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THE EMPLOYMENT OF CORPS ARTILLERY Author's note: The manner of employing corps artillery in various operations, as developed in this article, conforms closely to the doctrines enunciated in FM's 6-20, 100-5, 100-15. Corps artillery will often have an important place in task forces during the development of the strategic war in the far flung places of the world where our forces are being built up. It will have a greater role in the struggle of the giants when they finally grapple for a decision. Aggressive imagination, energy, and mental flexibility are just as essential as a thorough knowledge of principles in exploiting the potentialities of corps artillery. Napoleon stated that he who can unexpectedly and suddenly place a surprising mass of artillery fire on one of the enemy's points is sure to take it. The present organization of American artillery was developed to permit this principle of surprise mass fires being put into effect. Mass fires require centralized control. Centralized control is dependent on reliable communications. When communications are unreliable, due to rapidity of movement, distances separating units, or devastating enemy action, a resort to decentralized control becomes necessary: only thus can separated elements act quickly to meet a changing situation and to exploit information. These smaller elements, however, should also apply the principle of surprise mass fires insofar as practicable. By Col. John J. Burns, FA THE FIRST OF TWO PARTS 208 It will be observed that the speed with which an operation progresses largely dictates the degree of centralization that exists. In a static situation centralization becomes complete; as maneuver situations develop, decentralization becomes greater. It will rarely become complete because the commander will always strive to keep a mass of artillery in action at his immediate disposal so that he can decisively influence the battle at critical moments. Then too, in all planning, he will provide for passing in varying degrees from centralized to decentralized control and back. Centralized control means massed artillery fires and victory. Commanders of corps artillery units, including observation battalions, while enjoying the independence inherent to a great degree of decentralization, must always take every practicable step consistent with their immediate mission to facilitate their reversion to centralized control as part of a large tactical unit. It is in the corps that control of the artillery reaches its highest degree of centralization. In certain phases of an operation the corps commander, through his artillery commander, will prescribe not only what the corps artillery
1943 THE EMPLOYMENT OF CORPS ARTILLERY 209 will do, but also what the division artillery is to do. For example, for the artillery preparation and counterpreparation and for defensive fires during the lulls between phases of an action, the fires of all the artillery with the corps may properly be closely coordinated. Yet, in seeking centralized control the first problem in a rapidly moving or developing situation is to get the corps artillery into action quickly in order to have the advantages of its power. Timely used before the enemy can get set or when he is off balance, corps artillery can pave the way to success. To leave it unemployed for two or three days while an action develops violates the principle of economy of force. Under cover of guns firing with wide traverse and at long range and so hurling large shells over a wide area, light artillery and other troops can be pushed forward to advantageous positions. Enemy tank concentrations can be broken up. Antitank guns and light artillery can be emplaced under cover of these big guns for direct fire against strong points, tanks, etc. Without long range artillery immediately available to oppose similar enemy artillery, our troops will be at a decided disadvantage. Valuable time may be required to get it up. It is in conformity with these ideas regarding the use of corps artillery in a rapidly moving situation, together with those already accepted for more stabilized situations, that the organization of corps artillery should be established. The organization should be flexible, capable of expanding or contracting in accordance with the requirements of a particular operation. The basic unit of the corps artillery should be the battalion, the real artillery fire unit. It should be selfcontained as regards administrative and tactical functions so that it can be shifted from one command or locality to another. Command or groupment headquarters headed by artillery officers of suitable rank (colonel) should be set up to control two to four, or even five, battalions or fire units. Fixed units of the corps artillery are the corps artillery commander, his headquarters and headquarters battery, and the observation battalion. In addition to commanding the corps artillery, this artillery commander is adviser to the corps commander. The principal mission of the corps artillery, as stated in FM 100-5, is the neutralization or destruction of hostile artillery, the destruction of hostile defenses, and long range interdiction fire. The corps artillery is also used to reinforce the fires of division artillery. This mission is general, and is not restricted in its application to any particular type or phase of an operation. It is important that its general application be kept in mind throughout this study. THE ARTILLERY COMMANDER'S STAFF Control of the corps artillery is exercised by the corps commander through his corps artillery commander. The latter has a staff of seven officers and eleven soldiers to assist him. It has command, staff, and operational functions. In order to carry out these functions, the following organization is suggested: ARTILLERY COMMANDER (BRIG. GEN.) EXECUTIVE OFFICER (COL.) S-2 Section S-3 Section S-1 & S-4 AT CORPS Major (S-2) COMMAND Corporal Clerk POST Draftsman AT COUNTER- BATTERY FORWARD REPORT CENTER Capt. (Ass't S-2) Corporal Clerk Lt. Col. (S-3) Capt. (Ass't S- 3) Tech. Sgt. (Opns) Clerk Major (C.B.O.) Clerk Draftsman Section 1st Lt. (S-1 & S-4) Mr. Sgt. Stenographer It will be noted that the staff is organized into the usual staff sections, but that it is divided into two elements. The first, known as the corps artillery command post, usually is located with the forward echelon of the corps command post. It consists of the S-1 & S-4 and parts of the S-2 and S-3 sections. The forward element includes the S-2 advance information center and the counterbattery group of the S-3 section. This can be conveniently designated as the COUNTERBATTERY FORWARD REPORT CENTER (CB-FRC). Its functions are largely operational. It will usually be located in front of the corps command post, convenient (from a wire communications point of view) to the various groupments of the corps artillery. It should be set up with radio communications at the first indication of stabilization. This CB-FRC collects all information from forward agencies, sending at once positive information directly to the commander who is to act upon it and then to others interested. Unverified or vague information is transmitted to S-2 at the corps artillery command post for study and collation. The counterbattery officer (CBO), with post at the CB-FRC, receives immediate information of batteries reported to the forward report center by artillery and air observers, the flash and sound battalion, and front line troops. He receives data on batteries located by S-2 (at the corps artillery command post) from the study of photographs, reports from the rear, etc. Until the corps assumes control of the corps artillery, the CB-FRC limits itself to being an information service, collecting data and preparing for centralized control. The counterbattery officer's group functions in a manner quite similar to that of a division artillery fire direction center. Each battalion designated as a counterbattery unit sends a counterbattery party to the CB-FRC. It should include telephone operators with a telephone, to permit direct telephone and radio communication between the CBO and the FDC's of the counterbattery battalions. The setting up of the CB-FRC is the first step toward centralization and mass of fires.
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