1959 US Army Vietnam War Terrain Intelligence ... - Survival Books

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c. The compilation of terrain intelligence is not limited to enemy
areas. It also covers the area occupied by the friendly force and the
terrain to the rear and on the flanks.
6. Scope of Terrain Intelligence
a. Terrain intelligence is classified according to the mission and
level of the command at which it is used. While these categories at
time may overlap, they are considered broadly as strategic and combat.
b. Strategic terrain intelligence is concerned with the requirements
of large-scale plans and may include intelligence concerning the military
capabilities and vulnerabilities of entire nations. It is the intelligence
produced for major agencies of the Department of Defense.
Strategic intelligence is produced continuously and requires the compilation
and interpretation of detailed information by highly specialized
personnel. Included in strategic terrain studies are descriptions
and analyses of beaches, water terminals, rivers, towns, and major terrain
features; transportation and communication systems; and crosscountry
movement conditions, soils, rock types, underground installations,
climate and weather, vegetation, state of ground and hydrography.
The principal compilation of these studies is the National
Intelligence Survey (NIS). Upon the outbreak of hostilities, such
studies provide field commanders with their initial intelligence concerning
the area of operations.
c. Combat terrain intelligence is produced for use in planning and
conducting tactical operations. It is based upon information secured
locally or provided by higher headquarters and is concerned primarily
with the effects of weather and terrain upon the particular operations
of the unit.
d. The difference in the type of terrain intelligence required by
strategic planners reflects their objectives. The strategic planner
may consider an entire country or continent, while the tactical planner
is concerned only with the terrain in the area of his operations.
Where the strategic planner often studies problems that may arise
some years ahead and applies terrain intelligence in a wide variety of
hypothetical tactical situations, the tactical planner is concerned only
with problems that currently involve his unit or that may be anticipated
in the near future.
7. Relation to Other Intelligence
Terrain intelligence is one element in the intelligence requirements
of a commander. The engineer has a particular interest in terrain
intelligence, since lie is trained and equipped to make related terrain
studies and to conduct field reconnaissance.
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