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CGSC Student Text 100-40OFFENSI VE AND DEFENSI VE

TACTICS7 JUNE 1999

DISTRIBUTION RELEASE: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Thematerial in this manual is under development. It is NOTapproved doctrine and CANNOTbe

used for reference or citation. The content of this student text is the same as the 28 January1999 edition used by CGSOC during the 1999-2000 class. The format of this student text was

slightly changed in the translation from MSWORD to ADOBE PDF format.

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Student Text Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate

100-40 Command and General Staff College

7 June 1999 Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-1352

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE TACTICSTABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................xi

PART I: THE ART OF TACTICSCHAPTER 1: THE ART OF TACTICS

THE TACTICAL LEVEL OF WAR................................ ................................ .............................. 1-2THE SCIENCE AND ART OF TACTICS................................ ................................ ..................... 1-3

The Science...................................................................................................................................................1-3

The Art..........................................................................................................................................................1-4

Historical Example ....... ....... ....... ....... ...........................................................................................................1-6

HASTY VERSUS DELIBERATE OPERATIONS................................ ................................ .......1-8Choice and Tradeoffs....................................................................................................................................1-9

Risk Reduction...........................................................................................................................................1-11

SOLVING TACTICAL PROBLEMS ................................ ................................ .......................... 1-14

CHAPTER 2: LAND FORCE DOMINANCE

BATTLEFIELD ORGANIZATION ................................ ................................ ........................ 2-3

Decisive Operations .....................................................................................................................................2-4Shaping Operations ......................................................................................................................................2-6

Sustainment Operations................................................................................................................................2-7

OPERATIONAL CONTINUUM ................................ ................................ ................................ ....2-7Single or Multiple Decisive Operations.......................................................................................................2-9

Sequencing of Decisive Operations ....... ....... ....... ....... ........................................................................... ......2-9

Organization of the AO ....... ....... ....... ........ .......................................................................... ....... ........ .......2-10

Situational Understanding ........ ....... ....... ....... .......................................................................... ....... ....... ....2-11

Relative Combat Power....................................................................................................... ....... ........ .......2-11

HISTORICAL EXAMPLE ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 2-11

CHAPTER 3: BASIC TACTICAL CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONSDOCTRINAL HIERARCHY ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........3-1

THE FACTORS OF METT-TC................................ ................................ ................................ ......3-3Mission .........................................................................................................................................................3-3

Enemy...........................................................................................................................................................3-4

Terrain and Weather.....................................................................................................................................3-4

Troops...........................................................................................................................................................3-7

Time Available ....................................................................................................................................... ......3-7

Civil Considerations ....... ....... ....... ....... .........................................................................................................3-8

BATTLEFIELD OPERATING SYSTEMS................................ ................................ ................... 3-9Deploy/Conduct Maneuver....... ....... ....... ....... ............................................................................................3-10

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CHAPTER 3 (Continued)Develop Intelligence..................................................................................................................................3-11

Employ Firepower......................................................................................................................................3-12

Perform Logistics and Combat Service Support ....... ....... ....... ....... ...........................................................3-13Exercise Command and Control................................................................................................................3-14

Protect the Force........................................................................................................................................3-16

BASIC TACTICAL CONCEPTS ................................ ................................ ................................ .3-18Area of Influence........................................................................................................................................3-18

Area of Interest...........................................................................................................................................3-18

Close Combat.............................................................................................................................................3-19

Combat Power............................................................................................................................................3-19

Combined Arms .........................................................................................................................................3-19

Culminating Point ....... ....... ....... ....... ..........................................................................................................3-20

Decisively Engaged....................................................................................................................................3-21

Defeat in Detail..........................................................................................................................................3-21

Defeat Mechanism .....................................................................................................................................3-21

Flanks .........................................................................................................................................................3-22Interior Lines..............................................................................................................................................3-23

Lines of Communication......... ....... ....... ....... ..............................................................................................3-23

Mutual Support ..........................................................................................................................................3-24

Operation....................................................................................................................................... ....... ......3-24

Piecemeal Commitment ....... ....... ....... ....... .................................................................................................3-24

Supporting Distance...................................................................................................................................3-25

Supporting Range.......................................................................................................................................3-25

Tactical Mobility ...... ........ ....... ....... ............................................................................................................3-25

BASIC TACTICAL GRAPHIC CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ....................... 3-26Air Corridor................................................................................................................................................3-27

Area of Operations and Boundaries...........................................................................................................3-28

Assembly Areas .........................................................................................................................................3-34

Checkpoint .................................................................................................................................................3-35Contact Point..............................................................................................................................................3-36

Direct Fire Control Measures....................................................................................................... ....... ......3-36

Fire Support Coordinating Measures.........................................................................................................3-38

Fire Support Targets..................................................................................................................................3-43

Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT)....... ....... ....... ....... ...........................................................................3-44

Line of Contact...........................................................................................................................................3-45

Named Area of Interest....... ....... ....... ....... ..................................................................................................3-45

Obstacle Control Measures........................................................................................................................3-45

Phase Lines.................................................................................................................................................3-49

Position Areas for Artillery........................................................................................................................3-50

Targeted Area of Interest...........................................................................................................................3-51

PART TWO: OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

CHAPTER 4: THE BASICS OF THE OFFENSETYPES OF OFFENSIVE ACTIONS ................................ ................................ ............................. 4-1

Movement to Contact...................................................................................................................................4-2

Attack...........................................................................................................................................................4-2

