1985 us army countermobility 219p

8/13/2019 1985 US Army Countermobility 219p

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Field Manual

No. 5-102

Headquarters

Department of the Army

Washinton! D"! 1# Mar$h 1%&5

FM 5-102

COUNTERMOBILITY

D'()*'+,)'N *()*'")'N. )his pu/li$ation $ontains te$hni$al or operational

information that is for offi$ial oernment use only. Distri/ution is limited to ,( oernment

aen$ies. *equests from outside the ,( oernment for release of this pu/li$ation under theFreedom of 'nformation A$t or the Forein Military (ales roram must /e made to H3!

)*AD"! Fort Monroe! 4A 2651-5000.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 -COUNTERMOBILITY ON TE B!TTLEFIEL"

The Batt#e$ie#d

Threat En%ineer&

Counter'o(i#it) Re*uire'ent&

+u''ar)

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM


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Chapter 2 - COUNTERMOBILITY

FUN"!MENT!L+

T)pe& o$ O(&tac#e&

E,i&tin% O(&tac#e&

Rein$orcin% O(&tac#e&

rincip#e& o$ O(&tac#e E'p#o)'ent

+u''ar)

Chapter . - COMM!N" !N" CONTROL

Le/e#& o$ Re&pon&i(i#it)

Re&er/e O(&tac#e&

+u''ar)

Chapter - OB+T!CLE L!N+

#annin% Con&ideration&

The #annin% roce&&

O$$en&i/e #annin% Con&ideration&

"e$en&i/e #annin% Con&ideration&

Retro%rade #annin% Con&ideration&



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+u''ar)

Chapter 5 - MINE !RF!RE

C#a&&i$ication

Mine$ie#d E'p#o)'ent

Mine$ie#d E'p#o)'ent !uthorit)

Reportin% Recordin% and Mar3in%

+u''ar)

Chapter 4 - OB+T!CLE+ OTER T!N MINEFIEL"+

Brid%e "e'o#ition&

Non-nuc#ear Crater&

!ntitan3 "itche&

E,pedient O(&tac#e&

recon&tructed O(&tac#e&

!to'ic "e'o#ition Munition&

+u''ar)



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Chapter - "ENI!L OER!TION+

!uthorit) and Re&pon&i(i#it)

"enia# Tar%et&

"enia# Method&

"enia# #annin%

+u''ar)

Chapter 6 - CON+I"ER!TION+ FOR +ECI!L OER!TION+

+upportin% Li%ht Force&

+pecia# Terrain En/iron'ent&

Co'(ined Operation&

Contin%enc) Operation&

+u''ar)

!ppendi, ! - OER!TION+ OR"ER+

!ppendi, B - +TRON7OINT+

!ppendi, C - OB+T!CLE NUMBERIN7 +Y+TEM

!ppendi, " - +T!N"!R" OB+T!CLE+



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7LO++!RY

REFERENCE+

!UTORI8!TION LETTER

COUNTERMOBILITY

The $oundationfor enineer do$trine in the Air7and +attle is /uilt 8ith $om/inedmo/ility! $ountermo/ility! and suria/ility efforts. )his manual proides the /asi$

frame8or9 of fielded and deelopmental $ountermo/ility methods! plannin! and

e:e$ution. 'ts purpose is to interate $ountermo/ility into the oerall Air7and +attlestru$ture.

Counter'o(i#it) &upportis diided into mine 8arfare and o/sta$le deelopment! ea$h

8ith an ultimate oal of delayin! stoppin! or $hanneli;in the enemy. Mine 8arfare

e:pands to in$lude mine $ateories! methods and systems of deliery! employment!reportin! re$ordin! and mar9in. /sta$le deelopment demonstrates innoatie

te$hniques and $onentional improements in plannin and empla$in o/sta$les other

than minefields.

Counter'o(i#it) e$$ortis not se$luded< rather! it /alan$es 8ith the other ma=or/attlefield missions of mo/ility and suria/ility! as 8ell as eneral enineerin and

toporaphy. )he oerall team8or9 and plannin pro$ess are /oth eident and essential8ith ea$h fa$et of $ountermo/ility.

+T!N!7 IMLEMENT!TION

)he proisions of this pu/li$ation are the su/=e$t of the follo8in international(tandardi;ation Areements> ()ANA 201?! rders to the Demolition uard

"ommanders and Demolition Firin arty "ommander @Non-Nu$lear< ()ANA 206!

7and Minefield 7ayin! *e$ordin! *eportin and Mar9in ro$edures< ()ANA 20%6!

*eportin nineer 'nformation in the Field< ()ANA 212! Non-Nu$lear Demolition)aret Folder< and ()ANA 2&&%! Mar9in of Ha;ardous Areas and *outes )hrouh

)hem.

U+ER INFORM!TION

,sers of this manual are en$ouraed to su/mit re$ommended $hanes to improe themanual. "omments should identify the area in 8hi$h the $hane is re$ommended.

*easons should /e proided for ea$h $omment to allo8 $omplete ealuation. "omments



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should /e prepared usin DA Form 202& @*e$ommended "hanes to u/li$ations and

+lan9 Forms and for8arded dire$tly to the "ommandant! ,( Army nineer ($hool!

Fort +eloir! 4A 22060-52%1.

When used in this pu/li$ation! BheB Bhi'B and Bhi&B are used to represent the enemy.

Chapter 1

COUNTERMOBILITY ON TE B!TTLEFIEL"

)his $hapter fo$uses upon a modern /attlefield aainst an enemy usin (oiet style

ta$ti$s and orani;ations. 't dis$usses the modern /attlefield! emphasi;es threatoperational $on$epts! parti$ularly threat enineers and their $apa/ility to proide

$ountermine and $ountero/sta$le support to the offense! and $oers the importan$e offriendly $ountermo/ility a$tiities to deny the threat freedom of moement.

TE B!TTLEFIEL"

TRE!T EN7INEER+

COUNTERMOBILITY RE9UIREMENT+



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+UMM!RY

TE B!TTLEFIEL"

)he most danerous threat to ,nited (tatesC @,( national interests 8ill most li9ely

inole hihly trained enemy for$es usin (oiet style ta$ti$s! orani;ations! andequipment. )he a$tual /attle 8ill /e intense! fast! and deadly. ,nited (tates for$es must

therefore /e prepared and trained to fiht on a future /attlefield 8here--

Hihly mo/ile for$es 8ill use $om/at systems delierin firepo8er of

unpre$edented olume! speed! a$$ura$y! rane! and lethality.

Airspa$e 8ill /e $ro8ded 8ith aerial $om/at! sureillan$e! transport!

re$onnaissan$e! and taret a$quisition systems.

"ommuni$ations systems 8ill /e the taret of indire$t fire and sophisti$ated

ele$troni$ 8arfare operations! ma9in $ommand and $ontrol diffi$ult to a$hiee

and maintain.

($attera/le mine systems 8ill seerely affe$t round mo/ility due to rapid andremote deliery means.

mployment of nu$lear! /ioloi$al! and $hemi$al @N+" 8eapons 8ill $reate

ane8 e:perien$e and add ne8 dimensions to the enironmental $onditions.

,ltimate su$$ess on the /attlefield 8ill depend on mo/ility and $ountermo/ility efforts!not only near the for8ard line of o8n troops @F7)! /ut also in rear areas. (u$$essful

$ommanders 8ill need to $on$entrate for$es at the de$isie time and pla$e! ma9e

ma:imum use of unit ersatility! e:er$ise moement and maneuer! impede the opposinfor$eCs moement and maneuer! and pre$lude enemy reinfor$ement of $ommitted units

and their resupply.

TRE!T EN7INEER+

nineers play a ital role in the su$$ess of threat army $om/ined arms operations. 'n thethreat ie8! the reater the in$rease in mo/ile 8arfare! the reater the need for passa/le

terrain. )herefore! stated in simple terms! the mission of the threat $om/at enineers is to

3eep the o$$en&e 'o/in%:)hreat enineers are orani;ed! equipped! and trained toa$$omplish this mission under fire and in all enironments in$ludin N+".

OR7!NI8!TION

All tan9 and motori;ed rifle units do8n throuh the reimental leel hae orani$enineer elements. 'n $om/at! these elements form spe$ial enineer $om/at roups--

either under $ontrol of parent $ommand or atta$hed to su/ordinate $ommands--to

perform dire$t support missions. nineer elements are also $om/ined 8ith other /ran$helements in operational roupins to perform spe$ifi$ tas9s. At hiher e$helons @Frontor

"om/ined Arms Army! $onsidera/le enineer reseres are maintained either for

$on$entrated use as needed! or for atta$hment to su/ordinate formations. )his resereallo8s rapid s8it$hin of enineer effort from one area to another! affordin ma:imum



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ta$ti$al and operational fle:i/ility. Furthermore! it is not unusual for the senior formation

$ommander to strip a unit of its enineer element 8hen that element is required for a

$on$entrated effort else8here on the /attlefield.

Do$trine emphasi;es that $ommanders at all leels must strie for ma:imum fle:i/ility in

usin enineer assets! inasmu$h as enineer tas9s are not isolated /ut are part of the

oerall ta$ti$al plan.

"om/at enineer units at any leel are of t8o eneral types> enineer spe$ialte$hni$alunits or eneral purpose enineer units.

(pe$ialte$hni$al units perform the follo8in tas9s>

nineer re$onnaissan$e.

*oad and route preparation.

Field fortifi$ation $onstru$tion.

+ride $onstru$tion.

"amouflae.

Assault rier $rossin./sta$le $onstru$tion andor remoal.

Minefield /rea$hin and $learin.

Water supply.

eneral purpose enineers may perform any or seeral of the a/oe tas9s! /ut usually toa lesser deree than their spe$ialte$hni$al $ounterparts. 'n either $ase! the threat

enisions that most if not all of these tas9s are $ondu$ted under fire or 8ell in adan$e of

main assault elements.

)e$hni$al repair of pipelines and toporaphi$ sureyin are not the responsi/ility ofthreat enineer units. 'n addition! many simple and eneral enineer tas9s are not $arried

out /y enineer soldiers! /ut /y soldiers of other $om/at arms. For e:ample! all threat

$om/at soldiers are e:pe$ted to /e profi$ient at mine $learan$e. )he operation of tan9-mounted mine plo8s and rollers is a responsi/ility of armored for$es! althouh enineer

adi$e is aaila/le in de$idin 8hether to employ su$h dei$es.

)he orani;ation of threat enineer units is the result of $areful study and is desined to

a$$omplish spe$ifi$ o/=e$ties. )hese o/=e$ties are>

"ondu$tin enineer tas9s ne$essary to support the ta$ti$al employment of other

$om/at arms! espe$ially the moement of tan9 and motori;ed rifle elements.

Atta$hin additional enineer assets to su/ordinate elements and maintainin a

sinifi$ant enineer resere.

Doetailin and e:pandin enineer tas9s in the offense /y follo8-on enineer

elements of in$reased $apa/ilities.

roidin $ohesion to the defense and se$urity in the offense /y employin mines!

o/sta$les! field fortifi$ations! and antitan9 defenses.

