms battalion is optimized for maneuver warfare,
centralized fire planning from above will not. normally prove
effective, and a responsive fire direction center is necessary.
Creating a battalion-sized group within a battalion does have
some drawback and there are no apparent historical precedents
for the permanent subordination of a battalion within a
battalion.
Another possibility relies on future technology to solve the
fire support problem. If the technology of the 82-mm Vasilek
automatic mortar could be applied to a 120-mm combination gun arid
29
this gun mounted on a 2SI, MTLB or similar chassis, the new
system should be able to carry enough ready ammunition arid
achieve a rate of fire that two batteries (perhaps even one)
could do the job currently performed by the attached artillery
battalion. If this were the case, the following fire support
subunit (Figure 22) could be created:
Fire Spt
Subunit
Artillery
AGS-17
Battery Platoon
I 6 X AGS-1 7
2 X 8 120mm
Figure 22 combo gun
A rapid fire, multi-trajectory weapons system could well solve
the fire support problem and provide sufficient lethality while
remaining manageable. This then might prove the optimum fire
support subunit for the combined arms batLalion.
CONCLUS IONS
The combined arms battalion offers a force structure to
Soviet force planners that clearly has been tested and
evaluated. They must now decide whether they want to structure
tactical forces in peacetime as they would organize them for
combat. If so, the combined arms battalion would support either
offensive or defensive combat. actions and fit the Soviet view of
a future war that envisions rapid shifts between the two forms of
combat and emphasizes maneuver. What the formation of the
30
combined arms battalion could represent is a decision to do in
peacetime organization what the Soviets have routinely done in
exercise and war through attachment.
3 4
This permits units and
subunits to habitually train in all circumstances with a complete
combined arms mix.
Tactical units and subunits are the building blocks upon
which operations are built. Emerging operational concepts
subsumed under the Warsaw Pact "defensive doctrine" may place
more emphasis on initial defense and feature units and formations
in the force structure designed to fulfill such functions.
Maneuver forces, perhaps built around the combined arms battalion
with its organic direct support tanks and artillery, would
counterattack enemy breakthrough forces or pass through the
defenses to meet the enemy in a series of meeting battles.
After the main enemy groupings had been defeated or forced to
ground, deep exploitation forces from the interior (primarily
mechanized or tank heavy) would attack deep into the enemy
territory to seize those crucial points that would insure the
success of the ground offensive/counteroffensive. Whether the
Soviets adopt a combined arms battalion to help meet operational
requirements or continue to use attachments to create provisional
battalion tactical groups prior to exercises, during crisis or
before commitment is an issue now being considered by Soviet
planners.
31
ENDNOTES
1. This view is developed most fully in V. G. Reznichenko,
Taktika [Tactics] (Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1987), p. 65 and
throughout D. A. Dragunskiy, Motostrelkovyy (tankovy) batal'on v
boyu (The motorized rifle (tank) battalion in combat] (Moskva:
Voyenizdat, 1986).
2. Reznichenko, Taktika, p. 208.
3. A. Bagaev, "S pozitsii teorii upravleniya" [From the position
of a theory of control], Voyennyy vestnik [Military herald], No.
1 (January 1989), 49-50. The author, who is not military, but is
writing in a professional military journal, is a senior science
researcher in an all-union scientific institute for the
improvement of control. His contention is that the optimum span
of control for a battalion is between five and ten subordinate
entities. He also posits the seven-company battalion consisting
of five motorized rifle companies and two tank companies and
other variations.
4. For a discussion of the restructuring issue, see David M.
Glantz, "Force Structure--Meeting Contemporary Requirements",
Military Review, Volume LXVIII, No. 12 (December 1988), 58-70.
5. M. M. Kir'yan, Voyenno-tekhnicheskiy progress i vooruzhennyye
sily SSSR [Military-technical progress and the armed forces of
the USSR] (Mogkva: Voyenizdat, 1982), 298-299.
6. The War Office, The Soviet Army: Tactics and Organization
(London: The War Office, 1949). Pp. 81 & 83.
7. Office, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Soviet Army
Organization: The Mechanized Division (Wartime), (Washington:
January 1954).
8. Department of the Army Pamphlet No. 30-5-1, Handbook on the
Soviet Army, (Washington: US Government Printing Office, 1958),
p. 75 and A. A. Babakov, Vooruzhennyye sily SSSR posle voyny [The
armed forces of the USSR after the war], (Moskva: Voyenizdat,
1987), Pp. 83-92.
9. Defense Intelligence Agency, Soviet Armed Forces (U):
Motorized Rifle Regiment (Washington: US Government Printing
Office, June 1966), p. 5.
10. Defense Intelligence
Agency, The Soviet Motorized Rifle
Battalion (Washington: US Government Printing Office, September
1978), p. 26. Department of the Army, FM 30-40: Handbook on
Soviet Ground Forces (Washington: US Government Printing
32
Office, 30 June 1975), Pp. A-6, A-7. Christopher Donnelly, "The
Soviet Ground Forces", The Soviet War Machine (New York:
Chartwell, 1976), pp. 156, 158. Friedrich Wiener and William J.
Lewis, The Warsaw Pact Armies (Vienna: Carl Ueberreuter
Publishers, 1977), p. 73.
11. Ibid.
12. Department of the Army, FM 100-2-3, The Soviet Army:
Troops, Organization and Equipment (Washington: US Government
Printing Office, 16 July 1984), p. 4-4.
13. Ibid., pp. 4-3, 4-4 & 4-6.
14. Ibid. p. 4-24.
15. Ibid. p. 4-4.
16. Department of the Army, FM 100-2-3 (DRAFT) The Soviet Army:
Troops, Organization and Equipment, (Fort Leavenworth, November
1988), p. 4-4.
17. Ibid. p. 4-3. A. S. Noskova, Motostrelkovaya (tankovaya)
rota v boyu [The motorized rifle (tank) battalion in combat],
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1988), p. 11.
18. Ibid., p. 4-24.
19. The War Office, p. 83.
20. Assistant Chief of Staff G-2.
21. There was a net increase in the mechanized division from 185
tanks to 227 tanks - a gain of 23%.
22. Department of the Army Pamphlet 30-50-1, p.
7 2
.
23. Ibid., p. 74.
24. Department of the Army Pamphlet No. 30-77, Soviet Tactics:
Medium Tank Regiment (Washington: US Government Printing
Office, November 1960), p. 6. Defense Intelligence Agency,
Soviet Armed Forces: Motorized Rifle Regiment (Washington: US
Government Printing Office, June 1966), p. 6. Defense
Intelligence Agency, Soviet Armed Forces: Medium Tank Battalion
(Washington: US Government Printing Office, September 1970), p.
3.
25. FM 30-40, p. A-13.
26. FM100-2-3, p. 4-100 and 4-14.
33
27. Attached artillery (pridannaya artilleriya) is directly
subordinated to the commander of the force to which it is
attached. Attached artillery is normally exclusive and fires
only those missions assigned by the force commander. (In an
emergency, fire missions for a senior commander may be fired.
Supporting artillery (podderzhivayushchaya artilleriya) is under
the command of the senior artillery commander and fires assigned
missions established by the combined arms commander. Thus a
supporting artillery battalion may be in support of several
maneuver battalions, whereas an attached artillery battalion will
fire exclusively for one maneuver battalion/regiment. V. Ya.
Lebedev, Spravochnik ofitsera nazemnoy artillerii (Field
artillery officer's handbook], (Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1984), 8.
A. M. Plekhov, Slovar' voyennykh terminov [Dictionary of military
terminology], (Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1989), 212 and 227.
28. On a fragmented battlefield, it is difficult to provide
reinforcements in a timely manner. Thus, if a battalion has lost
the initiative and is forced into a defense while isolated from
the rest of the regiment/ brigade, it must be capable of
handling the battle on its own. The combined arms battalion
would be more capable of handling this situation than the current
motorized rifle or tank battalion.
29. David M. Glantz, "Soviet Force Structure in an Era of
Reform," (Ft. Leavenworth, KS: Soviet Army Studies Office,
1989). This study discusses several variants of future Soviet
force structure in light of current Soviet writings, combat and
exercise experience, and announced troop reductions. Lester W.
Grau, "Changing Soviet Objective Depths: A Reflection of
Changing Combat Circumstances," (Ft. Leavenworth, KS: Soviet
Army Studies Office, 1989). This study discusses the Soviet
concept of future war and its impact on objective depths. It
should be remembered that Soviet operational forces have had a
different wartime structure than that of the prewar structure.
Soviet force planners need to decide whether the advantages
gained by prestructuring tactical units and training tactical
units in peacetime with their wartime structure outweigh the
advantages of tactical surprise gained by confronting their
opponent with an unfamiliar force structure during crisis and war.
30. F. I Gredasov. Podrazdeleniya v razvedke [Subunits in
reconnaissance], (Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1988). This book lays out
the involved nature of reconnaissance training and demonstrates
that while some reconnaissance skills can be taught to all the
soldiers, the development of a reconnaissance unit requires time
and specialization.
31. E. S. Kolibenov, V. I. Kornev, and A. A. Soskov.
Inzhenernoye obespecheniye boya [Engineer combat support],
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1988). This book does not give the ideal
engineer platoon composition for a combined arms battalion, but
34
does provide an excellent overview of the work of combat
engineers.
32. Bagaev, 50.
33. The other deputy, the deputy for political affairs, has not
been given any additional responsibilities. Job descriptions and
relationships are discussed is Yu. M. Artyunov, Shtab batal'ona v
boyu [The battalion staff in combat] (Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1988)
and in the 1989 Combined Arms Regulations published as a
supplement to Krasnaya Zvezda [Red Star] on 11 July 1989.
34. It is also possible that to conceal their wartime structure
the Soviets could retain key elements of combined arms
battalions, such as a tank company, under regimental control in a
single battalion. Companies of the battalion could train and
exercise with a specific battalion, but only integrate fully
into the combined arms battalion during mobilization.
35
APPENDICES:
A Forward Detachment
B Advance Guard
C Meeting Battle
D River Crossing
E Attack from the March
F Attack from a Position in Direct Contact
G Committal of a Second Echelon Battalion
H Battle in the Depth of the Enemy Defense
I Transitioning to the Defense
J Defense
K Security Detachment
L Counter Air Assault Reserve
M Withdrawal
N Night Combat-
O Combat in Swampy, Forested Terrain
P Combat in Mountains
Q Combat in Polar Regions
R Protection against Weapons of Mass Destruction
S Relief in Place
T March
U Combat in the Desert
V Amphibious Landing
W Tactical Air Assault
X Combat in Built Up Areas/Fortified Zones
Y Combat under Winter Conditions
Entries with transliterated titles were consulted in the
original source document. The title Military Herald indicates
that the author did not have access to the original Voyennyy
Vestnik and had to rely on a translation.
Appendix A- Battalion composition-Forward Detachment
Source Bn w/attachments Organic
Sovetskoye Voyennoye Obozreniye 2/89 Tank Bn
"Vzaimodeystviya s desantom" SP Arty Bn
[Coordination with an (air) assault". MR Company
Concerns Fwd det seizing a river ZSU 23-4 plt
crossing site. Engr platoon
GSP platoon
Voyennyy Vestnik 11/88 MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
"V peredovom otryade"[In a forward Arty Bn
detachment]. V. Vadishchevich. Tank Company
Concerns Fwd det defending and AD Btry
withdrawing in security zone in Engr Company
single echelon with MR plt & TK
plt as reserve. Support: Helicopter
gunships
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/87 Tank Bn
"Takticheskaya zadacha No. 6" SP Arty Bn
[Tactical problem No. 6]. Concerns MR Company (BMP)
attack across a river in conjunction ZSU 23-4 platoon
with a company sized air assault. Engr platoon
GSP ferry platoon
Peredovyye otryady v boyu [Forward
detachments in combat]. F. D. Svrdlov.
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1986).
River crossing (p. 85). Tank Bn
Arty Bn (minus one btry)
MR Company
Recon platoon
Engr platoon
Aslt crossing plt (3 PTS)
Two Tk recovery vehicles
Chemical recon sqd
Seize a river crossing site MR Bn Mort Btry
in conjunction with a tactical air Arty Bn AT plt
assault and support the crossing Tank Co
of the main force (p. 87). AD Msl & Arty Btry
Engr plt
Aslt Xing plts
(6 PTS, 2 GSP)
Bulldozer tank
Chemical recon sqd
A-i
Exploit a nuclear strike to Tank Bn (minus co)
penetrate into an enemy tactical Arty Bn
defense zone (p. 107). MR Co (BTR)
Recon platoon
Conduct a meeting battle to seize Tank Bn
a line in advance of the main body Arty Bn
(p. 182). AD Msl & Arty Btry
Engr platoon
Seize a line from the enemy in a Tank Bn
meeting battle (p. 183). Arty Bn
MR Co
Meeting Engagement (p. 184). Tank Bn
Arty Bn
MR Co
Support: Aviation
Meeting Engagement (p. 185). Tank Bn
Arty Bn
MR Co
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/86. "Svyaz' v MR Bn (BTR) AD plt
peredovom otryade" (Communications Arty Bn AT plt
in a forward detachment]. V. Perelygin. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
Concerns communication in night action. Engr platoon Mort Btry
Chem recon sqd Supply plt
Voyennyy Vestnik 11/85. "Peredovoy Tank Bn
otryad forsiruyet reku" [The forward Sp Arty Btry
detachment forces a river crossing]. Mortar Btry
L. Smishchenko. MR Company
Assault Crossing Company
Engr platoon
Pontoon platoon
GSP platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/81. "Takticheskaya MR Bn (BMP)
zadacha" (Tactical problem]. Arty Bn
Forward detachment forces a river Tank company
crossing. Engr platoon
GSP platoon
Engr recon sqd
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/81. "Svyaz' v MR Bn
peredovom otryade" [Communications in Arty Bn
a forward detachment]. A. Tukhonov. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Concerns signal support in a forced Engr platoon
A-2
river crossing. Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 12/80. "V interesakh MR Bn
peredovogo otryada" [In the interests Arty Bn
of the forward detachment). V. Zhukov Tank Company
and E. Fedotov. Concerns engineer Engr platoon w/ BAT-M,
support of a forced river crossing. MTU, and mine-laying
capabilities.
Voyennyy Vestnik 1/77. Tank Bn
"Vosstanovleniye boyesposobnosti v Arty Bn
nastuplenii" [The restoration of 2 MR plts
combat potential during an advance]. GSP plt
B. Gudymenko. Operating in the enemy Chem recon sqd
depths to seize a river crossing site,
the forward detachment is struck by
chemical strikes and a nuclear strike.
Regimental artillery group supports the
forward detachment.
"Artilleriya v atakuyushchem boyevom Arty Bn
poryadke" (Artillery in the attack Engr platoon
formation). V. Krysanov. Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/73. "B sostave Tank Bn Bn rear
peredovogo otryada" [In the make-up Arty Bn
of a forward detachment]. F. Kuznetsov. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Actions in the depth of an enemy Chem recon sqd
defense.
Tankovyy batal'on v boyu [Tank Tank Bn Tech point
battalion in combat]. P. I. Konoplya Arty Bn Bn Rear
& N. A. Maykov. (Moskva: Voyenizdat, MR platoon Med point
1972). p. 45. When battalion moves as AD platoon
part of the main body, attachments are Engr platoon
MR platoon, engineer platoon and MTU. MTU
Forward detachment and advance guard Chem recon sqd
are identical in composition.
Military Herald 6/71. "Tank Tank Bn
battalion as a forward detachment". Arty Bn
V. Sayko & A. Timoshenko. Article MR Company
concerns actions of a forward detach- AA plt (ZSU 23-4)
ment in a river crossing. Translation Engr plt (GSP, PTS
states that the forward detachment had Road maint platoon
an artillery division attached to it. AT platoon
Continually throughout the trans- Chem recon sqd
lations, the translator apparently
confuses divizion (artillery battalion)
with diviziya (division). This lack of
familiarity with military terminology
A-3
runs throughout the translations. For
example, this article states that a
regimental forward detachment consists
of a tank brigade, two artillery
divisions, a mountain rifle platoon,
etc. The 3d platoon of the 3d tank
company acting as a reserve becomes 3
tank platoons, and 3 tank companys act
as the battalion reserve. Lacking the
originals, I have had to use my best
judgement as to what the translators
were actually reading.
Military Herald 5/70. "The MR Bn Mort Btry
motorized rifle battalion in the Arty Bn AT gun plt
forward detachment". V. Yesinin and Tank Company Bn rear
V. Kudinev. Forward detachment ZSU 23-4 Btry
supported by a nuclear strike, an air Engr platoon
landing and aviation. This is a GSP platoon
comprehensive article on the formation, BTU
coordination and control of a forward MTU
detachment. KMT-5
Two PTS sqds
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 5/69. "Forward detachments in attack". I.
Vorobyev. Forward detachments should be combined arms employing
a tank battalion or a motorized rifle battalion as the base. The
terrain and mission will determine the optimal base unit. The
base has either motorized rifle or tank subunits and artillery
and antiaircraft artillery added to it.
Military Herald 9/67. "Operating MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
in the forward detachment". S. Arty Bn AT gun plt
Vikarchuk. Second echelon battalion Tank Company Bn rear
conducts a forced river crossing to Engr platoon
seize dominant terrain and hold a MTU
bridgehead for the main body. Three K61s
Two prime movers
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 12/65. "Forward Tank Bn
detachment in the attack". Kh. Two arty Btrys
Ismailov. Recon platoon resubordinated MR Company
to the battalion from higher. Recon platoon
Battalion forces a river crossing and Engr platoon
expands a bridgehead. Chem recon sqd
Three K61
Two prime movers
Military Herald 2/65. MR Bn Mort plt
"Communications in a forward detach- Arty Bn AT arty podr
A-4
ment". S. Vasil'yev. Communications Tank Company Bn rear
during a forced crossing to link up Two aslt xing platoons
with a tactical air assault using both Chem recon sqd
a motorized rifle and a tank battalion
as examples of forward detachment Tank Bn Bn rear
communications. Arty Bn Evac gp
Two aslt xing platoons
Military Herald 9/64. "Rapid attack MR Bn (BTR 152) Mort plt
and radio communications". V. Arty podraz
Burkovskiy. Attack against an enemy Tank subunit
in a hasty position.
Military Herald 6/64. "In a forward MR Bn Mort plt
detachment". A. Serov. Second Arty Bn AT gun plt
echelon battalion committed in Two tank companies
pursuit of the enemy. Resubordinated Engr platoon Supply plt
artillery battalion attached to Bn Med pt
forward detachment. Exercise crosses
the Dnepr river.
Military Herald 5/64. "Solve this Tank Bn Bn rear
problem". Forward detachment meets Arty Bn (-)
defending enemy, chemical and air MR platoon
strikes enroute to seizing a river Engr platoon
crossing site. Aviation is in MTU
support. The artillery battalion is Chem recon sqd
minus one battery.