Exploitation ..................................................................................................................................................4-2

Pursuit ..........................................................................................................................................................4-2

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CHAPTER 4 (Continued)COMMON OFFENSIVE CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ................................ ....4-3

Assault Position ........ ....... ....... ....... ...............................................................................................................4-3

Assault Time ....... ....... ....... ....... .....................................................................................................................4-3Attack-by-fire Position ....... ....... ....... ....... .....................................................................................................4-3

Attack Position....................................................................................................................................... .......4-4

Axis of Advance ....... ....... ....... ....... ...............................................................................................................4-5

Direction of Attack.......................................................................................................................................4-5

Final Coordination Line................................................................................................................................4-6

Limit of Advance ....... ....... ....... ....... ..............................................................................................................4-6

Line of Departure..........................................................................................................................................4-7

Objective.......................................................................................................................................................4-8

Point of Departure........................................................................................................................................4-8

Probable Line of Deployment..... ....... ....... ....... .............................................................................................4-8

Rally Point ....................................................................................................................................................4-9

Support-by-fire Position....................................................................................................... ....... ....... .......4-10

Time of Attack...........................................................................................................................................4-10FORMS OF OFFENSIVE MANEUVER ................................ ................................ ..................... 4-11

Penetration.................................................................................................................................................4-11

Frontal Attack............................................................................................................................................4-15

Envelopment..............................................................................................................................................4-19

Turning Movement....................................................................................................................................4-22

Infiltration ..................................................................................................................................................4-28

COMMON OFFENSIVE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS ................................ .................. 4-34Deploy/Conduct Maneuver....... ....... ....... ....... ............................................................................................4-35

Develop Intelligence.................................................................................................................................. 4-44

Employ Firepower.....................................................................................................................................4-45


Exercise Command and Control............. ....... ....... .....................................................................................4-48

Perform Logistics and Combat Service Support............. ....... ....... ............................................................4-50

TRANSITION OPERATIONS................................ ................................ ................................ ......4-51

CHAPTER 5: MOVEMENT TO CONTACTORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....5-3

Security Forces....................................................................................................................................... ......5-4

Main Body ....................................................................................................................................................5-6

CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 5-6

PLANNING A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT ................................ ................................ .............. 5-8

EXECUTION OF A MOVEMENT TO CONTACT ................................ ................................ ..5-10Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact..... ....... ....... ........ .................................................................................5-12

Disrupt the Enemy.....................................................................................................................................5-15

Fix the Enemy............................................................................................................................................5-16Maneuver...................................................................................................................................................5-16

Follow Through.........................................................................................................................................5-17

SEARCH AND ATTACK ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............5-17Organization ..............................................................................................................................................5-17

Control Measures.......................................................................................................................................5-18

Planning a Search and Attack....................................................................................................................5-19

Execution of a Search and Attack....... ....... ....... ....... ..................................................................................5-19

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CHAPTER 6: ATTACKORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....6-1

Security Forces.............................................................................................................................................6-2

Main Body....................................................................................................................................... ....... ......6-2Reserve.........................................................................................................................................................6-3

Sustainment ..................................................................................................................................................6-4


PLANNING AN ATTACK ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 6-5Deploy/Conduct Maneuver..........................................................................................................................6-6

Develop Intelligence..................................................................................................................................6-12


Exercise Command and Control................................................................................................................6-13


ATTACK PREPARATIONS................................ ................................ ................................ .........6-14

EXECUTION OF AN ATTACK................................ ................................ ................................ ...6-18Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact ....... ....... ........ ....... ...............................................................................6-20

Disrupt the Enemy......................................................................................................................................6-21

Fix the Enemy.............................................................................................................................................6-21

Maneuver....................................................................................................................................... ....... ......6-23

Follow Through..........................................................................................................................................6-32

UNIQUE CONSIDERATION OF EACH FORM OF ATTACK ................................ ............. 6-34Ambush ....................................................................................................................................... ....... ........6-34

Counterattack.............................................................................................................................................6-39

Demonstrations and Feints.........................................................................................................................6-42

Raid ............................................................................................................................................................6-42

Spoiling Attack...........................................................................................................................................6-43

CHAPTER 7: EXPLOITATION

ORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....7-2Reconnaissance and Security....................................................................................................... ....... ....... ..7-4

Sustainment Operations ....... ....... ....... ....... ...................................................................................................7-4


PLANNING FOR AN EXPLOITATION ................................ ................................ ...................... 7-6

EXECUTION OF AN EXPLOITATION ................................ ................................ .................... 7-12Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact ....... ....... ........ ....... ...............................................................................7-14


Fix the Enemy.............................................................................................................................................7-15

Maneuver....................................................................................................................................... ....... ......7-15

Follow Through..........................................................................................................................................7-16

CHAPTER 8: PURSUITORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....8-2Frontal ..........................................................................................................................................................8-3

Combination.................................................................................................................................................8-4


PLANNING FOR PURSUIT ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 8-7

EXECUTION OF A PURSUIT ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 8-9Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact ....... ....... ........ ....... ...............................................................................8-10


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CHAPTER 8 (Continued)Fix the Enemy............................................................................................................................................8-12

Maneuver...................................................................................................................................................8-12Follow Through.........................................................................................................................................8-13

PART THREE: DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

CHAPTER 9: BASICS OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONSHISTORICAL EXAMPLE ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 9-1

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ..................... 9-4Area Defense ....................................................................................................................................... ....... ..9-4

