along main routes of
advance.
Determine enemy disposition, particu-
larly nuclear-capable weapon systems.
In favorable conditions (or out of
necessity, may attack advancing
subunits, take prisoners, disorganize/
disrupt enemy forces, and destroy enemy
nuclear and C3I systems.
Advance Party
Moves along route of main Reports enemy contact/disruption.
body to ensure uninter-
rupted advance of main
The leading element deploys and
force overcoming enemy
attempts to overcome enemy force
security/reconnaissance
based on information from the
forces and obstacles.
reconnaissance patrols.
Main body of advance party will attempt
a close envelopment or double
envelopment to defeat the enemy unless
that force is superior in size.
If successful, units will reform and
resume march or initiate pursuit.
If unsuccessful, will hold positions/block
enemy/enemy continue attacking to
support the subsequent maneuver and
attack of the main body of the parent unit.
Actions of the
Main Force
Rapid deployment for the Based on information from forward
Main Force
attack and defeat of the
elements, commander maneuvers his
enemy, generally from
forces and attempts to envelop.
the flanks.
Subunits march rapidly to assigned sectors
and deploy in prebattle/battle formations as
needed to assault enemy forces.
Actions of the
Main Force
Develop the attack into the If the enemy is decisively defeated,
Main Force
depths of the enemy rear.
initiate pursuit, or resume direction of
march and overal mission.
If the enemy is not defeated, continue to
development the attack and hold
positions aggressively until division can
conduct aggressively until division can
conduct its maneuver.
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■ Meeting Engagement (Encounter Battle). When conducting this form of attack, a battle group can initiate the following forms of maneuver:
❏ Leap-frog movements: Units conduct movement by bounds. Dur-
ing this movement, one or more forward combat teams provide
mutual covering fire while other units move forward.
❏ Broad encirclement: Forward combat teams conduct traversing
operations by passing enemy units and leaving them for depth
combat teams to handle.
■ Hasty Attack. This type of attack is conducted with very little prepa-
ration time; orders are usually given by radio and maps are used
extensively. They demand quick planning, strong artillery fire sup-
port, and an ability to deploy units rapidly. This type of attack closely
resembles a U.S. Army hasty attack and should not be confused with
a meeting engagement.
■ Deliberate Attack. When conducting this type of attack, a battle
group will usually employ the following two forms of maneuver:
❏ Fire and maneuver: In the fire and maneuver concept, a battle
group’s subordinate combat teams maneuver both fires and units
to best engage the enemy. This type of attack closely resembles a
British and U.S. Army deliberate attack.
❏ Frontal attack: While the term describing this form of attack
make it seem to be attrition oriented, it is actually modeled
closely to a Russian army attack against a defending enemy
from the depth.
The Advance
The Iraqi army considers analysis of specific factors essential for the
conduct of a successful advance. These factors are:
Terrain. Reconnaissance of area of operations, with detailed coverage
of march routes and manmade obstacles.
Enemy. Intelligence collection.
Strength.
Disposition including reserves.
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I (-)
I
I (-)
Armor-Heavy Battle Group Conducting a Deliberate Attack Employing Fire
and Maneuver
Capabilities and possible reactions.
Morale.
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Infantry and
Infantry Assault
Point
Second Tank
I
Fire Position
I
I
I
I
I
Infantry Assault
I
I
Point
I
I
First Tank
Fire Position
Infantry Dismount
Point
Battle Group
Advances
I I
Armor-Heavy Battle Group Conducting a Deliberate Attack Employing
Frontal Attack
Locations of fire arcs and ranges of weapons, mortars, artillery,
and machineguns.
Location and distribution of observation and illumination equipment.
Air situation. Determination of friendly air cover and required air
defense assets.
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Surprise. Deception as to composition of friendly forces and timing, direction, and speed of advance.
Momentum.
Balance. Combat formations organized to best fight the battle.
Resistance. Continuous pressure maintained on enemy formations.
Immediate reactions. High speed reaction to changing combat situation.
The battle group and higher headquarters elements acquire the neces-
sary information from the following sources:
■ Infantry and fixed artillery observation positions.
■ Infantry patrols.
■ Mobile reconnaissance elements.
■ Visual and photo air reconnaissance.
■ Radar for locating short-range mortars.
■ Radar for locating artillery.
■ Electronic, infrared equipment, sound detectors, and picture enhancers.
A forward battle group advances along a wide front usually with two for-
ward combat teams leading whenever the terrain permits room for them
to maneuver. This may cause the enemy to spread out its units and may
provide better opportunities to bypass positions or attack them quickly.
During an advance, there should be sufficient intervals between combat
teams to allow for quick reaction. There should also be ample space for
deployment and maneuvers.
A battle group deploys an advance force ahead of the group’s main
body. An advance force fulfills a march security mission identical to