)he stru$ture of enineer units is $onstant at the reimental and diisional leels! /ut notat hiher leels of $ommand. )he enineer units assined to a Frontor "om/ined Arms

Army 8ill ary 8ith the leel of importan$e of the ma=or $ommand in the oerall

operational or stratei$ plan. enerally! a Frontenineer resere is li9ely to /e t8i$e as



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lare as that of a "om/ined Arms Army.

RINCILE+ OF TRE!T EN7INEER EMLOYMENT

)hreat military prin$iples are o/sered in order of pre$eden$e. )o a $ertain e:tent! threat

military prin$iples appear as rephrasin of Western prin$iples of 8ar. Ho8eer! applyinthese prin$iples is pe$uliar to threat military theory! and threat units are $onfiured and

equipped to attain them. )hese eiht military prin$iples! in order of priority! are>

1Mo/ility and hih rates of $om/at operations.

2"on$entration of main efforts and $reation of superiority in for$es and means oer theenemy at the de$isie time and pla$e.

.(urprise and se$urity.

"om/at a$tieness @$onstant $om/at and pressure.

5reseration of the $om/at effe$tieness of friendly for$es.

4"onformity to the oal.

"oordination.

6A$tion upon the enemy to the entire depths of his employment and deep into his rear

area.

)hese prin$iples are /asi$ to a threat offi$erCs approa$h to any $om/at pro/lem! and 8illhae a profound effe$t on any de$ision made. For e:ample! a$hieement of hih speed in

the e:e$ution of $om/at missions is the first prin$iple! and 8ill therefore ta9e pre$eden$e

oer the need to aoid $asualties and presere the $om/at effe$tieness of friendly troops.'n other 8ords! sain ti'eis more important than sain #i/e&! sin$e fe8er lies 8ould

/e lost if the threat $ommander is allo8ed to e:er$ise /attlefield initiatie and di$tate theterms of $om/at. While adherin to these prin$iples! the role of $om/at enineers is toassist other elements of $om/at arms to follo8 them more $losely! there/y attainin

reater $om/at effe$tieness.

)he threat has $ertain prin$iples pe$uliar to $om/at enineers. )hese prin$iples are

/indin upon the enineer $ommander and state that $om/at enineer operations must--

"orrespond to the impendin /attle $on$ept and support the $ommanderCs plan.

+e $ompleted in time to allo8 the $ompletion of ta$ti$al a$tiities ne$essary in

implementin the plan.

+e $on$ealed to deprie the enemy of intellien$e indi$ators.

"ontri/ute dire$tly to the effe$t of the main atta$9 in the offense or the mainse$tor in the defense.

+e $apa/le of rapid maneuer to adapt to $hanin /attlefield situations.

De$eie the enemy reardin the dire$tion or lo$ation of the main effort.

TRE!T EN7INEER +UORT OF TE OFFEN+E

'n the offense! the $hief fun$tion of enineers is to assist in maintainin hih rates of



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moement! 8hi$h is the premier ta$ti$al prin$iple of threat military do$trine. mphasis is

pla$ed on $learin and maintainin routes for the adan$e of $om/ined arms units! to

in$lude /rea$hin or remoin mines and o/sta$les! $rossin 8ater o/sta$les! andassistin in flan9 prote$tion or prote$tion aainst $ounteratta$9. nineer re$onnaissan$e!

independently or in $olla/oration 8ith other re$onnaissan$e means! plays a sinifi$ant

role in fa$ilitatin moement. "amouflae and prote$tion durin halts or temporaryassumption of the defense are also /asi$ enineer fun$tions.

(e$ondary attention is ien to supportin loisti$ operations in rear areas. )he pra$ti$al

effe$t of these enineer requirements is to $reate $ertain 9ey fun$tions 8hi$h must /e

satisfied /y enineer troops. )hese fun$tions in$lude>

nineer re$onnaissan$e.

Moement support.

Mine and $ountermine 8arfare.

Wet and dry ap $rossins.

En%ineer reconnai&&ance

)he oal of enineer re$onnaissan$e is to proide a $omprehensie report on thepassa/ility of mar$h routes. nineer re$onnaissan$e is $ondu$ted /y enineer elements

atta$hed to $om/ined arms or re$onnaissan$e units! or /y enineer offi$ers a$tin as part

of the $ommanderCs re$onnaissan$e party 8hi$h $he$9s the alidity of plans made fromintellien$e 8ithout a$tual prior inspe$tion of the terrain. nineer elements performin

this re$onnaissan$e must determine--

)he deree of passa/ility of the entire route.

)he lo$ation and nature of o/sta$les to /e oer$ome and the enineer assets

required to oer$ome them.

)he $ondition of all $rossin sites! 8et or dry.

)he lo$ation and quantity of material 8hi$h $an /e used to improe the mar$h

route.

)he nature of the terrain and lo$ation of areas 8ith natural $on$ealment.

'n the $ondu$t of enineer re$onnaissan$e! the most $ommonly employed formation is

the (oiet enineer re$onnaissan$e patrol! 'n;henerny *a;edyatelCny Do;er @'*D. )he'*D may ary in strenth from a squad to a platoon. "ommanded /y an offi$er or senior

non$ommissioned offi$er @N"! it is equipped 8ith the ne$essary equipment for

a$$omplishin its tas9. )he '*D 8ill almost al8ays /e ehi$le-mounted! utili;in there$onnaissan$e ersion of the +*DM or +)*60. )he $ommander is issued maps and

aerial photoraphs of the mar$h route and proided 8ith the $olumn $ompositionindi$atin the num/er and types of ehi$les the route must a$$ommodate.

+i%ni$icance to Friend#) Force&

)he appearan$e of enineer re$onnaissan$e elements seres as an important intellien$e



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indi$ator of impendin offensie a$tion. 'n addition! sin$e enineer re$onnaissan$e is

normally $ondu$ted one to one-and-a-half days in adan$e of the main for$eCs moement!

it proides hihly alua/le information reardin the timin of threat a$tiity. (in$ethreat offensie ta$ti$s are predi$ated upon hih rates of moement and enineers are

paramount in implementin this moement! friendly $ounterre$onnaissan$e a$tion

dire$ted aainst '*Ds 8ill deprie the threat $ommander of enineer intellien$e ital toe:e$utin the ta$ti$al plan. Finally! the do$uments $arried /y the '*D $ommander

proide portions of the threat $ommanderCs a$tual ta$ti$al plan.

When in $lose pro:imity to enemy for$es o$$upyin prepared defensie positions! threat

enineer re$onnaissan$e 8ill /e $ondu$ted in a different manner than 8hen it supports anapproa$h mar$h. 'n su$h an instan$e! e:istin intellien$e $on$ernin roads! toporaphy!

defenses! and the li9e! 8ill /e initially supplemented /y aerial photoraphy and aerial

isual re$onnaissan$e. nineers 8ill /e atta$hed to many $om/ined arms re$onnaissan$eelements. )he '*Ds 8ill /e employed to penetrate defenses to re$onnoiter either a

spe$ifi$ aenue of approa$h or parti$ular defensie fortifi$ations and o/sta$les.

Additionally! re$onnaissan$e may /e $ondu$ted /y esta/lishin $oert enineer

o/seration posts $lose to! or a$tually 8ithin! the defensie se$tor.

ne enineer o/seration post @ is normally esta/lished per 2 9ilometers of front in

order to o/sere the entire enemy F7) and as$ertain the enineer a$tion and equipment

ne$essary to properly support the atta$9. As the atta$9 proresses! these s $ontinue to

o/sere the effe$tieness of the enineer assault and ma9e re$ommendations $on$erninalteration of the operation plan or $ommitment of the enineer resere. )he purpose of

enineer re$onnaissan$e is to deelop intellien$e supportin the employment of first

e$helon assault elements. )he alue of denyin enineer information throuh aressie$ounterre$onnaissan$e $annot /e oeremphasi;ed. (in$e assault enineer tas9s are a

prerequisite to the e:e$ution of the threat $ommanderCs ta$ti$al plan! any friendly a$tion

8hi$h interferes 8ith these tas9s 8ill $on$urrently derade the e:e$ution of the plan.

Mo/e'ent &upport

)he threat army /eliees that! 8ithout adequate enineer preparation! the approa$h mar$h

is sometimes not possi/le at all. )herefore! the results of enineer re$onnaissan$e sere

t8o purposes>

1 (ele$tin $olumn routes 8hi$h require the least enineer preparation.

2lannin the employment of enineer assets for any route $learin needed.

rincip#e& o$ 'o/e'ent

"onsiderin the results of enineer re$onnaissan$e and the ta$ti$al requirements of the

operation plan! the $ommander sele$ts the unitCs approa$h route. )he "hief of nineer

(eri$es then drafts the enineer plan for moement support. )his plan is /ased upon t8o

prin$iples>

1nineer soldiers must /e equita/ly dispersed throuhout the mar$h $olumn to insure

proper enineer support to the entire formation.

2nineer soldiers must 8or9 as far in adan$e as possi/le.



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)hreat do$trinal te:ts state that moement support elements should ideally operate one-

half day in adan$e of the main for$e. )he manual tas9 of route preparation usually falls

to a temporary orani;ation $alled a moement support deta$hment! triad/espe$heniya Di;heniya @D. (eeral Ds $an /e formed from the enineer

/attalion of the tan9 and motori;ed rifle diision! 8hile additional D assets e:ist in

the enineer $ompanies of the tan9 and motori;ed rifle reiments.Re&pon&i(i#itie& o$ the OO"&

(pe$ifi$ responsi/ilities in$lude the follo8in>

"learin and leelin areas of moement.

+uildin approa$hes and e:its at streams! raines! or other o/sta$les.

"onstru$tin /ypasses.

+rea$hin and $learin mines.

Mar9in routes.

)he orani;ation of the D may ary dependin on the s$ale of 8or9 underta9en and

the assets aaila/le. 'n eneral! the faster the desired rate of adan$e! the stroner theD. 'n most if not all $ases! the D 8ill /e reinfor$ed 8ith tan9 and motori;ed rifle

elements to assist enineers in those tas9s $ondu$ted under fire. )ypi$al ariations in the

stru$ture of Ds are sho8n in the follo8in illustration. )he roups are orani;edhain the follo8in missions>

*e$onnaissan$e and +arri$ade Destru$tion roup> *e$onnoiters mar$h route!

$lears o/stru$tions! and sele$ts $olumn route.

*oad and +ride roup> repares route and proides $rossins.

*oute Mar9in roup> Mar9s route and proides se$urity and traffi$ $ontrol



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Moin into position dire$tly /ehind the diisionCs adan$ed uard! or sometime /ehind

the adan$ed uardCs point se$urity patrol! the D normally moes a/out 1 to 2 hoursin adan$e of the head of the mar$h formation. A typi$al sequen$e of a$tiities for anD 8ould $onsist of>

)he re$onnaissan$e and /arri$ade destru$tion roup re$onnoiters enemy minefield

and o/sta$les prote$tin a rier $rossin. /sta$les are $leared /y enineers usine:plosies! 8hile plo8 and roller-equipped tan9s $lear lanes. throuh the

minefield. ,sin information preiously o/tained /y an '*D! additional

re$onnaissan$e of the rier /an9s is $ondu$ted to determine the e:a$t e:tent ofpreparation ne$essary for /ridin. nemy troops in the area are enaed /y tan9

and motori;ed rifle elements.

