Field Artillery in Support of River Crossing Operations.
Abstract
This study is an historical analysis of the demonstrated Russian and American artillery procedures and principles which are instrumental in the success of river crossing operations during World War II. Each army's concept and doctrine is examined based on the available historical records and contemporary literature and then compared to reveal the similarities and differences. The common principles and procedures are then compared to current American field artillery doctrine for support of river crossings. The conclusions which could be drawn are that the Russian and the American artillery support doctrines were based on fundamentally different maneuver doctrines but were very similar. Also, when compared to current American artillery doctrine. Today's artillery doctrine is vague and poorly defined because the supported maneuver doctrine is inadequate. Like many support arms, the field artillery may have abrogated its responsibility for developing its own tactical doctrine. The concept of support may have created a situation in which tactics are not emphasized in the field artillery. The study concludes that the doctrinal concept of deliberate river crossing is inadequate and the current doctrinal manuals describing the river crossing support doctrine contain vague principles and procedures based upon inadequate concepts. In contrast, the World War II procedures and principles provide a sound basis for updating current doctrine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 03, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA167252
Entities
People
- Michael T. Chychota
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College