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DD t,1120-129-76

DEFENSEINTELLIGENCE AGENCY

DIR
Defense
Intelligenee
Report

SOVIET TANK
i,t COMPANYTACTICS
MAY 1976
SOVIET TANK COMPANYTACTICS

DDr-l120-129-'t
6

This docubmt waspreparedby Major A. Hemesley


eLR of the CroundForces/MBFRBranch,
Sovi€t/Vrrsar, Pact Division, DirectorateIfor Intelligeaie (R"*-"h a;t6;^""d
publication by authodty of the Di.ector, Orfense fiteffd;nc.-,lge"cn.-'-" * is rcleasedfor
PREFACE

This study of Soviet tank company tactics is written as a "how they fight" nranual.Many
of the conccptsand methods used by the Sovietsappearto ihe US or NATO military rcader
so alien that there is a temptation to say "This is unworkable."The readershould apprcciate
that the Soviet tank company commanderhas a vastly different task than his US or NATO
equivalcnt.His task is to train and lead his company as dirccted by well establishedpdnciples
set out in field sewiceregulations,and as interprctedby his superiors.The companyfigllts either
as pafi of a battalion size unit, or with the closesupport of other tank, motorized rifle, and
artillery units. Th€ battalion is the basic unit of maneuverin the Soviet Ground Forcesand
a company is b€st rcgardedas a fire team.

Thc information used in the study has becn drawn from a wide variety of sourccs.In order
to ensurcwide diss€minationsomedetailsof equipme[tshavebcea describedin a gcneralmanner.
In this way the study can be issuedas an UNCLASSIFIEDdocument.Tlre rcadcr needingto
study equipmentdetailshds been providcd with basicdata in the enclosurcs.It stroulclbe noted
that equipment differs from on€ Sovict ullit to another and there are also minor differenccs
in personnelmanninglevels. The study is written using a type organizationand manninglevgl
which is defined in the text.

lu
CONTENTS

Page
Executive Summary vii
CHAPTER
I Introduction I
2 Oqanizatlon, Command and Control ---------- 3
3 Weapons,Equipment and Services 7
4 SovietTank Crew Training----------- -------- ll
5 Talrk Gumery and Firc Cont ol -------------- 33
6 SovietConceptsand Missions---------- ------ 15
7 Taotical Formations ------ I7
8 CBR Defense ------------ 2I
9 Reconnaissanc€ ---------- 23
l0 March Security Operations ------------ 27
ll The Offensive ----------- 31
12 River ClossingOperations ------------------- 43
13 Defense --------------- 47
14 The Withdrawal ---------- 53
15 S€curity Dudng Halts ------ 55
16 Combat in Built-up Areas --------------- 57
l? Conclusionsalld an Assessmentof the Combat Potential of a
SovietMediumTank Company ----------- 59
ENCLOSURE I Tank! and Associated
Equipmedt ------------------------ 6l
ENCIOSURE 2 Soviet Iffd Navigationand Night Vision Deyices ---------- 65
ENCIOSURE 3 Arms and Equipment- Soviel Tank Company ------------- 67
ENCLOSURE4 T62 and T72 Tanks --------------- 69
EXNCUTIVE SUMMARY

The Sovict tank company is equipped with either 10 or l3 trnks. according to its
subordination,and is organizedinto three platoons.Its personnelconsistsprimarily of conscript
soldiersgenerallywell trained in the individualskills of drivhg, loading,and gunncry.Four tank
commandersin eachcompanyare officersor wa-nantoffice$ who completeextetsiveprofessional
training. The remaining tank commande$ are conscriptswho have six months training before
arriving in the company and tain in their units during the next l8 months until theh tcrm
of serviceexpies,

Tank companiesare equippedat presentwith tanks which are simple to operate,havelow


silhouettes.good mobility, and an accurategun limited by its optics to a rangeof fifteen hundred
mete$. Limitationsin target acquisitionand sightingequipmentmeanthat night firing is restricted
to a mnge of about roughly half the daytime range.

The Sovietsconsider that the rank company is a single fire unit. It can reinforce other
combat arms or be reinforced. It normally operatesas an independcntunit in reconnaissance,
as a secudty detachment,or when used as the basisfor a motorized rifle battalion'saDtitank
defense.ln other tactical operationsthe tank company is subordinatedto a larger unit.

Tactical training consistsprimaiily of rchearsingchangesin column and line formationsat


platoon and company levcls. Fhe conftol is exercisedby the company commanderexcept in
emergcncies.Antitank guided missilesand enemy tanks are regardedas pdority targets.Tanks
fhe on the move or at short halts, and fire is concentratedagainsta singletarget if the company
commanderconsidersits a pmticular thr€at. The cornpanyassaultsan enemyformationor position
after artillery has providedhre support,wheneverpossible.Control and commlmicationssecurity
is strict, and platoon and company commandersare expectedto lead and show initiative. but
within the limits set by field regulations.

Soviet tank tactics, which we believeare sound, emphasizeconcentratingagainsta poorly


pfeparedenemy, attacking without lengthy preparation,and lapidly exploiting success.Training
of tank crewsin such skills as driving,gunnery,and maneuvedng
in combatformationsis cffcctive.
However,junior officers and tank commanden do not have sufficient opportunity to develop
the initiatiye neededto respond effectively to mpidly changingcombat situations.Overall,we
judge that the Soviet tank company is capableol completingoperationalmissionsand that, iu
combat, its successwould be determinedby forcc ratios,enemyeffectiveness, and other cxtcmal
facto$.

I
I
I
Anist Rendition of T 72

vltl
CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

l. PURDOSE.This study prcsentsinfonnation on the b. Thc study exanin.s compeny and platoon
tlctics of the Soviet m€dium tsnk compmy. Tactical tacdcs ir a Europ€ans.tring in both nomuclerr and
information is prcc.d€d by data on equipment,tatrk nucle& €nvironment!. Soviet tacticrl terminolog and
crew trini[g, and orEani?ation.The study is primrrily symbolos/ haie beenusedwhen US. teminoloF/ fails
lntcnd€d to providc instruclors at schools d itr ficld to ad€quatelydescribeSoviet conceptr, organization,
I units witi referencematerial, Key facti are r€p€ated
to make each s€ction self supporting.
and tsctcs. Uniessotherwise3tatedmilitary lermsin
common us€have the meaninggiv€n to then in JCS
Publlcation I dated 3 Sep74. Sovietterns which haie
2. SCOPE. oo US equivalent are defined when lust used.

a. the medium tank compary is lhe basic c, In thc tactical diagrams the rcader should
buildiag block of rhc Soviet trtrt arm. Nonaily, a esum! thet radio commrmicationsexilt betwe€neach
trat comFanyvil opcrrrc es prlt of a battalior{ized rEhiclc d€pictcd. Frontagesused in the diagramsare
un atrd be supportedby, or ln supportof, other arms. for nonnuclearoperations.ln nwl€at op€rationsthe!€
Alftough this study r€fers to combined arms frontag€s can generaly be doubl€d.
op€.ations,oDly tfie techniquesand tacticsof the tanl
compon€trt are analyzcd.
of a Tank Company{TankDivisionl.
Figure1a. Organization

of a Tank Company{MotorizedRifleDivision)
Figurc1b. Organization
CHAPTER2

ORGANIZATION,COMMANDAND CONTROL

Section A Organization

l. THE TANK COMPANYAND PLATOON.Thetank c. Th€ driver.mechanic's duties include


company consistsol thre€ tank platoons and a maintenance and rcparrof the lanl, oblaininSspre
cornpanyheadqulrt€rs. In a tankbattalionsubordinate pans, and inspectionof the vehicle.In combat th€
the platoonconsists
to a lank regiment, of threetanks. driver-mechanicis rcsponsiblefor s€lecting a route
In a tank battalionsubordinate to a motorizedrifle which presentsthe gunn€rwiih goodfirin8 positions.
regimentthe platoon consistsof four tanks.In an
independenttank baltalionsubordinate to a division d. The load€ris responsibl€for the conditionand
the platoon consistsof four tanks. sto(ageof ammmilion and for maintenance of the
nachine guns. He assiststhe gunner in preparingthe
2. THE TANK CREW.The crewof a Sovietmedium main gun for combat, aids the driver-mechanic in
tank is normally four. Thc duti€sof t}te tanl crew routine maintenarceand assumes the dutiesof the
Surmer if necessary.He also nans the antiaircraft
machhegun if thereis one mountedon the lank.In
a. The commander is in imrnediatecomn nd of rmderstrergthunits theremay be no loaderin tahks
a tank. Thc companycornmander and platoonleaders oth€r than thos€ of the company and platoon
cornmsnd iheir own tanks. T.nk commanders'
include maintenaflccof the vehicle,
responsibilities
t Jget acquisition.fire control,ihe slection oI firing e. Thereis iittle evidence
of formalcrosstraining
positions.and rcsupply.The commander is the only witlin lhe tanl crew. Soviet tank crewmenare likely
crew membertraned and authorizcd10 us€the tan-k to be familisrwith someof the operatingprocedures
radio exceptin emergencies. of fellow crewmenand could probably perform the
hsks required in an cmerSency.In some tank units
b. The gunneris secondin command of the iank. the commanderencourages efforts at crosstraining.
He is responsiblcfor tuing, servicinS,andrepaningthe
tanks maingun andmaintaining the tank sopticaland
gunneryinstruments. He assiststhe driv€.mechanic in
the technicalinspectionof the vehicle.and repiaces
the ammunition.In combrt fte gunnerassists in target
acquisilionandselects thc correctammunitionfor each
tdgct. He firesthe maingunand the couial machine
gun.

me Tank Crcw. The wirc ftun d1e


helm.a arc for atbchment tu the
intercommunication systam.Note
,he apparcnt youth of all four
Section B Command

3- COMPANY COMMANDER.The lank company 4. COWANY IIEADQUARTERS. Company


cornmmder,normrl]y a captainor seniorlieutenant, headquarters
consistsof:
is responsibleto the battalioncommand€ribr the
commandand efficiency of his company-He is a. Deputy commander - a s€nior lieuterart or
responsiblefor the accomplidmentof the assigned lieutenant, who is dle politicai officer.
mission and fire contlol of his companyduring
operations.Beforeand afler conbat he is .esponsible b. Tecnnical officer . a senior li€utenant or
for the maintenanceand sericinS of thc v€hiclesdnd lieutenant who has ihree or four years tsainingat a
the combatreadiness of the companyandthe standard higher t nt techricrl school.
of crcw and tacrical training. In combat the
responsibilities
of the compny command€r include: c. A prcporshchik - (a ranl rougl y equiyalent
to a US warrant officer) who attends to routine
a. Deployment;camouflageimaintenance; and administf
ative matters.
replacenenlof ammunition, ts,andfood.
fuel,lubrican
d. A tank cr€w mnsisting of a ddver-mechanic,
b. Issuing tactical, political, ,nd preparatory a gunnerand a ioader.

The headquartersofficers and p/apolsr.rr* do not


c. Estimatingthe situalion ,nd carrying out accompany|he ranls on their combat missions.There
Mth subordinaleand attachedunit
reconnaissance is also a truck driver and a derk.

5. PI-ATOON LEADERS. Platoon leaders ar€


asuing
d. Formulatisgcoordinatinsinstructions, normally lieutenants, but may sometirn€sbe
orders, and supeNising inspections prior to praporshchiki or, rarely! sergeants.The aulhority of
the platoon leader in company operationsis Imited.
His 1nskis to lead his platoon in the executionof th€
e. l-eading or dtecting the company during cornFny mission,not to trandatehissuperiois'orders
opeiations, controllingthe fire of companytanks,and into a platoon mission.Whenatiachedto a motorized
attached units during execulion of the mission, .ifle bataalion, especially in defensii€ operations,
maintaining conlacl with flank units, and .eporting platoon leadersrnay be alowed more flenb ity in the
iacticatinfor.nationto the battalioncommander. executionof lheir mission.
Section C ControL
6. CONTROL MEANS. The company cornmander 9- RADIO SECURITY. The tank company, in
controls rhe tank company by radio, visual and audio common with other Soviet units, is forbidden to make
signall, and pyrotechnics,in rhe employment of well radio transmjssions immediatclybefor€ contactis made
rehearsed laclical drills. Only office.s cafry maps. with the enenry. Radio sets c opcratcd on listening
Rcfercncc points are used for identificalion of teffain silence until contact has been made.During combat,
lbaiurcs. Personal example is regardedas a control ody the company commander is authorized to
tcchniqu€,and conpany and platoon comrnandefsare Idn\nr Jn rl e .umplnJ irpqupnc) lrar'n,L.io1.
"r€
cxpect€d to personally lead lheir subunitswhen lhe shorl and kepi to a minimum. Plaloon leadeis are
situalion demmds it. allowed to lrdnsnrit only in emergencies. In combat,
o.den and tactical reports are rransmittedin the clear
7. RAIIO NETS. The tank company commmder has s h i l e ' e f e ' e 1 c p rt o l e f f r i n f e - r u r e sa n d o t h e rL , n i t rd r e
rwo radios in his tank: r very high liequency (VHF)
set for conr.nunicalionswith the company and a high
frcquency (HF) set for communications with the 10. \{SUAL AND ALIDIBLE SIGNALS. Prior ro
battalion conmander and orher trnk conpanies.ln ihe conrbat, normally during dre comnranders
tank cornpanyrhe company and platoon commanders reconndssancc,codcwordsare asigned to promnenr
n€t with each orher and the commandersof atlached terrdn Ldlur€s wilhin compmy boundaies.
motorized rifle dnd arlillcry units. Normally, radios in Pyrotechnicsor tracersare usedin conbal to idcnlify
tanks other than command ianks dre operated only tdgets. boundaries, and units Prearrangedaudible
in ihe receiving mode Supporting arrillery signrls arc uscd for warnin8swhen the conpany is in
comnanders can communicaledirectly to all company a static position. Ijid lines are usedto communicate
between tanks and between supporlcd and supporting
arms while in static defensivepositions.
8. CONTROL LE\TL. It h important 1o note that
co.nol of lhe comnrnd radio ncl is rctrined at
battalion level, an.l when the conpany operatesasp r
of a battalion there will probably be no companynet,
b u r a l l . n k , $ r l l ' n u l i t o r l h e b d a l i o nn e La n df e . e i v e
orders liom the batlalion commuder.

AA
YY

5
(Revetr.3r.nkl
CHA?TER 3

WEAPONS,EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

Section A Weaponsand Equipment

L WEAPONS. Equipment drd weaponsin the Soviel 3. COMPANYTRUCK. OneLighttruck js heldin the
t nk company are durablemd beinginproved through tank company.This vehicleis usedby the deputy
continuing research and dcvelopment. Th€ Soviels companycommander,the technicalofficer, md t]rc
expect tank units to {ight by day and night, in pruparshchik. Th€ v€hicle is equipped with a radio
exlremes of climaie, and in a nucl€a nd chernrcal which canbe usedasa communications link from the
environment.Technical details of tanks, md dala on conpany commander\ lrnk to the battalton
equipm€ntmd individual weaponscunenuy in service herdquart€rswhen the tank co'npanyis out of direct
with the Soviet tank company, arc in enclosuresI and communications range-
2. D€tails of navigalionand night viewingdevicesus€d
in tanks are in enclosure 3. 4. CBR EQUI?MENT. A[ personnelhave individual
protectivenasks,andmostmoderntank iJe probably
2. SPECIAL PURPOSE TANK EQUIPMENT. Soviei equippedwith alr Iiltralion systems.Decontamination
medium tanks can all be providedwith auxiliary pdrts of vehiclesis carriedout undersupe$isionand with
for aitaching the mine plough, the plough and ro er the aid of chernicaldefensespeciatish. CBR defense
combination,and th€ tank buldoz€I blade.The w€ight is deall witn in detailin Chapt€r8. Sovie!tankshave
of thele items reduc€s tne tant's obstacle crossing a smoke generatingsystemfor providing a defensive
ability and maneur€rability and makes the vehicle smokescreenwhen required.
more difficult to handlc. The engine life of tanks
having this specidlequipnenl attachedis alsoreduced-
The detrimental effects of the usc of such special
equipment a.e judged sufficientty sevele to inhibil
frequent Eaining.