*oad and /ride roups improe initial lanes throuh minefield! prepare /an9s for

/ridin equipment! and empla$e /rides.

As pre$edin roups $ontinue moement! the route mar9in roup empla$es

required route and /ride mar9ers! esta/lishes traffi$ $ontrol points! and reulates

traffi$ flo8 until relieed /y military poli$e traffi$ units.

)he threat uses smo9e and supportin indire$t fire as ne$essary to assist the D

in a$$omplishin required tas9s.

)hreat do$trine for route preparation stipulates that! as an aerae! a diisional enineer



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/attalion should /e a/le to prepare up to 100 9ilometers of route per day in open $ountry

8here roads or tra$9s hae not /een su/=e$ted to spe$ifi$ enemy a$tion to /lo$9 or

destroy them. 'f the route has /een spe$ifi$ally interdi$ted /y the enemy! then only 20 to#0 9ilometers per day $an /e a$hieed! less if the enineer tas9s must /e $ondu$ted under

fire! 'n su$h $ases! it is $ommon for threat enineers to $onstru$t a rouh tra$9 parallel to

the planned route! if possi/le! in order to maintain the tempo of the adan$e.


)hreat offensie operations are predi$ated upon hih speed e:e$ution and the sequen$ed

arrial and departure of $om/ined arms teams at spe$ifi$ lo$ations at desinated times.

)hus! dependent upon an e:$eptionally hih deree of $oordination! the threat$ommander relies to a $riti$al e:tent upon the moement support a$tiities of his

enineer troops. A$tion 8hi$h denies the a$$omplishment of enineer route preparation

a$tiities may $reate a potentially disastrous situation for the threat $ommander. )hedelay of an adan$in $olumn /y an une:pe$ted o/sta$le not only disrupts $oordination

and slo8s the tempo of /attle! /ut also $auses su$$eedin units to $om/ine 8ith those in

front! $reatin a hihly re8ardin taret for friendly fires.

Mine and counter'ine ;ar$are

'n the threat ie8! the most important features of mines are speed and ease of

empla$ement on the /attlefield. mpla$in a mine /elt is $onsidered mu$h more effe$tie

and effi$ient aainst infantry and tan9s than tren$hes! 8ire! or other fortifi$ations. Mines

are a mu$h qui$9er means of ere$tin a defense. "onsequently! they are 8idely used een

in offensie operations. 'n supportin the offense! enineers employ e:tensie minefieldin seeral situations su$h as--

When temporarily assumin the defense.

When prote$tin aainst $ounteratta$9.

When proidin flan9 prote$tion.

'n any future 8ar! the threat /eliees there 8ill /e no distin$t front line nor a $learly

defined for8ard ede of the /attle area @F+A or F7). *ather! there 8ill /e a series ofoffensie and $ounteroffensie a:es in the form of spurs and salients. ien the fluidity

of $om/at under su$h $onditions! a mine o/sta$le offers far reater fle:i/ility in

employment than antitan9 dit$hes! tetrahedrons! and other su$h relatiely stati$ o/sta$les.

Minefield 8ill /e the most $ommon means of prote$tin ulnera/le aspe$ts of offensiedeployment! and mined areas may /e e:pe$ted to /e far reater than those en$ountered in

World War ''. Althouh all threat troops are trained in the fundamentals of mine 8arfare!

$om/at enineers are spe$ially trained to perform this fun$tion. )he primary $om/atenineer element performin mine 8arfare support for the offense is a temporary

orani;ation $alled a mo/ile o/sta$le deta$hment! odi;hnoy triad Eara;hdeniya

@E! 8hi$h is formed from elements of reimental and diisional $om/at enineers.

'n the offense! Es are positioned on the flan9s of the mar$h $olumn! and usually are



15/218

$losely asso$iated 8ith the antitan9 resere. a$h E 8ill /e equipped 8ith up to three

M*-60 minelayin trailers 8ith to8ed mine-$arryin ehi$les! or the ne8er ME

tra$9ed armored mine-layin ehi$le 8hi$h is rapidly repla$in the older M*-60. 'n$ertain instan$es! the Mi-&H' heli$opter 8ith remoa/le mine ra$9s and $hute

dispensers may /e used to empla$e mines from an altitude of a/out 5 meters. A diisional

E equipped 8ith the ME tra$tor is $apa/le of empla$in a 1!000-meter minefield$ontainin ?50 to 1!000 mines at #-or 5.5-meter interals 8ithin 0 minutes on suita/le

round.

Te'porar) a&&u'ption o$ the de$en&i/e

'f the atta$9 fails! enineers must /e prepared to $ondu$t rapid fortifi$ation and o/sta$le

a$tiity in support of the hasty defense. 'n this role! Es 8ill perform as they do inoffensie $om/at and empla$e mines in a$$ordan$e 8ith the oerall defensie plan.

rotection a%ain&t counterattac3

'n plannin the offensie employment of the $ommand! the threat $ommander $onstantly

ealuates the /attlefield for suita/le enemy $ounteratta$9 areas. Areas identified asfaora/le are usually those 8hi$h 8ould detra$t from the maneuer of the $om/ined arms

teams! and /e $onsidered ital for mine employment in order to deny the enemy

$ommander ta$ti$al initiatie.

F#an3 protection

nain in a /attle of dispersion and maneuer ne$essarily $reates e:tensie e:posedflan9s. 'n threat theory! preentin enemy e:ploitation of su$h a $ondition relies! on t8o

a$tions> rapid e:e$ution of $om/at tas9s /efore the enemy $an rea$t! and prote$tion of

flan9s /y e:tensie minefield. Durin the mar$h to $onta$t and durin the enaementitself! Es a$tiely empla$e mines on the flan9s of maneuerin units to pre$lude /ein

atta$9ed /y mo/ile for$es of the enemy.

'n the late 1%60s and early 1%?0s! the tenden$y for a E to $reate an o/sta$le /y

alternatin minefield 8ith other antitan9 o/sta$les alon a 6- to ?-9ilometer front is no8$onsidered ineffe$tie! as is the pra$ti$e of layin lon strip minefield 8ithout $oerin

them /y antitan9 fire. "urrent threat tea$hin stresses the need for anititan9 uns to

enae tan9s as soon as they en$ounter the minefield. )hus! a short! deep mine and un

o/sta$le /elt is preferred to a lon! thin one! ma9in $hoi$e of position $riti$al.

+e$ause of the possi/le need to re$oer minefield as the adan$e proresses!

antipersonnel mines are rarely in$luded in an antitan9 minefield laid in support of

offensie operations. Minefields left /ehind are $learly mar9ed and re$orded! and their

lo$ations are reported to the "hief of nineer (eri$es.


'n the offense! the $ommander employs mines in areas ealuated as offerin the enemy a

sinifi$ant adantae to interfere 8ith the ta$ti$al plan. )hus! the dete$tion of minelayin

a$tiity offers the friendly for$e an indi$ation of the manner in 8hi$h the threat $ommand



16/218

8ill /e employed! and hihlihts those areas deemed $riti$al to su$$ess.

)he threat! in plannin for the 8idespread employment of mines! fully e:pe$ts any

enemy to enae in e:tensie mine 8arfare. "onsequently! $ountermine 8arfare is ane:tremely important tas9 entrusted to $om/at enineers. +rea$hin lanes throuh enemy

minefield is $riti$al to the oal of 9eepin the atta$9 moin. qually important is the

desira/ility of $ondu$tin mine /rea$hin operations $oertly! 8heneer possi/le! topresere surprise. When atta$9in from the mar$h! the lo$ation of enemy minefield is theresponsi/ility of enineer re$onnaissan$e patrols @'*Ds. )he '*D is equipped 8ith

seeral types of mine dete$tors! the most $ommon /ein the D'M metalli$ mine dete$tor

mounted on the ,AE 6%! 1#-ton! # : # 7iht ,tility 4ehi$le. )he D'M is syn$hroni;ed8ith the ehi$leCs inition system and! upon dete$tin a metalli$ mine! $uts out the

ele$tri$al system and 9ills the enine. )he '*D re$onnoiters the limits of the minefield

and mar9s it for the follo8in moement support deta$hment @D.

'n /rea$hin the required num/er of lanes throuh the minefield! the D 8ill employseeral types of mine /rea$hin equipment. )he normal threat method of /rea$hin

minefield durin an assault or rapid adan$e is to employ mine plo8s fitted to the lead

tan9s. Althouh enineers 8ill re$onnoiter the minefield! the initial /rea$hin is notprimarily an enineer tas9. )he M)-# and M)-6 plo8s are normally employed on the

s$ale of one per platoon of three to four tan9s. nineers assist in fittin these and plo8-

roller $om/inations @M)-5s $ommonly used for minefield re$onnaissan$e. )he threat

estimates $learin speeds of a/out 6 9ilometers per hour @9ph for plo8-fitted tan9s! anda/out 10 9ph for roller-fitted tan9s. "om/at ehi$les follo8 these plo8-equipped tan9s in

the /rea$hin of a minefield. )he threat employs a mine-$learin dei$e mounted on the

+)*-50 Armored ersonnel "arrier @A" @t8o to ea$h diisional enineer/attalion. )his dei$e fires and then detonates an e:plosie hose @line $hare a$ross the

minefield. 't $lears a lane a/out 1&0 meters lon /y 6 to & meters 8ide. )his equipment is

parti$ularly useful durin an assault rier $rossin 8hen there are minefield on the far/an9 and amphi/ious ehi$les may hae to initially operate in the /ridehead 8ithout

tan9 support.

Another mine-$learin dei$e is the e:plosie line $hare. 't $onsists of three separate

linear $hares! a nose se$tion! and a detonator /o:. a$h linear $hare may /e assem/ledto any desired lenth /y $onne$tin 2-meter se$tions toether 8ith threaded $ollars. )he

liht! sheet metal! 5-$entimeter-diameter! tu/ular se$tions are filled 8ith $ast

trinitrotoluene @)N) e:plosie at % 9ilorams per linear meter. )his dei$e is ersatile inthat it may /e used as a sinle! dou/le! or triple $hare. )he for8ard end se$tion is fitted

8ith a roller to fa$ilitate insertion of the $hare into a minefield. )he dei$e is assem/led

in a rear area! to8ed /y tan9 to the minefieldCs ede! pushed into the minefield! and fired.

)he triple line $hare 8ill $lear a 6-meter-8ide path alon the entire lenth of the $hare.A squad $an assem/le a 500-meter-lon triple $hare in 1 to 1.5 hours.

+analore torpedoes are also used. (e$tions! 2 meters in lenth! $arryin 6 9ilorams of

e:plosie! are $onne$ted /y $ollars. )he $learan$e depth of a path 1 to 2 meters 8ide is

limited only /y the manaea/le 8eiht that $an /e manually pushed into the minefield.