Military Herald 2/63. "Rocket Tank Bn
battery supports a tank company". Arty Bn
M. Kolesnikov. Use of MLRS to Rocket Btry
suppress ATGMs. This article needs to
be reread in the original.
company in a forward detachment". L. Arty Bn
Kozlovskiy. Forward security element Rifle Company
forces a river. Engr platoon
Tank transporter podraz
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 4/62. "A motorized MR Bn AT gun plt
rifle battalion in the forward Arty Bn
detachment". No author. Forward Tank Company
detachment, operating in the depths of Engr platoon
the enemy defenses seizes a bridgehead. Chem recon sqd
A-5
Appendix B-Battalion Composition-Advance Guard
Soviet Military Review June 88. MR Bn (BMP)
"Battalion as an Advance Arty Bn
Detachment". Concerns a river Tank Company
crossing to seize and hold a
line for the main body.
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/86. "V MR Bn
predvidenii vstupleniya v boy" Arty Bn
[Foresight in entering battle]. Tank Company
V. Mikhaylov. Concerns employment AD platoon (two vehicle)*
of a short range missile ADA plt Engr platoon
in support of an advance guard.
*There is an anamoly here. This is not a SA7 platoon (3
vehicles) or a Regimental SA9 or SA 13 platoon (4 vehicles). The
division SA6 platoon consists of two vehicles, but it is not a
short-range system and it is slaved to a central radar system,
hardly what you'd want in an advance guard.
Motostrelkovyy (tankovyy) batal'on MR Bn AT plt
v boyu. [Motorized rifle (tank) Arty En Mort btry
battalion in combat] D. A. Tank Co AD plt
Dragunsky (Moskva: Voyenizdat, Engr plt AGS 17 plt
1986). Concerns march planning. 1 MTU Signal plt
p. 297. Chem recon sqd Tech Maint sec
Artilleriyskiy divizion v boyu MR Bn Mort Btry
[Artillery battalion in combat] Arty Bn ATGM plt
G. E. Peredel'skiy. (Moskva: Tank Company Bn rear
Voyenizdat, 1984). p. 156.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/82. "Tankovyy Tank Bn
batal'on v avangarde" [Tank Arty Bn
battalion in the advance guard]. MR Company (BMP)
M. Loginov. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/81. "Komandir Tank Bn
menyayet resheniye" [The commander Arty Bn
changes the decision]. D. MR platoon (BMP)
Kravchenko & V. Popov. Concerns ZSU 23-4 platoon
march & meeting battle. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/81. MR Bn (BTR)
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye" Arty Bn
[Engineer support]. Yu. Parfilov. Tank company
Concerns engineer support of an Engr platoon 2 recon sqds
B-I
advance guard in two river BTU tank
crossings and a meeting battle. BAT sqd
MTU sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/81. "Reshite MR Bn(BMP)
etu zadachu" [Solve this problem]. Arty Bn
Advance guard security mission. Tank company
Mortar btry
Engr platoon
AD plt
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/79. MR Bn (BMP) Mort plt
"S marsha - v boy" [From the Arty Bn Spt elm
march into combat]. G. Pischikov. Tank Company
Advance guard conducts a meeting ZSU 23-4 plt
battle. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/78. MR Bn (BTR) Mort podr
"Sravnite svoye resheniye" Arty Bn AT podraz
(Compare your solution]. Tank Company AD
Communications platoon Engr platoon Supply plt
diagram. Chem recon sqd
"Sravnite svoye resheniye" Arty Bn AT podraz
(Compare your solution]. Tank Company Signal plt
Engr platoon Support gr
AD Btry
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/78. "Zadachi MR Bn
po upravlennyu i svyazi-zadacha Arty Bn
no. 4" (Problems for control and Tank Company
communications-problem number 4]. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Advance guard handles aerial Engr platoon
attack, an air assault force and Chem recon sqd
prepares for a meeting battle.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/78. "Zadachi MR Bn
po upravlennyu i svyazi-zadacha Arty Bn
no. 5" [Problems for control and Tank Company
communications-problem number 5]. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Advance guard transitions to the Engr platoon
defense. Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/74. MR Bn
"Usloviya uspekha" [Conditions Arty Bn
for success]. A. Zheltoukhov. Tank Company
Discusses the role of maneuver in Engr platoon
B-2
the meeting battle.
"0 nauchitel'nosti zanyatiy i Arty Bn
ucheniy" [Concerning the
instruction of training and
exercises]. V. Shul'gin.
Incomplete listing of battalion
composition during an advance
guard action.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/74. MR Bn (BTR) ATGM podr
"Zashchita batal'ona na marshe i Arty Bn Bn rear
vo vstrechnom boyu" [Protection Tank Company
of a battalion on the march and Mortar Btry
during the meeting engagement]. Engr platoon
E. Kruchinin. Defense against Chem recon sqd
chemical and nuclear strikes
duringa night march and night-
morning meeting engagement.
"Ognevoye
uprezhdeniye
protivnika"
Arty Bn
[Fire anticipation of the enemy] AD platoon
V. Krysanov & N. Medvedev. Engr platoon
Calculations for anticipating the MTU
enemy and engaging him first in a Chem recon sqd
meeting battle.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/73. MR Bn ATGM podr
"A byla li na uchenii taktika?" 76mm gun Btry
[But were tactics used during the Tank Company
exercise?]. S. Ursov. Advance Engr platoon
guard actions in the depth of the Chem recon sqd
enemy defense. Criticism of
exercise.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/73. "Svyaz' MR Bn (BTR) ATGM podr
v avangarde" [Communications in Arty Bn Supply plt
the advance guard]. L. Titov & Tank Company Tech spt
V. Shadrin. Subordination of AD Mort platoon
platoon and mortar platoon AD platoon
uncertain. Chem recon sqd
Voyenny Vestnik 6/72. "Svyaz' Tank Bn Evac Gp
v tankovom batal'one na marshe" Arty Bn Log elem
[Tank battalion communications MR Company (BTR)
during a march]. S. Samsonov & AD Btry
V. Kalinin. Movement to a meeting Engr platoon MTU
battle. Communications also tied Chem recon sqd
to reconnaissance group.
B-3
"Tankovaya rota v GPZ" [The tank Arty Bn
company in the forward security Engr platoon
element]. A. Myshkovskiy. Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/72. MR Bn Mort podr
"Divizion v avangarde" [Artillery Arty Bn ATGM podr
battalion in the advance guard]. Arty Btry
A. Khryashchev. Pursuit of an Tank Company
enemy falling back to deeper
positions.
Voyennyy Vestnik 1/72. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
"Rota v golovnoy pokhodnoy Arty Bn
zastave" [The company in the Tank Company
forward security element]. V. AT platoon
Kulikov & A. Borisov. Actions in Engr platoon
the depth of the enemy-defense. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/71. "Field MR Bn
firing exercise". V. Matyash. Arty Bn (minus one battery)
Critique of a 57-mm SP AA Btry Tank Company
(ZSU 57-2 or S-60) in a training AA Btry
exercise. Engr platoon
River Xing unit
Military Herald 6/71. "Offensive MR Bn
movement by a division while on Arty Bn
the march". A. Khryashchev. Mortar Btry
Artillery battalion (divizion) Tank Company (minus one plt)
during a pursuit within the AA Btry
enemy defensive depths. Engr podr (GSP, PTS, K-61)
Bn supported by artillery group
(presumably regimental).
Military Herald 4/71. "Meeting MR Bn
engagement of battle". B. Arty Bn
Valyvalov. Meeting battle by Tank Company
advance guard. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Engr platoon (MTU)
Road repair platoon
Chem recon sqd
battalion in vanguard". P.
Shebarshinov. Advance guard
training exercise, apparently
without any external support.
Military Herald 3/70. "Solve MR Bn
this problem". Advance guard Arty Bn
B-4
moving to plug a breach in the Tank Company
defense encounters enemy forces. 100-mm AT gun Btry
Military Herald 8/69. " A MR Bn
mortar battery in a meeting 122-mm Arty Btry
engagement". V. Dementyev. 120-mm Mort Btry
Tank Company
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 5/69. "Solve Tank Bn
this problem". Advance guard, Arty Bn
conducting a forced crossing, is MR Company
attacked by helocopters. 57-mm AA Btry
Engr platoon
this problem". Advance guard is Arty Bn
attacked by V-gas and an adjacent Tank Company
advance guard is hit by a nuccler Engr platoon
strike. Chem recon sqd
this problem". Advance guard, Arty Bn
having forced a river and holding Tank Company
the bridgehead for the main body AD platoon
is attacked by a large combined Engr platoon
arms force and fighter bombers. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/68. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
"Motorized rifle battalion in the Arty Bn Signal plt
advance guard". G. Golofast, V. Tank Company Bn rear
Sayko, & A. Timoshenko. Article AA platoon (ZSU 23-4)
concerns the march planning Engr platoon
process. Advance guard is One MTU
supported by aviation. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 11/67. "In Tank Bn Bn rear
order not to have disruption of Arty Bn
control". B. Nechayev. Article MTU
on communications in a tank AD podraz
battalion functioning as the Chem recon sqd
advance guard.
"Artillery battalion deployment". Arty Bn Bn rear
V. Odnoletkov. Actions of an AA platoon (HMG)
artillery battalion attached to
an advanced guard MR Bn.
Military Herald 1/67. "Tactical Tank Bn
exercise involving combat firing". Arty Bn
B-5
N. Lemeshko. Regimental advance Engr platoon
guard conducts a march and an Chem recon sqd
attack from the march. Attack
supported by two nuclear strikes
(of four initially employed by the
regiment) amd a 24-minute artillery
preparation.
Military Herald 6/66. "Solve MR Bn Mort plt
this problem". Advance guard Arty Bn AT gun plt
moves to a meeting battle. Tank Company Bn rear
AA platoon
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/65. "Tactical- MR Bn
drill exercise with a battery". Arty Bn
Kupriyanov and I. Chirkov. Engr platoon
Article on battery actions when Chem recon sqd
attacked from the air, passing
through a contaminated area,
deploying for firing, repulsing a
tank attack, dispacing and
conducting reconnaissance and
performing decontamination when
attached to the leading advance
guard company.
Military Herald 7/65. "A MR Bn AT plt
battery tactical exercise with Arty Bn
live firing". G. Fisenko and G. Engr platoon
Kryuchkov. Battery in support Chem recon sqd
of lead motorized rifle company
in an advance guard during a
pursuit. No tanks are attached.
Military Herald 6/65. "Surprise Tank Bn
and win". V. Padalkin. Maneuver Arty Btry
and surprise in a meeting battle.
Motorized rifle and engineer
support not mentioned.
Military Herald 3/65. "Fire and Tank Bn
maneuver in combat". L. 122-mm Arty Bn
Druzhinin. Detailed article on MR Company
regimental advance guard actions.
Military Herald 2/65. MR Bn Bn rear
"Protection of a battalion on 122-mm How Btry
the march". M. Mal'nov. Tank Company
Protection against gas attack. Tank destroyer Btry
B-6
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/64. "In a MR Bn
combat situation". M. Nazarov. Arty Bn
Advance guard communications Tank Company
including traffic sector commandant
and traffic control check points.
Military Herald 6/64. MR Bn
"Battalion teamwork". A. Arty Bn
Razubayev. Article on training Tank Company
artillery batteries.
Military Herald 5/64. Tank Bn Bn rear
"Communications in tank subunits". Arty Bn Evac Gp
S. Vasil'yev. Communications on Chem recon sqd
a nuclear battlefield.
Military Herald 4/64. "On MR Bn Bn rear
contaminated terrain". I. Arty Bn
Degtyarev. Night movement Tank Company
negotiating chemical and radio- Engr platoon
active contaminated zones and a Chem recon sqd
forest fire.
Military Herald 4/64. "A Tank Bn
tactical training session". N. Arty Bn
Shishkin. Attack against a Engr platoon
mechanized infantry battalion in
a meeting battle.
this problem-tank battalion in Arty Bn
the advance guard". Regimental MR platoon
advance guard actions through a Engr platoon
contaminated zone and in anti- Chem recon sqd
cipation of a meeting battle.
Military Herald 5/63. MR Bn 120-mm mort plt
"Battalion in the advance guard 122-mm How Btry 57-mm gun plt
on a march". M. Beznoshchenko. AT gun Btry
Tank Company
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 2/63. MR Bn Mort platoon
"Controlling a battalion on the 85-mm gun Btry 57-mm gun plt
march and in a meeting engage- How Btry
ment". P. Belous. Tank Company
Engr platoon (w/BAT)
Chem recon sqd
B-7
Three motorcycles and crews
B-8
Appendix C-Battalion Composition-Meeting Battle
Source Bn/w attachments Organic
"Protivnik-real'nyy" (A realistic 122mm How Btry
"enemy"]. A. Vil'chanskiy.
Force MR Company (BMP)
on force exercise involving two
battalions of the same regiment Tank Bn
employing Soviet MILES gear. MR Company (BMP)
The battalion without actual
artillery simulated its employment
and fired FASCAM.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/88. "Tankovyy Tank Bn
batal'on vo vstrechnom boyu" SP Arty Bn
[Tank battalion in the meeting MR Company
battle]. A. Stupin & V. AD platoon
Shtukin. Engr platoon
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/86. "Rozygrysh MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
vstrechnogo boya" [Playing out 122 btry
a meeting battle]. A. Zheltoukhov. Tank Company
Concerns a force-on-force exercise AT btry
involving two battalions from the Engr platoon
same regiment (which may explain Chem recon sqd
the low representation of artillery).
versus
MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
122 Arty Bn (minus one btry)
Tank Company
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/86. "Uspekh MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
vstrechnogo boya reshayut minuty" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Success in a meeting battle is Tank Company AGS 17 plt
decided in minutes]. V. Buryakov. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Motostrelkovyy (tankovyy) MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
batal'on v boyu [Motorized rifle Arty Bn AT platoon
(tank) battalion in combat]. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
D. A. Dragunskiy. (Moskva: AT platoon AD platoon
Voyenizdat, 1986). p. 167. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Engr platoon
1 MTU
Chem recon sqd
"Vstrechnyy boy" [Meeting battle]. 2 SP Arty btrys
Concerns a force-on-force Tank Company
C-i
exercise with battalions not from
the same regiment. versus
MR Bn (BMP) Mort btry
2 Btrys MRL
Tank Company
AT btry
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/77. MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
"Vo vstrechnom boyu" (In a Arty Bn
meeting battle]. I. Proskurin. Tank Company
Advance guard in depths of Engr platoon
enemy defenses conducts a meeting Chem recon sqd
battle with the enemy reserve.
Sovetskaya Voyennaya MR Bn
EntsikloDediya [Soviet Military Arty Bn
Encyclopedia]. "Vstrechnyy boy" Tank Company
[Meeting battle]. A. A. Siderenko.
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1976). Vol 2, pp. 407-408.
"Zadacha No. 2" (Mission No. 2]. Arty Bn ATGM podr
Advance guard in meeting battle. Tank Company
AD platoon
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/75. MR Bn Mort plt
"Vstrechnyy boy motostrelkovogo Arty Bn ATGM podr
batal'ona" [The meeting battle of Tank Company Bn rear
a motorized rifle battalion]. AD platoon
V. Kokhanov. Forward detachment Engr platoon
conducts the meeting battle.
"Batal'on vedet vstrechnyy boy" Arty Bn
[A battalion conducts a meeting Engr platoon
battle]. V. Izotov. Advance Chem recon sqd
guard defeats enemy force of
twenty tanks and thirteen APCs
in an hour.
Tankovyy batal'on v boyu (Tank Tank Bn
battalion in combat]. P. I. Arty Bn
Konoplya & N. A. Maykov. (Moskva: MR Company
Voyenizdat, 1972). p. 16. Discusses
precombat formations.
Voyennyy Vestnik 10/72. Tank Bn Tech Maint
"Tanko-teknicheskoe obespechenie
C-2
v previdenii boya" [Tank technical
support in anticipated battle]. V.
Utkin. Discusses battalion maintenance
support in terms of a meeting battle or
attack against a hasty defense.
"Vstrechnyy boy batal'ona" [The Arty Bn
battalion in a meeting battle]. Engr platoon
A. Serov. Reserve committed through
a break in the enemy defense conducts
a meeting engagement.
"Reconnaissance in the motorized Arty Bn
rifle battalion on the march and Tank Company
in meeting engagements". V.
Korotkykn. Advance guard actions
against an enemy trying to reestablish a defense.
"Communications in a tank Arty Bn
battalion in a meeting engagement".
A. Dubovitskiy. Tank battalion
serving as an advanced guard.
Military Herald 7/69. "Defense MR Bn Mort Btry
of podrazdeleniya in a meeting Arty Bn AT plt
engagement". V. Kokhanov. Tank Company Bn rear
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 4/68. "An anti- MR Bn
aircraft battery in a meeting Tank Company
engagement". M. Kiryukhin. AA Battery
Article makes no mention of
artillery or engineer support.
Military Herald 4/68. "If a MR Bn
meeting engagement is Arty Bn
anticipated" M. Golovkin. Tank Company
Article concerns engineer support Engr platoon
of a meeting battle. Engineer Chem recon sqd
platoon has BAT tractor with bull-
dozer blade, MTU bridgelayer, mine
clearer, 150 AT mines, 50 bangalore
torpedos, 100 kg explosives, 5 mine
detectors, 3 mine clearing kits, and
route and obstacle signs.
Military Herald 3/68. "A two MR Bn MR Bn
sided exercise with combat Arty Bn vs. Mort Btry
C-3
firing." S. Kondratenko. Tank Company Tank Co
Article concerns meeting battle
exercise involving two-sided maneuver
followed by live fire at targets to
the flanks.
Military Herald 1/66. "In MR Bn (BTR)
keeping with the demands of Arty Bn
modern combat". S. Vikarchuk. Tank Company
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v MR Bn(BTR) Mort plt
sovremennom boyu [The motorized Arty Bn AT gun plt
rifle battalion in modern combat]. Tank Company Bn rear
D. F. Loza, G. I. Garbuz, and I. AT gun Btry
F. Sazonov. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, Engr platoon
1965). Pp. 7-29. Chem recon sqd
Vzaimodeystvie voysk v boyu MR Bn
[Coordinating forces in battle]. Arty Bn
G. A. Zubarev. (Voyenizdat: Tank Company
Moskva, 1965). Pp. 40-68. AT gun Btry
AD Btry
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/65. "In an MR Bn Mort plt
encounter battle". S. Vikarchuk. Arty Btry AT gun plt
Regimental advance guard actions Tank Company
described in detail. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Artillery battalion in a Arty Bn
meeting engagement". B. Tank Company
Strelchenko. Regimental advance Engr platoon
guard supported by a reconnaissance
helicopter.