762 tited wi$ nine plows-


Section B Services

5. SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE PLATOON. The suppiyandmaintenance platoonto evacuaae casualties


commander of the supplyandmaintennceplatoonof and carry amnuition. Fuel trucks resupplythe
the tank battalion coordinatesthe r€supply of tanl companyas requued.
companies.There is, howeirr, no eviden€eof an
administranvenet for his usewithin llle battalion-Thij
could causeconsiderabledifficulty i.r resupply when
the companiesare widely separated from battalion b. Tank comparies
areresuppLi€d in the baltrlion
assemblyar€a with POL and ammunition prior to
combat. Main and auxiliary fuel lanks are filled to
6. TRANSPORTAND SL'PPLY- capacityfor approach
rnarches. the 200liter auxiliary
fuel lanksaredroppedprior to combat,pickedup by
a. The organrc lrucls of Ihe lank baltaLion are th€ supplyand maintenance platoon,andrelurnedto
supplenentedfor op€rationsby the tank regiment. tants on the objective. The basicload, known to the
Specializedunarmored tracked tnnspo(ers are Sovietsas "ammmitionunit of fire,rrfortanksis listed
availablein som€units for the medicalsectionandthe

RDS PER UNIT OF


WEAPON TANK FIRE PER TANK

7.62mmMG (2 ea) T-54 5000 rds


(2 ea) T-55 3500 rds
(l ea) T-62 2500 rds
(3 ea) JS-2 2100 rds
(l ea) JS-3 1500 rds

12.5mmMG (l ea) T-54 250 rds


(l ea) 250 rds (optional wpn)
(2 ea) T-10 744 rds
(l ea) JS-2
(l ea) JS-3 250 rds

l4.5mm MG (2 ea) T.IOM 744 rds

l00mm Main Gun T-54 3 7 rds


T-55 44 rds (avg)*

I l5mm Main Gun T-62 40 rds

l22mm Main dun T-10/T-10M 30 rds


JS-2/JS-3 28 rds
*The T-55 can carry from 38 to 47 rcunds of l00mm ammunition for the main gun. About
half would be antitank (HVAP-T) and the other half HE ard fragmentationrounds (FRAG-HE).
The averagenumber of on-boardrounds is 44.
c. Resupplyin combaris norma.lly at night;each ard monitors the comrnand net to ,dcnlify damaged
tank companyis resuppli€din tum. li a tsnl runsout and inoperative knks- Communicalions are aho
of ammunitionduringcombatit movesto a position mainrrined wirh rhe chief of servicesat regimenral
outsidc enemy observalionand is resupplied.In headquarters.Thcrc is onc lrmored recovery vehicle
positionsammlmilionmaybe placedneartne
defcnsive (ARVI in each medium tank battrlion.
tank posilion to providea readyreserve.
c. Tanks damagedin combal are repairedon the
d: An ernergency
reserveconsists
olbetween20 s?ot or unde! the neareslcover by lhe baltalion repair
percentand 30 pcrcentof the norrnalload of POL, and evacualiongroup (RFjG). The REG is fomed by
rationsand ammunition,andaI sparepartscarriedin the baltalion mrinlenancc s€ction with augmcnlrtion
conpanytanks.This reserve
may not be us€dwithout from regimentas required.lt follows the tank battalion
ord€rsfrom t}Ic companycommlnder, and is tasked by the TOP.

7. MATNTENANCE
AND RECOVERY. d. TanlG damaged beyond dre repair capabilily
of thc REG are recovereddnd evacurtedby rcgimenral
a. Basicmaintenance of tanLsis cdried out by or division mainlensnceunils. Crewsremainwith these
tankcrewssupervised by the companytechnicalofnccr tanks rnd alsist in mrkjng rcpairs snd are ihus losr
and tant commanden.Identifiedfaults are recti{ied to lhe compdny commrnder unlil repairs arc made.
on tle lpot if possible-The low standardof training It should be noted thal the Sovicts normdUy replace
of the driver-mechanicand lack of equipnentrn lhe entire units rathcr than makeindividualvehicleor crew
comprny precludeextensiverepans.

b. In combat,a recoveryandrepairo.ganization 8. MEDICAL. First atd is adninistercd to baltle


is establishedat battaiionlevel,Atechnicalobservation casudlies by olher members of dle crew. using thc
point (TOP) is formed by battalionand company first aid pack in $e tank. fie battalion medicalteam
techrlicalofficersandis normallymountedin an A?C. which accompaniesthc RBG removesseriouscasualtes
Thc TOPrnovesin rearof battalionheadquarters with from tanks once they have bccn lowed 1o covcr.
the task of maintainingvisualsurveillance over the Serious casuahics are collected and evacurled by
batdefieldto locate damagedtanks.The TOP is in reginental transpon, as thcre is no inedicalofficer at
radio communication with the battalionconmander

Poutine mainenanceis car ed out by the d vermechanicand crew unclerthe srpeNisionof the Company

9
(n.86. Bra*)
CHAPTER 4

SOVIETTANK CREW TRAINING


l CREWEFFECTMNESS.The effecriveness of ihe 5. TANK CREWTR-AINING.Soviet tarft crewsare
tank companydependson the quality of individual trainedon controlleddrivingrnd firing rrng€s.The
and crew training.This chapterdescribes
tle type of emphrsisin driv€rtlainins is on safelyovercomrng a
trainingwhich membersof a tank cr€w receive. timed s€riesof driving hazardsand providrngthe
gunnerwith a goodsightpicture.Obstacles on a rypical
2. CONSCRTPT TRAININC. The majorily of mer m driving course include l lls, bridges,sreep dop€s,
a Soviettanl companyareconscdpts. The percentage cufles,ramps.anda deepfordingobstacleGeeFigure
of professionalsoldiersa1 this Ievel variesbut will 3). The gunneris requled to accufatelylue the main
seldom exceed l0 percent. Conscript tank 8un and the machinegun both from staticpositions
commanders, gunnersand driver-mechanics compl€te and on ihe move.
a periodof four to six monthsinstruciionin training
unrq beforejonng rheir companies. Loade-!receive 6. EQUPMENT CONSERVATION.To conserve
no specialhttrainingand join their companies after equipmentfor combat,tank cornpanies nomally use
one month of instruction. Most conscript tank only one or two tanksfor iraining.Renainingtrnks
crewmen will have received pr€-induction training are kepr in storageand periodicallyrotated with
beforeentering the Soviel Army. This training is given lraining tlnLs and are normallyusedonly for large
by military instructorsat schools,facrories,collective scaleexercises. Storage maintenance standards arehigh,
and state farms, and instiiuaesin the USSR.The but excessive andinexpertmairtenance of storedianks
standard of pre-inductiontraining vades widely probablydoesmoreharn rhangood.The equipment
ttuoughoutthe ussR. conseNationsystemdoesnol consisiently insurethe
mechanical reliabilityof lhe company'slank inventory.
3. TRAINING OF JTNIOR LEADERS.At leastone The fiaining of crews whose lanks ltre storag€is
tank conmand€rin each platoon is a junior officer probably less effectiveihan that of crewshaving
ot pruporshchik.The officer har receivedup to four lraining tanks.
years' training in ofiicer schools,and a ptaporshchik
has receivedbet\r,eensix months and a years 7. SUBIJNITTRAINING.Trainingby companies and
professional trainingfollowingtwo yearsexperience as plaioonsconcenrrates on fuing, driving,and rapidly
shiftingcombatformalions.About 30 percenrof this
tiainingis at night.In recentyealstherehasbeensome
4. ROTATION OF CONSCRIPTS. Conscriptsare combined trainlng ol talk and motorized rifle
inductedinto the SovietArmy at six monthintervals elenents.Trainingis mairLlya rep€iilionof srandard
andservefor two years.Thismeansthat appronma&ly drills with little opportunitylor junior comnanders
22 percentof a combatunil changes €verysixmonlhs.
Non-specialists join tank comprniesat th€ sametime
as specjalisrr.Man) regimenralcommanders reassign
exp€riencedcrewmenevery six monahsto spread

11
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iffi,rffiF#
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1 == '::;:
r conrorrowe,
IEY
6. OownHill "Slalofr" B6rw6sn
V€dcarly P|.c6d Matk€r Los3
,;:'. 3. simul.r.d Mine Fi€ld 7, Sh8llow tlke/DeD Fod
8. B.idse
T O T A LL E N G T H
O FC O U R S El S A P P B O X I M A T E L Yk S
ms.
F O RA C I R C I J IITS 2 ] M I N U T E S .
T I M EA L T O W E D

Figure3, TankDriverTraining
Course.

D Er training concenn'aE on efelY


overcominga e $ of hazeds stch
as hat Clown on an obsbcle coure-
A ttict tima limit is impoed for
completion of the coure.

t2
CHAPTER5

TANK GIJNNERYAND FIRE CONTROL

Section A Cunnery

I. GIJNNERY]TIETHODS. Supedor: Threehils wilh 23mmandat


least one hir on one
a. Emphasisis placed on fast. accura|e,and mactnn€guntar8e1,or two
intens€fire from the maingunandnachinegurs during 23nrn hits and all
combatoperations. Tank gunnersfire from "in place" machinegun tarS€tshii.
postions,at short haltsof 15 to 45 seconds, on the
marcb,andwhilefordingwaterobstacles- A greatdeal Excellenr: Two 23mm targelshia and
of tsainingtimc in tank companiesis spent using threemachineguntargetshit,
simulatorsandsub.caliber devices1oimprovegunnery or one 23mm targethit and
techniques. Firingon the rangeis frequentby dayand targetshit.
all machinegun
nidt usingthe 23mmsub-caliber deviceand the iank
Good: Two 23mm targetshit and
onemachinegun
targethit, or
b. Tank companyofficersand tank commanders firee 23mm hits and no
arerequtcd1obe proficientwith the tanks armament, machinegun
t3rgetshit.
and ofiicers are used extensively as gunnery
instructors.Tank comnandersqualili as gunnelsas Pass: One 23mm larget hit and
pan of $€ir lraining,and conscnplcommanders can several hits
eam inc€ntivepay throughtheir skill as gunners. machineguntargel-

2. INITIAL GUNNERYTRAININC. Basicgunnery Fail: One 23mm tarSethit andno


trainingfor rh€ conscriptis dividedinto theoretical machineSunlarSelshit, no
andpracticalwork, with emphasis beingplacedon lhe 23nrn hits and ,11
larrer.Upon lhe completiooof trainingthe gunneris macbm€gun targetshit, or no
givenan oral exaninationon the theoreticalsideof hits wirh either-
his training. He also fires three munds of 23mm
sub&liber trainingammunitionand 70 roundsfrom Tank commandersnorrnallyfire ttueeroundsof amor
the tank machiregun"for the record" to obtain a piercingeachyear for familiarization.
proficiencyfating.Traineesdo not fire for tlle r€cord
before their instructors e satisfiedthat they can 4. CUNNERY RANGES.Tank rangesare usurlly
performeverydetailof the gunneryroutinewithout situatedneartank units.They normallyconsistol up
difficdty. to ten iargetlanesanda singlereturn{lne,downwhich
tank mov€ in column after fuin8. Ordersfor firing
3. GUNNERY STANDARDS.The standardsfor are relayedto the platooncommander from a cental
gunnery proficiency arc common ihroudoul the control tower by radio.Targetsrangefrom.l00m to
Soviettank arm. A grad€dtest is tslen oncea year. 1200m and ale old r€hicles,popups,or moving
Targ€tsa.e providedat rangesof 40On to 1200mfor silhouettesof 13nts,APCS,or infantry.Ta*s engage
main armamentand machineguns. Threeroundsfrom targets on order of the platoon commander.
the main armament,usualy of 23mm sub-caliber Approximately25 percentof ranS€Iiring is at night.
. amrlunition, have to b€ fired within 100 seconds. Ta-rgelsare iliuminatedeithe! by s€archlights or by
Machinegun brgetsappcartwicebeforeandtwiceafler fiashingbulbsattachedto the targets.Usingthe night
th€ rnain larg€t.Ratjngsarc as folows: sightand the infraredsearchlighl, firing is conducied
up to a rangeof 800m.
Section B Fiie Control

s. FIRECONTROLON OPERATIONS. In a compiny 7. ACCURACY.The accuracyof Soviet tank gun


operation,the companycommandcrcontrolsthe fire systemsappcarsto be limited by fien sighting
of eachtank by radio.TanI fire is concentrated upon mc,hdr5m'.rangcfL.]ders. and gunner)recnnrques.
targets accordingio the priority assignedby the ralher than by capabilitiesof the guns and
colnJnander. Antilankguidedmissiies (ATGM)arcfirst anmunition.W€assess the accuracyof fie l00mmgun
priority targets.ln the arsault,tank cngage the targ€r of the T54/T55as beinghigh 10 1000n after which
which is closestandmost dangerous 1o them.Targets ir fall' oif rJpiJl).fhe l b2srh rfe l l5mmgJnusin8
are indicatedby us€ oI encodedrerrain relerence high velocityfin slabilizedarmorpiercingdiscardin8
points,by trace!fire, by the comna,:1dcr pointinghh sabot(HVFSAPDS)ammuition is accuratemd h$
gun at tlte target,or by useof the targerazimuthscale. a good penetrationcapabiiiryat ranges up io 1500m.
The company or platoon commander gives a lire Reductionin tube life in the mainarmament and the
missioncontaininglhe followingelements: high cosI of ful borc ammunitionexplains the
fr€quent use of lhe 23rnm sub{aliber dcuce in
a. Call sign of unit or tank to tue. gunnery raining. In nighl gunneryth€ IR system
presentlyin useprcsentssightingproblems. The nost
b. Targetlocationby us€ of referencepoint. effective method of engaginglargets at night is
illuminationby white lighl lnd engagement usingthe
c. Fire mission:destructionor neutralization. daylight sigit.

d- Firing procedure:
fire from march,shorthalt.

e. Type of roundi AP, HE, fra8mentation.

f. Numberof roundsto be firedor whento ceas€


fire.

6. GllN STABILIZATION.Soviet tanis have had


sornernethodof gun stabilization since1958.Tanks
producedsubsequently have bolh vcltical plan€and
azimuthstabilizalion.While the Sovierconceprcalls
for t.nk to fire on tlle move,the stabilizationsystem
is spaceorientedrathertlt,n targelori€nled.Therough
ride resulrinSfrom $e relativelycrude suspension
sysi€mmqns that taJgerstabilizarion is probablynor
yet possrble. ln thc T54-'Ib2 series.Therelore,thc
chanceof a fint round hit still dependson thc skill
of the gurlnerratherthan on the efficiencyof the
stabiliza
tion system.

The sunnet in 755 with he b.eech block of he


qun in the foregrcund- The gunne$' left hand 6
on the ftngefindet to be left of which is the

l4
CHAPTER 6

SOVIET CONCEPTSAN'D MISSIONS

l. coNcEPTs. 3, MISSIONS.

a. The basictactical conceptof the Soviet Arrny a. As a rule, aankcompanies operateas parl of
is offensiveaction.This cals for Sovietforcesto break a tank balldion; however, whenreinforcedby tactical
throughgapsin enemydefenses and to rapidlycxploit uniis of other ground forces,lhey arc capableof
in strengthand depth. Sovietmilibry writingsstate independent operations,Missionsof a tankcompany,
"nobility andhigh tenposofcombatoperations bring asparl of a lankbattalionor in conjunction
with other
success in a battl€or operations."
Defenseis re$rded
as a temporary expedient until a favorablesituation
for a retum to the offensivecan be created. (l) Reconnaissance.

b. Tank unitsharra criticalroleh Soviettactical (2) Marchsecurity.


doctdnedue to their mobility,maneuverabilily, anil
speed.Thesequalitiesare strcssedby the Soviet!more (3) Advancesuard.
than the armor protection and fuepower inherent in
the tanls. (4) Attacksfrom the mdch column.

c. The Sovietsregardthe tank irm as ihe basic (5) Deliberate


attacksagainslpreparedandhasly
striking force of ft€ir ground forc€s, and stess lh€ defenses.
necessity for rapid man€uv€rof t3nk units to exploit
the effects of nuclear, chemical.or conventional (6) Meetinsengagcments.
artillery fire. Tank and motorized rifle unils may be
crossattachedas the missionrequn€s.Rapidchanges (7) Forchg or crossingwatcr obstacles.
in mission ue an inl€gral pan of Soviet tactical
(8) D€fensiveoperations.

d. Tankcompanyoperations areusuallylaunched b. whentankcompanies reinforcemotorizedrifle


from thc rnarchcolumn. Initiative and resourcefulness units, tbeir missionsare:
are recognizedas b€in8 qualnes neededby ihe tank
unit commander in the exccutionofhis missioo.Strict (l) To provideadditionalantitank firepower.
adherence to hctical formationsis, howev€r,required
witlin the company. (2) In defense.to providean armoredres€rve.

e. Trsfficabilityof rhe tankcnnrestrictmobility, (3) To lead anacks.


but ia $ould be notedihat tarft crewmenaretrained
to crosswater obstacles by snorkctingin additionto
bridgingand ferrying.Soviettank crewsaJetrain€d
and equippedto operal€ in nuclearand chemical

2. ECmLONS AND RESERVES.In strict Soviel


te.ms "echelons"ar€not us€dbelowregimental level.
The first echelonwill be given prinraryobjectives.
Secondechelonsareinitiallyassigned which
objectives
may be alteredafter crossingtheir linc of departure.
A res€rveis not initially assigned
a missionand cen
be us€dby the commanderai thc decisivemoment
of an operation.A tankcompanycanbc assigned tasks
in €ither first or secondechelons.
Suitablyreinforccd
a tank companycan be employedas a rcgimental
resewe.lts methodof operationwill remainthe same
in any of theserol€s.
''The
basb Ectical concept of the Soviet Amy is offenive action" TS4/SS'S in he Astautt.
CHAFTER7

TACTICALFORMATIONS

I. GENERAL.

a. During combatoperationsthe tan* conpany 4. COMBATFORMATIONS. Combatfolmationsare


movesin well rehearsed formationsappropna&10 the delerminedby the t€rrlin and the fireat. Basically,
mision. The placeof each t.nk in the phtoon and tanks are formed in line with the companycommander
companyis fixed. Tant conpaniestrain for the orderly behind the line to be in position to control his
and npid redeployment from march and for
procornht and combal lormations.This rraining|s
inspected periodicaly by staff officers and a. The companyassaultsin combatformalionsat
commanders from rcgimenrwho judgerhe companyt maximurnspeed.lncombatline thereis l00m between
proticiencyin executingthe formations. tanks.The companycommander trav€lsno morethan
300 metersbehindth€ guideplatooncommander (see
b. SiSnalsto deploy or chsng€formarionare Fisure O.
usurlly givcn by flag or hrnd during the march or in
precombatsituationsand by radio codewordsafter b. To add depth to .n assault,lhe 'two up
contacthas beer made.Navigarion is carriedout by formation may be used (see FiSure ?). ln the two
ofncers, as €nlisied men are not isrued maps. The up" formationknks areechelotred so &at all mayffr€
followingdiagramsshow lhe usualpositionof ranks in the assault.A similar formation€xistswith only
in formation. oneplatoonup. ln sucha ca!€tlrc guideplatoonleads.