Mobile Defense....................................................................................................................................... ......9-4

Retrograde....................................................................................................................................................9-5

COMMON CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ................................ ............................ 9-5Main Battle Area ..........................................................................................................................................9-5

Forward Edge of the Battle Area....... ....... ....... ....... ......................................................................................9-6

Battle Positions....................................................................................................................................... ......9-7

Fire Support Coordination Measures........................................................................................................9-11

Direct Fire Control Measures....................................................................................................................9-11

COMMON PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS ................................ ................................ ...........9-14Deploy/Conduct Maneuver....... ....... ....... ....... ............................................................................................9-15

Develop Intelligence.................................................................................................................................. 9-22

Employ Firepower.....................................................................................................................................9-23

Perform Logistics and Combat Service Support............. ....... ....... ............................................................9-25

Exercise Command and Control............. ....... ....... .....................................................................................9-28


COMMON DEFENSIVE SITUATIONS ................................ ................................ ..................... 9-33Defense Against Airborne and Air Assault Attacks ....... ....... ....... ....... .....................................................9-33Defense of a Linear Obstacle............. ....... ....... ..........................................................................................9-34

Perimeter Defense .....................................................................................................................................9-35

Reverse Slope Defense..............................................................................................................................9-41

TRANSITION OPERATIONS................................ ................................ ................................ ......9-45

CHAPTER 10: THE AREA DEFENSEORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ..10-2

Reconnaissance Operations.......................................................................................................................10-2

Security Operations................................................................................................................................... 10-2

Main Battle Area Operations.....................................................................................................................10-3

Reserve Operations ................................................................................................................................... 10-3

Sustainment Operations....................................................................................................... ....... ........ .......10-5CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 10-5

PLANNING AN AREA DEFENSE................................ ................................ ............................... 10-7Position Selection......................................................................................................................................10-9

Positioning the Reserve....................................................................................................... ....... ........ .....10-13

Spoiling Attacks and Counterattacks......................................................................................................10-14

PREPARATION OF AN AREA DEFENSE ................................ ................................ ..............10-15

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CHAPTER 10 (Continued)EXECUTION OF AN AREA DEFENSE ................................ ................................ ................... 10-17

Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact ....... ....... ........ ....... .............................................................................10-19

Disrupt the Enemy....................................................................................................................................10-22Fix the Enemy...........................................................................................................................................10-23

Maneuver....................................................................................................................................... ....... ....10-23

Follow Through........................................................................................................................................10-26

CHAPTER 11: THE MOBILE DEFENSEHISTORICAL EXAMPLE................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 11-2

ORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ..11-4

CONTROL MEASURES ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 11-5

PLANNING FOR THE MOBILE DEFENSE ................................ ................................ ............. 11-7Deploy/Conduct Maneuver........................................................................................................................11-7


Perform Logistics and CSS........................................................................................................................11-8Protect the Force........................................................................................................................................11-8

PREPARATION FOR A MOBILE DEFENSE ................................ ................................ .......... 11-9

EXECUTION OF A MOBILE DEFENSE ................................ ................................ .................. 11-9Gain and Maintain Enemy Contact ....... ....... ........ ....... .............................................................................11-10

Disrupt the Enemy....................................................................................................................................11-10

Fix the Enemy...........................................................................................................................................11-11

Maneuver....................................................................................................................................... ....... ....11-12

Follow Through........................................................................................................................................11-14

CHAPTER 12: THE RETROGRADEHISTORICAL EXAMPLE................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 12-2

DELAY................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 12-3Organization of Forces...............................................................................................................................12-4

Control Measures.......................................................................................................................................12-5

Plan ............................................................................................................................................................12-7

Prepare.....................................................................................................................................................12-15

Execute.....................................................................................................................................................12-16

Termination of a Delay.............................................................................................................................12-20

WITHDRAWAL ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 12-20Organization of Forces.............................................................................................................................12-21

Control Measures.....................................................................................................................................12-23

Plan ..........................................................................................................................................................12-24

Prepare.....................................................................................................................................................12-25

Execute.....................................................................................................................................................12-26

Termination of a Withdrawal....................................................................................................... ....... .....12-27RETIREMENT ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 12-27Organization of Forces.............................................................................................................................12-28


COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT IN THE RETORGRADE................................ ................... 12-29

UNIQUE RETROGRADE SITUATIONS................................ ................................ ................. 12-31Denial Operations ....................................................................................................................................12-31

Stay Behind Operations ....... ....... ....... ....... ...............................................................................................12-33

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PART FOUR: ENABLING OPERATIONS

CHAPTER 13: SECURITY OPERATIONSFUNDAMENTALS OF SECURITY OPERATIONS................................ ................................ .13-2Provide Early and Accurate Warning....... ....... ....... ....... ............................................................................13-2

Provide Reaction Time and Maneuver Space....... ....... ....... ....... ........................................... ....... ....... ......13-3

Orient on the Force or Facility to Secure.................................................................................................. 13-3

Perform Continuous Reconnaissance......... ....... ....... ....... ..........................................................................13-3

Maintain Enemy Contact....... ....... ....... ....... ........................................................................... ....... ....... ......13-3

HISTORICAL EXAMPLE ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 13-4

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SECURITY OPERATIONS ................................ ......13-5Common Security Control Measures........................................................................................................13-5

Planning Considerations for Security Missions ....... ....... ....... ....... ............................................................13-6

Movement into Security Areas for Stationary Security Missions............ ....... ....... ............. ....... ........ .....13-11

