Attacking a Strongpoint

Attacking a strongpoint is probably the most difficult, time-consuming, and risk-filled task for a maneuver force. It requires bold action, aggressive leadership, detailed planning, close coordination, guts, and some plain, old-fashioned, good luck. It is a known fact that well-emplaced fighting positions that are camouflaged and supported by obstacles and indirect fire, are extremely difficult to capture or destroy. Such defenses have evolved from castles and forts to foxholes, bunkers, and dug-in weapon positions.

A successful attack requires a larger force than the defense, the use of more and better weapons, a flexible plan-and time. Also required are well-trained, physically fit, and ably-led troops. Equipment and weapons must be first class, and ammunition must be plentiful. Knowledge of the enemy force is another vital factor, and the attacker’s coordination must be as timely and as accurate as possible. The techniques of attacking a strongpoint are not discussed in sufficient detail in our current How-to-Fight manuals. This deficiency is being remedied by the Armor and Infantry Schools and many “forgotten” methods will appear in the revised manuals. Until the updated manuals become available, this article may provide some “how to” ideas on attacking a strongpoint. Since an attack on a fortified, or strongpoint, position is laden with risk, you may well ask “Why attack such a position since it is certain that today’s highly-mobile ground and air vehicles can easily bypass it?” The responsibility for the decision to attack such aposition lies at brigade, division, or corps level and the reasons for doing so might be based on the following factors: The position is on decisive terrain. That is, the higher command requires that particular piece of ground to continue the overall attack; or, that piece of ground controls the surrounding terrain. A series of attacks have failed, and in order to destroy all or part of an enemy force, the attack must be made on the fortified position. To mopup a bypassed position.

Just what is a fortified position? A fortified position is dug-in, has overhead protection, and is supported by obstacles and indirect fire, including tactical air support. Positions can be constructed of logs, concrete, bricks, or whatever is available. Direct-fire weapons are placed to deliver accurate fires along all likely avenues of approach for vehicles and infantry. It is a hard nut to crack under any circumstances, and can seriously delay an offensive operation if its defenders are determined to hold their position. A classic example is the 1st Free French Brigade’s defense of the Bir Hacheim strongpoint during the May-June 1942 battles in North Africa. The French held out for 12 days against determined German and Italian assaults that were heavily supported by Sruka bombings. Their defense seriously disrupted Rommel ’s other attack plans and the Germans later testified: “... in the whole course of the desert war we never encountered a more heroic and well-sustained defense.” Normally, a strongpoint is built on terrain such as a saddle or defile that is not easily bypassed by mechanized forces, and obstacles are emplaced out to the maximum effective range of the strongpoint’s direct-fue weapons systems.

These in-depth obstacles become more numerous as you approach the fmt trench line. Antitank and antipersonnel obstacles become more numerous about 400 meters from the first trench line and are covered by direct and indirect fire.

The size of the strongpoint depends upon the situation, terrain, weather, and forces available. A motorized rifle company may occupy a strongpoint up to 500-meters wide ( 1,ooO meters under nuclear conditions) and 250-meters deep (500 meters under nuclear conditions). Normally, all three platoons defend on line. When employed “two up and one back,” two rifle platoons usually occupy the first main trench, while the third platoon occupies the second main trench. A secondary trench, located 50 to 100 meters behind each main trench, is occupied by the third squad of each platoon, the platoon command post, and any attached antitank weapons. The company strongpoint is normally centered on the platoon in the second main trench. The weapons are placed to cover the entire company front and have interlocking fields of fm with adjacent units. The position is organized for all-around antitank defense and has coordinated barrier and fue systems of organic and attached weapons. Ranges to terrain features and obstacles are measured and aiming reference points established. For training purposes it is recommended that units construct and organize their “enemy” strongpoints similar to the one shown in figure 1.

FW-3 s -

Fiaure 1. Stronamint.