Military Herald 5/64. "A MR Bn AT gun plt
company on the march and in a Tank Company
meeting engagement". V. Ivoylov. Engr platoon
Motorized rifle company as the Chem recon sqd
forward security element in the
advance guard battalion. AT
gun platoon provides immediate
fire support.
Military Herald 3/64. "March MR Bn Mort plt
and meeting engagement of a Arty Bn AT gun plt
motorized rifle battalion". F. Tank Company Bn med pt
Gavrikov, N. Medvedev and V. Engr platoon
Levin. Very detailed article Chem recon sqd
C-4
on march and meeting battle planning
and execution from the perspective of
the motorized rifle battalion commander,
artillery battalion commander and engineer
platoon leader.
Military Herald 2/64. "Always Tank Bn
in the flank?" T. Kudryzvtsev. Arty Bn
Article argues that a frontal, Rifle Company
rather than a flanking, attack Engr platoon with MTU
during a meeting battle will Chem recon sqd
get deeper into an enemy column faster
and permit the earlier destruction of
enemy nuclear weapons.
Military Herald 5/63. "A tank Tank Bn
battalion in a meeting engage- Arty Btry
ment". L. Kozlovskiy. Good Rifle platoon-Company
theoretical article. Engr squad-platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 5/63. Tank Bn
"Artillery battalion in a meeting Arty Bn
engagement". N. Men'shonkov.
Excellent fire coordination article.
"Communication on the march and Arty Bn
in a meeting engagement". S. Rifle Company
Samsonov. Advance guard Chem recon sqd
communications.
Military Herald 11/62. "The Tank Bn
commander makes a decision for a How Btry
march". Kh. Ismailov. Forward Rifle platoon
security element actions in a Engr squad
meeting battle. Commander leads Chem recon sqd
too far forward.
Military Herald 10/62. "On the MR Bn Mort plt
march and in a meeting engage- Arty podraz 57mm gun plt
ment". S. Taran. Rifle company Tank Company
serves as a forward security Engr platoon
element in an advance guard. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 5/62. "On the MR Bn
march and in a meeting engage- Arty Bn
ment". F. Khorin. Engineer Two tank Companies
support to an advance guard in Two Engr platoons
the depths of the enemy defense. Chem recon sqd
Supported by regimental movement
support detachment and an assault
C-5
crossing podrazdeleniya. The tank
companies are designated NPP tanks
(close support to the infantry).
Military Herald 4/62. "The tank Tank Bn
battalion in a meeting engage- Rifle podraz
ment". Tank battalion as an
advance guard. Article recommends
against attaching towed artillery.
Tanks can cover the deployment of other
tanks much more effectively.
C-6
Appendix D-Battalion Composition-River Crossing
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/89. "Cherez MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
vodnuyu pregradu s khodu" Arty Bn
(Crossing a water obstacle from Tank Company
the March]. V. Minabutdinov, A. Engr Asslt Xing Co GSP plt
Zverev & A. Zubanov. Regimental AD platoon PTS plt
forward detachment is supported Engr platoon
by 4 Mi-24 helos and 2 SU-25 Chem recon sqd
and a company air assault. Tank recovery vehicle
Soviet Military Review 12/88. Tank Bn
"To Capture a Bridgehead". Arty Bn
MR Company (BMP)
AD platoon
Engr platoon
GSP platoon
Voyennyy Vestnik 1/88. MR Bn (BMP)
"Khimicheskoe obespechenie Arty Bn
forsirovaniya" [Chemical support Tank Company
of a forced crossing]. N. Bykov Engr sqd
& S. Ugol'kov. GPT sqd
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/87. "Zashita MR Bn
podrazdeleniy pri forsirovanii" Arty Bn
[Defense of subunits during a Tank Company
forced crossing]. B. Mazan. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Concerns chemical defense and GSP platoon
smoke utilization during a forced Chem recon sqd
crossing.
"Podgotovka k forcirovaniyu" Arty Bn
[Preparation for a forced Tank Company
crossing]. Concerns an artillery Incomplete listing of engineer
battalion's support. assets including GTS, PKP, PTS
& PRP.
Voyennyy Vestnik 10/86. "Cherez MR Bn
vodnuyu pregradu s khodu" SP Arty Bn
[Crossing water obstacles from Tank Company
the march]. I. Selyuk & E. Engr platoon
Shepel'. AD platoon
GPT (K-61) plt
GSP platoon
Chem recon sqd
Karta ofitsera [The officer's MR Bn Mort Btry
D-1
map]. I. D. Pombrik and N. A. Arty Bn AT platoon
Shevchenko. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, Tank Company AD platoon
1985). P. 133. Example in a ZSU 23-4 platoon
book on map symbology. Nine PTS
4 GSP
"Forsirovanye vodnoy pregradye Arty Bn
s khodu" [Forced crossing of a Tank Company
water obstacle from the march]. AD platoon
K. Groshev. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Artilleriyskiy divizion v boyu
[Artillery battalion in combat] fIR Bn Mort Btry
G. E. Peredel'skiy. (Moskva: Arty Bn AT platoon
Voyenizdat, 1984), p. 124. Tank Company
Advance guard forces a crossing. Asslt Xing podr
6 PTS, 3 PKP, 2 GSP
" Motostrelkovyy
batal'on
Arty Bn
forsiruet reku" [Motorized rifle Tank Company
battalion conducts a forced river AD platoon
crossing]. A. Gusev. Engr platoon
GSP platoon
Asslt xing platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 9/83. "Reshil MR Bn (BMP)
i obespechil" [Decided and Arty Bn
supported]. I. Bevz. Concerns Engr platoon
engineer support for a forced Asslt xing platoon
crossing. Chem recon sqd
"Batal'on forsiruet reky" Arty Bn
(Battalion conducts a forced Tank Company
crossing of a river]. I. Sotnikov Engr platoon
Concerns engineer support of a GSP platoon
forward detachment. PTS platoon
"Avangard preodolevaet reku s SP Arty Btry
khodu" [The advance guard over- MR Company (BMP)
comes a river from the march]. AD platoon
N. Koven'. Engr platoon
Mortar btry
GSP platoon
Engr recon plt
D-2
"Artilleriyskaya podderzhka Arty Bn (152) AT plt
Forsirovaniya" (Artillery support Tank Company
of a forced river crossing].
Yu. Koloskov. The first example MR Bn Mort plt
is of a forward detachment or 2 Arty Bns AT plt
advance guard. The second Tank Company
example is of a battalion as part
of the main body.
"Khimicheskoe obespechenie Arty Bn
deystviy batal'ona" [Chemical MR Company (BMP)
support of battalion actions]. AD battery
N. I. Moiseev. Concerns forward Engr platoon
detachment. States that when a GSP platoon
tank battalion is an advance Chem recon sqd
guard or forward detachment, it
routinely receives a Chemical
reconnaissance squad.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/81. " I reki MR Bn (BTR 60-P)
ne pregrada" [And rivers aren't Arty Bn
obstacles]. M. Smirnov. Tank Company
Engr
platoon
GSP platoon
GPT squad
Engr recon sqd
"Peredovoy otryad forsiruet reku" Arty Bn
[A forward detachment forces a Tank Company
river]. A. Gusev. Attacking in Mortar Btry
depth of enemy. Mortar btry ZSU 23-4"plt
carried as reinforcement. No Engr platoon
mention is made of the organic GSP platoon
mortar battery. PTS platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 10/76. MR En (BMP) Mort Btry
"Batal'on forsiruet vodnuyu Arty Bn
pregradu" (The battalion forces Tank Company
a river obstacle]. A. Gramkovs. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Advance guard operating in pursuit Engr platoon
conducts an opposed crossing. GSP platoon
PTS platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Arty Bn ATGM podr
mission]. Forward detachment Tank Company Supply plt
forces a river from the march. ZSU 23-4 plt
Engr platoon
D-3
Assault crossing company minus
two K-61 squads.
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company ATGM podr
Mission]. Bn forces river from GSP platoon
the march supported by an artillery
battalion. Bn seizes bridge.
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/74. Tank Bn Bn Rear
"Cherez vodnuyu pregradu s khodu" Arty Bn
[Across a water obstacle from the MR Company (BTR)
march]. A. Zyryanov. Advance AD platoon
guard overruns a hasty defense Engr platoon
and forces a river. GSP platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Obuchenie batal'ona forsiro- Tank Company ATGM podr
vaniyu" [The training of a ZSU 23-4 plt
battalion in forcing a river]. GSP platoon
A. Lepalovskiy. Artillery PTS platoon
support not mentioned. Subordination
of ATGM and mortar platoon uncertain.
Attack from the march as part of the
main body.
"Divizion pri forsirovanii vodnoy Arty Bn
pregrady" [An artillery battalion Tank Company
during the forcing of a water Asslt xing unit 6 PTS
obstacle]. V. Ivanov :. Pankov. 3 PKP
Artillery support of an advanced 4 GSP
guard during an opposed crossing.
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/74. MR Bn Mort Btry
"V interesakh peredovogo otryada" Arty Btry
[In the interests of the forward Tank Company
detachment]. I. Vas'ko & A Engr platoon KMT
Tyshchenko. Engineer support of GSP platoon BAT
a forced river crossing. At GPT platoon MTU
least one artillery battalion TMM
supporting.
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/74."Dymovaya MR Bn
zabesa na vodnoy pregrade" [Smoke Arty Bn
screen of a water crossing]. A. Tank Company
Kiselev & A Zherebtsov. Forward AD 8try
detachment conducts a forced Engr platoon
crossing. GSP platoon
Two sqds PTS
Chem recon sqd
D-4
"Batal'on forsiruet reku" C A Arty Bn ATGM podr
battalion forces a river]. A. Tank Company Bn rear
Puzienko. A battalion operating Engr platoon
in the depth of an enemy defense K-61 platoon
defeats a force on the far bank, GSP platoon
forces the river and continues. Bulldozer sqd
Supported by air strikes and a
fifteen minute preparation
involving additional artillery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/72. "Cherez MR Bn (BTR) Arty Btry
bodnuyu nregradu s khody" Tank Company
[Crossing a water obstacle from
the march]. K. Urtaev. Unspecified
amount of PTS and GSP engineer assets
support this theoretical example.
"Deystviya diviziona pri forsir- Arty Bn ATGM podr
ovanii reki" (Actions of an Arty Btry
artillery battalion during the Engr Asslt Xing Co
forced river crossing]. A. Tokmakov.
Artillery support of a forward detachment.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/72. "Batareya MR Bn Mort Btry
ZSU pri forsirovanii" [ZSU 23-4 Arty Bn AT platoon
battery during a forced crossing]. Tank Company Bn rear
E. Popov. AD coverage of a ZSU 23-4 Btry
forward detachment. Engr GSP & PTS vehicles
Tankovyy batal'on v boyu [Tank Tank Bn
battalion in combat]. P. I. Arty Bn
Konoplya & N. A. Maykov. (Moskva: Up to MR Company
Voyenizdat, 1972). pp. 203-204. AD Btry (plt)
This composition is for a forward GSP platoon
detachment or advance guard. Engr platoon
Composition will be adjusted if Road platoon
the battalion is part of the main Chem recon sqd
body.
"Communications in a motorized Arty Bn ATGM podr
rifle battalion during an offen- Tank Company Supply &
sive action involving the AA Btry service
crossing of a water obstacle." GSP platoon plt
V. Shchadrin. Forward detachment PTS sqd Repair/
communications operating in BTU Evac Grp
conjunction with air-landing MTU Veh Coll
force. Engr platoon pt
D-5
Voyenny Vestnik 9/70. Tank Bn
"Takticheskaya zadacha" (Tactical Arty Bn
mission]. Forward detachment, in MR Company
coordination with a company sized AD platoon
air insertion and fighter-bomber GSP platoon
aviation, seizes a river crossing Chem recon sqd
site.
Military Herald 6/66. "Assault MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
crossing of water obstacles". Tank Company AT gun plt
N. Gorbunov. Artillery battalion Engr platoon
and a nuclear strike are in Chem recon sqd
support of the river crossing.
Enemy employs a nuclear strike
and fighter bomberes against the crossing.
Military Herald 6/66. MR Bn Mort pit
"Artillery battalion in the Arty Bn AT gun plt
assault crossing of a water Tank Company
obstacle". N. Shibayev. PTS
Motorized rifle battalion pursues
enemy and forces a river crossing for the regiment.
"Communications at a crossing". Arty Btry Bn rear
M. Nazarov and S. Syrygin. A Tank Company
forward detachment forces a river Engr platoon (w/ 3 K61)
crossing and secures a bridgehead Chem recon sqd
for the main body.
Military Herald 7/64. "Crossing MR Bn Mort plt
a broad river". K. Kostenko. Arty Bn AT gun plt
Translation speaks of an attached Tank Company
artillery regiment, but the AA Btry
diagram indicates a battalion. Engr platoon
K-61 platoon
BAV platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 5/64. "Tanks Tank Bn
force a river". A. Gal'tsev. Arty Bn
Tank company, in a pursuit, MR Company
cannot take a river from the Engr platoon
march column and conducts a Chem recon sqd
forced crossing.
Military Herald 5/64. "Battery MR Bn (BTR)
in an attack with the forcing of 122mm Btry
a river". P. Bystrykh. Anti- Tank Company
aircraft battery in support of a Engr platoon
D-6
forward detachment. Ferry vehicles
Military Herald 6/63. "The MR Bn 82mm Mort plt
battalion forces a water 122mm Btry 57mm gun plt
obstacle from movement". N. Tank Company Bn med pt
Fomin. Planning and organization Engr platoon
of a forced river crossing. Four K-61
Four large amphibious vehicles
Three special tank ferrys
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 6/63. "Engineer MR Bn
support of forcing a river from Arty Btry
the march". I. Suyetin. Tank Company
AA Btry
Engr platoon
Amphibious transporter squad
Two tank ferry squads
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 6/62. "Attack MR Bn
while forcing water obstacle". Arty Btry
M. Beznoshchenko. Tank Company
Three BAV
Two K-61
Engr squad
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 6/62. "Across MR Bn Mort plt
a river at night". P. Morozov Tank Company AT gun plt
and V. Yevstratov. Supported Engr platoon Bn med pt
by an artillery battalion. Three ferries
Four tracked amphibious vehs
Three DL-10 boats
"Artillery battalion attacks Arty Bn
while crossing water obstacle". Tank Company
M. Pankov. Forward detachment
seizes a bridgehead.
Military Herald 6/62. "Engineer Tank Bn
support of crossing tanks". L. Arty podraz
Simonov. Tank battalion serves Rifle podraz
as a forward detachment. Engr platoon
Ferry platoon
K-61 squad
Diving station
Military Herald 6/62. "Problems MR Bn
for readers to solve-battalion Mortar Btry
forcing a water obstacle". Tank Company
D-7
Forward detachment seizes a Engr platoon
bridgehead to link up with air Chem recon sqd
assault force. Supported by a
nuclear strike.
D-8
Appendix E-Battalion Composition-Attack from the March
Source Bn w/Attachments Organic
Voyennyy "estnik 2/89. "V MR Bn(BMP) AD plt
bloknot komandira" [In the Tank Company
commander's notebook]. No author. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Article on employment of the
organic battalion air defense
platoon in the offense and defense.
Artillery support not discussed.
Motostrelkovaya (tankovaya) rota MR Bn (BMP) Mort podr
v boyu [Motorized rifle (tank) Tank Bn (- One Co) AGS 17 plt
company in combat]. A. S. Noskov. Bn rear
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1988) p. 95.
Battalion supported by artillery
battalion and aerial delivered
nuclear strike.
Shtab batal'ona v boyu [Battalion MR Bn Mort Btry
staff in combat]. Yu. M. Arty Bn AGS17 plt
Arutuynov. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, Tank Company AT platoon
1988), pp. 26-30, 124-127. Two AD platoon AD platoon
helicopters supporting. Engr platoon Signal plt
Tech inspec pt
Repr & evac gp
Bn Med pt
Takticheskaya podgotovka moto- Tank Bn
strelkovykh i tankovykh podraz- Arty Bn
deleniy [Tactical preparation of AD platoon
motorized rifle and tank sub- Engr platoon
units]. V. A. Merimskiy. Chem recon sqd
(Voyenizdat: Moskva, 1987).
P. 223.
Motostrelkovyy (tankovyy) batal'on Tank Bn
v boyu [Motorized rifle (tank) Arty Bn
battalion in combat]. D. A. MR Company
Dragunskiy. (Moskva: Engr Plt
Voyenizdat, 1986). P. 87. Chem Recon sqd
Concerns exploitation of a nuclear
strike on a prepared defense. Attached for the attack: 2
Additional artillery and aviation KMT-5, 9 KMT-4, 1 MTU, 3 BTU
supporting. & I recovery vehicle.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/85. "Batal'on Tank Bn
nastupayet s khodu" [Battalion Arty Bn
attacks from the march]. MR Company
Additional artillery and Air ZSU 23-4 btry
E- 1
Defense supporting. 1 MTU-20
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/83. "V MR Bn Mort btry
zhestkom limite vremeni" Arty Bn AGS 17 plt
[Within severe time limits]. E. Tank Company
Frolov. Additional artillery and ZSU 23-4 platoon
Air Defense supporting. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/82. "Cherez MR Bn Mort Btry
zagrazhdeniya" [Through Arty Bn
obstacles]. V. Mikaylov. "Zapad Tank Company
81" experience in obstacle Engr platoon
reduction during an attack. AT platoon
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/82. "Svyaz' MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
rabotala ustoychivo" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Communications worked stead- Tank Company Supply plt
fastly]. D. Moskalenko. Engr platoon Tech point
Supported by additional artillery Evac Group
and a pair of helicopters.
"Batal'on nastupayet s khodu" SP Arty btry
[Battalion attacks from the MR Company (BMP)
march]. M. Zhabyko. Attack AD platoon (ZSU)
supported by three nuclear Engr platoon
strikes and additional artillery.
"Deystviya ognemetnoy roty v Arty Bn
nastuplenii" [Actions of the Tank Company
flamethrower company in the Flamethrower Company
offensive]. V. Yavtushenko.
Shows use of three nuclear strikes
by the defending enemy.
Voyennyy Vestnik 11/80. "V MR Bn
usloviyakh massirovannogo Arty Btry
primeneniya zagrazhdeniy" [Under Tank Company
conditions of the massive employ- Engr platoon
ment of obstacles]. Yu. Parfilov. Tank launched bridge
Concerns obstacle reduction.
Attack supported by additional
artillery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/80. MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
"Kontrol'noye taktiko-stroyevoye Arty Bn AD platoon
zanyatiye s usilennym Tank Bn
motostrelkovym batal'onom" [Control
tactical drill training with a
E- 2
reinforced motorized rifle
battalion]. V. Zhukov.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/80. "Metod MR Bn (BMP)
raboty komandira opredelyayetsya Arty Bn
nalichiyem vremeni" [Commander's Tank Company
method of work is determined by ZSU 23-4 platoon
available time]. Yu. Bukreyev. Engr platoon
Attack supported by additional Chem recon sqd
artillery and air defense.
