Artillery In The Attack

ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK The principle of artillery in the attack is to neutralize the enemy force so that our manoeuvre forces can assault, seize and hold their captured objectives ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK Key Points to remember: the amount of artillery support available will influence the tactical plan phases of the attack direction of the assaulting force Weight of fire must be concentrated on the main effort of the attack A portion of fire support must be held in superimposition to account for any unforeseen contingencies. A Reserve of Ammunition is required in all phases of a fire plan; use 20% as a guide ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK You retain the initiative with respect to the timing of the attack - within limitations Maximum artillery effort should be effected against the main effort to create increased combat power and provide freedom of action. ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK Location and planning for the movement of guns must be carefully executed to ensure that the close and depth battles can be fought throughout the manoeuvre plan of attack

Fires overlap target area(SUPERIMPOSED FIRE UNIT) Achieve technical requirements for Registration, target circulation ARTILLERY IN THE ATTACK Equipment Considerations Field Guns Shape and size splinter pattern Ideal for providing close fire support to assaulting troops. Normally used in DS role for infantry units/formations Medium Guns Larger splinter pattern extended range - Ideal for use in prosecuting the depth battle Normally used in GS role Limited top traverse MLRS Wide area of neutralisation Heavy weight of fire Long range - Ideal for use in prosecuting the deep battle Fire not continuous Normally used in GS role Command centralised Survivability essential COMMAND AND CONTROL Should be retained at the highest possible level Assaulting forces will be allotted artillery at various periods to ensure that the artillery effort maintains its support of the main effort at all times

DAIO should always have an appropriate allocation of GS artillery ‘At Priority Call’ for CBF FIRE SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS Fire Plan MUST include: Preparation Fire (Pre-H) CBF/SEAD (Usually Pre-H or between phases) Covering Fire Interdiction on Depth Targets DF’s to cover the Reorganization of Friendly Forces PREPARATORY STAGE Collection of Information - esp HB Preparation of the Fire Plan Adj and Recording of Targets Upgrading of Survey and CofM Deception Ammunition preparation and dumping Redeployment into prepared positions PREPARATORY STAGE Points to Remember: Artillery Support should be readily available throughout the Preparatory Stage (so long as it does not jeopardize the preparations for the assault) Main positions should be prepared, stockpiled, hardened if possible, and occupied at the last possible moment prior to the commencement of the attack ASSAULT STAGE All available artillery is allotted during the assault - guns are not kept in reserve but

superimposition provs firepower reserve Modifications are to be expected - it is easier to modify a simple plan the FOO should always be in the assault the Movement of Guns must be well planned - during any redeployment 2/3rds of the total FS must be available EXPLOITATION STAGE Artillery required for the Exploitation must be notified in the Prep Stage Guns must be deployed near exploitation routes The fire of these units should be superimposed during the later stages of the fire plan - prevents complex modifications Will require additional ammunition REORGANISATION STAGE DF Plans, to cover the Reorg Stage, must be made prior to the attack The Observation Plan for OPs should be pre-planned and established as soon as possible during Reorg Use of AD Assets Point def Area Def (Assy Area/FUP) Route def Mobile def Reorg Phase CONCLUSION KEY POINTS FIRE ON MAIN OBJECTIVES SUPERIMPOSE MODIFICATIONS

AMMUNITION PLANNING