Now we can discuss the “how to” aspects of attacking a strongpoint. The attacking force is organized into three maneuver elements, each with a specific task. These maneuver elements are the support force, the breaching force and the assault force. The Support Force. This force should consist of tanks, mechanized infantry, and improved TOW vehicles or dismounted TOWS. Their primary mission is to identify and engage enemy forces occupying the strongpoint. The support force takes advantage of their long-range cannon and TOW missile capabilities. A support force for a Division 86 tank-heavy battalion task force could be organized as shown in figure 2. Because there are four companies in a Division 86 tank or mechanized infantry battalion, the battalion task force commander 17 10 M1 Tanks 4 M 2 BFVs scTm 6 M 3 BFVs 101 14 M1 Tanks 6 4.2-in Mortars Figure 2. Support force. may use one, two, or even three companies (or company teams) for the support force.

The Breaching Force. This force should be a combination of tank and mechanized infantry, with engineers attached. The breaching force closes with, neutralizes, and destroys enemy obstacles and forward dug-in positions. Once this is accomplished, the breaching force widens the breach by assaulting objectives flanking the breach. A breaching force of a Division 86 tank heavy battalion task force could look like the one shown in figure 3.

The force’s XO perfom not only as second in command, but can also be its liaison officer. He may have to move back to give the following assault force commander an update. This task is vital at four particular stages: When the breaching force deploys across the line of departure/ line of contact (LDLC).

When the breaching force hits an obstacle. When the breaching force is clear of an obstacle. When the breach is secured.

Due to effective enemy electronic jamming andor inoperable radios, it may be necessary for the XO to personally deliver this information. The breaching force XO must know specifically: The location of the lanes through any obstacle. The breach location.

The location of all breaching force platoons and attached elements.

The breaching force’s 1SG leads the team’s combat trains. The 1SG and XO monitor the team command net and the battalion task force admidlog net. Platoon requests for maintenance, medical, or recovery assistance are passed on the team command net. The 1SG travels at the head of the trains. He keys the train’s movement based on the trail platoon and from information received on the team command net. When necessary to halt, the trains form a herringbone and, if necessary, establish local security. Equipment and demolitions for the breaching force should include: Mine clearing rollers I 4 M 2 BFVs 4 M 2 BFVs 4 M 1 Tanks 3 Rollers 3 M173s 4 M113Als 1 CEV

MI73 rocket-propelled line charges Bangalore torpedoes Satchel charges and hand grenades M202 flame rockets Additional hand grenades Additional wire cutters and protective gloves M203 high explosive (HE) and smoke rounds The Assaulr Force. As its name implies, this force follows the breaching force, passes through the breach and attacks a clearly defined objective. The assault force could be organized as shown in figure 4.

Although each of these forces (support, breach and assault) has a critical task to perform and while they may operate somewhat independently during planning and preparation. they must work as a team when the fighting begins.

The attacker’s support forces must place their units in covered and concealed positions. Mechanized infantry platoons of the support force and battalion task force scouts should maneuver as close as possible to the enemy. From here, these forces observe and report information. The elements in contact must gain as much information as possible. This is a critical task.

The battalion task force XO normally controls the support force. Once these units are located, the XO should proceed to the support force commanders’ locations, give them a fragmentary order and select a vantage point from which all support force units should conduct a reconnaissance. Meanwhile, lSGs replenish fuel and ammunition in their units, and the support force platoons immediately establish local security and begin to prepare defensive positions. The task force commander begins his troop leading procedures while the task force XO and support force company and company team commanders are reconnoitering. The battalion task force commander quickly analyzes the factors of mission, enemy, troops available, terrain and weather (MEW, and conducts his own E C O M S -sance. After assessing the situation, and discussing his intent with the battalion task force XO and S3, the commander calls together his orders group and issues his orders.