"Preodoleniye oborony MR BN (minus one company)(BMP)
nasyshchennoy protivotankovymi Engr platoon Mort Btry
sredstvami" [Overcoming a defense AD platoon
saturated with antitank assets].
P. Konoplya. Artillery battalion
and helicopters in support.
"Vnezapnost' v boyu i puti yeye Arty Bn
dostizheniya" [Surprise in
battle and the course of its
attainment]. N. Shishkin.
Use of maneuver and a feint to
obtain surprise.
"Batal'on nastupayet s khodu" Arty Bn Bn rear
[A battalion attacks from the Tank Company Bn med pt
march]. V. Kalinin, K. Zhauteev, ZSU 23-4 plt
and G. Kotov. Detailed article Engr platoon
from the perspective of the Chem recon sqd
motorized rifle battalion
commander, chief of staff, and
artillery battalion commander.
"Nachal'nik shtaba rukovodit Tank Company AT podraz
svyazyu" [The Chief of Staff Engr platoon Signal plt
directs communications]. V. Supply
Shadrin & A. Kreer. At. Bn Maint
in support. Med pt.
Osnovy upravleniya voyskami v MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
boyu [Principles of control of Arty Bn ATGM podr
forces in battle]. D. A. Ivanov, Tank Company Evac grp
V. P. Savel'ev & P. V. Shemanskiy.
(Moskva: Voyenizdat, 1977),
p. 134.
E- 3
p. 390. MR Bn Mort plt
Supported by at least one Mortar Btry Bn rear
artillery battalion, a nuclear Tank company
strike, fighter bombers and
unspecified air defense assets.
"Batal'on na uchenii s boyevoy Arty Bn
strel'boy" [A battalion on live Tank Company
fire exercise]. V. Gamaliy. Engr platoon
Reserve battalion commited after
first echelon battalion hit by two
nuclear strikes. Attack supported
by additional artillery and
helicopters.
"Primeneniye dymov v nastuplenii" Arty Bn
[Use of smoke in the offensive]. MR Company
B. Abramtsev. Bn attacks through AT Btry (PTURS)
defending bn and regimental Mortar Btry
reserve company. Considers the ZSU 23-4 platoon
lessons of the '73 Arab-Israeli Engr squad
war and the role of ATGM.
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye Tank Company
proryva oborony" [Engineer AT reserve
support in the breakthrough of a Engr platoon
defense]. Yu. Parfilov. Movement spt plt
Unspecified artillery support in BTU and KMT-5s
an attack against a prepared
defense.
"Cherez zagrazhdeniya i zavaly" Arty Btry
[Across obstacles & obstructions] Two Tank Companies
L. Silenko. Engineer support to Engineer platoon TMM sqd
an attack against a hasty defense. IMR sqd
MTU sqd
"Kak gotoviloc' nastupleniye" Engr platoon
[How to preprare for an
offensive]. L. Degtev. Attack
against an enemyat an intermediate
defensive position supported by a
35-minute artillery prep.
"Nastupayut motostrelki" Tank Company
[Motorized riflemen advance]. Engr platoon
E- 4
G. Petrovskiy. Artillery bn & Chem recon sqd
mortar battery in support.
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye Arty Bn
nastupleniya tankovogo batal'ona" Engr platoon
[Engineer support of a tank Chem recon sqd
battalion advance]. V. Komar. Three KMT-5
Supported by a nuclear strike, One MTU
battalion attacks through a
defending battalion and forces a
river crossing.
"Nastupleniye batal'ona" [The Arty Btry
advance of a battalion]. K. Tank Company
Chernyak & G. Kirilenko. Drills Mortar Btry
and formations used in an attack
from the march.
"Batareya unichtozhayet PTURS" Arty Btry
[A battery destroys ATGMs]. Tank Company
V. Mikhal'ik. Supported by at
least one artillery battalion in
a 15-minute preparation.
"V interesakh obshchey zadachi" Tank Company
[In the interest of a common Mortar Btry
mission]. I. Panevin & A. Engr platoon
Gor'kov. Coordination of two
artillery battalions in support of
an attacking maneuver battalion.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/74. MR Bn Bn rear
"Organizuya vzaimodeystviye" Arty Bn
(Organizing coordination]. B. Two tank companies
Rudakov. Coordination of fire
and manuever elements. Also
employs two nuclear strikes.
"Vzaimodeystviye saperov s nastu- Arty Btry
payushchimi podrazdeleniyami" Two Tank Companies
[Coordination of engineers with Engr platoon
advancing subunits]. B. MTU
Basalenko & E. Protasov. Two BTU
Eight mineplows
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye Tank Company
E- 5
nastupleniya" [Engineer support of Mortar Btry (6 mortars)
an offensive]. A. Gontarev. AT means (ATGM)
Supported by an artillery Engr platoon
battalion. MTU
Chem recon sqd
"Obespechivaya nastupleniye" Tank Company
[Supporting the advance]. M. Engr platoon
Smirnov. Concerns engineer
support of the crossing of a mine
field, the crossing of a stream,
overcoming a heavily fortified
zone and forcing a river from the
march. Various engineer equipment
is added for each example. Fire
support is not mentioned until the
forced river crossing, when an
artilley battalion appears.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/73. "Svyaz' Tank Battalion Repair &
v tankovom batal'one v nastu- MR Company Evac Gp
plenii" [Communications in a tank
battalion during the advance]. A.
Dubovitskiy. Supported by an
artillery battalion.
Tankovyy batal'on v boyu [Tank Tank Bn Spt plt
battalion in combat]. P. I. Arty Bn Evac grp
Konoplya & H. A. Maykov. (Moskva: MR Company (BTR) Tech spt
Voyenizdat, 1972). pp 148-149. Med pt
Identical composition for an
attack supported by a nuclear
strike and aviation and a
conventional attack. Frontages
are adjusted.
p. 158. Supported by an Tank Bn Spt plt
artillery battalion and a nuclear MR Co (- pit) Evac grp
strike. Engr platoon Tech spt
KMT-5 Med pt
MTU
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 12/72. MR Bn Arty Btry
"Komandir organizuyet vzaimo- Tank Company Mort pit
deystviye" [The commander Engr pit AD pit
organizes coordination]. P. Bn rear
Ivanov. Supported by an artillery
battalion, aviation, and a nuclear
strike. The arty btry is
apparently the 76-mm btry noted in
E- 6
other articles. The AD plt is
shown with the large-caliber AA
machine gun symbol..The artillery
battalion is acting as part of a
larger fire plan.
"V interesakh obshchevoyskovogo Arty Btry ATGM podr
boya" [In the interest of the Mortar Btry
combined arms battle]. L. Tank Company
Veselov & V. Selyavin. Artillery
battalion supports an attack as
part of a larger attack. Utilizes
nuclear strike to penetrate
defense.
"Komandiram-neprepyvnuyu svyaz' Arty Bn ATGM podr
[Uninterrupted command communica- Tank Company
tions]. V. Kalinin. No scenario
in this communications article.
"Vosstanovleniye boyesposobnosti Arty Btry
tankovoy roty" [Restoration of
the combat potential of a tank
company]. I. Levchenko, F.
Kuznetsov, & Yu Nelikhov.
Unspecified artillery support.
After being hit by a 10-KT low
aerial nuclear burst, attack uses
two airburst nuclear rounds during
the attack from the march.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/72. "0 MR Bn
zadachakh podrazdeleniy v nastu- Arty Bn
plenii" [Subunit missions in an Tank Company
offensive]. V. Vinnikov. Attack
through a prepared defense
-utilizing a nuclear strike. Bn
subsequent mission is to the depth
of the defending battalion.
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye v Arty Btry
nastuplenii" [Engineer support Tank Company
of an offensive]. M. Smirnov. Engr platoon
"Taktiko-stroyevoye zanyatiye s
tankovym batal'onom" [Tactical
drill training for a tank
E- 7
battalion]. A. Demidov. Pure
tank battalion without any support
conducts a march, an attack
against two platoons of a
defending company (immediate
objective) and a meeting battle
against a counterattacking force.
this problem. Problem in setting Tank Company
up communications for an attack Engr platoon
on an intermediate defensive
position. Bn supported by an
Military Herald 6/71. "A MR Bn Mort pit
battalion offensive on the Two Tank Companies ATGM podr
march". B. Shchitikov. Engr platoon Bn rear
Attack supported by an artillery
battalion, nuclear strike, a
thirty-two minute artillery
preparation and aviation.
Immediate mission to the depth of
the defending battalion and
subsequent mission through the
depth of the defending brigade.
Military Herald 6/71. "A Tank Bn
battalion commander evaluates Arty Bn
an airborne enemy". N. Sharapov. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Action against helicopters with
ATGMs while attacking a hastily-
prepared defense. Translation is
flawed.
"Organizing mutual support and Two Tank Companies Btry
maintaining it in battle". G. Engr platoon ATGM podr
Zubarev. Supported by artillery MTU
battalion, two nuclear strikes Dozer
and aviation.
"Organizatsiya vzaimodeystviya Tank Company ATGM podr
v batal'one v nastuplenii" Engr platoon Signal plt
(Organization of coordination in Bn rear
a battalion in the offense]. V.
Sayko & A. Timoshenko. Battalion
supported by artillery battalion,
a nuclear strike and aviation. Bn
attacks dismounted. Immediate
mission is to the depth of the
E- 8
defending battalion (5 km).
Direcion of further advance into
depths of enemy defense.
Military Herald 3/71. "Tank attack and artillery fire". N.
Shibayev. Tank battalion or motorized rifle battalion with
attached tanks can be supported by an artillery battalion for the
suppression of anti-tank weapons. Article discusses the effects
of artillery fire on antitank weapons.
Military Herald 2/70. "Tank company Tank Bn
fire in an offensive operation". V.
Lysenko. Tank battalion attacks
without support to overcome an enemy in
a hasty defense.
Military Herald 11/69. "Optional MR Bn
and tactical training exercise in Arty Btry
evaluating the radiological and Tank Company
chemical situation". B. Shubin.
Attack through enemy nuclear strikes.
combat with antitank weapons in the Arty Bn
offense". N. Yezhov.
Military Herald 10/69. "Certain MR Bn Btry
principles of coordinated actions in Tank Company
combat". A. Ryazansky. Artillery AA Btry
battalion in support. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/69. "Defenses MR Bn
against incendiaries in the attack". Arty Etry
I. Vorobyev and V. Kokhanov. Defense Tank Company
against napalm. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 4/69. "Coordination MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
and support of the offensive". I. Arty Bn
Taran. Communications support to the Tank Company
attack.
Military Herald 9/68. "Attack from MR Bn AT gun plt
march column". P. Kunitskiy. Attack Arty Btry
from the march supported by a nuclear Tank Company
strike and an artillery battalion.
Military Herald 8/68. "Drilling in MR Bn
fire control". A. Khryashchev. Tank Company
battalion. Article concerns artillery
fire planning.
E- 9
Military Herald 8/68. "Engineer MR Bn (BTR)
missions in a battalion". F. Khorin. Arty Btry
Tank Company
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
battalion in the attack". A.
Sevast'yanov. Pure tank battalion
conducts attack from the march.
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v sovremennom MR Bn Mort plt
boyu [The motorized rifle battalion in SAUl00 Btry AT gun plt
modern combat]. D. F. Loza, G. I. Tank Company Bn rear
Garbuz and I. F. Sazonov. (Voyenizdat: Engr platoon
Moskva, 1965). Pp 44-168. Supported Tank with mine roller
by an artillery battalion, nuclear BTU
strike, aviation and a thirty-minute Chem recon sqd
artillery preparation. Immediate
defending battalion. Direction of
further advance is through the
defending brigade reserve.
"Engineering problems on an exercise Engr platoon
with tank crews". I. Bubnov. Engineer
support of a march, attack from the
march and river crossing. March is
conducted on HETs. Artillery support
is not addressed.
Military Herald 5/66. "Artillery MR Bn
firing training in the field". S. Arty Bn
Varygin. Training batteries to Tank Company
support an attack from the march.
Military Herald 10/66. "Coordinated MR Bn
action in combat". V. Krilov. Attack Two tank Companies
through forces in contact supported by Engr platoon
an artillery battalion, nuclear strike Chem recon sqd
and fighter bombers. Detailed account
of an attack from the march and pursuit
and the coordination required to effect
it.
Military Herald 3/66. "Classes with MR Bn (BTR)
officers on the terrain". N. Fomin. Tank Company
An artillery battalion is in support.
During the follow-on pursuit, the
battalion becomes an advance guard and
E-10
the artillery battalion is attached.
Vzaimodeystviye voysk v boyu MR Bn Mort plt
[Coordinating forces in combat]. G. Tank Bn (-) AT gun plt
A. Zubapev. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, AT gun Btry Bn rear
1965). Pp. 69-100. Supported by an Engr platoon
artillery battalion and a nuclear
strike. Tank battalion is minus one
company. Pp. 105-115. MR Bn Mort plt
Arty Bn AT gun plt
Tank Company
"Organizational principles". V. Arty Btry Bn rear
Terekh. Radio communications within Tank Company
a battalion.
Military Herald 7/65. "Battalion MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
attacks from the march". G. Golofast, Two tank Companies
V. Sayko, A. Timoshenko, and A. Engr platoon AT gun plt
Poletayev. Artillery battalion and Three mine flails
nuclear strike in support of this MTU Bn rear
attack through units in contact. Chem recon sqd
Battalion immediate mission is to the
depth of the defending battalion. The
attack goes through the middle of the
irradiated zone. Very detailed
explanation of the attack from the
perspective of the motorized rifle
battalion commander, chief of staff,
and artillery battalion commander.
Military Herald 6/65. "Engineer MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
support of an attack from the march Arty Bn AT gun plt
by a motorized rifle battalion". M. Tank Company Bn rear
Golovkin. Engineer platoon has BAT, Engr platoon
150 AT mines, 200 sections of banga- Chem recon sqd
lore torpedo, 100 kg HE, 100 meters
of road mat and 20 meters of prefab
wooden bridge. There is a BTU mine
plow and a mine flail in the tank
company.
Military Herald 6/65. "Communciations MR Bn Mort plt
in a battalion attacking from the Arty Bn Vehicle
march". B. Ryzhonok. Radio and Tank Company maint &
signal communications in the attack. Engr squad evac pt
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 3/65. "Artillery MR Bn Mort plt
battalion in an attack from Lhe 122-mm How Bn
march". N. Shibayev and L. Tsymbal.
E-11
Attack supported by a nuclear strike.
No armor is employed. Detailed article
on fire planning.
Military Herald 3/65. "So that MR Bn (BTR)
commands are received". B. Pomykallo Arty Bn
and Ye. Sinitsyn. Insuring communica- Tank Company
tions during the attack.
Military Herald 3/65. "Fire control MR Bn 120-mm Mort plt
training". S. Mutsynov. Unspecified Tank Co 57mm AT gun pit
artillery support.
Military Herald 12/64. "A battalion MR Bn 120-mm Mort plt
attacks from the march". P. Lukoyanov Arty Bn (-) AT gun plt
Battalion supported by nuclear strike. Tank Company
Artillery battalion is short one Engr platoon
battery. Battalion immediate mission Chem recon sqd
is to the depth of the defending enemy
company which is in prepared defenses.
Further direction of attack takes the
main attack through the nuclear strike
zone. Detailed article on troop
leading procedures and coordination.
"Organizational principles". V. Arty Btry
Terekhin. Discussion of offensive Tank Company
communications including breakthrough
and linkup with air assault and river
crossing.
Military Herald 9/64. "Coordination MR Bn Mort plt
in a motorized rifle battalion". P. Arty Bn AT gun plt
Sirotkin. Attack against a prepared Tank Company
enemy using a nuclear strike. The Tank destroyer Btry
immediate mission is to the rear of Engr platoon
the defending battalion.
Military Herald 7/64. "Direction MR Bn Mort plt
of a company in the attack". P. Arty Bn AT gun pit
Belousov. Company makes the battalion Two tank Companies
main attack supported by a nuclear
strike. Company immediate mission is
to the depth of the defending platoons.
The direction of further attack is past
the depth of the defending company.
There are at least two tank companies,
and there may be as much as a tank
battalion attached to the motorized
rifle battalion. The company has an
artillery battery and a tank company
E-12
attached.
Military Herald 7/64. " Control and MR Bn Mort plt
communication in motorized rifle small Tank Company
units". V. Khokhlov. Attack supported Engr platoon
by a nuclear strike and an artillery Chem recon sqd
battalion.
Military Herald 6/64. "This also MR Bn Mort plt
means help to the commander". V. Tank Company AT gun plt
Paramanov. Artillery battalion and Tank destroyer Btry
nuclear strike supports the attack. Engr platoon
Battalion immediate mission is to the
rear of the defending battalion.
Article deals with staff support to
the commander.
Military Herald 5/64. "Under MR Bn Mort plt
conditions approximating combat". V. SP Arty Btry
Pikalov. Battalion, exploiting a Tank Company
nuclear strike, is in turn struck by
two enemy airburst nuclear strikes
totalling 20 KT. When struck, the
battalion is transitioning from
battalion column to battalion prebattle
formation. Article deals with
battlefield reconstitution.
Military Herald 5/64. "A battery MR Bn
supports a battalion attacking from Arty Btry
the march". G. Kolesnichenko. Battery
exercise in crossing a contaminated
area, deployment, indirect fire,
reconnaissance, communications,
displacement and repelling a tank attack
from the march.
Military Herald 2/64. "In a MR Bn At gun pit
situation which is close'to the combat Tank Company
situation". A. Mel'nikov. Battalion AA podraz
supported by an artillery battalion, Engr platoon
a nuclear strike and a movement support
detachment. Describes an exercise in
overcoming rubble and blowdown in an
attack through a nuclear impact area.
Military Herald 2/64. "The map as a MR Bn Mort Btry
combat document". A. Shardin. Arty Bn Bn rear
Article on proper symbology and Tank Company
drawing on maps. This attack is the AA Btry
article's example. Whether the anti-
aircraft battery and the artillery
E-13
battalion are attached or supporting
cannot be determined. Attack supported
by a 10-KT airburst nuclear strike
which was rocket-delivered. Attack is
supported by AT reserve.
Military Herald 6/63. "Battalion MR Bn Mort plt
staff in an attack from the march". Tank Company AT gun podr
P. Shemanskiy. Attack supported by Engr platoon Bn med pt
an artillery battalion and a 10-kt
rocket-delivered airburst nuclear
strike.
Military Herald 6/63. "Operations of Tank Bn
an artillery battalion during an Arty Bn
attack from the march". N. Shibayev.
Detailed article on fire coordination.
