FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMFM 100-5CHAPTER 8PLANNING AND CONDUCTING THE OFFENSEOffensive doctrine leaves the commander widelatitude and the greatest possible freedom of action toaccomplish the mission. Offensive operations are characterizedby rapid shifts in the main effort to take advantageof opportunities by momentum and by thedeepest, most rapid, and simultaneous destruction ofenemy defenses possible. In applying the four formsof offense (see Chapter 7), commanders at all levelsplan and synchronize joint intelligence and fires withtheir combat and CS systems to gain full advantage oftheir ability to see and strike the enemy simultan-eouslythroughout the depth and space of his AO. Withintheir AOs, commanders exploit their successes withadditional forces and fires to increase the momentumof the attack and overwhelm the enemy.Brigades and divisions accomplish major offensivetasks as part of corps or JTF operations. Battalionsattack, delay, or defend as a function of the largermission. Corps and divisions may employ divisionsand brigades respectively as ground combat forces ina deep, combined arms battle. For smaller tactical unitsso employed, however, their activity is close combat.PLANNING THE OFFENSETactical planning centers on preparing for combat.Such planning can be relatively deliberate, suchas before beginning offensive maneuver; or it mightbe more rapid, such as when done simultaneously withthe conduct of the offense. Planning and fighting inthe offense can, and usually does, occur simultaneously.Essential to success is a succinct statement of thecommander’s intent (discussed in Chapter 6). Thecommander’s intent should be complemented by asimple concept of operations that is clearly expressedin a manner that permits the attacker to press the fightby taking away the natural advan-tages of the defender.Commanders tailor their offensive concept to thespecific situation. Planning may occur while units arestill in a defensive posture, preparing to begin offensiveoperations. It may also occur in anticipation ofshifting efforts within the ebb and flow of continuousoperations. Tactical units must be committed in theright place, at the right time, and in the right combination.Commanders attempt, where possible, toattack enemy forces simultaneously throughout theirAO in order to stun and then rapidly defeat them.The attacker seeks to maintain his momentum atall times. To avoid losing momentum after seizingtheir initial objectives in hasty or deliberate attacks,commanders plan for success. They exploit successesrelent-lessly, choosing the appropriate combination ofactions over time. They use reconnaissance, since mostsuccessful attacks are preceded or led by successfulreconnaissance. Offensive plans facilitate transitionto future operations, allow rapid concentration anddispersal of units, introduce fresh forces to exploitsuccess, rest other forces, protect the force, and sustaincombat operations throughout their duration.Commanders conduct an estimate at the beginningof their planning process to determine how best to accomplishtheir mission. As they make this estimate,they consider the factors of METT-T, which have tactical,operational, and strategic applications. Thecommander’s estimate is a continuous process. Sincecommanders remain alert to changes in their situation,they continuously review the METT-T analysis.CONTENTSPLANNING THE OFFENSE .......................... 8-1Mission .................................................. 8-2Enemy .................................................... 8-2Terrain and Weather ............................. 8-2Troops .................................................... 8-3Time Available ....................................... 8-3PREPARING FOR ATTACKS ....................... 8-3CONDUCTING ATTACKS ............................. 8-48-1