2. MARCH FORMATION. During the mrrch a tank c. To protect an expos€dflank an echelon


company mov€s as quickly as possibleon roads in forrnationis us€d(seeFigure8). A similarformalion
column formation. The companycommrnderleadsthe existsfor the tank companyto b€ echelonedright(see
column ,nd platoons folow in nurnericalorder (see FigurE8).
Figul! 4).

l. PRECOMBAT FORMATIONS. Companies movein


diff€ringconligurations of platooncolurm, depending
on the t€rrainand the dkectionof the t]}reat-Thes€
.r€ called preconbar formationsand are xsed to
actuevedispeBionwhen near the enemyor crossing
minefields.The first platoonby numericaldesignation
within thc company is known as the guide platoon
(s.c Figure 5).

sEcoNo THIRO
PLATOON

<<>-.{C>OO*O OO-"CO O
Fioure4. Tank Columnin March Formation
.t
0 0 t
\?
1\ FrFsT
A THIRD sEcoNo/tr

0 0 0
I 0 t I
300

I
V

0
+ T
(,
COMMANDEF

6l
t4\ rHrRD sEcoND
^\ FIFST
a

0 0 0
"V''
T W OU P . I N V E F T E D O N EU P W E D G E

t I
\? (}

FrFSr A sEcoND
a
PLATOONV

0 0

+
0
A

A
COMPANY

+
(}

(.1 sEcoND
6
rHrFo
I corverrv T
A THIFO 1l FrFsr A
V PLATooN

0 I 0

THREE
UP LINE ECHLONED
LEFT

Figure5. PrebattleTank Formations.

1E
-+e gs
OE
.<>
l
l5
-<flL..i .9
= t6 5
<2:
l:
s&o)
go F
E z
-<{r<>3 E .9 -<{€ R p
E
?
l5
IP
o
T6A in March Fomation. Note the 23nn subcalibrc sleeve in d1e
baiel of the leading tank.

Tt2 platoon in combat fomation. Att had:hesarc clogd once the tanksmove frcm cotumn fomation.
CHAPTER 8

CBR DEPENSE

t. CBR TRAINING. Tank companicstrajn to operaF 3. DECONTAMINATION EQUIPMENT.


in a nuclerr, biologrcal, and chenical environmenr. Deconta rinalion routines are cmployed after a CBR
DurinS individutil and cfew lraining it is slressedthdl altack. Tank crews bru$ loos€ maleriai from theif
the protective featuresof the tank !r€ good rnd lhal tanls as soon as posliblc and laler drivc Io , point
tanl unils can safcly cross conhminalcd areas.Thc whcre the v€hicle is pressurcwashedro complete the
only CBR monitoring equipment capability within ih€ proccssoi deconlarnination.
company is thc dosimetcr carried by lhe company
conmande!. When planning operations.the comprny 4. CBR PREPARIDNESS-The Soviel soldier expecls
connander considersthc amount ofrrdiation his nen to be aitackcd by rucl€ar and chemicalwcapons.CBR
havc aireaJy rcreired and rre blely lo recervc In trainiig is re isric and rs included in majo. exercises.
cro\ g !onIlnurJred rreas. cBR rc.onnaiNn(c Soviet soldicrsmd their comm.ndersnre awaJeof, and
teans nay b€ assignedlo the complny fron the train for, r rapid changefrom nonnuclearto nuclc:iJ
regiment Ior individual operations. wJJtlre. Tank comFny operations are plann€d
accordingly. and ofren the company is reinforced by
2. PROTECTIVE IIEASURES. Each rank crewm specialishlrom the chemical delensebattalion of rhc
h r r , p r o r e c t i v cm a s k a . l J p r o r e c r i v c. l o t I r n B . T h e divisior.
mask causes sevcrc limitations on visibilily and ihc
rubberized protectvc suil. if worn for prolonged
periods, considerably reduces lmop €ffcctiveness.
Protectivc clothing is pur on during a CBR attack or
when thc codeword "AToM" is given ovcr the radio.
Audiblc rnd pyrotccinic alarmsare also usedto wrn
rroop! of immincnt CBR attlck. In thc T6:- thcre is
a device which culs off the cngine upon detection of
nuclear radiation.

Tank crcwmen wearing prctective srits and nasks while decontaninating h6ir tank.
Soviet $ldiers arc accustomed to taining in rcatistic exercips wherc CBR attack k sinulated.
CHAPTER9

RECONNAISSANCE

1. COMMANDAND CONTROL.A tank company If the company is acting at long ran8c, a high
may be task€dby division,r€gmenl,or battalionto frequency radio lirl to battalion will be est5blidDd.
und€rlak€ lo€I reconnaissance missions,A medium In th€s€circumstancesa suirabl€tadio is mounted itr
lank company$ moreLkelyIo condu.rreconnarss3nce a light truck to accompanythe patrol.
lasksin the offensiv€than in rhe defensive.Regfnenrar
reconnaissance missions are planned up to 50 krns 3. MISSIONS.Reconnaissance missionscan bc divid.d
forward of the main body. At longer rangesthes€ into two maintypes;howev.r, it $ould benotedth*e
missions are executed by reconnaissanceunits. classi{icatio are not Soviet t€rrnioolos/.
Reconnais$ncepatrols providedby mcdium tanl
companieson the flanlc of tle rnain body are likely a, Tenain and CRR Montoring farfs. A tant
to operateup to l0 kms aheadof the divisionand company reinforc€d by chemical sp€cialists ard
within rang€ of arlill€ry support. €ngineers may be tasked to carry out d€t4ilcd
reconnaissance of mads, bridgrs, water crossingaroas,
2. MINFORCEMTM FOR RECONNAISSANCE. A andobsLacles on lhe divisionor regimentrlaris.The3e
tank company is normaly rcinfo.ced for reconnaissance tasks can includ€ CBR monitorinc of
recoMaisgance mjssions,A typical Econnaissanc€ contaminat€dor suspectedareas.
gouping would be:

a. A tank company- l0 tanks

b. A motorizednfle plaloon - 3 APC'S

c- An engineersquad- I AIC

d. A chernical reconnaissiulcepatrol of 3 or 4
chemical sp€cialists- BRDM-2RKH

-10kn+

<C- <+O- *C- <€! -<{<> +GlF '+t<>-


NO'€ J

-€
.GI
Z -+@-

Ensl.4rsqu.d
Nore1r APCCarryins
conpany comdand€,

."c i,illi::l?"{Jff:l',s",-", Note2:E.chAPccariesonoChsmielsp.ci.li.t

-<-Cl- APc incolumnwirhT.nks


-+@f rightr,u"r *nh HishFEquencv
Fadio

Role
Formationofa Tank Companyin Reconnaissancs
Figurc9. Representative
;l

\t

moveinp'a,oon
L::[:::^';;'tr!tr1?,#"i]"1;,'!iiii,[trfT'X.?f;,i'f",!,#il! co'unn

24
b. Tacticat Inte iSence Co rctian. The rank n. Recognition siSnrls.
company is con$dered by the Sovietsto be suitable
for leconnaissance nissions to Sarninformation on the o. Rocedure for delivering pnsoners, caplured
strength, disposition, organization and movemenl of e q u i p m c n Lr,n d m a P s .
enemy forces. Particular reconn3Nsancetargets arei
Tank company commandersare 'lso siven a brief
(l) Nuclcal delivery means. outline of the schedul€ofoperations by other friendlv
forces dudng his nission. Alier estimating the
(2) Artillery posiiions. situation, the commanderissuesoral orders to patroi
comnandersin accotdanccwilh the aboveformrt. He
(3) Communication cenlers. also designatesa secondin conmand - pfobablv th€
senior phtoon commander.
(4) Comrnand Posts.
6. MOVEMENT AND OBSERVATION.
(5) Reserrc Fornations.
a. Movcment is made by road dt mdximum spe€d
AND GROLTING. During in either company column or platoon columns to the
4. STRENGTHS
point (or poims) at which the enemy is likelv lo be
reconnaissancea tank company usuallv operatesas
encountcred. Reports on terrdn and roads are made
f i r e e p a u o . s .u p r o l 0 \ m s a p a n d c p e n J i n go n l n c
ol dn inrclli8ence by radio. Once enemy contact is likelv, trnks move
mBJo; ard rettain. The orsani,/aLion
by bounds,coveringeach odre-rlthcy remain on roads
collection patlol is shown in Figure 9
where possible.PopulatedaJcasand water obstaclesare
5. ORDERS. ln preparationfor th€ reconnaissance' a approachedwith caution, under cover rvherefdsible
ranl coflpany commandeli' givcn oral order, covering lf observation reveals no enemy positions, then
the fo owins: populated areasare reconnoiteredand water obst"les

a. Enemy forces - composilion, operaiions, ard


b. During the reconnaissancer tank commanders
normaly will have their hatches open At night lR
units
b. Missions of adjacent teconnaissance devices are used. Listening posts rnay be set up in
plaloon strenglh. These posts are 15 kms from rhe
c. Atiachmenh to L\e company mdn compmy pa!.ol- Selectedtank crewmenobserle
or encm) ait aclrury rl,roughoul}e reconlai.\dnce
d- Direclion and objective ol leconnarssance-

e. Mission. 7. ACTION ON MEETING ENEMY Th€ rank


company aitempts io avoid action during
reconnaissance by bypassing enemv posrnons.
f. Location and time of crossingthe line of
Ambushes are planned to capture men and equipnrenl
for intelligence purposes.
g. Route lo be followed.

h. Point of letum to fri€ndly lines

i. Conmunicarionmethod and tiequencies.

j. M€thod of reporting

k. CasuaityevacuationProcedurc.

l. Vehiclerecov€ryProc€dure

n. ltefod or conracrwirh recorraissance


aircraft.

25
CHAFTER IO

MARCH SECURITYOPERATIONS

Section A Concepts

l SMALL SCALE OPERATIONS.The Soviets imporlanceby theSovieh.Theneedfor rapid,decisive


anticipatethat, du€ to the use of CBR weapons, aclion by batlalionand conpaty commanders, wilh
modemwarfarewil resultin a largenumberof small strict tacricalformations,is stressed
in Sovietmilitary
scaieoperationsconductedconsecutively in dilferentwritings.Due to the CBR threatandthe introducrion
direciionsand over wide frontages.The majoriiy of of sophisticated d€vicesfor useduringdarkness,many
thcscaclionswill be betweenforcesrapidlyadvancing meetingengagements are expecledto taj(eplaceat
toward eachother, night. Wiie eachunit or formationis responsible for
iis own security,, commontaskfor the tankcompany
2. SECURjTYELEML\fS.The actionsof opposing is to provides€curityfor a movingcolumn.
forcessecurityelemen|sarecolsideredto be of great

Section B Lead March Secudty Detachnlent

3. TASK. A r€inforcedtank companyis employedas logelherwith informationon prujectedanborneor


a foruardsecudlyelemenrwhenir\ barralonrj arl anhndedoperations alonghis route.The limc to pass
advanceguard. The Soviet erm for a company each control point on the route is sp€cificd.An
employed in lhis rol€ is "lead march sccurity evalualionof enemyforc€s,tenain. and obslaclcsto
detaclment(LMSD)." The tasksof a tank compary be crossedis then made.lnd coordination coDducted
acting as the LMSD are to ,rllow l}le rapid and wilh supporting tactical units. The company
unimpededmov€menlof the mdn colunn by: commanderfien givesoral ordersto his subordjnates
for the accomplishment of the nrisson.
a. Neutalizingenemyreconnaissance.
s. STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION.A rdnk
b. Protectingthe column from surpriseattack. conlpanycmployedas an LlttSDwould prob:rblybc

c. Clearing the designatedroule ol light


n- A battery of l2lmm howitzers.

d- Acting as a baseof fire for offeosiveaction b. A motorizcdrifle plrloon.


by supporting
unitsin thecledingof hca!ryopposition.
c. A combdtenginccrdelachnrent.
e. Reportirgon te(ain and CBR contamination
to higherheadquuters. d. Chcmicri defens€specialists.

The LMSD nornally follow the routesr€connoitered c. Traffic regulators.


by reconnaissance forcesand havethe supportof the
remainder of its parentiank battalionandofattached Possiblythe following subunitswould be addedin
artillery.The LMSD operatcsaboui 5 kms in front apPropdatecircumstanccs:
of the column il prctects.
(a) An antlaircraftartillery ection.
4. PLANNING.Th€ LMSDtank conpanyconmander
receivesinformationsimilarto that receivedby Lhe (b) An ,ssrult crossinsplatoon.
recoffnissance companycommander (seeChapter8).
In addition he receivesfull delails of friendly Severalcompanytants arc fitted with minc ploughs.
reconnaissance nrissionsto his front and flanks.

27
6. METHODOF OPERATION.Tte LMSD normaly a. Descriptionof ariilefy targetsand rime for
operalesin companycolumnandexpcctslo overcome opcningfire.
lidt oppositionwhileremaining in that formation.The
LMSD is employed as shown in FiBUre10. r'r'o.ethat b. Tank platoon ax€s,boundaries,md assault
th€ companycommander lcadsthe tank column.The
distancebctw€envehiclesand subunitsis 25 50
m€ters.Individualtank! or APCSare usuallydetailed c. Missionsand sssaull lines for supporting
to give the LMSD front and ilank proteclion.DuriDS
the advance,only the compdnycommandermdkes
radio transmissio.s, 8ivir8 ordcr! by codewordsor d. Combar engine€r and chemicdl specialist
codenumbers.Controlof lhe columnis exercised by positionsand missionsin combat.
flagsignalsby dayandsignrlfiaresby nidt. Air attack
i! courteredby increasing speedard marchinl€rvals. e. Order to open fire and the attack signal.
Antiaircraftfire is delivercdon orderof the company
commander. Dwing short h3lts the vehiclescloseto 9, BNCAGEMEM.
within 10 metersof each other. A1 long halts th€
companydeploysinto a perimetcrdefense. LMSDduty a. The enemyis engaged directlyfrom the marcn
rotaleswithin the companies of th€ battalion. column.Tank platoonsdeployfrom comprnycolufin
iflto platoon columnsand then into combat line.
7. TRiFFIC REGULATION.During lacticalmoves Motodzedinfantry gencraly folows the tanks and
Sovictcombatunitsrely on dnectionsgivenby lraffic remainsmountedin A?Csdulingth€ assadt.Hatches
regulators.It is likely tha. th€ route to be followed areclosedwhenthe LMSDmo!€sfrom precombat into
by the nain body will be marked by trdffic rcgulators
accompaJrying the LMSD. Tra*ic conhol pointsare
probablyestablishedby the divisiontraffic control b. If the enemyis in gr€atlysuperiorstrenSth,
companybasedon inforrnationprssedback by the the LMSD w act as a bas€of fire. Th€ LMSD ules
r€connaissanc€ battalion and lMsD. rls ftrE power ro prerenrfie enemyfrom orgarlizinS
an effectivedefens€while the remainderof ihe 3dvance
8. ACTION ON CONTACTINCTHE ENEMY.The guarddeliversa flank attack.lf th€ enemyattempts
Sovietsexpecrthe LMSD to seizethe hitiative and to withdraw, the LMSD will pursuewithout a$,aiting
to surpri!€and be capableof defeatinga numedcally further orders.
superiorforce. lt will normallyattackfrom a flank.
Ord€rs issucdby LMSD commanderby radio on
nraking enemy contact are short and contain $e
folowinB:

i!!
_+O@Y6-d
-@c"-*m--.**.--
+<D_ r-rtu,*n''sde,-tu,*,
'C m.."* a*- . rrc
"-'"

_ + hdv*b
@ *t *" vr * *" * + a*-. -'r

Figure10. Compositionand Deploymentof LeadMarchSecurityDetachment.