Military Herald 6/63. "The MR Bn AT gun podr
acomplishment of engineer tasks in an Arty Bn
attack by a motorized rifle battalion". Tank Company
R. Gabrielyan. Attack supported by ATGM Btry
four rocket delivered airburst nuclear AA Btry
strikes ( 2-5-kt, 1-10-kt, 1-unk) plus Engr platoon-MTU
the fires of the unit in contact that Chem recon sqd
the battalion attacks through.
Military Herald 3/63. "Tankers Tank Bn
attack from the march". I. Popov. Arty Bn
Attack against a company and a half Rifle Company
in a hasty defense supported by a Engr platoon
nuclear strike.
Military Herald 1/63. "Coordination MR Bn
communications". V. Khokhlov. Arty Bn
Article on coordination of various Tank Company
elements reinforcing a motorized rifle Engr Company
battalion and a tank battalion. The EAT
tanks are designated NPP. No mention MTU
is made of mortar platoon commo or its Chem recon sqd
lashup with the artillery battalion.
Tank Bn
Arty Bn
Rifle Company
Engr platoon
MTU
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 12/62. "Tactical MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
maturity in the officer". F. Gavrikov SP Arty podraz
and Ya. Davydov. Nuclear strike and Tank Company
undetermined artillery supports the Engr platoon
E-14
main attack. Rifle company makes a
supporting night attack. After the
breakthrough, the company becomes the
FSE for the advance guard and receives
two K-61s and a platoon of river
crossing vehicles for a river crossing
and transition to the defense.
"Communications in a battalion Arty podraz
attacking from the march". A. Tank Company
Rutskoy. Tanks are designated NPP
(close infantry support).
"Communications in a tank battalion". Repair shop
S. Vasil'yev. Artillery battalion Rep-evac grp
supporting. Article discusses the Tech obs pst
possibility of assigning tank companies
as NPP but does not discuss rifle
companies attached to tank battalions.
Discusses communications with engineers
during river crossings.
E-15
Appendix F-Battalion Composition-Attack from a Position in Direct
Contact with the Enemy
batal'on v boyu [Motorized rifle Arty Bn AD platoon
(tank) battalion in Combat]. D.A. Tank Company AT platoon
Dragunskiy. (Moskva: Voyenizdat, AT platoon
1986), P. 132. Supported by
additional artillery and aviation.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/82. "Vo MR Bn Mort Btry
vzaimodeystvii s artilleriyey" Arty Bn AT platoon
rCoordination with artillery]. Tank Company
Z Kireyev. Supported by a nuclear Engr platoon
strike and additional artillery.
Voyenny Vestnik 7/82. "Ataka na MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
boyevykh mashinakh pekhoty" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Attacks on BMPs]. V. Tank Company
Ivashchenko. "Zapad 81" exercise Engr Platoon
experience.
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/82. " Kak Tank Bn
gotovilos' nastupleniye" [How to Arty Bn
prepare for an offensive]. V. MR Company
Skulushkin. "Zapad 81" exercise AT platoon
experience supported by additional
artillery and aviation.
"Nastupayet batal'on" [Battalion Tank Company
advances]. S. Marov. Attack Engr platoon
supported by an artillery
battalion.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/80. "Razvedka MR Bn (BMP)
boyem" [Reconnaissance in force]. Tank Company
A. Nazarov & R. Trofimov. Engr platoon
Supported by an artillery
battalion and an ATGM battery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/74. "Borba MR Bn
artillerii s protivotankovymi Arty Bn
sredstvami" [Artillery combats Tank Company
antitank assets]. A. Rodin. Mortar Btry
ATGM Btry
"Upravleniye protivotankovymi Tank Company AT podr
sredstvami v period ARTPODGOTOVKI" ATGM Btry Bn rear
F-i
[Control of antitank assets during
the artillery preparation]. R.
Kiudma. Supported by artillery
battery for direct fire and at
least one artillery battalion
during the artillery preparation.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/72. Mr Bn Mort Btry
"Divizion v nastuplenii" Arty Bn
[Artillery battalion in the Tank Company
offensive]. N. Kozlov. Artillery
planning including a nuclear
strike.
Irganization of battalion fire Tank Company ATGM podr
.. the offensive". V. Sayko, A.
Lovi & N. Yezhov. Bn supported by
an artillery battalion and
additional artillery.
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
sovremennom boyu [The motorized Arty Bn AT gun plt
rifle battalion in modern combat]. Mortar podraz Bn rear
D. F. Loza, G. I. Garbuz and I. F. 1-2 Tank Companies
Sazonov. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, AT gun Btry
1965), pp. 30-44, 169-176. 1-3 Engr platoons
Mine plows
Several MTUs
Chemical defensd podr
Military Herald 5/64. "Fire MR Bn Mort plt
control of subunits in the 122-mm Arty Bn AT gun plt
attack". N. Yezhov. Principles Tank Company
of fire control for an attack from
positions in direct contact and
from the march.
F-2
Appendix G-Battalion Composition-Committal of Second Echelon
Battalion
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/83. "Vvoditsya MR Bn (BMP)
vtoroy eshelon" [Introduction of Tank Company
the second echelon]. A. Gal'tsev. Engr platoon
Battalion supported by an
artillery battalion and covered
by battery of ZSU 23-4.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/83. "Protivo- MR Bn Mort btry
vozdushnaya oborona pri vvode v AD platoon AD platoon
boy vtorogo eshelona" [ Air
defense during the introduction of
the second echelon into combat].
A. Koryt'ko. Attached AD platoon
has 2 ZSU 23-4 and missiles. An
artillery battalion, apparently in
support of a first echelon
battalion, apparently shifted its
supporting role to the second
echelon battalion.
"Vvod v boy vtorog- eshelona" Tank Company
[Introduction of the second echelon
into combat]. G. Petrovskiy.
Supported by arty bn, MR bn and AT
platoon.
"Vvod v boy vtorogo eshelona" MR platoon
[Introduction of the second AD platoon
echelon into combat]. M. Loginov. Engr platoon
Supported by two artillery
battalions.
Voyennyy Vestnik 9/75. MR Bn (BMP) ATGM podr
"Vvod v boy vtorogo eshelona" Tank Company (minus platocn)
[Introduction of the second
echelon into combat]. M. Kramskoy.
Supported by ten-minute artillery
strike by one artillery battalion.
Military Herald 10/71. " A rear MR Bn Mort plt
echelon enters battle". M. Tank Company ATGM podr
Kalabskiy. Bn supporte )y a ten- AT Reserve (plt?)
minute artillery strike by one Engr platoon
artillery battalion. Chem recon sqd
G-1
Military Herald 8/64. MR Bn AT gun plt
"Exploitation of intervals and 120mm Mort Btry
gaps". N. Gorbunov. First Tank Company
example concerns the exploitation
of a nuclear strike by a reserve Amphibious Tank Bn
battalion with unspecified Engr squad
artillery in support. The second
example concerns an arctic region
night attack.
Military Herald 1/64. "An MR Bn AT gun plt
examination for tactical Arty Btry
maturity". A. Shurygin. Mortar Btry
Exploitation of a nuclear strike. Engr platoon
G-2
Appendix H-Battalion Composition-Battle in the Depth of the Enemy
Defense
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/87. MR Bn (BMP) Mort btry
"Takticheskaya zadacha No. 4" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Tactical problem No. 4]. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
Battalion, having achieved the
immediate mission and enroute to
the subsequent mission, is faced
with a strong counterattack.
Voyennyy Vestnik 10/83. MR Bn (BTR) Mort btry
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Arty Bn AT platoon
problem]. Second echelon bn, Tank Company AD platoon
having been introduced into Engr platoon
combat, is faced with a strong
counterattack.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/83. "Protivo- MR Bn (BMP)
vozdushnaya oborona batal'ona pri Arty btry
boye v tylu protivnika" [Air Tank Company
defense of a battalion during AD btry (ZSU 23-4)
combat in the enemy's rear area]. Engr platoon
N. Sharapov. Concerns air defense
of a MR Bn and a Tank Bn in deep Tank Bn
battle. SP Arty btry
MR Co (with SA7/14 gunners)
ZSU 23-4 platoon
Voyennyy Vestnik 6/83. MR Bn (BMP) Mort btry
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Arty Bn AD platoon
problem]. Battalion encounters Tank company
defending enemy backed by a Engr platoon
counterattacking force. Battalion
is supported by fighter-bombers.
Voyennyy Vestnik 3/83. MR Bn (BTR) Mort btry
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Arty btry AT platoon
problem]. Bn attacks through a AT btry AD platoon
defending enemy to achieve its Engr platoon
subsequent mission. Artillery Chem recon sqd
battalion in support.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/82. MR Bn Mort btry
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Arty Bn AD platoon
problem]. Bn attacks through a Tank Company AT platoon
defending enemy to achieve its Engr platoon AGS 17 pit
subsequent mission. Two flights Chem recon sqd
of aviation in support.
H-i
.. . .. Im m mmmllmm mm m m m m
"Sovmestnaya takticheskaya Arty Bn
letuchka" [A combined tactical Tank Company
exercise]. M. Pankov.
"Batal'on otrazhayet kontrataku" Arty Bn
[Battalion repels a counter- Tank Company
attack]. V. Datiy. Mortar btry is Mortar btry
listed as a reinforcement. No AD platoon
mention is made of the organic Engr platoon
mortar btry.
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company AT platoon
problem]. Supported by artillery Engr platoon
battalion.
Voyennyy Vestnik 12/81. MR Bn(BMP) Mort btry
"Batal'on presleduyet protivnika" Arty Bn
[Battalion pursues the enemy]. Tank Company
V. Akimov.
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company
problem]. Battalion acts as a Engr platoon
reconnaissance detachment during Chem recon sqd
a pursuit.
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical MR platoon
problem]. Battalion in pursuit Engr platoon
attacks to its subsequent mission. Chem recon sqd
Arty Bn in support.
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company
problem]. Battalion supported by Mortar btry
artillery battalion and aviation. Engr Platoon
Mortar btry is listed as a rein-
forcement. No mention is made of
the organic mortar battery.
"Reshite etu zadachu" [Solve this Arty Btry
provlem]. Mortar battery listed Mortar Btry
as reinforcement. Bn hit by Engr platoon
three low-yield nuclear weapons
delivered by fighter bombers. Bn
battalion.
H-2
"Nastupleniye v glubine oborony" Arty Bn
[Advance in the depths of the Tank Company
defense]. G. Mukhamedzhanov. Mortar Btry
Advance guard attacks a Engr platoon
retreating enemy, defeats a
counterattack and seizes a river
crossing.
"Takticheskaya letuchka" Arty Bn
[Tactical exercise]. B. Perfil'ev.
Enemy employs two nuclear weapons
against battalion and three nuclear
weapons against neighboring units.
"Predvideniye v boyu" [Foresight Arty Bn
in combat]. N. Shishkin.
Battalion prevents a retreating
enemy from establishing a defense.
"Zadacha No. 4" (Problem No. 4]. Arty Bn ATGM podr
MR Bn attacks from hasty defense Tank Company Signal plt
and advances along with regiment. AD platoon Supply plt
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company ATGM podr
problem]. Attack against an enemy Engr platoon
defending at an intermediate
position. Supported by an
"Likvidatsiya posledstviy Tank Company
yadernykh i khimicheskikh udarov" Chem recon sqd
[Elimination of the after-effects
of chemical and nuclear strikes].
N. Luganskii & V Glushchenko.
battalion.
Military Herald 3/71. "Tactical MR Bn AT podr
instruction". P. Kunitskiy. Arty Bn
Flawed translation. Attack Mortar Btry
supported by aviation. Engr platoon
Military Herald 2/70. "Tactical MR Bn
problem". Battalion advancing in Tank Company
H-3
the depths attacks a defended Engr platoon
hill. No mention is made of Chem recon sqd
supporting artillery.
Military Herald 9/66. "Directing MR Bn
battalion fire". I. Bardadym.
An artillery battalion supports a
motorized rifle battalion in the
attack. The article is concerned
with training artillery batteries
and does not address armor,
engineer, or air defense support.
Military Herald 7/66. "You MR Bn
solve this problem". Forward 122-mm How Bn
detachmen! -n the pursuit. Two tank Companies
AT BN
AA Btry
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Conducting pursuit operations" Tank podraz
I. Tsarev. Article on engineer Engr platoon
support of a pursuit. Artillery MTU
support not discussed.
this problem". Artillery
battalion in support.
Military Herald 10/65. "Group Tank Bn
training". S. Sivitskiy. Pure
tank battalion, exploiting a
nuclear strike, attacks into the
depths of an enemy defense. No
artillery, engineer, antiaircraft,
or motorized rifle support is
mentioned.
"Displacement by an artillery Arty Bn
battalion during combat in the
depths". I. Fedotov. Article on
how to displace batteries while
maintaining fire support. No
armor employed.
Military Herald 6/65. "Solve MR Bn Mort Btry
this problem". Battalion, Tank Company AT Btry
exploiting a nuclear strike, Engr platoon
attacks into the enemy depth and Chem recon sqd
H-4
I I I I II I I ! 4
prepares to meet a counterattack.
Military Herald 6/65. "An Tank Bn
exercise with field firing". P. Arty Bn
Zargaryan. Exercise of a battery
supporting a tank company in an
attack from the march against an
enemy in a hasty defense. No
engineer or motorized rifle element
is mentioned.
"Artillery battalion in the Tank Company
depth of the enemy's defense".
N. Lastochkin. Artillery battalion
and nuclear strike support the
commitment of a reserve battalion
to combat.
Military Herald 7/64. "What is Tank Bn
your decision?" Tank battalion, Arty Bn
supported by a nuclear strike, MR platoon
is attacking deep in the enemy
depths.
this problem". Arty Bn
Tank Company
Engr platoon
Ferry squad
*~~0-0 C. ** -. **. ... *0
*iiitaryHerald 4/64. "Mortar MR En Mort plt
platoon in the attack". M. 122mm Btry AT gun plt
Grigor'yev. Pursuing battalion Tank Company
attacks an enemy in hasty defensive
positions.
this problem-Engineer support of Arty Btry
the attack of a motorized rifle Tank Company
battalion". Engineer platoon has Engr platoon
3 armored carriers, 100 fuses, Chem recon sqd
150 kg of HE and an MTU. Tank
company has a BTU kit per platoon
and a PT54 miae roller kit.
this problem". Battalion 120-mm Mort Btry
supported by an artillery Tank Company
battalion and a nuclear strike. Engr platoon
Fight to seize a river crossing Chem recon sqd
against a near bank hasty defense.
H-5
Military Herald 11/63. "Flank Tank Bn
attack". N. Fomin. Pure tank
battalion makes an unopposed river
crossing and hits the enemy in the
flank.
Military Herald 6/63. "The MR Bn 120-mm Mort pit
attack by a motorized rifle 122-mm How Btry 57-mm gun pit
battalion on an enemy who has
assumed the defense in the course
of battle". I. Sviryayev.
Battalion conducts pursuit in
company march column. Immediate
mission with nuclear weapons is
equal to the depth of destruction
of the units of the enemy first
echelon. In a nonnuclear attack,
the immediate mission is to the
depth of the defending battalion.
Both attacks have a direction of
further advance.
Military Review 5/63. "The MR Bn 85-mm gun pit
I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - L ,| . . f %Y&|&&=1.j 'V-V
An artili=y --ttalion and two Tank Company
nuclear strikes support L Engr platoon
advance. The article is about Chem recon sqd
training company level officers
on battlefield coc-rdination.
Military Review 4/63. "What MR Bn
is your solution?". Advance Mortar Btry
supported by medium yield Tank Company
nuclear strike. Problem involves Engr platoon
reaction to an enemy sarin strike.
Military Review 3/63. "In th- MR Bn
depth of the defense (a battery 85-mm gun Btry
supports the attack of a
battalion from the march)". B.
Strel'chenko. Advance supported
by a nuclear strike r I
unspecified mortar a i artillery
fire.
Military Herald 7/62. "A MR Bn Mort plt
tactical problem - A motorized Two tank Companies AT gun pit
rifle battalion fights in the Engr platoon
depths of the defense".
battalion, atomic strike and
H-6
regimental AT reserve.
Military Herald 4/62. "Tactical MR Bn
drill exercises involving a Arty Btry
motorized infantry battalion" Tank Company
A. Serov. Pursuit and meeting
battle.
H-7
Appendix I-Battalion Composition-Transitioning to the Defense
a nyy Vestnik 4/89. "V MR Bn
.ceresakh oborony" [In the Tank Company
interest of the defense]. Yu. Chem recon sqd
Kuznetsov. Battalion supported
by artillery battalion. Article
concerned with reconnaissance by
observation posts and forward
patrols while transitioning to
defense while in direct contact
with the enemy.
Takticheskaya podgotovka moto- MR Bn
strelkovykh i tankovykh podraz- Arty Bn
deleniy [Tactical training of Tank Company
motorized rifle and tank subunits].Engr platoon
V. A. Merimskiy. (Voyenizdat: Chem recon sqd
Moskva, 1987). P. 293.
Motostrelkovyy (tankovyy) batal'on MR Bn (BMP) Mort btry
v boyu [Motorized rifle (tank) Arty Bn AD platoon
battalion in combat]. D. A. 2 Tank Companies AT platoon
Dragunskiy. (Moskva: Voyenizdat, Engr platoon AGS 17 plt
1986). p. 216. Chem recon sqd Supply plt
Maint grp
Artilleriyskiy divizion v boyu MR Bn AT plt
(Artillery battalion in combat] Arty Bn
G. E. Peredel'skiy. (Moskva: Tank Company
Voyenizdat, 1984). p. 171.
Voennyy Vestnik 9/83. MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
"Perekhod k oborone" [Transition Arty Bn AT platoon
to the defense]. V. Konstantinov. Tank Company AD platoon
Forward detachment seizes a river Engr platoon AGS 17 plt
crossing site.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/81. MR Bn (BMP) Mort plt?
"Zanimaya oboronu" [Occupying Arty Btry
the defense]. V. Zhukov. Tank Company
Additional artillery supporting AT platoon
defense.
"Zakhvat i zakrepleniye vygodnykh Arty Bn
rubezhey" [Seizing and fortifying Tank Company
advantageous lines]. S. Davidov. ZSU 23-4 plt
Engr platoon
I-1
"Po kompleksnoy teme" [On a Tank Company AT platoon
complex theme]. K. Kurenkov &
V Rudoy. Supported by artillery
battalion.
"Reshite eti zadachi" [Solve Arty Bn
these problems]. Going over to a Tank company
defense on both sides of a river. Engr platoon
BKM machine
"Vashe Resheniye?" [Your Arty Bn AT platoon
solution?] Advance guart Tank Company
attacking in depth of enemy ZSU 23-4 platoon
defenses, crosses a river crossing Eng- platoon
and prepares to meet a strong GSP platoon
enemy. Enemy is employing gas. PTS platoon
Bn is supported by an additional
Voyennyy Vestik 7/76. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
"Perekhod k oborone vodnoy Tank Company
pregrady" [Transitioning to the Engr platoon
defense of a water obstacle]. A.