After the briefing, the company team commanders and task force staff officers return to their units and brief their troops. Since all the details have not yet been given to them, they can give only minimal guidance to their units. Each commander and staff member, depending upon how much time is available, conducts his own ground reconnaissance with his subordinate leaders. If enough time is not available, leaders conduct a map reconnaissance. Sometime later, at a second orders group briefing, the task force S3 issues the attack order. It details how the task force will accomplish the mission. After receiving this order, subordinate leaders and staff members return to their units to prepare and issue their orders. Platoon leaders, squad leaders, and vehicle commanders then issue their orders to the troops and the action begins. This is how the battalion task force commander’s scheme of maneuver and fue support plan might look At dusk, the breaching force, supported by artillery, mortars. attack helicopters, and close air support, crosses the LDLC and attacks along a selected axis, breaches or bypasses obstacles enroute, and creates a 50- to 100-meter-wide breach at a selected point or identified weakness on the flank of the enemy position. The breaching force will take mine rollers and MI 73 rocket propelled line charges. The assault force follows the breaching force and, on der, assaults through the breach to destroy the enemy within the strongpoint. The assault force consolidates the strongpoint and to repel any counterattack, establishes defensive positions, oriented along likely enemy avenues of approach. The assault force will also transport and use. if necessary, the M173.

The supportforce provides overwatching fires, engaging all known or suspected enemy positions. The attached engineer company (-) detaches one platoon and one combat engineer vehicle (CEV) to the breaching and assault forces, respectively. The engineer company comniander takes armored vehicle launched bridges (AVLB) and moves initially with the task force combat trains. On order, he recon-nointers and breaches tank ditches and other obstacles on the flanks or rear of the enemy position. This is to allow the unimpeded movement of follow-on and support forces to continue the attack. The scouts will normally screen a flank and, on order, reconnoiter likely enemy counterattack routes.

The task force combat trains will follow the assault force and establish a trains location 4 kilometers distant from the strongpoint. Task force command post (CP) follows the assault force and, after consolidation, establishes a position on the strongpoint. The battalion task force commander accompanies the assault force. The battalion XO controls the support force. The S3 and fire support officer (FSO) remain at the CP. The commander, headquarters and headquarters company (HHC), S4, and battalion maintenance officer (BMO) locate at the combat trains. The support platoon leader and command sergeant major initially operate from the field trains. The commander, S3, and FSO develop a fm support plan using target reference points (TRP) and assign priority targets to the breaching and assault forces. In addition to artillery HE and smoke, the commander requests attack helicopters and close air support (CAS). CAS is effective against dug-in, fortified positions. In addition, CAS can divert the enemy’s attention while the attack forces close in. Some final considerations are the use of napalm and nuclear weapons with restrictions on the use of both. The devastating effects of nuclear weapons can destroy enemy strongpoints or groups of strongpoints. Napalm can be used to reduce obstacles and cause confusion. If conditions permit, commanders assaulting a strongpoint, especially at night, should consider the use of these munitions. Normally, the breaching force commander shifts fms as his e‘:-ment closes with the enemy. Using radio, he accomplishes this shift through his fm support team (FIST). If that does not work, the breaching force commander and FIST should fire star-clusters to shift the fires.

During this operation, the breaching and assault forces must be prepared to bypass andor breach obstacles. Tank ditches and abatis can usually be spotted and bypassed. Minefields cannot. Always assume the enemy has every obstacle covered by direct and indirect jires. Roller tanks should be in front of the breaching force. The force’s XO may be placed in command of the roller tanks and other breaching equipment.

Upon encountering an obstacle, say a minefield that is covered by enemy direct and indirect fires, each vehicle should immediately return fm, fire on-board smoke, and drive to an available covered and concealed position and continue engaging the enemy. Infanby should dismount only if adequate cover is available. The breaching force must report the situation and the force’s location. As a matter of SOP, the Rre Support Officer (FSO) should direct screening smoke be fmd a set distance forward of the breaching force’s reported location. The breaching force commander can then adjust or call for HE on enemy positions.

Breaching enemy obstacles normally starts with simultaneous actions by the breaching force commander and his XO. The commander should position his forces in covered and concealed positions to fire on the enemy. He can position his platoons (companies) using radio, hand and arm signals, or bursts of machinegun fm from his tank or APC. It is critical that this be done quickly. His elements must disperse quickly and may have to occupy positions by backing into them. Some “clustering” is unavoidable, but too much will allow the enemy to destroy this force.