2A
Section C Security of Flanks and Rear

l0r LATEML MARCH SECtruTY DETACHMENT. may be orderedto carry out the actionsof a rearguard
Wher€rhe.c is a thr€al to a flank of th€ main body, during widrdrawal operations. Th€ aim ol lhe
a Einforced tsnk company acts as a laleral march detachmentis to preventpcnelrationof lhe mair|
security detaclunent.This detachmentoperatesand is column. The RMSD coven the combat engin€ersas
relnforced similarly to an LMSD. lt mov.s on a route they construct or demolishohtacles. The RMSD may
perallel to th€ axis of the mrifl body atrd about five ambush puNuing eocmy forc€s during retrogrrdc
kilom€ters f.om it.

I I . REAR MARCH SECURITYDETACHMENT.Th€ 12. SECURITY WITITIN A BATTAUON COLUMN.


Soviet lerminolory for r€ar guard is "rear march In a battalion column, compades hava a primery
security detachment (RMSD)." Such a detachment res?olsibility for their own security. Coilpany
followsthe protectedcolumnby aboutfivekilometers. commanders ,re readyto supportthe LMSDby means
A tank companyreinforcedwith combrt en8ineers of an envelopingattack from the ma.ch column to
either llank-

29
CHA TER II

THE OFFENSIVE

Section A Tactical Doctrine

l. CONCEPIS. Soviet doctrine emphasiT-es that 3. ATTACK FORMATIONS AND FRONTAGES.A


offensiveaction h thc basiccombataclivity of tank tanl companynormallyattackson a frontaSeof 800
units. Thc ain in each offensiveoperationis 10 meter!wilh 100melersbetweentanksand I00 meters
concentrate€nougir firePower to deshy enemy betwecnsubunitswhen undernuclearconditions.In
defenses on a narrow frontagemd to penelralch's nonnuclearconditionsthe compaflyfrontaSemay be
positionin depth.Oncean off€nsivcgainsmonentum. reduced10 500 mcterswith 75 metersbetweentanks
Sovietdoctrinecals for rclentless pressure.
day and and subunits.A platoonfrontageis rot grea@rthan
nighl, to exploii initial success.
This is designedto 200 m€ters-
fragmenrenemyforce"and precluderhe enenr)s use
of tacticalnuclearweapons. 4. FORMS OF ATTACK I,{ANEUVER. A tank
companyin eitherrhe first or sccondech€lonhastwo
2. MISSIONS.A tank €ompanywill usuallytakepart basicforms of altack:
in offensiveoperationsas paft of a battalionand is
lupporled by other combat drms.A lank company a. The fronaalattack when thc enemyhas no
nraybe givenon€ uf rwo mrssrons. Whcnlhe cnemys assailableflank. Considerableeffort is made lo
boundariescan be cleaiy identincdthe missionis 10 neutralizethe enemyby meansof nuclear,chemical,
desrroythe enemywithin a particularsectoror stong or convcntionalfires beforea frontal all8ck.
point. Whcnenemyboundaries arenot clearlydefined,
the tank companyrvill be orderedto seizcand hold b. An enveloping attack-€ithcrcloseor deep(see
key terrain unlil given funher objective.Thes€ Figurell). A closeenvelopmeot is direct€digainstthe
missionswill take placc in the folowmg typc of flmk of ,n enemyand is srrpportedby the tu€ of
units attacking frontally. A deep ervelopmenth
directedagainslthe flanksor rear of an enemyto a
a. The meeting engagcment. dep$ beyondthe rangeof directfire supportweapons
of lhe frontallyattackingunits.An envcloping force
b. The breakthroogh. is reinforcedfor ifldependentactionand coordinates
by radio it! tacticaloperationwith units altacking
c. The pursuil. frontally- Clos€and deep envelopmeot!are lrlraly
supporredby prcplannedartillcry fre.
t-

En.ny Ddf€mivo Pl.loon Posnio.

t,tr
A' t,-
,'\

:--=- :ii#il':'"ilil",'"*"-
% rars.r
HowiEer
122nm Howitz{ SdtterY

--.-----/

,t
///
'9r--Y Mete6

Figure11. EnvelopingAttack by ReinforcedT6nk Company

32
Section B The Mccting Engagement

5, CONCEPI. !. On contactwith the enemy,rhe conmander


in the LMSD deploysinto a combal formationto
a. The Sovietsdefmethe meclingengsgement rs dclver maximumfire to halt the cnemy.He reports
combatbetweeropposingcolumnsrapidlyadvancing 1()Ihe battalioncomrnander thc strength,composition,
towardseach other. Meetingengagemenls src most andlocahonof the enemyforce.lf possible he attacks
likely to occur in the followingcircumstanccs: rheencmy, fronror flank.If theencmyhassupcrior
tuepowerthc LMSDconmanderseiz€s key terrainto
(l) During an advanceto conllct. act as n baseof lire for an artackby the mainbody.

(2) Fo owing a successful brelch or b. After receiving the LMSD commanders


breakthroughof enemydefcns€s. silualion report, the baatalioncommanderevaluates
lhe situation.He transrnitsordersto rhe main body,
(3) In the courseof an en€mycounl€rattack. which movcs into precombal formation: While
deploying,thc tank €omprnycommander canexpect
(4) w]len Sovietforcc, are counterdlrarking. to receiveinformalionas to:

(s) Durins pursuit. (l) His mission.

b. The Sovietsconsiderthat succ€ss is Sainedin (2) Missionsof adjacent-units-


m€etingengagements by the first forceto dcployinlo
combat formation and attack with the supportof (3) Artillery supporl.
artilleryand other weapons. The meelingen8ugement
is a bartalionor regimenta.loperationwhich may bc (4) Sisnds to b€ used durine $e assaul!.
dividedinto ttuee phases:
c. The company commanderthen transmits
(l) Advanceof march column!. missionsto rhe platoon commanderswhile the
cornpanyrnovcs inio combat linc- The atlack is
(2) Depioyrnentof secunly€lemcnts. conductedas a on€-phareoperationwith a single
objective.This initial objectiveis a predesignated
line
(3) Assaullof the 'nain body. on lh€ ground.The mectinS€ngaSernent is completed
whcntheencmyis destroyed, is forcedinto a defensive
c. Thh s€ctionconcentrateson the deployment position,or withdrawr.The tan](companymay then
of th€ tank comp.nyin the assaultof the mainbody. pursLre,or temporarilydef€nd,dependingon th€
succesof the engagement-
6, CONDUCTOF THE MEETINC ENGAGEMENT,

Section C The Brcakthrough

?. CONCEFI. b- TheSovietsconsider
ahatsucccss
is determired
byi
a. The Sovietsrecognizethat a deliberaleattack
is requned: (l) Dispersionto reducevuln€rabilityto nucleal
weaponsdudng preparationfor the.ssault.
(1) To defeatenemyforc€sin prepared
defensive
positionswhich cannotbe bypass€d. (2) Speedin the asraultby combnedarmsteams.

(2) To exploil an inirial stalemalein a mee.ing (3) simultaneous


attacksby breakthrough
for€es
enSagement. on naflow frontages.

(3) To neutralizelntitank weapons.llrlillery (4J Continuousrcconnaissance


lo wam ofencmy
positions,headquarters,
and communications
facilitics.

33
8. PREPARATIONAND PLANNING.

a. ln bre*thfough operationsa tank company b. It is apparenlthat rl pfeseniSovierconrpany


can be reiniorcedby, or reinforce,notorized .ifle comnandersdo nol alwaysunderstand lnd propcrly
use the techrliqes of fire supportcoordinarion.Ir
unils. In eilher caie its iaciicswould be the same.
their orden 1()subordinates they meretyrepeatthe
b. B€forethe attack,the cornpanycommander coinpany's nissionwithout explainingandtyingin lhe
rcceivesoral ordersfrom thebattalioncommander and m€ansby whichfire supportis provided.Artilleryfire
makesan cstimateof th€ situation.He conduclsa supporth often pre.planned, may be unobserved,
and I
reconnaissancewith his plaroon leaders and is usuallytued on a schedule. I
commanders of attachedand supporlingunits. Upon I
completing his reconnaissance,the company IO. CONDUCTOF OPERATIONS.
commanderissuesoral orden which include:
two methods of launching a
(l) Dispositionand compositionenemyforces. breakthrough:

(2) The missions


ol the companyandits altached (l) Fron tle march aBainstan ill prepared
md supportnrgunits.

(3) Infornatioi on adjacentunits and dreir (2) By deliberate assaulr againsr prepared
defensesfrom a holdingarea..

(4) The direcrionof advancc. b. Breakthroudoperalionsfrom the mrJch ar€


dynamic.spontaneous,and unpredicrablc.
Therefore,
(5) Combatformirions. only opcrationslaunch€dfrom a holding area arc

(6) Lines of d€parture/deployrnent


and aslautt
ll. ACTION lN THE HOLDING AREA. A rank
conpany commanderpreplres his compary for
(7) The coordinationof mdio communications. combatwhile.egimentalord€rsarebeingissuedto t}€
batialioncommander. Tanksarc.efueled,scrviced,
and
(8) Codewords. resuppliedwilh ammunition.After receipt of the
baltalon commande'i orders, reconnJissance rs
(9) Arrangemcnls for arti cry support. conductcdand ord€rsgivenlo platooncommandcrs.
Time pcrmitling.reh€rrsals
arecarriedout. Movement
(10) Vehiclc recoveryand repan. from thc holdingarei is shownin Figure 11.

(11) C sualtyevacuation. 12. ADVANCE TO ASSAULTPOSITION.A lmk


company mo!€s forward, on order, with ils
(12) Locarionof the secondin command.

c. Pialooncommandersreconnonrefie ground a. the mov€ froln the holdinga.eais timed so


if thereis tin€.
wilh tank commanders that the Iine of dcpadureis feachedal the ri e
specifiedin the battalionorder.If thc attackis to b€
9. COORDINATIONOF FIRE SUPPORT, precededby a nuclelr strile sg nst forwardenemy
positions,arrangemenls aJe made to protect lhe
a. A tank company commander orients his attacking force from the sirike. Ar€as aftording
subordinales on artillerysuppo(. Ref€rence poinls3re protectionfrom radialionare pr€selected along the
designated and assi8ned codewords. Theserefer€nce route and ar€ occupiedonly us long as necessary to
poinh are used1(] cal for andadjustsuppo ng ine. shieldthe tanks and attachedunits frofi radrluun.
It is significantthat the comprnycommander andnot
an rrtillery forwrd obselvercalls for supporting b. The company deploys into precombat
artilleryfire drough the battalioncommander. Platoon formationapproximately lwo kjlometersfrom theiinc
conrmnden can request fire support from th€ of conlact. Platoonsdcploy inlo combll formation
conrprnycommrnderr but individualtankcommandem approxirnately 500 metersbeiorereachingth€ line of
contacl (seeFigue l2).

34
!
l I
L I N EO FD E P L O Y M E N T
F N O MC O M P A N YINTO
PLATOONCOLUMN

0
DEPLOYINiO
PLATOONLINE

HOWITZEF
BATTEFY

Ilv
EnemyPlatoonPosnions

EnemVAnliTank GuidedMissile

i-a l22mm Howit2erBattery

! ol-o
tQ-f -$t
-r6nk

.r-,
Plaroonin CombarFomdion

a Firios
Line
I ""'o".von
REINFORCECDOMPANY n i a n t v i nA $ a l l rF o r m 5 t i o n
- i.
LEAVESWAITINGAF EA
]NCOLI]MN {t+ Banaioncommande,
<+-O commande,
companv

€ ranrsananPcslncotumn

> Boundary
of Prim6ry of Fno
Dneclion
F i g u r e1 2 . A d v a n c e f r o ma H o l d i n gA r e a .
I3. ASSAULT. The tank comprny. when leadingthc 14. E)CLOITATION. Afier overrunning an €nemy
assault,movcs.athid speed,firins on encny weapons detensiveposilion, a tank companycommanderordels
and personnelin ihe forwdd cdgc of ihe battle are. his tanks to continue the attack. If resisknceco apses
(FEBA). When required, ensireeB prcpdre passages compleicly. the company forms into march fbrmation
throush antitank obstaclesforward ofthe defensesrnd and continues in pursuit of the wilhdrawing enemy.
company tankr equipped with nine ploughs nake
hasly gaps in rninefields.If there are no gapsin fie 15, BREA(THROUGH OF A HASTY DEFENSE. A
m i n e f i e l d sa 1 d m i n e p l o u g i ( r c n o r a \ a i l r b l e .h c hasty defcnsiveposition is characterizedby hck of
company advancesthrough the minefield in preconbat ensinecr lortifications, inadequatetuc pldnning, and
significant gaps within the dcfcnsive positions. The
Soviets consider th€ enemy in a hasty defense,wi
a. Undcr cover of supporting fires. tdnk and allempi to stfengthenhis position along key tedain.
attachedmotorizcd ritle units attempt to penetate the
defenses,and lhen continue the advance-A tank a. The basis for successin overrunninga hasty
conpany supportsadjacentunits but do€snot deviate defenscis to attack from the march wiihout lengthy
from its own dircclion of advance. Momentun is preparation. Penetralion is suplorted by available
maintainedeven when supportingclementsale slowed ariillery fire and air slrikes. The rapid mornentumand
or hnlted. shock created by aggressive use of tanks is intcnded
to disrupt cncmy withdrawal, and to forc€ picccne.l
b. In thc !t1ack. irnks fire on the movc, tioln commitmcnl of reserves.A sudden attack s€izesthe
short halts, or at the halt. The preferred method is initiative. while conlinuous-plessure forces th€ enemy
1o fire on the move, which provides immediaie to nght without coordinaiion.
fuepower wiihout slowing rhe lempo oI the advance.
The short hrll is used to fire one aimed round fron b. A tank company approachcs tJIe enerny
the nain gun or severalbursts from th€ mrchinegun. defensive position in march or combal formation.
A longer halt is usedto fire three to four rounds.When Durng t]Ie approach, the company commander
lanks encounter a target of imporlancc to the mission, receives ofde6 by radio liom the battalion
concenrratedfife of rhe company is used.Tanks halt commander. These orders specify the line of
behind availablecover and continue 1l) lire until the deploymcnt, the objective within the FEBA and the
target is neutralized. direction offurther advance.The compiny conmsndef
evaluatesthe situation, and transmits ordcrs to the
c. Attached motorized rifie unils norrnally folow platoons.when support€dby motorized rifle units, the
the tanks by t0010 500 melers.Nlotorizednfle troops comprny conrmanderdelincs thel missionsand assault
rcmdn nounled wheneverpossibieand try to maintain positions- The assault is th€n cdlied out in same
the sa]n€speed as the tanks. finng Luoud the ports manner as lllal descdbedin pragrrph 13 (s€eFisure
of the APCS dunng rc assrult. (seeFigur€t3) 14).

d. Afler overcomingthe for*dd positionsofthe 16. TANK PLATOON AS BATTALION RESERVE,


eneny defense.tank units become the spearheadol' A iank plaloon can be used as a ballilion reseffe
the advanceand are given priority oI arlillery support. during offensive operrlions. Its tasksare exptoitation,
Enemy strong points arc bypa$ed. If the advanceof mopping up bypassedpockets of resistance,or the
a cornprrry is haited and a flankjng mancuv€ris not suppolt of motoriz€d rifl€ units a5 an immediate
possiblc,the cornprny comrnandercalls for addilional antitank defense. During the offensive, the reserve
fire support. Tanks tllen move under cov€r of platoon will follow the battalion commander one
supportins lire in theiJ ,ssigned direclion as taJ taclical bound behind the combat formation. The
forward as possible. Radiological or cbemicar battalion commandertransmitsmissionsto the leserve
contamiturted areas do nol slow the lernpo of the plaloon, which usually mov€s through a gap in th€
advance;ihese areasarc cross€drapidly or bypassed. baitali:Jn lin€ or from the flanki.
5(
-"] -.n -.H \
! 'r
E*! :'
MOVINGENEMY
INTANKS
?1
TANKsaNDAPcs I
INFINAL +
AssAULrPosrroN
*ir:it",i:*i
a

| .-.\
tt\\l'J
. wooos| \ \ \ J.
i:.,/\\\\ |
:iJ,l / \l\\ \ |
;ii,\ /(\\ \ /i
'i':','\ l"ll i
oJoo
o'."tu",J I L/
ANoMovEslNro \-,/ / ,/
posrnoN\
FIRE

M O V E SI N T O \ v,//i ,/ rt
--z'r',/ t
I F EP O S I T I O N
\
\r-t' ll' i
\ z it I c o u p o."o" " " o " o . ^
a./ ll i 2rdaND3'drA'{\PLArooNs
\Jl I i ir wlH woaPcsvovE
-oqtcHr|LA,,J(
r-, i |. I

t'-e.:: bll l
$r,:
Jf.{.die{
\i iI
| ; I
.lO
<r4O- 'rank
P atoo. in Co amn t:#, \il
<€

+ll- 12nm Hown.er8.[..y :


n:# \i I
+ Dismounred
APC Sq!.d
I
,rln
v-*-\/ TankPlatoonon Fl.ingLine
Borndaryol PrimrryOnecti.n

Figure13. AssauhFormations.