Vinogradov. Withdrawing bn
establishes defense in
coordination with neighboring
battalion and regt. Supported by
artillery battalion, regimental AT
reserve and counterattack force.
V_- nnyy Vestnik 10/74. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
"Konkurs" [Competition]. Bn Tank Company ATGM podr
establishes defense away from AT platoon
enemy contact. Suppported by an
artillery battalion. Struck by
enemy nuclear round.
"Tankisty perekhodyat k oborone" Arty Btry 122-mm
[Tankers transition to the MR Company
defense]. A. Gusarov.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/73. MR Bn (BTR) Bn rear
"Svyaz' v batal'one pri perekhode Arty Bn
k oborone" [Communications in a Mortar platoon
battalion during the transition ATGM podraz
to a defense]; V. Shadrin.
Subordination of mortar platoon
and ATGM podrazdeleniye uncertain.
1-2
Military Herald 7/71. "The MR Bn Mort Btry
defense of a podrazdeleniye". Tank Company
Ye. Sherstobitov. Good
theoretical article on battalion
defense. Battalion supported by
an artillery battalion and anti-
tank reserve.
Military Herald 7/71. "Battalion MR Bn Mort plt
actions of the defense". N.
Stroganov. Artillery battalion
supports a defending motorized
rifle battalion.
"Organizing the fire system of Mortar Btry ATGM podr
a battalion on the dafense". V. Tank Company (- plt) Btry
Stepanchikov. Battalion AT gun platoon
supported by artillery battery.
Additional artillery support
planned.
"Motorized infantry company Tank Company Btry
assumes the defense". V. Karpov. Engr platoon ATGM podr
Battalion supported by an
Military Herald 7/70. "Answer MR Bn Mort plt
to a tactical problem". Arty Bn
Battalion transitions to a Tank Company
defense to meet a counterattack Engr platoon
while continuing a one-company
attack to secure advantageous
terrain.
"Eliminating the results of Arty Btry
nuclear and chemical attack". Tank Company
V. Demin and I. Serukhov.
Battalion hit by a nuclear strike.
Two Mi-4 helocopters and an ad hoc
team of motorized rifle, engineer,
chemical defense, medical and
repair and evacuation subunits
help restore the situation.
Military Herald 7/67. "Fire MR Bn (BTR) AT gun plt
system of a company in the Arty Bn
defense". I. Glebov. Article Tank Company
concerns establishing firing Engr platoon
1-3
sectors in a company.
"Motorized rifle battalion in the Two Tank Companies AT gun plt
defense". G. Golofast, V. Sayko, Engr platoon Bn rear
A. Timoshenko, G. Spuskanynk, and Chem recon sqd
A. Poletayev. Artillery battalion
supporting. Battalion transitions
while in direct contact. An
engineer company ,with the BAT and
BTU, is assigned to lay an AT
minefield. One tank company is
withdrawn as the defense gels.
This is a very detailed article on
actions of the battalion commander,
engineer support, artillery
support, staff functions and fire
control in the defense.
Military Herald 9/66. "Under MR Bn 120-mm mort plt
enemy fire". I Sviryayev. Tank company AT gun plt
Fire support &nd engineer support
are not addressed.
"Communicating in a battalion Arty Btry At gun plt
when reverting to the defense". Tank Company
A. Kedich. The establishment of Engr squad
radio and wire communications in Chem recon sqd
a defense.
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v MR Bn Mort pit
sovremennom boyu [The motorized Tank Company AT gun pit
rifle battalion in modern combat]. Mortar Btry
D. F. Loza, G. I. Garbuz and I. F. ATGM platoon
Sazonov. (Voyenizdat: Moskva,
1965). Pp. 224-291. Supported by
an artillery battalion, regimental
counterattack, nuclear strike and
engineer.
"Repelling counterattacks". I. Arty Bn
Velenets. Motorized rifle Two tank companies
battalion operating in the depth AT Bn
of the enemy defense assumes a
defense to repel an expected MR Bn
counterattack by firepower from Sp How Btry
advantageous positions. The Tank Company
enemy employs a 1-KT nuclear
1-4
weapon. In the second example,
battalion seizes advantageous
terrain to repel a counterattack.
Military Herald 11/64. "Solve MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
this problem". Battalion, Tank Company AT gun plt
fighting in the depth of the
enemy, transitions to the defense.
Artillery battalion supports.
1-5
Appendix J-Battalion Composition-Defense
"Razvedka v oborone" [Reconn- Arty Bn
aissance in the defense]. A. Tank Company
Batenev. Article on procedures
and responsibilities.
Inzhenernoye obespecheniye boya MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
(Engineer support of battle]. Tank Company AT platoon
E. S. Kolibernov, V. I. Kornev & AD platoon
A. A'. Soskov. (Moskva: AGS 17 plt
Voyenizdat,1988). p. 80. Book Supply plt
discusses preparing field
positions for a forward battalion
but does not discuss artillery in
support.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/88. "Na MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
rubezhakh oborony" [On the lines Arty Bn AT platoon
of defense]. Discussion of a Tank Company AD platoon
Tamen Guards Division battalion AD battery AGS 17 plt
defensive position constructed AT battery Supply plt
for officer professional develop- Engr platoon Maint grp
ment. Supported by helicopters.
"Upravleniye v oborone" [Control Tank Company AT platoon
in the defense]. A. Zhukov.
battalion.
batal'on v boyu [Motorized rifle Arty Bn AT platoon
(tank) battalion ri combat]. D. A. Tank Company AD platoon
Dragunskiy. (Moskva: Voyenizdat, Engr platoon AGS 17 plt
1986). p. 219. Chem recon sqd Supply plt
BTU Maint grp
2 KVSU(corrugated steel shltr)
4FVU(Filtering venilation set)
Karta ofitsera [The officer's MR Bn Mort Btry
map]. I. D. Pombrik and N. A. Arty Bn AT platoon
Shevchenko. (Voyenizdat: Moskva, AD platoon
1985). Front flyleaf. Book on Bn rear
map symbols uses this as an
example.
"Batal'on oboronyayet poberezh'ye" Tank Company
J- 1
(Battalion defends a coastline]. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Artillery battalion in support. Engr squad
"Reshitel'nost' kontratak" Art:, Bn (minus btry)
[Decisiveness of counterattacks]. Tank Company(minus platoon)
I. Velenets. Concerns two bn
counterattacks. Enemy employs MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
three nuclear strikes, aerial Arty Btry
attack, two air assault landings Tank Company
and ground attack.
"Oboronyayetsya batal'on" [The 2 Tank plts AT platoon
battalion is defending]. V. ZSU 23-4 plt AD platoon
Galkin. Battalion defending at ATGM platoon AGS 17 plt
night, supported by the artillery Engr platoon
available to regiment. 2 BTM
"Kontrataka" [Counterattack].
Yu. Zavatskiy. Tank bn counter-
attacks from regimental second
echelon. Night counter attack
battalion and a platoon of ZSU
23-4s.
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye" Arty Bn AT platoon
[Engineer support]. M. Smirnov. Tank Company Medical pt
Concerns night defense and Engr platoon
illumination. Chem recon sqd
"Takticheskaya zadacha" [Tactical
problem]. Bn defending in regt 2d
echelon counterattacks supported
by arty bn and AT btry. Enemy
ground attack supported by
aviation and air assault landing.
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/81. MR Bn (BMP) AT platoon
"Kontrataka" [Counterattack] Arty Bn
S. Shevchenko. Concerns defense Tank Company
of a coastline supported by Mortar btry
additional artillery. The mortar Engr platoon
battery is listed as a reinforce- Chem recon sqd
ment. No mention is made of the
organic mortar battery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/81. "V MR Bn(BMP)
J- 2
ogranichennom sroku" [With Tank Company
limited time]. N. Vinokur. Mortar btry
Defense supported by artillery
battalion. The mortar battery is
listed as a reinforcement. No
mention is made of the organic
mortar battery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/81. MR Bn Mort plt?
"Sistema ognya artillerii pri Tank Company At platoon
podderzhke motostrelkovogo ZSU 23-4 plt
batal'ona" [System of artillery Engr platoon
support for a MR Bn]. V. Il'in &
V. Sofronov. Supported by
artillery battalion and AT
platoon.
"Zenitnaya batareya v boyu" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Air defense battery in combat]. AD btry (4 ZSU 23-4)
V. Subbotin. Composition is map- At least 4 tanks.
derived and thus artillery sub-
ordination is uncertain. Article
clearly shows that the four
ZSU 23-4 AD weapons found at
regiment are organized in a
battery of two platoon, not a
platoon as carried in FM 100-2-3.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/81. MR Bn(BMP) Mort Btry
"Oborudovaniye pozitsiy" Tank Company AD platoon
[Engineer preparation of Arty Btry
positions]. V. Nikul'shin. ZSU 23-4 plt
Exercise in a mountainous desert Engr platoon
region.
"Taktucheskaya zadacha" [Tactical Tank Company
problem]. Actions of a Mortar battery
penetrated battalion during a ZSU 23-4 platoon
counterattack by another MR bn. Engr platoon
Bn supported by an artillery
battalion. Mortar btry is listed
as a reinforcement. No mention
is made of the organic mortar
battery.
"Komandir batal'ona organizuyet Tank Company AT platoon
ogon'" [The battalion commander ZSU 23-4 plt AD platoon
organizes fire]. I. Proskurin. Engr platoon Supply plt
Concerns defensive fire planning.
J- 3
Supported by artillery battalion,
artillery group and regimental AT
platoon.
"Aktivnost' oborony" [Dynamism
in the defense]. V. Tumas.
Composition not totally clear,
but defense is reinforced/
supported by at least one
artillery battalion, supported by
a tank battalion counterattack
and an AT platoon.
"Oborona morskogo poberezh'ya" Arty Bn AT platoon
[Defense of a coastline]. I. Tank Company
Proskurin. Battalion defends a ZSU 23-4 plt
coastline and fortifies a point. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Organizatsiya oborony morskogo 122-mm Btry
poberezh'ya" [Organizing the Tank Company
defense of a coastline]. A. Engr platoon
Tymchenko. Supported by an
artillery battalion, the
regimental AT reserve, and a
battery of coastal artillery.
"Kontrataka v oborone batal'ona" Arty Bn
[Counterattack in the defense of Tank Company
a battalion]. V. Boriskin. Mortar Btry
Voyenny Vestnik 3/77. MR Bn Mort plt
"Komandir batal'ona stavit Arty Bn AT platoon
zadachi artillerii v oborone" AT platoon
[The battalion commander assigns
the artillery mission in the
defense]. Supported by Regimental
artillery group and armored
counterattack force.
"Zashchita voysk pri oborone Tank Company AT platoon
morskogo poberezh'ya" [Protection Engr platoon Supply
of the forces during the defense Chem recon sqd Med point
of a coastline]. V. Tkachev. KhRD vehicle
Enemy employs two nuclear strikes,
a chemical strike and smoke
J- 4
against a coastal defense. Bn
supported by unspecified artillery
and coastal artillery.
"Zenitchiki v oboronitel'nom Arty Bn AD platoon
boyu" [Air defenders in the Tank Company
defense]. V. Subbotin. Air ZSU 23- 4 plt
defense of bn defending a AT reserve
riverline.
"Kogda batal'on vedet Arty Btry
oboronitel'nyy boy" [When the Tank Company
battalion conducts defensive Mortar Btry
combat]. V. Selyavin & L. ATGM podraz
Veselov. Bn supported by arty
battalion and nuclear strike.
Tankovyy batal'on v boyu [Tank Tank Bn Supply plt
battalion in combat]. P. I. Arty Bn Evac Grp
Konoplya & N. A. Maykov. (Moskva: MR Co (-plt) Tech pt
Voyenizdat, 1972). p. 240. Engr platoon
Transition to the defense in Chem recon sqd
direct contact with the enemy.
Voyennyy Vestnik 9/72. Tank Bn Repair &
"Zashchita tankovogo batal'ona Arty Bn Evac Gp
v oborone" [Protection of a tank MR Company Bn rear
battalion in the defense]. V. Engr platoon
Dibrov. Protection against
chemical and nuclear attack.
"Motostrelkovyy batal'on v Tank Company ATGM podr
oborone" [The motorized rifle AD platoon
battalion in the defense]. A.
Serov. Supported by an artillery
battalion and unspecified engineer
assets.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/72. MR Bn (BTR) Mort pit
"Ob ognevykh meshkakh v oborone" Tank Company ATGM podr
[On fire pockets in the defense]. AD platoon
G. Ashin & P. Trifonov. Defending
battalion, supported by an
artillery battalion, is penetrated
but holds with an internal fire
pocket.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/72. "Svyaz' MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
v oborone batal'ona vtorogo ATGM podr
J- 5
eshelona" [Communications in a Bn rear
second echelon battalion in the
defense]. N. Shishov.
Communications diagram shows
variant with a tank company.
Communications are established
with the antitank reserve,
artillery, neighboring tank
subunit, and surrounding units.
Logistics net and specific AD
forces not shown.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/72. Mr Bn Mort plt
"Vzaimodeystviye zenitnoy batarei Tank Company
s podrazdeleniyami MSB v oborone" AD Btry
(Coordination of an air defense Engr platoon
battery with the subunits of a AT platoon
motorized rifle battalion in the
defense]. N. Sharapov. Battalion
battalion.
Military Herald 8/71. "The MR Bn Mort plt
battalion in the defense". M. Tank Company ATGM podr
Tychkov. Bn moves into area &
establishes defense at night.
Artillery battalion in support of
three motorized rifle battalions.
Military Herald 7/71. "Tanks Tank Bn
close the breach". V. Vinnikov.
Tank battalion (company) is
inserted into the breach created
by an enemy nuclear strike to
restore the defense. Theoretical
article does not discuss artillery
support or attachments.
"Communications on the defense". Tank Company ATGM podr
N. Shishkov. Artillery battalion Engr platoon
supports the defending battalion.
"Eliminating the after effects of Arty Btry ATGM podr
enemy nuclear and chemical Tank Company Bn rear
strikes". Yu. Chebotarev. Chem recon sqd
Defense struck by 2-KT nuclear
strike and sarin gas.
Military Herald 3/71. "Defense MR Bn
activity". P. Vashurin. Theory Tank Company
J- 6
of defense article. Artillery and
engineer support are essential,
but recommended size of attachment/
support is unspecified.
Military Herald 1/71. "Control MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
of the result of enemy nuclear Arty Bn ATGM podr
attack". Yu. Lysak and Ye. Tank Company Bn rear
Belousov. Battalion, supported
by regimental anti-tank reserve,
hit by nuclear strike and sarin.
Military Herald 11/70. MR Bn (BTR) ATGM podr
"Battalion combat in encircle- 122-mm Btry
ment". G. Dmitriyev. Bn, trapped Mortar Btry
during an offensive, holds a 10- Tank Company
km perimeter and then breaks out. Engr platoon
Military Herald 10/69. "The MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
role and place of armored Tank Company
personnel carriers. Article on
the use and positioning of the
BTR. Artillery and engineer
support are not addressed.
Military Herald 9/69. "Defense Tank Bn
of a tank company". N. Surikov. Arty Bn
Military Herald 9/69. "Defense MR Bn Mort Btry
of subunits when nuclear weapons Arty Btry AT podr
are not being employed". D. Tank Company
Dragunskiy. Battalion supported
by an artillery battalion and the
anti-tank reserve.
Military Herald 3/69. "Engineer MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
organization of a battalion Arty Bn 57-mm gun plt
defense area" Battalion 120-mm Mort Btry Bn rear
supported by the regimental anti- Tank Company
tank reserve and additional Engr platoon
engineers.
Military Herald 1/69. MR Bn Mort Btry
"Battalion defense on a water Tank Company AT podr
barrier". P. Kukushin.
Battalion Engr platoon supported
by artillery battalion. Battalion
struck by nuclear strike during
defense.
Military Herald 9/68. "An MR Bn
artillery battalion in the Arty Bn
J- 7
defense of a seacoast". N.
Shibayev. Detailed article on
artillery fire planning. Article
provides no further details on the
motorized rifle battalion
compostion or the presence or
absence of tanks, air defense or
engineers.
mortar platoon in the defense." Tank Company
V. Shchetinin. Motorized rifle
battalion supported by an
artillery battalion. During the
defense, the battalion is struck
by a nuclear weapon.
Military Herald 1/67. MR Bn (BTR)
"Strengthening the defense". A. Tank Company
Limno. Article on engineer Engr platoon
support of the defense. AT gun Btry
Artillery support is not
addressed. In an antitank
reserve containing an antitank
battery, the normal engineer
mobile obstacle detachment is a
platoon mounted on three APCs
pulling mining trailers. In an
antitank reserve containing an
antitank battalion, the normal
engineer mobile obstacle
detachment is composed of two or
more platoons. The engineer
platoon can mine one or two
avenues of attack on 2-3 lines
and be echeloned in depth, plus
prepare two sites for demolition.
The engineer company can mine 2-3
avenues of attack with 2-3 lines
on each.
"Controlling the fire of a tank MR Company
company in defense". 0. Vagner
and P. Gromtsev. An artillery
battalion is in support.
"Communications for fire Arty Bn
control". N. Shishov. Motorized Tank Company
rifle company communications.
J- 8
Military Herald 1/66. "Mortar MR Bn 120mm Mort pit
platoon in the defense". G. Tank Company
Salashin. Mortar platoon assigned
to company support. Regimental CP
is located in the second echelon
company area forward of the
supporting artillery battalion.
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v MR Bn Mort plt
sovremennom boyu [The motorized Arty Bn ATGM podr
rifle battalion in modern combat]. Tank Company Bn rear
D. F. Loza, G. I. Garbuz and I. F.
1965). Pp. 308-314. Supported
by additional artillery,
regimental engineers, the
regimental antitank reserve, and a
radiological recon patrol.
Concerns restoration of the FEBA
following an enemy nuclear strike
(9-kt airburst, rocket delivered).
Military Herald 12/65. "System MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
of fire in the defense". N. Tank Company AT gun plt
Miroshnichenko. Unspecified
artillery in support.
Military Herald 9/65. "Engineer MR Bn (BTR 152) 57-mm ATgunplt
improvement of a company strong Tank Company
point". I. Krupnov. Artillery At least two Engr platoons
and mortar support not discussed.
Ground is open hard loam.
Battalion is assigned a 4.5 x 2-km
defensive area and given 1.5 days
to prepare. Battalion is assigned
2 BTM, S-80 tractor bulldozer,
E-305 excavator and a BTU kit for
a tank. Each company received a
KVS-U shelter, a corrugated steel
dugout and two other prefab
dugouts. Company strongpoints
were 1000 x 500 meters with 1,800
meters of continuous trench (plus
600 meters of connecting trench).