Movement During Moving Security Missions........ ....... ........ ....... ......................................... ....... ....... ...13-12

SCREEN................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........13-16Critical Tasks for a Screen....... ....... ....... ....... ..........................................................................................13-16

Organization of Forces....... ....... ....... ....... ................................................................................................13-17

Screen Control Measures....................................................................................................... ....... ....... ...13-17

Execution of a Stationary Screen....... ....... ....... ....... .................................................................................13-18

Execution of a Moving Screen................................................................................................................13-19

Screening Operations During Limited Visibility ........ ....... ....... ....... .......................................................13-22

GUARD................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........13-22Organization of a Guard Force................................................................................................................13-23


Advance Guard........................................................................................................................................13-25

Flank Guard .............................................................................................................................................13-27

Rear Guard...............................................................................................................................................13-30

COVER................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........13-30Organization of a Covering Force...........................................................................................................13-31

Offensive Cover......... ....... ....... ....... .........................................................................................................13-33

Flank Cover .............................................................................................................................................13-35

Defensive Cover ....... ....... ....... ....... ..........................................................................................................13-35

AREA SECURITY................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 13-37Sustainment Area Security Operations....... ....... ....... ....... ....................................................................... 13-39

Route Security..........................................................................................................................................13-49

Convoy Security.......................................................................................................................................13-49

COMBAT OUTPOSTS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 13-55

CHAPTER 14: TROOP MOVEMENT

FORMS OF TACTICAL MOVEMENT ................................ ................................ ...................... 14-3Tactical Road March................................................................................................................................. 14-3

Approach March......................................................................................................................................14-10

MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....14-10

PLANNING FOR TACTICAL MOVEMENTS................................ ................................ ........14-14

PREPARATIONS FOR TROOP MOVEMENTS ................................ ................................ ....14-17

EXECUTION OF TROOP MOVEMENTS ................................ ................................ ..............14-18

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CHAPTER 15: RELIEF IN PLACEORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ..15-2


PLANNING A RELIEF IN PLACE ................................ ................................ ............................. 15-3PREPARATION FOR A RELIEF IN PLACE ................................ ................................ ............ 15-5

CONDUCTING A RELIEF IN PLACE................................ ................................ ....................... 15-6

CHAPTER 16: PASSAGE OF LINESORGANIZATION OF FORCES ................................ ................................ ................................ ..16-1


PLANNING A PASSAGE OF LINES ................................ ................................ .......................... 16-4

CHAPTER 16 (Continued)FORWARD PASSAGE OF LINES ................................ ................................ .............................. 16-7

Preparing for a Forward Passage of Lines.......... ....... ....... .........................................................................16-8

Execution of a Forward Passage of Lines............. ........ ....... ......................................................................16-8

REARWARD PASSAGE OF LINES ................................ ................................ ........................... 16-9Planning for a Rearward Passage of Lines....... ....... ....... ....... .....................................................................16-9

Preparation for a Rearward Passage of Lines............ ....... ....... ................................................................16-10

Conduct of a Rearward Passage of Lines.......... ....... ....... ....... ..................................................................16-11

APPENDIX A: ARMY BRANCHES AND TACTICAL ECHELONSCOMBAT ARMS................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. A-2

Air Defense Artillery...................................................................................................................................A-3

Armor ....................................................................................................................................... ........ ....... ....A-4

Aviation....................................................................................................................................... ....... ........ .A-4

Corps of Engineers......................................................................................................................................A-5

Field Artillery ....... ....... ....... ....... ..................................................................................................................A-6

Infantry ....................................................................................................................................... ....... ....... ...A-6Special Operations Forces ....... ....... ....... ........ .......................................................................... ........ ....... ....A-7

COMBAT SUPPORT................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... A-9Aviation....................................................................................................................................... ....... ........ .A-9

Chemical Corps...........................................................................................................................................A-9

Corps of Engineers......................................................................................................................................A-9

Military Intelligence ....... ....... ....... ....... ......................................................................................................A-10

Military Police Corps ....... ....... ....... ....... ....................................................................................................A-10

Signal Corps..............................................................................................................................................A-11

Special Operations Forces ....... ....... ....... ........ .......................................................................... ........ ....... ..A-11

COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT ................................ ................................ ................................ . A-12Adjutant General Corps ....... ....... ....... ....... ................................................................................................A-13

Aviation....................................................................................................................................... ....... .......A-13

Chaplain Corps..........................................................................................................................................A-13Corps of Engineers....................................................................................................................................A-13

Finance Corps ...........................................................................................................................................A-13

Medical....................................................................................................................................... ....... ....... .A-14

Ordnance Corps........................................................................................................................................A-14

Quartermaster Corps.................................................................................................................................A-15

Transportation Corps................................................................................................................................A-15

TACTICAL ECHELONS................................ ................................ ................................ ............. A-15Companies, Batteries, and Troops............................................................................................................A-16

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APPENDIX A (Continued)Battalions and Squadrons ....... ....... ....... ....... ..............................................................................................A-17

Brigades, Regiments, and Groups.............................................................................................................A-19

Division......................................................................................................................................................A-20Corps..........................................................................................................................................................A-21

APPENDIX B: TACTICAL TASKSATTACK BY FIRE................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... B-2

BLOCK................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. B-3

BREACH................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... B-4

BYPASS................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. B-5

CANALIZE................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... B-7