)he num/er of lanes to /e $leared depends on the terrain and the num/er of $olumns in

the assault e$helon. For a leadin /attalion in the assault on a main a:is! si: to eiht lanes



17/218

may /e required! one for ea$h assaultin platoon. 'n se$ondary se$tors! as fe8 as t8o

lanes may /e suffi$ient. Ho8eer! an aerae of four to si: lanes $an /e e:pe$ted 8ith at

least t8o deeloped into permanent lanes! 6 to & meters 8ide! for passae of artillery andloisti$ ehi$les. nineers mar9 minefield lanes and proide traffi$ $ontrol throuh the

minefield. )he routes leadin from a start line to ea$h lane are mar9ed 8ith red trianular

metal flas and /la$9-and-8hite tapes. 'lluminatin mar9ers may /e used at niht. *outesthrouh friendly minefield are mar9ed /y sins of arious shapes pla$ed not less than 20

meters apart on /oth sides of the route. 'f possi/le! they are positioned so as not to /e

isi/le from enemy positions.

'n atta$9in from line of mar$h! manual mine /rea$hin is $arried out only under $ertain$onditions>

As nuisan$e minefield alon or on routes! espe$ially around $raters and

demolitions! to allo8 the route $learin unit to 8or9 freely.

n approa$hes to 8ater o/sta$les and 8ater mines.

)o maintain surprise! espe$ially at niht or 8hen the threat 8ishes to ma9e a ap

in their o8n minefields.When other mine /rea$hin equipment is $ommitted.

When $ondu$tin assault /rea$hin operations aainst a defended enemy minefield! the

usual pra$ti$e is to atta$9 8ith $om/ined arms teams led /y $om/at enineers andsupported /y artillery and ta$ti$al aiation. (u$h a formation is ne$essary if the $om/at

enineers are not to suffer $ripplin losses to defensie fires. Artillery! in parti$ular! plays

a ma=or role in suppressin defensie fires and allo8in the e:e$ution of enineer tas9s.'f artillery support is not aaila/le or is too short in duration! the first 8ae of the atta$9

is led /y plo8-and roller-equipped tan9s! 8hile $om/at enineers $losely follo8 to 8iden

lanes. Here aain! the use of plo8-and roller-equipped tan9s is not an enineerresponsi/ility! /ut an enineer fun$tion $arried out /y tan9 soldiers. Another means of

lane improement entails mine $learin tan9s drain a aria/le lenth of e:plosie line$hare. )he $hare is detonated to $lear mines not un$oered /y the plo8 or roller. ur

minefield should /e deep enouh to pre$lude the threat from /rea$hin the entire depth8ith one line $hare. )he threat /rea$hin $apa/ility 8ith one line $hare is $urently in

the 50-meter rane. A threat squad $an assem/le a 500-meter-lon triple $hare in 1 to

1.5 hours /y $ouplin the 50-meter se$tions toether. lanners should $he$9 the $urrentthreat $apa/ility for /rea$hin /efore determinin 8hat si;e minefield is most effe$tie.

As 8ith mu$h of threat enineer a$tiity! threat mine and $ountermine operations proide

/oth intellien$e and ta$ti$al alues to friendly for$es. Minefield /rea$hin a$tiity is

indi$atie of impendin threat offensie a$tion! and the identifi$ation of su$h a$tiity 8illreatly assist in determinin times and lo$ations of atta$9. Ho8eer! it must /e 9ept in

mind that threat do$trine $alls for the $ondu$t of /ous mine $learin a$tiity as part of

$oer and de$eption plans. )a$ti$ally! the denial of threat $ountermine a$tions seres todeprie the threat $ommander of the ta$ti$al initiatie 8hi$h his entire operation plan is

/ased.



18/218

Ri/er cro&&in%&

)hreat military do$trine di$tates that! 8heneer possi/le! 8ater o/sta$les alon a /roadfront are $rossed at multiple points 8ithout pause in the mar$h or the adan$e. )his ta$ti$

is desined to rapidly oer8helm enemy defenses and maintain the tempo of the atta$9.

'n the threat ie8! a delay at a ma=or 8ater o/sta$le $an =eopardi;e the su$$ess of anentire offensie operation in $onentional $om/at! and is $ertain to destroy lare for$es

massed for the $rossin durin a nu$lear 8ar. "onsequently! the threat re$oni;es t8o

distin$t forms of rier $rossin! hasty and deli/erate.

a&t) cro&&in%

)he hasty $rossin in$orporates the features of rapid moement preiously mentioned.)he atta$9in for$e $rosses the 8ater o/sta$le in stride! does not stop to $onsolidate

/rideheads! and $ontinues the adan$e 8ithout pausin. )his is the preferred form of

rier $rossin.

"e#i(erate cro&&in%

)he deli/erate $rossin is $ondu$ted 8hen an attempted hasty $rossin has failed! or

8hen hostilities are /ein initiated aainst a 8ell-prepared enemy o$$upyin a rier line

defense. 't is $hara$teri;ed /y more detailed plannin! e:tensie /uildup and preparation!

and a reater deree of $entrali;ation than the hasty $rossin.

)he role of $om/at enineers in /oth types of $rossin is $riti$al. While all arms are fully

trained in their indiidual roles in rier $rossin operations! enineer fun$tions proide

the marin of su$$ess. 't is not the purpose of this se$tion to e:amine rier $rossin

operations in their entirety! /ut to define the role of enineers 8ithin the oerall effort.For a $omplete a$$ount of the $ondu$t of rier $rossin operations /y all arms! see

Defense 'ntellien$e Aen$y @D'A u/li$ation DD'-1150-1-??.

nineer support to assault rier $rossins /y threat for$es o$$urs in the follo8in areas>

nineer re$onnaissan$e of 8ater $rossins.

*oute and site preparation.

"rossin preparation and e:e$ution.

(ite prote$tion.

(upport to units 8ithin the /ridehead.

En%ineer reconnai&&ance o$ ;ater cro&&in%&

'n the threat ie8! the 9ey to a su$$essful rier $rossin is thorouh re$onnaissan$e to

determine /oth the ta$ti$al situation and the te$hni$al $hara$teristi$s of the rier and its

/an9s. As a eneral prin$iple! re$onnaissan$e 8ill /e $arried out a$ross a 8ide front toaoid fo$usin enemy attention on one area. Additionally! this a$tiity identifies the

numerous $rossin sites needed to support the $rossin of 8idely dispersed units.

nineer re$onnaissan$e personnel 8ill attempt to as$ertain the follo8in information atea$h site>

*ier 8idth! depth! and $urrent.

ntry and e:it radients.

*ier /ottom $omposition.



19/218

+an9 $omposition and heiht.

Approa$h and e:it routes.

"riti$al terrain features dominatin /oth /an9s.

ossi/le fordin! ferryin! /ridin! and snor9elin sites.

'nformation on enemy defenses.

'n o/tainin this information! enineers may! as in other offensie operations! a$$ompany$om/ined arms re$onnaissan$e teams< or! enineer patrols @'*Ds may operate

independently. An '*D 8ill usually operate from the +*DM enineer re$onnaissan$e

ehi$le and 8ill /e equipped 8ith a ariety of re$onnaissan$e equipment. 'n someinstan$es! enineers are $landestinely dropped /y para$hute dire$tly on the 8ater

o/sta$le.

A typi$al re$onnaissan$e mission for a squad-si;e '*D miht require the re$onnaissan$e

of t8o sites in a 500- to 600-meter se$tor! a tas9 usually a$$omplished in # hours. ($u/a-equipped enineers $he$9 for 8ater mines and test rier/ed $onditions. ther mem/ers of

the '*D sele$t and mar9 $on$ealed approa$h routes< o/tain hydroraphi$ data /y usin

depth finders and 8ater $urrent meters< determine rier /an9 $onditions and the presen$eof e:istin or military o/sta$les< identify enemy defenses and $ondu$t /ous

re$onnaissan$e a$tiity in other areas to aoid dis$losin the main $rossin se$tor.


nineer re$onnaissan$e performed in support of 8ater $rossins has /oth intellien$eand ta$ti$al alue to the friendly for$e. "ondu$tin enineer re$onnaissan$e 8ill assist in

identifyin planned $rossin sites for $om/ined arms teams and the times of atta$9. (u$h

information is of e:treme importan$e in plannin the friendly ta$ti$al response."ounterre$onnaissan$e! 8hi$h preents the a$$omplishment of enineer re$onnaissan$e

missions! depries the threat $ommander of information ital to the su$$essful e:e$ution

of atta$9.

Route and &ite preparation

*oute preparation of approa$hes to $rossin points 8ill follo8 the same pro$edures as inthe approa$h mar$h. Moement support deta$hments @Ds 8ill a$$ompany the

anuard elements of adan$e for$es to proide traffi$a/le $onditions for the types and

num/ers of ehi$les in the $olumn. A diision 8ill usually $ross a rier on a 8ide front ata minimum of four points @sometimes up to eiht simultaneously! see9in to find

suita/le areas for ea$h type of $rossin means. )his requires the enineer staff to

$arefully plan and allo$ate enineer assets.

)he preparation of proper entry and e:it /an9 radients is $ru$ial and depends upon theresults of the re$onnaissan$e effort. arthmoin equipment and e:plosies are used in

preparin /ride approa$hes and entry and e:it points at ford! ferry! and s8im sites.

*apid e:e$ution of these tas9s is essential! sin$e the a$tual $rossin units follo8 $losely/ehind and depend on suita/ly prepared $rossin points /efore $ommen$in operations.



20/218


(ite preparation is a $riti$al phase of a threat rier $rossin operation. 'nterferen$e 8ithsite preparation a$tiity translates dire$tly to interferen$e 8ith the sequen$e and timin of

the enineer effort! 8hi$h the entire $rossin is dependent upon. 'f the site preparation

effort $an /e denied! the follo8in $rossin units 8ill either /e una/le to perform theirfun$tion or for$ed to halt. )he tempo of the atta$9 8ill /e disrupted! and the $onsequent

/un$hin of units 8ill $reate lu$ratie tarets. For these reasons! site preparation

represents the most ulnera/le aspe$t of a threat rier $rossin.

Cro&&in% preparation and e,ecution

Follo8in the initial site preparation! and immediately prior to a$tual $rossin! finalpreparatory a$tiities are e:e$uted. reiously lo$ated 8ater mines are destroyed /y

s$u/a-equipped enineers usin e:plosies. Where ne$essary! metal mattin is empla$ed

at soft /ottom fords. nineers in amphi/ious A"s a$$ompany initial assault 8aes andassist in redu$in defenses on the far /an9.

Durin the a$tual $rossin! the ferry operation and /ride empla$ement are solelyenineer fun$tions. Additionally! enineers are responsi/le for traffi$ $ontrol and

dire$tion at all $rossin sites. 'n the latter role! enineers insure that the $rossin is$ondu$ted at a hih rate of speed! a requirement $onsidered to /e e:tremely important.

)hreat do$trine esta/lishes the desired $rossin time for the diision $om/at elements as

hours durin dayliht and 6 to & hours at niht.


)he primary role of enineers durin this phase is proidin the physi$al means /y 8hi$hthe /ul9 of the diision $rosses. )his phase of enineer operations also mar9s the arrial

of ma=or $om/ined arms teams! and is usually supported /y artillery fires. 'n most $ases!it 8ill /e $ondu$ted under the prote$tion of the air defense um/rella.

