Attack Options

Following on from the last post, I'd like to describe a little more detail regarding the attack options outlined.  This is from the Intelligence report 'Warning of War in Europe', June 1984.

Option 1 - Attack from Peacetime Posture

• Preparation for Attack - 24-48 hours; Very little warning for NATO
• Only about a dozen divisions, with very few support units, available for the Attack

 Option 2 - Attack with Two Fronts

• Preparation for Attack - minimum 4-5 days, with 7-10 days being more realistic; Four or more days warning for NATO
• About 40 divisions, with some support units, available for the Attack

Option 3 -  Attack with Three Fronts

• Preparation for Attack - minimum 8-9 days, with 10-12 days being more realistic; Seven or more days warning for NATO
• About 60 divisions, with support units, available for the Attack

Option 4 - Attack with Five Fronts

• Preparation for Attack - minimum 15 days, with three weeks being more realistic; Thirteen or more days warning for NATO
• About 85 to 90 divisions, with support units, available for the Attack

 It was the judgement of the report that these timetables and force levels would be modified by whether there had been a period of tension leading up to the decision to attack.  Such a period of tension potentially allows Readiness levels to be raised surreptitiously.  The main effect of this is that more divisions may be available.

However, a particularly important comment made in the report about the time required to attain Readiness was the following:

“The time required for … low-strength units to train up to a standard … to be the minimum proficiency necessary to conduct effective offensive operations in Central Europe would extend … preparation times to about 30 days, plus time for movement.”

Finally, the report made the following comments about these attack options:

Option 1 - Attack from Peacetime Posture - highly unlikely because of the risk that Soviet forces will be shocked and surprised by there orders, and lacking important supports and command and control;

Option 2 - Attack with Two Fronts - minimum forces required to mount an attack but still lacking many of the important higher level supports and command and control;

Option 3 - Attack with Three Fronts - allows a more phased approach but may not have sufficient follow on forces to sustain the attack;

Option 4 - Attack with Five Fronts - an attack of this size fulfills the "Pact's conservative doctrinal preferences"

So interesting stuff.  Still trying to work out how this informs my plans for a Battle Generator but there you go ...

Till next time.