CLEAR ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. B-8

CONTAIN ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... B-8

CONTROL................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ B-9

COUNTERRECONNAISSANCE ................................ ................................ ................................ .. B-9DEFEAT................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ B-9

DESTROY................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... B-10

DISENGAGEMENT................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... B-10

DISRUPT................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... B-11

EXFILTRATE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ B-12

FIX ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... B-13

FOLLOW AND ASSUME ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ B-14

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... B-15

INTERDICT ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...B-17

ISOLATE................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ B-18

NEUTRALIZE ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... B-18

OCCUPY................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... B-19

OVERWATCH................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... B-19

REDUCE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... B-20

RETAIN................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... B-20

SECURE................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... B-20

SEIZE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. B-21

SUPPORT BY FIRE ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... B-21

SUPPRESS................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... B-22

TURN ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. B-22

APPENDIX C: AIRBORNE AND AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS

FACTORS COMMON TO BOTH OPERATIONS................................ ................................ .....C-1Use of the Reverse Planning Process..........................................................................................................C-1

Meteorological Conditions..........................................................................................................................C-2

AIRBORNE OPERATIONS................................ ................................ ................................ ........... C-3Organization of Forces....... ....... ....... ....... ....................................................................................................C-3

Control Measures.........................................................................................................................................C-4

Planning Considerations......... ....... ....... ....... ................................................................................................C-8

Execution of Airborne Operations............................................................................................................C-10

AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ...C-12

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Organization of Forces..............................................................................................................................C-13

APPENDIX C (Continued)Control Measures......................................................................................................................................C-14

Planning Considerations ....... ....... ........ ....... ........................................................................... ....... ....... .....C-15Execution of Air Assault Operations........................................................................................................C-17

APPENDIX D: ENCIRLCLEMENT OPERATIONSOFFENSIVE ENCIRCLEMENT OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ...... D-1

Organization of Forces................................................................................................................................D-1

Control Measures........................................................................................................................................D-3

Planning an Encirclement ....... ....... ....... ....... ...............................................................................................D-4

Execution of an Encirclement....................................................................................................... ....... .......D-5

DEFENDING ENCIRCLED ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... D-9

BREAKOUT FROM ENCIRCLEMENT ................................ ................................ ................... D-12Organization for Forces for a Breakout....................................................................................................D-13

Control Measures for a Breakout..............................................................................................................D-15Planning for a Breakout ....... ....... ....... ....... ................................................................................................D-16

Execution of a Breakout............................................................................................................................D-17

EXFILTRATION................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... D-20

ATTACKING DEEPER INTO ENEMY TERRITORY ................................ .......................... D-20

LINKUP OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. D-21Control Measures for Linkup....................................................................................................... ....... ......D-21

Execution...................................................................................................................................................D-22

REFERENCES ................................ ................................ ................................ .Reference -1

GLOSSARY................................ ................................ ................................ ........Glossary -1

CONCORDANCE ......................................................................................Concordance -1

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PREFACE

Tactics is the art and science of employing all available means to win battles and engagements. Specifically, it

comprises the actions taken by a commander to arrange units and activities in relation to each other and the enemy. This

student text focuses on the organization of forces, minimum essential control measures, and general planning, prepara-

tion, and execution considerations for each type and form of offensive and defensive action.

This student text introduces concepts associated with the art of tactics associated with the conduct of offensive and

defensive actions. It cannot be read in isolation. To understand this text, the reader must understand the theory of

operational level art, the principles of war, and the linkages between the operational and tactical levels of war described

in FM 100-5, Operations. The reader should understand that during the conduct of operations a commandermay or

may not conduct offensive, defensive, stability, and support actions simultaneously. This conduct of simultaneous

actions is more likely to occur at higher tactical echelons. The reader should understand the plan, prepare, execute, and

assess cycle described in FM 100-34, Command and Control, and how that cycle relates to the military decision making

process (MDMP) described in FM 101-5, Staff Organization and Operations. What follows in this text flows from

these discussions and provides the foundation to understand the basics of tactical offensive and defensive actions and

build tactical skill.

The ability to seize and secure terrain, with its populations and productive capacity, is the distinguishing character-

istic of land forces conducting combat operations. This student text provides a common discussion of how commanders

from the battalion task force through the corps echelon conduct offensive and defensive tactical actions and their

supporting enabling operations. While it focuses on the tactics used to employ available means to win in combat; those

tactics require judgment in application.

This student text has sixteen chapters and four appendices divided into four parts. Part I describes the Art and

Science of Tactics, explains how the operational framework established in FM 100-5 applies at the tactical level, and

defines common tactical concepts and control measures. (NOTE : Chapter 2 contains one approach to an opera-

tional framework designed to meet the full range of requirements of todays Army that, in accordance with the

National Security Strategy, must remain engaged throughout the world while preparing for two major theaters

of war. I t is not the only approach to this subject and final decisions on this matter are pending within TRADOC

doctrinal development channels. Chapter 2 is not authoritative in nature and should be regarded as an article

presented for publication in a professional military journal.) Part II describes offensive operations. Within Part II,Chapter 4 discusses the basics of offensive operations. Each succeeding chapter discusses a specific type of offensive

operations and builds upon those basics of the offensive found in Chapter 4. Likewise, in Part III, Chapter 9 discusses

the basics of defensive operations with each succeeding chapter discussing a specific type of defensive operations.