+ite protection

"ommen$in 8ith initial site preparation and $ontinuin throuh the $ondu$t of the

$rossin! enineer elements are responsi/le for prote$tin the site! equipment! and

$om/ined arms teams from floatin mines and enemy raids. ($u/a diers and po8er/oats 8ill $onstantly patrol /oth upstream and do8nstream approa$hes to the $rossin

site! and outposts 8ill /e esta/lished alon li9ely land approa$hes.


When plannin raids aainst threat ap-$rossin sites! the presen$e and lo$ations of these

se$urity for$es already esta/lished /y prior re$onnaissan$e should /e $onsidered.

+upport to unit& ;ithin the (rid%ehead



21/218

As the threat for$e esta/lishes itself on the opposite /an9! elements of the enineer

resere a$$ompany $om/ined arms teams in performin enineer tas9s ne$essary to 9eep

the adan$e moin. 'n this role! enineers fun$tion in the same manner as 8hensupportin the atta$9 from the line of mar$h or 8hen in $onta$t 8ith the enemy. )he

$rossin site 8ill radually /e$ome the responsi/ility of lines of $ommuni$ation troops!

and the $om/at enineers 8ill re=oin the diision and /e prepared to support the ne:t$rossin operation.


As 8ith other threat enineer a$tiity! the shift of enineer emphasis a$$ompanies a shift

in ta$ti$al emphasis. Friendly a$tion 8hi$h destroys or damaes /ridin and ferryinequipment durin this phase 8ill redu$e the threat a/ility to $ondu$t su/sequent rier

$rossins until equipment is repla$ed.

COUNTERMOBILITY RE9UIREMENT+

'n order for the threat to attain its primary military prin$iple! Mo(i#it) and i%h Rate&

o$ Co'(at Operation&it is imperatie that they presere their a/ility to moe and

maneuer on the /attlefield. )hreat for$es are desined! orani;ed! trained! and equipped

to a$$omplish this prin$iple a/oe all others.

Friendly ,( $ountermo/ility tas9s must therefore /e desined and e:e$uted to slo8 themoement rate spe$ified /y the threat. )he use of $ountermo/ility /y friendly for$es must

/e interated into the $on$ept of operations not only to impede threat mo/ility! /ut to

in$rease the 9ill pro/a/ility of friendly firepo8er. /sta$les must /e sited to reinfor$e theterrain and ma:imi;e the effe$tie firepo8er from friendly /attle positions.

"ountermo/ility operations 8ill /e used alon the F7) as 8ell as deep into the threat

rear area. )he use of s$attera/le minefield ies friendly for$es a $apa/ility to deny threat

mo/ility any8here on the /attlefield. )he use of s$attera/le minefield should /e $arefullyplanned and e:e$uted so that friendly mo/ility durin future operations is not impeded.

"ountermo/ility e:e$ution is primarily the responsi/ility of $om/at enineers. )he

enineer and the ta$ti$al $ommander must de$ide early in the plannin pro$ess ho8 to

/est position o/sta$les to in$rease the effe$tieness of friendly fire and maneuer.)a$ti$al $ommanders must esta/lish $ountermo/ility priorities early in the plannin

pro$ess. arly plannin 8ill ena/le ma:imum effort to /e deoted to those

$ountermo/ility tas9s deemed most $riti$al.

"ountermo/ility a$tiities are essential in order to defeat the first prin$iple of the threatarmy< that is! delay! $hannel! or stop the offensie moement. An analysis of re$ent 8ars

sho8s that effe$tie and 8ell-planned interation of $ountermo/ility a$tiities and

firepo8er $an ena/le an outnum/ered for$e to 8in.



22/218

+UMM!RY

'n supportin offensie operations! the role of threat $om/at enineers is to 3eep the

o$$en&e 'o/in%:)he e:treme importan$e of this effort to the oerall $ondu$t of the

offense $annot /e oeremphasi;ed. As has /een noted! threat offensie $om/at is

predi$ated upon mo/ility! hih rates of adan$e! surprise! and se$re$y! and the $lose$oordination of all arms. While first appearin to /e hihly fluid in nature! $lose

inspe$tion reeals threat style offensies to /e predi$ated upon the $arefully syn$hroni;ed

and sequen$ed interplay of rapidly moin units.

)he mission of enineers is to $reate $onditions of moement 8hi$h 8ill allo8 thisnoti$ea/ly $ompli$ated a$tiity to o$$ur unhindered! and ena/le the threat $ommander to

en=oy total ta$ti$al initiatie 8hile denyin it to the enemy.

"om/at enineers are thus one of the 9ey elements of the offense. Any friendly a$tiity

8hi$h preents $om/at enineers from a$$omplishin their mission 8ill seriouslyinterfere 8ith the a$tions of $om/ined arms teams and $reate e:ploita/le ta$ti$al

situations for the friendly $ommander.



23/218

Chapter 2

COUNTERMOBILITY FUN"!MENT!L+

)his $hapter proides a standard $lassifi$ation and a detailed dis$ussion of e,i&tin%and

rein$orcin%o/sta$les. )he prin$iples of terrain ealuation and the employment of all of

o/sta$les to reinfor$e e:istin terrain are also presented.

TYE+ OF OB+T!CLE+

E


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/sta$les are rouped into t8o eneral $ateories! e,i&tin%and rein$orcin%as sho8n.

E,i&tin%o/sta$les are already present on the /attlefield and not pla$ed there throuh

military effort. )hey may /e natura#su$h as la9es or mountains! or they $an /e cu#tura#su$h as to8ns or railroad em/an9ments. Rein$orcin%o/sta$les are pla$ed on the

/attlefield throuh military effort and are desined to strenthen the e:istin terrain to

slo8! stop! or $anali;e the enemy. *einfor$in o/sta$les are limited only /y imaination!time! manpo8er! or loisti$ $onstraints. )hey in$lude /lo8in a road $rater! $onstru$tin

a lo $ri/! or installin a minefield. ($attera/le mines are reinfor$in o/sta$les empla$ed

/y arious deliery systems su$h as artillery or air$raft.

E



25/218

*oads and /rides.

+uilt-up areas.

(oil and traffi$a/ility.

(lope.

*iers and streams.

4isi/ility! $limate! 8eather! and their effe$ts.

)he $ommanderCs $ourse of a$tion 8ill larely depend on the $hara$teristi$s of the terrain

and intended use of it. )he $ommanderCs a$tion in$ludes moement! maneuer! and8eapons sitin to destroy the enemy. All round moement! friendly or enemy! 8ill /e

di$tated /y e,i&tin%o/sta$les.

A ood analysis of the terrain in the areas of influen$e and interest should ans8er the

follo8in questions>

Where are the mo/ility $orridors and aenues of approa$hG @Where 8ill the

enemy $ome fromG Where $an ' oG

Ho8 lare are the mo/ility $orridors and aenues of approa$hG @What si;e enemy

or friendly for$e 8ill they supportGWhat is the traffi$a/ility of the aenues of approa$hG @Ho8 fast $an the enemy or

' trael and 8ith 8hat type ehi$lesG

Where is the 9ey terrainG @What terrain 8ill proide a sinifi$ant adantae to the

one 8ho $ontrols itG

What are the fields of fireG @With 8hat 8eapons and at 8hat ranes $an ' enae

the enemyG r /e enaedG

Where are the $ho9e points or e:tensie o/sta$le areasG @Where are possi/le

lo$ations to pla$e reinfor$in o/sta$lesG

)hese questions are not in$lusie! /ut if ans8ered and analy;ed! they 8ill proide

sinifi$ant information on ho8 to prepare the /attlefield and allo$ate $om/at po8er.Determinin e:istin o/sta$le lo$ations is a 9ey element in terrain analysis. )he most

$riti$al questions are ho8 and 8here do 8e et information $on$ernin terrain ande:istin o/sta$les. )he /est sour$e is an on-the-round re$onnaissan$e a$$omplished /y

the units 8ho 8ill fiht the /attle. Ho8eer! this is not al8ays possi/le due to la$9 of

resour$es or enemy $ontrol of the areas a/out 8hi$h 8e need information. "orps anddiision terrain teams orani$ to the )heater Army )oporaphi$ +attalion $olle$t!

analy;e! and proide important toporaphi$! hydroloi$! and $limati$ data. )errain

analysts assess o/seration and fields of fire! $oer and $on$ealment! o/sta$les to

moement! 9ey terrain! and aenues of approa$h. 'nput to the for$e enineer and - isespe$ially important for o/sta$le plannin. nineer terrain analysts 8or9 as a team 8ith

intellien$e analysts to $olle$t ra8 terrain information and $onert it into pro$essedintellien$e. )oporaphi$ units proide a ariety of produ$ts in$ludin $ross-$ountrymoement maps! oerprinted maps! and arious s$ale ta$ti$al maps. )oporaphi$ support

is inalua/le in ma9in a thorouh terrain analysis.

Analysis of terrain and e:istin o/sta$les should fo$us on the mo/ility of tan9s. )a$ti$s

of enemy $om/ined arms for$es are desined around the mo/ility of tan9s. )he tan9 isthe primary ehi$le 8e 8ant to restri$t! delay! stop! and 9ill. )his antitan9 orientation of



26/218

terrain analysis and o/sta$le deelopment narro8s our fo$us and ma9es the tas9 more

simple. +y fo$usin on the tan9! the terrain analysis team $an assist the $ommander in

identifyin those e:istin o/sta$les that restri$t! $hanneli;e! delay! or stop the mo/ility oftan9s.

(ystemati$ terrain analysis usin all assets aaila/le reeals the e:istin o(&tac#e /a#ue

of the terrain. "onditions 8hi$h should /e $onsidered 8hen analy;in terrain in$ludedrainae features! slope and relief! eetation! $ultural features! and $limate. )he o/sta$lealue of ea$h $ondition is ealuated indiidually in $on=un$tion 8ith traffi$a/ility. )hen!

their $om/ined effe$ts /e$ome the o/sta$le alue of the terrain.

"R!IN!7E FE!TURE+

Drainae or surfa$e 8ater features in$lude riers! streams! $anals! la9es! ponds! marshes!s8amps! and /os. (u$h features are o/sta$les 8heneer the 8ater /e$omes deep or

tur/ulent enouh to threaten the safety of soldiers and the operation of ehi$les. Drainae

features are also o/sta$les 8hen s8amps! marshes! /os! and the li9e ma9e soil$onditions impossi/le for $ross-$ountry moement.

Lar%e ri/er&

7are! unfolda/le riers are formida/le o/sta$les /e$ause they must /e $rossed /y

ta$ti$al /ridin! s8immin! ferryin! or spe$ial deep 8ater fordin. ase of $rossin

these riers is determined /y the 8idth! depth! elo$ity! tur/ulen$e! /an9 and /ottom$onditions! rapid ta$ti$al /ridin aaila/le! and e:istin /rides.