37
TANK COMPANYIN ASSAULT
H | -----

Lal l--
'* a'
0-.H
\@
\-
,-,\
\
tt
o

I
TANK COMPANY/ANOINFANTRY
'
E N G A G E N E M Y A L B E A D Y IPNO S I TO N
ffi.

!ii PLANNEDAF
LLTE H Y T A H G E I S

i i,"' SECONDAUY
-rNrRD
@@
@@

I !'"^4i,,...r' SEOUENCEOF
EVENTSSI]OWINGPOSS BLE CONCUFBENTACTIVTY

.1
/ ?t**.;i
//
Yl,/
.l

I la{ f'^'iw;:t"
'i
Figufe14. Breakthrough
oflhe HastyDelensivePosition.

38
Section D Pursuit

17. CONCEPTS.Pursuit is the continuation of lhe c. A combinedpursuit is the applicationof both


advanceagainsta disorganized,withdrawing enemy.A direct andparall€lpunuit againsta withdrawingen€my
tank companywith its mobility and firepoweris (seeFisure l5).
ideally suitedfor pursuii.Companycommanders are
required io initiaie pu$uit immediately upon 19. MISSIONS OF THE TANK COMPANY IN
indication of €n€mywithdrawal; they then inform the PtlRSUlT. Probable mirsions for a tark compary
battalioncommand€r.The Sovi€t aim is to tum a engagedas part of a lflrger forc€ in pursuit op€rations
hnited enemy withdrawalinto a full scaleretreat
firough pursuit by units in contact. Punuit jr
continued day and night and t t€rminatedonly on a- Reconnaissance,
orders of the higher commanderor becaue of strong
enemyresistance. Reinforcement and employmentof b. Marchs€curityd€tachments.
a trnk companyin pursuilwill be similarto t}Iat in
a meetingengaSemeni. c. Tank ambush parties.

18. CONDUCTOF THE PURSUIT.A rcinforcedlant( d. Seiziog key terrain on with&awal rcutcs.
conpany participatesin pursuit as part of a laBer
force. The pursuit may be direct, parallel,o. a A tank companypunues in -rnarchor pr€combat
combinationof both, in which ca.seit will be a formation and moves into combat formations on
regimenlaloperation.

a. Dicct pursuitis the continuedfrontalpressurc 20. LOGISTICSUPPORT. Pursuitoperarions require


appliedagainstr withdralving enemyto denyhim time considerablelogisticsupportboth in ammunitionand
to reestablisha def€nsveposilion- POL. Higher headquarters must keep supplieswell
forward and readily availabl€ io the pursuit forc€s.
b. Paralel pursuit is rapid movementalong axes
parallelto theenemywithdrawalroute,withthe intent
to attackhis flanks or rear.

+
l 6 "'!tiiv*
lal
o-- '
0 .*^

'^"- \

Figure15.Directand ParallelPursuh.

39
Section E Ni!fit Attacks

21. CONCEPTS. The Sovietsconsidernight attack s 23. ADVANCE TO ASSAULT POSITION.Covered


a normal operationto maintainmomenLun.Night routesto the asaull positionsare us€d,if possible,
attacksgain surprisc,reducecasurlties,rnd nrinimize to counter the effech of enemy night vision and
the thrert of nuclearattack-With improvednighl detectionequipmenl-[f thereare no coveredroutes,
visionand batrlefieldilluminationd€vices,
the Sovicls tanks move to their line of deploymentin march
plac€the samerelianceoo tanksthat they do during formatioflundercovcrof artillery.A supportednight
the day. Tank units are accompanied by motorized attack is precededby a short intense artillery
rifle and artillery udts for mght offensives. The preparation. Artillery firc is plannedto neutralizethe
majorityof night attacksare deliberate,
but targetsof enemyand to destroymcansof night surveillance. If
opportudtywill be exploitedby a hastyarhck should thereis an iluminationplan,this is implemented after
the opportunityoccur. tlle artillery prcparationis oomplete.

22. PLANNINC.A tank battalioncommander flans 24. CONDUCTOF THE ASSAIiLT. Od order, the
night attacksand briefsand conductsrcconnaissance tank companies leadthe assaultin combatformation.
with hb company commandersduing dayligh! if They open fire using night vision d€vices or ih€
potsible.If lime permils.d relaln recdnnaissrncc ir daylightsightwhneon the mow.lvlinefields andother
conductedduringdarkness so that the difficultiesof obstaclesarc negotiatedtbrough previouslymarked
control, coordination, and illunination can b€ Ianes.Tank ale folowed by motorizedrifle unitsin
rerolved.Preparation and planningfor a niBhrattack APCS.Emphasis is on desuoyingenemypocketsof
is extensiveifit is launch€dagainsta preprredposition. resistance without maneuvcring at the staft of the
It will include: attack.Tank units atlempl to ldvanc€directlyalong
prcdcsignatcd rculesusingdirectionalS/ro compasses
(seeEncloslrre 3). Reference pointsand azimuthsare
a. Establishins
easilyrecognized
refer€nce
point!. usedto reorienttaits whi.h devialefrom their.outes.
If the tank companyencounl€na superiorenemy
b. M.rking $e axis of adv,nce- force,temporaryposilionsareselected to providegood
fieldsof fire, antitani defense,andcoverfrom nuclear
c. hsuinSthc azimuthfor the directionof the strikes. Enemy counleraltacksarc repolsed by
concentratedtank and arlillery fire. Repuls€of an
enemycounterattack is followed immediatelyby an
d. Coordinatingthe usc of night visiondcvices rttack on a flank to regainlhc initiative-The tempo
and bardefieldilluminationmeans. of thc advanc€ continues throughoutthe folowingday
and night. At first Iight the companycommander
Coordinarionof company boundariesand usc of reevaluatcs thc situaiionand hsuesnew ordcrs,paying
aiillely fire is Sivcngrcal cmphdis.A crrefui ch€ck particularaltcnlion to lik€ly eneny countcraltack
of lankr is madcto ensurelhat unautlorizedvehicle routes.If the siluationpermits.fuel and ammumtion
liShb are extinguished (seeFigurc 16). are calledfooard and damagcdhnks 3nd casualties
evacurledby thebattalionrepairandevacuation group
(REG).

40
lF FEFERENCEPOINT

ENEMY

I
I
l
?2MILS

STARTLINEHELD
A Y M O T O R I Z EROI F L E T R O O P. S

*_ C O L O R ELDI G H T A N D
TBAFF|CREGULAToRs
MARK BOUTEFOFWARO
FOFTANKCOMPANY

Nore 1 Azimlth ot Atact is fxed


on the dri@Fmechanic and
CommanderDi.ecrional cyo

J. C O L O B E LOI G H T A N D
a TRAFFTC BEGULATOFS
MARKTHEPOINTIO Nore2 Thesingalroaitackis qiven
A by an llluminaiionFa.e or by
TURNOFFINFRARED
\ V
DRrvrNcArDs nadio Cod*ord
A
Figure16. Controllvleasures
for NightAttack.

4l
Sectior F Offensives in Diilicult Terrain

15. MOUNTAIN AREAS. Th€ Soders resafd rhe echclonedmovc rent on parallelroutes and sonrcfank
limitins faclorsof terdin and engrnepeffornrnce!o maneuve. may bc artemptcd. contact between unjts
be restrictive but not insurmountableto arnror is nraintainedby disnounted infant.y. The Sovietss€c
operationsin mounrainareas.Thc lank company the problem of operationsin forests and mdshes ,s
requresJ0 ro 50 percenrmo e fJel lor mounrarn being rerrain, restrictionson tank gun range,control,
operations.Pioneertools are fequiredfor eachtank. observation, and orientation. Rates of advance are
Th€ vElueof supportingmolorizedrifle units and geatly reduced. Tlrc destruction causedby nuclear
attachedartillery and mortarsis hig! in rnountain slflkes in iorest or mdsnland dicrares rh-arengineer
operations.Companytacticsar€ des'gnedto exploil supporl be atlached to tank companieslor operatjons.
firepower. Combarformarions emplo)r\e maximum In summer the provision of repellent to ward off
possible number of lanks forward. Extensive "winged blood sucking insec$" n thought to be
reconnaissance is lequired to avoid enemy tank
ambushes. The tank companycommander to
a1t€mpts
move on roads. usinglateral and plrallel rodds to 27. OPERATIONS IN SNOW. During operaiions in
maneuver 1o the flanksof cnemyposiiions.
Marchand snow, the problems of overcoming terrain and low
precombatfornution intcrvalsare doubled during rempcraturesare Siven mofe emphasisthan tactics.
mounoln operatrdns. Opcrationsin soch aJeasare connder€dby ihe Soviets
lo be dependenr on ihe ef1-ectiveness of loghtic
26. FORESTSAND MARSIILANDS.In forestsand supfort. In parlicular, clorhirg, anti-frostbjle
marshlandsnrovementis restrictedto roads, llre equipment,ard vitanin prcprations are consideredto
brerks,and ttuoughsparse
woodsand clearings.
Tank be indispensiblc. Moveme t is restrjctedand attacks
companiesnormally opente in conjunctionlvith are Iaunchedfronr column irs near lo cnemy posilioni
infanlry. Mov€mentis restrictedto columrs, bui

1^

;3
Flrb.. F,ai
T62's ope.ating n narch farnation in snow covered mounEin area.
42
CHAPTER12
R]VERCROSSINC
OPERATIONS
l. CONCEPTS. Soviel racricaldoctrinc stresses
thc b. The ba alion .onrmander no,may re.crves
importanceof c.ossing rivers,gaps,
and\{aterobsraclcs rldju orde6 shich designare lhe cro:JE 3,ea.The
without losinSmomenrun. Bridging.f€rrying..rnd battalionheadquarrers controh rhe crossinsasshown
amphibiousequipmentis designcdto cross watcr in Fisurc 17. A re8ularionst.rioh is estabiished
obstaclesas rapidiy as possible. near
Whencrossingwarcr lhc crossingsitcs.Each fordin8site is conrrolledby
obstaclcs.
a mediumlank compuryoFraresJ\ pr ,r crossingcommand€r who \rili normaly be from the
ol a barralion.The company n)rr cros drc uo\racre rtrached rngineerunrr.A cornrnmJ po\t is sctup on
in one of thc following ways: DolhbJn\ to Jonrrolforwardcumpanie\ c,osslng rhc
obnJ.le.Thiswill be undcrJireltrono' thebarralion
a. Over pcrmaoentor lemporafybridges. deputy comnandcrfor technicalmatters.Rour€sro
cfossingsiteswill be mjrked. The repdr andrecovcry
b. Orer tank launchedbridges€crions. 8roup.battrlion aid stalion,and rce serviceelcmenis
crossaf(cr rhe rank companies_
c. Orrr truck launchcdpontoon bfldg€s.
3. FORDING.A sire 30 to 50 meierswide ls useo
d. Owr amphibiousbfidg€seclionsor feffies. lbr_a compmy cfossingwater obstaclesby deep
forJin;.ln hi\ modclheranLrequfes no preparation
e. Trackedself propclledferries. floweve,.rhe bdnks of rhc obrractemJ) need
prcparationwherevehiclesenterand exjt rhe warer.
2, PLANNINC AND CONTROL. A tank may passthrougha deplh of 1.4 meters
without a snorkel.Markcr! indicarethe site. and at
a. The Sovietscros!warerobsractes
from rhetinc niShlgreenLighr\are usedto nJicateduccrion.
of tnarch.This presupposesthat rcconnaissance
and
securityoperationshave bcen carriedour md rhar
engineerprepmtions have bcen completedor ranks
have been preparedfor snorkelinS.

. .. :j.t::.iaai:
:-...

754/55 being loadedonto a fetry before crc$ing e waterobsbcte.All but first echetonuniEwitt
nomally ctoJs water obsdcles by btidge or fetry.
1"

I oaJEcnvEs
cRossrNG
SrTEs
/
I
I
RECONNAISSANCEAND
OETACHMENTS

f...
l,.zBATTAL|ON
COMMAND
Ib\POSTIFAR BANK)
\
I CROSSINGSITE

CFOSSINGSITE

WATERCROSSING
COMMANDEF
15t]l
2mm

TANKSINPOSMON
TOSUPPbRTCiOSStNG

\
ROUTES
MARXED
FOR
oAYANDNTGHTUSE
+
x
h TANKcoMPANrEs_--l ?
\--
Fr
INCOLUMN
?

BATTALION
PBEPARATION
A8E{

Figure17. RiverCrossing
ControlOrganization.

44
4, SNORKELING. 5. STAGDS IN CROSSINGWATER OBSTACLBS.A
tJnk company may be called 10 crossa water obstacle
a. Soviet tanks equippedwith snorkelscan cross in either reconnai$anceor march securily rolc!, ur as
under a wrt€r obstacle up to 5.5 meten in dcpth. part of tle main body. The merhod ofcrossinga water
Preparation of the enlrancc dnd exir points of the obslacle is deternined by the mission of the tank
obstacle may tre required. Tdnks require prepamtion company i! the advmcmg colunrn.
and tank crews undergo lraining to learn Morkeling
techniques- a. Reconnaissance. Tant companies in the
rcconnaissance role are reinforc€d by ensineers,divers,
b. Tines 10 prepare a nedium tmk unit for a and chcmical specialishto survey nver banks to find
s.lorkel crossingof a water barri€r vary greatly with suitablecrcssingsi1€s.Motonzed infantry and ariilery
the type of tank involved but normally it is abour I are in support-If Llnderwatersufley is requlred,it will
l/2 hours.The tunel is scded with an infiaiablerubbcr probably bc conducted at night. Reconnarssanc€
device. Specirl onc way vatves are attached to the elements also seek 1() identify ensting bridges or
exhaust system to alow ihe cilaust funresto escape fordinS sitesrs well asenemy positionson both banks.
but prevent waier lrom entering. Tte rernahing
exposed working parts are snrearedwith rcsin and b Seunry Daachnelrs T€n\ companies
snorkels re then attached. SpeciJl wide "chimney cmployed as security detrcbmcnts s€izecrossin€areas
snorkels are used in training only. These are wide discovercdby reconnarssmce elemeotsand attempt to
enough for a nan to esclpc throush. h combat a use shallow fords 1o estabiisha lridgehead on rhe far
nuow tube is used ibr lcntilation. Tanks are orrvcn bank. nre nerr bmks of crossingsites are held untii
cross the obstacleon a preassigned nagnetic xzinulh. the afrival of ihe main body if the €nemy slrengtl
with necessarycorrections to left or righl glvcn by prer€nts an immediate c.ossing.
radio from tank on the banks In conbal. aftcr lclvlng
the water the snorkcl rs jettisoned. The iank Lhcn c. Main Bodt. A company rrl t]rc main body
requnes about 20 minutcs work before it can operate crossesthe obsiacle using either fofds or esrablish€d
norrnr y. A. snorkelirg lank must be driven slowly in crossingsitesunder the cover ofsecudty detachments.
low gear as the tracks t€nd lo slip. Care must aho After crossing lhe obsiacle. it morcs on d€signated
be taken. or it will slall and luve to b€ pulled out routes to its objective,perhapsthree to four kilomelers
of the waier. Tank crcwsusegasmaskequipmentwhle from the obstacie. If the bat.alion has no !€curity
snorkelinSas a sourceof oxygen. Snofkelingtanks ale eiements, a company will cross as a LMSD aft€r
'lulnerable to undeNater obstacles.soft dver
beds, inlensive concentrationsof anillery and tank fue.
swiftly flowing curents, and debris.Wlrcneverpo$ible
th€ Sovietscross water obstaclesby ferry or bridges.

754b5 fitted with the narrcw snotkel tube u#d in conbat


opentions Note the covet on the gun muzzte.

1R.w6asrank)
CHAPTER13

DEFENSE

SectionA Concepts

I. SUCCESS
OF DEFENSE. b. Switching lo the defensecan lake placeeither
in or out of contacl with the enemy. A defense
a. The Soviets r€gard th€ defensivear a adoptedwhilc in contacrwilh theenemyis consider€d
iemporary phae d€signedto repel the attack of io be a difficult operalion.lt is likely that the tank
superjorenemyforccswhileinflictingsignificantlosses. companywiil be expectedto seizea linearposition
The purposeis to hold positionslongenoughto creat€ on tactically SSnificant terrah. This initial position
conditions favorablefor a retum to th€ off€nsiv€.In should be capableof b€hg convertedinto a stronger
taclicalterms thesuccess of defens€dependson the posinonwhen cifcumstances allow. Out of contact,a
skillful use of terrain, combincd with a well positionin depth will be plannedwhen ordered.
coordinatedlire plan.