Part IV discusses enabling operations, those operations conducted to assist the conduct of any of four types of

military actions (offense, defense, stability, and support). Since combined arms reconnaissance operations, combined

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PART ONE:

THE TACTICAL ART

I also knew how to take up a position for a division, or evenan army corps, but the stupid little subaltern' game of the

defense of a drift with a small detachment was, curously

enough, most perplexing.

MG Swinton,The Defense of Duffers Drift


Chapter 1: The Art of Tactics

Chapter 2: Land Force Dominance

Chapter 3: Basic Tactical Concepts and

Definitions

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War is, above all things, an art, employing science in all its branches as its servant, but depending firest

and chiefly upon the skill of the artisan. It has its own rules, but not one of them is rigid and invariable.

As new implements are devised new methods result in its mechanical execution, but over and above all its

mechanical appliances it rests upon the complex factors of human nature, which cannot be reduced toformulas and rules.

CPT Francis V. Greene, 1882

Chapter 1

THE ART OF TACTICS

Tactics is the art and science of employing

available means to win battles and engage-

ments. It is the employment of units in

combat. It is the ordered arrangement and

maneuver of units in relation to each other, the

terrain, and the enemy to achieve their full

lethality.

1-2. This is the capstone man-

ual for the tactical level of

offensive and defensive actions.

This is a manual for professionals and requires dedication and study to master. It is

authoritative and provides guidance in the form of combat-tested concepts and ideas

modified to take advantage of emerging Army and joint capabilities, focusing on the

tactics used to employ available means to win in combat. Those tactics are not prescri p-

tive in nature but require judgment in applic ation.

1-3. The principles of war are the fundamental

truths governing combat operations. Their

proper application is essential to the exercise of

command and the successful conduct of military

operations. The degree of application for each

principle varies with the situation. Blind adhe r-

ence to these principles does not guarantee

success, but each deviation may increase the risk

of failure. The principles of war lend rigor and

focus to the purely creative aspects of tactics and

CONTENTS

The Tactical Level of War ......................... 1-2

The Science and Art of Tactics .............. .... 1-3

The Science ........................................... 1-3

The Art ..................................................1-4

Historical Example ................................ 1-6

Hasty Versus Deliberate Operations........... 1-8

Choice and Tra deoffs.............................1-9

Risk Reduction............... ................ ...... 1-11

Solving Tactical Problems ....................... 1-14

PRINCIPLES OF WAR

Objective

Offensive

MassEconomy of Force

Maneuver

Unity of Command

Security

Surprise

Simplicity

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provide a crucial link between pure theory and actual application. They are discussed in

FM 100-5, Operations.

1-4. The tactics and sup-

porting techniques and proce-

dures described in this manual

are only starting points for the

tactician who must understand

the difference between tactics

and techniques and proce-

dures. Tactics always require judgment and adaptation to the unique circumstances of a

specific situation. Both techniques and procedures are established patterns that can be

applied repeatedly with little or no judgment in a wide variety of circumstances. Ta c-

tics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) provide the tactician with a set of tools to use in

developing the solution to a tactical problem. The solution to any specific problem is a

unique combination of these TTP or the creation of new ones based on a critical evalu a-

tion of the situation. The tactician determines his solution by a thorough mastery of

doctrine and existing TTP, tempered and honed by experience gained through training

and operations. He uses his creativity to develop solutions for which the enemy is ne i-

ther prepared for, nor with which he can cope.

THE TACTICAL LEVEL OF WAR

1-5. The levels of war are doctrinal perspectives that clarify the links between strategic

objectives and tactical actions. Although there are no finite limits or boundaries b e-

tween them, the three levels are strategic, operational, and tactical. They apply to all

types of military actions.

1-6. The tactical level of war is the level of war at which battles and en-

gagements are planned and executed to accomplish military objectives

assigned to tactical units or task forces. Activities at this level focus on

the ordered arrangement and maneuver of combat elements in relation toeach other and to the enemy to achieve combat objectives. It is important to

understand tactics within the context of the levels of war. The strategic and operational

levels provide the context for tactical operations. Without this context, tactical oper a-

tions are reduced to a series of disconnected and unfocused actions. Engagements are

linked to battles. One or more battles are linked to winning major operations and ca m-

Tacticsare the arrangement of forces and capabil i-

ties on the battlefield.

Techniquesare the general and detailed methods

used by troops and commanders to perform as-

signed missions and functions, specifically, the

methods of using equipment and perso nnel.

Proceduresare standard and detailed courses of

action that describe how to perform tasks.

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paigns, leading to operational success, which can lead to strategic success. (See FM

100-5 for a discussion of major o perations and campaigns.)

1-7. An engagement is a small, tactical conflict between opposing maneu-

ver forces, usually conducted at brigade level and below. An engagement

normally lasts only a short time minutes, hours, or a day. It can result from one

sides deliberate offensive movement against an opponent or from a chance encounter

between two opponents, such as a meeting engagement. An engagement can be a stand-

alone event or one of several related engagements comprising a battle.

1-8. A battle is a series of related tactical engagements that last longer

and involve larger forces than an engagement. It may affect the course of the

campaign. A battle occurs when a division, corps, or army commander fights for one or

more significant objectives. Battles are usually operationally significant, if not oper a-

tionally decisive.

1-9. Levels of command, size of units, types of equipment, or types of forces or compo-

nents are not associated with a particular level of war. National assets, such as

intelligence and communications satellites, previously considered principally in a strat e-

gic context, are an important adjunct to tactical operations. Actions can be defined as

strategic, operational, or tactical based on their effect or contribution to achieving str a-

tegic, operational, or tactical objectives, but many times the accuracy of these labels can

only be determined during historical studies.