Platoon strongpoints were
300 x 200 meters. In 1.5 days, a
BTM, S-80, E-305 and BTU could
install 2400 meters of trench, dig
in a shelter and emplace 10
J- 9
BTR-152s (5 primary and 5 alternate
positions), dig in 3 dugouts,
construct 4 covered shelters for
57-mm guns and dig 15 trenches for
primary squad positions.
Military Herald 9/65. "Combat MR Bn Mort Btry
in an encirclement". I. Loban. Arty Bn AT gun plt
each motorized rifle company Tank Company Bn rear
establishes 1-2 false platoon ATGM podraz
positions. The battalion Engr platoon
establishes a false company
position.
Military Herald 12/64. MR Bn Mort pit
"Communications in a motorized Arty podraz
rifle battalion's defense". A.
Rutskoy. Wire and radio
communications in a defense.
Artillery may be attached or
supporting. No armor is evident
in this example.
"Engineer support in defense". Tank Company AT gun plt
V. Kornev. Engineer company
supports a regiment in preparing
a defense. Fire support assets
are not addressed.
"Artillery battalion in the Arty Bn
defense of a seacoast". M.
Kudryavtsev. Detailed theoretical
article from which little
composition can be derived.
second echelon counterattacks". Tank Company AT gun plt
V. Rusakov. Supported by an Engr platoon Supply plt
artillery battalion and a nuclear
strike. Two counterattacks are
planned.
Military Herald 12/63. "Defense Tank Bn Bn rear
of a tank battalion". A. MR Company (-) Bn Med pt
Kislyakov. Artillery battery in Engr squad
support. Motorized rifle company
is minus one platoon. Three false
company strong points and two tank
J-1O
ambushes are established.
company holds a ridge". A. Tank Company 57mm gun pit
Korolchenko. Second echelon
company hit by a close-to-the-
surface-airburst nuclear strike.
First echelon company fights an
enemy attacking from three
directions. Artillery support
unspecified.
Military 'erald 8/62. MR Bn Mort pit
"Communication3 in the Arty Bn AT podraz
battalion's defense". D. Tank Company Bn supply point
Romanets. Bn Med pt
company in the defense". M. Mant.
Artillery battalion supporting.
Advancing battalion struck by a
nuclear strike and reverts to the
defense.
"Reconnaissance by observation Arty Bn
in a battalion". V. Mankov. Tank Company
Role of observation posts in the Mortar Btry
defense. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 7/61. "A MR Bn 57-mm gun plt
battalion in defense of a sea Mortar Btry
coast". A. Kazaryan and D. 85-mm gun Btry
Reznik. Supported by an Tank Company
J-11
Appendix K- Battalion Composition-Security Detachment
Sovetskoye Voyennnoye Obozreniye MR Bn (BMP) Mort Btry
4/89. "V polose obespecheniya" Arty Bn ATGM plt
(In the security zone]. Forward Tank Company Med Pt
detachment, supported by helos, AD Btry
transitions to the defense during Engr Company
daylight.
"'Storozhevoye okhraneniye" Arty Bn
[Security outposts]. P. Timofeyev. Tank Company
"Perekhod k oborone" [Transition Arty Bn AGS 17 pit
to the defense]. V. Konstantinov. Tank Company AD platoon
Forward detachment goes to a Engr platoon
night defense.
"V storozhevom otryade" [In a Arty Bn
security detachment]. Yu. Tank Company
Korsakov. Advance guard defends Engr platoon
in the security zone.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/79. "Moto- MR Bn Mort plt
strelkovyy batal'on oboronyayetsya Arty Btry ATGM plt
v polose obespecheniya" [A motor- Tank Company
ized rifle battalion defends in AT gun Btry
the security zone]. V. Luchits. Engr platoon
Battalion defends in two
positions.
Military Herald 6/69. "Security MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
at the halt". G. Ionov. Arty Bn
Battalion as a security detach- Tank Company
ment in the security zone. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
division in defense of a security Arty Bn
zone.". A. Tokmakov. Artillery
battalion, attached to a forward
detachment in the security zone,
is attacked by fighter bombers
and two nuclear weapons. Forward
detachment is supported by one
nuclear weapon. No tanks,
engineers or air defense
mentioned.
K-i
Motostrelkovyy batal'on v MR Bn
sovremennom boyu [The motorized Arty Btry
rifle battalion in modern combat]. Tank Company
D. F. Loza, G. I. Garbuz and I. F.
1965). Pp. 274-303. Supported
by at least an artilley battalion
and engineers.
K-2
Appendix L- Battalion Composition -Counter Air Assault Reserve
"V protivodesantnom rezerve" Tank Company AD platoon
[In a counter air assault ZSU 23-4 platoon AGS 17 plt
reserve]. Yu. Groshev. Engr platoon
battalion.
"Combatting airborne landings". Arty
F. Gavrikov. Theoretical article Tanks
recommends that tanks and
artillery be attached to a
motorized rifle battalion for this
mission. Size of attachments is
unspecified.
"Battalion destroys enemy AT gun plt
airborne assault". A. Tsevtkov.
Pure motorized rifle battalion
attacks two air assault infantry
companies.
L-1
Appendix M - Battalion Composition-Withdrawal
Voyennyy Vestnik 1/39. "Ot MR Bn Mort Btry
inertsii-k deystviyam" [From Arty Bn AT plt
inertia to action]. N. Tank Company AGS17 plt
Zhamaletdinov. Supported by Engr platoon AD platoon
aviation, smoke and a ten-minute Bn rear
artillery preparation. Bn med pt
"Vykhod iz boya i otkhod" Arty Bn
[Breaking contact and withdrawal]. Mort Btry
V. Popov. Mortar battery is Tank Company
carried as a reinforcement. No
mention is made of the organic
mortar battery.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/72. "V MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
ar'yergarde" [In the rearguard]. Arty Bn ATGM podr
A. Timoshenko & V. Sayko. Article Tank Company Bn rear
states that typical rearguard Engr Company
motorized rifle battalion (minus platoon)
is reinforced with an artillery ZSU 23-4 platoon
battalion, tank company, engineer
company, ATGM subunit, and air
defense platoon. The typical
rearguard tank battalion is
usually reinforced with an
artillery battalion, a motorized
rifle company, an engineer company
and other subunits.
battalion in the rear guard". A. Arty Bn
Sevast'yanov. Battalion fights SP Arty Btry
a series of holding actions. MR Company
Two Engr platoons
M-1
Appendix N -Battalion Composition -Night Combat
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/89. MR Bn (BMP) 120-mm Mort Btry
"Osobennosti oborony noch'yu" Arty Bn AT plt
[Features of night defense]. A. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
Rybyan. Illumination and the 100-mm AT gun plt
night defense. False company AD platoon
position with dummy equipment Two Engr squads
established.
"Pri zhestkom limite vremeni" Arty Bn
[Under constrained time limits]. MR Company
Introduction of second echelon Engr platoon
battalion in the depths of the
enemy defense. First echelon tank
bn in sector has two MR Cos.
Commitment supported by 3 MI-24
(HIND) helicopters.
"Shtab-opora komandira" [The Arty Bn
staff - the buttress of the MR Company
commander]. The battalion, Engr platoon
serving as a reconnaissance
patrol, advances at night
supported by three MI-24 (HIND)
helicopters.
"Nastupleniye tankovogo batal'ona Arty Bn
noch'yu" [The tank battalion MR Company
attacks at night). B. Sergeyev. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Attack from the march.
"Atakovat' predstoyalo noch'yu" Arty Bn AD platoon
(A night attack was at hand]. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
K. Babitskiy & V. Mel'nichuk. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Batal'on nastupayet noch'yu" Arty Bn AD platoon
[Battalion attacks at night]. Tank Company AGS 17 plt
K. Semerikov & A. Chulanov. Engr platoon
Dismounted attack supported by
ZSU 23-4 platoon and helicopters.
"Batal'on nastupayet noch'yu" Arty Bn
N-i
[Battalion attacks at night] MR Company
V. Godin. Attack from the march. Mortar battery
ZSU 23-4 platoon
Engr squad
Chem recon sqd
"Svetovoye obespecheniye nochnogo Arty Bn
boya" [Illumination support of Tank company
night combat]. N. Vinokur.
Dismounted attack from positions
in direct contact with a
defending enemy.
"Esli boy budet noch'yu" [If Arty Bn
combat is a night]. N. Vinokur. Tank Company
Mortar battery is listed as a Mort Btry
reinforcement. No mention is ZSU 23-4 platoon
made of the organic mortar btry. Engr squad
Chem recon sqd
"Bez pauz - dnyem i noch'yu" Arty Bn
[Day or night without a pause]. Tank Company
M. Kontseropyatov. Dismounted
attack using an arty btry in
support of each first echelon
company while the remaining arty
and mortar btrys fired
illumination.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/74. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plat
"Nastupayet motostrelkovyy 122 mm battery
batal'on" (The motorized rifle Tank Company
advances]. A. Zheltoukhov. AT platoon
Arty Bn in support. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Obespechivaya vstrechnyy boy" Arty Bn
[Supporting a meeting battle]. Tank Company
I. Begishev & A. Ignatov. AD platoon?
Advance guard at night conducts Engr platoon
a meeting battle with engineer BAT
support in illumination, mine MTU
clearing and mine laying. TMM
Mine plows
BTU
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/74. "Noch' MR Bn (BTR) ATGM podr
umelym ne pomekha' [Night is no Arty Bn Mort plt
N-2
difficulty when skill is applied]. Tank Company
V. Usmanov. Communications AD platoon
support. Subordination of mortar
and AD platoon is uncertain.
Voyennyy Vestnik 9/72. "Noch'yu MR Bn Mort plt
s boyevoy strel'boy" [At night Tank Company
with field firing]. B. Engr platoon
Shchitikov. Discusses Chem recon sqd
illumination and fire control.
battalion.
"Minometnaya batareya v nastu- Arty Bn
plenii noch'yu" [A mortar battery Mortar Btry
in the night offensive]. V. Tank Company
Dement'yev. Regimental mortar Engr platoon
battery supports attack through Chem recon sqd
defending company and helps stop
counterattack. Attack supported
by nuclear strike, mortar battery
of adjacent regiment and
regimental antitank reserve.
"Batal'on nastupayet noch'yu" Tank Company ATGM podr
[The battalion advances at night].
B. Nazerenko. Attack from
positions in direct contact
supported by artillery battalion.
Additonal artillery support for
phase II fires. Bn immediate
mission to the rear of the
defending company. Advances
through defending battalion. No
mention of engineer support.
Military Herald 10/69. "Field MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
firing at night". F. Demin and 122-mm Btry
P. Kudinov. Battalion attacks Tank Company
to immediate mission (defending Engr platoon
battalion rear) and subsequent Chem recon sqd
mission (brigade reserve).
"Battalion attack at night". SP How platoon AT plt
A. Remez and L. Zheleznyak. Tank Company
Battalion, supported by at least Engr platoon
one artillery battalion and an MTU
airburst nuclear strike, attacks Chem recon sqd
from a position in direct contact
N-3
with a defending enemy.
Military Herald 3/67. "Engineer Tank Bn (less one company)
work in the battalion". A. Two BTU
Kovshov. Tank battalion road MR squad trained to emplace
marches and occupys a second mines
echelon position in a regimental
defense during the night.
Engineers assist in digging in
the battalion at night. The
third tank company is attached to
a first echelon motorized rifle
battalion. All tanks were dug
into sandy-clayey soil in four
hours. Two hundred AT mines were
emplaced by the squad.
Military Herald 7/66. "A MR Bn Mort pit
battalion advances at night". Tank Company AT pit
S. Vikarchuk. Artillery Engr platoon
battalion supporting. Battalion
attacks as part of a two-
battalion attack from the march.
Military Herald 2/64. "Actions MR Bn Mort pit
of a battery at night". Daylight Tank podraz AT gun pit
combat with enemy in a hasty
defense continues into the night.
Artillery battalion supports.
Military Herald 10/62. "Tankers Tank Bn
attack at night". G. Petrovskiy. Rifle Company
Nonilluminated company attack, Engr Squad
supported by a nuclear strike
and undetermined artillery.
Military Herald 10/62. MR Bn 57mm gun pit
"Direction of a company in a Tank Company
night attack". V. Gamov and N. 120-mm Mortar Btry
Lepin. Illuminated rifle company
attack against a prepared defense.
Supported by undetermined
artillery.
N-4
Appendix 0- Battalion Composition-Combat in Swampy, Forested
Terrain
"Obkhodyashchiy otryad b gorno- Arty Btry
tayezhnoy mestnosti" [The flanking Tank Company
detachment in mountain-taiga Engr platoon
terrain]. G. Kochurov. Supported
by 4 Mi-24 HIND helicopters and a
company sized air assault.
"Nastupayet batal'on" [Battalion Tank Company AD platoon
advances]. N. Savkin. Dismounted Engr platoon AGS 17 plt
daylight attack supported by Chem recon sqd
artillery.
"S uchetom spetsifiki" Arty Bn AT plt
[Attention to detail]. R. Tank Company AD plt
Mustafin. Signal support in a Engr platoon Signal plt
battalion. Med pt
Maint grp
"Otrazheniye kontrataki v lesu" Tank Company
(Repulsing a counterattack in the
forest]. Yu. Ladygin. MR company
defending in forest. Bn supported
by artillery battalion.
Voyennyy Vestnik 4/76. Tank Bn Bn rear
"Marsh v rasputitsu" [The march MR Company
during the spring thaw]. V. Engr platoon
Krasnikov & L. Titov. March to MTU squad
defensive position. BAT squad
TMM squad
Voyennyy Vestnik 10/74. MR Bn 82-mm Mort
"Boy v lesisto-bolotistoy Arty plt plt
mestnosti" [Combat in forested Tank Company AT platoon
swampy terrain]. V. Nesteruk. 120-mm Mort Btry
Attack against an enemy going Engr platoon
over to the defense. Additional Chem recon sqd
artillery supports the attack.
"Tyl batal'ona v oborone v gorno- Mortar Btry Supply plt
tayezhnoy mestnosti" (The Tank retriever Medical pt
battalion rear in the defense in Maint pit
0-1
mountain-taiga terrain]. N. Tech point
Malygin. No discussion of fire
support.
"Vstrechnyy boy v gorno-tayezhnoy
mestnosti" [Meeting battle in
mountain-taiga terrain]. I.
Svitov. Force on force exercise
between two pure tank battalions.
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/73. "Na MR Bn (BTR)
marshe v vesennyuyu rapnutitsu" Arty Btry
(A march during the spring thaw]. Tank Company
P. Popov. Conduct of a 200-km Engr platoon BAT-M
march under difficult conditions. BTU MTU
Military Herald 12/71. "In a MR Bn Mort det (plt?)
covering detachment". V. Altunov. 122-mm Btry AA platoon
Actions of a flanking detachment Engr det (plt?)
in September and again during Chem recon sqd
winter. Mentions that a mortar
battery is frequently prefered to
a howitzer battery due to
transportability in this terrain.
Military Herald 1/69. "Defense MR Bn (BTR) Mort Btry
in mountain-taiga terrain". N. 122-mm Btry
Malyugin. Company level defense. Tank Company
Military Herald 4/67. "In MR Bn Mort plt
forested terrain". V. Hesteruk. 122-mm Btry AT plt
March, night attack and night Tank platoon
pursuit through difficult terrain. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 4/67. "In the Tank Bn
advance during the bad road Engr platoon (4 BTRs)
season". Author not listed in Two mine removal vehicles
translation. Tank battalion, MTU
serving as a flanking detachment Two ferry boat
during an advance against a Truck with winch
delaying enemy, negotiates rough
country and river obstacles.
"Motorized rifle battalion 120-mm mort Btry Bn rear
defends in a forest". A. Tank Company
Smol'skiy. Supported by an Engr platoon
artillery battery. Terrain, not Chem recon sqd
accessible everywhere for troops
and tanks, can allow a battalion
0-2
to defend on a front of up to 7
kms, instead of the usual 5 km.
Company frontages can be up to 3
kms with gaps between companies
of 1-3 kms. The FEBA should be at
least 150 meters forward of the
forest edge or deeper in, but
never on the forest edge. In the
article, the enemy opened a 2.5-km
gap with a nuclear strike. The
reserve was used to plug the gap.
Military Herald 11/64. "Special MR Bn (BTR)
features of an attack in swampy- Arty or mortar podraz
forest terrain". B. Shubin and Tank Company
V. Shul'gin. Detailed Engr platoon
description and norms for the 1-2 MTU
attack. 1-2 BAT
Portable bridge
Military Herald 9/64. MR Bn Arty AT plt
"Operations of an antiaircraft 120-mm Mortar Btry
battery on swampy forest terrain". Tank Company
V. Limarenko and V. Buteyev. AA Btry
Artillery support not mentioned. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 8/64. "In a MR Bn AT gun plt
wood-marshland". S. Bikarchuk. Tank Company
Movement, attack, pursuit and Engr platoon
defense in a marshland. Fire Chem recon sqd
support, other than by the
organic gun platoon, is not
mentioned.
"Competence victorious". A.
Ivanov. Supported by undetermined
artillery in a winter attack
acrossa semi-frozen swamp.
0-3
Appendix P-Battalion Composition-Combat in Mountains
"V obkhodyashchem otryade" Arty Btry
[In a flanking detachment]. Engr platoon
N. Zaitsev. Second echelon bn MTU-20
supported by helicopters and BAT
company-sized air assault. Chem recon sqd
"Komandir - organizator boya" Arty Bn
[The commander - the organizer of MR Company
the battle]. Attack from the ZSU 23-4 plt
march supported by helicopters. Engr plt
Chem recon sqd
"Tanki idut na pereval [Tanks SP Arty Bn
negotiate a pass]. V. Markov. MR Company (BMP)
Mrach and meeting engagement. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Engr platoon
MTU
Two recovery vehicles
Chem recon sqd
Voyennyy Vestnik 2/85. MR Bn (BMP) Mort plt?
"Boy v gorakh" (Mountain combat]. Arty Bn
A. Shul'gin. Attack from the Tank Company
march supported by Mi-24 HIND ZSU 23-4 platoon
helicopters and aircraft. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Razvedka i zashchita flangov" Arty Bn
[Reconnaissance and flank Engr platoon
protection]. Yu. Labyrin.
Bn seizes and holds a pass.
"Organizator ognevogo Arty Bn AT platoon
porazheniya" [The organizer of
fire destruction]. V. Barlit.
Artillery support in mountain
combat.
"S uchetom gornogo rel'yefa" Arty Bn
[Considering mountainous terrain]. Tank Company
B. P'yankov & A Bil'chanckiy. Flamethrower Company
States that this is the usual AD platoon
P-I
composition for a battalion in Engr platoon
the mountains which is operating Chem recon sqd
away from the main body. One or two MTU
Recovery vehicle
"V obkhodyashchem otryade" [In Arty Bn
a flanking detachment]. V. Engr platoon
Danil'chenko.