Section B Organizationof Defense

2. TANK COMPANYTASKS.A tank companyis used 4. DEFENSM CONFIGIJRATION.A tank conpany


in defeffe in one of the folowing roles: conmand€r considers th€ following in selecting
positionsr
d€fensiYe
a. Holding an area.
a. Maintaining tank tue density while retaining
b. A counterpcnctration
or count€raltackforce, all-rounddefensc.

c. Reinforcin8 thc antitank defense of a b. Rev€rs€slop€positions.


motorizednfle uni!. normallya batlalion.
c- Mutual support within companyand with
d. As a force to cove. an areabetweenCBR adjacentunits.
contaminatedaress.
d. Secondaryfire positions for tanks witn
e. A trn]( lmbush. coveredroutesfrom primarypositions.

A tanl plaloon may be us€dasa banalionres€n€or Civen thes€ conflicting rcqutements, th€ t"nk
patrol.
as 3 reconnaissnnce companycommander ulually placeshis platoonstlvo
forwardand oneback.The rearplatooncanbe to the
3. FRONTAGES.Wr€n cmploy€din rhe defensive center,ri8ht or lefr rearasdictatedby the l€rrainand
role,ar part of a batrdlion,the tank comFny defcnds lhreat-Molorizcddfle troopsgivelocalprotectionlo
a strongpoinl approxjmately1000 meten wide and laoks ,nd fill in gaps within the position, using
500 metersin depth.Thereare normally300 meters machineguns and hand.heldantitankweapons- Lin€aJ
betweenplatoons.The arc of obs€rvationfor an in positionswherelhe tank
formationsare acceptable
individualtank is restriut€dto the field of viron as companyis in thc lecondechelon. Withinthe defensive
slen thlough the gunnef'sand commander's srgn$ position a "wandedngtank" may be designated to
without moving the turret. This givcssn arc of 300 movebetweengapsandflanls to confusetheenemyt
Sovietmils.* Tanksar€normdly assigned an individual estimatingthe numberand locationsof the tad<s.
arc of fire between200-250soviet mils. Thereare
normally150 mclcrsbetweenindividualtanks.Figure 5. TANK FIRE FROM PREPAREDPOSITIONS.A
18 givesfurther detailsof the arc of fire. tank company firing from prepared positiotrs is

*There are 6000 unit mils to a circlein the Soviet

47
expectedto open fire at l50O metersand achievea a. Positions for tanb and AFCS.
50 percentkill Etio. The Sovietsconsiderftat encmy
tanls will atlackat an average of 15 krn/hour.They b. Clearingarcs of fire.
estimatethat each Soviettank in the companywill
beableto fir€ l0 to 12 roundsduringan €nemyattack. c. Conltructing antitank and antipersonnel
EachSovieltank is lhereforecreditedwith a potential obstaclesalorg lik€ly enemyalenuesof approach.
of five or six tark kils.It is projectedby the Soviets
fial a trnk compan),afrerJ0 percent ca:ualrieJ.
can d. Pr€paJation of allernatepositions.
counteran attackby 30 to 40 enenly
still theoretically
tanks.Allhoud suchnad€natics areoptimistic,they e. Preparingammunitionstoragefacilities.
aretypica.lof the sovietattitudero tacricalquestions.
A typical tank alring position is shown in Figure 19.
O. ENGINEER PREPARED DEFENSIVE
POSITIONS. Whena companyis out of contactwith 7. FIRE PLAN.Thosear€aswhich cannotbe colrred
th€ enemy, considerableengineerwork can be by directfire arecov€redby adllery andmortar fir€.
accomplished in preparingtanl posations. Thepriority The flanks and the forward edSe of likely enemy
of work h usuallyas [ollows: assault positions are priodty artillery targ€ts.

Fis!rc showsihei.r€nockinsarcsol
t re ol iwo ranksin lhe PrimaryArc of
Fne. The crireri.rre lhal fne ol
individualtanksr.tsocksat400rn.,
andrharai leasr v. olrhetomol
rhea@isove app€d The200 250
mllarc ofa tank ca. be obserued
w thout rcratl.g rh6 lurel.

SecondaryArcs coverthsareaof
r€sponsibility
ot Adjaco Platoon3.

03pth pbroonscov6.the Fear

Thissvsiemm3k€slo.sre6r
concentarionol tn on a narow
tronraseandis b6t slned b
enfiladepositions.In a fronra shoot
eilherthecrheia mu5tb€ @laxed
or oositionswill lackdepth and
probablyrhere wirlbe tne qapswilhin
plaloon areasol GspoGibiliry.

-l j50n
l+ o6bk! Bdwei FrDs P6,ioE

Figure18. Arcs of Fire.


48
Section C Sequencelor Adopting a DefensivePosition

8. BATTALION ORDERS. Th€ tank company IO. COMPA}.IYORDERS AND COORDINATION.


commander rcceives his orders from the batt2lion
commander eitherby radioor in persondepending on a. Following his reconnaissance the company
the situation.He is giv€nboth the companymission commanderestirnalesthe situation3nd issuesoral
and detallsof coordinationwith adjacentuniis. The orders to the tanl< platoonsand to attachedand
comp.ny conmanderthen estimatesthe situation from supporringunits. In sjtualronswherethe companyis
a map or the gound. in contactwidr the €n€my,ordersaretransmittedby
radio on the companyn€t.
9. RECONNAISSANCE.If not in conlaot with the
enemy,the tanl companycommandcr, accompanied b. Folowing linal organization
of the defensive
by platoon and attachedunil commanders, makesa position on the grourd, the compary commander
reconnaissance of the companysectorand arbmpts to sendsa diagiamof his company'sposition to the
srte his tanks accordingto the proc€duresoutlined in battalior commaflder-Ttis diagam (Figurc 20)
paragraph4. He makesa plrn which includeslhe includesthe followingdetails:
following:
(1) Prominentterrain fealuresand a scalc.
a. Companyand platoonboundaries.
(2) Enemypositions.
b. Trnk primary and altemate firing positions.
(3) Tank platoon,nd attachedsubunitlocations
c. Individualtrnk and platoon arcs of lne. and alternatcpositions.

d. Positionsand arcsof fire for attachedunits. (4) Primaryand al.ernatedirecnonsof lire.

e. Meansfor sccuringflanksandSapsby dil€ry (5) Obstacles.


fire or constuctionof obstacles.
(6) lrcation of companyheadquarters.
f. Prioritiesfor engineerwork.

g. Use of night vjsion devices.

lf physicalreconmissance is prevented,it may be


limited to an estimatefrom a map. D I R E C T I OONF F I F E

FIBING

.L--i-,)
t-,i--- - -r'
Figure19. EngineerPreparsdTank FiringPosition
49
f
N

I +
2Ptf

HILIOCX

zoNEoF coNcENTRATED
MActiiNEG'uN
FtFE

DUG IN

0
2PLT

I \
t
r1 \.

_o_
133

A \
5m
>+- Tankin prcp8redposition

S€con&rylank position
;{..:'
Hgure 20. SovietTank CompanyCommandersSketchof DefensivePositon.(Basedon SovietDiagram.l

50
Section D Conduct of the Defense

I I, ENEMY PROBES. 13. TANK COMPANY IN "RESERVE." A tank


corhpany in depth within the battrlion position is
a. The Sovjelsconsiderthat the enemyrnight frequendy referredto in Sovietwriting asth€ "resErve
attack inilially usingprobingactionsto locate tank company. This company,aewell ashevinga primary
liring positions.Theseprobeswi be folowed by tank role to hoid an area,will har€ seconda.ytssksof acting
attacks suppofted by me.hanizedinfanlry. They as a counterattack force.Two or th&. routesto the
expect that the eneny may us€ tactical nuclear forward companies'ar€asare raconnoiaa$d,snd lines
weaponsand will usean artilery pftparationprior to of departureare assigned.The routcs ar€ msrked for
night use. th€ "rcserre corngany" is atso responsible
for defenseagainstaibome astults.
b- The tank companycommander detailsa tank
to €ngagecncmy probes so that dre main firin8 14. DEFENSE AT MGI{T. In night defensive
positionsare not detecred.This tank designat€d in operations, an ilumination plan is prepaftd.
Sovietterminology"the wandenngrank" movesand Illuminationis orderedby the companycomnunder.
fires from within the companyposition.Duringthis Dfensive and gulnery principles do not radically
pedodr€adjustmenls of the conpanypositioncaused differ from those used during daylight. Recent
by enernynuclearor artilleryfire are made.After a developmentsin Soviet night vision cquipment may
readjustment of his posilion,the companycommander mean that there will be Iess.need for battl.field
recheckscommunications wilh both his own and illumhation .
attachedunits and hider headquarlers.
15. ANTITANK SUPPORTOF INFANTRY. wllen
12. THE MAIN ATTACK, operaiing as an antitanl defens. forc! subordinateto
a motorized rifle battalion, a tank comprny deploys
a. Whenthe enemylaunches his main attackthe by platoons.Eachplatoon deployswithin a motorized
companycommander concenlralestic grcatestpart of rifle cornpanyarea or strongpoint. Reconnaissanc€ is
his tank fu€ on the most lireatening portion of the cafri€d out by platoon command€rstoSetherwith the
en€myasaull. Firc is opcflcdwhenthe enemyreaches infanry company commander, Tank platoon
the forwardedgeof the companyareaof responsibility command€rs give advice on thc location and
(approximatelyi500 rnetets).Key points on the coordination of the antitank dcfcnse. The tsnt
companyfront are d€signliedasar€asofconcentraled company commander remains with the infaniry
tank fire (see Figure 20). Atlached infantry and battalioncommander duringthe defensivebattle and
machineguns engage enemyinldtry ard APCSwit}I the acts ashis antitankdefensecoordinator.Authority to
aim of isolalingthe infantry lrom the armor. movs the tanks within the battallon poritlon remains
with the tank companycommsnder.
b. II thc cnemy auack fails, the cornpany
commandermay shift his fire power againstunits 16. COUNTERATTACK.
assnulting adjacenrpositions-lf peneirationis made
inio the tankcompinyposition,counterattacks arenot a. The inobility and fuepowcr charact€rislicof
atlemptcdby thc company.Suwivingtar*s remainrn armor make the tank compMy an effectiiE
posilionandsupporlcounterattacks ord€redby higher counterattack force. In this rc|., a @mpany is
' headquarten. Only on order of the battalion normally reinforcedby motorized riflc troops. A tart
commander will conpanytanksl€avetheirpreassign€d compaoy may be employ€das tle rcgimcntalr.serrc.
positions to join r counleratlack. Similarly, ln this role it occupies a prepa.ed position in the
penetrationby the enemyinlo an adjacentposition regimentalsecondechelonof def€nse. The company
is counter€dby fire and nol by counterattack. commander prepares routes into the forward
Counterattack is normallya functionof the ballalion batlalions'area!,and designates linesof departur€
and
or regimentalrescrve, lfiing poaitions.Rout€saremaikedby rignswhichare
isible ar night. Depending on the time available,
c. The companycomnander,wilh lhe approval rehearsakare cardedout on counterettackroutes.
of the battalion commander,may moi€ tanks to Commu cations and fire plans ar. then coordinated
alternatepositjons.Thh is to causefie enemyto with forward udts.
attack vacabd positions.
b. when comterattacking, a lank companyfires b. Both pdmaryandsecondary tankposiiionsare
"from place" and then, on rec€iving a signal,the selecled.Positionsare dug alld futly prepared,if time
company"rushes"the enemy.It is significantto note p€rmits, before occupatior. Referencepoints arc
that. without th€ permissionof the battalion designated in the usualmanner.Engagemetrt rangcs src
commander,ihe company commandermay not at 1000metersor less:surprise is tie dominating fsctor
maneur€rby platoon. in planning.SmaI groups of enemy vehicles$e
allowedto passthJoughthe ambushsit€ until a suitable
c. A reginentalreservetznt companymay be target is selected.Ambuslrcsar€ sometimesplannedin
employed to occupy areasdevastatedby nuclear o er to clpiure ems, equipment,or enemysoldiers
atrack. Mov€mentrnust be rapid. The commander for intelligencepurpos€s.
seiectsthe shortesttraflicablefoute to the areaand
transmitsorden 10platoonsduringmovement.Insuch
operationsthe menaJeshieldedfrom radiationby the
protectivelinersof the tank andindividualprotective
clothing. Increasedmonitoring is cafried out by
chemicalspecialiststo prevent t}le companyfrom
movinginlo radioactive'hot spots."

17. TANK AMBUSHES.

a. Exposedflanks, gapsin defensivepositions,


andenemyapproachroutescanbe sitesfor amburhes.
The soviels regardtank ambushesa.seffectivedefcnsive
operationswhich may be carried oul at platoon,
cbmpany, or battaiion level. Tank companiesare
usuallyreinfofc€dby additionaiantitankweaponsfor
thn operation.The usual d€fensiveprinciplesare
enployed in liting tank ambush positions. They arc
in defiladeand we carnouflaged.

T62i conducting a defensive *oot on a


field firing nngc. The light in d1edisance
isp.obably a simulating .levice ro

52
CHAPTER 14

THE WITHDRAWAL

1. CONCEPIS. c. A5 a lat€ral malch security derachment.

a. Soviet concepts allow withdrawal to avoid d. As tank ambush Lmii on enemy axes of
enemy nuclear strikes or to occupy a nrore
advantageousposition. In the defensethe operation is
carfied out ro reposition a unit's front towardsa {lank ln €ach casethe conpany is usually renrforcedby a
h responseto en€my action or to reduce the l€ngih rnotorized rifle platoon.
of a threatenedsupply line. During advanoc1()contact,
a withdawal can be ord€red when stubborn enemy 4. SSQUENCE OF WITHDRAWAL.
oppostion is met or at the conclusion of an
unsuccessfulmeeting engagement. a. A company commander will r€ceive orders
frorn the battalion conma(der either in personor by
b. It i! impo(ant to note that only a hlgher radio, including:
commandermay order witndrawal.This is usurlly done
to improve the tactical configuration or to free units (l) Taciical inteligence on the enemy.
for other opeiations. A withdrawal is usualy crJried
out in face of enemy action. It is inplied, how€ver, (2) Mission.
that the eneny wil not be alowed to dictate a
withdrawal. A company withdraws as part of r (3) Coordination details for tle withdrawal.
battalion operation.
(4) Lbes of deploynent.
2. DISENGAGEMENT.
(5) Planned suppo(ing adillery flre.
a. The crilical tine in the wilhdrawal is the brear<
with tll€ enemy. A tank company will attempt to break (6) Assembly areas.
contact eilher at nighi or during conditions of low
visibility. In theory, withdrawalswil lake place undef b. A tank company withdraws to an assembly
cover of adillery and tactical air suppoit. The suppolt area I to 1.5 kiloneters behind rhe FEBA. APCS
is plarned at battalion ievel and coordinaled in a withdraw, covered by tanks, into the assemblyarea.
regimental plan.
c. If a tank company is in contact with the
b. Once it has broken contact, the conprny enerny, it may withdraw wilh platoons coveringeach
noves to its new firing positiooswithout int€rm€diale other. Altemalively, the entte comprny may move
positions. ln cares where lhe unit is still in contact simultaneously,covered by another compdny or the
with the enemy, intermediate posttionswill be used baitaljon resewe.Once the tank companyhas brcken
contacr. platoons forrn into columns. A company
colu.nn is forn€d once the company has passed
3. ROLES. During a wthdrawrl, th€ lank company d[ough the positions of the rear narch security
may be employed:

a . A s d r e a r m a r c hs e c u r y d e l a c h m e l r . d. Th€ withdrawalis deemedto be completeonce


the tank company is redeployed in a new tiring
b. As a lead march security detachmentto lead position or har taken up a position with a batalion
the rearward 'noving column. rear assemDryarea.