1-10. Advances in technology, information age media reporting, and the compression

of time-space relationships contribute to the growing inter-relationships between the

levels of war. The levels of war help commanders visualize a logical flow of operations,

allocate resources, and assign tasks to the appropriate command. However, commanders

at every level must be aware that in a world of constant, immediate communications,

any single event may cut across the three levels. See FM 100-5, Operations, for a dis-

cussion of the other levels of war.

THE SCIENCE AND ART OF TACTICS

1-11. The tactician must understand and master the science and the art of tactics, two

distinctly different yet inseparable co ncepts.

THE SCIENCE

1-12. The science of tactics encompasses the understanding of those mili-

tary aspects of tactics capabilities, techniques, and procedures that

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can be measured and codified. The science of tactics includes the physical cap a-

bilities of friendly and enemy organizations and systems, such as determining how long

it takes a division to move a certain distance. It also includes techniques and procedures

used to accomplish specific tasks, such as the tactical terms and control graphics that

comprise the language of tactics. While not easy, the science of tactics is fairly

straightforward. Much of what is contained in this manual is the science of tactics

techniques and procedures for employing the various elements of the combined arms

team to achieve greater effects.

1-13. Mastery of the science of tactics is necessary for the tactician to understand the

physical and procedural constraints under which he must work. These constraints i n-

clude the effects of terrain, time, space, and weather on friendly and enemy forces.

However because combat is an intensely human activity the solution to tactical

problems cannot be reduced to a formula. This realization necessitates the study of the

art of tactics.

THE ART

1-14. The art of tactics consists of three interrelated aspects: the creative

and flexible array of means to accomplish assigned missions, decision

making under conditions of uncertainty when faced with an intelligent en-

emy, and understanding the human dimension the effects of combat on

soldiers. An art, as opposed to a science, requires the exercise of intuitive faculties

that cannot be solely learned by study. The tacticians study must be tempered and his

skill evolved through a wide variety of relevant, practical experiences. The more exp e-

rience the tactician gains from practice under a variety of circumstances, the greater his

mastery of the art of tactics.

1-15. The tactician invokes the art of tactics to solve tactical problems by choosing from

interrelated options including:

l Types and forms of operations, forms of maneuver, and tactical tasks.

l Task organization of available forces, to include the allocation of scarce r e-

sources.l Arrangement and choice of control measures.

l Tempo of the operation.

l Risks the commander is willing to take.

These options represent a starting point for the tactician to create a unique solution to a

specific tactical problem. Each decision represents a choice among a range of options,

each balances competing demands requiring judgment at every turn. While there may

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be checklists for techniques and procedures, there are no checklists for solving tactical

problems. The commander must not look for a checklist approach to tactics: instead, he

must use his experience and creativity to ou tthink his enemy.

1-16. The first aspect of the art of tactics is the creative and flexible application of the

tools available to the commander, such as doctrine, tactics, techniques, procedures,

training, organizations, material, and soldiers, in an attempt to render the enemys sit u-

ational tactics ineffective. The factors of mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops,

time available, and civil considerations (METT-TC) are variables whose infinite mut a-

tions always combine to form a new tactical pattern. (Chapter 3 discusses the factors of

METT-TC.) They never produce exactly the same situation; thus there can be no

checklists that adequately address the unique situation. Because the enemy changes and

adapts to friendly moves during the planning, preparation, and execution of an oper a-

tion, there is no guarantee that a technique that worked in one situation will work again.

Each tactical problem is unique and must be solved on its own merits.

1-17. The second aspect of the art of tactics is decision making under conditions of u n-

certainty and demonstrated by the clash of opposing wills a violent struggle between

two hostile, thinking, and independent opponents with irreconcilable goals. Each co m-

mander wants to impose his will on his opponent, defeat his opponents plans, and

destroy his opponents forces. Combat consists of the interplay between these two op-

posing commanders, with each commander seeking to accomplish his mission while

preventing the other from doing the same. The tactician needs a high degree of creati v-

ity and clarity of thought to outwit a willing and able opponent.

the conflagration of battle had lit the sky just north of us. But each of us in

the headquarters unit had been so busy that we had not fully grasped the imme n-

sity of the struggle, or its destructiveness. But as the sky brightened, I looked

around and saw hundreds and hundreds of burned and twisted vehicles. Fifty I s-

raeli tanks lay shattered on the field. Around them were the hulks of 150

Egyptian tanks plus hundreds of APCs, jeeps, and trucks Here and there Israeli

and Egyptian tanks had destroyed each other at a distance of a few meters, barrel

to barrel. It was if a hand-to-hand battle of armor had taken place. And insidethose tanks and next to them lay their dead crews you could see Egyptian and

Jewish dead lying side by side, soldiers who had jumped from their burning tanks

had died together. No picture could capture the horror of the scene; none could

encompass what had happened there. On our side that night we had lost 300 dead

and hundreds more wounded. The Egyptian losses were much, much heavier.

Ariel Sharon,Warrior

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1-18. The third and final aspect of the art of tactics is understanding the human dime n-

sion what differentiates actual combat from the problems encountered during training

and in a classroom. Combat is one of the most complex human activities characterized

by friction, uncertainty, and chance. Success depends at least as much on this human

aspect as it does on any numerical and technological superiority.