While the breaching force commander positions his forces, the XO leads the roller tank, MI 73s. and any attached engineer equipment into the minefield or obstacle. It will take the XO time to assemble this equipment. By the time he is prepared to conduct the breach, the breaching force must be positioned to provide overwatching fms. Tanks or APCs pulling the M173s begin clearing the minefield. Two lanes should be cleared. After detonation of the charges, roller tanks rapidly proof each lane. Normally. if a roller tank hits two mines, anotherMl73 is fired and the roller tank continues to proof the lane. During this process, artillery and mortar smoke must be continuous and provide a scwn between friendly and enemy forces. 4 Mls 4 Mls 101 4 Mls 4 M 1 1 3 Als 1 CEV

After the roller tanks report securing the far side of the obstacle, other tanks and CEVs (if available) follow behind and seek cover. ”hen the breaching force commander directs his remaining elements through the lanes. The engineer squads follow and mark the lanes by placing wooden stakes with white engineer tape tied onto each stake on both sides of each lane. In addition, they tape a filtered flashlight, facing toward the friendly forces, on every stake if possible, but only on one side of each lane as in figure 5. Time and equipment permitting, each stake on both sides of the lane should have alight, especially at night and during periods of limited visibility. Lastly, the engineer squads leave two men, with weapons, equipment, radio, and flashlights on the near side of the minefield to act as guides. The breaching force commander reports this to his commander.

There may be times when the breaching force must temporarily halt and then resume the assault. Recognizing this and planning for it, commanders should include in the SOP a signal that indicates “continue the attack.” When necessary, the breaching force commander should give this signal.

When the lead elements approach the enemy trench line, the breaching force commander, using radio or pyrotechnics, must shift the indirect fms. After the fms shift, the breaching force commander, using either radio or pyrotechnics, orders his elements to assault. The lead elements respond by forming aline and assault while firing on the move. These elements continue assaulting until forced to stop and shoot it out.

At this point, the commander may order mechanized infantry and engineer elements to assault dismounted. Note here, no distance is given. This activity is totally situation dependent. The point here is that assaulting elements must remain mounted until they are as close as possible to the enemy force, provide a base of fm, and continue assaulting with other team elements.

The final rush to the enemy trench line is again situation dependent. Armed with bangalore torpedoes, wire cutters, LAWS, Dragons, machineguns, rifles and M202 flash weapons, the dismounted soldiers use fire and movement and in most cases crawl into the wire and minefields, breach them, and continue to move forward. This dismounted assault is overwatched by M2, tank and CEV fue. The dismounted elements mark enemy locations with M202 flash rounds (66-mm flame) and red smoke grenades from their M203 weapons. The dismounted soldiers will encounter a variety of enemy positions, Figure 5. Marked lanes. 19 and foxholes. including tree lines, hedgerows, trenches, ditches, foxholes and bunkers.

Tree lines and hedgerows have a vulnerable point-the forward edge. In this instance, the dismounted infantry, with overwatching MZs, APCs, and tanks, assault and crawl to the edge of the treeline. Once there, they shift the overwatching fires, using smoke or flash rounds. Then they assault, using rifles, machineguns, bayonets, hand grenades and hand-to-hand fighting to eliminate or drive off the enemy.

Dismounted forces use a similar technique for clearing ditches and trenches but add indirect fires. Once within “danger close” distance, they shift the fires, enter the ditch and destroy the enemy. Similar techniques are used to clear fox holes. Platoon and individual soldier actions in the trenches and bunkers are characterized by close-in fighting and movement in squad-and team-size elements.