53
CHAF|ER I5

SECURITYDURING HALTS

l. CONCEPTS. Analysrsof combataclionsshowslhat (2) Pnonliesfor €ngneerwork.


etcr in fast moving opcrationshrlls rale place
frequently.Thesehalts rnay bc momentaryin order (3) Conposiion and missionsof s€curityunits.
1o fire. shoi term to coverother rroops.or longer
term stopsto restor coordinatcplanningand actions. (a) AnLjarrcml'and nu.lcar Llefense
plar..
No tacticrlr€configurationis necessaryfor the shorter
haltsas tanksare likely to be in firing posilionsand (5) Altc ativ€ battalionareaand routes to it.
havc artillery supportavrilable.The purposeof this
chapteris to describesecurityat long€rhalts,when (6) Communication
plan.
thereis no enemycontact.
(7) Incation of lhe commandpost.
2. CAMOUFLAGEAND CONCEAI-MENT. The us€
of sophisiicaledreconnaissilctby the encrny.andthe
Orders ee repeated for each cornpany. lf
threat from air attacks,airborneass4ulr.and nuciear circumstancesdemand. this feconnaissance md
sttack, mste camouflagcand concealment the most occupationprocedurccan be shortened
by the useof
importantfactofsin the seleclionof halr eas.Thc rudio orders and the movement can be into
Sovietscmphasize that thh muslnor impai rheability unfeconnoitered
areasselecledfrom rhe map by a
of tank unitsro defendlhemselves or to resumerapid

b. Tank compades arc mct by subunit


3. LOCATIONOF RESTAREAS.A tank company andied into theird€signaled
rcprcscntatives arcas.No
normallyoccupiespart of an 8 to l0 squmekilometer haltson accessroads1()restareasarepermitted.Tanks
areaof its baltalion.Thereis flormallybetweenI to are sited 3G50 metersapart.S€ctorsof fire for la*s
1.5 kiloneters betweencach company\{irhin the and individualweapons are allotted,andfoxholesdug
battalion eea. The combat situllion and climatic by tank crews near their tanks. Vehicles are
conditionsdictate the location ussd, but inhabiled camouflaged as a priority lssk. If the positionis to
areas 3re avoided. The direclion of maJcn aro be occupiedfor any l€ngthof tim€, tanksaredugin
influ€ncesthe selectionof individualpositionswithin and a relephon€ line is laid to the bailalioncornmand
post.The cornpanycommander's tankis sitedwith the
platoon in the centerof the position.The plaloons
4. MOVE INTO REST AREAS. Areasare selected are 100-150metersaparl (s€eFigure 2l).
from the nap by the baualion con1lrl,nderand a
locationis designated for each tank company.Thc 6. LOCAI SECURITY.Locals.curity is maintain€d
batlaUoncommander scndsforwarda reconndissancc
party composedof batlalion staff oflicers and by sentriesand parrolsdetailedon a daily basis.In
addilion,platoonsmaintainob!€rvatiorposts(OPt.
companyreprcsentatives. This parry establishes
the
posilion to be occupied,having consideredaccess The OPs maintain antiair (AA), ground, and
radio-watch.At night onemanin eachlank crewacts
roads,coverandconcealmenl, minefields,andchemical mansihe company
aslentry.A duty officeror scrgeant
and radiation}azards.Thereconnai$arce commander, with
commander's tank ard remainsin comnrmication
havingcompletedhis task, rcportsto the batlalion
rhe battalionheadquarters, by radio and landline. A
commander eitler p€rsonallyor by radio-
companyOP is sel up about 1500metersfrom the
companyareain lhe mostlikely ar€nueof approach.
5. OCCUPATIONOF A RESTAREA.
A two-rnanpatrol cbecksthe individualsentriesand
OPs.s detaied by the duty officer.Passwords and
a. The battalioncommander givesordl ordersfor
counlersignsar€ changeddaily.
the occupationof the positionincluding:

(l) Tacticalinlclligence.

55
7. SECTJRITY FROM AIR AND NUCLEAR a nuclear attack, t}IE company dispositionis changed
ATIACK. By monitodng the battalion ner, the duty oncewoundedharr beenevacuatedand damagedtanls
officer is able to alert the tant cr€wsof air or nuclear
attack.Passivedefens€measures are tal€n by crewmenJ
who th€n man their vehiclesand prepare then rq,{ 8, ORCANIZATION OF WORK IN A REST AREA.
weapons.AA fre begins on ord€r of th€ compary Company tanks are provided POL, ammunition and
commander.I-w flyin8 h€licopters,or aircrafr rations in rcst areas.While in rest aress,routin€ or
dropping or landing troops de engaged.Wlrcn the combat maintenance is p€rformed on vehicles.
nuclear attack wafling is given, crews don dren Rehearsals and individual training rre ciried out when
protecti\€ clothing and man then !€hicles. If caughr outside the irnmediatecombat area.Crewm€nare also
by surprise,crewm€nare responsiblefor placing gas given political indoctrhation.
maskson the womded and renderinSfust aid. After

SECUFITYOETACHMENT
I NO P . 1 5 @ M E T E F S
DIRECTION
\
OFENEMY
\

!9195 ".!v-ooDs
L

KEY

-\-{ rin. .itr, r"r"pnon"r,"na

A
o
-Fo
-.+o

Figure21. Company
Securityat rheHatt.
CHAPTER 16

COMBATIN BUILT-UPAREAS
l. CONCEPIS.Sovict doctrine shtcs that built-up (4) A howitzerbattery.
areasare bypa:ledwhenposible.lvhen llus courseis
followed,townsandvillages areisolatedanddealtwith (s) An cnsineerdetachment.
by secondechelons. If a builtup arcais vital to thc
Soviet commander'splan and filst echelonsare b. Onc€ in the environsof thc buihup area,
requiredto captureit, emphasis is on the destruclion commandof the operationprobablypassesto the
of thc enemydefendingthe area.This methodsecks commanderof a motofizedrifle company.A typical
to avoidthe wasleof time,manpower. andequipment or^,'nino miohr thrn hP.

rcquired to capturc such objectives.Operationsin


built-up ,reas lcad to fragmcntation of cffort. These (l) A rnotoriz€dinfantry company.
s.parate,combinedaims operatiorsare difficult to
control, and requiremuch more fr€€domof aclion (2) A tank platoon.
than Sovietdoctrined€emsnofmal.The d€legation of
control inherentin urbanoperations callsfor a higher (3) A mortar battery.
stddard of training tlan many junior Soviet
commrndershaveyet attained. (4) A platoon of antitankguns.

2. EMPI-OYMENI OF TANK COMPANY. A tank (5) An engineerdetachment.


companycan be employedin operationsagainstan
en€myin builtup areasin eith€r the rcgimentalfirst Groupingof forceswill dependon the mission.The
or secondecfielon.It is part of a combinedarms weidt of firepowerconcenlrated
at companylevelis
combatgroup,and can be employedin one of the significant-
followingroles:
4. CONDUCTOF OPERATIONS. The Sovietsattack
a. Reconnaissance. built-up areas on narrow frontages.The assault
fronlag€of a reinforcedcompanymightbc 200metefs
b. S€curity. on thc outskirlsof the area.Within the environsof
th€ built-uparca,de companyassnults alongthe ais
c. Assaultforce. of one nain street. The anillery Prcparationis
followedby infanlrymovingfrom buildingto bu dins.
d. Closesupportof infantry. The task of altachedtanksi! immediaefire support
10 infantry movingdown streets-The tanksfire on
e. Re8imentalressrve. enemyin the upper storiesof buildings.The attack
on a companyfront is basedon lhe assaultof a series
f. Defense. of numbe.edobjcctives. Timingis tightly controllcd.
Artillery is usedin a di.ect fue role.
3. COMBATORGANIZATION.
5. THE DEFENSE.Defensiveoperationsin buih-up
a. TanI companiesare either reinforcedor used ar€asuc basedon a s€riesof unconnccred battles.
to rcnforce motorizcd infanrry for operarronsin Groupingis basedon milsion.Tinks arc attachedto
buillup areas-A typicallytank heary force designed infant.y companies to provideanli-tankdcfense. Those
to capturcan objectiv€in the outlyingportion of a taoksusedas antitankweaponsmay be movedinto
towll would include: buildingsor engine€rcmplacements may bc built,
shouldtime allow. A tank companycdnalsobe used
(l) A tank company. as a mobil€ rersfte. This rescne is kept in depth and
movesto threalencd.reasthroughopenareas.Except
(2) One or two moruriredrifle plaroons. for the mobilereserve, defensiveopemtions in builtup
areasareunlikelyto be foughla! complnyoperations.
(3) A mortar platoon.

57
CHAPTER 17

CONCLUSIONSAND AN ASSESSMENTOF THE COMBAT


POTENTIAL OF A SOVIET MEDIUM TANK COMPANY

l. SUMMARY. Sigrificant findings of thn study, as well lrainedin the technicalaspects of th€irdulicsbut
they relateto the combatpotentialofa Sovietmedium are clos€lysupervised by the battalioncommander.
tank €ompary are summdiz€d b€low under the They appearto lack initiativc and experiencc. The
followingtopicsl companycommanderhas the authority lo crll for
supporring firesin combar. Ilrsru$"r.r). howcver. i\
a. Effectiveness
of tacticalconcepts. rcstrictedto maneuvering thc wholecompanyin wel
rehearsedcombat formalioo!. Platoon conrmanders
b. Commandand control. resctto the companycornmander s orderundhaveno
independcnce in tacticalnraneuvcr. Thereis r tilth
c. Effectivene
s! of training. officer in the companywho hrs rcsponsibiliiyfor
tec}nicalmatters,,nd somecompanies havea slxth
d. Effectiveness
of organization. officer wiLh rcsponsibiliryfor politiral alf r\.

e. Suitabilityof equipment. b. The remaining laflk commandersin the


company are either p/dporurcrrkt (who have
2. EFFECTI}ENESSOF TACT]CAL CONCEPTS, complctedtheir conscriplserviccand volunreered for
. further tern of military scruce), or .onscript
a. A tank companyis preparedfor combatin a non.commissioned officers.A prapolsrclr&treceives
war which the Soviets consider will be rapid in up to a years lrdning- A conscripltank commander
movem€ntand sho( in duralion.A tank compmyis receives six montlN sp€cialist training.
trainedto "rush" an enemywho is eitler on th€ move Non-coffnissionedtank conrmandershrve sound
or has been neutralizedby nonnucl€ar, chemical,or trainingin thc basicesscntialsof gunncryrnd ta€el
ouclear weapons.The intent is to seizethe initiative scqurrlron anJsomeuamingIn fJdrufomnrunrcrriols
,nd rtdle deepinto the flanks and rear of the encmy. and lrnk dliving.A tank co rDrndcr'sresponsibility
Sovieatank companytacticssre basedon &taacking is reslrictedto iulfilling combatmissionsas o.dcred
withoutlergthy preparation, concentra.ing forces,and by the comp ry comnanderand led by thc platoon
rapidly exploiting a poorly pfeprred and weaker commander-
enemy. Attacks are delii€red by successive echelons
until objectivesare secured.Defenle is a tempor{y c- Tanksare equippedwirh radios.but only thc
expcdientduring which the Sovietshop€ to weaken conpany commandcr is Siven thc unrestrictcd
the enemyso that they will quicklybe able10resume authority to tr,msmit. Calls for fire sut)portare
the offensive.ln the defense,tank fir€ is concentrated chdnneled firough the battalion comm,nder.
on narrow frontages.A tank companyrnay be used Communications with attachedmotorizedrile urits
in ary echelon or as a rcserve for a regimental arc on a common nel. Dhmounrednllnrry have
difliculty in transmitting1o llnks due to the low
radiationoulput of manfackedndiosets.
b. Under lhe circumstrncesdefined, Soviet
tactical concepts are effective. Against a baldnced d. Mapsarc carnedonly by officers.T.mksare
opposition with tactical nuclear weapons,or widt equippedwith dtectional gyros which rllow the
periay in numbers,successin @mbat would tle commanderand driver to maintaindirecfion.Some
d€pendenton factorssuchas commandand conlrol, commandtanks re fitted with nrore solhislicated
faining, organization, and equipment. equipmentwhich providescontinuousdat! on map

3. COMMAND AND CONTROL.


e. Soviet officcrs and non-commissknred tank
a. The company commander and platoon commanders arc well trained n the basicskills of
commanders in a Soviettank companyare officcrs, maneuver,rarget acquisition,and gunnery.Junior
In additionto theircommanddutiestheseofficcrsarc commandcrsdo nol have the opporlunity to show
tank corrmandersof their individual tank. They aJe iniliative in lactical exefcise and thereforeiack
expcdence. Their estimates
of a combatsituationare small tank and motorized rifle units is fairt frequent.
Likciy io be slow and sonetimesfaulty. Thoush tlerc have been ditficulries noted in
coordinaiion, tanks and motorized rifle units are
f. The connunicaiionssystemdoesnol alow a generally capable of coofdinated operations.
tank conpany conrnanderto conirol fire supportoi
infanty in a rapidly
fuly coordinatcwith disrnounted b. The companyis capableofrapid concentration
chmgrng siluation- Non-commissioned tank of tank fire on targetswhichthe companycommander
cornmand€rs do nol havelhe mernsto relay targets can identify. Firing by the tank company is not so
of opportunity10 fre supportunits sincethey have €ffective,however,if the cornpanycommandercannol
neither rnaps nor the authority to initiate radio i d e n u f y r l e r a r b e r .I 1 c o r o r r . a r d n k c o . n p a n ) i s
expected to continue conducting opcraLionsdespile

4, EFFECTIVENESS
OF TRATNING.
6, SUITABILITY OF EQLNPMENT FOR LIKELY
a. Sovi€lrank crcwsarc well trainedin driving, MISSIONS.
gunn€ry.md conbal fornations. One tant in the
conpanyis usedlbr trainingpurposes. Erch mernber a. Soviet tanks are ruggedihavc a good rnain gun
of thc crew LeiJnshis duti€sby repetitionuntil he with an effective range of 1500 meten and
can perform th€m to the requlredslandardwithout machneguns which have an effective range of 800
consciouseftbrt. Thereis hearyreliancein the training meters.The gunnery control systemis spaceoiented.
of driversand gunnerson simulators.Tlerefore,it Tanks dre designedto lire both on the move and at
takescrewmensometime to adapt to the irregular the halt. Later nodels of tanks may have a buili in
movemenlof a tank in motion. Subcrliberlralning protective liner to reduce the effects of nuclear
rounds are used tbr gunnery taining- The tank radialion. Sovi€t m€dium tanks have the ,bility to
commanderis lrained to fire the gun but other cross waler obstaclesup io 5.5 met€rs in depih by
membersof rhe cr€w are not crosstraincd.Due 10 snorkelins. The soviet nisht gunnery technique
frequentrotalion of conscripts.tank crewss€ldom rcquircs thc use of an active IR system or whit€ light
nmain togelh€rlbr more than a yeaJ. for target acquisition.The effectivenight fighting range
for Soviet lanks is 1000 meters.
b. Due to rcpcritivenatDreol- Soviet lraining
methods tank cr€ws de urnikely 10 have their b. Soviet tanks are capable of canying out in
individuatskills seriouslydegradedby th€ slrainsof nuclearand nonnuclearenvironmentsthe closequarter,
combar.While the useof simulatorsauowslrequent day and nishr combat that Soviet tactical doctrine
trainingsessions, time would be requtedfor crewsto demands.Night fighting shortens the effective range
becomeaccustomed io their equipment.During this of tank guns and requires the use of night vision
periodthe cfewnanwouldnot be fully effective.The
lack of crosstrainnrgmeansa singiecasualtyin a tank
crcw would often makethe entiretank non€ffeclive. 7. AN ASSESST1ENTOF COT{BAT POTENTIAL-
Tank crewshavelimited expericnce workingtogether The Souet tank company is organized,equipped and
because p€rsonnel arc f.€quentlyrotatedboth in units trained to figlt as part of a battalion.Although it may
on occasionbe given a separatemission, it will harc
lhe closc supporl ol other tank and motorized rille
5. EFFECTIVENESS
OF ORGANIZATION. units and a considerableamount ol artillery. The tanL
company is employ€d in such a manner that
a. The combat element of a tank company deficienciesin equipment, tuainingstandardsand tle
consislsof the conmanders tank and threeplatoons command dnd coniJol systen crn be conpensatedfor
of eirherthreeor four tanks.The co.npny operates by conceniralion of force. Offensive operations are
as an €ntity with the fire of a[ tanks under close continued until dre enemyforce is incapableofputting
control of the companyconmander.A conpany up a coordinated defense and is destroyed or
normally operatesas part of its battalion.bua can withdraws. Within tiis concept the Soviet tank
reinforceor be feinforcedby motolizedrifle unih and company is an eff€ctive fighting force ttith a high
artillery tor specificinissions.Combinedtlainingby

60
TANKS AND ASSOCIATEDEOUIPMENT

l. SCOPE.This Enclosureprovidesdetails on tar)ksin Soviet tank units ro precludcthe need


for referenceto other manuals.Morc cxtensivedetailsmay be found jn vrdous DIA publications.

2. MEDIUM TANKS,

a. T34 and T44 ianks arc obsolete,but are used lbr trainilg. Many T34 chassishavebeen
rebuilt as armorcd rccovery vehiclcswhich the Sovicts designateT-34-T.

b. T54 tanksand the improvedvenion.T55. rre theDost numerous mediumtanksin service


with Sovict !tround forccs at the presenttime. Both the T54 arrd the T55 have loonrm guns-

c. The T62 tank is an improvementon the T55. It has a llsmm smoothbore gun and
fires HVAPFSDSand fragmentationammunition as well as HEAT. This sipnificantlyimproves
penetmtion over the earlicr models.

d. The T72 is the most reccntaddition to the Sovicttank irlveDlory,it is superiorin ffepower
and rnobility to the T62. Althouel there are insufficicnr detailsof the tank known to include
it in the table at Appcndix I to this Enclosurea short compadsonbetweenthe T62 and the
T72 is included at Enclosure4.