+'a## ri/er& &trea'& and cana#&

Minor forda/le riers! streams! and $anals are mu$h more numerous than ma=or riers

and their ta$ti$al alue as o/sta$les should not /e oerloo9ed. )hese features are aria/le

in effe$tieness as o/sta$les. "areful plannin is required to interate them into theo/sta$le system. Water$ourses frequently $onstitute elonated o/sta$les in terrain 8hi$h

may other8ise /e e:$ellent for moement. Drainae also influen$es the orientation of the

road net and dire$tion of moement in an area. )he destru$tion of a fe8 sele$ted /rides$an for$e $ross-$ountry moement or lon detours. Durin floods! minor riers and

streams $an /e$ome ma=or o/sta$les. )hey $an $ause $onditions 8hi$h e:tend the

o/sta$le effe$t for a $onsidera/le period /y damain temporary and e:pedient /rides!and /y deepenin the oriinal $hannel of the rier or stream! thus ma9in a$$ess or eress

diffi$ult or impossi/le.



27/218

eather e$$ect&

Althouh streams are normally small and slo8 durin periods of lo8 pre$ipitation! and

lare and rapid durin periods of hih pre$ipitation! the relationship is not al8ays thissimple. Meltin sno8! for e:ample! may $ause hih 8ater do8nstream een in reions

8here rainfall is lo8. "ontinuous /elo8-free;in 8eather $an redu$e stream flo8 een

thouh pre$ipitation may /e hih.

'n 8inter! i$e may /e stron enouh to support ehi$les< then! instead of /ein o/sta$les!8ater /odies may /e$ome the preferred aenues for moement. 7ihtly loaded 2 -ton

tru$9s $an moe on i$e 0.-meter @10 in$hes thi$9. Moement on i$e is ris9y! ho8eer!

/e$ause of 8ea9nesses $aused /y 8ater flo8in from sprins and other areas of s8iftlymoin 8ater.

'n arid reions! dry stream $hannels may/e preferred aenues for moement durin

periods of little or no flo8. Ho8eer! there may /e qui$9sand or other soft pla$es 8here

ehi$les /o do8n. Also! there is the daner of flash floods.

Fordin%

Forda/ility of a stream e:presses ho8 easily it may /e $rossed 8ithout the means of

/ridin or ferryin. Forda/ility depends on $hara$teristi$s of /oth the ehi$le and the

stream. )he sinifi$ant $hara$teristi$s of streams are>

Width of $hannel.

Depth and elo$ity of 8ater.

Nature of /ottom.

Heiht! slope! and strenth of /an9s.

FOR"IN7 I+ O++IBLE

IF "ET !N" BOTTOM



28/218

ERMIT !CCE++

!N" E7RE++:

)hese $hara$teristi$s may ary independently so that fordin of een the smallest stream

requires sele$tin a site 8here faora/le $onditions $oin$ide. A stream is a minor

hindran$e 8hen a ford is aaila/le and usa/le 8ith little or no improement. A stream isa ma=or hindran$e if a suita/le ford is la$9in! or if fordin requires $onsidera/le

preparation of approa$hes! reinfor$ement of /ottoms! or the use of spe$ial equipment on

ehi$les.

T!N=+ C!N

>+ELF-BRI"7E>

U TO .M:

A tan9 $an /ride stream $hannels less than meters 8ide< ho8eer! 8heeled ehi$les donot hae this $apa/ility. n$e the self-/ridin $apa/ility of tra$9ed ehi$les is e:$eeded!

streams $an /e $rossed only /y /ridin! ferryin! or fordin. Althouh the 8idth of a

stream is sinifi$ant to /ridin! it is relatiely insinifi$ant to ferryin @proided it is8ide enouh and fordin. Ho8eer! the 8ider the stream! the reater the ha;ard

inoled. For fordin! the permissi/le ma:imum depth of 8ater for most tan9s is /et8een

0.% to 1.5 meters @ to 5 feet< and for tru$9s! a/out 0.% meter @ feet. 4ehi$les $an /eequipped 8ith deep 8ater fordin dei$es that 8ill ena/le them to $ross 8ater /odies as

deep as 5 to 6 meters @1? to 20 feet. ften! a ford may /e neotiated 8ith minor

diffi$ulty /y the first fe8 ehi$les! /ut the ones remainin 8ill /e una/le to $ross /e$ause

/ottom $onditions or approa$hes hae deteriorated 8ith use.

T!N=+ C!N FOR"

!TER U TO1:5M "EE

!N"

1:5M?+ECON" @ELOCITY:

(tream elo$ities should /e less than 1.5 meters @5 feet per se$ond for reasona/ly safefordin. )he /ottom of stream $hannels must /e firm enouh to support ehi$les.

+ottoms made up of fine-rained material $an preent fordin een thouh the 8ater may

/e only a fe8 in$hes deep. (uita/le /ottoms are restri$ted to those that are sandy!raelly! or ro$9y< /ut een sandy /ottoms may ie 8ay under the 8eiht of ehi$les! or

/oulders may preent ehi$ular moement. )he /an9s also are important. Hard! erti$al

/an9s 8ill /e o/sta$les to tan9s! if /an9 heiht e:$eeds 1.5 meters @# feet! and to tru$9s!if /an9 heiht e:$eeds 0. meter @1 foot. reater heihts $an /e tolerated if the ehi$les

$an et adequate tra$tion or if assistan$e su$h as 8in$hin is used. )he type of the

material $omposin the /an9s may /e sinifi$ant. +an9s made up of fine-rained soils

may fail under repeated traffi$. (andy and raelly materials usually proide adequatestrenth and dura/ility.



29/218

7ROUN" RECON

I+ !L!Y+

BE+T:

Adequate information @rier studies! spe$ial maps is $ommonly aaila/le on lare

streams! /ut enerally not for the small streams. round re$onnaissan$e is al8ays the/est sour$e of information< for many areas! it is the only relia/le sour$e. 'f on-site re$on

is not possi/le! then toporaphi$ and eoraphi$ maps! reports! and aerial photoraphs

are often the only sour$es of information aaila/le. $$asionally! useful data $an /efound in pu/li$ations on eoloy! ari$ulture! soils! and forestry.

La3e& pond& &;a'p& 'ar&he& and (o%&

7are la9es ma9e e:$ellent o/sta$les. )hey are usually unforda/le! una/le to /e /rided!

and must /e /ypassed. (maller la9es and ponds in themseles are not diffi$ult to /ypass

Wire.

)an9 dit$hes.

7o $ri/s.

(teel BHB /eam post o/sta$les.

Fallin or tum/le /lo$9s.

DraonCs teeth! hedehos! and tetrahedrons.

None:plosie a/atis.

"onstru$ted o/sta$les enerally require e:tensie amounts of one or all of the follo8in>

Manpo8er.quipment.

Material.

)ime.

(oldiers and $onstru$tion equipment $an /e e:posed to all types of enemy fire 8hen

empla$in $onstru$ted o/sta$les. "onstru$ted o/sta$les should /e empla$ed prior to the

start of the /attle! or a terrain feature a8ay from dire$t enaement areas! so thato/sered fire $annot disrupt the empla$ement pro$ess.

L!N" MINE+

*einfor$in o/sta$les other than minefield are primarily desined to enhan$e the fires

and 9ill ratio of antitan9 8eapons. Mines and minefield perform this fun$tion as 8ell as

9illin or destroyin enemy ehi$les and personnel.

Mine 8arfare is underoin a tremendous eolutionary pro$ess. (inifi$antimproements hae /een made in mines and mine deliery systems. We hae the

$apa/ility to qui$9ly empla$e mines any8here on the /attlefield usin arious deliery



38/218

systems. Mines hae $haned to the point 8here 8e no8 hae to dis$uss them in t8o

separate $ateories! con/entiona#and &cattera(#emines. )his $ateori;ation is required

due to the different $apa/ilities! employment te$hniques! and deliery means of ea$h.+oth $ateories of mines hae a distin$t pla$e on the /attlefield and $omplement ea$h

other.

Con/entiona# 'ine&are those mines notdesined to self-destru$t. "onentional minesare desined to /e dire$tly empla$ed /y hand or /y me$hani$al mine plantin equipment.)hey $an /e /uried or surfa$e-laid. "onentional mines $an /e empla$ed in a $lassi$al

pattern or 8ithout reard to pattern as the ta$ti$al situation di$tates.

+cattera(#e 'ine&are those mines 8hi$h are desined to self-destru$t after a set period

of time. With the e:$eption of the Wide Anle (ide enetratin Minin (ystem@WA(M( 8hi$h is dire$tly empla$ed! s$attera/le mines are remotely deliered /y

round systems! artillery! heli$opters! and hih-performan$e air$raft. )he term

Bs$attera/leB refers to selfdestru$tin mines. 't should not /e used to des$ri/e$onentional mines 8hi$h hae /een laid 8ithout reard to pattern.

($attera/le mines hae added a ne8 dimension to mine 8arfare and the /attlefield. )hetraditional $on$ept of lare linear minefield a$ross $ontested areas /et8een t8o for$es is

no loner ia/le! e:$ept possi/ly in desert 8arfare. Future /attlefields 8ill $ontain manysmaller mined areas pla$ed in response to enemy dispositions and moement. ($attera/le

mines 8ill /e employed aainst enemy units any8here on the /attlefield. ($attera/le

mines $an /e empla$ed /y a ariety of deliery systems ranin from me$hani$al ande:plosie round systems to artillery! heli$opters! and hih-performan$e air$raft.

($attera/le mines sinifi$antly redu$e manpo8er requirements asso$iated 8ith mine

8arfare. ($attera/le mines are also smaller! lihter! and more lethal. )hey offer a

redu$tion in loisti$al requirements due to redu$ed /ul9 and 8eiht.

NOTEThe reader should beware of the terms "scatterable" and "Family of

Scatterable Mines (FASCAM)" when referring to specific systems and theiremployment. Those generic terms are only applicable in the most general

sense when discussing doctrine. hene!er possible refer to the specificdeli!ery system and the characteristics of that system rather than the generic

term.



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40/218



41/218



42/218



43/218

Mines are used e:tensiely 8here the e:istin o/sta$le stru$ture is 8ea9 or none:istent.

)hey should also /e used 8ith other reinfor$in o/sta$les! su$h as tan9 dit$hes! to ma9e/rea$hin and $learin more $ostly and time-$onsumin to the enemy.

(in$e all s$attera/le minefield systems proide reat fle:i/ility to maneuer

$ommanders! there 8ill /e e:tensie demands for them. "ommanders and enineers

should plan and $arefully assin priorities. Aaila/le systems must /e used for the most$riti$al needs. mployment must /e $losely $oordinated 8ith o/sta$le plans! fires! and

the s$heme of maneuer. "oordination 8ith fire support planners! aiation staff offi$ers!



44/218

and air liaison offi$ers is essential to insure prior plannin to e:e$ute minefield

empla$ement missions on short noti$e. lannin and employment of s$attera/le mines! as

8ell as $onentional mines! are dis$ussed in depth in $hapter 5.

CONT!MIN!TION

"ontamination $an /e either nu$lear or $hemi$al in nature. +oth types are diffi$ult to

predi$t and $ontrol /e$ause they depend on 8inds for pla$ement! and are su/=e$t to

8eather and other enironmental fa$tors. )he ,nited (tates has renoun$ed the first use of$hemi$al 8eapons. Further! the most predi$ta/le sour$e of nu$lear $ontamination!