Dismounted infantry, supported by IFVs and tanks, clear bunkers, trenches, and foxholes by f n g and moving within the trench, or between bunkers and foxholes. Rgure 6 indicates one possible technique. At point 1, dismounted infantrymen overwatch a connecting trench to prevent enemy counterattack. Point 2 shows the advancing elements assaulting an enemy bunker while at point 3, IFVs, tanks and engineer vehicles provide overwatch. The breaching force continues this procedure until the breach is secured and widened. Normally, from the time the breaching force crosses the LD/LC, the assault force is right behind them. The assault force commander elects to move in, using traveling overwatch in a column formation with the company’s lead vehicle at least 1,OOO meters behind the breaching force’s combat trains. The assault force commander leads for two reasons: The breaching force liaison can easily find him. The assault force commander can ensure that his unit does not run into the breaching force.

Thus, the movement of the assault force may be emtic. Sometimes it will move continuously. At others, it’s movements will be stop and go. Each time the assault force halts, it forms a herringbone formation and posts local security.

The breaching force XO can lead the assault force to the breaching forces’ combat trains location, normally outside the strongpoint. From there, the assault force continues in column formation up to the breach. Breaching force personnel should mark the limits of the breach with flickering, filtered flashlights, strobe lights, ortrip flares. After passing through the breach, the assault force must attack rapidly in wedge formation using traveling overwatch until it receives enemy direct fire. Enemy direct fm provides the signal to form a company line. It is at this time the indirect fies and CAS are shifted onto the assault forces’ objective.

As the assault force approaches the near edge of its objective, enemy direct and indirect fires will normally become more intense. Assault force elements should continue to move forward using fire and movement while maintaining their line formation. Eventually, company elements enter the objective area and complete the destruction of the enemy, or force him to retreat. If radio communications are still available, the assault force commander should shift indirect fies 20 ARMOR attaw ror rnis operanon, LIIC tcnaiii UI ciiciiiy uu IIUL always yr;iiiiir the assault force to use this exact route. It is the commander’s responsibility to keep his unit online and moving and he must communicate to do this. His first choice would be radio. A second choice could be using white phosphorous rounds to mark the enemy position. The platoons should immediately attack that location. Then, when platoon leaders see the other platoons, they must spread out and form an assault line, fire on the move, and keep moving.

Once on the objective, the elements assault their individual objectives. Units should train and rehearse their actions so that upon consolidating objectives, they establish hasty defensive positions. Platoon leaders establish target reference points and post local security. During this operation, attacking elements must remain under the constant overwatch of the support force. The battalion task force XO assigns the TRP orientation. He assigns TRPs to achieve crossing fires between the support force elements. Because support forces will move only infrequently, the commanders can be “hot-looped” to their elements. Support force commanders should “hot loop” to each other and to the battalion task force XO, if possible. The control of overwatching fires is coordinated through the battalion task force XO and by support forces’ understanding of SOP pyrotechnic signals. Support forces should be in a position where they can place direct fires on the planned breach location. Then, either by radio, wire, or pyrotechnic signal, shift their fres onto targets in depth or to the flanks of the strongpoint. This same procedure is used when the assault force overruns the objective. There may come a time when, due to proximity of friendly forces, the support force can no longer fire onto the objective. At this point, and depending on ME’IT, the support force may be used to: Reinforce the assault force Maneuver around the strong point to attack an enemy counterattack Move through or around the strongpoint and pursue the retreating enemy Summary. Battalion commanders, company commanders, and platoon leaders must carefully consider the following: This operation will require taskheam organization and attached engineer support.

Breaching obstacles and clearing trenches, bunkers, and foxholes will be a time-consuming, difficult, and exhausting task. Troops, and especially leaders, must be physically fit. Plans must permit rapid changes.

Expenditure of ammunition and demolitions will be high and additional Class V support should be planned. The attack must emphasize the principle of mass. Attacking along abroad front will result in the piecemeal defeat of the attacker. Training for this operation must be carefully thought out and progressive in nature.

M A J O R R O B E R T W.

KOVACIC was graduated as a distinguished military graduate from John Carroll University, Ohio and holds a master‘s degree in systems management from USC.

He has served as platoon leader, XO and company commander in CONUS, Europe and Vietnam. He is currently assigned to Command, Staff and Doctrine Dept.. USAARMS, Fort Knox, KY.