3. HEAVY TANKS. SomeJS-2and JS-3tanksareslill in scnicein CSFG.The Tl0 and Tl0M,


post war imprcvementsof the JS3, are also in servicein battalion alrd regimentalstrength.It
should be noted that althougl these are dcsigllatedhea[/ tanks by the Soviets.they weigh
approximatelythe samc as the US and British nredium tanks.

4. COMPARATIVE TABLES AND SILHOUETTES.Details of armamentand performancefor


some Soviet tanks in serviceiD medium tank and heavy tank companiesare at Appendix I to
this Enclosure.Comparativesketchesof some Soviet and NATO ta ks are at Appendix 2 to
this Enclosure.

JS-3 Heavy bnk sone of which a.e still in Eruice in Group ol Soviet
Forces Gernany (GSFG).

ol ENCLOSURE
I
Artist Rendition of T-72

63 ENCLOSURE1
APPENDIX I

TANK PERFORI\,1ANCE
COMPARATIVE
TABLE
JS3 Tt0 T10t!l T54 T55 162
50 52 36 36 36.5
9875 '10600 9000 9000 9110
8230 8550 s2aa 84€5 84€5 9000
6450 6450 6715
3566 3566 3210 3270 3350
2255 2€0 24(xl 2404 24to
2600 2ffi 2640 2UA 2&O
430 ,130 425 4E 425
650 724 580 580 580 580
4625 4600 ,1600 3840 3&10 4150
v2ts V? v-54 V-55 V7
520 700 700 520 580 580
v-12 v12 v12 v 12 V-12 V 12
Diesel Di6s€ Diesel
42 €5050
250 2ao 400 500 s00
L 520 9m 900 812 960 912
L/100km 350 3@ 360 190 190 190
3000 3000 2704 2JA0 2AA0
900 9m 800 800 800
32 32 30 30 30
l-ilt 30 30 30
1200 1200 1400 1400 1400
mm/o 120155 120td, 120/60 100/60 100/60 100/o
80/45 gJl45 7At0 1010 t'/a
170basis 170basis 170basls
444

122wn 122grn
025 D IOT D-10T2S U 5TS
2A 30 30 43 40
+20 +17 +11 +1/
3 3 3
360 360 360 360 360 3@
1950 1830 1830 1150 1750 1750
S6condaryahament AA 12.7 12.7 14.5 12.1
7.62 162
1.62 12.1 14.5 7.62 1.62 J.62
B6sicload 12.7mm 250 1000 500
1500
3000 3500 3500

ENCLOSURE 1
SOVIET LAND NAVIGATION AND NIGHT VISION DEVICES

LAND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

The three types of land navigationsystemsuscd i]l thc Soviet Ground Forces arc:

a- Dfectional gyro driving aids

b. A map coordinate and direction indicator

c. Navigationalsystem with map plotter

The latter systemis not installed in tanks but may bc used by some attachcdmotorized
rifle units. All three systemsdepcndon a directionalgyro; that is an instrumentwhich is designed
to accuntely preservean initial referencebearingduring movement-The three systemsaJe self
contained,do not depend or emissionsfrom electronictransmitte$. and do not requirc space
on the radio waveband.The systemsare not susceptiblcto interccpt,jammingor other electronic
countermeasures,

L Y R O D R I V I N UA I D S
D I R E C T I O N AC

The GPK-48and GPK-59are installedin someT55 and T62 tanks.The d vcr is only rcquired
to switch the instrumcnt on, give it time to warm up, and set his headingto actuatethe systen.
The GPK 48 was designedto give direciiorl in snorkelingoperations but has no built-in
compensationto allow for the Earth's rotation. The instrunent is accurateonly for periodsof
I5 minutes without resetting.The more rccentlydcveiopedGPK 59 hasa con]pensatiDg mechanism
and can operatc accuratelyfor up to I l/2 hou$.

MAP COORDINATE AND DIRECTION INDICATOR

A computerand displaynavigationsystemknown to the Sovictsoldieras the coordinator"


is installedin some T62 commandtanks.Thc systemcorsistsof six components,three of which
requfe no accessby tlle crew except fbr inspection.The systemdispiaysmap coordinatesin
terms of northingsand erstingsroundedoff to the nearestI0 mete.s.The vehicleheadingdisplayed
is in Sovietmils on coane and fillc sca]es.The instrunent is 90 percentaccurate-The instrument
can be used to navigatewithin a lo0-kilometer ldd squareonce set.

A newer navigationsystemis also in evidence.This appearsto be a vastly imprcvedve$ion


of "the coo.dinator." The newer systempermits operationwithin a j0oo-kilometergrid square
without resettirg. The instrument displaysplus and minus coordinateson one kilometer and
200-metei scalesfrom the presentlocation. The bcaringto thc dcstinationis also shown on a
separatedial.

TACTICAL USES OF NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

In addition to use in normal conditions,navigationalsystemscan prcvide the capabilityfor


plotting a tank's position and heading:

a. While snorkeling.

b. At night or in conditions of reduced visibility.

67 ENCLOSURE2
c. In teEain without promineat featutes such as desert, tundra, or nuclear devastatederess-

Navigational systems also give accumte locations as an aid to cornmand and control or resupply
and Fovide datum points for fire cooidination.

NIGIIT VIEWING DEVICES

hecise information conceming the extent of Soviet night viewing equipment is sparse.Tanks
have both inftared (IR) sighting equipment for Ore main amamont, and searcl ights that can
be equipped with an IR filter. Targets can be identifted up to 800 metels. Therc is a limiting
factor in that use of active IR can b€tray the exsct position of the uset should the €xreDy be
using IR sensors.This hazard will be readily appreciated by the Soviets h then night lightirg.
Thg use of IR binoculars by tank drivers is a regular featwe of night taining, and binoculsr-Epe
passive IR sensors are extensively used by tank commande.s.

Soviet tanks use the daylight gusight at night usilg white light illumination rMhenpo$ible-
The next step in the development chain is the production of an ambient lieht sighting device,
and this may have be€n built into the T?2.

ENCIOSURB 2 68
I

ARMS AND BQUIPMENT - SOVIET TANK COMPANY

Tank Company in the Tank Battalion of a Tank Regiment

9mm Pistol PM

?.62mm Rifle AKM 12


SAM (SA-7) GRAIL (cdpstock) 3
Medium Tank "l54JT55l'162 l0
Tr[ck Zil l30l l3l I l51l 157 I
Mine Clearing Plow Sets 3
RadiosR 112 4
R I l3l123 l0 -

We believe each tanl platoon has a minimum of one tant mountedDSHK l2.7mm machinegun
for low-level antiahcraft protection.

ENCLOSURE3

,
T62 AND T72 TANKS

L The T62 has a ll5mm smooth bore gun rnd fires a fin stabilizcdshapedchargcrcund with
a high probability of a first round hit at ftnges up to 1500 meters. The two-plane
(ho zontal-vertical)stabilizationof the T62's gun cannot bc fully exploited becauseof the low
shockabsorbtioncapacityof the chassis. The T62 hasno passivenight visiondevicesand.therefore,
has a low night combat capability.

2, Thc layout of thc T62 also hassomebasicdisadvantages. Due to the extremelycompactnature


of the tank, int€rior spaceis limitcd. The luel tanks,engine,and ammunitionarein closeprcximity,
Auxiliary fuel taiks are on the tanks decksand have no armor protection. ALthoughthe flash
point of diesel fuel is higll, it can not withstrnd a direct hit. Fuel tank positionsincreasethe
possibility of an ammunitioD firc. Fillally, the driver, gunner,and commanderare virtually in
a line and are likely to become casualtiesif a tank is penetratedfrom the front.

3. In 1970 a picture of a new tank appcaredin the Soviet technicalpress.This was probably
a prototype and was designatedM1970 in the West.The production model has beendesigrated
T72 ir some wesrcm mililary joumi '.

4. The T72 has incorporatedfcaturcsmade possibleby improvcd rechnologyand basicchanges


in design.Thc T72 is both lower and sleekerthan its predecessors.
There appearsto be a radical
changein the chassisdesign.Thc chamcte stic flat tank of the carlier medium tank sefieshas
been replacedby a track support roller system.

5. It is probablethat a to$ion bar suspensionsystcm has been uscd.Theseadvances


mean that
the T72 is more stable than its prcdecessors.

6. The incrcasedstability of the T?2 indicatesthat the armamentand fire control systemsare
probably stabilizedeffectively.The I l5mm gun of the T62 appea$to havebeenretained,probably
to achievestandardization in ammunition.lt is probablethat a rangefinder,usingthe laserp nciple,
has been incorporated.This signilicantly improves the first round hit capability beyond 1500
metels.

7. We have estimatedthe T72's nigllt fighting capabjlityftom photographsof the Ml9?0 which
show two largepiecesof equipftert oD the tudet besidethe gun mantle.One of theseis probably
a conventionalwhite light or infrared scarchlght. The other equipment collld be a low ligit
amplificationdevicc,possiblywith a heat detectorand an impulsesearchlight,or a pureheat-sensing
sight. This combination would mean that the same impulse searchlightcould be used for
illuminatioDand rangefinding,but either systemwould not bc completelypassivc.Even though
either system can be classedas active, the chaDceof a target havingtime to take evadingor
counteractioDis small-

8. The armor protection of the crcw of the T72 has been increasedby improving the shape
ol the bow and by making mo.e gradualthe inclined planeof the front slopeof the hull. There
is also someindicationthat the armorthicknesson the froDt hasbeenincreased.The crewpositions
in T72 have prcbably been altercd sliehtly,which will decrease
the chanceof multiple casualties
from one round s penetration.

7l ENCLOSURE
4
9. Some risk of fire appearsto be acceptableto the Soviets.as fuel tanks stilLappearon the
tank's deck.

10. In summary.the T72 showsimprcvements overits predecessor in mobility.targetacquisition


at night, and firing effectivencss.
Its improved technologicalfeatureshave placedii arnongthe
most moderntnd effe.ttvel,rnk\ in ser!icc.

M1970 - Considered to be a prototype fot 772.

BNCLOSURE
4
SOVIETCONVENTIONAL
SYMBOLS

0 Tank- Gene6lsyhbol usedto showa

X
I V Tanl showrnssaondsry arcotfre.

i + Movinscolumnsof vehictBshowing,

0 9r
I
+

fr
Comm8ndrahk.Thehorizomstba6

0 donobcommandlovelandm5y be
u*don anybasi. syhbot.

+ oneba, islof Ptatoontevet.

+ rwo ba6 a€ ror companytev6t.

+ rn,* or," to,e"n"tion


t.'"r-
","

I I
0
i
+
0
0 Tanksin marchcollmn.
o
T
Movinq colufrn or tanks showins
Prolsciert dnedion ol movemenr

APC,generalsymbotshowjngan ApC
Tanksmovinain combatto.maiio..
0
4-r-Ot rsnksonriinsrin6. {
0
Tanks,movinqin cohbaitomation, showing
primarya.coffi.e, Thearcwed tin6 ca. be usd Q o.on'o'ou.or".
to she fie left and dsht timns of pnmary src ot
tn. by using one lin6 ar each onremiiy.

I
ti\
AmphibiousAPC,noving, carrving
T
v rank prihary
showine arcfns
73
SYMBOLS
SOVIETCONVENTIONAL

,/4\ Motoized intunt y in delense.

'Rddiosetoperaringon High Fr€quency


+ F onrasedAisnatedloroccuparion
,Z---\ by moroi2edinfanrry.

'Badio s€l opedtingon Very Hish

I
Are occupied by t@ps. Symbolinside
circle denote type and conmand level

t
-,--4 \ uno rne eodms/n G@pnonenanoset. -- Howitze..

€=a Howkzer u.it movi.S.

Water crossing cohhandei

%
A.tr.lio. O.plty Commendorin
@mm..d-obseruation pon.

: Ae6s or @ncdtr6r.d tdnk rne.

r'____-,/
-V_--'-""\
oiredion ol main efton.
'Nors th.$ ae nor Soviersymbolsbut

,'.------ Oieiion of mainefiorr danned


\j----s b ya c n m a n d e r .

Sasicsymbol indicarB radio commu.ic.ions


or dic{rion of radio 6mmuni@rions.

74
DISTRIBUTION
LIST
DODANDJOINT AGENCIES NAVY
A]00 05D D008r{rsc (2)
AI15 OASD ISA DO33 STRATANALSUPPGRU
AI17 OASD PA&E DO42 NAVFACENGCOTI
A2O5 DMTC D2l7 NAVT,IPNCEt{
A 3 i 0 J C S / J - 3( s P0 P D r v ) 0220 0 R
A353 JSTPS D246 NAVSURFWPNCEN DAHL
Al24 oSDNETASSESSMENT (2) D248 NAVSEASYSC0T'|
A362 USDoCoLANDSoEAST (2) 0249 MVPGSCOL
AO24DEFNUCLEAR AGCY D36I FLEI,IINEI,{ARTRAC
EN
rNT (2)
Ar04 oAsD 0492 NAVSCOLEOD
AO33ASST
TODEPSECDEF D5O6I{AVUSEACEN
0559 NiIEDFLORCHLAB CLE,]
D700 CGMCDEC (20)
DIA D97l 0P-009F
D972 0P-009BrP
8 0 4 0 D r A / S C -(2D r 0 ) Dl50 cl'rc( rNT)
BO55DIA/DT-48 D507 COl'1INE}JARCOI4
BI32 DIA/DE-'I 0040 0cEAAV
BI34 DIA/0E.2 0280 0P-098D
BI52 DIA,/DT-IA2
BI69 DIA/DT-20
8485 DrA/rS ( r 30) ArR FqRCE
8545 DIA/DI
8566 DIA/DIR-I F2 (2)
E0r0AFrs/rNDoc
8573 DIA/DIR-4EI E0t6 AFIS/INC
8579 DIA/DIN-282 EO]7 AFlRDXTR-II
8580 DrA/DrR-l G3 (0P0) Eot8 AFIRDXTR-C (2)
B58I DIA/DIR-IB E046 7602AIG/lNXE
8584 DrA/DrR-l 84 ( l5) EO53AFlINAM
8583 DIA/DIR-I D EO54AFlINAKB
8594 DIA/DIR-'IF(2) Er00 TAc (eTHTrs/LDD) (',r3)
8597 DIA/DIR-IG] E228 AFI JACI
8 7 3 7 D r A / D S - 4 (8L4r B ) ( s ) E3O3AFlINAP
8 6 0 7 D r A / D r R - 2 B( r2 ) E4O8AFI,IL
86l5 DIA/DIN-2C E4I'I ASD/FTD/ETID
865'I DIA/DIR.3A E42OFTD/NICD (5)
8150 DIA/DT E429 SAMSo ( rND) (2)
855'I DIA/DID.3 E436 AFEWC (SUR)
8593 DIA/DIR-I G2 E 4 3 7A F ] S / I N I
8722 DIA/DIR.5B E45I AUL/LSE
8080 DIA/Slils E2OOAAC
8859 USDAO BULGARIA
8871 USDAO CZECHOSLOVAKIA
8886 USDAO HUNGARY U & S Col'll4ANDS
B9I7 USDAO POLAND
B9I9 USDAO ROMIiIA GOOsCINCAD
8939 USDAO YUGOSLAVIA
8934 USDA0 USSR(2)

75
U&SCololANDS(Cont'd)
HOOsUSCINCEUR
(J-3)
Holo SoTFE
HIO] USAFE
497RTG( IRC)
HOO6USEUCOI,I
DEFANALCTR
J5I5 FICEURLANT
,r5l7 cor't{AvsuRFlAliT
J575 FIiIFLANT/
FI.IFEU
R
J593 C0I.0PTEVFoR
KOOsCINCPAC
K020 COiIUSTDC
KOOTCOruSJAPAN
KIOO PACAF 548 RTG
K5OOCIIICPACFLT
K5I4 COiITHIRDFLT
K5I5 COI4SEVETITHFLT
K5I6 FIRSTI,IAF
K525 C0I'IIIAVAIRPAC
K6O] FIRSIT'IAU
K650 CoTITNAVSURFPAC
K658 COI'IJSNAVPHIL
K679 FLTCORGRU I
K300 rPAC(CoDE rC-L)
L04o sAc 544THARI{ (6)
t{005 usREDcoil

OTHER
POOSERDA
(25)
P055 CrA/CRS/ADD/SD
(5) D I AD i s t . .. . . . . . . . 406 copies
P085 STATE 204 coples
P090 NSA (35) D I AS t o c k . . . . . . . . ,
D I AT o t a l . . . . . . . , 6nf copies
R]45 ACDA A n n yD i s t , . . . . . . . . 7,650copies
M a r i n eC o r p s D i s t . . , . . . . . . . 2,400copies
s030 FRDLrB 0F Colic (7) TOTAL PRII{T 10,660copies

76

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