Atomi$ Demolition Munitions @ADM! is su/=e$t to the same restri$tions as all nu$lear

8eapons and may not /e aaila/le for use 8hen needed. 'f an ADM is used for $raterin!there 8ill /e /oth $lose-in radiation and fallout! ea$h effe$tiely $ontaminatin an area of

reasona/ly predi$ta/le e:tent. )hreat do$trine $onsiders the use of /oth nu$lear and

$hemi$al 8eapons! and threat for$es train for operations in $ontaminated areas. )he

presen$e of $ontamination and its effe$ts on the /attlefield must /e anti$ipated.

E


45/218

RINCILE+ OF OB+T!CLE EMLOYMENT

Air7and +attle do$trine ies the $ommander fihtin the /attle a $omplete rane of

defensie and offensie options. A stati$ type defense $an /e used to fo$us upon terrain

retention usin firepo8er from fi:ed positions to deny terrain. )he $ommander $an alsodefend usin a dynami$ defense that fo$uses upon maneuer to destroy enemy for$es

rather than retain spe$ifi$ terrain.

)he stati$ and dynami$ defensie frame8or9s are the e:tremes of the spe$trum.)ypi$ally! the $ommander may $hoose to $om/ine /oth the stati$ and dynami$ forms inorani;in the defense /ased upon the fa$tors of mission! enemy! terrain and 8eather!

time! and troops @M))-).

Whateer the $on$ept! orani;in the defense must /e $arefully mat$hed to the terrain.

)he enineer is the prin$ipal element in reinfor$in the terrain to /est $omplement themaneuer $ommanderCs plan. )he enineer and the maneuer $ommander must

$oordinate throuhout the plannin and /attlefield preparation sequen$e to insure unity of

effort and ma:imum effe$tieness of o/sta$le employment.

)errain reinfor$ement te$hniques must /e employed alon the depth of the enemyCs

formation and aenues of approa$h 8here e:istin terrain pla$es him at the reatestdisadantae. ,se of reinfor$in o/sta$les is the prin$ipal method of terrain

reinfor$ement. *einfor$in o/sta$les must /e used in $on=un$tion 8ith the e:istin

o/sta$les and the $ommanderCs plan. *einfor$in o/sta$les hae three primary purposes>

1nhan$e the effe$tieness of friendly antitan9 fires.

2Delay the enemyCs adan$e! upset his timin! disrupt and $hanneli;e his formations! and

delay or destroy follo8-on e$helons.



46/218

.nhan$e friendly e$onomy of for$e measures.

/sta$les must /e $oered /y fire if at all possi/le. )hey should /e lo$ated 8ithin the

effe$tie rane of friendly dire$t fire antitan9 8eapons. )heir lo$ations must /e $arefully$oordinated 8ith the lo$ation of /attle positions and dire$t and indire$t 8eapons. We

8ant to enae the enemy at the ma:imum effe$tie rane of our antitan9 8eapons! and

for$e him to /rea$h and fiht his 8ay throuh a series of o/sta$les 8hile under intensefire. a$h o/sta$le delays some part of the enemyCs leadin elements.

!N OB+T!CLE C!N

+I7NIFIC!NTLY EN!NCE

!NTIT!N= FIRE+:

)he $oordinated use of o/sta$les $an delay and disrupt enemy formations! and also for$e

them into the primary fields of fire of our tan9s and other antitan9 8eapon systems! or

preent es$ape from su$h an enaement area. )he enemy is for$ed to moe on the/attlefield in $onforman$e 8ith the friendly $ommanderCs plan.

COOR"IN!TE" OB+T!CLE+

"EL!Y "I@ERT C!N!LI8E

!N" "E+TROY TE

EN7!7E" ENEMY !N"

FOLLO-ON ECELON+:

)he s9illful use of o/sta$les to $hanneli;e the enemy is a ital fa$tor. n$e the enemyfor$e maneuers into the enaement area! it is held there /y other roups of o/sta$les!

and still others may /e used to $lose the trap /ehind it. @($attera/le mines are ideal for the

latter purpose. ther o/sta$les are used to separate the enemyCs leadin elements from

reseres or follo8in e$helons! thus pre$ludin reinfor$ement.

Mutually supportin o/sta$les sere other important purposes. )hey $an /e used in the

e$onomy of for$e role to strenthen a naturally stron e:istin o/sta$le area so that it

need only /e lihtly defended! thus freein for$es to /e $on$entrated else8here.(imilarity! o/sta$les $an /e used in $on=un$tion 8ith mo/ile for$es to prote$t flan9s and

other lihtly defended areas. )his is a parti$ularly important role in ie8 of the threat

do$trine of penetration and enelopment! and the oerall dispersion of for$es on the/attlefield.

*eardless of the type defense employed /y the ta$ti$al $ommander! there are fie /asi$

employment prin$iples for reinfor$in o/sta$les>

1*einfor$in o/sta$les support the maneuer $ommanderCs plan.

2*einfor$in o/sta$les are interated 8ith o/sered fires.

.*einfor$in o/sta$les are interated 8ith e:istin o/sta$les and 8ith other reinfor$in

o/sta$les.

*einfor$in o/sta$les are employed in depth.

5*einfor$in o/sta$les are employed for surprise.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#onehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#twohttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#threehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#fourhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#fivehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#onehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#twohttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#threehttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#fourhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-102/Ch2.htm#five


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1Rein$orcin% o(&tac#e& &upport the 'aneu/er co''ander& p#an:*einfor$ino/sta$les must /e planned and empla$ed to support the ta$ti$al plan. /sta$les other thanmines empla$ed outside the rane of friendly 8eapons are of little use. *einfor$in

o/sta$les that do not a$$omplish one or more of the /asi$ purposes of reinfor$in

o/sta$les are also of little alue. nineers must /e $ompletely familiar 8ith the ta$ti$al

plan! the e:istin terrain! and the maneuer $ommanderCs intentions. nly then $an fulladantae of the multiplier alue of interatin o/sta$les and fires /e reali;ed.

2Rein$orcin% o(&tac#e& are inte%rated ;ith o(&er/ed $ire&:/sta$les are used todeelop enaement areas in 8hi$h enemy maneuer is restri$ted and slo8ed! there/yin$reasin the hit pro/a/ility of friendly dire$t and indire$t fires. )he ta$ti$al $ommander

and the enineer site the 8eapons and o/sta$les 8hi$h offer the /est relatie adantae!

and $onsider terrain $onfiuration and the effe$tie 8eapons rane. (pe$ial attentionmust /e ien to lo$atin o/sta$les to $omplement the fires of Draon! tan9s! and tu/e-

laun$hed! opti$ally tra$9ed! 8ire-uided missiles @)Ws. (in$e )Ws hae a reater

ma:imum effe$tie rane than )hreat tan9s! it is to our distin$t adantae to site part of

the ta$ti$al o/sta$le system to $apitali;e on that differen$e. enerally! the reatestrelatie adantae a$$rues 8hen the o/sta$le is at the ma:imum rane possi/le and

$onsistent 8ith isi/ility $onditions and the ta$ti$al plan. /sered indire$t fires are also

used in $on=un$tion 8ith o/sta$les aainst enemy ehi$les and infantry out in the open./seration and ad=ustment of fires are essential if the full adantae is to /e deeloped.

At the same time! fires sere to prote$t the o/sta$le /y ma9in it $ostly to /rea$h or

/ypass. With rare e:$eptions! o/sta$les that are not $oered /y fire are little more than anuisan$e to the enemyCs leadin elements.

eep in mind! ho8eer! that the prin$ipal purpose of interatin o/sta$le lo$ations 8ith

fire is to enhan$e the effe$tieness of those fires--a sinifi$ant $om/at multiplier effe$t of

o/sta$le use.

.Rein$orcin% o(&tac#e& are inte%rated ;ith e,i&tin% o(&tac#e& and ;ith otherrein$orcin% o(&tac#e&:*einfor$in o/sta$les are sited to ta9e the ma:imum adantae of

e:istin o/sta$les. )hey are pla$ed 8here they $an $lose the aps or openins /et8een

e:istin o/sta$les andor $lose any passaes throuh them. )he road net8or9 must /edestroyed and the inherent natural pattern of $ross-$ountry moement should /e

disrupted. )he first o/sta$les planned are /ride demolitions! road $raters! a/atis! and

point or small minefield that tie toether the e:istin o/sta$le areas and $lose thepassaes throuh them. ther reinfor$in o/sta$les are then lo$ated to strenthen and

e:tend the e:istin o/sta$le areas and /lo$9 ma=or $orridors. )a9in adantae of the

e:istin o/sta$les redu$es the resour$es required to qui$9ly o/tain an effe$tie o/sta$le

system. ffe$tie reinfor$ement of e:istin o/sta$les also enhan$es e$onomy of for$eoperations /y permittin friendly for$es to $on$entrate on more traffi$a/le terrain

approa$hes.



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'ndiidual o/sta$les must /e sited and desined to tie in 8ith e:istin o/sta$les or 8ith

ea$h other. An o/sta$le that $an /e /ypassed immediately is 8orthless. a$h indiidual

o/sta$le must /e $arefully desined for the e:a$t lo$ation it 8ill o$$upy! and mustoerlap on ea$h side 8ith the e:istin o/sta$le it 8ill $omplete. )he $riti$al desin 8idth

of an o/sta$le is the distan$e from an e:istin o/sta$le to another e:istin o/sta$le @or to

another reinfor$in o/sta$le! and not the 8idth of a road or hih8ay throuh the e:istin



49/218

o/sta$le.

Another ma=or desin $onsideration is that the reinfor$in o/sta$le does not need to /e

stroner than the interated e:istin o/sta$le. )he o/sta$le should /e no more diffi$ult to/rea$h than it is to et around. 'f the enemy $ould for$e his 8ay throuh the e:istin

o/sta$le in the immediate i$inity in 10 minutes! it 8ould /e 8asteful to $onstru$t a

reinfor$in o/sta$le requirin #0 minutes to /rea$h. )he effort and resour$es used too/tain the last 0 minutes of /rea$hin time are desperately needed else8here. Althouhthe delay or /rea$hin time asso$iated 8ith a parti$ular o/sta$le may /e diffi$ult to

determine! this prin$iple must neertheless /e 9ept in mind to o/tain the most use of

aaila/le resour$es.

*einfor$in o/sta$les are interated 8ith ea$h other to assure that pro/a/le /ypass routes

are $losed. For e:ample! destru$tion of a ma=or hih8ay throuh a 8ooded area is larely

ineffe$tie if any near/y road or openin that offers a ready /ypass route is left open.@(u$h destru$tion $ould /e hihly effe$tie! ho8eer! if friendly for$es 8ere see9in to

diert the enemy alon that /ypass route. *einfor$in o/sta$les $an also /e used to $lose

aps and lanes in other reinfor$in o/sta$les. For e:ample! a $rater $an /e used to $lose a

road left open throuh a minefield 8hen all friendly troops hae $leared.