1-19. These human aspects cannot be ignored. The tactician seeks to recognize and e x-

ploit indicators of fear and weakness in his enemy, and to defeat the enemys will, since

soldiers remain key to the generation of combat power. More than any other human a c-

tivity, continuous combat operations against an intelligent enemy takes a toll on soldiers,

severely straining their physical and mental stamina. This creates in soldiers the tang i-

ble and intangible effects of courage, fear, combat experience, exhaustion, isolation,

confidence, thirst, and anger. If left unchecked, these effects can result in decreased

vigilance, slowed perception, inability to concentrate, communication difficulties, and

an inability to accomplish manual tasks.

1-20. Leaders must be alert to indicators of fatigue, fear, lapses in discipline standards,

and reduced morale in friendly and enemy soldiers. They must work to counteract the

effects on the friendly force while taking measures to enhance these effects on the e n-

emy. When the friendly force has the initiative, it can force the enemy to conduct

continuous operations to react to friendly actions and then exploit the effects of contin u-

ous operations on the enemy. These conditions can have a cumulative effect on units

that can lead to collapse. The commander must understand how these effects impact

human endurance and factor them into his plans. He must understand the limits of h u-

man endurance in combat. This is the subtle difference between pushing soldiers

beyond their limits to exploit success versus resting them to prevent the collapse of unit

cohesion. (Additional discussion concerning the effects of continuous combat operations

is found in FM 100-34, Command.)

HISTORICAL EXAMPLE

1-21. The following vignette discusses the American Revolutionary War Battle of Co w-

pens and illustrates the need for the tactician to combine the effects of the science of

tactics with his application of the tactical art.

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COWPENS, 17 JANUARY 1781

On 17 January 1781, American BG Daniel Morgan defeated British LTC Tarleton a t the Cowpens in

South Carolina in a battle that captures the essence of the art of tactics the use of intuitive faculties that

cannot be learned solely by study. Although outnumbered, Morgans troops fought and won against a prev i-

ously unbeaten opponent. The battle achieved decisive results with strategic signif icance.

In December 1780, BG Morgan was sent with 600 men into the South Carolina highlands under orders to

protect Americans, forage, and threaten British control of the highlands. His opponents force, LTC Tarl e-

tons British Legion numbered nearly 1,000 men and consisted of a combined cavalry -infantry force reinforced

with additional infantry and two three-pounder guns, was sent in pursuit of Morgan. By 16 January 1781,

Tarleton had closed to within six miles of Morgan's force.

Having known of Tarleton's mission since 14 January, Morgan obtained information on Tarleton's tactical

style while he began to retreat. With Tarleton so close on 16 January and his own camp nearly six miles from

the Broad River, Morgan decided to fight at the Cowpens. While the two forces were now roughly the samesize, Morgan had only about one-third of the cavalry, one-third of the regular line infantry, and no artillery.

However, his militia force's rifles had a

longer range than the British muskets,

and the terrain allowed him to mask his

reserves from view. Morgan deployed

his forces on the battlefield, confident

that Tarleton would not attempt to

flank his position . Rather, Morgan

believed that Tarleton would initially

attack him with part of his cavalry

supported by infantry, wait for confu-sion, and then exploit those

vulnerabilities with his cavalry reserve.This had been his pattern of operations

in previous engagements with the

Americans.

In the main line of battle, Morgan

placed his Continentals and Virginia

militia, who were former Continentals,

on the military crest of the rise under

COL Howards command. They num-

bered 450. About 150 meters downhill,

toward the expected reaction of the

enemy, he stationed the bulk of his

militia under the command of COL

Pickens. Another 150 meters down thehill, he positioned a skirmisher line of

150 militia riflemen. Behind the hill,

he placed LTC Washingtons 120-

strong cavalry force in reserve. Each

line was within rifle range but out of

musket range of the line behind it. As

explained to his men the night before,

skirmishers only needed to fire one or

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two shots and then retire to the second line. In turn, the militia in the second line only needed to fire two

volleys. Then they could retire to their left around to the rear of the hill and, protected by the cavalry, reform.

The cavalry would counterattack British cavalry as the situation allowed, guard the militia horses, or cover a

retreat if necessary.Tarleton deployed his forces from their march formation into a line, with three light infantry companies

on the right, the Legion infantry in the center, and one regular British battalion on the left of this main line.

He stationed one troop of cavalry on each flank of the main line, and one, three-pounder gun on either side of

the Legion infantry. He kept the other regular British battalion and the remainder of his Legion cavalry in

reserve. The British immediately came under fire from the skirmishers. Tarleton sent a troop of dragoons to

disperse them while his main forces deployed. The dragoons lost 15 of 50 men. The skirmishers retired to the

American second line.

Tarleton then assaulted the second line. His artillery opened fire, but a pparently on the third line. The

American rifle fire disrupted his formation. When his forces closed to within 50 meters of the second line,

they received a volley from the militia that staggered and further disrupted his forces. The expected second

volley from the militia was more ragged as the militia began to withdraw. Seeing this movement, Tarleton

ordered his right-hand troop of dragoons to charge the militia as it withdrew. The American cavalry charged

this troop and overwhelmed it, driving the dragoons off the field in accordance with Morgans plan.As the British moved hastily forward to assault the main American position, they further lost their coh e-

sion as a firefight between the two forces ensued. Tarleton ordered his reserve infantry battalion up to the left

of his line for this assault, and the cavalry troop on his left to encircle the American line. This move ou t-

flanked the American line. Mor

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