Artillery reconnaissance. Battery of control and artillery reconnaissance

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

For the effective conduct of hostilities, data on the positions of the enemy are extremely important. One of the ways to get such information is artillery reconnaissance, the emblem of which (sight, two guns and a bat) reflects the secrecy and effectiveness of the actions of this type of troops. The actions of such units are extremely important in both offensive and defensive conditions, and there are many reasons for this.

The essence of the process

This type of intelligence is necessary for the accurate operation of artillery in combat conditions. Therefore, the scouts are tasked with obtaining and processing information about the enemy himself and the area where he is located.

Important is the information about the main objects of destruction, which include command posts, base camps, as well as nodes of resistance and strongholds that form defensive lines. The positions of fire weapons are not left without attention. We are talking about mortars, combat vehicles, tanks, guns, accumulations of vehicles, columns of armored and automotive vehicles, as well as regular formations and individual groups of infantry.

The control and artillery reconnaissance battery can fully operate when it isa network of observation posts and posts has been deployed, where radar and sound techniques are used to obtain the necessary information. In addition, object detection devices can be used, as well as reconnaissance teams.

As a result, after completing the work described above, which implies artillery reconnaissance, it will become possible to conduct accurate fire, allowing you to destroy obstacles, closings and positions of the enemy as a whole.

The Importance of Intelligence

Cannon fire can only be considered effective if it is fired at specific actual targets on enemy territory. Using this principle, it is possible to significantly slow down enemy troops during an offensive, destroying firing points and nodes of resistance. If the enemy goes on the defensive, then artillery must accurately work on firing positions and attacking enemy units that pose the greatest threat.

For the implementation of such combat schemes, artillery reconnaissance means are simply necessary.

When not only targets for firing guns are determined in a short time, but also their activity, nature and value, then maximum damage will be inflicted on enemy troops.

Structure of artillery reconnaissance

It is worth repeating once again the fact that artillery cannot work normally without AR. And in order for the guns to fire accurately and hit actual targets, various reconnaissance units are used that involve air and groundresources. But the types of technical means used need special attention. They are divided into the following types:

• optical-electronic reconnaissance;
• radio engineering;
• sonic;
• optical;
• radar.

In the case of optical-electronic reconnaissance (this also includes optical), artillery, reconnaissance units, command control vehicles and points that have access to all data from various sources are used. The optical method of obtaining information is focused on opening all enemy command posts, as well as positions, the position of the front edge, firing points, strong points, areas where manpower and tanks are located. The basis for the successful operation of heavy guns and not only is precisely such artillery reconnaissance. Photographs obtained with the help of optics make it possible to study in detail the location of the enemy and draw up an effective offensive or defense plan.

For conducting sound reconnaissance, special platoons and batteries are used, which use sound measuring systems. The tasks are to mark and fix the coordinates of the positions of the batteries firing, as well as mortars, rocket launchers and field artillery.

Radar reconnaissance is carried out using the appropriate equipment necessary to detect enemy starting (firing) positions and ground moving targets. At the same time, the speed of movement is determined and maintenance of the firing of one’s ownartillery.

Electronic reconnaissance platoons are engaged in detecting and fixing the exact coordinates and characteristics of active enemy radar stations. Moreover, the work of these objects is monitored, target designation and subsequent control of the results of the fire of their own guns.

AR Organization

There are a number of key principles on which the management of artillery reconnaissance is built. They underlie the effective operation of heavy, light and infantry guns.

The decision of the combined arms commander is determined as a starting point for the process of organizing the work of artillery.

So, the AR management process itself includes the following elements:

• determination of all relevant goals and key intelligence objectives;
• drawing up a procedure for obtaining the necessary information;
• submission of applications to the headquarters above, and setting tasks for performers;
• the process of withdrawing and deploying intelligence units;
• practical work in preparation;
• monitoring readiness for active action and providing assistance if necessary.

The organization of artillery reconnaissance begins from the moment the main combat mission is brought to the attention of the command.

Goals

Artillery reconnaissance within the framework of certain processes is focused on the implementation of various urgent tasks. They look like this:

• On the way to the desired positions before the procedure for deploying lateral orleading detachments, it is necessary to identify paths along which artillery can easily pass.
• After the advanced guard units deploy into battle formation, use intelligence to ensure the covert and rapid deployment of guns to those positions that will guarantee maximum fire support for their own troops, minimizing the degree of damage from enemy strikes. To do this, the artillery reconnaissance section must find observation posts that make it possible to determine the location of enemy troops and organize high-quality observation of both the movements of the enemy and the maneuvers of their own units. After that, constant surveillance is established in the found and occupied reconnaissance positions.

• Determining the best positions for your guns and identifying paths that will allow you to carry out the necessary maneuvers with the greatest degree of ste alth.
• After the work described above is completed, the artillery occupies the previously defined positions. Observation of enemy troops and our own does not stop.
• The next task is to find additional observation posts that will allow you to identify new enemy units or assess the positions of troops during the battle, coordinating the fire.
• When all the above objectives are achieved, artillery reconnaissance continues to search for firing positions, as well as hidden paths leading to them, which may be necessary in case of movement.

Naturally, all actions mustbe accompanied by constant communication.

Intelligence facilities

As mentioned above, AR is focused on collecting data about the enemy. To more effectively search for the necessary information, the military initially set the task of identifying priority objects in the territory occupied by the enemy. These are the following ground targets:

• radar stations for anti-aircraft and field artillery, as well as tactical and army aviation controls;
• fortifications, barriers and structures;
• anti-aircraft, rocket and mortar platoons, as well as specific batteries;
• separate fire weapons and companies of motorized infantry, tank and other troops;
• helicopters where forward landing sites have been chosen;
• points designed to control weapons, brigades, battalions and other units equal to them;
• Individual landing craft, ships and transports.