"Usilennyy motostrelkovyy Arty Bn
batal'on nastupayet v gorakh" Tank Company
[Reinforced motorized rifle Engr Company
battalion advances in the Chem recon sqd
mountains]. V. Popov.
"Boy za pereval" [Battle for the Arty Bn
pass]. A Drozdov. Mortar btry Tank Company
listed as a reinforcement, with Mortar Battery
no mention made of the organic ZSU 23-4 platoon
mortar battery.
"Marsh i vstrechnyy boy v 76mm mtn gn Btry ATGM podr
goristoy mestnosti" [March and Tank platoon Bn rear
meeting battle in hilly terrain]. Mortar Btry (120-mm)
K. Andreev. Advance guard Engr platoon
activity. MTU
Chem recon sqd
"Ucheniye minometnoy batarei s Mortar Btry
boyevoy strel'boy" [Exercise of Tank Company
mortar battery with field firing].
M. Pravilov. Fire support of a
flanking detachment in hilly
terrain.
Military Herald 9/71. "March Tank Bn Signal plt
and meeting engagement of a tank Arty Bn Bn rear
battalion in mountains". A. MR platoon
Zyryanov. Advance guard in the Engr platoon
march and meeting battle.
Military Herald 3/70. "Defense Tank Bn
by a tank battalion in the Arty Bn
mountains". A. Zyryanov. Tank Company
Battalion transitions from Engr platoon
pursuit to defense. Enemy
employs nuclear strike against the
P-2
defense.
battalion on the offensive in the MR Company
mountains". A. Zyryanov. Attack Engr platoon
from the march utilizing air and
artillery strikes. Battalion is
battalion.
"Training for firing in 120-mm mortar Btry
mountains". M. Pravilov. 76-mm mountain gun Btry
Regimental advance guard fights Tank Company
in the mountains. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 2/66. "The MR Bn Mor pit
artillery battalion in the Arty Bn
mountains". G. Gumenyuk. Tank Company
Advance guard seizes a pass for Engr platoon
the main body. Chem recon sqd
"Communications in an attack in Arty Bn
the mountains". N. Grinberg. Tank Company
Besides title, article addresses Engr platoon
communications with a flanking
detachment (company-sized) and
with a specialized detachment
(a company-sized force designed
to destroy or capture enemy
nuclear weapons).
Military Herald 11/63. "Defense MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
in the mountains". A. Dorofeyev. Mtn gun Btry AT gun plt
Artillery battalion supports. SP Arty plt Bn Med pt
Enemy launches a nuclear strike AA Btry
and attacks into a fire pocket. Engr platoon
Excellent example of the use of
artillery to hold the nose of a
fire pocket.
Military Herald 9/63. MR Bn AT gun podr
"Peculiarities of the attack of Mortar Btry
a company in the mountains". P. Tank Company
Belous. Supported by a nuclear
strike. Artillery support cannot
be determined.
"Mistakes which could have been 122-mm Btry AT gun plt
P-3
avoided". G. Ashin and P. Tank Company
Trifonov. Battalion probably has
1-2 more batteries of 122-mm or a
120-mm mortar battery attached or
supporting. Article is about a
rifle company attack from
positions in direct contact.
P-4
Appendix Q-Battalion Composition-Combat in Polar Regions/Winter
Conditions
Voeyennyy Vestnik 12/80. MR Bn
"Osobennosti boyevykh deystviy Arty Btry
v zapolyar'ye" [Features of Company of swimming tanks
military actions in the polar Engr Company
region]. G.A. Andresyan. AD platoon
"Engineer support of the defense 122-mm How Btry
in the zaployar'ye". S. Malyugin Two tank platoons
and N. Panasov. Article deals Engr platoon
with preparation of the defense Chem recon sqd
in July. The platoon has a bull-
dozer, an E305 excavator, a tank
dozer kit, a prime mover, four
steel shelters, 1.5 tons of
explosives, 1000 AT mines and 1800
AP mines. The article states that
2-2.5 times more labor is consumed
in earthmoving than in normal
soil.
Military Herald 7/66. "The Tank Bn
flanking detachment in the MR Company (BTR 50P)
arctic". I. Manzhurin. A Engr platoon
flanking detachment travels over Chem recon sqd
"impassable terrain" to seize an Two prime movers
important pass for the main body.
This is an amphibious tank
battalion (probably PT76) which
negotiates several flowing and
stationary water obstacles.
Military Herald 10/65. "An MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
attack by a motorized rifle Mortar Btry AT gun plt
battalion in the northern Tank Company
regions". A. Akomov. Supported Engr platoon
by an artillery battalion. Tanks Chem recon sqd
and trucks are amphibious.
Military Herald 9/65. "The Tank Bn Bn rear
defense of a tank battalion in Arty Btry
the arctic". I. Manzhurin. MR Company
Forward detachment transitions Engr podraz
to the defense and prepares Chem recon sqd
positions at night.
Q-1
Military Herald 10/64. "An MR Bn Mort plt
attack by a motorized rifle Mortar Btry AT gun plt
battalion in the northern Tank Company
regions". A. Akmov. Artillery Engr platoon
battalion (minus one battery) Chem recon sqd
supports. Attack is against a
reinforced motorized infantry
company. Following the attack and
pursuit, the battalion is
designated a forward detachment
and an additional platoon of
amphibious tanks and two
amphibious trucks are attached.
"Operations of an artillery Arty Bn
battalion in arctic regions".
P. Katasonov. Motorized rifle
battalion, in conjunciton with
another battalion moves to
eliminate a battalion-sized
airborne drop which has seized a
town with an airstrip, warehouses,
etc. The battalion attacks on
skis.
Q-2
Appendix R-Battalion Composition-Protection Against Weapons of
Mass Destruction
Voyennyy Vestnik 8/85 MR Bn (BMP)
"Zashchita batal'ona ot Tank Company
neytronnogo oruzhiya" [Protecting
the battalion from neutron
weapons]. N. Stefanov. Arty Bn
in support.
"V tselyakh sokhraneniya Arty Bn AT platoon
boyesposobnost'" [For the purpose Tank Company
of preserving combat potential]. ZSU 23-4 platoon
A Polyak & A. Ponomarev.
"Pokaznoye ucheniye" Arty Bn
Demonstration training]. S. ZSU 23-4 plt
Kalinovsky. Attack from the Engr squad
march. Chem recon sqd
"Spasatel'nyye raboty v ochagakh Arty Bn
porazheniya" [Rescue work in Tank Company
strike centers ]. P. Zolotarev. AD force
Battalion attacking in the
depths of the enemy is hit with a
20-KT nuclear strike.
Military Herald 7/67. "Using MR Bn Mort plt
organic manpower and equipment". Arty Btry AT plt
A. Isayuk and M. Kharin. Tank Company Bn rear
Battalion hit by a nuclear strike Chem recon sqd
during an attack from the march.
At least one battery of artillery
in support.
this problem". Battalion, moving Arty Bn AT gun plt
from the reserve to an attack Tank Company Bn rear
from the march, is hit by a 3-kt Engr platoon
and a 2-kt strike and a sarin Chem recon sqd
strike.
Military Herald 6/67. "The MR Bn Bn rear
commander estimates the radiation Tank Company
situation". A. Martyunov, Yu.
Baulin and Ya. Belezerov.
Battalion exploits nuclear and
R-1
artillery fire to attack the enemy
from the march. The artillery
support is not specified. The
article explains the use of
charts, tables and nomographs to
solve radiation exposure problems.
Military Herald 6/67. "Under MR Bn (BTR) Bn rear
employment of nuclear weapons". Chem recon sqd
B. Abramtsev. Battalion attacks
defending enemy utilizing effects
of an airburst nuclear weapon.
The battalion column is struck by
a ground burst nuclear strike
during the attack and an air burst
nuclear strike after rupturing the
tactical defenses. No mention is
made of supporting armor,
artillery or engineers.
Military Herald 6/67. "With a MR Bn
chemical defense company". A.
Stoklov. Motorized rifle
battalion, operating as a forward
detachment, is contaminated by
fallout from a nearby nuclear
burst. A chemical defense company
decontaminates the battalion. No
mention is made of armor,
artillery, engineer or air defense
support.
Military Herald 6/67. "Solve MR Bn AT plt
this problem". A battalion Arty Bn
attacks to exploit an air burst Tank Company
nuclear strike, breaks the enemy Engr platoon
defenses and is fighting in the Chem recon sqd
depth of the enemy defense when
trailing second echelon battalion
is hit by a nuclear strike. The
enemy reserve is preparing to
counterattack.
Military Herald 9/66. "After MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
nuclear strikes". V. Shamshurov. Arty Bn 57mm AT plt
A second echelon battalion of a Tank Company
defending regiment is struck by Engr platoon
two airburst nuclear strikes.
The article deals with measures
to restore combat effectiveness
following a nuclear strike.
R-2
"Together with tactics". M. 122mm How Btry
Mal'nov. Advance guard in the Mortar platoon
march and meeting battle is hit Engr squad
with sarin gas and moves through Chem recon sqd
a radiated zone from a surface
burst nuclear strike. No tanks
are involved.
Military Herald 2/64. "Chemical MR Bn
defense company operates from the Tank Company
march". G. Dedovikov. Motorized
rifle battalion with tank company
is contaminated by adjacent
nuclear strike. Chemical defense
company decontaminates the force.
No artillery is accompanying the
force.
R-3
Appendix S-Battalion Composition-Relief in Place
"Smena podrazdeleniy" [Relief of Mortar Btry
subunits]. V. Popov. Defensive
position relieved. Supported by
unspecified artillery.
S-i
Appendix T-Battalion Composition-March
"Vmeste s tankistami" [Together Arty Bn
with tank crews]. V. Trishin. ZSU 23-4 Btry
Four part exercise consisting of
a march, attack from the march,
river crossing, and meeting
engagement. Primarily concerned
with air defense protection of
the force.
Voyennyy Vestnik 7/76. MR Bn (BTR 60-PB) AD unit
"Protivovozdushnaya oborona v Tank Company AT platoon
batal'one" [Battalion air Mortar Btry Bn rear
defense]. A. Bulatov & I. ZSU 23-4 Btry (4)
Polyakov. Bn in assembly area
and march.
"Zadacha No. 1" [Problem No. 1]. Arty Bn ATGM podr
Advance guard on the march. Tank Company Signal plt
AD platoon Supply plt
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"S uchetom real'noy obstanovki" Arty Bn
[Taking into acount realistic Tank Company
circumstances]. A. Demidov.
Force-on-force exercise involving
a march, meeting battle,
transition to the defense, an
attack from the march and a
chemical attack.
"Inzhenernoye obespecheniye Arty Bn
marsha noch'yu" [Engineer support Tank Company
of a night march]. M. Smirnov. Engr platoon BAT
MTU
BTU
Recon sqd
Two sqds
"Marsh i vstrechnyy boy v 76'-mm Mtn gun Btry ATGM podr
goristoy mestnosti" [The march 120-mm Mort Btry Signal plt
& meeting battle on hilly Tank platoon Spt podr
terrain]. K. Andreev. Advance Engr platoon
T-1
guard actions. One MTU
Chem recon sqd
"Organization of communications Tank Company ATGM podr
for troop management". V. Supply plt
Shadrin. Article on march route Commo plt
communications. No mention is
made of artillery, AD or engineer
forces.
"Tactical and marching drill Mortar Btry Bn rear
lessons with a battalion". V. Tank Company
Vinnikov. March and attack from Antitank Arty Btry
the march utilizing a nuclear
strike. Battalion immediate
defending battalion.
"Disposition of troops for a halt Arty Bn
and outpost security". I. Glebov. Tank Company
Concerns security of an assembly Engr platoon
area during a halt. Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 3/66. "How to MR Bn (BTR) Bn rear
form a march column". V. Savkin. Arty Bn
Placement of elements in a march Tank Company
colurn. Engr platoon
AA platoon
Chem recon sqd
Military Herald 3/64. "A march MR Bn
by a field artillery battalion". Arty Bn
G. Mozgovoy. Artillery battalion Two tank Companies
marches as part of an advance
guard.
Military Herald 3/64. "Control MR Bn Mort plt
of an antiaircraft battery on the Two Arty Btrys 85-mm Btry
march and in a meeting engage- Two Tank Companies Bn rear
ment". D. Miloserdov.
Military Herald 6/63. "Warning MR Bn
small units on the march and in Arty Btry
battle". V. Burkovskiy. Tank Company
Establishment of a special radio
net to warn the elements of a
battalion of approaching enemy
aircraft.
T-2
Military Herald 5/63. "Engineer Tank Bn Bn rear
support of the march of a tank Arty Bn
battalion". F. Akulishnin. Rifle platoon
Engr platoon
battalion exercise". A. Serov. Arty Btry
Exercise lasting from 2000 21 Engr platoon
to 0600 23 January testing the Chem recon sqd
alert, march, meeting battle,
pursuit, and defense.
Military Herald 5/63. "Anti- MR Bn Supply plt
aircraft defense of the motorized 120-mm mortar Btry
rifle battalion on the march". Tank Company
A. Luginin. Air defense of a AA Btry
regimental advance guard. Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
T-3
Appendix U - Battalion Composition - Combat in the Desert
"Sapery deystvuyut s tankamy v MR Company
pustyne" [Combat engineers serve Engr platoon
with tanks in the desert]. V. IMR
Semenkov. Attack against a BAT
well prepared defense. No
mention is made of fire support.
Voyennyy Vestnik 9/76. MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt ?
"Vstrechnyy boy v pustyne" Arty Bn
[Meeting battle in the desert]. Tank Company
A. Grubyy. Advance guard actions.
"Nastupayut tankisty" [The 122 howitzer Btry
tankers advance]. N. Madudov. ZSU 23-4 platoon
Attack from the march supported Engr squad
by unspecified additional Chem recon sqd
artillery and three nuclear
strikes.
"Zashchita podrazdZ*iiiy v gorno- Arty Bn
pustynnoy mestnost," [Defense of Engr platoon
subunits in a hiliy desert]. Chem recon sqd
Yu. Nuzhdin & A. Bogatov. Defense
of a march from chemical and
nuclear attack.
Military Herald 3/68. "An MR Bn (BTR) Mort plt
exercise with a mortar battery 122-mm Arty Bn
involving live firing". M. Mortar Btry
Pravilov. 120-mm mortar battery Tank Company
attached to MR Bn participates in AT gun platoon
a march and meeting battle in Engr platoon
arid mountainous terrain. Column Chem recon sqd
attacked by gas, two nuclear
weapons and fighter bombers.
"Artillery battalion desert Tank Company
operations". N. Korf and I Gapon.
Artillery battalion supports an
attack from the march against
prepared defenses. Exact
composition difficult to
determine.
U-I
Appendix V-Battalion Composition-Amphibious Landing
Voyennyy Vestnik 5/74 MR Bn (BTR) ATGM podr
"Svyaz' v morskom desante" Arty Bn Repair &
[Communications in an amphibious Tank Co (swimming) Evac Gp
landing]. D. Moskalenko. Mortar Btry
Linkup with air assault landing. AD Btry
Chem recon sqd
V-1
Appendix W - Battalion Composition -Air Assault
"Batal'on v takticheskom Engr platoon ATGM podr
vozdushnom desante" (Battalion Chem recon sqd Gun btry?
in a tactical air assault]. AD plt?
M. Tychkov. Battalion seizes a
bridge and the far bank of a
river supported by a nuclear
strike, fighter bombers and, when
it has advanced within range, an
battalion of an air assault Arty Btry
force. K. Urtayev. From the
translation, the subordination of
the battery cannot be proven. I
beleive that it is the organic
76-mm cannon battery of the
motorized rifle battalion.
battalion in an airborne landing". 122-mm How Btry AT podr
V. Chernyak. Assault supported Engr platoon
by a nuclear strike. Chem recon sqd
"Communications in an air Mortar Btry AT plt
assault". N. Shiskov. Control AT platoon Signal plt
group consists of two APCs and a Engr squad
truck. 1st APC-Cdr, Cdr attached Chem recon sqd
mortar battery. 2d APC-Chief of
staff. Truck- Arty LNO. Assault
is within supporting artillery
range.
W-1
Appendix X - Battalion Composition - Combat in Built-up Areas
Sources Bn w/attachments Organic
Military Herald 9/71. "Artillery MR Bn
combat in a city". S. Dudarev. Arty Bn
Actions of an artillery battalion AT Arty Btry
as part of an assault detachment. ATGM podr
Engr platoon
Chem recon sqd
"Battalion advances in a Arty Bn AT gun plt
populated point". A. Zyryanov. Tank Company
Detailed article on actions of Engr platoon
an assault detachment.
Military Herald 6/70. "Mortar MR Bn
battery operations in a city". Mortar Btry
V. Odnoletkov and M. Pankov.
Mortar support to an assault
detachment. No other support or
attachments specified.
Military Herald 3/70. "Combat MR Bn Mort plt
in a large city". A. Dorofeyev. Arty Bn AT podr
Article deals with the formation Tank Company
of an assault group within an Engr platoon
assault detachment in the offense. Chem recon sqd
The detachment first echelon can
take a block; two blocks require
commital of the second echelon.
Military Herald 8/69. "The MR Bn
attack in a city". L. Kuznetsov. Guns of various calibers
Theoretical article with no Tanks
examples. Engineer podr
Chemical troops podr.
X-1
Appendix Y-Batalion Composition-Combat under Winter Conditions
Military Herald 2/71. "Winter MR Bn Mort plt
attack". V. Sabalyauskas. Arty Bn ATGM podr
Winter, not necessairily a polar Two Tank Companies
article. Attack by personnel Engrs
on skis towed by tanks during
Dvina exercises.
"Battalion defense in winter". Arty Btry ATGM podr
V. Zhukov. Artillery battalion Tank Company
in support of a battalion Engrs
defending a river line during the
Dvina exercises.
Military Herald 5/66. "The MR Bn AT plt
experience of combat introduced Arty Btry
into training". V. Nesteruk. Tank Company
Use of ski-mounted enveloping
detachments in forested, snow
covered terrain. Use of howitzers
as direct fire tank killers.
Military Herald 2/66. "Winter MR Bn Bn rear
in a contaminated area". A. SP arty Btry
Shalyapin. Attack from the march Tank Company
through an irradiated zone. Engr platoon
Tank dozer
Military Herald 12/63. "Winter MR Bn Mort plt
operations of a motorized rifle 122-mm Btry AT gun plt
M. Sotskov. Advance guard fords Engr platoon Bn rear
a river and attacks the enemy on Chem recon sqd
the flank.
Military Herald 11/63. "Easily MR Bn Mort plt
controlled". L. Kozlovskiy and How Btry 57-mm gun plt
Ta. Davydov. Winter meeting 120-mm Mortar Btry
battle supported by a nuclear Tank Company
strike. During the pursuit, the
battalion mounts skis to continue
the attack.
Y-1

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