Rein$orcin% o(&tac#e& are e'p#o)ed in depth:A series of simple o/sta$les arranedone /ehind the other alon a pro/a/le a:is of enemy adan$e is far more effe$tie than

one lare! ela/orate o/sta$le. *estri$tin the desin of o/sta$les to $orrespond 8ith thestrenth of the e:istin o/sta$le @as preiously dis$ussed helps to $onsere effort and

dire$t it to8ard e:e$utin o/sta$les in depth. /sta$les must not /e lo$ated too $lose

toether so only a sinle enemy response is required. )hey must /e far enouh apart that



50/218

ea$h 8ill require a ne8 deployment of the enemyCs $ountero/sta$le for$es andor

equipment. )he distan$e /et8een o/sta$les 8ill depend on the terrain and the o/sta$le

effort aaila/le. roper use of o/sta$les in depth 8ears the enemy do8n and sinifi$antlyin$reases the oerall delay. At ea$h ne8 o/sta$le! he in$urs losses and is for$ed to stop

and rea$t. )his 8earin do8n effe$t is psy$holoi$ally sinifi$ant. )he desired effe$t is

to derade the enemy soldierCs 8ill and indu$e a feelin of hopelessness. )his $an /edone /y $onin$in him that! /eyond ea$h ne8 o/sta$le @8ith its attendant loss of

personnel and equipment! there a8aits another o/sta$le 8ith a similar $ost< and! /eyond

that one! yet another! and so on. Another reason for usin a reater num/er of lessela/orate o/sta$les is that ea$h one for$es the enemy to e:pose his limited

$ountero/sta$le equipment and troops to loss. When the $ountero/sta$le resour$es

initially allotted to the leadin elements hae /een destroyed! the enemyCs moement 8ill

/e seerely slo8ed until ne8 $ountero/sta$le units $an /e /rouht for8ard.

5Rein$orcin% o(&tac#e& are e'p#o)ed $or &urpri&e:,sin o/sta$les so as to o/tainsurprise is one means aaila/le to the $ommander to retain a deree of initiatie een

8hen defendin. ($attera/le mines permit rapid minin any8here in the /attle area!$onfrontin the atta$9er 8ith a $ompletely ne8 situation almost instantly. )he self-

destru$t feature of the s$attera/le mine also proides surprise--a friendly $ounteratta$9

may /e laun$hed throuh an area that 8as mined prior to the atta$9 /ut 8here the mineshae =ust self-destru$ted.

More $onentional 8ays to o/tain surprise are also aaila/le and should /e used. )hey

in$lude the sudden detonation of $on$ealed o/sta$les in front of the atta$9in enemy or

8ithin his formations. "onentional 8ays also in$lude the use of phony o/sta$les tomislead the enemy as to the pattern and e:tent of the friendly o/sta$le system. An

o/ious pattern of o/sta$les 8ould diule lo$ations of units and 8eapons. Friendly

for$es must aoid readily dis$erni/le! repetitie patterns. +y aryin the type! desin! and

lo$ation! the enemyCs understandin and /rea$hin of our o/sta$le system is made morediffi$ult. :tensie use of o/sta$les $an ma9e a ma=or $ontri/ution to this effort.

*einfor$in o/sta$les 8hi$h $omplement the e:istin o/sta$le alue of the terrain! and

are desined and empla$ed to support the maneuer plan! are an effe$tie B$om/at

multiplier.B )a$ti$al $ommanders and enineers must e:ploit the full alue of o/sta$les.

+UMM!RY

/sta$les are $lassified as either e,i&tin%or rein$orcin%: E,i&tin%o/sta$les are those

natural and $ultural restri$tions to moement that are a part of the terrain 8hen /attle

plannin /eins. )he a/ility to re$oni;e and ealuate the o/sta$le potential of the terrainis $riti$al to plannin the /attle. Rein$orcin%o/sta$les are $onstru$ted! empla$ed! or

detonated to 9nit toether! strenthen! and e:tend e:isitin o/sta$les.

*einfor$in o/sta$les must /e interated 8ith friendly o/sered fires! the friendly

$ommanderCs maneuer plan for /oth the enemy and friendly for$es! and e:istin andreinfor$in o/sta$les. *einfor$in o/sta$les must also /e arrayed in depth and employed

for surprise.



51/218

Mines are enerally the most effe$tie type of o/sta$le /e$ause they also infli$t losses on

the enemy! and their use is hihly fle:i/le. )he Family of ($attera/le Mines @FA("AM

astly in$reases this fle:i/ility! ma9in the $reation of rapid minefield possi/le.

/sta$les are also used to delay and disrupt an atta$9in for$e! upset the enemyCs timin

and plans! and diert him into enaement areas and /e destroyed. /sta$les $an delay or

destroy follo8-on e$helons.

/sta$les $an sinifi$antly enhan$e the effe$tieness of our fires and thus our a/ility to8in the /attle.



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Chapter .

COMM!N" !N" CONTROL

"ountermo/ility a$tiities are planned and e:e$uted to defeat the enemyCs a/ility to

maneuer. )his $hapter addresses the $oordinated deelopment of o/sta$le plans atarious leels of responsi/ility. ro$edures for positie $ontrol of resere o/sta$les and

preparation of demolition orders are also in$luded.

LE@EL+ OF RE+ON+IBILITY

RE+ER@E OB+T!CLE+

+UMM!RY

LE@EL+ OF RE+ON+IBILITY

An effe$tie $ommand and $ontrol system is a 'u&tfor $ountermo/ility a$tiities. )he

primary oal is to ma9e the enemy o 8here 8e 8ant! 8hen 8e 8ant! at speeds 8e

di$tate. We 8ant to a$$omplish that oal 8ith little or no effe$t on the a/ility of friendly



53/218

for$es to moe and maneuer. )o do so requires a $ommand and $ontrol system that

emphasi;es lon-rane plannin! $entrali;ed $ontrol! and de$entrali;ed e:e$ution.

"entrali;ed $ontrol is ne$essary in the plannin of $ountermo/ility a$tiities to insurethat the o/sta$le plan is interated 8ith and supports the oerall ta$ti$al plan. (enior

$ommand leels must di$tate o/sta$le ;ones! o/sta$le-free areas! and resere o/sta$les in

the plannin pro$ess. )he spe$ifi$ type and pla$ement of those round o/sta$les are /esta$$omplished /y the leel that $an a$tually $ondu$t a round re$onnaissan$e.

COR+ OB+T!CLE L!N

"entrali;ed $ontrol of $ountermo/ility a$tiities normally /eins at the $orps leel 8ith

the $orps o/sta$le plan. )he $orps o/sta$le plan is eneral in nature and $on$erned 8iththe employment of o/sta$les as a part of a spe$ifi$ ta$ti$al operation. )he o/sta$le plan

supports the $orps $ommanderCs $on$ept of the operation and interates the terrain

aspe$ts of the operation 8ith the ta$ti$al plan. )hrouh the allo$ation of enineer support

and loisti$s! the $orps $ommander shapes the $ountermo/ility efforts of the diision /y

8eihtin those areas ie8ed as most $riti$al. )he $orps o/sta$le plan proides aframe8or9 for the diision plans. )he $orps o/sta$le plan $an and 8ill normally in$lude

the follo8in items>

Assinment of areas of responsi/ility.

Desination of any spe$ifi$ o/sta$les ital to the $orps as a 8hole.

"ompletion times for all or any portion of the o/sta$le plan 8hen deemed

ne$essary< ho8eer! $ompletion times $an /e spe$ified later.

aps! lanes! and important routes to /e 9ept open and areas important to the

$ommander for ta$ti$al and $om/at seri$e support operations! as 8ell as for

future operations. aps and lanes are spe$ifi$ally desinated at the lo8est leel

pra$ti$a/le in $onsonan$e 8ith the mission of the $ommand.

Allo$ation of enineer support! materials! transportation! and equipment.

*eportin instru$tions to insure all headquarters in the $hain of $ommand 9eep

a/reast of the o/sta$le situation and plan their operation a$$ordinly. As aminimum! reports to diision leel must in$lude taret or o/sta$le identifi$ation!

lo$ation! and status.

"oordination required /et8een ad=a$ent units to insure $riti$al points @su$h as

$ommon /oundaries are effe$tiely $oered! aps and lanes are properly lo$ated!

suffi$ient in num/er! and not $losed for passae /efore the time required.

ro$edures for employment of s$attera/le mines to in$lude proisions for air and

artillery deliery! if not spe$ified /y standin operatin pro$edure @(.

7imitations or restri$tions on the employment of $ertain reinfor$in o/sta$lessu$h as minefield and /oo/y traps! $hemi$al $ontamination! and ADM. )o uard

aainst premature e:e$ution! restri$tions may /e pla$ed on the employment ofreinfor$in o/sta$les. )he $orps may a$$omplish this /y requirin su/ordinate

units to request approal for the $losure of spe$ifi$ aps and lanes. )he $orps may

also retain approal authority for $learan$e or release of $ontrol oer spe$ifi$routes prior to the destru$tion of /rides and other transportation fa$ilities. )he

$orps $ommander maintains sureillan$e oer ta$ti$al operations and remoes any



54/218

restri$tions imposed on the e:e$ution of o/sta$les as early as possi/le to ie

su/ordinate units ma:imum freedom in operations.

7imitations or restri$tions on the empla$ement of o/sta$les in a spe$ifi$ area.

"orps may desinate areas to remain o/sta$le-free! assurin the $orps $ommanderfreedom of maneuer for $ounteratta$9s and reinfor$in moements.

7imitations on! and $onditions for! the destru$tion of fa$ilities of stratei$importan$e su$h as lo$9s! dams! ma=or /rides! and tunnels.

'nstru$tions reardin the su/mission of detailed o/sta$le plans for approal.

COR+ OB+T!CLE L!N

RE!RE" BY"orps H3

+COE"omprehensie! $oordinated plan 8hi$h in$ludes>

1*esponsi/ilities

2eneral lo$ations of unspe$ified o/sta$les

.(pe$ifi$ o/sta$les

(pe$ial instru$tions! limitations! $oordination! $ompletion times

B!+E" ONuidan$e from hiher H3! ta$ti$al plan! maps!

aerial

photos! terrain analysis! eneral re$on of the area

)he $orps o/sta$le plan is a $ommand and $ontrol means for the $orps $ommander to$ommuni$ate the $ountermo/ility $on$ept to su/ordinates. "orps o/sta$le plans must /e

proided to the Army +attlefield "oordination lement @+" 8hi$h is the land for$es

$oordinatin aen$y 8ith the Air For$e )a$ti$al Air "ontrol "enter @)A"". )his$oordinatin and sharin of information is a$$omplished for seeral reasons>

Assist ,(AF taretin efforts. no8in the lo$ation of land for$e empla$ed

o/sta$les 8ill assist the Air For$e in atta$9in $on$entrated enemy elements$reated /y o/sta$le employment.

reent dupli$ation of effort /y air and land for$es.

Assist round moement /y ,(AF elements su$h as radar and loisti$ elements.

As the $orps o/sta$le

1985 us army countermobility 219p

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