Artillery reconnaissance is opening all these objects. An autopsy should initially be understood as detection, and after recognition and determination of the coordinates of key targets of destruction.

It is also necessary to constantly assess the nature of the AR objects, which may change periodically. It is possible to change the level of detail of the goals.

How is battery reconnaissance conducted?

Within the framework of the AR, the division (battery) plays an active role. And for its use, there is a certain algorithm of actions based on a number of necessary tasks.

First of all, we are talking aboutdesignation of a reconnaissance strip and determination of an area of special attention within its boundaries. The identification of this sector is carried out in full accordance with the task assigned to the division, and the capabilities that the intelligence staff has.

The Artillery Reconnaissance Battery uses the area of focus mentioned above to concentrate resources and efforts in areas where important targets are likely to be located. The size of such a sector may be limited by the capabilities of units.

As for the objects of reconnaissance, the efforts to determine them are most relevant when fighting in a city or if it is necessary to organize a breakthrough in a fortified area. Work with specific objects is also relevant in the case of preparing an offensive, the main goal of which is to quickly obtain information about carefully camouflaged enemy installations and specific guns located in them.

The direction of reconnaissance is necessary in cases where there is an oncoming battle, the retreating enemy is being pursued, or an offensive is developing in the depths of the enemy defense.

How is AR going on the offensive?

With such actions, the main resources are concentrated in the direction corresponding to the main attack and predetermined areas of breakthrough, as well as their flanks.

In this case, the command and control and artillery reconnaissance battery sets the task for the subunits to identify the following elements:

• high-precision coordinatesweapons, means of nuclear attack and areas of their location;
• grouping and composition of the enemy on the flanks and in their lane, if possible, the strategy of the enemy’s actions is determined;
• the nature of water barriers in the direction of movement of own troops as part of the offensive and the terrain in general;
• coordinates of control points for weapons, troops and electronic equipment;
• strong points, outlines of the front line, locations of fire weapons, features of anti-tank equipment, engineering equipment of the terrain, as well as a system of obstacles and fire;
• landing sites for army aviation and base airfields.

When organizing an offensive and supporting it with artillery resources, all commanders must personally observe the results of the fire of guns (heavy, medium, infantry), the actions and position of their own troops, especially those that fire at objects under fire from the battery.

When offensive, the basic resources available to the artillery reconnaissance platoon are used to perform the following tasks:

• at the right time, advancement and deployment of reserves for counterattacks, as well as second echelons;
• artillery reconnaissance also identifies new targets that have retained combat capability, among which anti-tank weapons, mortar and artillery batteries are the most priority.

As for the movement of AP funds under offensive conditions, thenit is carried out in such a way that close interaction with military units and the process of firing itself remain uninterrupted.

Reconnaissance on the defensive

When the troops have to defend themselves, artillery reconnaissance units primarily obtain information about those enemy targets that are on the outskirts. The same algorithm is used when the enemy enters the defense and repels his attack.

Under such conditions, the main resources of the AR are aimed at opening the following elements of the enemy troops:

• control points;
• mortar and artillery platoons;
• electronic means;
• motorized infantry units and tank columns located on advance routes, deployment lines and subsequent transition to the attack.

When the enemy takes active actions, the AP determines the coordinates of the advanced enemy objects, especially heavy vehicles. Servicing is also carried out for the firing of guns at targets detected earlier.

If the enemy advances, then the artillery reconnaissance stations, after the permission of the commander, are withdrawn to positions that were previously prepared. Such actions are also carried out in the case of the introduction of enemy forces into the defense.

When artillery supports its own defending troops, the commander first clarifies the actual tasks, and then concentrates the efforts of all AR units on the following goals:

• detection of radar facilities and pointsenemy control;
• fixing the approach of reserves to the wedged area;
• determining the fact of withdrawing enemy artillery to new positions;
• receiving information about the direction of the enemy's attack and the coordinates of objects that managed to penetrate.

If counterattacks are made, then the priority for the AP is to open those objects that need to be neutralized first. Otherwise, the algorithm of reconnaissance actions during a counterattack remains the same as during an offensive.

Unmasking signs

Artillery reconnaissance, whose emblem has long earned respect, uses a number of proven methods to identify active guns and mortars as well. Artillery firing is detected by the following signs:

• dust that rises within the firing position after the completion of the shot (assuming the ground is dry);
• sound of shots and glitter;
• smoke that rises after a shot from a hidden gun, taking on the appearance of translucent clubs and rings.

If the observation is carried out at night, then you can determine the enemy positions by a short flash, which is the result of the ejection of flame from guns that do not have a flash suppressor installed. As for the sound, a shot is heard at a distance of 15 km, moving artillery makes itself felt 2 km (dirt road) or 3 km (highway).

As for the detection of mortars, this is not an easy task. The point is that they are nothave pronounced unmasking features and are installed in trenches, hollows, large craters and other places that are difficult to see. To open such positions, observation of smoke after firing, short flashes and sound is used.

Results

Obviously, the effective destruction of enemy positions with the help of heavy and medium guns is largely ensured by artillery reconnaissance. The chevron of this type of troops is associated with accuracy, quick completion of tasks and high professionalism. This is not surprising, because in a real battle, intelligence obtained by such units allows you to quickly neutralize the enemy and protect your own positions.